Hey, the release of the first Margo book is right around the corner! In fact, it’s already in the Previews catalog, so now would be a great time to stop in at your local comic shop and make sure they’re getting you a copy!

Hey all, hope you’re enjoying the story. Just a few quick horn-toots and then I’ve got to get back to the drawing board.

Margo was nominated for a Reuben award, which are a weird sort of old-school award traditionally for newspaper cartoonists, that’s been trying to expand out into online comics and other new media. Drive by Dave Kellett and Octopus Pie by Meredith Gran are up in the same category, so I’m not holding out too much hope, but It’s An Honor Just to Be Nominated (IAHJTBN™)

And I missed this until it was already passed, but Margo was also on the shortlist for the Slate Cartoonist Studio prize – though Boulet ended up with it. Is it kosher to horn-toot about a prize you didn’t win? Oh well, once again, IAHJTBN™

And a prize actually in the hand! The kids book I made with Eleanor, Flop to the Top, won a gold medal from the Society of Illustrators! It’s my understanding you get an actual gold medal for these, so I look forward to hucking it at my enemies.

Hi everyone, my deep apologies for the radio silence these last few weeks. I’m writing to you from the attic of the Thurber House in Columbus, Ohio, where my wife has a three week residency (and I’m tagging along).

I never expected that getting the materials for the first Margo book together would take so long! Just drawing the cover was a weeks-long process of submitting dozens of thumbnails, different color schemes, different logos, you name it. I’m really happy with how it came out though, and can’t wait for everyone to see it.

Between all the book work and some family stuff up in Virginia, I’m running way behind. I’ve been getting some emails from folks wondering when the next chapter is going to start. Not yet, but soon. I’m going to be spending the next three weeks up in this attic, working as hard on it as I can.