Welcome to the new Canister X blog, your home for all things heroes and monsters.
The blog redesign is complete, with mostly everything retooled. New banner, new overall design, even a new author headshot on the About page.
There are a few changes still left to make as these things are always evolving, but the big redesign is done. I admit this was a tricky project in that not only did I need the blog to function a certain way, but I also wanted it to look good without coming off as a sterile creator site where the creator feels untouchable. Canister X is my online home and I want my home to feel as welcoming as possible.
A chunk of Project Media is now complete.
More winter project plans coming your way soon.
Enjoy the new blog. Please stick around for a while to explore, and then when you’re done that, head on over to my Patreon page where this morning I posted a new chapter in my ongoing serial novel, Gigantigator Death Machine.
- Category Archives Web Stuff
Things pertaining to websites, blogs, social media, and life on the Internet.
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Gimme Back my Weekends
This weekend was a lesson in learning I need my weekends. I spent a lot of time futzing with this blog revamp effort and, man, times have changed. The last time I redesigned the site was somewhere between 2011 and 2013 (I think). Tech has advanced so much that I was lost and spent a lot of time trying things and hitting walls.
(See, this blog needs to be set up a certain way so it functions the way I need it to for my overall media machine; it’s not just setting up a basic site and calling it good.)
I’ve never been tech savvy, meaning, I’m the kind of guy whose brain works for most things on the premise of show-me-a-time-or-two-then-I-can-do-it. I also learn through trial and error. But when it comes to tech and looking at it and already having a general idea of how things go? Nope. The last time I was like that was when I got my first computer back in grade six. (Yes, they had computers back then. They were called abacuses.)
So here we are. This site was supposed to be done by today but isn’t, so please bear with me. Keep checking back as daily blogging will continue. It just won’t be pretty until the revamp is complete.
Back to weekends: My workflow is much different now due to various reasons both personal and professional and my body and brain don’t work like they used to. Let’s blame age for that. And that I’m still recovering from being ill.
I need my weekends to recharge after going at breakneck speed throughout the week. I’m not 30 anymore.
Formal announcement for when the blog is complete is forthcoming.
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Canister X Website-Blog Overhaul
This is a quick note to say this website is going to be completely revamped. The current style and functionality are NOT how it’s going to be so please be patient with me as I fiddle with things and try things out over the next short while. Heck, feel free to check in periodically to see how things are coming along and join the adventure. Once everything is settled and in place, there will be a formal announcement. Until then, consider this revision period a work-in-progress. I will still maintain my regular blogging schedule of Monday to Friday in the meantime so you’ll always have fresh daily content throughout the week.
Thank you for your patience as I get things in order over here.
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Heavy Broadcast Mode Initiated – Welcome to Winter
From outside the window this morning. Awhile back I decided that November 1, 2019, would mark the day I officially went into winter hibernation mode aka Heavy Broadcast Mode. My work plate is mighty heavy and I need to keep my head low and just get things done. That said, I will be off the social feeds until spring. However, that doesn’t mean my feeds will be an empty desert. I’ll be broadcasting social content to you from here at the Central, but if you need to interact, please send me an email as I won’t be checking PMs.
One of the major tasks I need to do this winter is overhaul the website. The content will remain but the programming language is dated and I need to bring things up to speed if I’m to stay relevant as we progress down the Timeline of All Things. The aim is to do that this weekend, so if you come by the site between now and next week, don’t fret if things look in disarray. I’m hoping for a smooth transition and nobody is none the wiser, but I’ve also been around Web stuff long enough to know glitches happen when all you want to do is execute what is supposed to be a simple procedure(s).
Today also marks the beginning of a new month, which means a new month starts up on my Patreon page, in turn opening the gates for new chapters in my ongoing serial novel, Gigantigator Death Machine, essays, behind-the-scenes stuff, and more. Please join me and my other patrons as we embark on November’s journey by going here.
What is all this winter stuff I keep talking about? I don’t want to give away all the surprises, so I’ll give you a vague summary instead:- Plan for the 2020 convention/book signing season
- Bring projects old and new up to speed
- Release new book(s) and comic(s)
- Build up the YouTube channel
- Deliver solid content on Patreon
- Partially rebuild the media machine
- Engage in interviews through various channels
- Try not to die from overworking
There. Straight forward. Just work.
Enjoy the weekend.
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Station Ident – Oct252019
My name is A.P. Fuchs and I’m a novelist, cartoonist, and freelancer in all things publishing. You are tuned into my blog, Canister X, my official web presence. I’ve been writing for publication since my first short story sale in 2000, and have been publishing books since 2003.
My longstanding presence on social media includes:
Ello
MeWe
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
Tumblr
LinkedIn
My Patreon page can be found here, where I post serial novels, essays on the creative and publishing industries, what goes on behind the scenes here at Axiom-man Central, and more.
Join me.
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Workload Explosion
Pictured: Batman mug from my childhood and my vape unit. This morning, I reviewed some things behind the scenes here at Axiom-man Central and came to the unsettling conclusion I have a year-long project ahead of me. The project is not a specific book or comic but rather a partial rebuild of my media machine. This workload is no small undertaking, but it’s an undertaking that must be done. I thought I was busy before and now I have to go into overdrive.
This will require further thought and scheduling.
And Heavy Broadcast Mode for the winter.
And caffeine.
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Growing my Patreon and Other News
This week I’ve been growing my Patreon. More people have come on board (thank you) and more content has been added. Friday saw the new chapter of Gigantigator Death Machine go up along with something from behind the scenes. Other items have been added to it since it first launched. Though I’m still at the beginning stages of my Patreon page, I’ve learned that it’s meant to be tended to like a garden, with water (content) and sun (people) making it grow. It’s thrilling to watch the page find its footing. I have a lot planned for it and it’s important to me to make sure my patrons are happy as much as is reasonably possible.
Join us on Patreon to be a part of the journey.
In other news, most of my Web mechanisms are now in place for the winter months. There was a lot of work and a lot of setup required to get the creative machine running again. I’m glad the bulk of it is behind me because now I can focus on creating new things and adding to the groundwork that has already been laid. Watch this space for news on upcoming releases.
Shortly, the new issue of The Canister X Transmission goes out. Don’t forget to take part in that. You get a free novelette as a thank you for joining us.
The weekend is now here. Take some time for yourself over the next two days. Go for a walk. Read a book. Sit outside and take in nature before it freezes over. It’s good for you.
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Project Rebirth: An Update
This is an update regarding PROJECT REBIRTH, my codename for getting things up and running in a new way after stepping back for a season. PROJECT REBIRTH was first announced here. Here are the status updates in list form for easy reading.
- Comics – Sketchbook work has begun. This is me getting down how I want things to look for my yet-to-be-announced comic project.
- Resumption of The Canister X Transmission – A couple issues have already gone out and a new one will hit this Saturday. Archives are here. Subscribtion box is on the right or please go here. You get a free novelette as a thank you.
- A Patreon account with special content just for patrons – This was recently launched. A serial novel is part of the deal starting at $1. Other goodies at the higher tiers. New chapter of GIGANTIGATOR DEATH MACHINE airs this Friday. Please join my Patreon journey either via the button to your right or by going here.
- Order fulfillment of the Axiom-man/Auroraman: Frozen Storm Kickstarter – For those who missed the Kickstarter, the book is available on the left. For those waiting on rewards, the Lettered Edition has come in (see this video) and the paperback is being printed shortly.
- Publication of projects that were temporarily put on hold – These are still being sorted through. Announcements to come once I’ve got them figured out.
- Bigtime expansion and growth of The Axiom-man Saga and associated products – Still in the planning stages.
- Revving up public appearances and media again – Once a couple things above are settled, this will be looked into.
- New YouTube channel – Just announced. More content coming. First video here.
- More – Ah, the ever-mysterious “more.” This encompasses something that I’ve been meaning to do for a long time but haven’t been able to for different reasons. Part of this was settled upon when I was at the bookstore the other day. That’s all I’ll hint for now. Super vague, I know.
I’m also pleased to report this blog has had a surge of traffic since I’ve gone regular with it again. Thank you to everyone for coming by. Some say blogging is dead. I disagree. I think it just fell by the wayside for a few years while everyone was focused on their social channels, but now that many are complaining about the problems of social media, I think newsletters and blogs will make a comeback. Websites in general are the foundation of the Web. We used to surf for hours going from one site to the next. I still bookmark pages for easy access. Websites will never go away.
Thank you to everyone for your patience as I get things back in order. As I’ve said elsewhere, it takes a lot of time, especially if you’re a one-man band.
Onward.
- Comics – Sketchbook work has begun. This is me getting down how I want things to look for my yet-to-be-announced comic project.
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Station Ident – Sept202019
My name is A.P. Fuchs and I’m a novelist, cartoonist, and freelancer in all things publishing. You are reading my blog, Canister X, my official web presence. I’ve been in this business as a creative professional for sixteen years, been creating for longer than that.
While this is my main home on the Web, I also have a longstanding presence on social media:
Ello
MeWe
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
Tumblr
LinkedIn
My new Patreon page can be found here, where I post serial novels, essays on the creative and publishing industries, behind-the-scenes secrets, and more.
Join me.
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On the World of Web Broadcasting
I’ve been off-line for the most part during the 2019 Broadcast Mode season and have noticed massive improvements in my mood and mental health. The exposure to the toxicity of the mainstream social feeds had brought me low, so much so I was physically not feeling well. Recently, I came across this photo series in which the photographer removed the electronics from our hands to show us the lonely world we’re creating and it further cemented my thinking of us having lost our balance when it comes between living life on-line and off-.
View it here.
Back when I first started in this business, 98% of my computer time was spent writing. The other 2% was periodically updating my website and checking in on a message board called Shocklines. Even if I was following a conversation thread, most often I didn’t keep going back for updates. Those would wait until the next day to see where the conversation went. And people were polite for the most part and keyboard warrioring wasn’t really a thing. It was about lifting each other up instead of whining and complaining and tearing each other down.
We need to get back to that in our on-line behaviors. We also need to find balance.
It’s gone too far.
I’m thrilled about being in Broadcast Mode. Life is so much easier. Work is so much easier. Everything is just, simply, better.
