I can’t believe how fast the last few weeks have passed! It’s already time to send the first issue of this newsletter. 😃
If you already read the introduction post, then you know what this format is going to be. I’m keeping it simple:
Update on my zines and creative projects
Some interesting things I’ve found through other people
A question or prompt for you
Contributed zine page
I finished a page I’m contributing to Pocket Thoughts Annual #4, which includes pages from artists all over the world.
I had an idea for an astronaut as the focus and a small bit of text at the top. I started with drawing the astronaut by hand and coloring it with Tombow dual brush pens.
I wanted to make some tweaks around the helmet, so I photocopied this drawing and played with variations.
When I decided which version to use, I added text at the top. The finished page looks like this:
Pocket Thoughts Annual #4 is coming out in January, so I’ll include a link to it in a future newsletter.
100 sales on Etsy
My Etsy shop reached 100 total sales in November! I don’t keep close track of where my zines go in the world, but I know they are in several U.S. states, Canada, Germany, and Australia! Thank you for all your support, whether that takes the form of likes, comments, shares, or purchases.
My next zine
The next zine I’m working on is about time travel. I don’t have any pages completed, but I’m playing with some ideas in my sketchbook. If you were to draw time as abstract ideas, what would that look like? That’s what I’m playing with.
I don’t keep any kind of zine schedule for myself, so I can’t say when this one will be done. But I’ll post some in-progress photos on my Instagram, like I’ve done for past zines.
Interesting things from other people
Jason Fried (founder of Basecamp and someone whose writing style I admire) recommended a book on writing:
I read the description of the book, and it sounds like exactly the kind of writing book I like. I haven’t started reading it yet, but I’m excited to!
For now, I’m re-reading Show Your Work by Austin Kleon. I like that despite changes to how and where we interact online, the ideas in the book stay relevant: sharing your work online will help you connect with people who share similar interests. You’ll find people who make the same kinds of things as you, and you’ll find people who like the things you make.
A question for you
Speaking of reading, something about the colder months makes me want to read more. But I recently cleaned up my list of books to read, so I need recommendations. Fiction (especially urban fantasy) or non-fiction—what books have you enjoyed recently? Please let me know in the comments or reply to this email.
If you have any other comments about something in this newsletter, please let me know, that too!
Thank you!
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