The end of Chapter Five sees the end of Part I of this Book of Sabre. Eric, Rick, and I want, first and foremost, to thank all of you for bearing with us as we’ve gone from ignorant bliss to tragic misunderstanding to, hopefully, our first few steps into webcomic adolescence, if not maturity. I’m feeling reflective, as you can no doubt tell – we launched Lady S. on her voyage back in early July of 2011, reaching this point is, in many ways, further than any of us imagined. To say it’s been rewarding so far is an understatement; to say it’s been daunting is similarly evasive. This is our creator-owned venture, and so far, I think it’s both benefitted and suffered for being so.
Now, with all (or nearly all!) of our key players on the board and the stakes defined, we’re ready to move into the next phase of this adventure, both within and without. Within… well, you’ll see what’s to come. Without, the time has come to discuss our trade options, for we now feel that, yes, there is enough to warrant a print edition. In the coming weeks we’ll be re-opening the earlier discussion we had here about our options, what people would like to see, and, just as important, what they most definitely don’t. Our publishing options are many and varied, from traditional print sources with wide distribution to crowd-sourced financing and selling via the site and in person. Eric, Rick, and I have been going ’round and ’round on this matter for months already, and your input matters.
Finally, or almost finally, we’ll be taking a hiatus from posting strips for the next six weeks or so, resuming with the start of Chapter Six in early July, coinciding (at least somewhat) with our one year anniversary. While we won’t be putting up new comics, the site will still be active; the afore-mentioned trade conversation, for one; Monday Q&A with Rick, and Thursday Q&A with Greg, and we-haven’t-picked-a-day-yet Q&A with Eric; the conclusion of “Merrimount Orde” and additional Almanac content; more Good Stuff; and some yet-to-be-revealed fun and games.
Again, I’m going to repeat what I’ve already said – from all of us here, thank you for coming this far with us, for your faith and encouragement and feedback, and be assured, there is much more to come.
Hold fast!
Greg
Awesome!
Can’t wait for the discussion. Look forward to the outcome. Lady Sabre will go well on my Rucka err I mean book shelf.
In some way, I look at this comic as Hunter Black’s older brother, because we launched so close together, and because you have been so generous in terms of sharing your audience with us.
We are looking at some of this exact same stuff, specifically how we want to do collections (and we’re holding off on a full-on collection until we finish the next chapter), and getting a year in we’re having some of the same reflections and considering how to attack Year Two.
I look forward to discussion of how to collect Lady Sabre, I look forward to finishing Alpha, and I REALLY look forward to the end of your hiatus!
Thank YOU for the fantastic, always interesting and beautifully drawn adventures. Eric does a great job keeping the site on it’s feet, a very important job -even the best webcomics can fall apart if the website’s garbage.
On a personal note, having Lady Sabre for free hasn’t gone unnoticed. Back in November last year I was laid off, and since then I’ve moved back and forth between countries, encountered a lot of expenses and comics have had to take a back seat for the time being. In this limbo it’s always heartening to be able to check in with Lady S. and the crew twice a week and follow the fun.
Thanks again Greg, Rick and Eric, best of luck with assembling the trade, can’t wait for chapter six!
Thanks so much, James. Your comments are appreciated (well, they always are, but they’re especially appreciated when they’re about me!).
What? No new comics for months? I demand a refund!
:p
Well, you know, what’s the discount structure look like for bookstores? Or is being listed on Amazon enough? Would this book sell well amongst the comic-store crowd? Enough to deal with Diamond?
It has been a wonderful ride so far with our intrepid heroine and company. Looking forward to the further adventures. That said, I do feel the early tremors of withdrawal coming on.
I’ve been a lurker here for a good while now loved this series, but it’s uncovered my biggest problem: I hate waiting for the next page! It’s why I always buy graphic novels rather than the comic books, as I get more before a break in the action. This site also introduced me to “The Guns of Shadow Valley”, which is ALSO on hiatus. AARGH! I’m going into withdrawal!
I’ll definitely buy a copy of the print edition, probably a deluxe one if available.