Will Work For Donations

by Pete on July 20, 2012 at 3:46 pm
Posted In: blog

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

by Pete on July 12, 2012 at 6:30 pm
Posted In: blog

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

by Pete on July 10, 2012 at 1:44 pm
Posted In: blog

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

by Pete on July 6, 2012 at 2:42 am
Posted In: blog

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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2 Comments

ConnectiCon and Beyond

by Pete on June 15, 2012 at 6:31 pm
Posted In: blog

Ever since I switched the site over to ComicPress I’ve been really bad about housekeeping. One of the things I neglected was a spot for appearances. Heck, I haven’t even really blogged about them. And it won’t really matter in the long run (more on that in a moment), but I wanted to at least take the time now to say that I’m returning to ConnectiCon for a fifth year. I will have a few new items for sale, including the Bardsworth perfume oils, the first three of my My Little Pony pin-ups, and hopefully at least one other surprise. So if you’re in the area, or if you feel like making a trip to the area, please stop and visit. ConnectiCon is a good time. Plus, it’s my birthday on that Friday. If you wish me a happy birthday I might just reciprocate with a little something.

Wait, that sounded dirtier than I meant it to…

Anyway, I won’t be posting up a list of appearances anytime soon. After the last few years of experimenting with conventions and outdoor festivals, Katie and I have decided that it’s too much of a financial risk at this point to be fronting the money for such things. So as of right now, I will not be doing any conventions of shows after ConnectiCon, with one exception to the rule. If I’m INVITED to a convention that helps with the costs of travel or gives me a booth/table for free, then I’m totally all for it. I know that makes me sound like a cheapskate, but I’d like to think that after almost eight years of working on Bardsworth I’m somewhat entitled to that. So if you have any conventions near you that you’d want to see me at, please contact the appropriate parties and let them know.

In the meantime, I’m going to focus on other things.

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