#hey proud of myself for completing a multi page comic even if its not that long

[dog-teeth]

something to recognize that choosing recovery again and again is difficult work, and you are not weak for faltering

[therealandian]

Hey Guys!

I know I’ve been quiet for a while, so I just wanted to fill you in on what’s going on.

School ended a couple weeks ago, and I’m still trying to recover from all the insanity leading up to graduation. Honestly, I’ve been procrastinating working on anything because I’m too tired to do anything. But I think I’ve given myself enough time to recover. (To the point where half the time, I don’t even feel like being awake because I’m bored out of my mind. Don’t think it’s depression, but I’ve just not felt like doing anything...)

But in all honesty--and I’ve been thinking about this for a while--I don’t feel quite as motivated to work on my comics. And sure, motivation isn’t everything, but it feels like I’ve bitten off more than I can chew. That’s not exactly surprising, since I do that all the time, but I don’t want to keep working on these things if no one’s going to read them.

Now, obviously I know some of you guys do read Voidtale and AskBlue, and that’s fantastic. And I also know that people do enjoy my stories, even though my self-esteem says otherwise. That said, working on 2 comics, trying to write a book, and building an author platform is extremely taxing. I mean, how many times have I taken longer than a month to get my life back in order before going back to do the same thing and barely lasting more than another month?

I’m...really bad at multitasking...

Of course, I still want to finish out what I have planned. So Voidtale will get to its end eventually. I’ve had everything planned out for months, it’s just a matter of getting there. I’ve still got 4 more parts planned, but I’m going to get them done as fast as I can.

As for AskBlue, I don’t have any idea where I was going with the Error arc, I just wanted to make those two meet. And since I’m out of asks I can use anyway, I will not be continuing AskBlue for the foreseeable future.

Now that we’ve got the comic matter out of the way, I’d like to mention that, for now, How to Writing is on hold until further notice. While I’m proud of what advice I’ve given, I also know that I’m still just an aspiring writer with only a couple years or so of actual experience in writing original stories and content. Sure, fanfiction has helped me grow as a writer, but I need to carve out my own little niche in the writing industry before I start telling other people what I know. I don’t have nearly as much experience as I’d like to in order to start the series up again.

But don’t worry, it will be returning eventually--I have to market myself as an author, after all. I just need to have the background knowledge to do it.

And as for Burning Lies, I’m working on it. I’ve rewritten the prologue through Chapter 4 so far, and am right in the middle of Chapter 5. Everything has been completely redone. Villains have better motives, other characters are more multi-faceted, descriptions are better implemented, languages have been written. Hell, I even made up a few words that I use on a regular basis now.

That said, I need a few beta testers, just for the first few chapters. I’m trying to get a feel for what people will think of the story, and all the main points are pretty well established after Chapter 4. I know I have a few friends that have already read what’s been done, and also the previous drafts, but I could use a few extra, unbiased opinions. If you’re interested, I have the WIP page up and running on my writing blog. There, you’ll find the general synopsis, a sample, and a blurb.

Obviously the entire book hasn’t been completely rewritten yet, but it’ll at least give me a clue as to what I need to work on. Message me if you’re interested.

That looks to be all bases covered, so I’ll finish up this longer-than-intended post. Thank you all for understanding and patience. You’re all wonderful human people, and I love each and every one of you. My messages are always open, so if you’re bored or just want someone to talk to, I’d be happy to talk.

Thanks again, and have a beautiful day.

[diamonddeposits]

EVRIPIDIS AND HIS TRAGEDIES - BITTER

Barcelona based artist Evripidis and His Tragedies delivers a surreal (serial killer)  visual treatment for his latest single-Bitter..an emotionally immense tune that features vocals from NYC based  Greg Goldberg (The Ballet)!  We got in touch with Evripidis who graciously answered some questions about their sound, their city and their interests. Watch the treatment above and then check out the interview below. Give Neos Kosmos a spin and we think you will find it soundtracking your days and nights (we know it is ours)! 

01. Hey how are you and what are you up to?

I am good! Trying to enjoy spring as much as I can (since last spring was cancelled), promoting my latest album Neos Kosmos, drawing and reflecting on my next move.

02. What inspired the name of your musical project?

My name is Evripidis, which means that I share my name with one of the three most famous playwrights of ancient Greece. I can be quite dramatic myself and my songs are often like tiny pop tragedies, complete with a choir that interacts with the main character, a direct link to my love of sixties Girl Groups. Back in the day when I was looking for an artistic name, while browsing the internet I discovered a book that was titled “Euripides and his tragedies". This discovery ignited a sparkle, I immediately thought it would be hilarious but also kind of accurate to name like that my musical project, one that deals with heartache, existential angst, death and the joy of living, all bundled up with emotion and a sprinkle of humor. I intentionally used Evripidis, which is how my name is pronounced in Greek, instead of the English version Euripides.

03. How would you describe your sound?

It is pop, influenced by my classical piano studies and my love for many popular genres of the last 100 years. On my previous records I had a multi-instrumentalist, almost orchestral approach but my latest record has a synth finishing and a dance beat.

04. What was the inspiration behind your single (and latest video) Bitter?

In "Bitter" I wanted to convey a mixture of romanticism, cynicism, and humor that is kind of camp, but also deeply heartfelt. I am, after all, bitter and hopeful, grumpy and funny, all together at the same time, and I wanted to connect with those who feel these strong contradictions. I invited Greg Goldberg from The Ballet to sing with me because I imagined an encounter of two like-minded souls who never give up on love, and also because I couldn’t help but add some some queer pizzazz.

The video is a collaboration with my friend Centauros, an amazing Spanish pop artist who visioned the song as a gay thriller. I guess he did so because love can be scary, unpredictable, violent and fun at the same time.

05. How was the first show you played like? How was the crowd and where was it?

My first show as Evripidis and His Tragedies was in 2005 at a dive bar, Robadors 23, in one of the seediest streets of Barcelona-calle Robadors in Raval, a narrow, dirty one, buzzing with sex workers, their clients, drunks and petty thieves. Right next to that bar there used to be a legendary punk, queer venue that was our second home back in the day, so I was very familiar with that street anyway. I remember my mom calling me on the phone right before entering the venue, to wish me luck. She sounded very proud of my forthcoming performance, and I thought “if you only knew mommy…” with a little mischievous smile. The concert was a success. Everybody I knew was there, and since I was pretty sociable and a new entry in the scene, the place was packed. I remember I played a very long set which was probably not a good idea but this is how I used to be in my early days as a performer: too anxious to show the world my craft but not caring very much about my audience’s patience. I hope I have improved since then

06. What are some of your favourite artists when you were growing up?

I consider that the artists we listen to between 15 and 25 are the ones that have the deepest impact on us. In my case it was The Velvet Underground, Nico, The Beach Boys, The Magnetic Fields, The Smiths, Kate Bush, Pulp, Saint Etienne, Marianne Faithfull, Soft Cell, The Shangri-Las, The Ronettes, Pet Shop Boys, Portishead, Joy Division, Jens Lekman, The Hidden Cameras, Alaska y Dinarama, Stereo Nova…

07. What was the first song you ever wrote called? Did you ever get a chance to play it live?

When I was a kid I was composing little classical pieces with pompous names like “Viennese waltz”, that maybe were one page long and terribly simple but came with an elaborate cover hand drawn by me. I am not sure what my first pop song was called, although if it is the one I think of, it was musically and vocally inspired by Nico’s "I'm Not Sayin'" but sported a starry-eyed, hopeful lyrics, the complete opposite from the song it drew inspiration from. I don’t think it made it to my first concert, by the time I was playing live I had moved on from that kind of naivety.

08.   Tell us a little bit more about Neos Kosmos, your latest record. Any themes?

The title comes from the words Neos Kosmos that I glimpsed, printed on a crumbled paper receipt from a pharmacy in my hometown Athens. These two words on a mundane scrap of everyday life seemed like a sign, resonating perfectly with the artistic process behind the record, as well as its content.

Neos Kosmos was written and recorded in the course of half a decade and maps my particular bittersweet vision of a New World on a personal, artistic but also global level, characterised by intense contradictions. Sonically it breaks away from  my former, multi-instrumental musical adventures, employing the use of synthesizers instead.

Recurring themes are friendship, ally ship, queerness, mental health, longing, domestic bliss, diversity, human touch, the everlasting chase of the elusive butterfly of love.

The record is mostly sung in English although there is a song in Spanish and another in Greek.

Neos Kosmos features collaborations from indie pop darlings Rachel Kennedy (Flowers), Greg Goldberg (The Ballet), Max Andrucki (The Smittens), Francina Ribees, Marc Ribera and Laura Antolín (Doble Pletina) and it is produced by Sergio Pérez (SVPER).

09.  What are some of your favourite places in Barcelona?

Barcelona has a lot of incredible spots. but one of the most magical places is Montjuic hill, which is right in the heart of the city and it is world of its own,-it features a castle, a massive historical cemetery, a cactus park, a botanical garden, various other parks with eclectic styles and architecture, a swimming pool with incredible views featuring on Kylie’s “Slow” musical video, important museums, even a quite kitschy but still adorable village that consists of relics of buildings from all corners of Spain.

The Collserola Mountain is also incredible-it is just half an hour from the city centre and bears dense Mediterranean forests, wild boars, a small levee, crazy modernist architecture, the ruins of a casino, an arched viaduct, a whole neighbourhood with breathtaking views of the city, a historical attraction park, a huge telecommunications tower…

10.  Any books or films that you have read or seen lately that you would love to recommend?

comic: “Berlin” by Jason Lutes, “Monstruosamente” by Alfonso Casas.

Books: “Our Part of The Night” by Mariana Enriquez, “Glitter Up The Dark” by Sasha Geffen, “Just Above My Head” by James Baldwin, “A Broken Mirror” by Mercè Rodoreda.

Movies: “First Cow” by Kelly Reichardt, “Promising Young Woman” by Emerald Fennell, “Johnny Guitar” by Nicholas Ray, “Stop” by Stanley Sunday, “¡Corten! “by Marc Ferrer.

11. Any local artists that you are into and would love to tell us about?

A bunch of current artists that I love are Doble Pletina, Cabiria, Rebe, Papa Topo, Caliza, Marta Movidas (from my Spanish music family) and Nalyssa Green, Stella, Kristof, Miss Trichromi, Johnny Labelle, LogOut (from my Greek one).

12. Any sleeping tips for us?

Drink valeriana or take it in pills two hours before going to bed. It is natural and harmless. Do not check your mobile phone for some time before sleeping. Read a book instead. If you share the bed with someone you love it also helps.

[kickstarter-promotion]

Another Amazing Kickstarter (Taking Midnight Runners Graphic Novels next lvl!! by John Hanna —Kickstarter) has been published on http://crowdmonsters.com/new-kickstarters/taking-midnight-runners-graphic-novels-next-lvl-by-john-hanna-kickstarter/

A NEW KICKSTARTER IS LAUNCHED:

I’ve been drawing comics for a number of years now, just selling them to friends and family and in the local convention scene. As I make more stories and visit more cons, this begins to get expensive! And honestly, I dont want to be confined to just conventions forever. I want as many people as possible to read my stories and enjoy them! So I need the resources to keep me going and spread my stories out to the world!

MY PLAN!!

The goals I’m looking to achieve in this kickstarter are: 1) covering print production costs for a large run of my entire comics collection 2) distribution of comics by post to Literary Agents in Australia and overseas in order to find a Publisher 3) cover costs to visit the cons this year

FINDING A PUBLISHER

The main goal here is to find a Publisher. I’m not intending to be famous and rich or anything, I’m not concerned with that, and its unlikely to happen in the comic world. What I want is for as many people as possible to read my stories! The ultimate way for that to happen is to find a publisher who will make my work(s) commercially available to the country and the world. But you can’t just go up to a publisher and go ‘hey, publish this yo!’, theres way too many people who do that and they’re always swamped with a billion manuscripts, so it super unlikely that they would ever have the chance to see it. What you need is a Literary Agent!

A Literary Agent has contacts in the publishing world, and will petition for ones story to be taken on by a Publisher. It’s like having a go-between who vouches for you. Not only is a Literary Agent easier to find, but they will do all the heavy lifting for you once they decide to take you on. Getting an agent involves sending out copies of my comics to them all over the country/world and if just one of them likes one of my stories, I’m in! whoop whoop!

So basically, I’m gonna need a whole lotta copies of my comics so I can send them out all over the place! And that of course means $$$

Getting my convention on!

GOING TO CONVENTIONS

I tend to frequent as many conventions in NSW as I can, though I’d like to someday travel interstate, and eventually overseas. I often attend 6-8 conventions a year generally, selling my stuff and drawing on the spot commissions! As you can imagine, this can get expensive… Not all the cons are cheap to table at, and theres additional costs with travel expenses and accomodation if events are far away. It’s not like I make a million dollars doing these things so often I’m lucky if I break even. This can become a money pit which for most artists I know, is a struggle, and often can be the breaking point at which they continue drawing comics or give up. It happens too often and personally, I don’t want that to happen to me. So I need to make this sustainable.

This year will be a little more quiet than usual, as I have a lot going on in my personal life currently, but the cons I’m intending to attend this year are: * Wollongong Comic Gong – 13th May * Supanova – 16-18th June * Smash -19-20th August * Gamma Con – 5-6th August

Hopefully with your help I can reach a wider more broader audience and take my comics to the next level!

WHAT COMICS?

I currently have 5 stories which I’ve self published. I have many others, but these ones are the best and most polished at this time. They range from true stories to romance to action to sci-fi. Though I’ll admit most of them are romance stories lol and funny enough they’re all inspired by my personal life in some way…

JUST YOU AND ME – 1 volume – 300pgs

Just You & Me

One day about 10 years ago I was going through all my old stuff and found the diary I had kept in year 11, about this crazy love triangle I was involved in. Flicking through it I laughed, I cried, felt all fuzzy inside and I reminisced, thinking ‘damn this would make a great soap opera or something’ which is when I thought, ‘why don’t I draw a comic of it?’ First attempt at drawing a comic since I was 13yo. So 5 years and 300 pages later ‘Just You & Me’ was born.

300pgs of true high school experience

MY GIRLFRIEND THE SECRET AGENT – 3 volumes – 164pgs

My Girlfriend The Secret Agent

Internet dating and secret agents! One of my best stories to date, and its also one of the more polished. This is really where I perfected my art style, and stepped up my characters and story development. Exciting and heart-wrenching at the same time, this is one comic i’m most proud of!

All sorts of action goes on in love and war!

  SURVIVAL OF THE LOLEETEST – 3 volumes – 55pgs

Survival of the Loleetest

I was really poor for a number of years, and couldn’t afford to get my friend anything for her birthday, so what did I do? I drew a comic about her. Every birthday I would continue the story until a number of years ago when I reached its conclusion (i finally had a decent job by then). She’s a Lolita, and this is inspired by an interaction between her friends and some Bronies they encountered one day. This is truly a BRONIE vs LOLITA GRUDGEMATCH and it has one of the best conclusions in any of the my comics.

Though this is all about lolitas and bronies, this doesnt pull any punches!

MACHINE//HEART – 2 out of 3 volumes completed – 145pgs currently

Machine//Heart

This is a current sci-fi, 3 part series that I’m doing, of which vol 2. is almost complete. It tackles the ideas of identity and what makes you, you. Robots, mystery, multinational corporations, danger and death feature heavily here. Story and characters wise – this is the most ambitious story that i’ve attempted. Its actually not a romance (crazy, right?), and has turned out to be a con favourite, nearly selling out of my years worth print run in a single con! Will have an awesome and epic conclusion that unfortunately you’ll have to wait for!

Vol 1 is complete, Vol 2 is on the verge on completion, with Vol 3 in development due to be complete beginning of next year

  FUNK BUDDIES – 1 volume – 40pgs

Funk Buddies

Theres a funny story behind this one, which is too long to write here, but it’s my first attempt at a hentai (if you opt in on this one, i tell the story in the authors notes). It’s still in production but will be complete once this kickstarter has reached its end. Most of the book design is complete, with only a small number of finished art pages to be done, then screentones and typesetting. I HAVE to have a story and I HAVE to have characters, so it’s not just blatant pornography. This is my first attempt at this kind of material and actually something i’m very proud of! haha I’m certain that it will get anybody off 😉 Due to its erotic nature, I can’t really reveal much about it here tho, sorry :/

As you can see, Funk buddies is still in development, but will be ready once the kickstarter is complete

REWARDS

When choosing hard copies of any of the comics in the rewards, the ‘Hard copy of comic of your choice’ reward, you can choose any individual volumes of any of the stories (excluding Just You & Me). With the ‘Hard copy of any comic series of your choice’, these are the multi volumes stories and includes Just You & Me.

Obviously with the higher tier rewards where I illustrate a comic written by you, have your story ready to go so i can get it out to you as fast as possible. Possibly due to demand there could be a delay from the promised June deadline, but obviously I’ll be keepin you in the loop!

CONCLUSION

Any of these take your fancy? Back me and help make my dreams reality and score some sweet comics!!

Risks and challenges

I self-publish all my comics so the danger of success is always a thin line, as all the costs incurred are paid by myself. If I dont sell enough or my costs are too high, I’m the one who suffers. And if comics are not sustainable then all I’m doing is throwing money out the window. But so far… I’ve done alright! My first 2 years of doing cons, I ran a massive deficit and was almost ready to give up. But I persevered and cut costs and made it work, and the last number of years I’ve broke even! This alone is not enough to get ahead, which is why I’ve come to kickstarter.

I’m a graphic designer by trade, so I do everything (except printing and binding – which i used to do myself) from illustration, design and typesetting all myself. The person I need to rely on here is me. I’ve self published over 1000 pages of comics, so I’m more than qualified for the task of realising this project. I’m fast too, so getting out backer rewards within the June timeframe should easily achieveable, as long as life doesn’t get in the way, but being that you’ve trusted me enough with your pledge, I wont let anything get in the way!!

Other than my finished works, I have a bunch of stories which are still in development, but only two of which will be ready in time for this Kickstarter (being Machine//Heart vol 2, and Funk Buddies). They will be finished by the time this Kickstarter has been completed and are a part of the rewards available to backers. Machine//Heart Vol 3 is still in the writing phase, and will be available to the top tier backers once it’s completed at the beginning of next year (so please be patient with that one!)

If I don’t succeed here, my convention efforts this year will be severely crippled and my dreams of being published pushed back another year. So helping any way that you can will mean a great deal to me!

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