T Campbell's Blog

A lot of stuff, as per usual. Here's a survey of current and future projects and their status. In a month's time I'll look back on this and see if taking it all on was as crazy as it looked. (No, I don't think I'll get this ALL DONE in two months' time, especially since some of it's ongoing. But you aim big to deliver big.)

Clickwheel. Very possibly the most important project of '06. I'm Commissioning Editor, which means it falls to me to decide who's going to be part of this thing, and ooh MAN I wish I could tell you more right now but keep your eye on this one. By Thanksgiving, I should have more to share.

OhNoRobot. Ambitious growth plans await this engine in '06. Most immediate goals: securing reasonable revenue, ramping up the number of "A-list" webcomics on the service and figuring out how best to nurture continued volunteer transcription.

Graphic Smash. Five new features introduced recently: good. Three features I really wanted that got away: spilled milk. Up next: getting the comics indexed with OhNoRobot, setting up a one-size-fits-all FAQ for new cartoonists and talking up '06 with Joey Manley.

Divalicious (formerly Pop Star) with Amy Mebberson. Submitting final bible this evening. Outlined.

Penny and Aggie. Submitted new round of submissions to syndicates, queried collection to my agent for Rip & Teri. Slight possibility of trade paperback from Alias Enterprises; pursue. Upcoming online: "Omega Sisters," "Celebrity Poker Showdown." Gisele just turned in the gorgeous strip #18 of "CPS." She will need the script for "Campaign Trail" on December 7. Want to run "Shoposphere" by her as another possible short.

Fans: "The Iron Easel" with Dani Atkinson. Ongoing, to be completed December 17. Recently wikified!

Fans: "The Strange Case." Second sequel, not yet outlined, no artist attached. Detective story.

Fans CDs. Recent computer problems have exacerbated backups in ordering. Computer problems now resolved. Orders to be filled tomorrow.

Rip & Teri, with John Waltrip and David Willis. Final story, "Eagles' Endgames," fully scripted. Still being drawn, lettered, colored, a few weeks before going live online. Trade paperback represented by agent Bob Diforio.

The Fabjob Guide to Cartooning. Far as I know Tyler Sticka is working on revisions and updates for the new edition (he'll get co-credit), but I haven't heard from him lately. Sent him phone and e-mail messages tonight.

Meanwhile, The Comics Podcast, with Dave Belmore. Still weekly, still fun. Unlikely to earn any serious revenue, but that isn't always the point. It's about friendship, really, and bouncing ideas off each other. Likely to continue through '06 at least.

The Alphabet of Life. Scripted, needs 25 artists for one illustration apiece. (Phil Kahn got the "A.")

[title withheld]. The ghostwriting project chugs along. My client is out of town until early December and there's only so much more I can do in his absence, but there are about 4,000 more words to go, so I'll be hunkering down on this over the next week, before Thanksgiving.

History of Webcomics. Will probably receive one more revision before publication, but right now, just making the rounds, seeking out reviews and pull quotes to help its summer release.

Narbonic: "Just Think." Fully scripted, mostly drawn, scheduled for December release.

Gaming Guardians: "System Failure." Full-length paperback, co-written with Graveyard Greg, artist uncertain (Webtroll if at all possible). Outlined.

Life's A Croc: "Shitheap." Needs new home online now that LaC has left Graphic Smash. Setting one up tomorrow.

Zill. Full-length paperback with online run; six lost souls and their interactions with the most powerful search engine ever built. Roughly outlined, Jeffrey T. Darlington interested but not confirmed.

The Silicon Age. Essay series for revision and publication. Begun with "Klurkor 11." Up next: "Searching Oral History."

Comixpedia. Continued relationship as able. Mostly sending them tutorials these days, laying groundwork for another essay series, How to Webcomic. "Faith in Science: Detective Stories In A Confused World" essay accepted!

Sluggy Freelance novelization. Just a proposal on Pete Abrams' desk at present, and unlikely to move too quickly... but middle of next year, I'm hopin'.

A Treasury of Romance Comics. Outlined. Needs query letter for agent. Possibly first in a series.

Marvel Men. TPB with online run. The joint biography of two of comics' most fascinating characters. Conceived. Needs outline, artist.

Meetmate.com. TPB with online run. Romantic comedy following a variety of Internet daters. Conceived. Needs outline, artist.

Kirby Crackups, with Bill Maus, TPB with online run. A "template comic" in the mode of Ryan North. Production setup complete, needs outline.

Search Engine Funnies sequel (untitled), with Denise Ibuk and an unspecified artist. Deferred until January. Too much going on with Gurtie right now, but she has some SE humor of her own and the necessary platform to make an online entertainment profitable.

The Grahams and The Campbells. Twin graphic novels about genealogy, extended family and the quest for identity. Need research, outlines, artists.

Madame Raj (working title). Nonfiction about making predictions, co-authored with Lou Munden. Initial outline complete, Lou should have material ready December 7. No artist attached.

The Artist Database. Frequently I find myself scrambling at the very last minute to find someone to fill a project. I've lucked out a lot so far, but I don't want to continue that policy. So I'm keeping a small Rolodex of people who might be available and who move fast, and updating it regularly. Ongoing.

Marvel, DC Proposals. Not to take place until February of next year. Research required.