Texas Author Con 2025

Excuse me, that’s Texas Author & Reader Con to be exact! I love this show (and shows like it) not just because it supports established and up and coming authors, but also because it has every genre imaginable. The show has more than 100 authors exhibiting (at last count), offering everything from Romance to Westerns and even non-fiction. There are also two full days of panels for both writers and readers. (see below)

The show takes place this weekend and will be my second year exhibiting. I can tell you it was quite the experience to exchange the hallowed halls of a typical FanCon convention for a hyper focused readers paradise. I learned more about who my reader was and what they were looking for than I did at a dozen previous conventions. That’s one of many reasons I’m excited to return.

If you’re in the area, stop by. It’s a free show and you might just find your next favorite book.

The Hidden Legions Is At The Press!

I am very excited to say that we have hit the deadline on getting this book to press. It features 9 new pages of work for a total page count of 32. I’m equally anxious to share a few preview pages with you but first, let me introduce the latest member of the crew, Tiffany Garcia.

Tiffany Garcia is an up and coming Latina artist currently working in the comics and book industry. Tiffany cites Todd Nauck and Sailor Moon as artistic inspiration. To date, she is credited with work on the 2024 book “I survived Three Polar Bears and The Magic Phone” published by Charter Comics.

I met Tiffany a few times on the local show circuit and had always been impressed with her portfolio. She’s a full spectrum artist who can handle all aspects of book art but what we really needed her for on this book was COLOR…

All of the new nine pages are Tiffany’s colors and just look at these pages!!!

I’m proud to say that Tiffany can add “The Hidden Legions” to her list of accomplishments and I hope to continue working with her on future projects.

Release Date: September 28

The goal is to debut this comic at the Denton Comic Art Festival here in Texas, September 28th. For my Kickstarter Community and those abroad don’t worry I will announce where/how you can get a copy in the coming weeks!

The Hidden Legions Returns

Colette Delacroix is on a mission to uncover her estranged father’s location and end his work. Raised as his lab assistant rather than his daughter, Colette struggles with feelings of abandonment and yet a strange admiration for his genius. When the work turned from scientific curiosity to abusive experimentation, she ran from the lab and ultimately, his reach. Years later, she would hear rumors and whispers about him and his continued work. They spoke of abominations that seemed to come from the pages of Frankenstein rather than reality. But Colette knew better than to dismiss these as fantasy. Then, when she learned the Kaiser might be employing her father, she knew what to do!

The long-anticipated conclusion of the opening chapter will finally be delivered. It will combine the original art (unabridged & unedited) with new pages to complete the story. Since the original art is as old as 2016, I’ve been working to replicate the original look as much as possible. Here is the final panel from the web release in 2018.

I’ll post a few examples of the new pages soon as well as details on the Kickstarter!

More New Art

First, let me thank all of you who took the time to respond to my questions last month. I respect your time and opinions very, very much! Your answers helped me frame how I will approach the continuation of Inchi and the next few months after this new book finishes. Thank YOU!! Although many responded directly those questions are Open Questions and I’ll take feedback whenever your willing to give it.

I am grinding to get this new book ready for prime time this fall. All of that said, let’s move on to the art reveals! No story spoilers, only commentary.

Mirror
I’m attempting to capture the oddity and creepiness of walking onto this scene. You’ve clearly interrupted something of a supernatural kind. The woman in the mirror, hand resting on the shoulder of a young woman, seems only to exist in that plane. However, your arrival is equally unexpected, as all eyes in this image are on you!

The Tower
This is my take on a classic Tarot Card called “The Tower.” It requires certain graphical elements which assign particular meanings. Therefore, I followed that established form for the most part and just added my own vision of it.

For the interested, here is an image that explains the different elements and meanings.

The Three Furies
I am still working on this piece, but it wasn’t originally my intention to style it after the Three Furies. It just happened that way. LOL. Still, no spoilers.

More updates coming soon. Something exciting this way comes!

New Art & A Question

I have questions, and I know you have answers about how you consume your read entertainment. If willing, I have a few questions following the update. I would be grateful if you spent just a minute or two answering! But first, art updates!

Witches, another 21 Steezy Snuffs
There are no spoilers here on the story, so I’ll let you draw some conclusions. 🙂 As with most of my art updates, this piece still has much to do. I am frustrated by the fur because I couldn’t decide between an ink-rendered version or a painted version at the time. Alas…this is where it’s at.

A close-up of the upper body and headpiece in ink only. I like how it’s come together, but I will revisit the fabric. It deserves better treatment.

Okay, the question… or questions…
Thank you in advance for answering this. As you know, illustrated books and comics are challenging to produce in the best situations. Questions of distribution and format increase the difficulty immensely. Obviously, major publishers do their best to hit all channels. Still, as an independent, I want to focus my energy where my fans are. Meet them where they want to be met, so to speak.

1. How do you prefer to read illustrated books/comics?

Even if it’s a layered answer, I’d love to know. Is it physical books, digital books, webcomics, etc.

2. Do you use mobile platforms like Webtoons or Tapas to read serial stories weekly?

If there are others you might be using, I’d appreciate knowing.

3. Would you prefer more regular content (like a weekly serial) over waiting for a finished print book?

Not that your answer would exclude one for the other.

I appreciate any insights you can give me. I agree with “Art for the sake of art,” but I want to ensure my efforts are focused in the right place.

Thank you, thank you!!!

Witches

Officially announcing that “Witches,” a 21 Steezy Snuffs follow-up, is in production. And so, without ado, here is a comp of what a Witches cover might look like!

There’s a lot to do in this particular piece. Besides the color, shading, and more technical aspects of the composition, there are artistic choices. For example, I want to think longer about how I want her tattoos to appear. Some of these I slapped on, although others are from the classical Roman depictions of Pictish tattoos. That’s the kind of stuff I think about and end up being driven crazy by. But it’s the kind of thing I hope you will appreciate when you read the stories!

It’s a full-court press to prepare this “Witch Edition” of 21 Steezy Snuffs for the fall. More exciting and eyebrow-raising news coming soon!

Wait? What about Inchi #02

The last thing I would want to do is throw some business on you, but the reality is that 21 Steezy Snuffs is still outperforming Inchi #01. In fact, I just placed my first-ever stocking order on that title for the Con Exclusive Cover. It’s crazy, and I can’t ignore that. Inchi fans, DO NOT DESPAIR… It’s still being worked on. Just because people are more excited about short-form gothic horror than they are about urban fantasy sequential art doesn’t mean I’m giving up!

Spritz-Oh! Beverage Of The Cursed

One of my favorite parts of doing illustrated fiction and sequential art is the details! For instance, my character Murron who has been featured a few times in the page reveals, is holding and drinking a canned beverage. It doesn’t amount to much concern in the overall story context, BUT what exactly is that drink? I love this kind of detail. So I created this collage of moments and highlighted the can for your reference.

With that in mind I have to create a “brand”. Of course, I could write COLA, SODA, or some other generic thing on that can, but I couldn’t resist doing this mockup. It’s Italy after all…

Spritz-Oh! Brand Mock-Up!

LOL…well, I have to come up with something. And there’s time. I don’t know if it will end up as Spritz-Oh! but I’m open to your thoughts. Inchi #02 presses on! I appreciate you all so much!

Quick All-Con Recap

All-con is slightly different from most con’s I’ve attended or exhibited. The best way I can describe it is to say it’s about activities. So while many cons focus on celebrity guests, signings, photo ops, and fan merchandise, all-con is about experiences! Every half hour from 11:00a.m. to midnight, something happens in one of the hotel’s various ballrooms and conference rooms. It could be anything from cosplay tips to Cards Against Humanity flash games. There’s something for everyone hence the name “All-con.” So in the moments in between when there is downtime, attendees spend some time perusing the vendor hall or Artist’s Alley, where I was set up. It’s incredible to observe from behind the black-cloaked table!
Look! An actual Krampus was there who looked a lot like my interpretation! He got a free book.

Far and away, my flash fiction book 21 Steezy Snuffs outpaced interest in Inchi. Still, I’m guessing gothic horror will always feel more attractive than fantasy. There’s plenty of reluctance to get involved with a series too! I get all that, and it’s totally cool! My vision remains pure, and I love the way this story is developing. However, it encourages me to move up some other short-form literature I have on the schedule.

Appreciate you all!

All-Con Starts Today

I’ve really embraced the necessity of doing book shows. So I’m experimenting more right in my back yard starting with All-Con. It starts today and runs through Sunday. If you are located in or around Dallas or are just happen to be in town I’d love to meet you. Just out there raising awareness!

Inchi #02

For Backers of Inchi #01 you may have recieved an update already via Kickstarter or through the Voyages newsletter. I’ve already been thinking about when is the right time to prepare for the next launch. Much of that content you all receive first as Voyages subscribers so I’ll just hit you with the main update! Page 4!

Nothing has changed as all of this will go through a final edit. Some details I like to leave until the end to make sure the creative flow doesn’t suffer and to have better continuity. One thing I’m sure of, this will be an even better book than the first.

I’ve definitely grown since the publication of Inchi #01, both as a writer and an illustrator. Making comics is hard and takes a lot of dedication to the craft. There is always something to improve upon, so thank you for your support from the bottom of my heart.

It’s a full-court press this spring to get this Book ready for launch. I’ll keep you posted as always.

Art Preview & Updates

A lot has happened since my last update. First, Inchi #01 wrapped, and then 21 Steezy Snuffs launched! Truth be told, I kinda wrecked my very cool-looking site turning it over to an e-comm page. I still don’t love it yet, but I’ll get there! But that’s not why you’re reading this! Let’s talk art!

If you’ve already pledged for 21 Steezy Snuffs (21SS), then you know that I’ve been on studio lockdown finalizing art. It’s been so much fun! I’m super excited about where it’s at and coming together nicely. That said, (Pirate Voice) “there be 10 days left” on this Voyage at $707 raised. As I said in yesterday’s Kickstarter update, I’m thrilled! Considering this type of book isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, it’s incredible! But that’s why we serve tea, coffee, and scotch on this ship. No spiced rum in this update.

Check out the Kickstarter

So let me take you through some of the new art that’s coming into the book. Another word of caution these are in progress! Let’s start with the surprise breakout star, the plague doctor!

Plague doctors have never gone out of fashion. Still, considering we have been living a modern plague for some time, perhaps that’s a boost. I love this dark and mysterious version, but this is how he will appear in 21SS with the story.

I’ll work the dark and mysterious version in somewhere too just cause he’s cool. Maybe on a keychain? Or a fridge magnet! This is what’s circling through my mind right now!

Ah, ha, ha! Love that movie, and oh, so true! But more on the fall conventions I’ll be at later!

These Animals are all “Rude men, gangsters, proper naughty boys, and all that bollocks!” Love that line from Guy Ritchie’s, The Gentlemen! In the print version, expect blood on Mr. Rabbit.

You probably never considered the challenges Brownies and Faerie Folk go through daily! Empathy is a blade that requires constant sharpening.

I love doing these silhouette-style pieces. It has an inherent drama to it that is unique to the form. In this piece, I’m working towards having the bloodied face the focal point as the story pivots on this detail. Sort of. 😉

OMG! She has no hands….NO HANDS!!! LOL!!! I love the drama unfolding on this one too. It’s different in that I’m going for more of an oil on canvas look. It’s exciting to see it coming together.

This book is a long-time dream come true with a wide breadth of art styles throughout. There are ten days to pledge if you want to support it directly. I appreciate you being on the Voyage in any case! I gotta get back to work, and you gotta get on to enjoying the holiday!

Be Safe!

David

MoonBlimp

Stories in pen, ink, and sometimes prose.

Tag: amwriting