Hello backers! So, funding is over, and thanks to you, it's been a resounding success. Thank you thank you thank you! So, what next, you ask?

Well, first off, there's the matter of money - you should all be getting email from Amazon letting you know that your card has been charged. I noticed that there have been errors for some backers - I assume you will receive some sort of notification to let you know what you'll need to fix, but I'd recommend you make sure that the credit card info you have on file with Amazon is correct and up to date. I'm told that it should take around two weeks for all the funds to be processed and transferred to me. Once it is, I'll start shipping out all the rewards that are ready to go, like books, prints, etc.

This week I'll be contacting you all to get your addresses and the specific details of your chosen rewards. Some of you will have a few options to decide between, so start thinking about it! For example, if you've chosen a page of original art, you can choose a page from The Aviary or one from the new book, yet to be made. If you chose a commissioned piece of art, you'll be able to specify just what you want me to draw for you - this can either be a very specific, detailed thing, or it can just be a vague suggestion of what you'd like to see, or you can leave the content to me. Your choice!

If your reward is the little blank sketchbook / journal, there are 4 different covers for you to choose from - take a look and think about which one you'd like:

Again, I'll be sending specific requests for info to everybody, so it should be pretty self-explanatory. But as always, feel free to contact me directly with any questions.

Next up, the final bonus drawing giveaway! The total number of backers wound up being 130, so I selected three random numbers between 1 and 130. So the corresponding backer number (based on the order in which they pledged) determined the winners. So, congrats to Fay Yu, Eric Dienstfrey, and Rafi Nemes, who will each receive one of the drawings below:

(Fay, Eric, Rafi - if you have a preference as to which drawing you get, just let me know, either by message or by commenting on this update. Otherwise I'll just pick one and send it to ya.)

So, if all goes well, rewards should start shipping out by early December, which is about the same time I'll really be able to start working on the new book in earnest. I'm already working on ideas, brainstorming, reading & researching. My hopeful plan is to figure out a basic idea for the book in December and January, then spend February through May working hard on the art and finding the final shape it'll take. I'll of course be posting numerous updates as I go along, so stay tuned! Once it's all done and scanned in, I'll set up a special web page for backers to read the finished book - you will all be the first people to read it!

Thanks again, everybody - I couldn't do this without you! Talk to you soon...