• Tag Archives Writing

  • How to Budget as an Author or Artist

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    How to Budget as an Author or Artist

    A.P. Fuchs-Patreon-Logo

    Last Friday, I released an important essay to my patrons on how an author or artist can managing funding their current and future projects while still reaping the reward. How to budget as an author or artist is huge right now in this digital do-it-yourself era.

    I cover a solid tip here on this site but the real meat and potatoes is below.

    Excerpt:

    “Money management can be the bane of many creators. It can be difficult to juggle funds for your project as well as keeping the financial reward from that project while also ensuring funds are available for the next project (never mind juggling the costs of life on top of this, especially in this era of inflation).

    Here’s a solid approach:

    First, understand the moment you decide to take your creation public and start charging money for it, you’re a business not a person. That’s how businesses work: They make something and sell it. No different here.”

    Please visit here for the rest of the essay. Its intent is to save creators headaches regarding funding their work.


    📂This entry was posted in Canister X Patreon Self-publishing 📎and tagged

  • 2024 Studio Changes

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    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

    📂This entry was posted in Canister X Life Self-publishing Social Media Stuff vLog YouTube 📎and tagged

  • Some Thoughts on Blogging

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    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


    📂This entry was posted in Blogging Canister X Life Web Stuff 📎and tagged

  • Caught in Black Headlights is Complete

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    Caught in Black Headlights is Complete

    black headlights collection

    (Not official cover. Just a snippet of it.)

    Last week I finished CAUGHT IN BLACK HEADLIGHTS, but if you’re a reader of my newsletter, you get advance news so those guys already know about it. It is a book of text and photos, my first in that regard. The next closest thing would be CANISTER X COMIX No. 3, in which photos were used instead of art for the panels.

    This one is set for a spring release, looking at late March or early April. Date to be determined.

    AXIOM-MAN/CRIMSON CLOAK: SCARLET SYNERGY comes first. (Presently with the editor.)

    Gonna be a good year for books. Lots of things planned and, as you can already see, we got 2024’s first two releases already lined up. Are you caught up on everything?

    More news as it becomes available.


    📂This entry was posted in Books Photos Poetry Writing 📎and tagged

  • The Canister X Transmission: TinyLetter Archive About to be Gone

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    The Canister X Transmission: TinyLetter Archive About to be Gone

    canister x transmission collections

    As you know, we had to change newsletter services about a month or so back since MailChimp decided to pull the plug on TinyLetter. This is the original blog post.

    MailChimp sent out a reminder email the other day to everyone using the TinyLetter service that the archive and accessibility to one’s account is going up in flames at the end of February 2024 so a person had best get going on exporting their reader list otherwise you’d have to build from the ground-up again. Fortunately, we already took care of our newsletter problem and if you’d like to join us, you can do so here.

    As for THE CANISTER X TRANSMISSION TinyLetter archive, this will only be avilable until the end of next month so if you’d like to read as many issues as you want (except for the past five or six newsletters as they were sent via MailerLite), you need to do so before then and can go here to read them. Enjoy.

    Onward.

    – APF


    📂This entry was posted in Blogging Canister X General Announcements Newsletter Web Stuff Writing 📎and tagged

  • Station Ident – 011624

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    Station Ident – 011624

    station ident 011624

    This is your station identification for 011624.

    I am . . .

    . . . A.P. Fuchs and welcome to a new year. I’m an independent writer, cartoonist, and freelancer in the worlds of books and comics. This is Canister X, my official web presence 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 game for over 20 years and I still have lots of plans. 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 various social media presences are:

    Ello

    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.

    And, finally, just last week I started a dedicated Twitter / X Video Feed for my Hotwheels collection. Follow along if that’s up your alley. See you there.

    End station identification.


    📂This entry was posted in Social Media Station Ident Web Stuff 📎and tagged

  • Conventions and Book Signings 2024

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    Conventions and Book Signings 2024

    conventions and book signings 2024

    Things are already underway in terms of 2024’s event schedule. Winnipeg Comic Con is on the list and I’m going to look into FanQuest. As well, plans are slowly in motion for an out-of-town convention in Saskatchewan. I need to consult with my SK creators as to what show(s) they’re doing and which would be the best one to table at.

    I might attempt a couple local book signings at the old bookshop but those won’t be for a bit yet. It’s been a long while since I signed at a bookstore.

    Announcements will be made as things are locked down. So right we’re in the planning stages for conventions and book signings 2024.

    Confirmed events will be listed here.

    Stay tuned.


    📂This entry was posted in Book Signings Conventions General Announcements 📎and tagged

  • Digging Through the Archives

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    Digging Through the Archives

    Digging Through the Archives

    I started writing when I was 19. That was a long time ago. Not all work was published. Some was work by a young writer learning the craft; some was work after he started to get the hang of it.

    There are some–going off memory–cool stories and concepts that were created but never made it into the reader’s hands. Not because the stories were terrible. Those works never made it to print simply due to the path my writing career took.

    My plan is finish digging through the archives and see what material is available and if it’s any good or not. If it is, the work will no doubt need some editing and possible revisions, but perhaps the effort will lead the work to its final destination: You, the reader.

    I’m going to see what oddities I can find then take it from there.

    This year is already stacked with publications so as of right now, goal one is to assemble and assess then take it from there.

    Watch this space.

    – APF


    📂This entry was posted in Books Canister X Fiction Self-publishing Writing 📎and tagged

  • Status Report – 010224

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs
    status-report-010224

    Status Report – 010224:

    As we get back into real life after the break, it’s time to put 2024’s self-publishing and media plans into motion. A lot of thought and planning went on during the break, and now with that in place, it’s just an issue of carrying it out.

    This month, AXIOM-MAN/CRIMSON CLOAK: SCARLET SYNERGY is top priority if I want to make a late January/early February release deadline. As of this writing, the book is done and is in the editing phases and the cover is currently being created. Once these two parts are complete, then I’ll have the components to begin the book production process and get the project out to you. Due to the nature of publishing, this may create an earlier release (early January) or a minorly-delayed one (early February).

    All I know is the book is my main thing this month with everything else secondary. The secondary stuff will still happen, but the primary gets the, well, priority.

    Okay. Enough blabbing.

    Time to get this book out to you. To get caught up on THE AXIOM-MAN SAGA, please go here.

    Cheers.

    This has been your Status Report for 010224.


    📂This entry was posted in Axiom-man Books Self-publishing Status Report Superhero Fiction Superheroes Writing 📎and tagged

  • Happy New Year 2024 (2023 in Review)

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    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!


    📂This entry was posted in Blogging Canister X Life Stuff 📎and tagged