It's My Birthday, Warriors and a Wee Wonder, and John Cena

Hello!!! I hope you’ve been as well as you can be. If not, I’m sending you some love and encouragement.

It’s my birthday today!!! If you didn’t know I’m a Gemini, surprise, I proudly am. It also might make many things about me and all I do makes more sense. That could be derogatory or not. I’ll leave that up to you as it is not my business. Now, what is my business? I am writing this newsletter, which I debated on the exact day of my birthday. Still, I’m glad I did because it’s helping me do some much-needed and deserved self-reflection for my journey on this particular solar return.

36 was an uncomfortable age for me, meaning it was an age of growing pains both in my personal and professional life. But you know what resulted in my year of discomfort? Growth. I’m not the same Stephanie I was this time last year, and I am so thankful to be alive and well today to recognize that fact and embrace it.

Like, I literally started SSRI meds this very day last year, and it’s been life-changing in the most positive way because it’s given me a new normal. I was hesitant to start the meds for an assortment of reasons, but I’m thankful that freshly 36 Stephanie was brave enough to work through her fears because now 37 Stephanie is reaping the benefits. Starting those meds that day set the tone for my year because the rest consisted of me doing things that required me to be braver than ever. And I want to stress that I didn’t have to face all these challenges alone because I had and still have a fantastic support system.

I’m more confident in the woman I am today and the woman I’ll be this time next year. I know that even if this year is filled with obstacles, I can take them on, be better equipped to navigate them and endure whatever growing pains come my way.

I’m tabling at MomoCon today through the 25th. I’ve never been at a convention on my birthday, let alone at one while tabling, so I thought I’d lean into how cool that is. I have an “It’s My Birthday” sash, something I would have never considered wearing, but I know it’s the kind of thing Aaron would have heavily supported me doing and would have been a little gagged at the fact that I did. So, if you’re at MomoCon today or any day this weekend, please come by table AA-2018 and say hello!

THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MEME

One of the uncomfortable things I had to endure last year was really putting myself out there to editors in hopes of securing more work. It may not have seemed like it on the outside, but last year was a down year for me regarding projects. As a freelance creator, you’re never not worried about waking up one day and the opportunities drying up like cooze in a room full of incels. My first two years as a comic pro-opportunities found me, and last year, I don’t know if they got lost, but they weren’t showing up like I was used to, and some projects fell through. And I can say this now, but I’m thankful that was the case because it forced me to lock in and hone my pitching skills like never before. I started cold pitching editors like my life depended on it because it kinda did. One of the cold pitches paid off and was just announced this week.

I originally pitched a six-issue limited series called Tales of the Amazons, which was pretty going to be a collection of six one-shots for various Amazons, Phillipus, Nubia, Hippolyta and Antiope, Artemis, Bia, and Diana. I wanted to write stories focused solely on these women as individuals so that I could further explore what being an Amazon is like and what it means. I wanted to show these women in a different light than what we generally see from them. There would be some action, of course, but I wanted to get into the slice-of-life vibes, too, because some of the best character moments in comics come from the quieter moments. I knew this was a long shot from a title that would get the green light for floppies (monthly issues), but the assumption is sometimes how we block opportunities. So, I sent this pitch, and the editor (Brittany Holzherr) loved it but suggested a pivot to what you all now know as DC GO!

The catch was that I had to make the pitch attractive for DC GO!, and pivoting is my specialty. Securing work is also my specialty, so I was determined to figure this out. And I did figure it out. WARRIORS AND A WEE WONDER resulted in my desire to get back to Themyscira and to do so in a way that is very much in line with how intentional I am with the project I work on. I think what makes me most happy about this project actually happening is that even though it’s not exactly what I initially pitched, it’s still a result of my desire to figure it out so that it could happen. And I did! I’m so thankful to my editor, Sabrina Futch, for championing the pitch and giving me the space to be my most creative self.

My collaborators have been nothing short of amazing. I will forever be grateful to Jane Pica, Emily Pearson, and Aryiana Taylor for going all in with WARRIORS AND A WEE WONDER. I cannot wait for you all to see all their hard work.

WARRIORS AND A WEE WONDER kicks off several project announcements for me this year that align beautifully with me as a creator and how I want to exist in this space. They are also the fruits of 36 Stephanie’s labor.

I do not wish to simply be here in comics. I want to blaze a path that allows those who come after me to “Boots on the Ground” their way to whatever the hell it is they want to do and be met with little to no resistance.

I will always be busy because the chip on my shoulder is not my enemy but a good friend who pushes me to do all I can while I can. Life is fucking short, and people’s opinions will always be there, so I might as well do what I want, how I want.

Now for some art.

BURNOUT PREVENTION CENTRAL

 Although I have fifty-eleven things going on, I’m still making space to rest and enjoy. At the beginning of the month, I attended the Grand National Tour with a good friend. Even though it rained and my hair didn’t survive, it was still a great time. Something about witnessing artists do their thing will always make me walk away with a greater appreciation for their craft and encourage me to keep doing my thing to the best of my ability.

I had a great time at Fan Expo Philly. Comic conventions, while socially taxing, also refill my creator cup, for lack of a better way to describe it. They are my chance to connect with people, whether those who read my work or are just discovering it. Creating can sometimes feel so siloed, and the internet is often a cesspool. So, sharing space with people who genuinely love and appreciate what you do is necessary. Comic conventions are also an opportunity to hang out with peers and get to know folks better. I had a fantastic time hanging out with some fellow creators and then gently bullying them into seeing Final Destination: Bloodline with me. It was a great time.

Oh, and I met John Cena’s table!

MOM MODE ACTIVATED

I’m morphing into a sports mom, which lowkey makes me happy because I LOVE SPORTS. They were my first official taste of fandom. Our son is playing flag football, and I enjoy watching him put in the time and effort to learn something new. He scored two touchdowns a couple of weeks ago, and I did contemplate possibly retiring to become a full-time sports mom.

SO, AN EDITOR ONCE SAID…

There was comic discourse about comic editors. I missed it, thankfully. All I have to add to that conversation is that editors are essential, and great editors are a treasure. I’ve had the good fortune of working with some of the industry’s best editors. A great editor helps to facilitate your growth as a creator by creating an environment that allows you to focus on your project to the best of your ability. 

IT TAKES A VILLAGE 

I would like to highlight two publishers today.

Wildstar Press and Konkret Comics! Please go check out what they have to offer!

That’s all for now. And as always, thank you for taking the time to hang with me. I appreciate you. I’m rooting for you!