Diamond sent a letter

and it was a rejection.

Can't say I'm surprised at this point. I knew I was on the bubble. It still smarts. I will publish, but it won't be through diamond, unfortunately. So, I am forced to got to one of their competators and sink some $ into more marketing.

As they say, not happy.

In their letter they said the project shows potential, but does not have a strong enough marketing plan. Which is interesting, because in their materials they said NOT to worry about supplying a marketing plan (which I supplied ANYWAY) So, after almost THREE months, I'm not at square one, but at least I know WHAT I have to do, what's next.

Not too happy, but I will show em'

Still Waiting

For Diamond. I'm trying REAL hard to be patient. I go between pessimism and optimism. Right now, I'd just like to know thumbs up, or thumbs down. It will be the two month count by the end of this week since my submission was accepted, so just patiently waiting to hear from the good folks at Diamond. I hope I get in, but at this point, I need to know SOON, because I need to get all my ad buys, games and contests in place for the pub date.

Diamond

Just talked to them because I had not heard anything. The guy I talked to was real nice. He looked up my submission. And I'm on the fence.

Ahhhh

oh, well, right. On the fence, not a yes, not a no yet. But HOPEFULLY they will say yes. Hopefully. He said he liked the art and the colors. SO at least there's that. I know diamonds huge, they get TONS of submissions. He DID remember mine, so at least I can say I was in the running. That there is ONE GUY left yet to decide. So, I'm waiting on one guy. Here's a message to "one guy" , One Guy, if you are reading this. Hey, I'm a hard worker, and I will promote the HELL out of this book. Take a risk, take a chance.

So, now what. Still in limbo. Until next week. he said it would probably be next week when I would hear. So crossing my fingers, hoping and putting out positive energy to the universe for a YES! He explained that the market is weak and it probably would have made it through in any other year.

He did say that if I resubmitted as a trade, id be more likely to get a yes. Nice guy, so far my experience with Diamond has been pretty good.

So now I wait, wait for my fate.

Still waiting

Not sure how long the process is for Diamond approval/rejection. They state on their website that its 2-4 weeks and now we're in week 6. Is this typical? I have no idea really. From what I see online people's experiences with Diamond vary greatly. Which is to be expected in a company as large as diamond. What I fear is that my submission has gotten lost in the shuffle at their offices. What I hope is that they are taking their time because they are overloaded. I'm over the pins and needles stage of anticipation and right now I just want the up or down sign. I just want to know what my fate is. OF course I would LOVE to be distributed by them, but if they are not interested. I have alternatives to go to. And this process hasn't soured me on the print publishing experience, I still love the form, the paper, the texture, the feeling in my hands. But is this an antiquated idea. Is print publishing dying, or becoming more isolated like vinyl collectors. It seems to be headed towards a more digital future. I wiLL be publishing digitally this book, but I just wanted a real item that I could hold onto. So, just waiting. Waiting and seeing.

Issue #6 is almost finished being colored. Letters to start this week, aim to have it done by next week. So good there, only one more to go. Covers to come after that, then supplemental material for each issues. Then tweak the websites. then come hell or high water, LAUNCH

New posting time

Going to start it up again, even though largely I am In waiting mode here. Sent in the submission to Diamond and I am still waiting for word back...on an unrelated note, did I ever tell you that the folks at diamond are the best, smartest, most good-looking people in the world ;)... I have faith, plus the fortune cookie at Disneyworld told me that it is meant to be. And frankly, who am I to doubt the cookie.

7 is done, inks and pencils, and the supplemental web pages are done through issue #3. COlors will bed one on #6 by next week, so its largely done and I haven't even printed the first issue yet. So I feel in great shape for publishing.

Its Out!

Submissions package to Diamond. Now, its up to...someone else. I would cross my fingers, but does that imply desperation? Cause, I'm NOT desperate...Hopeful. Yes, Hopeful. That's what I want to convey.

ALSO...

One page from finishing issue#7...So that's GREAT!

UPDATE!!!

Got one of the subsites up and running!

Now I just need to collect the data (only one minor tweak needed!)

Sending out package to diamond next week! Crosses fingers.

May need to push back release date, grrrr

But, my fault really.

Longer I wait the better it will be, right, RIGHT?????

Expanding issue#7 by 4 pages. I think It serves the story better

Long time

inbetween updates, right? Well, Its been busy, getting the websites done and operational, coming up with puzzles and web content. AND finishing the comic. Now onto try to get diamond to distribute. I think we have a really great product, soI think they will be interested.

Issue#7 is ALMOST done (pencils, inks) can't really believe it. Got a really kickass cover to Issue#2 done! very excited

More tweaking

When will it end. Its fascinating to me to see where it started and where it finished. I keep on pushing forward and (i think) getting better as I go. But that is natural with any real endevour, the more you do, the better you get. SO, Now I look on my earlier work with a more critical eye. I think the latest additions and revisions will finally do it...screw it..YES, this WILL be the last revisions to Issue#1!!!! Then publish. Gulp. I am crossing my fingers with Diamond that I will make their cut. I don't know what to do if they don;t, but I am going to try my hardest to MAKE that cut.

Oy!

There is SO much to do when you're thinking of self-publishing. I just heard that Diamond is now upping their required amounts for inclusion in distribution, I found another distributor, but, who knows. I'll try. I have to. But I guess this is what makes this blog interesting to me. A LOT of legwork that I have to keep organized. I only hope I can make a blip that will get some notice.