MAJOR BOOK SALE!

Hey friends! It's time to clean house a little bit.

I want people to read my books. And I understand times are tough. So why not a sale? This might be the best deal I have ever offered on my comics. Here's the skinny:

ALL my books are $10 each! Pleasant Life collected (500 pages), Anna Pocalypse (84 pages), Captain's Log Artbook (200 pages), Starslam 1 (126 pages), Starslam 2 (128 pages).

That's a lot of comics! You're basically getting them at cost. So for the measly cost of $10 a book plus shipping, you can get one of my five major graphic novels I sell at my online store here for usually $20-25 each. That is a MAJOR discount!

And I'll go you one better: Every order over $30 gets entered into a drawing to win this: My 6'x3' ANNA POCALYPSE Convention Scrolly! I took it to many shows for over 4 years and it might be yours if I draw your name!

--Each book comes autographed inside and ships in 1-2 weeks after placing your order.
--For international shipping, please add an extra $10 to the total.
--On Sept 30th a winner will be drawn from the names of anyone who places an order of $30 or more. They will then be notified and I will ship the scrolly directly to them at that time. 

Simply click on one of these links and order. I will then email you and ask you which books you want, since paypal isn't letting people type it in. Paypal takes credit card!

ONE BOOK: 

TWO BOOKS: 

THREE BOOKS: 

FOUR BOOKS: 

FIVE BOOKS! 

SALE ENDS SEPT. 30th at 11:59pm. Get on this now. Supplies are limited!! Support indie comics! You'll never see a sale here better than this.

--Thanks, T

STARSLAM wrap-up

Things have been a whirlwind this week and I finally get to sit down and talk a bit about STARSLAM and the Kickstarter experience. We got funded. At last count it was $2,890. I asked for $300. This whole thing has absolutely blown my mind. What started out as a whim of an idea, went through many phases and was completely shelved twice, has now become my fastest pre-ordered book of my career. On one hand you could argue that it was the sexiness of the project that made it get the attention. But I think its one simple answer: CROWDFUNDING WORKS.

When I considered Kickstarting this project, I looked to other folks doing erotica and releasing it on there. I saw a writer who put together a comics anthology. She asked for $5,000, she got $120,000. Another got $168,000. My pal Tim Fischer got over $6,000 for his project. So I knew that there was a potential to not only get funded, but also capture a new audience.... which is ALWAYS my intention. Getting paid is great, don't get me wrong. But I just want people to READ WHAT I DO! I cannot tell you how many free copies I've tossed to people over the years just to get people to read what I do. But I was stinged by older Kickstarters I tried. I tried to fund my ARTBOOK but failed. I barely got funding for both TALES OF SEQUENTIAL MAYHEM books. So it stood to reason that I might fail at launching STARSLAM that way. But I felt like I still needed to try. So I asked. And the people answered.

As of now, the funding process is complete. Sometime next week I should recieve my funds. I'v already handed out the digital book version to my backers. Next week when I recieve my funds, I will place the order for the books at the printer. A month later, I'll get them. Then I got a ton of sketching, signing and mailing to do. Its part of the gig when you are a one man operation. And I'm happy to do it. The majority of the money I raised is going to printing the book, shipping the books. The rest, which is probably around $500 will go to outstanding bills we have at the house. I won't see a dime of it. But that is TOTALLY FINE! Because I proved a point to myself. I proved that I can do this. I proved that I can ask the universe for something and get an answer. I proved that it is always a good idea to chase the whimsies. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But when it works, hoooo boy!!

If you kept up with this process, donated, RT'd, sent vibes, whatever... THANK YOU! You have no idea what this means to me. Not only did I have the biggest pre-sale of my career, but I also stepped forward and contributed to the sex positive movement.... which is what I always wanted to do. I hope that people read and enjoy this book for years to come!

SO- what to do if you missed out on the Kickstarter? Well, I got news:

If all goes according to plan, in January, I will have physical copies of the book. You can order from my online store at that time. Also sometime around then, I will be launching digital versions of ALL my books. You can purchase and get them for your tablet devices or read them on your desktop. Your preference. I'm finally moving into the 21st Century with my shit! Also, I will have copies to take with me to conventions. Trust me, STARSLAM ain't gonna go away. Its just beginning. I'm already working on a sequel and I'm 10 pages into it. Its bigger, better and bolder. Sexier. More dynamic. I'm really gonna go all out with this one. So expect that next year.

As for other stuff like ANNA POCALYPSE 2, PORN STORE MEMOIRS and PLEASANT LIFE 2? Thats all in the works as well. You'll most likely get ANNA 2 and the PORN STORE MEMOIRS books next year as well. Depends on my time on when I can get things done. But it is my intention to get them all completed. I've caught a wave of inspiration and success and I intend to ride it! I've also got two more Sketch Card sets I am on currently.

Anyway folks, thats the wrap-up on STARSLAM. Thanks to all who ordered the book. I hope you are enjoying it! Onward and upward!

Cheers, T

Holiday Deals!!!

Hey folks, I am having a holiday book/Commission sale THIS WEEKEND ONLY for the holiday season. Time to stock up on my books or a commission of art for a gift! Supplies are limited so it may sell out fast! ACT QUICK! Otherwise, sale ends Monday at 11:59pm.

PLUG TIME!!

Hey folks! Hope all is well. I wanted to remind you all of what I got currently out there for sale and going on. My KICKSTARTER for STARSLAM is at the halfway point. Don't miss out on this pre-order to get your PDF or physical copy, along with art and more! Choose your reward and pay on Nov. 28th! My Kickstarter and details are all right HERE

 If you want a book that is currently available, You can get my ARTBOOK that collects 140 pages worth of my best work from 1994-2014. Celebrates 20 years of my hard work in comics and illustration! Comics, college art, tons of unseen stuff and more! Every book ordered comes with a FREE SKETCH INSIDE! $25. Order it right HERE

And don't forget my super violent, post-apocalyptic graphic novel: ANNA POCALYPSE! 84 pages of hardcore blood and guts! Each book ordered comes with an ANNA sketch inside. Order her right: HERE

COMMISSIONS:

I've been getting emails about Kickstarter and Commissions. I AM taking commissions, and if you want pricing and info, go right HERE

_______________________________

Overall, decent week. Could always be better. Waiting on some freelance checks to arrive. (tap tap) Anyday now!! I hope you folks are having a good week!!

Cheers, T

PODCAST CONTEST!

By now most of you know I run a podcast called the IDIOTHEAD MORNING SHOW. Its 15-25 minutes about 3-5 times weekly that you can stream for free right HERE or better yet, Subscribe via Itunes right HERE - I'm at episode #280 after going for almost two years. Coming up quickly, I will be celebrating my 300th episode! So I wanted to do something special. I am having a contest!!

Simply EMAIL ME A QUESTION that I can read and answer live on the show. It can be about my comics, my writing, advice, general interests, music, movies, whatever! Anything! Just ask any question. I will read each one live. Then at the end of the show, I will collect all the names and draw a name. The winner will recieve a FREE SKETCHED IN COPY of my 20th ANNIVERSARY ARTBOOK pictured here:

So either email me a question HERE or Facebook message me a question HERE and you are officially entered into the contest. I will be recording episode #300 within the next couple weeks or so, so there is time. However, don't wait and forget. Enter NOW while you are looking at this. Its a free shot at winning my 120 page full color with a sketch inside ARTBOOK!

If you don't enter, thats cool. But at least subscribe to the podcsat via Itunes HERE - Its free, and a great supplement to the blog here. I expand on many thoughts I have here and drop exclusive inside news all the time. Rants, raves, lists, etc. I try my hardest to be entertaining. People seem to enjoy it and the downloads are constant. I'd like it to continue and get more people listening and involved. Wanna help? Go to Itunes and subscribe. Also write a review for the podcast on there. It helps the rankings and gets sponsors interested in possibly looking at it. That helps fund what I'm doing. I appreciate it.

Anyway folks, ENTER THE CONTEST! ENTER TO WIN A FREE BOOK! Hit me with the questions and provide content for the big #300th episode!

And a great thanks to all who always listen each week. I appreciate you letting me into your lives for 20-25 minutes a day. Cheers! (Peace and Love!)

T

ANNA POCALYPSE Reviewed on Indie Comics Podcast!

For those who want to hear a great, great, GREAT and deeply in depth review of my graphic novel, ANNA POCALYPSE, check out this great audio from the Geek Life Podcast! Available on Itunes to subscribe or listen to it on their site right HERE - The guys dissected the hell out of the books, stating what they liked, didn't like, what could be improved and more! Probably the most in depth review I have ever had. A solid hour of talking about little ol' me and this fun book I put together. WOW! I really appreciate the time they put into this review. Beyond awesome!

And if you are new here and listened to their podcast and came here, THANK YOU!!! And feel free to order a copy of Anna Pocalypse and see preview pages right HERE

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In other news, I am doing sketches in books ordered online. Today I did a TNG Zombie themed sketch for someone in my Artbook:

If you don't have a copy of the ARTBOOK, order one now right HERE - All books ordered from my store gets a FREE SKETCH inside!!
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The wife is on vacation and the kids are on Spring Break, so this week the house will be full and we'll see how sick we can get of each other! I hope the weather stays nice and we can all get some spring cleaning done around here. Its raining today, but the snow is nice and melted away. I am also going to start packing up artwork to sell on the site and at conventions that are coming up.

And I got my time for FREE COMIC BOOK DAY set up at Clem's Comics in Downtown Lansing. Its the first Saturday in May from 11-2pm. Its possible I will be there beyond that time, but I am guaranteed to be there at least during then. I'll have copies of my books, prints, cards, sketches and original art. I will take commissions at the show but its best to order one ahead of time and pick it up at the show. To order one, simply EMAIL ME HERE and request what you want and pay ahead of time, then pick it up from me there. I mostly do quick sketches for kids on FCBD only and it does get busy so time might get away from me to take on too much there. So best to order ahead of time. But I am looking forward to it! Clems Comics always takes great care of us!

Lastly, Don't forget Cherry Capital Con in Traverse City, MI on May 23-25th. I'll be there all weekend.

Thanks folks! Now go listen to that ANNA review!!

Cheers, T

Wild Wild World of Updates!

Ah... the sun has returned! The great tundra outside is melting. I am starting to get out of the house and feel human again. I took a couple days off from drawing to get out and enjoy the weather change. We're still at only 36 degrees but coming from where we've been the last four months, it seems like a vacation! It seriously was one of the worst winters I have ever encountered. So I defintely plan on spending time outdoors this year to make up for it. I felt really cooped up inside the house all year. Almost hibernation! Poppy seems to enjoy the sun too! (Above)

Baby James isn't so much a baby anymore. He can climb up on the furniture and hug those he most cares about... in this case, our 14 year old cat, Jake. His surgery a couple weeks ago went well. Its possible he *may* have developed an infection so we'll have to monitor that and see how that goes. But overall, he's really good and the swelling in the affected area is gone.

I am finishing PDFing the Pleasant Life book this weekend and sending it to the printer on Monday. Some have already taken advantage of my huge book sale, where you get all three of my tradebooks (PLEASANT LIFE, ANNA POCALYPSE and my ARTBOOK) for one low price of $50. And you should too! I need to know how many books to order when the time comes, so pre-order the deal now if you want one! Order right HERE

Also don't forget our TALES OF SEQUENTIAL MAYHEM KICKSTARTER. We're in the home stretch of the thing! Get original art, get drawn in the next issue and more! Last chance!

I can finally announce this too: I did some cards for a "DEAD DIVAS" card set through Unstoppable Cards and they are now available for pre-order through them right HERE -- I will have APs available for those interested. Hit me with an email RIGHT HERE to discuss such matters. Here's a look at some of the cards I did for the set:

Need more blogs and talk from me? I do a semi-daily podcast where I talk about my projects, things going on in the world, music, movies, comics, etc. Its free to listen to. Subscribe to IDIOTHEAD MORNING SHOW on Itunes or download episodes right HERE - Perfect companion piece to this blog. Feel free to EMAIL ME SOME QUESTIONS HERE and I will answer them live on the show! YAY!

The wife and I ordered HBO in anticipation for the new season of GAME OF THRONES. So while waiting for the new season to start, I finally am sitting down and watching BAND OF BROTHERS. I quite like it. After that, I will watch TRUE DETECTIVE and THE WIRE and see what all the hub hub is about. Also I got the wife addicted to G.O.T. so we've been re-watching it. I'm picking up little things I missed along the way. The show is so dense that I forget things. Also on TOY HUNTER, they shot in Taylor, MI at a shop that I know quite well. Its weird to see people I know on TV. I saw Dennis, the owner of Wonderworld Comics on the show. and over on CHOPPED, I saw someone from my hometown I used to party a bit with. Weird!

APPEARANCES -- Big news is that I will be returning to CLEM'S COMICS in Lansing for FREE COMIC BOOK DAY on May 6th. I will have all my prints and books there, as well as doing free sketches for anyone 12 and under. Make plans to come out and see me!

Then I will be at the CHERRY CAPITAL CON May 23-25th. I've never been there before but they are having me out and I am beyond excited. It looks like a laid back, exotic locale!

I think in the fall I will be doing another show as well. I am not 100% sure where that will be yet. Depends on how the chips fall. I'll let you all know as soon as I make plans.

Lastly, over at the adult webcomics section, STARSLAM is really heating up. The next couple weeks are going to be jaw dropping moments. Shit hits the fan. Oh yes. If you are over 18, I encourage you to read it. Its not porn comics for the sake of boobs and wee wees. Its actually a good story being told. Please give it a chance and spread it around!

Okay folks, Have a great weekend and I'll see you on the flipside. Keep those book orders coming in! Cheers, T

Order my ARTBOOK now! Plus updates!

IT'S FINALLY HERE!

My ARTBOOK is now available. You can order it and see preview pics of the inside right HERE - Cost is $25 with free shipping. As a bonus, all orders placed before this coming Sunday the 16th I will toss in two free 8x11 art pieces I have laying around. Some might have been printed in the book too! I want to clean out my boxes of original art I have around here, so I need them to go to a good home. $25 for a 120 page full color book of my best stuff from the last 20 years, plus a sketch inside, plus two FREE 8x11 pieces of art??!?!!??!?! Thats a goddamn deal and a half! ORDER NOW and support indie comics! I appreciate it.

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In other news, I have made some great progress on the PLEASANT LIFE collection. I placed all pages and built the supplementary material pages. All that is left is doing the word balloons for the new bonus story I did and PDF the whole thing. Then its off to the printer! I will be doing a special pre-order for it including original art, a special print and more. But more on that later. One plug at a time. Just rest assured that probably in the next week or two, its going to the printer. Old stuff finally back in print... and some new stuff for the first time in print! I'm beyond excited about this. I thought I'd hate doing this book and looking at all that old art I haven't seen or read in years. But to be honest, I am enjoying it. I got to re-read the series from beginning to end and there are several things in it I forgot about. I was sorta able to read it as a "fan" and its quite good. Damn good! I've surprised myself and made a book that completely holds up and connects with me as a simple reader. Very fun!

I won't hit you with anything else at this point. The entire focus right now is getting these Artbooks out to the people. Please order one now. I appreciate it! Help me celebrate 20 years of doing this. And get tons of art in doing so!

Cheers, T

Productive Weekend!

Just what I needed! I worked hard all weekend and marked a lot of things off my TO DO list. I love it when that happens. I did this too:

Those are some selected pages and panels from my new PLEASANT LIFE stuff I am doing for the upcoming complete collection tradebook. It will not be in color in the book itself but I decided to color it for online use. Plus, I've never seen these guys in color sequentially! So why the hell not, eh?

I hope these don't give too much away. Its a cute little mini-story for the book and a nice way to see the progression of my artwork with these characters from when they started back in 1995 up to now. Hopefully people will see the long way I have come over the years. I mean, take a look now! Here's page one of the comic in 1995:

*Note: Lucas' name used to be BUD. Don't ask.

Anyway, we're looking good so far! I got the art done and now I just need to put together all the extras pages and then PDF the whole thing. Maybe another week of work on it. Gonna try to see what all I can get rolling on it this week since I don't have much on my plate (at the moment). I want it all done in time for May when my con season starts. If all goes well, it will be!

Speaking of May, don't forget I got the CHERRY CAPITAL CON from May 23-25th. But before that, I just confirmed that I will be at CLEM'S COMICS in Downtown Lansing once again for FREE COMIC BOOK DAY (May 3rd). Then I'll probably hit a show sometime in the fall. Thats the plan so far anyway.

I should have my ARTBOOKS back from the printer early this week. So order now and get a free sketch inside!! As incentive I'm including original art printed in the book. Randomly selected from my archives, a nice way to say THANK YOU for the support. Order now by clicking the link I just posted or go to the store here at the site.

Also, our KICKSTARTER for TALES OF SEQUENTIAL MAYHEM is still rolling. (Click link to look at project and donate!) We're going strong and very happy with its progress. I am putting the book together this week as well so it will be printer ready by the time the Kickstarter ends. Dig it! We thank you for the support.

In non pluggy news, I have started watching CLONE WARS on Netflix. I quite like it. I'm also keeping up with episodes of THAT METAL SHOW, TOY HUNTER and WALKING DEAD. All fun passtimes for me. I am also deep into reading Neil Gaiman's OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE. I've put this one off for too long. Other than that, I am addicted to watching house shows on HGTV. Really jazzing for a nice dream house of my own. Perhaps I am feeling all spring cleany too, cause I just gutted the hell out of my kitchen and moved things around. Maybe wishing the weather stays nice so I can enjoy a spring cleaning around here. We desperately need it!

Okay, thats enough from me. Thanks for checking in and have a great week my droogies!

T

UPDATES on ALL THINGS

Wow! Lotta hits on the last blog about the PLEASANT LIFE COLLECTION so I thought I would hit ya with a bit more updates.

I got all the pages scanned and placed. I scanned and pulled all my stuff for the EXTRAS part of the book. All I have to do now is drop all the files in the templates and PDF the pages. Maybe two days work on that. But the bulk of the work now is the stuff on the NEW story I am doing for the book. I started on pages this week. Here's a peek:

Its a nice flashback story that takes place during the series. It feels weird to draw these guys again. I counted up that the last sequential page I did for Pleasant Life was in around 2008. So this marks a nice six year break from doing anything with them. But it felt like putting on an old shoe. And quite comfortable. I'm really jazzed about this whole thing. I cannot wait until its all done!

In other news I did a promo card for the upcoming PINUPS/PITBULLS set. Here's a look at it:

I kinda like these two. A space girl and her faithful companion. Maybe the makings of another comic one day? I got some ideas.... In which case, this would be their first appearance. So you better get the cards! I'll pass on ordering info when I get it.

Also I did AP cards for the Cult-Stuff cards I had left. These are the final ones I will have and so they are all gone. Thanks to all who supported me and got the cards! Here's a look at them:

Lastly some GREAT NEWS! I got my proof in the mail for my long awaited artbook:

It looks immaculate! So they are being printed as I speak. I should have them in hand within a couple weeks. So I will be mailing orders out when I get them. Did you order yours yet? If not, click HERE to order and to get a sneak peek at some of the pages.

Exciting stuff all around, eh? ;)

Peace and Love, T

I put the "PRO" in Procrastination, Lately

Welcome back my friends. I want to spend today's entry talking about a problem I've been struggling with for the last couple months. Its not exactly procrastination, but just a general feeling of burn out. Or is it? When I've been hired to do work, I do it. But on my own things, I haven't made much progress. I have to force myself, practically chain myself to my desk to get work done. Around Halloween I did the 8 pages I needed to do for the next Mayhem Horror Anthology (which isn't due til January 30th). But I felt like I needed to get it done quickly before I lost the horror mood that was in me. I got it done, but after that, not much else. I did some commissions here and there, but after that: zilch.

I haven't felt excitement for anything comics related for quite a while now. I think its the constant fighting over small things in the industry over social media. Every day theres a new controversy everyone feels they have to weigh in on. I've always maintained a position of just staying out of it and just doing my work. Focus the energy I would spend getting mad about something and just channel it into the work. But every day there's something new to derail me and get me exposed and tired of it all. A new fight. A new skirmish. A new controversy. Not just in comics, but everywhere. I guess I let the weight of the world in too easily. Its hard not to, when you know that you have kids that one day might be effected by the negative things in the world. You feel somewhat guilty and responsible for it. I think also that the comics have evolved into a pop culture item to be celebrated in things like cosplay, TV and movies, and there doesn't seem to be as much focus on the craft and creation of a good story. Artists and writers are easily forgotton and the only things that sell are art prints of characters in the pop culture. Not my own. Not my friends' of his characters. We struggle to tell OUR stories and they fall on deaf ears.

But all of that has nothing to do with ME. I got projects on my stove right now that have me very excited. I make notes in my phone to put in the book I am writing. I write a short story here and there. I do sketches and things for the eventual time when I will just have that night where I can get free and explode into a big night of creativity and production. But it all fizzles around 8pm. I am in bed by 10pm now. Gone are the days where I stay up late, alone, focused on the tasks at hand. I find that I get more joy out of waking up with a solid night of sleep and ready to take on the kids and their various attitudes and needs. Unpredictible as it always is. And any free time I have I am sitting and listening to music, reading a book (not a comic, a BOOK) or just cleaning. I enjoy new cooking recipies. I have been baking bread and loving it. I find more joy in those things. The joy of actual creation has seemed to have dimmed, and I don't know why.

I know what I have to do. I know I want to do it. But when I find a moment to get it going, I cannot start. I tend to think that creativity and actual production needs to flow and come naturally. Usually it happens and I have to stop and leave the "zone" to take care of something. Get the kid a drink, change a diaper, go to sleep, etc. Such is the life of a parent with two young kids, one with autism. Adjusting to the new life of work only hasn't been good for me for some reason. This should be my most productive time, but yet it seems like a struggle. What an odd thing.

I also find the lack of excitement for doing comics has lead me to the idea that I just need to focus on writing. Maybe that is my new salvation. Just write some books. Collect what I've wrote over the years and put it out. Decide if I indeed am any "good" at that. Perhaps to reach beyond myself and what I thought I was capable of. I'm left with the questions like: Can I contribute to the big book of humanity by doing or creating something unique and new? Can I put my experiences out in a book and them be interesting enough to read to a complete stranger? and Can I avoid the trap I found in the comics, where I have to scream loud for someone to even care? I don't know at this point. All I can do is try and hope someone meets me half way.

All I know is that twenty years of doing comics has been very rewarding. But at the end, I released an art book showcasing 20 years of hard work and the orders were small. Very small. It was deflating to an extent. I felt like after my years of hard work, no one cared. Maybe I was creating my own feelings and warmth behind my own history and I was on a journey where only I gave a shit. But then I realized that was true....and its all I needed. I needed to know that I made that work. I created those stories and did it. I see my friends creating their own stuff and it fuels me. They tell me how they look up to me and how they wanted to work and create as much as I have. Outside I was grateful, but inside I was crying, knowing that I was letting them down. Like I had given up on myself. I didn't want to tell them how I felt like I lost my nerve. I told one close friend about how I felt like I lost my edge. And I saw him deflated in his drive to do it himself. I felt bad. (Sorry Robert) I didn't mean to take any wind out of your sails. It is a great thing to create, no matter the outcome. No matter the lust of the result or the fear of failure. To fail is to not do it at all. So please, don't stop.

I've looked at this point, this twenty year mark, as a transition to the next evolution. I know at the end of next year, I will not be doing the same thing. But I also know I am not stopping what I do. Whatever it is that I am doing. I guess I just feel weird to not have the fuel and the drive to do what I used to do. Maybe its that I am getting older. But it certainly aint because I don't care, because I do. Or else I wouldn't have wrote this big long confession for you all to read. The desire to create is far too important to me to ever leave it. I'll be creating something till the day I let this world go.

I do not know what all of this mumbo jumbo I have in my head really means. Perhaps you can sort something out of it. Point is: I'm not stopping. But I am finding it hard to start again. For myself. And I don't exactly know why. And usually that means I need something to spark it back to life. My battery needs a jump. I thought going to Detroit Fanfare might do it for me but it made it worse to some extent. I just need to get the 'Eye of the Tiger' back. And I hope the spark comes soon. Something needs to wake me up. Cause right now I feel like I am in deep REM sleep. I'm comfortably sedated, but I am also very happy feeling this way, and that is what scares me. I don't desire to be this way anymore. I just need to start moving again. I'm shut in and I need to take a long drive and sort my head out.

I'm too comfortable doing nothing and that is a scary feeling to me. I know there is something wrong with me. And I want to fix it.

At least I know that much.

--T

Post-Thanksgiving Blah Blah...

Hey all! Had a good holiday this week. My in-laws came up and ate my cooking for the first time. I made a massive 23 lb turkey, taters, chicken dumplings, corn and biscuits. I could tell they were hesitant at first to try my food but grandpa went up for seconds and grandma finished her whole plate. I think I finally won them over! But it was a good day. I watched the Lions kick the shit out of the Packers, which is always satisfying. We also put our Xmas tree up:

We didn't go out on black friday because money was tight this week. I usually think I can sneak out sometime the night of and get cheap blu-rays but then come home in anger due to rudeness and the lines. But the wife worked and I didn't want to drag the kids out into the cold. Besides, we broke anyway till payday. I got a few freelance and commission people that owe me money and have owed me money for some time now. So I am gonna start squeezing on some of them so that they pay up. I got bills to pay and this shit aint funny. But thats the life of a freelancer I suppose.

In other news, I've tried to stay busy when I can. I wrote a few more pages on my PORN STORE STORIES book. I'm about 30 more pages away from a complete first draft and then I'll work on editing it. I'm leaning towards just sticking with self publishing it, but I am not sure. I'd kind of like to work with another publisher for once and see what sales they can give the book. Its hard to run it all yourself. Would be nice to have someone else step in.

I am also working on art for the TALES OF SEQUENTIAL MAYHEM #3 book:

The art for it is not due till January and its only a quick 8 page story on my end, plus a bit of supplementary material. But I just want it done and out of my way for the big things coming. I got a mini series I was hired to do for a company revolving around a massively popular and historic fictional character and I am starting on that this week. So for now I have been putting out the little fires around me to clear the way for that. I want it to be my best work thus far. If the above is any indication of the direction I am going, then I feel like I am on the right path. I'm trying really hard to pack my panels and not bullshit my backgrounds.

Record Store Day was yesterday as well, and here I am, broke. Some nice vinyl came out too. I'm trying not to think about what I missed out on. Too depressing. But when the money rolls in, I will start buying presents for the family and myself what I really want: VINYL! I got a bunch last payday. Mostly used stuff from Rush, Van Halen, Ratt, UFO and others. But I also scored new sealed copies of NIN's "Pretty Hate Machine" and Tool's "Opiate." So I'm on my way to building my collection back. I got a massive list of albums I want and I am combing ebay, record stores and other sources for them. When the cash hits me, I will load up. And I'll be ready when santa wife gets me the record player I asked for.

Sketch card work has sort of slowed for me. I got two sets on my plate right now. Both of them are pinup girlie related. I think that is fine for me. I dipped my toe into all these cool properties and I had my fun with them. I haven't sent out new samples in a while. Some companies are great to work with, others... not so much. But overall it has been a good experience and it got me some street cred for a while. But I am happy to be on my own again for the most part and free to do my shit. Thats not to say that if I were asked and the right set came along that I might not consider it, cause I might. But I certainly am not looking as much as I once did. But sketch cards have been very very good to me!

And I emailed the folks who pre-ordered the artbook the news, but I have got a quote from the printer and the book will be headed there this next month. I am hoping it have it in time for xmas. Just waiting on a wee bit more cash to cover my overhead and personal copies, cause there is a minimum over the ones that were pre-ordered that I had to place. If you want in on it still and get a nice sketched in ARTBOOK covering my twenty years in comics and art, order now BY CLICKING HERE

I've been pretty quiet on FACEBOOK for a few weeks now and I gotta say that I am loving it. I have less bullcrap in my head and thats always a good thing. I don't feel like I have to reach out as much as I did before. I can do that right here or on my podcast. There's no fighting and no drama. I love it. I go on there about once a day and check out the few people I do pay attention to in my feed. And I only post links to my stuff. Call me a spammer, but thats all I want to say there. Everything else I say via this blog, podcast and my TWITTER account. So plenty of outlets to say what I want to say, and they are more controllable. Making the break from Facebook: Best decision ever. 

Lastly, for the adult webcomics people, STARSLAM (adults only) is nearing the end of the third chapter. The fourth is coming up. BIG things are going to be happening. Things will be revealed. Blood will be spilled. Thats all I'm saying. You won't want to miss it! So if you are over 18 and enjoy sexy stories, give it a read, please. Updates every Monday. I should have new PORN WORLD WEEKLY strips sometime soon as well.

I suppose that is it. Thanks for continuing to check back with me. I love you all. Be safe!

T

CONTESTS! - Name My Books!-

Hey folks. A couple fun contests for you.

I'm currently working on two projects: One is a 120 page full color artbook showcasing my best work and sketches and other things from the last 20 years. This is to celebrate my anniversary in publishing comics. It will cover all comic projects I have done art on, prints, sketches, pics, personal bio and much more. Its a real nice collection and in full color. Right now, I got a possible title, but I am open to more suggestions. If you can EMAIL ME a title that trumps the current one I have in my head for it, I will give you a sketched in copy of the book when it comes out late this year and a personal thank you in the liner notes.

Second contest is I am working on a first draft novel of my stories/experiences in working in 3 different adult book stores. This will collect everything I learned about being successful in the sex retail industry, all the seedy customers I dealt with, the unique situations I faced and the people I met. It will be part informative, part biography and part comedy. Also will have interviews with sex workers, other retail people I worked with and more. Shooting for about 250-300 pages in final. And this will be a written non-fiction novel. My first! I am hoping to pitch it to several publishers and if that goes nowhere, I will self publish it like I do everything else. BUT... I don't have a title! I need one. If you got a good idea for one, EMAIL ME and if I choose yours, you will win a free copy of the book when its released and a special thank you note printed inside from me.

These contests will go on until I have a winner. So come up with some ideas and email me! Be a part of my production team!

Cheers, T