This doesn’t really affect how I price things in my web shop. But I don’t like the idea of my books costing different prices in different places.

So here’s a solution I’ve decided on. I’ll raise the price of Lovf to $9. BUT, shipping is free when you order from my store.  And I’m extending free shipping to all my new books (The Complete Deep Girl too!) Head over to the shop to enjoy the discount!

And, retailers, please contact Tony Shenton to order Lovf or Deep Girl.

Did you know I’m a professional cat sitter? I started shortly after arriving in New York. Now I have about 20 semi-regular clients. I’m a cat person, and this help pas the rent. If you’re curious, you can check out my Cateye Kitty Care website.

But Jesse did, and Lovf was for sale! Hazel took these pictures for me. Also pictured is Tom Kaczynski (top)  and Stephen Betts (bottom). Handsome men, all!

But I didn’t waste the weekend! I’m working on a new comic. Here’s a picture of me walking in Williamsburg (note the hipster).

I did something recently that I do rarely: drew for fun and profit. Melissa Mendes is the comics editor at Narrative.ly, and that must be why the quality of their illustration is so high. Go take a look, you’ll see what I mean! Melissa helped me get a little gig illustrating an article by Alissa Fleck about unpronounceable names.

Right now I’m working on a comic for them. Whata a cool site!

Looking at this illustration, I think I may be at a turning point. I’m drawing button noses now, not the manga inspires Betty and Veronica type.

Students work on a pacing exercise after learning about page composition and thumbnails.

This attentive student did a spot-on portrait of me.

The casinos were pretty sad on a weekday afternoon. But I liked bumming on the beach.

Just for kicks, I spent $25 on the slot machines (my bus ticket gave me a free voucher). I won about $1.50, and it was the most boring 15 minutes of my life. Was I doing something wrong? Because I don’t understand why people do this on purpose.

Says Gazin: “If this comic looks like it was drawn by a crazy person that’s because it was. Jesse Reklaw had a crazy period and this full-color zine presents his sketchbook pages from that time.”

AND, you can now buy Lovf in the shop! It’s $8.00, plus $1.00 shipping.

In 2013 MoCCA got classy! I like how the Society of Illustrators managed it. If they can get the table cost down I will be a loyal fan.

I had a good time with my table mates Jesse Reklaw, Ariel Bordeaux, Rick Altergott, and Ellen Lindner. I wouldn’t mind if the attendance had been higher–a lot of familiar face were absent. In general, the energy felt a little low. Still, a good time was had.

Of course, it was the LOVF debut. I was able to hand deliver copies to a few Kickstarter backers who were attending. It was also the debut of some new crafts! Those turned out to be the big sellers, especially the light switch covers.

Folks, if you’ve written off MoCCA, give it another chance in 2014! We missed you this year.

MoCCA Fest
April 6th & 7th, 2013
11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
The 69th Regiment Armory, 68 Lexington Avenue in NYC

We have a lot of new stuff!

Lovf New York: Destination Crisis

The Complete Deep Girl

Crafts and jewelry!

And more! Be there or be square.

The readings were diverse, ranging from funny to trippy to informative to dark. As always it was a warm crowd. KGB Comix Night is a feel good show–basically, it’s a party with friends I can throw in a really good bar (plus live entertainment). Look for next one on the Sunday after Thanksgiving!

I think the question was something like “who likes whiskey?”

Man, I keep busy these days. I just got back from a two-day trip to White River Junction. I hitched a ride to CCS Industry Day with Heidi MacDonald and Carol Burrell. Jesse Reklaw was in town for MoCCA, so he tagged along for an impromptu LOVF launch party.

Industry Day is an annual event that introduces the students to various players in the comics industry. There’s a panel discussion followed by portfolio reviews. I felt a little weird participating, since I’m basically unemployed. But, gosh darn it, I’m a PUBLISHER. Maybe it makes sense that I was there.

Everyone made me feel welcome, and the students seemed genuinely interested in my micro press (and micro presses in general). I think I contributed something to the event. But I’m still figuring this stuff out–what is my place in the comics industry? How can I make this publishing thing work? Can it sustain itself?

On our last day in town we had a release party brunch for LOVF. The students are so smart and engaged and in tune with self publishing. It’s easy to talk to them. I think I left CCS with some new ideas about how to move forward with Paper Rocket.

Apart from all that business, it’s always great to visit the Junc. The fresh air, the familiar faces, the familiar everything. Not too much has changed. Heidi, Carol and Jesse made fun of me when I got really excited about the new covered bus stop on Main Street.

BONUS! Here’s a sneak peek of what’s to come next. While I was in Vermont I met with micro publishers Sean Knickerbocker and Alex Bullet. And, for the first time ever, I set eyes on a real Risograph machine. It was not unlike the one in my dreams. I’m going to write all about these guys in an upcoming article.