Hello, everyone!

If you subscribed, it means you want to know what I'm up to with my work!

It's only too bad I have no idea what to post as my first, uh, newsletter!

I was thinking of writing my first few newsletters to be not about Legendary Beings Ara & Celi, but instead about the pitch I am working on...then waffled because I wanted to post this on social media as a teaser (or however it works nowadays) and I'm trying to keep the pitch under wraps as much as possible. I don't want, you know, announce it or risk having people steal it.

(Peanut gallery, mocking voice: original, donut steal!!!)

Although, it depends, of course. For example, about two weeks ago I streamed over on Twitch and showed off some of the latest (and final) logos I did for the pitch. There's no harm there, because well, it's logos and IDK, seems harmless to show them off. Here they are, with the humongous watermark because paranoia gonna paranoia LOL.

SPOR-TS!

I've also been thinking of posting one of the pages I want to pitch on social media, once I actually, uh, pencil and ink it...As more of a teaser, mind you. See how much people are attracted to it, because curiously enough, to anyone I've spoken about the pitch, it's almost all been enthusiastic reactions. I also posted about it in a critique group and save for one or two extremely understandable questions about some of the plot, and comments about the intended format, it seemed there was interest in it too. So that actually gives me a lot more hope about the story in question hopefully being approached by agents or at the very least, some interest or critique.

I submitted the first version of this current pitch to Sparkler Monthly back in 2017 (?) -- I knew the art might have gotten me in trouble because I was in grad school and because of course whoever told me I would have tons of time in grad school to work on my own work LIED, I didn't have proper time to work on the pages. I had to rush this art throughout the last week of submissions and submitted it about an hour before deadline on a Friday. This came in the rejection email from Sparkler Monthly, and honestly, it might be the first rejection I have where I got constructive crit!

Note from the editors: You've got a good sense of paneling and your character designs are adorable, so we're sorry to turn you down! Your art just isn't quite at the level we need, and this sort of story (sports) will be very challenging to draw. This is a bit of advice, if you want some: with your paneling and character design strengths, a non-action drama would probably be a better fit for you, and would be an easier way to polish your art while playing to your strengths. Although you're not right for Sparkler at this time, we found your pitch charming, so thank you for letting us read it. <3

(Critique from the rejection email.)

If you're reading that and going, "uh NAAN, how come you aren't taking their advice to heart?" -- well, it's not like I haven't thought about the challenges. When I came up with this story in the mid 2000s, in the sports bar, depicting sports was the first thing on my list to get better at. I, uh, still haven't done artistic studies (research studies, yeah*) not for lack of trying, but more, as always, lack of time...

But the real point is that, well, this is one story I wouldn't mind being the writer on and having someone else better at sports help me draw it (or co-write, if we get there.) Unfortunately that requires 1) money 2) money 3) some degree of trust and 4) people willing to help me draw it for free, because I ain't getting paid either ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Obviously that last one won't happen because I would like the artist to get paid, no matter what, but you know, I don't have many people willing to take a chance...SO GUESS WHAT, LADIES AND GERMS, NAAN'S GOTTA DRAW IT!

I do have something else to say about the critique above re: art, but that'll burn bridges. Let's just say though, I still look back on it as a badge of honor that some of my pitch was looked upon favorably. I really do still appreciate the editors taking time to get back to me, when too many don't!

In hindsight, coupled with the reactions I have now, I think this could be a good omen, to be honest. I've gotten way more interest in it than with Ara & Celi, which makes sense? Ara & Celi is way more niche? :v I don't know, because equally niche comics have gotten popular and/or have lots of happy readers enthused about the angels/devils angle. Anyway, point is, that the pitch is perhaps more "mainstream" in scope.

Next newsletter I'll go into more detail about the pitch -- or show off some of the extra art and character designs. OR I might also end up showing off something else instead of the pitch, because I found my scanned storyboards for the next Warchicks mini-comic and I'd love to get on that this year....

In the meantime, please check out this playlist for the project. It's on Spotify, so I do apologize if you don't have it. If you hate Spotify, uhh, can't help you there! I'll put out a list later, I suppose! But the playlist will give you an idea of the vibes. (The songs are in no particular order yet!)

*I already know about Eyeshield 21, thanks!