Author's Journal

Jun 24, 2005 - I finished pages 10 and 11 of book one this morning. There's so much less excitement in finishing a page when you're not going to put it online for everyone to see, but it'll make up for it when it's an actual book. Still, I need something to keep me going, so I programmed a little journal for the Elves of Iax site, so at least I can talk about my progress, if not show it off. ~JK

Jul 05, 2005 - I got pages 12 and 13 laid out this weekend. I'd blame my slow-going on my new job, but things went just as slow for the months that I was unemployed. Wish this wasn't an uphill battle, but I think I'm reaching a breaking point. I'm going to print when I reach page 20, and include the 10 pages that are here on the website. I wanted to make it to page 30, but when you've been working on something for going on 10 years, actually finishing part of is starts to weigh heavily on you.

Jul 20, 2005 - I made a lot of progress today. I finally found a cozy coffee shop to hide away in and draw, and unlike the one I frequented in DC, this one is in walking distance. I drew all but one panel for pages 12-13. Unfortunately, the one that's left is the hardest.

Jul 25, 2005 - I'm suddenly picking up speed like I haven't for over a year. Got a lot of ink done this weekend, along with some other art projects like art for Save Connecticon. I also talked to Big Josh about the possibility of combining the first 20 pages of my Elves of Iax story with a 10 page story based on concepts he's been working on for the dark-side of Elves of Iax. Cool idea, I think.

Aug 08, 2005 - Bursts of progress never last for me. I haven't worked on EoI since that last jolt of progress two weeks ago. I got a lot done today while hanging out with Q. I've been inking so much today but there's till 5 panels to go. If I can only get started again, I could finish it easily tomorrow.

Aug 11, 2005 - Got the ink done for pages 12-13. finally. On my birthday, no less. Getting older reminds me how long I've been working on this. Depressing. But I'll always be working on it, even if I never finish. It's just part of who I am, I guess. 27. It's a good number. The digits add up to nine, for some reason that feels good to me. Was a math nerd once, long ago. Heard a radio production of the play "Proof," made me think of EOI and my former math nerdocity. I'm 27. This should be a good year.

Aug 15, 2005 - I'm almost done with pages 12-13. Ink, layout, color, tone, and text are all done. I just have to do the backgrounds. If anyone out there will be at Otakon, please ask to see the pages I've finished so far. I'm sorry I don't put the pages online, it is just important to me that people hold EoI in their hands when they read it.

Aug 30, 2005 - Just finished pages 12-13. I finished my last page June 24th, so that's two pages in two months. I guess I'm still a long way from being able to do this professionally. All I can do is start pages 14-15 and try and finish them sooner then before.

Oct 03, 2005 - Inking is always the biggest hang-up for me, but I can't imagine having anyone else do it for me after as hard as I've worked to get good at it. I'm about half-way through inking pages 14/15. These pages were much easier and more fun to lay out and draw though, as I'm through flashing back for now and it's just the main characters chatting and bickering like they love to do.

Oct 11, 2005 - Inking is done on 14-15. Just finished laying the ink out on the page. This leaves coloring and backgrounds, which are the delightful downhill jaunt after the uphill battle that is ink. And seeing as how it's 3:00am and I'm still working, it's time for me to partake in hard-earned midnight nums at 7-11.

Oct 20, 2005 - I'm up late coloring, about to go to sleep. I'm just about finished laying the base-color down for 14/15. After I closed up, I looked at some of my slightly older art, EoI stuff from after the point I started liking my own style. It really doesn't feel like I draw these guys. I feel like the crappy drawings are mine, but the ones that turn out perfect, they feel disconnected from me somehow - like they were going to exist anyway and the fact that they're coming from my hand is just a coincidence. I guess I'm feeling a bit existential tonight.

Nov 06, 2005 - I just finished 14/15. Nothing else new to say... the process goes as it has always gone. I'm off to the coffee shop to layout pages 16/17.

Nov 09, 2005 - I feel like I'm in the home stretch, so I layed out 4 pages at once last night. Time to start sketching pages 16 to 19. After these guys are done, page 20 wraps up the first chapter! It's almost time to get published!

Nov 19, 2005 - I'm at my coffee shop where I just finished drawing pages 16/17. I think that's a personal speed record. So, since I've got 18/19 laid out, I could stick to the pencil and keep drawing, or I could bust out the Wacom and start inking 16/17. Tough choice... I'd like to get another page pair done, but inking is ALWAYS the point where I stop working for weeks on end. It'll be interesting to see how this goes.

Nov 29, 2005 - Got a lot of inking done over Thanksgiving, but haven't finished 16/17 yet. Drama has struck now that the vacation is over, making progress difficult. It's two months till the deadline for the Xeric self-publishing grant, which is my preferred method for publishing once I get to page 20. I know I can do it if my life would just calm down for the afore-mentioned two months. Luck-wishing appreciated.

Dec 24, 2005 - Finished the ink for pages 16/17. Inking is such a hurdle every time I get to it. On the plus side, its such a feeling of accomplishment. Everything is downhill after the inking is done.

I haven't really shared much of my production artwork with the interweb, but I'm rather happy with how this panel turned out. Kai loves her sandwich! She's so happy! Consider this a little holiday gift.

Dec 27, 2005 - Base color is down for pages 16/17. At this point, I tend to feel like the cast's make-up artist. One issue in particular keeps happening to Lorgo, which I have to fix every time. I've nick-named it "Digital Cowlick." You can see what I'm talking about here.

Dec 29, 2005 - Pages 16/17 are done! The next step is applying for Xeric! They need to see a mostly-completed project, and I think three-pages away is close enough, especially considering the deadline. After coming up with the concept 10 year ago and spending all that time gaining skills and making it perfect, it's time to finally do something big with it.

Jan 24, 2006 - This morning I mailed my application for the Xeric Foundation comic self-publishing grant. I must now wait until the winners are announced in mid-April. I'll be taking a bit of a break until then to pay attention to some projects that I've been ignoring in favor of Elves of Iax.

Apr 16, 2006 - Today I was rejected by the Xeric Foundation. I have nothing more to say right now.

May 03, 2006 - I have laid out my post-Xeric plans for self publication over on the Splurd Forums. If you're interested, please go take a look and feel free to share your thoughts.

Jun 19, 2006 - After taking a hiatus to get SplurdNet finished, I'm back to work on the last few pages of EoI. Ink and base color is done for pages 18/19.

Jun 22, 2006 - Page 18/19 is wrapped up. Only two more illustrations to go before the first chapter is totally done. I need to draw the cover and the very last page. I'll do the cover next. An old friend has volunteered to professionally proofread the first chapter, so I'm going to send her what's finished this weekend.

Jun 26, 2006 - I've been working on the cover for chapter one. I'm really happy with how the inking turned out. Coloring it now. I would also like to go on record that I am officially tired of drawing Lorgo looking lost and holding a map. I'll be quite happy when I can finally move on to some deeper character development for the poor boy.

Jun 30, 2006 - It is the Friday before the 4th of July weekend. I have a lot of plans lined up. I'm going to finish the cover, update the site a bit, and start taking pre-orders for Chapter One. I'm drawing the cover large enough to be a poster, so I'm thinking that I can put that up for sale as well. After the cover, the only thing left to draw is the very last page, which I'm going to put a lot of love into. I also plan on sending everything minus the last page to my totally awesome volunteer editor before this weekend is over. Big plans, but it's all within my power now.

Jul 05, 2006 - I finished the cover this morning, and made some major updates to the site. Unfortunately, I couldn't get PayPal sorted out on time to start pre-orders. I am going to be busting my ass all week to get it launched.

Jul 07, 2006 - I am now accepting pre-orders. Keep in mind, your pre-order is making it possible to fund self publication. Tell everyone you know and help get the word out. I need a lot of help to pull it off, and I'm counting on everyone!

Jul 19, 2006 - Last week, I sent the final version to an old friend who is a professional editor. I received her feedback a few days ago, but I had to get over being timid before I read through her criticism. The comments she gave mean a bit more work, but they are invaluable to helping the story really come across the way I intended.

Jul 27, 2006 - I haven't really been promoting pre-orders because the book wasn't finished yet. I officially finished the last page at 2:40 am, Thursday, July 27th, 2006. It's downhill from here, just a little editing and polishing. Thanks to the few friends who've made pre-orders already. I love you guys. I'm kinda in shock right now. I've never worked this hard on anything in my life. The closest runner up is graduating college, and it a distant second. Right now, I'm not even thinking about making money with it. I just hope that I can break even and get the story out there finally. Now, I'm gonna get some sleep.

Aug 10, 2006 - Well, it looks like word is starting to get out! Thanks to everyone who's stopped by to check out the project.

Aug 16, 2006 - After the first two weeks of my official push to get the word out, I've decided to push the planned print date back to October 28. I apologize to the few who have already pre-ordered, but it looks like it's going a much slower process than I hoped. Still, I'm optimistic I can have it printed and shipped out by mid-November Thanks to everyone who's linked or just stopped by to learn about what I'm trying to do.

Oct 10, 2006 - I've posted a rough cut of my promotional flash teaser for the first chapter. Please check it out by clicking "preview" up top. In this final push for pre-orders, I also want to announce that anyone ordering the more expensive edition will have their name printed under "thank you!" in the book itself!

Nov 20, 2006 - The Elves of Iax has been officially published. The books arrived this past week, and I spent the weekend making my first sales at Anime USA in Tyson's Corner. Even though Elves of Iax is a 100% American comic-book, the manga/anime crowd was very excited and supportive. In other news, the site was down a bit this weekend due to moving to a new server. I hope that didn't scare too many people away. If you're here because you met me at AUSA, thank you for stopping by, please enjoy the comic and the site!

Nov 21, 2006 - I just finished personalizing the "silver" edition comics. I plan on sending out the pre-ordered comics tomorrow. I'll be busy with Thanksgiving events later this week, so I can't say for certain when I'll have the store online to start selling chapter one online. I'm anxious though, and I want to get this whole ordeal wrapped up so I can finally get to work on chapter two!

Dec 28, 2006 - I'm back, now that the holidays are calming down. I have tubes full of pre-ordered posters that are begging me to take them to the post-office, and several boxes of Chapter One that need loving homes. They are on sale now, be sure to grab a copy!

Jan 13, 2007 - New year, new adventures. I've been running about town trying to get my book out there. I dropped off a copy for DJ W. Noname, but I never heard back from him - probably should phone his show again some time. I also managed to sell a few copies to the local comic shop Comics Dungeon. If you're in Seattle, swing by and check them out on 45th street. As for me, I've wrapped up promoting for a while to work on finishing the preview cartoon.

Jan 22, 2007 - Still cranking away at the animation. I'll be talking to the Seattle Flash User's Group about it on Tuesday, Jan 23rd. I stopped by the Vancouver ComicCon this past weekend. I didn't sell many books, but made a few new friends. It's a cozy little semi-monthly con that I like visiting, but it doesn't seem to be the right crowd for EoI. We'll have to see how well I do at a large con like Emerald City ComiCon.

Feb 15, 2007 - There's a lot of big news. First is the owner of Wayward Coffeehouse has agreed to sell Chapter One in her shop. Wayward is located on 8570 Greenwood Ave N in Seattle (map). This weekend I will be attending Katsucon, but unfortunately I was unable to get an artist ally table. I will be walking around and networking though, and I will have books for sale if you can find me. Finally, I have been working very hard on a new design for the site, which will be altogether easier to update. I will be bringing back the art section, and launching a new literature section where you can read more about the big world this little story is taking place in. Please stop by March 1st, 2007 to see the new site, complete with all new content.

Mar 01, 2007 - I launched the new site design this morning, but right now everything is blank. I'm absolutely exhausted, so things will be a little empty until I can start uploading art, comics and stories into the new system. This new layout should make it much easier for me to make regular updates.

May 05, 2007 - Today is Free Comic Book Day, and if you live in Seattle and stopped by Comics Dungeon (250 NE 45th Street) you would have found a free copy of Elves of Iax chapter one. Thank you very much for checking out my site! The site is painfully low on content right now, and I'm notoriously bad about updating because my day-job has been eating up all my time. Hopefully I can start getting some regular updates going again, but we shall have to see.

Jun 23, 2007 - I met a few people at An Event Apart in Seattle. I know most of you will be more interested in my nicely-validating markup and css, but please take a second to actually look into the comic, too. You can check out my ten page prelude here. If I've piqued your curiosity, please click here to order a copy of the first chapter. Thank you for visiting!

Aug 10, 2007 - I finished writing the script for chapter two. I've been passing it among friends before I send it off to my editor. Everyone seems excited, which keeps me going. I met a few new people at Otakon back in July, and I'll be headed to Anime Evolution next week. I've never been to AnimEvo, so this will be interesting.

Sep 30, 2007 - Well, my list of convention appearances has gotten rather small, but there's a very good reason. I've gotten the script for chapter two back from my editor, so I'm getting to work on some production sketches. I've been asked a couple times when I'll be finished with issue two, and I really wish I had an answer. I'm still pretty new at this self published comic business, but I'll be keeping you all updated as things progress.

Dec 02, 2007 - I found time today to work on fixing the update tools for the site. Hopefully I'll be able to start updating the artwork and literature sections soon. I've been working really hard on the artwork for chapter two. I'm only through about 3 pages of 20, but I'm putting even more love into the artwork than I did to chapter one.
Chapter two will continue the story of Py's origin, and explains how his father became a snake, and will lead into the crew's relationship with the wayward Lorgo. After I publish Chapter Two, I'll move onto a new project that will pick up where page 5 left off, and dig a little deeper into the mysterious war that Py and friends survived, despite Py's apparently mortal wound.
Thanks to everyone out there for your moral support! Elves of Iax is a lot of work, but your interest and encouragement make it worth it! If you'd like to contact me, I can be reached at this e-mail address:

Jan 20, 2008 - It's 4:30AM and I just put the last touches on the page 2/3 spread for chapter two. These two pages took me three months to complete, and I honestly can not think of any single piece I've ever worked this hard on. While it's satisfying to finally have finished it, I can't help but feel discouraged about just how much work this was. If every spread turns out to be this hard, I think chapter two might defeat me.

Mar 23, 2008 - I've recently announced that I intend to auction a poster-sized print of the cover and first page of Elves of Iax Chapter 1 - Finding Lorgo, with 100% of the proceeds going to Childhaven. The full announcement can be found here, and I'd like to hold an open discussion at the brand new Elves of Iax Community at Live Journal. I really don't know what will come of this, but it just seems like a much more positive method of self-promotion than aggravating everyone with advertisements. Please help spread the word, I really hope The Elves and I can do something wonderful with this.

May 27, 2008 - It's A Go! Things turned out quite a bit differently than I planned, most notably that the auction is now benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound thanks to the amazing encouragement of Peter Retzlaff. As for Chapter two, I am tediously dragging myself towards completion of pages 4/5. I faced a lot of challenges with this page that I was not looking forward to, including the most detailed scenery that I have ever created as an artist. Truth be told, the daunting frustration of these pages had a part to play in my decision to organize the charity auction - I needed something to rekindle my faith that the work I was putting into this was somehow worth it. All's well now, I'm currently energized and inspired.

Jun 18, 2008 - So the auction came to a close with a bid of $11, but the winning bidder upped that to $50 for Big Brothers Big Sisters, and I also included my incentive donation of $100, so I sent a check for $150 to BBBS. It was an interesting experiment, but I don't think I'll be doing it again. It's easier to just, you know... donate money myself.
I'm artistically stalled for a little bit. I did finally get page 4/5 done. I was worried when page 2/3 took three months, then 4/5 went and took five. I have rediscovered my hatred for backgrounds, but detailed scenery is almost half of what I see when I dream this world up, so I don't feel like I have much choice but to keep getting better at it.
I ran in to a guy named Glen who turned out to be a pretty enthusiastic fan. That was encouraging.

Jul 02, 2008 - I finally found some time to get back to work on the website, namely the image upload tool that hasn't been working right since the redesign. It's up and running now, and I celebrated by posting some old inkwork I drew back in the day for posters and wallpapers. I've got a few more updates planned, but no real news to tell until they're done. In the meantime, check out the artwork.

Jul 30, 2008 - I've just stamped and sealed my first batch of free Elves of Iax copies. I'll be sending them out tomorrow morning. I'm glad the response to this has been so positive. I noticed a new site sending folks here, a blog called Word Strumpet, where Charlotte Dixon had a couple very nice things to say about my latest attempt to get my work out there. Thank you, Charlotte.

Aug 04, 2008 - Wow! I got a lot more response for free Elves of Iax than I expected. First I ran out of 75 cent stamps. Hit the post office yesterday and found out I needed 76 cent stamps now (the first batch hasn't been returned... maybe the postal service is merciful?) Then I tried to write myself a web-tool to handle people's addresses. That's going okay, but I have up half way though because I wanted to get them stamped and sent before the end of the weekend. I've got most of them ready to go, but I've got work tomorrow! Side note: not complaining, this is a kind of stress I'm actually enjoying! I'll get your comics to you soon, folks, thank you for requesting them!

Aug 18, 2008 - I took a little time off from my day job, and low and behold the site suddenly has the start of a new comic! This is the first page of a six page short story that breaks away from The Crew's adventure a bit and takes a look at some of the culture of greater Iax. I'm going back to that day job in about seven hours, so I guess we'll see how long it takes me to get to the other five pages.