Science, Period Drama & Lois - comic book works in progress

Since my last update in June, by which point I had four Shakespeare books in a partly-finished state, and had just heard back from the first interested publisher that, despite asking me to redraw some pages in a slightly different style, they're not interested, I've had a busy few months of classes, but have also had artwork on my desk, heading to various ends.

On June 26th Emily arranged for me a meeting with a publisher to talk about a series of educational books. Above is a snippet of (working title) Cat Duck Science, of which I have written and drawn 10 pages. No word on what anyone thinks of it yet.

On Aug 27th I delivered two pages of samples, from which this is a tiny snippet. It's to someone else's script, auditioning for a period drama book. When I know whether I have or haven't got the gig, I'll be able to tell you more about what it is.

And here's a page of pencils from a sample I'm doing for Emily to show to publishers. I showed her Space Elain (the 6 colour pages as already published). She liked it, but not the name. I wrote these new pages, and plotted a book length story, under the working title of Lois In Space. But Emily emailed last week saying she's not crazy about that name, so I'm working on some new titles while seeing how many pages I can complete by close of play Wednesday (Sept 4) for her to tout around. I've written, voice-bubbled in Photoshop, and pencilled 18 pages, inked two as of Tuesday Sept 3.

So, we currently have 4 Shakespeares (Romeo & Juliet, Midsummer Nights Dream, King Lear, and Twelfth Thing, plus the reworked and partly coloured Richard The Third) doing the rounds of publishers, with Cat Duck Science and period drama samples waiting to be considered, and not-Lois In Space waiting to finish samples this week. A lot of material up in the air, nothing much new to show the public.

Having got Sweet Smell Of Sockcess off to the printers and on pre-order, I'd like to do a new self-published graphic novel on Kickstarter before the end of the year. Let us see what my schedule allows.

Update Thurs Sept 5th: 18 page black & white Lois In Space first chapter sent to Emily. Inked, lettered. Just need to complete treatment, do colour sample, and think of a better name, all for next week.

Also heard back about the period drama sample. They seem to like it, but would like a bit redrawn, and a differently coloured version. Also for start of next week. Fingers crossed.

Update 10 Sept: 3 different coloured versions of period drama sent to Emily to go to H***

Update 13 Sept: W*** books have paid me for the Science sample pages, which is nice.

I've delivered a 20 page Lois In Space chapter to Emily, with 4 new pages replacing 2 old pages,  and all 4 of those in colour. So the sample is 16 BW and 4 colour pages. Plus a Treatment which I'm almost happy with, but I don't like treatments cos they don't contain any of the funny bits, they're just the plot, which sounds boring to me

The 4 pages in colour will also be resized my me and sent to Lolz comic (published by Ben of The 77) as a 2 pager

UPDATE October 23rd: One project gets notes to work on, one gets turned down, and one gets on a shortlist and has to draw some more spec pages!

My Books and where to get them:

Richard The Third - Amazon - Etsy - Barnes & Noble - Waterstones

Findlay Macbeth - Amazon  - Etsy 
Prince Of Denmark Street - Amazon - Etsy - Kindle
Midsummer Nights Dream Team  - Amazon - Etsy 

Shakespeare Omnibus Collection (all 3 books) - Paperback

Sweet Smell Of Sockcess - Putting A Show On At The Edinburgh Fringe - Amazon - ebook

Who Notes - Doctor Who Reviews - Amazon - Lulu - ebook

Space Elain - Amazon - Lulu - iBooks - Barnes & Noble 

Tales From The Bible - Amazon -  Etsy - Webtoons

The Book Of Esther - Lulu  - Amazon - Webtoons

Joseph, Ruth & Other Stories - Amazon

Captain Clevedon - Amazon

Tales Of Nambygate - Amazon  

2023's Comics By Kids, 2022's Comics By Kids

Colouring Books: Punk, Cult TV, Eurovision Vol 1, Eurovision Vol 2, Eurovision Best Of British & Irish, 1960s Pop, 1970s Pop, 1980s Pop,  1990s Pop, 2020s Pop, Bowie, Scottish Pop, Doctors Who