• Tag Archives blog
  • Station Ident – 031424

    station ident 031424

    Station Ident – 031424

    This is your station identification for 031424.

    I am . . .

    . . . A.P. Fuchs and welcome to my blog where superheroes and monsters and Pop Culture is the name of the game. I’m an independent writer, cartoonist, and freelancer in the worlds of books and comics. This is Canister X, my official web site and the Realm of Heroes and Monsters, where we attempt to entertain and inform you on a regular basis. (We blog 6 days a week, sometimes 7 so be sure to bookmark this site.)

    I’ve been at this publishing biz for almost 25 years and still have lots to do. Presently, we’re big on video content—both longer videos and shorts and reels—and podcasts, so be sure you’re hooked up at the appropriate links below (podcast on YouTube, YouTube Music, and Spotify).

    My, perhaps, too many social media presences are:

    MeWe

    Twitter

    Facebook

    Instagram

    Pinterest

    Tumblr

    LinkedIn

    WT.Social

    YouTube

    Ko-fi

    TikTok

    LinkTree

    Spotify

    YouTube Music

    My Patreon page is here. It’s a very special place where I post serial novels, serial comics, essays and articles on the creative arts business, behind-the-scenes secrets, artwork, photography, and more. Join me and my other patrons and be a part of something entertaining and interesting with consistent content. Check out the sweet trailer for the page.

    I’m also the writer/artist behind the webcomic, Fredrikus, which you can read from the beginning here.

    On Saturdays, I send out my newsletter, The Canister X Transmission. It’s a weekly newsletter where we all come together after a busy week, unwind, regroup, and kick off the weekend. Presently we just started Year Seven. Join me and my readers and fans of fandom.

    End station identification.


  • Open for Interviews

    Open for Interviews

    open for interviews

    Last Sunday I interviewed with Travis Bruce for his Horror Realm YouTube channel. We had a blast last time talking about GIGANTI-GATOR DEATH MACHINE: TRIPLE FEATURE and all sorts of superhero talk and exploration.

    This time we got down to business and talked ZOMTROPOLIS: A RECORD OF LIFE IN A DEAD CITY. I was told the interview will air sometime this weekend so watch this space for a posting when it does.

    I’ve done a ton of interviews over the years, everything from a fellow creator’s blog straight through to radio and TV. I’m always open to doing more so if you’re interested in having me on your program or website, please let me know. We can talk books, comics, writing and drawing processes, recent releases, superheroes, monsters, and more!

    Let me know. Open for interviews. Thanks.

    Cheers.

    – APF


  • Why I Post What I Do – Author Blogs

    Author Blogs

    Many author blogs or websites are just about that: writing and books.

    Which is 100% fine. I used to do it. Many others I know still do it. But do you see that site banner up there? It says three things: Writer, Artist, Creator. And it’s the latter part that explains why I don’t just post about books and comics (as awesome as those are).

    I’ve talked about it before and I’ll mention it again, this site is about the long game in my creator/creative journey. It’s a showcase of the various crafts I practice. It’s also an information and entertainment source for you.

    Why the hotwheels? Why the Funko Pops!? Why the action figures and playing cards? Because the film medium is something I also enjoy. My skillset might not be top-notch (most of what I do behind the scenes is based off what I learned in high school multimedia class 25 years ago . . . and it still works).

    These creations and showcases are meant to compliment the books and comics and show that those things are made by a fan for the fans.

    Some stumbles across one of my posts via a search engine and soon they are whisked into a realm of heroes and monsters and fandom entertainment. Author blogs can be more than just books and writing, if you want.

    It’s that simple.

    Like I always say, there’s a method to the madness.


  • Blog Updates

    Blog Updates

    blog updates

    If you’ve been reading my newsletter, you’ll know I’ve been making changes to this blog behind the scenes by way of updating things page by page, entry by entry. There was a lot of coding that went into a lot of the original entries that is now obsolete and is hurting the site, so I’ve been working slowly but surely on correcting those issues.

    Thus far, I’ve completed three sections:

    The Book and Comic Shop (which looks the same upon entry but when you click on a title, the title’s page is different)

    Self-publishing Articles

    Book Reviews

    More to go, but I was also not using old coding when I got this site back up and running in 2019 so, generally speaking, the remaining adjustments, though a lot, isn’t a total site revamp or anything. Just fine-tuning and tweaking.

    Hope you like the new pages as I got about these blog updates.

    APF


  • Station Ident – 020824

    Station Ident – 020824

    station ident 020824

    Station Ident – 020824

    This is your station identification for 020824.

    I am . . .

    . . . A.P. Fuchs and welcome to my blog where I have all sorts of things going on. I’m an independent writer, cartoonist, and freelancer in the worlds of books and comics. This is Canister X, my official web site and the Realm of Heroes and Monsters, where we attempt to entertain and inform you on a regular basis. (We blog 6 days a week, sometimes 7 so be sure to bookmark this site.)

    I’ve been at this publishing thing for over 20 years and I still have lots to do. Presently, we’re big on video content—both longer videos and shorts and reels—and podcasts, so be sure you’re hooked up at the appropriate links below (podcast on YouTube).

    My, perhaps, too many social media presences are:

    MeWe

    Twitter

    Facebook

    Instagram

    Pinterest

    Tumblr

    LinkedIn

    WT.Social

    YouTube

    Ko-fi

    TikTok

    LinkTree

    Spotify

    YouTube Music

    My Patreon page is here. It’s a very special place where I post serial novels, serial comics, essays and articles on the creative arts business, behind-the-scenes secrets, artwork, photography, and more. Join me and my other patrons and be a part of something entertaining and interesting with consistent content. Check out the wicked trailer for the page.

    I’m also the writer/artist behind the webcomic, Fredrikus, which you can read from the beginning here.

    On Saturdays, I send out my newsletter, The Canister X Transmission. It’s a weekly newsletter where we all come together after a busy week, unwind, regroup, and kick off the weekend. Presently we are in The Very Long Year Six. Join us.

    End station identification.


  • Project Blog Site Adjustment

    Project Blog Site Adjustment

    project blog site adjustment

    So if you read last weekend’s edition of THE CANISTER X TRANSMISSION, it was revealed that I spent last week working on this website behind the scenes while I wait on the editor for AXIOM-MAN/CRIMSON CLOAK: SCARLET SYNERGY and for my [hopeful] blurb for CAUGHT IN BLACK HEADLIGHTS. (The latter is presently airing on Patreon.)

    This is an old site. If you’ve been with me even for just the past 5 or 6 years, you know a lot of content has been put up here. And as good as that is–because I want you guys to have content–technology and software is changing all the time (as we all know) so there are parts of this site on the interface side of things where all this content is produced that needs updating and adjustment.

    I’ve managed to create an organized workflow to get it done and thus far have altered the Book and Comic Shop and the titles therein (plus a few other page tweeks). If you check it out, you’ll notice the book pages are laid out differently than before. This was a move to get rid of some old, unnecessary coding that, while it worked for a while, could have been better in terms of title presentation so that’s what I did: Made the book pages pretty just for you. Awww.

    So you might notice over the next bit slight modifications to this site in terms of appearance. I like this blog site the way it is in terms of having the columns with the books and other bonuses along the sides with the main content in the middle. Keeps the fun stuff easily accessible while you peruse the content down the center.

    Anyway, website-wise, that’s what’s been going down. It’s a bit of a big project on the whole but easy to manage when broken into chunks.

    I look forward to having it done within the next month or so. It’s kind of a pick-at project so will take some time.

    Cheers.


  • 2024 Studio Changes

    2024 Studio Changes

    vLog - 2023 studio tour thumbnail

    Well, I’ve been working in the same space for almost five years. This is the only room in the house that accomodates my desks and equipment to bring you books and comics and a pile of other stuff.

    However, it’s time to change the decor and shuffle things around. Depending what Melinda says, I might even be able to free up an additional 2′ x 6′ area that’s presently occupied within the studio. As well, with a new studio layout comes new decorations so I’d like to showcase the studio as it is right now one more time before we say farewell to this version and change things up for 2024 and beyond.

    Here’s the teaser I shot to hint at the tour:

    The Phantom’s Door. A.P. Fuchs Studio Tour coming soon to YouTube

    And here is the tour itself. Hope you tune in when the 2024 studio changes kick in and all is complete and a tour is given.

    See you inside.

    A.P. Fuchs 2023 Studio Tour

  • Some Thoughts on Blogging

    Some Thoughts on Blogging

    station ident apr2420

    Just sitting here thinking about blogging. It’s considered a great sin in the blogging world for a blogger to blog about blogging. But, every now and then should be okay, right?

    To be honest, I don’t have much to add to the idea of blogging or what a blog is. I mean, what is a blog anymore? A long, long time ago in an Internet far, far away, blogs were basically public journals where writers–pro or hobby–could express thoughts and opinions on whatever topic, post it up for the world to see, then hope someone out there agrees with them.

    I’ve been thinking about this blog here at Canister X, the Realm of Heroes and Monsters. It’s not really a blog, is it? I mean, kind of. It’s runs on a WordPress engine so thus a blogging platform. The site’s divided into sections and pages, I have the main window of this place to share whatever I want on any given day, and I try and encourage you to explore the site because there’s lots here from articles, to comics, to artwork, to videos, to podcasts–I mean, we’re not really blogging anymore per se. We’re not journaling or running a series of articles on a topic as our main thing either. We’re just sharing art and writing and hoping to entertain and inform you. That’s it.

    This site–this place–is more a multimedia hub than a blog-blog. And that’s how I’ve been viewing it for a while: A place of free entertainment and a celebration of pop culture, superheroes, and monsters.

    Just some random thoughts this early Sunday afternoon (the time I’m writing this).

    Well, let’s just go forward step by step and take it from there.

    “Every day’s a brand new deal, right? Just keep on working and something’s bound to turn up.” – Harvey Pekar, AMERICAN SPLENDOR

    Peace.

    – APF


  • Happy New Year 2024 (2023 in Review)

    Happy New Year 2024 (2023 in Review)

    Happy New Year 2024

    Happy New Year, everybody! Yeah, I know this post isn’t on New Year’s Day but I wanted to wish you all the best before the clock strikes 12 tonight.

    For this entry, I’m going to reprint yesterday’s New Year’s edition of THE CANISTER X TRANSMISSION. If you like what you read and would like to subscribe, please use the subscription form to the left of your screen if you’re on a desktop. If not, please go here.

    Thanks.

    Enjoy.

    Issue Three Hundred-three – December 30, 2023

    Telecom handheld transmission:

    Welcome to Issue 303 of THE CANISTER X TRANSMISSION and the final issue of THE VERY LONG YEAR SIX for 2023.

    This past year was a busy one both professionally and personally, the majority of my time spent either working or sleeping. But we got a lot done and laid a firm foundation for PROJECT REBUILD 2.0. I’m happy with all that was accomplished this year and also am enjoying the feeling of finally being back into the swing of things.

    This issue is going to be structured like all the rest but we’re going to gear each section as a kind of look-back on the year, but before we do, I promised my thoughts on New Year’s resolutions last issue so here they are: New Year’s resolutions, though well-intended in concept, are ridiculous because, objectively speaking, they have zero effect on the flow of Time. Sure, we as a species divided Time into chunks as per the solar cycle, but that doesn’t change Time as a whole. Time is Time, an unbeatable and unmanipulative force that we’re a part of the second we’re conceived through to our deaths.

    In short, every day/evening/night is New Year’s resolution day. Lift off the calendar grid and we’re all just a bunch of fish swimming along Time’s current and only headed in one direction. That said, we can make our resolutions at any moment. We can act upon them at any moment. We also cannot act upon them at any moment.

    The choice is ours.

    * * *

    Work log:

    2024’s road map has been laid and this week we took a look at, and acted upon, some items of that map. Other parts were planned and locked down in terms of a we-first-do-this-then-we-do-that, step-by-step kind of way, which is how my brain is wired for any project, creative or not. I like to get the overview first with the endpoint made clear, then I look at the path to get there and break down the nuts and bolts of the goal so I know the thought-through way to get there as efficiently as possible while allowing grace for human error (because human error is also an unstoppable force).

    This week’s work, due to Christmas and being on holidays, was pretty much cut in half as a result. But we still got stuff done and still maintained a holiday schedule because, as you know, this break was much-needed.

    In short, we got things set up for the early part of 2024 so there will be a smooth transition when the clock strikes midnight tomorrow.

    * * *

    Blog headlines:

    vLog – The Lord of the Rings vs The Dark Tower (Hollywood, Listen Up!)

    Realm of Heroes and Monsters: Story Time Podcast Episode 18

    Canister X Mailbag – Custom Funko Pop! Figures Christmas Unboxing – 10312023 – 122523

    Boxing Week eBook Sale!

    2024 Business Formulation: The House

    The Way of the Fog (The Ark of Light Volume One)

    Look, Up on the Screen! The Big Book of Superhero Movie Reviews Book Spotlight

    vLog – Writer Rider? (Roger, Roger)

    * * *

    Content notice:

    As is the usual around here, we made stuff for the public and for patrons.

    Public:

    Hotwheels Dream Garage Bone Shaker

    Writer/Artist A.P. Fuchs Funko Pop! Figure – Merry Christmas

    Hotwheels 55th Anniversary ’67 Camaro

    Green Goblin Marvel Legends Retro Action Figure

    DC Justice League 2” Superman Figures (blue suit and black suit)

    Look, Up on the Screen! The Big Book of Superhero Movie Reviews Book Spotlight Teaser

    Patreon:

    My Secret (from CAUGHT IN BLACK HEADLIGHTS)

    ZOMTROPOLIS – 17

    * * *

    Release notice (a different sort of list):

    This year was packed with releases across various mediums. To round them up, I’ve broken them down into sections for you.

    Books:

    THE CANISTER X TRANSMISSION: YEAR FOUR

    THE CANISTER X TRANSMISSION: THE LONG YEAR FIVE

    ZOMTROPOLIS: A RECORD OF LIFE IN A DEAD CITY

    Comics and cartoons:

    FREDRIKUS Episode 38: Lobster (comic)

    FRED THE DOG IN “ONCE UPON A WEINER” (cartoon)

    AXIOM-MAN: Short Animated Film (cartoon; co-writer)

    FRED THE DOG IN “ONCE UPON A WEINER” (storyboard video with cartoon comparison)

    FIGHTING AND OTHER ANIMATED SHORTS AND ARTWORK (cartoon)

    Video:

    A ton of videos and shorts and reels were created this past year, all focusing on superheroes and monsters and my books and comics.

    I’m looking to grow the channel so I invite you to subscribe and check out the stuff that’s there. Some cool stuff planned for 2024 so might as well get in on the ground floor.

    Here’s the channel’s trailer.

    Audio:

    At the end of August we launched my first podcast, THE REALM OF HEROES AND MONSTERS: STORY TIME with A.P. FUCHS. New episode every Sunday. We’re 18 episodes of 30 into Season 1. After the season is done, we’ll take a month-long break then come back with Season 2 of which we’ll shake up the program and still deliver on story time.

    The podcast is currently available for your listening (and viewing) pleasure at:

    YouTube

    YouTube Music

    Canister X

    Spotify

    Blog/web:

    Lots of content went out via the socials. The best place to ensure you and I are hooked up via various social channels is by checking out my LinkTree, which then branches off to my various web hideouts. Join me and let’s connect.

    And, of course, we maintained a steady blog schedule, delivering content 6 days a week, sometimes 7.

    We also launched Patreon 2.0 and stacked it with content along with a basic tier structure:

    $1 – General tip jar; my gratitude for your support is your reward.

    $5 – All access to both public and patron-only content. There is a ton of content for both on the site. Serial books and comics, essays and articles, videos, photography, artwork, and more. I hope you join the journey.

    Newsletter:

    We resumed THE CANISTER X TRANSMISSION and had to find a new transmission service along the way. I’m still getting used to using MailerLite hence why the past couple of issues had some unnecessary text.

    As for TinyLetter, presently the site is still up along with THE CANISTER X TRANSMISSION back issues. Subscribing via that site is no longer an option and I don’t know if or when my TinyLetter page will come down so if you want to read the back issues, now’s the time. You can also support this newsletter by purchasing the collected editions (complete with a bonus issue unavailable anywhere else) in paperback or eBook via the usual suspects.

    * * *

    As we head into 2024, and as of the writing of this newsletter, my headspace is split in two. One side is focused on creating, the other focused on the business side and the necessary prep for doing shows, delivering content, maintaining the unseen business stuff behind the scenes, and the upcoming tax season.

    I had hoped to accomplish a lot more during this winter break but to be honest, I desperately needed to slow down so I did get some stuff done, just not all.

    2024 is coming. Time to finish resting up.

    Have a great New Year’s Eve and, please, stay safe.

    Thanks for spending 2023 with me.

    All the best,

    A.P. Fuchs

    Happy New Year 2024, MB

    End transmission

    Thanks for sticking with me this year and digging into what I’ve been bringing into the Web. More to come.

    So, again, Happy New Year 2024!


  • 2024 Business Formulation: The House

    2024 Business Formulation: The House

    2024 Business Formulation: The House

    If you’re a working artist or writer, you’re a business. No other way to look at it. Work in exchange for funds. That said, with a flooded market and publishers doing less and less for their creators, it’s on the creator to advocate for their own work. How hard you advocate determines the success of your project (to a degree; usually a fairly significant degree).

    I have a lot of odds and ends on the business side of all this that need tending to. Some of it is standard business maintenance, others parts are new ventures to augment my books and comics. Some will be done via trial-and-error, other parts will be sureties. That’s not to say there is a recipe for succeess because what works for one creator doesn’t always work for another.

    As I wrap up 2023, the bits and pieces I’ll need for 2024 are becoming more and more clear. Some tasks are simple so it’s just an issue of simply doing it, checking the box, then leaving it alone. Other items are ongoing, and as I explained in one of my patron-only essays, I employ as much tech help as is possible/affordable/reasonable to get done what needs doing because I’m a one-man show.

    2023 was certainly a year of establishing PROJECT REBUILD 2.0 and maintaining that foundation. 2024 is about building upon it with small goals that’ll eventually lead to a house. But how are houses built? Foundation (done), first floor (in progress), second floor (conceptualized). The shiny doorknobs and window drapes and crown molding will come later. As it stands right now, 2024’s first floor to my house is currently being framed on top of the completed basement. Since I know my schedule and limits, 2024 is about the first floor as the primary goal. If the first floor is built ahead of schedule before year’s end, then work will begin on the second floor, and if not, no problem because I’d be happy just getting the first floor done by this time next year.

    Yes, I’m talking in metaphors, but it’s the best way to explain this past year and the plans for next.

    This year is in the bag. Done. Basement complete. Time to pull out the tongue-and-groove flooring and start locking it down on the joists.

    We have walls to build.