Looking to 2023!
It’s the start of a new year and I'm already behind. I like sending out Authorstrator posts every other monday and here we are, first thursday of January, and only now am I sensing the newsletter out. Cool start, Megs. But in my defense, the wee one has his days and nights reversed and so my total hours of banked sleep is low enough that I wouldn't want to share the exact number lest it terrify you beyond reading further.
But hey! The newsletter is here anyway ! I have many topics I want to get into at this the start of 2023 - things like AI art, the state of publishing, and the social media landscape for creatives - but I worry my tired brain will spew what sounds great to me but ultimately amounts to nonsense. So while I work on establishing a normal sleep schedule, I thought this week would be a good chance to breakdown whats coming on Authorstrator in 2023!
Apart from our regularly scheduled Authorstrator content, look out for:
Creator friends! I'm hoping to invite some author and illustrator friends to share their insights, experiences and creative processes through 2023. The amazing Alisha Sevigny is coming up next with her tips on researching for historical fiction!
A new project - I'm hoping to share the art for an ambitious illustration project that is mostly for fun. As a big Disney animation fan, I always have ideas for animated movies and I recently decided what the heck! Why not design an animated movie!? Join me while I bite off way more than I can chew for no reason at all!
Filling all the notebooks and sketchbooks - I am hoping to use my notebooks and sketchbooks in a more purposeful way, driving towards my end of year goals and that means lots of pages to share. I will be sharing sketchbook and notebook dumps that I hope you'll enjoy!
AMAs - Ask Me Anything on Substack chat! With Substack's new chat feature, we can discuss creativity, WIP feedback, industry discussions and share articles and resources! I'll also be hosting Ask Me Anythings every month, so come say hi!
How to join the Authorstrator Substack chat:
Download the app by clicking this link or the button below. Substack Chat is now available on both iOS and Android.
Open the app and tap the Chat icon. It looks like two bubbles in the bottom bar, and you’ll see a row for my chat inside.
That’s it! Jump into my thread to say hi, and if you have any issues, check out Substack’s FAQ.
Doodle
Self portrait. Thanks to the friends on the chat who helped me settle on the background!
What I'm working on
Just a couple small things on the go:
A short comic for Authorstrator I hope to have done soon.
The final chapters of Mega Worm Apocalypse.
As always, graphic novel proposal and writing my middle grade project.
What I'm reading:
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
Noted by Jillian Hess - this was an inspiring post about 12 ways to use a Diary with glimpses at famous creatives’ notebooks.
What are you reading?
Finally, The Bear House: Scales and Stardust has been out in the world for two whole months! If you've had a chance to read Scales and Stardust or The Bear House, I would be oh so grateful if you would consider leaving an online review.
And that's all for now! See you next time :)
Megs
Dont worry, monday was 2022 hangover day and that is a though year to wake up from
Have a great day!
Yay! I love your first issue of Authorstrator for 2023! I enjoyed the humour and hope you and your beautiful family are all doing well.
I LOVE The Bear House and Scales and Stardust - they are some of the best books I have ever read! It felt so good to want to read and keep reading and I THOROUGHLY enjoyed the experience of reading these books. I will share reviews online!