My Projects for The Rest of 2021

Last Saturday, on my livestream (which you can watch because it’s archived here), I announced a LOT of projects. To make the list more understandable, here’s the broad strokes.

Group 1: The Books

Last week I announced my departure from NeverEnding. For reasons listed here. Now that I have left, that means more time to fulfill KickStarter rewards.

So, yes! The Legend of Jamie Roberts, volume 1 will get done MUCH faster!

Less Than Secret: A Cryptid Anthology is coming together well. That said, this book is being handled by my comic buddies Ben and Rainer. So most of the production is out of my hands now.

I also have a small list of books I would LOVE to see released before the end of the year. So come back later for more info on those!

(Spoilers: A couple of them may be collaborations I’ve done with CB, co-creator of Validation. We’ll be collaborating on new projects soon!)

Group 2: The Illustrations

BreeBree Bootique is back, with a modified release schedule. Why?

Because Mr. Dino & Friends will be getting their own RedBubble store AND Instagram soon!

These two projects will have alternating release schedules: one Friday will have a new BreeBree Bootique design. The next Friday will have a Mr. Dino and Friends design. Then the cycle repeats.

Also, there are still large prints to make as part of my 2021 goals. One is already done (and you can watch me work on THAT in this archived stream). That leaves 4 more to go – and I will livestream working on those!

Group 3: The Everything Else

I’m ready to livestream on a regular schedule again! I had to take a break after the frenzy of promoting Less Than Secret. Now, livestreams will be coming back.

So be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and hit that bell. I’ll be streaming every Saturday at 1 pm EDT. This weekend I’m streaming Clip Studio Paint Tips and Tricks.

As for other projects…well, there are new podcasts on the horizon. I’ll keep you posted as those shows come together. If you like tabletop RPGs, I hope you’ll stick around for these new podcasts.

Speaking of Tabletop RPGS…I’m putting together an NPC Compendium. This resource will be for all the game masters out there who need non-player characters to populate their worlds. Follow me on Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter, or Ko-Fi as I draw these characters!

And the Blog?

I’m updating this blog more often so you know how things are going! I hope you stick around.

(Or you can subscribe to my email newsletter. It’ll have updates on ALL of these projects at the end of each week.)

That’s all for now. Thank you for reading!

You. Are. Awesome.

What I Want to Do in 2021

I think we can all agree that we’re SO HAPPY to leave 2020. Granted, the first week of January’s been a hot mess, too. I chalk that up to 2020’s final gasps of desperation, like the attention gremlin it is.

With 2020 out of the way

What’s Next?

This year, I’m going to have a theme for the year, not resolutions.

For me, the theme for 2021 is GROWTH. I want to grow my book catalog, my minicomic collection, and a LOT more. And I want to grow into new subjects and mediums.

To get there, I decided to play with numerology. I set 5 separate goals, because 2+0+2+1=5. And in those goals, I intend on making 5 things. Let me illustrate:

GOAL 1: Make 5 New Craft Pieces

I’ve been getting more hands-on this past year. But that also means unfinished craft projects. So I want to finish some crochet, sewing, and scrapbooking projects that have stuck around for too dang long.

GOAL 2: Release 5 New Minicomics

Funny story; a few weeks ago, I followed up with Quimby’s, whom I sell on consignment with. As I made minicomics to send to them for restocking their shelves, I realized something…

The stuff they wanted restocks for were over 5 years old.

My art has changed in the last 5 years. And I want my minicomics to reflect that growth. Also, there’s some story ideas and art tools that would work better in short form, rather than in graphic novels or novellas.

GOAL 3: Make 5 New 11×17 inch (or Larger) Prints

Real talk…I’ve been writing a lot more prose in 2020. But the art bug keeps biting me with those stories. These stories don’t want to be told as comics, though, so I’m going to draw select scenes and moments as large prints.

Also I have colored pencils and watercolors that I REALLY want to use to make more art. So these prints would be a good candidate for those. (Who knows? Maybe I’ll make some minicomics with these tools, too.)

GOAL 4: Release 5 New Books

This book count includes my own books, PLUS Sean’s book and a comics anthology project I’ve joined recently. I just really want Fantasyville Productions to grow its foundation of authors and creatives! And the world needs BOOKS!

GOAL 5: Make 5 Videos on YouTube

NO, NOT LIVESTREAMS. Livestreams are fun, but they don’t count for this goal.

Instead, I want to grow into making animatics and short animations. And since I’ve joined TikTok recently, I may even make compilation videos of some of my own TikToks and post them on YouTube. (btw follow me on TikTok at kelcidc.)

“This is a lot of making stuff,” you might be thinking. “Why not have your theme be ‘Make’?”

Because I want to grow into new mediums, subject matter, and topics and challenges this year. Making things is the vehicle to grow into those challenges.

Will things get uncomfortable on the journey? I guarantee it. When trying out new things, there’s always discomfort. But I look forward to the challenge. After the trials of 2020, I look forward to seeing what this year will do.

Since this is a LOT of stuff I want to make, I’ll be blogging and posting on social media more often. So stay tuned for more updates!

That’s all for now. Thank you for reading!

You. Are. Awesome.

I (Kinda) Made My 2020 Goals!

Weird, right?! In a year that needs no explanation for the dumpster fire that it is…I actually made my goals!

Kind of.

Every year, I blog about the goals from the past year, followed by the goals in mind for the year incoming. If you’d like to see the original post about 2020 goals, here it is.

But just what WERE my goals for 2020?

Thumbnail/Script The Legend of Jamie Roberts to completion.

Ok, so I didn’t get all 20 (ish) chapters sketched out. BUT, I DID get 10 and a half. I even managed to script through some REALLY tricky plot points, so I consider that a success!

That said – moving to a new home did cut into my scripting routine. And it was hard to jump back after that. I have since learned to be a LOT kinder to myself with goals of “do this thing every day.”

Get Sean’s Book Published

So the book is ALMOST ready to get to print. I’m working with my editor on the final round of edits for these short stories.

This goal took a while to get off the ground properly because I wanted to hire an outside editor. I didn’t have the time to do edits, because of working with NeverEnding, making The Legend of Jamie Roberts, and taking up part-time gigs with DoorDash and Instacart.

ALL OF THAT, plus my first editor just…dropped off the face of the earth. And the second one did NOT do a good job.

The third editor? I went to my old college friend Melanie Doan to work with Sean and me on edits. Holy banana pants she knocked it out of the park!

Like I said, we’re doing the final passes. The goal post for publishing kept moving, so I’m not making any promises for when this book will go to KickStarter.

Read 1 New Comic Per Week

Well, to be honest, I shut down the Indie Comics Hub – the biggest reason I set this goal. That said, if we expand this to reading more books generally, then 2020 was my best year so far.

By Dec 31, 2020, I read 23 books, including graphic novels. However, I did not count single-issue comics, zines, or minicomics in that count. If I did, it’d probably be double that. Possibly triple? It’s hard to say.

Unfortunately, moving to a new home played a role in this, too. I had to leave behind my single-issue comics and a large chunk of my zines because they just. Couldn’t. Fit. In the Truck.

But 23 books? And untold numbers of single-issue comics and zines? I’d say that’s pretty good. Better than 2019, at least.

So what’s in store for 2021? Well, I’m going to write about that next post.

That’s all for now. Thank you for reading!

You. Are. Awesome.

Check Out These Black Artists I Love

Andy Warpigs – a punk musician based in Phoenix. His song “Chili Pepper” is a fun bop. Also he’s a cool-ass dude. He and another black musician got featured in the Phoenix news.

Zero Polaris – illustrator and comic artist, maker of The Ballad of Pluto. I love his art style.

Lizzo – I feel like she needs no introduction. If you’ve never heard her music, listen to “Boys.”

Chris James Scott – competitor in Super Art Fight, comic artist and maker of 2 Ton Rock God.

Vesenia Designs – makes the comic Celestial Pulse and YouTube art tutorials. She’s one of the big reasons I got into recording livestreams on YouTube to begin with.

Fractured Fox – Indie apparel. I LOVE the design aesthetic.

Kerbie M – actress, old college buddy.

Natasha Burton, aka Mz Pirate Queen – cosplayer, scribbler of stories, another college buddy, and one of the inspirations for my comic series, Charlie & Clow.

Jazzy Flesh – cosplayer, cool ass dude, good friend of mine.

Ron Scott Jr. – filmmaker, director of cultural diversity at the Wheeling YWCA, comics fan, cool ass dude.

J. M Hunter – comic artist/writer, YouTuber.

D. Jones (aka D Jones HipHop) – one of my old community leaders in college. Hip hop artist.

Isaiah Broussard – comic artist and illustrator, makes shonen work.

Pointless Peach – makes nerdy apparel (for real, I want SO MANY of her hats).

Robin Carnilius – self-proclaimed trans femme artist and storyteller. I love how trippy their style is!

Black Nerd Problems Lit – curates books made by and featuring black people. The booky side of @blacknerdproblems, which is another fun account to follow.

Taneka Stotts – television writer, but I know her for her work in comics, particularly the Elements anthology and ESPECIALLY the Beyond queer comics anthologies.

C. Spike Trotman – runs Iron Circus Comics. Makes SO. MANY. COMICS.

Care Bears on Fire – I love her Instagram feed.

Obadoro – works in indie comics and fiction, especially Afrofuturistic stories.

Ronald Wimberly – comic artist, creator of Prince of Cats.

Greg Dae – comic artist, creator of Is’nana the Were Spider.

T1J – YouTuber, talks a LOT about politics in a way that I actually like. Because he’s sincere, empathetic, and goes into nuance that not a lot of people address.

Jungle Jordan – YouTuber, highlights different animals in 1 minute or less.

I know there’s more, so names will be added. Keep checking back!

If you possibly can, buy the work these folks make (check their links for more info). How you spend your money says more than you think it does. Here’s a list of 10 black-owned bookstores to help you get started.

Check back on Monday for a list of my favorite comics by black creators.

Thank you for reading!

You. Are. Awesome.

Adventures in Moving – Being Safe

In these uncertain times, I’m making this announcement in the Adventures in Moving: I’m being safe, and delaying my move date.

For folks who are out of the loop, I planned on moving because the house I’m renting got sold. Thankfully, mom (who owned the house before) sold it to my sister. Because of that, the time table to move is more relaxed.

However, it is NOT relaxed for my sister’s current roommate. Currently, he’s renting an apartment from a preeeety shady landlord. This landlord has been demanding consistent rent payments and will kick out anyone whose lease runs out if the renter does not renew. Even during these uncertain times.

And what do you know? This roommate’s lease runs out in the beginning of June.

He also has a dog. An elderly, pain in the ass dog, whom both of my cats HATE. And he also has a kitten.

The house I’m in is small – so fitting 3 people under the roof is a challenge. Add an extra dog and cat, and that becomes my sister, the roommate, me, four cats, and two dogs (because my sister has a dog, too) under one dinky roof.

So I DO intend to move before June starts.

However, with coronavirus still being A THING, I’ve heard through the grapevine that Ohio intends to open the state back up around May 1.

I am of the opinion that this is WAY TOO DAMN SOON.

(Personally, I prefer the relief effort ViHart outlines in her latest video. Go check it out if you haven’t seen it yet.)

So I’m going to be safe.

Right now, the plan is to move out of my current home between May 15 and May 31. There are contingency plans if the move has to be delayed. But this is the current plan.

Where am I moving to? Well, it’s looking like the Toledo area – but Columbus is still an option.

That’s where things are at for now. As things change, I’ll keep you posted.

Thank you for reading!

You. Are. Awesome.