[Everspark] A Special Message From Our Artist (And More Updates)
Hey everyone,
It’s me again, with a very exciting update! Version 0.9.5 is out on itch, and all the custom characters whose forms were sent before the deadline now have their artwork completed and added to the book!
But more importantly, our incredible artist, Ray Olli, asked me if I could share a message with all of you. Of course, I said yes, and I really want you to take a moment to appreciate it:
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"First of all, I’d like to make two requests.
"The first is an apology. I ended up delaying the illustrations because I went through an extremely challenging period with my mental health last year. By the end of the year, I was simply exhausted—exhausted with everything, including being responsible. I sincerely apologize and feel it’s necessary to say so because you, the backers, deserve to receive what you supported.
"It’s not easy being an independent creator, and thanks to the support of people like you, projects like this become possible. The illustrations maintain the quality you’ve come to expect, so I’m happy with the result. I’m also deeply grateful for Capacle’s patience, which has been incredibly important during my recovery.
"The second request: please take care of your mental health. If I can offer a tip, it’s this—start with the basics: eat healthy food and regulate your sleep. It won’t fix everything, but trust me, it will help a lot.
"If you’re going through a tough time, it might feel like things won’t change or get better, but that’s not true. There’s always a chance for improvement.
"I hope this year is the best year of your lives, and I wish you all the best. The work continues, so let’s keep moving forward."
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Isn’t he the best? Please show him some love in the replies and comments—I’ll make sure to pass all your messages on to him. And as he said, please do take care of yourselves.
Now, I think we’re pretty much done, barring any new goofs or typos. I’ve already fixed a bunch and corrected some more names for this update, so I believe we’re very nearly ready to publish version 1.0 (woohoo!) .
This also means making the print-on-demand version available to you, which I'm getting to right away. Keep in mind, since this is a 330+ page book, it may be a bit steeper in price. However, I’ll be offering both hardcover and paperback options. I think it will make for a beautiful tome to have at home, if your budget allows.
As a reminder, I don’t make any revenue from the print book. I’ll provide you with a coupon to purchase it at cost—you’ll only pay what Lulu charges for printing and shipping.
Additionally, I’ll be sending individual emails to backers who submitted custom character forms by the deadline. These emails will include:
•Your character’s isolated artwork with a transparent background, so you can use it however you wish.
•A separate page featuring your character’s name and backstory.
For those who submitted their descriptions after the deadline, don’t worry—your characters will be added to the book in a later update.
That’s it for now. I hope you love the new art—it’s absolutely glorious—and I’ll see you all very, very soon!
-- Cezar
