Yeah, as I'm sure you might have guessed things didn't work out so well for my dear ferret. We had to take her to the vet for the last time on Friday. Cancer is just horrid. Sorry to be absent and many thanks to all who gave us well wishes and support.
I really don't want to spring this on everyone while telling you a sad story about my ferret, but I gotta say something else that's important regarding the comic. It's come to the point where I may have to get a job to help out with our finances, but I'd prefer that job to be my comic and not something that takes me away from working on it. I don't want to lean on the generosity of my readers, and this isn't me saying that I'm holding the comic hostage either, but we're having a little trouble living on one income (it's not like we live beyond our means either, I'm living off Ramen if I even remember to eat most days!) but taxes and unexpected expenses have come our way. Nick has been waiting months now trying to save up for dental surgery and I was supposed to go to the doctor's for a followup on some things like my wrist and couldn't afford that either. I'm not going to ask for something for nothing either, I actually did make a wallpaper which we'll send out and I even intend to make some more very special content for all who donate even a bit. Any suggestions are welcome of course, and we might even have a donation drive where we set up a raffle to give free stuff to a winner every month (like original art, pipecleaner sculptures I made, buttons and whatnot depending on what we decide on. We'll have more details on Tuesday) but every donator of course gets a wallpaper sent to them regardless.
By the way, I did change the donation button so it directs to Nick's account now, so if anyone does donate don't panic that it says “Evil Empire Comics” and Evil Emperor Nick in the address, I'm married to him so it's going to the same place of course ^_^.
We really appreciate everyone who's bought a shirt in the cafepress store, but that's there for your benefit rather than ours because we only make enough money to cover the cost of keeping the store (and the multiple options) open. I'll update that soon too though.
And for those that donated last time in our very dire hour of need, I haven't forgotten you either, I'm still working on that book for you but it ran into a snag, meaning I didn't like the ending and re-wrote it. Of course that means I have to redraw some art too, but as soon as that's done you'll get that sent to you. I'll always be grateful for your help and support!
Please bear with me though guys, you wouldn't believe how hard it is to have to ask you for help like this. I know there's other options out there but I want to do everything I can to keep this comic the main thing for me and I don't want to have to drop it or take time away from working on it.
My condolences for all the trouble you're going through. I'm sure I"m not the only one who would say that if you need to take a break from comicing, either to grieve or get a job, I wouldn't hold it against you in the least.
On the comic, it's actually kinda funny that Yiska mistook Zerlocke for Poldi because, when he first showed up dressed like that, I thought that was who it was too. So, yeah, I understand her confusion.
:\ Coming out from lurking to say, I really hope that things work out for you, for the better. When I say that I wish I could, I mean that; it would mean that financially, I wasn't living on ramen-and-hope myself. Doing a webcomic isn't always the most thanked of pastimes, and sometimes the most support we can offer is just by commenting(which can be majorly supportive to an artist in itself).
I'm sorry to hear about your ferret, they are precious with such wonderful personalities, and it's always sad to have to let go of a loved one. My sympathies are with you and Nick.
For what it's worth, even if you do have to get a job and don't have enough time to work on the comic, I know that I and many other artists will understand. Times are tough, and the things we love and enjoy sometimes get put on the backburner for the sake of getting by.
As for today's update, Zerlocke remains one of my favorite characters, by and large because of pages like this one. xD Ehee.
Oh, sorry, I forgot to ask further down, does anyone know how long it takes for the donation to go through? I couldn't afford much (Unless you consider $16 to be a lot, in which case you must be really REALLY low on money lol) , but would I be right in assuming it takes a few days to process? I couldn't seem to find anything saying how long it takes to go through.
Everybody can understand if u say u'd take the rest of the year off to get a job, and keep it(the job that is)
U are't the first artist who asks her fans for help, so don't be ashamed for it, as long as we know we'll see it back in the future. and my condoleces to your ferret, i know all about losing pets.
PS do u acept creditcards? not very good(or compy) with paypal or any other system.
I'm so sorry to hear about all that (especially as my cat died of liver damage earlier this year).
And your happiness and well-being is far more important than any comic - though this one's really amazing as always. Those who see it the other way round shouldn't call themselves fans if you ask me!
Living on ramen sucks... I couldn't face rice or pasta for years after starting a fine print business a few years back *RIP, 'market forces' (;_;) *
I just got back into work myself after a few months out, but I'll see what I can do in a couple of weeks...
(desperately saving up for heating oil before the weather hits...)
Following from some others' suggestions, how about maybe 'binding' up 2-300dpi pdf monthly digests to be distributed via email on a subscription basis? There's lots of security features you can set in Acrobat that would let you control what could be done/edit-proof the work on the way out... I know there are security crackers for locked pdfs, but there are scanners for print media too... some folks will always steal T_T
Sucks about the ferret, too... I'd be devasted if I lost any of my doggies...
Oh gosh I'm sorry to hear about your ferret. *hugs*
I really hope everything works out for you guys. If you have to get a job I will totally support you even if it means the comic will go on hold. You guys' health and happiness is way more important than regular updates. ):
Yays new comic.
I'm sorry about your ferret. It's never fun to lose someone, whether it's a family member or a pet. At least you were able to be with her and make her comfortable. I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts.
I'm sorry for your loss. *hug*
As for selling pipecleaner figures, you could see about using ebay, I'm certain you have many fans that would want to buy them :D
DoodlestheBear at 7:36PM, Oct. 15, 2009
My condolences for all the trouble you're going through. I'm sure I"m not the only one who would say that if you need to take a break from comicing, either to grieve or get a job, I wouldn't hold it against you in the least. On the comic, it's actually kinda funny that Yiska mistook Zerlocke for Poldi because, when he first showed up dressed like that, I thought that was who it was too. So, yeah, I understand her confusion.
hotpokethedrood at 6:49PM, Oct. 15, 2009
I don't mean to complain... but I wanted to find out what happened to Zeno! Stupid cliffhangers... ...although Yiska is still really awesome...
MagickLorelai at 6:02PM, Oct. 15, 2009
:\ Coming out from lurking to say, I really hope that things work out for you, for the better. When I say that I wish I could, I mean that; it would mean that financially, I wasn't living on ramen-and-hope myself. Doing a webcomic isn't always the most thanked of pastimes, and sometimes the most support we can offer is just by commenting(which can be majorly supportive to an artist in itself). I'm sorry to hear about your ferret, they are precious with such wonderful personalities, and it's always sad to have to let go of a loved one. My sympathies are with you and Nick. For what it's worth, even if you do have to get a job and don't have enough time to work on the comic, I know that I and many other artists will understand. Times are tough, and the things we love and enjoy sometimes get put on the backburner for the sake of getting by. As for today's update, Zerlocke remains one of my favorite characters, by and large because of pages like this one. xD Ehee.
Annie2495 at 5:24PM, Oct. 15, 2009
D'aw- I love Yiska
KaguyaMegami at 4:57PM, Oct. 15, 2009
hobo clothing xD
Scythe Massakur at 3:39PM, Oct. 15, 2009
Now that's the Big Z we all know and love.
stinger9 at 2:01PM, Oct. 15, 2009
Oh, sorry, I forgot to ask further down, does anyone know how long it takes for the donation to go through? I couldn't afford much (Unless you consider $16 to be a lot, in which case you must be really REALLY low on money lol) , but would I be right in assuming it takes a few days to process? I couldn't seem to find anything saying how long it takes to go through.
Weertangel at 1:44PM, Oct. 15, 2009
Just to add, i just donated some cash to u, even if it's not much(in euro's ) i hope it helps. best of luck and keep us updated :)
Weertangel at 1:31PM, Oct. 15, 2009
Everybody can understand if u say u'd take the rest of the year off to get a job, and keep it(the job that is) U are't the first artist who asks her fans for help, so don't be ashamed for it, as long as we know we'll see it back in the future. and my condoleces to your ferret, i know all about losing pets. PS do u acept creditcards? not very good(or compy) with paypal or any other system.
wii208 at 1:20PM, Oct. 15, 2009
sorry to hear about all that
PaulEberhardt at 1:12PM, Oct. 15, 2009
I'm so sorry to hear about all that (especially as my cat died of liver damage earlier this year). And your happiness and well-being is far more important than any comic - though this one's really amazing as always. Those who see it the other way round shouldn't call themselves fans if you ask me!
tref_h at 12:44PM, Oct. 15, 2009
Living on ramen sucks... I couldn't face rice or pasta for years after starting a fine print business a few years back *RIP, 'market forces' (;_;) * I just got back into work myself after a few months out, but I'll see what I can do in a couple of weeks... (desperately saving up for heating oil before the weather hits...) Following from some others' suggestions, how about maybe 'binding' up 2-300dpi pdf monthly digests to be distributed via email on a subscription basis? There's lots of security features you can set in Acrobat that would let you control what could be done/edit-proof the work on the way out... I know there are security crackers for locked pdfs, but there are scanners for print media too... some folks will always steal T_T Sucks about the ferret, too... I'd be devasted if I lost any of my doggies...
angel of music at 12:16PM, Oct. 15, 2009
I'm sorry about your ferret ;A;
ZeroVX at 11:34AM, Oct. 15, 2009
Spork? That sounds like spam ice cream. Ewwwww... Good to have you back, Ames. Sorry to hear about all that stuff that's happened to you.
thirman at 11:29AM, Oct. 15, 2009
hang in there, it sucks to lose a pet. my guinea pig's on her last legs too.
Renamon at 11:23AM, Oct. 15, 2009
lol
tonius rocks at 11:20AM, Oct. 15, 2009
she looks ... um wats he word?... sumthing but yh in the last panel she looks rlly pretty and i' sorry to hear about you cute little ferret ='(
Lilac at 11:15AM, Oct. 15, 2009
Oh gosh I'm sorry to hear about your ferret. *hugs* I really hope everything works out for you guys. If you have to get a job I will totally support you even if it means the comic will go on hold. You guys' health and happiness is way more important than regular updates. ):
stinger9 at 10:15AM, Oct. 15, 2009
I am sorry for your loss. And I hope you find a solution to your money problems. I'll have to remember to donate as soon as I can.
Jackelopefan at 10:02AM, Oct. 15, 2009
I am so sorry for your loss. I will remember you and your husband in my prayers.
Jackelopefan at 10:02AM, Oct. 15, 2009
I am so sorry for your loss. I will remember you and your husband in my prayers.
lilChipopo at 9:06AM, Oct. 15, 2009
Yays new comic. I'm sorry about your ferret. It's never fun to lose someone, whether it's a family member or a pet. At least you were able to be with her and make her comfortable. I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts.
rain storm at 8:49AM, Oct. 15, 2009
Aww Amy. *hugs* As long as you're still okay, I'm sure no-one will come and kill you if you take a hiatus to work or sort things out. Good luck!
Neilak20 at 8:36AM, Oct. 15, 2009
I'm sorry for your loss. *hug* As for selling pipecleaner figures, you could see about using ebay, I'm certain you have many fans that would want to buy them :D
artchic8 at 8:35AM, Oct. 15, 2009
Im sure your ferrets in a better place now, Im sorry for your loss. I wish I could donate but Im broke -_-