2024 Roadmap and Thanks (Patreon)

I had a hard time trying to lay out plans for the upcoming year/months. I’ve been feeling a bit of decision paralysis about a few things, so I’m going to keep it broad strokes for now.

While not the ultimate end of the comic as a whole, we’re nearing the finale of this chapter, which will wrap up early spring. I’d love to see this one get a hard cover run, so once it’s finished, I’ll start a KickStarter to see if we can make it happen!

Until then, for the next few months, my posting schedule will stay the same until this chapter is finished.

I have the broad strokes of the next part of the story, which will focus on the aftermath of what’s about to happen, and will pick up roughly where this one leaves off. However, at some point I will need dedicate time to actually writing.

The last time we were between volumes, I filled the space with Oren and the One-Eyed Wolf. There’s another short comic I have been wanting to do since Oren’s Forge began, all the way back in 2013. It involves the back story of a character we have already met and after this current chapter wraps up, it will be the perfect time for me to tell it. (And to stop anyone from getting their hopes up, it’s not Sprig, I’m sorry.)

So, when we (eventually) get to this point, I may adjust my posting schedule a little. We’ll see— a lot just depends on if the KickStarter is successful and how quickly I’m able to flesh out the next chapter. 

On a personal note, the latter half of 2023 was pretty rough. I’ve been dealing with serious depression and running right along the edge of burnout. (I’m fine, I’m getting help, I’m lucky to have a support system available to me.) I only mention it because I find it’s harder for me to engage with people online (and offline) and for that, I’m sorry. I am sitting here, typing this, and struggling to say how much it means that you’re out there, reading this story and making it a small part of yourself. I love your comments, I love knowing that sometimes, just out living your life, maybe you think about the characters or the story unbidden. I love that you wonder what’s going to happen, that you care.

I want to thank you for being here, for however long or short that is. I hope this coming year is both gentle and exciting, full of adventure and pleasant surprises for all of us. Take it easy, friend.