Kickstarter

Hi everyone,

It's been awhile since I've written but I wanted to give an update on the PDF of Circus Saudade's first chapter that everyone will be receiving.

Originally, I expected it to be finished by now, but I hadn't yet gotten used to the storytelling pace that Circus Saudade maintains. I don't want to rush the story beat to meet a deadline, and ultimately it means the Chapter One pdf you all receive will be a bit longer and more complete.

Tentatively, I expect to close out the chapter sometime this summer.

Also, a note on how I'll compile the pdf: There are a handful of update on the website that aren't part of the narrative of the comic, like Origin Stories, drawings, and portraits. I'm going to string those all along art the end of the PDF, but keep the story flowing smoothly there.

As always, thank you for your support and ongoing reading. I'll be in touch!

Best, Colin

http://www.circus-saudade.com/

Hello everyone,

I've been hard at work the last couple of weeks printing and getting postcards ready to go.

I've had all the regular hurdles to jump over with this kind of endeavor, of course. The first printer I ordered stopped working after the first day, so I had to exchange it out. The second one is finicky, as well, but when it behaves it prints beautifully. I love the way it makes the work look, and that's a rare thing for me to say about my own art.

Those hurdles are just how these things go, and I don't mind since the output seems to be going well. I've been lucky to have Jess (my wife) being so willing to help me with the printing. If things continue to go well, the $20-$100 reward tiers should be in the mail Monday morning. :)

For the tiers above that, I'll be in contact in early August to start work on all those drawing and Origin Stories.

Also, for everyone who was getting an 11 x 17 print, know that I've enlarged those to be 13 x 19. The paper I wanted only came in that size and I thought it would be a small thank-you for your patience through all of this.

Also, the weekly updates to the comic have resumed. There won't be another interruption to that. I'm building a backlog now so if something crazy does befall Jess and me then Circus Saudade will have comics in the bank to get through for awhile. Here's the latest with more to come this Tuesday:

http://www.circus-saudade.com/

And FINALLY, a teaser for the character postcards is below. These were the stretch goal rewards that included 8 different character portraits. I sent these out to an external printer and I'm thrilled with how they came out. I want to call out my collaborator on these one more time, the incredibly talented Mary Laurel Burt over at Anchor B. I really think it was her lettering that breathed life into these portraits. (Incidentally, she and her husband, my friend Rob, were the inspiration and reference material for the origin story of Phillip and Erin Rose).

Long update, but lots to tell. I'll send out smaller updates to the specific tiers as things get mailed out or I need information.

Hope everyone is well and having a wonderful July.

Best wishes,

Colin

Hi Everyone,

Okay, here's the skinny. My wife and I have found great new jobs, but those jobs have sent us down to Raliegh, NC for training for two weeks.

We'll be away from home and studio at least through the 29th, which means I am, unfortunately, missing my deadline for the first round of pledge rewards being delivered in this month of June.

Those will have to go out first thing when we return to Baltimore at the beginning of next month, and then we'll be back on track.

I'm truly sorry about this, and appreciate your understanding. The next thing you should hear from me will be that a whole lot of prints are in the mail, and very soon. Additionally, the comic will be back up and running with weekly Tuesday updates next week.

Hope everyone is well, and thanks again for sticking with this during an unexpectly trying time.

Best,

Colin

Hi everyone,

It's June! That means everyone that ordered print rewards should be getting them this month! And drawings next month for those reward levels!

I fully intend for that to be the case, too, but I wanted everyone to know ahead of time that it's likely that this month's rewards will be mailed out closer to the end of the month than I had intended.

The quick explanation for this is that the video game studio where my wife and I both work unexpectedly went out of business a bit over a week ago. First off, don't worry. I believe we'll both be fine and there are some exciting new things coming out of this. It has, however, turned our little world upside down.

When the news came down, my wife and I immediately agreed we wouldn't let the kickstarter deadlines slip. We set aside that money to pay for printing and shipping and planned on time to get to work when the dust settles.

The only bad part of this for you all is that I know I won't get started on it all until I get through the next week or so and we settle into new jobs again. It also means I'm taking a break from updating the comic for a couple of weeks until I'm done making other portfolio items, applying to jobs, and interviewing places. 

I take this whole thing very seriously, I want you to know. This kickstarter is about the beginning of something I intend on being a major part of my life and efforts for years and years to come. When I missed the first update because of this hullabaloo, I honest-to-goodness had a nightmare about an invisible grim reaper stalking Circus Saudade and killing off my characters because I hadn't done my weekly update. I take the rewards equally as seriously.

Anyway, that's the deal. I don't intend on missing the deadlines, but I wanted you all to know why I'll probably be skirting them. Again as always, thank you for amazing support!

-Colin

Hi, everyone! I've started sending out the surveys but have found that the way in which I constructed it can be a bit confusing.

Basically, if you received a survey and get the error "you must fill out all required fields", it probably means you left the "if you selected a comic page print, what is its title?" question blank (and likely you did this on purpose and perfectly rationally).

Just throw an N/A or something else in that field so the survey stops bugging you.

If you DID actually select a comic page, throw its name in that field for me.

I've not sent out all the surveys yet, so if you haven't received one, don't worry.

Also, if you select a print then see a new update to Circus Saudade that you want to switch it out for, just shoot me a note.

That's it, but if you have ANY questions don't hesitate to write me. I'm happy to work through anything.

Just updated the comic, as well, so here's the link:

http://www.circus-saudade.com/2012/05/08/coal-doesnt-say-that/