FIVE STARS!

Whereas I only have 4.83 stars as a passenger on Uber. Who did I upset on Uber? All I ever do is sit quietly and tip.

Pardon me for both bragging and once again trying to cajole you into buying my book. I spent a whole afternoon on this little comic, on the instinct that bragging and cajoling is more pardonable if it’s difficult for both of us.

But if you’re inclined to get a copy of The Story of Gumluck the Wizard, why not order from The Book Tavern in Augusta, Georgia? I was just there and it’s a lovely little store. Call and see if they still have signed copies—I drew ghosts in them!

Addendum to Last Month’s Newsletter:

I have seen a LOT of roadrunners recently. Or else the same couple of roadrunners a bunch of times. I mentioned previously that I could easily go years without a sighting, but lately I spot one nearly every time I walk the dog. And my dad, who lives 125 miles northwest of Tucson, says he’s seen an unusual number this year as well.

I’m not trying to alarm you in a Hitchcocky way or anything. But let’s all be careful out there. Mind the ROADS.

Exclusive Sneak Peek at Gumluck Book 3!

Book 2 is already finished, and I’ll be sharing stuff from that soon. But right now I’m knee-deep in sketching out Book 3.

More so than the others, Book 3 of The Story of Gumluck the Wizard is influenced by all the Dungeons & Dragons I played when I was younger. Gumluck is introduced to some adventurers who are looking for a wizard to round out their party.

There’s a brawny, brave warrior, and if she were a D&D character I suppose she’d probably be a half-orc fighter.

There’s an elven archer who’s also a bit of a bard—he sings a number of extemporaneous songs about the book’s characters and plot as they travel. When I started sketching him I’ll admit I drew a lot of long-haired Legolas-types, and got bored of that almost immediately. Who is the pretty young man of 2023? I asked myself, and that’s how I ended up with an elf that’s more of a K-pop star.

And there’s also a little thief, who wears a heavy hood so people will not notice she’s a raccoon. If you read my newsletter of a couple months ago you might remember that this project started with raccoons, so this is me closing a circle.

I hope my editor likes the way these characters look! You’re seeing them before she does. Unless she subscribes to my newsletter, in which case What’s up, Daria?

As always, I’d appreciate if you mention this newsletter to a friend. Your support enables me to continue my important roadrunner work.