Storycomic Weekly Newsletter: June 15th
ALWAYS POSTED A WEEK EARLIER ON PATREON
This Week on Storycomic Presents: Celebrating History and Inspiring Writers
This week on Storycomic Presents, we had two incredible episodes that delved into the realms of history and the writing journey. Both episodes offered a unique blend of inspiration and insight, making them must-listens for our audience.
Episode 1: Celebrating History with Bill Tulp
In our latest episode, I had the pleasure of hosting celebrated illustrator and author Bill Tulp. We discussed his graphic biography, "The Life and Times of Alexander Twilight," which brings to life the story of a trailblazing African American figure who made significant contributions to Vermont's history.
Bill shared his artistic process, detailing how he conducted thorough research at the Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village. He emphasized the importance of historical accuracy, ensuring that every detail, from clothing to architectural styles, faithfully represents the early 19th century. His dedication to authenticity shines through in the vivid illustrations that depict key moments in Twilight's life.
The graphic biography not only celebrates Twilight's achievements as an educator and politician but also aims to enrich Vermont's educational standards by incorporating diverse historical perspectives. Bill's passion and commitment to making history accessible and engaging are truly inspiring. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersections of art, history, and education.
Episode 2: Inspiring Writers with Todd Fahnestock
In another engaging episode, Todd Fahnestock returned to the show to discuss his new book, "Falling to Fly: The Book to Read Before You Give up on Your Writing Dreams." Todd’s journey from facing immense challenges to becoming an acclaimed high fantasy author is both captivating and motivational.
"Falling to Fly" provides an unfiltered glimpse into the life of a writer, sharing stories from Todd’s youth, such as evading bullies and a daring meeting with Gary Paulsen. These narratives highlight the determination and courage required to pursue a writing career. Todd’s candid recounting of his experiences underscores the importance of resilience and the willingness to take risks.
This episode is particularly resonant for anyone in the creative fields. Todd's message to never give up, coupled with his practical insights into the publishing world, offers both motivation and real-world advice. Listeners will leave inspired by Todd’s commitment to his craft and encouraged by his journey.
Update on 'Daddest Jokes'
Progress has been a bit slow on the book this past week. Work has kept me pretty busy, especially with our first successful remote broadcast at the Bradford Business Association's 'Spring Globe Festival'. It was an exciting and nerve-wracking experience, but everything went smoothly, which was a huge relief.
Despite the busy schedule, I’m still gathering and curating great jokes for the book. Each joke is carefully selected to ensure it brings a smile or a groan (in the best way possible). I’m also continuing to work on the illustrations and the cover design, although at a slower pace.
Book Review: "Official Dictionary of Sarcasm: Postcards" by James Napoli
If you’ve ever felt the need to up your sarcasm game or just want a good laugh, "Official Dictionary of Sarcasm: Postcards" by James Napoli is your new best friend. This book had me laughing so hard, it felt like a workout for my abs and my wit.
James Napoli, already renowned for his humor best-sellers like "The Official Dictionary of Sarcasm" and "The Official Dictionary of Idiocy," hits the mark again with this collection. Napoli’s knack for capturing the essence of sarcasm is both impressive and utterly hilarious. Each postcard is a mini-masterpiece of dry humor, perfect for those moments when you need a quick dose of wit.
Though this book is technically a collection of postcards, I have to admit, I’m hesitant to actually use them. They’re just too good to part with! But if you’re braver than I am, sending one of these postcards to a friend would definitely brighten—or snarkily darken—their day. Each card is a little slice of sarcasm heaven, ready to be mailed out to unsuspecting victims of your choice.
Nick Arkesteyn sums it up perfectly: this book is great for tuning your mind to the sarcasm channel. It’s ideal for anyone who appreciates a dry, sarcastic sense of humor. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your sarcastic edge or just need a good laugh, this book is a must-have.
So, if you’re in the mood for some top-tier snark, grab a copy of "Official Dictionary of Sarcasm: Postcards." Your funny bone will thank you, even if your friends might not. Highly recommended!
Personal Update: A Week of Progress and Reunions
At the station, it was a productive catch-up week. Our new sales rep started working, and while it will take about a month to get her fully up and running, I'm optimistic about the positive impact she'll have on our team. It's always exciting to bring new talent on board and watch how they contribute to our goals.
On Friday, I took a trip down to Brattleboro to visit a radio station there. It was a fantastic learning experience to see how they operate and pick up some new ideas to bring back to our own station. The insights I gained will definitely help us improve and innovate.
The weekend was particularly special because I had my 20th reunion with my old grad school friends from the School for International Training. About 20 of us gathered, and it was an incredible time of reminiscing, catching up, and reconnecting. Seeing everyone again brought back so many great memories, and it was a weekend full of laughter and nostalgia. It reminded me of how important it is to maintain those connections and cherish the friendships that have stood the test of time.
All in all, it was a fulfilling week both professionally and personally. I'm looking forward to the upcoming weeks and continuing to make progress at the station.
Some of the folks who came to the reunion. 20 year reunion!
Once I came back home I gave my kiddos temporary tattoos of my alumni logo.
I am growing my Patreon and offering an excellent way for my independent creative community to sustained advertise their work!
The website of your choice will be featured in the show notes of all of our podcasts for as long as you are a member of the Storycomic Patreon. The Founders Club offer is only for the first 15 subscribers. This is at any Patreon Subscription level.
Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons,
Higgens802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Andrew Gronosky of Shewstone Publishing, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at:
https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/
https://www.vonallan.com/
https://higgins802.com/
https://shewstone.com/
Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!