Seven Oh Oh

on July 29, 2012

On Thursday of last week I posted the 700th Bardsworth strip. That number seems almost ludicrous to me. Seven hundred strips? Seven hundred times I’ve sat my butt down and drawn silly characters doing silly things (or silly characters doing serious things). I should have hit that number long ago, but because of my once-a-week schedule these milestones have become fewer and farther between. Still, I’m happy that I’ve made it this far, and I have even farther to go.

Thank you to everyone who has stuck with me for these 700 strips, through the hiatuses and the delayed updates, through the very slow once-a-week paced storylines. Thank you for all the kind words over the years in the now-defunct forums and shoutbox, the WordPress comments, Facebook and Twitter, and by email. It’s because of these kind words that I’ve continued to do what I do.

Here’s to 700 and beyond!

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Will Work For Donations

on July 20, 2012

This is a “begging for donations” post, but bear with me for a moment.  See, my best friend (we’ve been friends since kindergarten) is getting married in September, but he lives in California.  In order to pay for the trip out there (as well as the trip to the bachelor party) Katie and I have had to try to scrape together as much money as we can from anywhere we can.  So unlike previous donation-beggings that were directly for the strip, this one is for selfish purposes.  But I’m willing to work my butt off for it.

I’m offering Kickstarter-like levels of gifts in exchange for your donations.  The higher the amount, the more you get from me.  The gifts will be on a first-come-first-served basis, but I will keep everyone informed as to my progress.  The levels are as follows:

$1.00-$19.00 – Donator wallpaper
$20.00-$39.00 – Custom wallpaper + Donator wallpaper
$40.00-$59.00 – I’ll draw you into the comic + Custom wallpaper + Donator wallpaper
$60.00-$79.00 – Original artwork of your choice (depending on availability) + I’ll draw you into the comic + Custom wallpaper + Donator wallpaper
$80.00-$99.00 – Art commission on 14″x17″ Bristol board + Original artwork + I’ll draw you into the comic + Custom wallpaper + Donator wallpaper
$100.00 and up – Postcard from California with a sketch on it + Signed copy of “If You Give Me Cookies I’ll Believe Anything” + Art commission + Original artwork + I’ll draw you into the comic with a line of dialogue + Custom wallpaper + Donator wallpaper

As you can see, I won’t be lazy about any of this – you give, I give.  The gifts will closed when either we’ve raised enough money to cover our expenses, or until I’ve got more work than I can handle.

If you guys have any questions about anything, leave ’em in the comments or email me, k?

EDIT: For those of you who have never donated before, you click the button on the left labeled “Support the Artist” and it’ll take you to PayPal.

Oh, and here’s the new donator wallpaper:

Rayner and Penny

6 Comments

First in a While

on July 12, 2012

Sorry, folks, it’s been a while since I’ve had to post a black-and-white strip.  I was going to try to finish it completely, but I’m running out of time to prep for ConnectiCon.  The stars aligned against me in every way this week, so something was going to have to suffer.  I’ll work on coloring it in my off-time at the con and get it posted as soon as I return.

Also, if you’re planning on being at ConnectiCon this weekend, stop by for a brofist/brohoof, handshake, hug, or verbal abuse.  Your choice.

2 Comments

Explanation of Explanation

on July 10, 2012

Okay, folks, I need to get this off my chest. My latest strip seems to have sparked the most comments that I’ve received in a long time, and these comments need to be addressed.

There is a reason I don’t explain a lot of the things in Bardsworth, and the explosion in the comments section is a big part of that. No matter how intricately I explain something, there will always be people who will A.) have more questions, B.) Find something wrong with my explanation, or C.) have a “better” explanation. It’s just the nature of the internet I guess.

Firstly, I’m fallible and I’ll be the first to admit it. Heck, there are numerous plot holes in Bardsworth. Things are going to slip through the cracks; it’s inevitable when you’re the sole creator of something like a webcomic. But I do the best I can for writing a story over a number of years while still maintaining other projects and a family life.

And I also know what to explain and what not to. A handful of people have further questions about the translation enchantment, and here’s the cover-all answer: If it’s not pertinent to the story, it won’t be explained. I’m sorry if there’s something about it that you want to know, but I don’t have the time to explain every little detail, especially when there’s a story at hand (and especially when I only have once a week to tell that story).

I’m not trying to chastise anyone or vent my frustrations. I just want you guys to know where I’m coming from. If I’m not explaining something down to the most minute detail, it’s for a good reason.

Besides, magic should never be explained down to the bones; it would strip away what makes it magical.

EDIT:  I should take a moment to say that I am happy that such discussion is taking place over my comic.  It means that you people care enough about the comic to really dig into it and analyze.  So thank you for that.  Just don’t go crazy.  😉

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Book Release: Blood of the Mother

on July 6, 2012

As some of you may know, I do a lot of things outside of Bardsworth.  One of those things is writing.  In the past year I released two novellas of the urban fantasy genre (although I refer to them as “fantasy noir”).  They’re a bit different from my usual fare, and didn’t sit well with some of my established fan base.  However, as of today, I have released a full length novel that will probably resonate a little bit better with you folks.

Blood of the Mother is the first book in a planned series called The Godblood Chronicles.  I had been working on this novel for years and am excited that it’s available in ebook format, and soon to be available in paperback.

Here’s the official description:

Two centuries have passed since the Ulons had been banished from the face of the world for their crimes against their cousins, the Aiellans. Their existence had become myth, their atrocities nothing more than campfire tales. Now, a mysterious pair has emerged on a quest given to them by the All-Father to restore His children to their rightful place in the world.

But the once-beloved of Ulos has Her own plans.

Quentis, a young seminary student with a tenuous faith in his goddess, finds himself guided by Her hands into a journey of danger and of self-discovery. Accompanying him are a young woman with a love of things mechanical, a thief on the run from his own people, an assassin exiled from her home, and a bluebird.

If you’re interested in getting it for your favorite ebook reader (or even to read on your computer, as it’s available in several compatible formats), you can get it at Smashwords in multiple digital formats, or you can get it at Amazon for your Kindle (I’d prefer if you get it from Smashwords if you can, because they give me a bigger cut of the royalty).

And if you get it, read it, and like it, please give me a review! Word of mouth is the best way to sell!

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