I'll Be Gone 'Til November

I need a break

I’ll be taking the month of October to recalibrate.

I can clearly remember the days early in 2020 when Ennead truly began to take shape. At that time all I had was lots of once disparate notes that I decided to cobble together and lay atop a cohesive world I’d built for fun. Slowly but surely the story that brings us together began to take shape. Since then, I’ve worked non-stop to bring it to life.

12, 13 hour days of writing- constant communication with artists from across the globe - learning new skills from lettering to social media marketing- all while dealing with a global pandemic and becoming a father.

I’m fucking tired.

Crafting Ennead has been one of my life’s greatest joys thus far, right up there with marrying the love of my life and bringing a child earthside with her. But it’s time to put this part of it down for a while. The forward facing part that is.

Book 10 is on page 19 of 30 and will likely be completed by mid-to-late November. Book 5 is colored and we are onto Book 6 this week, so the colors will likely wrap right on time if not a bit early. I’m plotting the first novel set in this world and am excited to bring it to life on this very platform starting next year.

I am not quitting, but I am stepping back.

2023 will be a year of shifting focus for me and for Ennead.

A completed Volume and half of the next is plenty to hang my hat on for only 2 years worth of work. I plan to take advantage of the fruits of my (and more importantly my team’s labor) and hit plenty of conventions next year in an attempt to grow Ennead’s audience. I’ve already begun applying for next year’s stops (more on that another time) and am aiming for 10 conventions and at least 1 Kickstarter next year.

On top of that, once the color versions are ready of Volume 1 and Books 8,9, and 10 (which represent half of Volume 2) I plan on launching a fully operational online store to support this budding online business. I’ve spent the last two years creating this series, now it’s time to start sharing it with more folks.

To be clear: I’ll still be working. I just won’t be sharing it with you.

Well… not all of you at least.

Paid subscribers, you needn’t worry. You’ll get your Ennead fix during the month of October.

• Books 1 and 2 in full color for all paid subscribers. The rest will be made available to founding members only once completed.

• Book 8, unlettered. You’ll get a chance to see and then imagine for yourself what looms for Lannis, Gideon, and Martin Stone along with the rest of The Dobashi Empire.

• A sneak peek at Books 9 and 10, 16 pages total, also unlettered.

• A brand new short story from the world of Amashik.

Not currently a paid subscriber but curious about these exclusives? Say no more.

Subscribe by Midnight EST on 9/30/2022 to redeem this special offer.

I’ll leave you with this…

For those of you who may have missed it, I’ve got a short story along with CJ Oechsle and Bea Navarro included in the Concrete Arcanum Anthology that’s live on Kickstarter right now. The project is nearing 50% funded in just over a week. With over 35 creators, ranging from indie vets to first timers, this is a project worth checking out for fans of fantasy. To prove it to you, take a look at “The Retrieval;” story by yours truly, lines and inks by CJ Oechsle, and colors by Bea Navarro:

If you enjoyed that, head over to the Kickstarter page and pledge your support!

JL