Writing Goals for the Summer

Things Are Happening...

This summer I've got a lot going on in terms of writing projects. I just started my internship at Cosmic Book News, where I'll be rebooting/restarting my "Alternative Comics Beat" column. If you missed it the first time around it's a place where I recommend comics you might not be reading if you only read the standard superhero fare. Even then, I still find some superhero gems that might have slipped out of your reach.

I've also got three comic book projects I'm currently working on. Bluster is the public project, the one I'm working on with Andy Budnick, but I've also got two secret projects going on right now. Once the scripts are done and there's artwork to show for it I'll gladly put it out there for the world to see.

On top of that I'm also slowly working on a novel. It's with a character that I've developed over the years, and admittedly is just a version of myself with black magic and a mean streak. But since the story is a personal one about the past and how people perceive you based on things that have happened to you, I think it's fitting to just openly admit that the character is heavily influenced on my life experiences.

What I've Been Pondering

I've been thinking a lot lately about self-publishing comics, especially with Bluster. Everyone who got a sneak preview of the comic at C2E2 this year really enjoyed what they saw, and it made me more excited than ever to produce creator-owned content. While I would love it if a bigger company picked up Bluster, I plan on releasing it first as a digital run and then collecting it in paperback or hardcover afterwards. There's something rewarding about doing everything yourself and being completely in control of the material, especially if you have a fan base. While we don't have one yet, the positive feedback we got tells me that Bluster is a story that people are going to be excited to read.

But For Now...

For now I just want to say that I hope anything I post on this blog inspires others to create. I don't care if it's comics, novels, music, web series, or even a blog or personal journal. Sharing and creating art, in any form, is best when someone connects with your message. So if you've got something to say, or an experience to share, don't hesitate. More than often someone else is looking to share that experience and can find it in your work.

Oh, What a Lovely Tea Party

The 2013 Fall semester has started and I'm already knee deep homework. I've got a full load of classes combined with the work up at the cottage that constantly needs to be done. Throw in the fact that I'm becoming the neighborhood dog walker and the chances of me ever taking an afternoon nap again get slimmer and slimmer.

The good news is that I'm still working on comic projects, as well as a few prose pieces.

In the comics department I've got a project cooking with Andy Budnick, a Michigan artist and dear friend of mine.It's my take on a superhuman prison and a story that looks at the prisons we build for ourselves inside of our work, family, friends, and minds.

Also there's a lot of explosions, so it's got that going for it.

I've also got some pitches I'm working on with other artists, but those are going to take a bit more time to get ready. Of course I'll share everything and keep people posted as things develop.

In other news, Cincy Comicon is almost here! This convention sounds like it's going to be one of the better events I've attended. If you haven't seen the guest list you should really check it out. The artists and writers attending are all stand-up ladies and gentlemen.

I would like to let everyone know that I'll be posting some writing services here with prices (varied) for different freelance projects. If you know someone that needs content written, edited, or even just critiqued, I'm going to be available for a multitude of different mediums and genres.

Hope all is well out there in internet land! And make sure to check out my new Alternative Comics Beat column on CosmicBookNews.com.

Alt Beat Column at Cosmic Book News (April 23rd, 2013)

Cosmic Book News just posted my most recent installment of "Alternative Comics Beat" on their website.

This week I put the spotlight on a series called Theremin from Monkeybrain Comics.

Here's the link for all of you comic book readers out there:

http://on.cbnws.cc/12aIQjN 

Enjoy! And make sure to check out the title on Comixology.

Progress Report: My So Called Life & Some Thanks

I can't thank the universe enough for the opportunities I've gotten this year. I've started working on my project for Top Cow Productions and the process is going incredibly smooth. They're a great company with amazing titles and I feel lucky to be adding to their shared universe of characters.

I'm also working on a project with Sean Daniel, musician and jack-of-all-trades extraordinaire. We started an ebook company called Griffincrest, which we're going to use to put out projects with a unique spin on them. First up on the block will be a short story that I wrote called "Arthur's Bookshelf," and after that we'll be moving more into our desired territory. We're hoping that it does well, but even if it doesn't meet or exceed our presentations I'm happy just to experiment and get it out there.

You have to do art for the sake of doing it and sharing it with other people.

My own creator-owned projects are coming along smoothly, and the first print of Violent Skies #1 went out to most of the Kickstarter supporters and the general feedback has been positive. The colors were a little dark toward the back, but hopefully we can fix that with subsequent prints. Kendall Goode and Paulina Ganucheau, the very talented duo I'm lucky enough to work with, have poured their hearts into our projects and I'm glad I get to share their work with the world.

I have a few pitch ideas that I'm working on with them, as well as my partner in crime Andy Budnick, who was nice enough to drive to Holland with me yesterday to look for a copy of Hulk: Gray. We didn't find it, but as Vonnegut would say, "so it goes."

People have been asking me if I'm still going to write reviews. I'm going to have to say initially that I'm done reviewing. I just don't feel like it would be fair for me to critique other people's work in a journalistic (or lack thereof) manner while I'm putting out my own material on a more professional level. The good people at Cosmic Book News are always willing to let me back in with open arms, and I thank Matt and Byron for that until the end of time.

My hopes for the summer are to write the first draft of a novel, finish the first big Griffincrest project, get more comics in the pipeline for publishing, and have erotic adventures across the world. And considering the erotic adventures are the least likely to happen out of all of those plans, I'd say I have a fulfilling season ahead of me.

Of course it's snowing in Michigan right now, so summer might skip us all together.

Either way I'd like to say thank you to everyone who has given me these great opportunities over the last few years, and in no particular order, here they are:

Jessie Garza - Viper Comics - for letting a "no name" submit a story about a shape shifter and letting me edit comics and books at a higher level than I deserved.

C. Edward Sellner - Visionary Comics - for seeing something in a newcomer and putting me in charge of getting the word out for his projects. Also editing my books when I ask for it.

Matt Hawkins - Top Cow Productions - for thinking my submission was creepy enough to let me play in the Top Cow Universe.

Bryan Rountree - Top Cow Productions - for being a delight to talk on the phone with, even after I had my tongue sliced four ways to Sunday.

Matt & Byron - Cosmic Book News - for deciding that this simple West Michigan boy knew what the hell he was talking about when it came to panels, pages, and gutters.

And these are just the people who have helped me in the comics industry. I'm sure another prose installment is on its way.

But thank you to everyone who has believed in me so far. I won't let you down. And I want to say back to you that you should believe in yourself. Do what makes you happy, don't apologize for the things you love, and try to get to bed at a decent hour.