Great news in our inbox this morning! David Barnett of the Guardian UK gives Howard Lovecraft and the Undersea Kingdom a glowing review! And we’ve been alerted that there may be a Howard Lovecraft sighting in The Independent this weekend, so we’ll certainly keep our eyes peeled.
In the meantime, please be sure to pre-order your copies and thanks again for your support!
Rebecca
Special thanks to actor and MC extraordinaire Bruce Hopkins for the wonderful radio interview on his RadioLive show!
You would probably know Bruce best for his role as Gamling in The Lord of the Rings films. As a complete Tolkien nerd, I must confess that the most difficult part of the interview was restraining myself from geeking out because I was speaking with a valiant Man of Rohan! (Don’t judge me.)
Bruce, I’m pleased for the opportunity to speak with one of Rebecca’s dear friends, and it was a pleasure chatting with you. I truly appreciate it. Cheers!
Howard Lovecraft and the Undersea Kingdom
The advance reviews have been flying in, and they have been fabulous. In case you missed them, I have posted a few select links below:
Howard Lovecraft and the Undersea Kingdom will be released in March, but if you simply cannot wait to get your tentacles on it–or you prefer digital comics–it is also available for download at ComiXology.
It’s not too late to pre-order your copies from your local comic, book, and online dealers. Bruce Brown and I would love to make a third book, but, as with all indie comics, we are completely dependent upon you: the dear reader. So please pre-order your copies today and recommend the book to friends, family, and enemies (hey, why not?) so we can continue to chronicle the weird adventures of Howard and Spot. Oh, and Beastie, too.
-D
2/15/12: UPDATED WITH WORKING LINK!
Welcome to the blog, dear reader. I hope you had a happy, safe, and refreshing holiday season. Things were a little hectic here at MacPherson Manor, but they were also pretty wonderful. Rebecca and I had a terrific time with our sons and family, but it was over far too soon, and we are once again buried to our cephalopodic necks (yes, Cthulhoids have necks) in writing projects. But that is a good thing.
Tweet of Truth
Yesterday whilst reading my timeline on Twitter (don’t judge me), one of my friends Re-Tweeted this interesting bit of information from mainstream comic writer Ed Brubaker:
@brubaker If my Fatale promoting tweets bugs you, you probably don’t understand how hard it is to sell an indie comic.
If a writer who has seen considerable commercial success is having difficulty selling his creator-owned book, perhaps you can begin to appreciate how nearly impossible onerous and frustrating it is for the rest of us. Indie comic creators make comics out of a deep love for the medium, and we rarely see a dime for our efforts. And, to add insult to injury, we often find that some mouth-breathing dunderhead(s) is/are scanning and pirating our books on the internet.
So… with this in mind, I have decided to make the first chapter of Howard Lovecraft and the Undersea Kingdom available for free download.
The Fine Print
All I ask (and I realize this is a lot to ask) is that if you enjoy this special preview, please pre-order the book and tell your friends and family about it. If you have a blog, Facebook or Twitter page, share a link to this blog post.
You can pre-order Howard Lovecraft and the Undersea Kingdom from your friendly neighborhood comic shop with the Diamond Order Code JAN12 0814. Or, if you prefer, you can pre-order from your favorite local bookstore or any online comic or bookseller.
I would also mention that the critically-acclaimed first book, Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom, is available from the aforementioned outlets.
FREE DOWNLOAD
To get your copy, simply click the wickedly-cool cover image below. When you get to the download page, click the bubble next to Download Files to my Computer and then click the Download button. Too easy.
Thank You For Your Continued Support
I mean that. I really do. Without each and every one of you, I would not be able to do what I love. You have my deepest and most sincere gratitude. Thank you.
I’ll write more later, but now I must dive back in. *glub*
-D
The year is quickly winding down, and 2011 will soon be gone! We are moving into our busy social time, so you will probably not hear from us until well into the new year. This is usually the time when people start reflecting on their lives – where they are, where they have been, and where they want to go. For us, it has been an incredible year – full of new projects, traveling, and family bonding. You know how New Year’s Eve goes: out with the old and in with the new. We are looking forward to 2012 and all it has to bring, including several exciting new projects!
We wish you a safe, blessed, and Merry Christmas!
As our special gift to you, just click the image below and get ready for some cozy KRAMPUS Christmastime love (okay, maybe not).
Signed Books
Don’t forget: if you still want to order signed copies of Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom, drop us an email (howardlovecraft(dot)comic(at)gmail.com). They have gone quickly, and we only have a few books left.
The Lovecraft Anthology
SelfMade Hero has announced the March release of The Lovecraft Anthology: Volume II, which features an H.P. Lovecraft adaptation by Dwight and sensational artist Paul Peart-Smith. Check out this amazing cover by our dear friend Francesco Francavilla, and click on the image to find out more about the book.
“Jack! But they said you were dead. You must be… DOUBLE DEAD!”
-The Nightmare Before Christmas
Warm regards,
Dwight and Rebecca and Krampus
PS – You can certainly tell which parts Dwight added! Hahaha!
This was me right after Dwight told me the deadline for his first YA novel. But things are coming along very well, and we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. It has been a blast seeing this story evolve, and I can’t wait for everyone to read it!
So if you hear crickets when you open our blog, please don’t be discouraged. We are working on something special and priorities have shifted a bit due to the schedule.
It will be well worth the wait; I can promise you that!
Rebecca & Dwight
Just wanted to write a quick entry to say that I have completed the first draft of a new book proposal. Moving on to edits now.
I cannot tell you how exited I am about this project!
All I can say at the moment is that I am working on a book proposal for a dark fantasy Young Adult trilogy. And it will be amazing. You have my word.
More news soon. I need to get back to editing!
Brian Matus–AKA Hellstorm–for his exceptional short story “Ambush at Devil’s Reef!”
Be on the lookout for pirates in your mailbox, matey!
Thank you to everyone who participated. It was not an easy decision to make!
Busy, busy
I am extremely busy with several projects going at the same time, but I will take a few moments in the near future to share some exciting news with you. Promise.
Contrary to what you might think from the image above, no, Dwight is not doing an adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds.” That woman would be me on any given day–and the birds are all the many thoughts thrown at me from Dwight when he is in the writing zone.
Being the wife of a writer is not easy, but it has many rewards. Any artistic lifestyle is hard as paying work is usually feast or famine, but I think being the other half of a writing team is wonderful. We are both voracious readers, and I feel a writer should read to be inspired–so our conversations are wonderful dialogs of mutually-admired books. He opens new worlds to me by recommending books and vice versa.
One of the most stressful times I can remember since we have been married was the month that we were a contestant in the Zuda Comics webcomic contest. Our offering, Sidewise, was number one from the get go–but we had to keep it number one throughout an entire month. Having to get everyone we know onboard took a lot of time, effort, telephone calls, and late night email reminders. Hearing that we won the contest took a huge weight off our shoulders. I think I finally exhaled that day; I was so wound up by the whole ordeal.
I especially love it when Dwight first gets a new project. After the seemingly interminable amount of time having to wait to talk about it (contracts must be signed first!) he is all bright-eyed and feverish. Then comes the deluge of thoughts and ideas–usually when I am talking about something completely unrelated to the current project! I could literally be in the middle of sentence such as, “I think we might need more milk,” when Dwight comes back at me with, “What do you think if I get rid of the tower in that last scene?” My perplexed look goes unnoticed as he is already on to another idea for the next chapter.
It takes a lot of focus to keep up with him!
Me furiously attempting to write notes as Dwight spouts it out!
We just got wind of a new project which, of course, I wish I could talk about… but can’t. The feverish look is in his eye and the printer is burning the midnight oil. It is all a part of the process and I would not have my life any other way. Besides, being able to work at home, he gets to drag the boys around to their various appointments. And I know that I am being biased, but I truly believe that he is one of the best writers around today. His work will be remembered long after he is gone. Not that he is going away anytime soon, God willing!
I hope all of you have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day Weekend. Summer is almost here, so it is time to get your Summer reading lists together.
So… what will you be reading?
Cheers,
Rebecca
Because I Didn’t Have Enough To Do Already…
I’ve decided to make a concerted effort to post a weekly column on my blog called The Weekly Business. These columns will address myths, falsehoods, half-truths and boldfaced lies surrounding the wacky world of freelance writing. Each week I’ll present a brass tacks, take no prisoners look into the hard realities of being a freelance writer.
Then again, I may just address something in the biz that’s irked me recently.
Like this week.
I decided to address this topic after reading many “outraged” comments about this particular writer’s workshop.
Comic Book Sell-Outs
I’m sure you’ve heard or read where certain creators (and aspiring creators) have disingenuously chastised other creators who make graphic novels for the purpose of using them as “sell sheets” to be shopped around Hollywood. These cartoon crusaders pound their chests, rent their clothing and unleash venomous attacks on creators who would dare besmirch their Holy Medium!
Yeah, you’ve seen ‘em.
I say disingenuous because more than one of these creators have optioned a property–or several properties–for film or television adaptation after condemning other creators as “comic book sell-outs.” Did you ever hear them retract their statements?
No, of course not.
Listen, outraged creator, if you truly are a comic book purist and make comics for the sole reason that you love the medium, I applaud you. But don’t you dare accept a lucrative Hollywood deal if it comes. That would make you a “comic book sell-out” and a total hypocrite.
See how bloody ridiculous this argument is?
No? Then how about a reality check?
Freelance comic creators see little–if any–income from their published work. It’s a fact. Not many creators have the guts to admit it, but that doesn’t make it any less true. Sure, there are some “big-name” freelancers who see a considerable amount of income from comic sales, but the majority of us haven’t seen one thin dime from the books we create after the exorbitant printing fees, “use of publisher’s logo fees,” office fees, and yada yada fees. It is truly an effort of love for the medium that drives us to tell our stories in a comic book format.
Having said that, I will not turn down a film option that puts food on my table and improves the quality of life for my family. I will not turn down a wonderful opportunity to bring my stories to a much broader audience. I love the comic book medium, but I’d have to be a fool to turn down that offer!
And so would you.
So whether you’re making comic books because you love the medium, or because you intend to use it to shop to Hollywood, what does it really matter? Graphic novels are an excellent medium to shop to Hollywood–regardless of your motivations for making ‘em. And making comics is never a bad thing.
Wrapping It Up
You know… this looks like a fantastic lecture. Perhaps, if you are in the area, you could attend and learn something. Something that would allow you to use a medium you love to create something much, much bigger. Something that puts food in your bellies and hot coals in your furnace.
Something that isn’t hate.
Salutations!
Rebecca here, and seeing that Dwight has stepped away from the laptop, I have taken over the blog for a wee bit (insert crazy scientist laughter here).
Dwight has been super busy editing a couple scripts, so I decided to post a short entry to let you know that SIDEWISE is not lost. We will have major news to report very soon, and we thank you for your patience.
MacPherson Media has quite a few projects in the works – one of which I know Dwight hinted about a while back. The video game story is progressing well and we are already plotting out our second novel.
In case you missed it, check out this nifty interview with Dwight where he uses the word “bumblepuppy.” Yes, seriously. It’s definitely worth checking out.
By now, everyone we know, including Godzilla (don’t ask) is in San Diego prepping for SDCC. A big hello to all of our fellow Zuda creators who will be signing (what? phantom digital comics?!) and the DC team who will no doubt be in network heaven central for many a creator. I hope you guys and gals are having a blast.
As much as we would love to be there, I am a bit glad that I won’t be braving the ginormous crowds this year. Plus, we have our manager shopping our properties for us, so I am more at ease and not feeling left out.
We’ll have much more news to share in the near future, so please stay tuned.
-R
