• Tag Archives Writing

  • 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

  • 2024 Business Formulation: The House

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    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.


    📂This entry was posted in Blogging Books Comic Books Self-publishing Superhero Fiction Writing 📎and tagged

  • 2024 Broad-and-Loose Publishing Plans

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    2024 Broad-and-Loose Publishing Plans

    2024 broad and loose publishing plans

    If you’ve read my newsletter, it was revealed that in terms of publishing focus regarding 2024, my current plan is to first see 2023 through to the end in terms of content releases and year-end fiscal wrap-up. In short, do some fun stuff and conduct some actions on the business side of things so come midnight, December 31st, 2023 will be done business-wise. So that’s where my headspace is at: 2023 see-through then, in my mind’s eye, a division line then on the other side of that line, 2024.

    2024 is currently planned publication-wise in broad blocks.

    Here’s where the headspace and planning is at as of this writing:

    Fiction:

    Late January/early February – AXIOM-MAN/CRIMSON CLOAK: SCARLET SYNERGY teamup novella release.

    Approx. June/July – AXIOM-MAN: BATTLE OF POWER TRILOGY, the final arc within the series that wraps up the first act of the overall AXIOM-MAN SAGA. These books are created back-to-back with a planned three-part cover image so when you put the books in a row, you get a full, cool image that compliments the story. At the same time, each cover of the three-part image will stand on its own.

    Non-fiction:

    March – CAUGHT IN BLACK HEADLIGHTS

    Late April or May – THE CANISTER X TRANSMISSION: THE VERY LONG YEAR SIX

    The following titles are either done or nearing completion so their specific release windows aren’t known until I analyze where each project is at and then can time it from there.

    CANADIAN SCRIBBLER: COLLECTED LETTERS OF AN UNDERGROUND WRITER Vol. 2

    GETTING DOWN AND DIGITAL: HOW TO SELF-PUBLISH YOUR BOOK 2nd Edition (updated and revised since the 1st edition’s info has become stale-dated over the years)

    Comics:

    Fall 2024 – FREDRIKUS Nos. 1 and 2 in print and eComic

    Regarding the above non-fiction, and since my focus will be 90% on fiction, the above non-fiction titles are presently “floater titles” in my head therefore to be released/peppered throughout the year. If it turns out my blocked-out timing is off or life happens in a way that legitimately alters the above plans, then all of the above non-fiction releases are subject to change release-wise, with perhaps a title or two saved for 2025.

    In short, fiction first, non-fiction second, the fiction releases being the priority.

    Since I’m such a planner-aheader, and can only think in so much detail about said ahead plans, as of right now, the loose release block schedule above is the best I can offer at this time. Timing and more concrete info will be announced once things begin to lock down.

    Lastly, the fiction focus for 2024 is superhero stuff. My last couple releases (ZOMTROPOLIS: A RECORD OF LIFE IN A DEAD CITY and GIGANTI-GATOR DEATH MACHINE: TRIPLE FEATURE) have been monsters so we’re getting back into the heroes side of this whole REALM OF HEROES AND MONSTERS thing.

    There may or may night be a couple of surprises. I have something quick planned but it involves another person and in this game, when it comes to working with others, certain allowances need to be made because sometimes things happen beyond your control and you just have to wait it out so no official announcement or projection regarding this possible project(s) until things are more solidified.

    2024 should be a good year.


    📂This entry was posted in Axiom-man Books Canister X Comic Books Fredrikus General Announcements Self-publishing Superhero Fiction Superheroes Webcomics Writing 📎and tagged

  • Christmas Holiday 2023 Creative Plans

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    Christmas Holiday 2023 Creative Plans

    Christmas Holiday 2023 Creative Plans

    Last week of working like a dog then a holiday break for 10 days. Really needed and really looking forward to it . . . but that doesn’t mean I’ll be doing absolutely zero.

    While there will be little things to get done during the break, namely life stuff, here is my general holiday overview divided into blocks big and small.

    Dec. 22 – Midday. Nap (if work is done early)

    Dec. 23 – Festivus. Decompression day and the airing of grievances on my Facebook page to help with the decompression

    Dec. 24 – Rest and Christmas Eve stuff

    Dec. 25 – Christmas (with a special video on YouTube that is interesting but will also make you laugh)

    Dec. 26 to Dec. 30 – A combination of relaxing and binge creating for 2024 and one more Christmas gathering but I don’t know the date. Probably the 26th or 27th.

    Dec. 31 – New Years Eve. I’m too old to do the stay-up-til-midnight-then-kiss-the-girl thing. I foresee a later night but in bed before we travel through time into a new year.

    Jan. 1 – Last day of rest so the aim is to do as much nothing as possible

    Jan. 2 – Back to real life

    And those are my Christmas Holiday 2023 Creative Plans.

    That last date scares me at the time of this writing though, because, right now, worn out, I don’t want to deal with real life. Need the break. I do know, however, the break will be a full recharge if it’s anything like my same-length break in the summer, which is a good thing.

    There you go. General holiday plans, subject to change as per the rules of Christmas Holidays when things can turn on a dime.

    I hope you’re looking forward to Christmas as much as I am. I have some really cool, special-to-the-individual gifts to hand out and I can’t wait to see their reaction!

    Peace.


    📂This entry was posted in Axiom-man Blogging Books Canister X Comic Books Drawing Fiction Life Newsletter Patreon Podcasts Social Media Superheroes Writing YouTube 📎and tagged

  • Patreon 2.0 Thus Far

    Posted on by A.P. Fuchs

    Patreon 2.0 Thus Far

    Patreon 2.0 thus far

    It’s been a little over a month since Patreon 2.0 launched.

    Since then, here’s a list of patron-exclusive content that’s aired so far:

    PE: Copper Horse (photo)

    PE: I Wonder What They’re Gonna Think? (Blog post))

    PE: Welcome to Patron-exclusive Videos! (video)

    PE: Quick Note – About Serial Books

    PE: Welcome to CAUGHT IN BLACK HEADLIGHTS

    ZOMTROPOLIS – 11

    PE: Quick Note – A.P. Fuchs LinkTree

    PE: Ye Olde Sawblade (photo)

    PE: Behind the Scenes – Caught in Black Headlights

    ZOMTROPOLIS – 12

    Where Did the Sunshine Go? (from CAUGHT IN BLACK HEADLIGHTS)

    ZOMTROPOLIS – 13

    PE: Creating: Time Allocation (essay)

    PE: Quick Note – ROHAM: STORY TIME with A.P. Fuchs Season Length

    PE: Gnome nom nom (photo)

    PE: Quick Note – Out of Order?

    ZOMTROPOLIS – 14

    PE: The Day I Almost Died (video)

    That Cold Chatter (from CAUGHT IN BLACK HEADLIGHTS)

    PE: Behind the Scenes – FREDRIKUS Pages

    ZOMTROPOLIS – 15

    PE: Quick Note – You Can Look Ahead

    PE: A Drop of Ink on Silver Sphere (photo)

    Lots more set for the New Year with much fun and excitement to come. I hope you join me on this journey.

    Realm of Heroes and Monsters Patreon Page Trailer

    📂This entry was posted in Articles Artwork Axiom-man Blogging Books Canister X Comic Books Drawing Fredrikus Patreon Photos Poetry Promo Items Publishing Self-publishing Social Media Superheroes vLog Web Stuff Webcomics Writing YouTube 📎and tagged