Happy almost March, guys! Sugar here.
Once again, thank you so much for all your support and kind words. These past three to four months have been quite an exhilarating ride. I can't thank you enough for everything.
Now, what's with the title? Great news!
For two months now, I've had something in mind. I want to make a comic out of this story. Buuuuuuuuuuuut, this story is already exclusively contracted to Webnovel, which means I no longer hold the intellectual property rights to it.
So, making a multi-episode comic would be legally questionable, especially if I want to benefit financially from it. Does that mean I'm giving up?
Nope. I'm making a comic anyway.
But of course, it won't be a series, and it can't be sold as premium or paid content. SO IT WON'T!
It will be a FREE read, one episode, a "promotional" comic!
Why did I hyphenate that? Well... I'm calling it "promotional" because hopefully it'll direct more eyes to this book on the app, and it won't spoil the content too much. Its function is more like a movie teaser or something.
But in truth, I'll be making it with "my" own money (the money I got from you!), my own directional decisions, and my own aesthetic choices.
The exclusive contract with Webnovel means the company decides when, where, or how to promote this book, and I truly have no say in it. Whether or NOT this book receives any promotion or adaptation of any kind (including a comic) is totally up to them.
And so, this comic is more like an independent promotional effort. Like making a TikTok or Instagram post saying, "Hey, I wrote this book!" The difference is that I'll upload it independently on Webtoon Canvas, Tapas, or any other indie-friendly comic platform.
But why do I want to do this? Why not just write new stories and test my luck with the algorithm, waiting until one of them somehow explodes when the editor team and marketing team finally grace me with their attention, which might be never? And then abandon those other "unsuccessful" books halfway because they didn't generate enough income? Or, if one of them gets successful, abandon the "unsuccessful" ones anyway because they're a waste of time and effort?
Because I'm not the type to abandon a book halfway with no intention of continuing it, or worse, end it before it's actually over just to make it look clean.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaand, because I love comics! I've been creating comics since I was six years old. Sure, they were crayon and stick figures, but I loved them.
I graduated from film school. I know, completely useless degree. But the school actually gave me experience, knowledge, and insight on how to direct a story, something I'm extremely grateful for and will use in my work going forward. So I'd say it'll also help me direct the comic myself.
It'll be so much fun!
I've contacted several artists for this project. All of them will be paid fairly and will hopefully contribute their own insights and creativity.
Once again, Webnovel editors and teams, if you're seeing this, don't sue me, lol. I'm promoting our book! For free! With "my" (well, the book's readers') own money! Haha, this late-stage capitalism, man...
Now, when can you expect the "promotional" comic to come out? Soon, but not that soon. You know how indie productions tend to go. It's independently funded and independently created, without any company's support. To make it look good, with decent quality, we need to take our time and not rush it.
I'd also feel bad for the artists if I rushed them. Although I'll pay them and fully credit them by name, will that be enough to compensate for their experience, creativity, and time? Art is priceless!
How much will I spend? All of this book's current revenue, basically, haha. How will I eat next month? I'll figure something out! As long as the artists can benefit from it, even just a little.
Alright guys, this is how I've decided to spend "my" adult money. Will it bear fruit? I don't know! Will I just waste time and resources? I don't know!
But all of this was possible because all of you decided to read, support, buy, and invest in this book. That's why I've hesitated to call the money I've earned from this project "my" money all this time. I still think we're all part of one big company, and all of you are my investors.
Trust me, I'll stay productive and, hopefully, stay creative, without burning myself, my work, or your investment in the process. Amen to that!
Stay tuned for more updates!