Hey everyone, how's it going?

Even though I have yet to hear anything to the effect, I know some of you must be wondering: what's the deal? Where's my copy of the zine? Well, long story short, it's not done yet. And to say that I'm embarrassed as a result is a massive understatement.

Anyway, the deal is this: first off, the timing of the Kickstarter could not have been any worse. The final 12 or so hours before it wrapped up was particularly wild; I was suddenly hit with dozens of emails and other forms of notifications from folks saying "hate to break it to you, but expect my pledge to not go through." Remember how hackers took down the PlayStation Network a while back? Well many, worried that their credit card info had been compromised, decided to cancel them. As some of you might know already! And for the rest of you, makes sense that someone who puts money towards a video game zine might also purchase goods via their consoles, right? I also had to worry about my own financial situation, right before a major trip outside of the country.

Simply getting ready for TCAF itself far more taxing than expected (simply hit my blog for an entry on the eve of the flight out, in which I detail how a crazy postal carrier delivering assorted Attract Mode goods for the show had threatened to destroy my mail, all because I called him "dude"). So not only was my plan to wrap production up immediately beforehand rather foolish, but so was concluding the Grasshopper Manufacture art contest during the same exact timeframe (the results of which can be seen here, including the piece that will be the upcoming pin-up). I was so strapped for time that I found myself stripping out content, just to make deadline. Once I got wind that Cory, my absurdly gifted with the power of graphic design goodness buddy, had gotten ill yet was still willing to continue work despite clearly needing rest, I told him to get some rest and decided to throw in the towel.

So the new plan called for work on the zine to resume after TCAF, which meant I went to the small press spectacular up north sans the one thing I wanted with me the most (as well as one of the key motivations behind the Kickstarter in the first place). Again, I felt pretty foolish, even though many understood the reasons. Plus, sorry, but it was for the best ultimately; I hate rushing, plus still believe this latest installment will be the best one yet, so better to take my time and do it right than having something that's less than 100%. But after the trip, and a decent amount of time to recover, other things got in the way...

This is the part of the story in which I must unfortunately get a bit vague. Though one reason I can address is how I started a new regular freelance gig, one that I'm still intensely proud off; I'm now a full-time editor over at GameSetWatch! A position that I've been yearning for literarily years now. Again, one of the main reasons behind the fundraiser was my economic status, which has been shaky in recent months, so the GSW post was the shot in the arm I desperately needed. Which unfortunately has meant that much of the time I had set aside to completel the zine was now no more. Hope everyone can understand; the FORT90ZINE is intensely important to me, but making sure rent is paid and the fridge is stocked is slightly higher on my list of priorities at the moment.

But there's more. Not to go into details, but my personal life in recent weeks has been rather rocky, to the point that all personal projects had to be put on hold at a certain point. Thankfully, all that will soon be behind me and I'll be able to resume production around the second or third week into July if all goes well. Then I should hopefully have everything finished by the end of August. That's WAY past my original promised completion date, I totally realize.

I feel genuinely awful about all this, and basically every person I've spoken to that's been involved in running Kickstarters themselves have said the same exact thing: it's okay, real life often gets in the way, and pretty much EVERYONE sends theirs incentive out on the late side. Which is true, but I wanted to be the exception to the rule (no offense to anyone out there, btw, I mean no ill will; as I know firsthand, especially now, that real life often throws curveballs).

Again, I sincerely apologize for not fulfilling my promises and still very much appreciate all the support I've received. It's so profoundly gratifying to know there's so much interest in my goofy little pet project, especially during a really difficult time in my life. Also, consider this: as down in the dumps I might feel, it can't possibly compare to what someone I know has been through (and still is). Not to name names, but one of the contributors to the zine recently had his house burn down. Not only did he lose EVERYTHING, but was also seriously injured when jumping from his second floor bedroom window to avoid being burned alive. Now he's living in a hotel room, trying to piece together his life. Thankfully he has the support of loved ones, and money coming in from the insurance company. Still, he's in a financial crunch, so I was especially proud to not only pay him thanks to all your generous contributions, but far more than originally promised (which was only possible by hitting the 300% mark). He was extremely appreciative, but I told him not to thank me, but everyone that contributed towards the Kickstarter. So thanks you all, as do I once more.

Guess that's it for now! I hope to have additional updates as the ball gets rolling again. Though one last thing... here's what the cover looks like, courtesy of Cory and Farel:

With less than a day and a half to go before my FORT90ZINE4ANSWER Kickstarter comes to an end, figured now might be a decent time for an update!

First off, it goes without saying that I am completely blown away by how successful it's been. Thanks again for all the support, it means the world to me :)

Though as noted last time, the more the merrier, especially after last Monday; I got hit pretty hard by taxes (then again, who wasn't?). On the plus side, reaching the 200% mark ensured that all contributors to the publication will most definitely receive what they deserve and in a timely manner, without having to wait for a certain amount of books to be sold.

Still, I have zero idea what the final production cost for each issue will be, since I have yet to finalize the layout. But I'm afraid it'll be more than usual, due to printing costs in general being so high these days (and rising). Hence why, I would really appreciate all you awesome folks who have already donated if you could maybe pass along word... perhaps via Twitter, Facebook, or however to best to reach your friends & colleagues who might be interested in the zine... for some last minute pre-orders. Thanks in advance!

Some additional notes...

- As mentioned above, I'm still putting #4 together. Yikes. But even though it's coming down to the wire, everything is shaping up quite nicely! I should be able to make my due date and have copies on-hand at the Toronto Comics Art Festival next Friday.

- The only thing I'm worried about, which might lead to a significant delay and possible no-show at TCAF, is the cover. It's taking a bit longer to shape up, by my fingers are crossed that the deadline will be met. As much as I would love to have a stack of FORT90ZINE4ANSWERs at the big show in Toronto, I'm also a stickler for quality. 

- On the plus side, the art contest to determine the centerfold wraps up this upcoming weekend, and I've already gotten some phenomenal entries, and am expecting a few more when all is said and done! Can't wait to make the big reveal.

- Time for what most have been wondering: when it'll show up in the mailbox. So here's the plan: I will produce X amount early next week, mostly to cover what I'll be selling at the show, plus copies to give to those that have donated and which I know will be at Toronto. Sorry, I wish I could make enough to cover everyone all at once, but that's quite a few piles of pages and covers I'll have to haul across the city (remember, I put everything together by hand).

After the show is done and over with, plus perhaps a day or so of rest, I will go back to the print shop and begin assembling copies for everyone else that donated. People who contributed at the lower level, primarily the $15 mark, will get theirs first, since all I need to do is put together the latest zine and that's it.

For those who donated at the higher levels, I will need to put together copies of the other editions. The first issue in particular will take the longest, due to the screen-printed cover; just one takes a good amount of time to properly produce. The fact that the screen itself is on its last legs doesn't help... yet another major reason for retiring the issue. Also, the Mariel Cartwright print needs to be made as well, which will be done so at Attract Mode HQ. That alone should take about a week, since it needs to be shipped from LA to NY.

Basically, I'm predicting that I'll be able to have everything sent out for the most generous contributors by the end of May. Apologizes, but I am a one person operation after-all!