Monster Commute – a Traffic Novel

Holy Crow, it’s Emerald City Comicon (ECCC) time.

2010 marks our 4th consecutive ECCC, and this year should be better than ever.

Why?

Last year our first ever exclusive print sold out in record time, just over an hour! It was so crazy, that we’re back at it again with our ECCC exclusive steampunk Car Wash print:

I spent a lot of time choosing the right landmark for this print. I wanted to avoid the cliche, and go with something that is familiar to Seattleites that matched the aesthetic of the Monster Commute world. I spent a long time getting all of the details right, and making it look cool. (At least to me.)

Hey, don’t take our word for it. Read what Pop Culture Zoo has to say about it!

We’re in much the same place this year, smack dab in the webcomics section in booth #104. (Look for the words “STEAM CROW” fluttering above our booth in vintage pennants.)

What are we selling in Seattle:

• Our new exclusive art print – Steampunk Car Wash
• Poison bottles
• Art prints – many of them have never seen Seattle before! (And lots of them!)
• Silk screen prints
• A bunch of fresh new 1 inch buttons
• And the debut of our new Monster Commute Book!

We’ll see you in Seattle March 13th-14th!

- Daniel and Dawna

So, the Book Drive is officially over.

I’d really like to thank everyone for making it a grand success. Sure, we didn’t conquer the world, but we did go really, really far, and took Steam Crow to some new uncharted waters.

In the spirit of transparency, I’m sharing some business numbers that I don’t usually like to make public. Just remember that the cost of something is not only the physical product, but also the hundreds and hundreds of hours of development.

Here are the Book Drive stats: (As of 2-24-10)

• We made 78% 82% of our $5000 goal. ($4153)
• Most orders came in the last 6 weeks of the drive.
• Nobody took us up on the $5000 deal, though several folks really thought about it.
• We had 67 orders with an average of $59.21 per transaction (WOW! This is amazing.)
• Actual printing cost: $6100.00 (Next time, the drive will reflect our actual costs.)

Why 82% is not a failure:

It’s bone simple: we’re only $2100 $1947 away from this book being profitable. (Instead of $6100 away…)

That my friends, is a grand thing. We thank you for this.

- – -

What I’ve learned this time (with our 4th book)

Printing in China is cheaper, but there are many assorted fees to get the books here. Heck, it cost me $90 to simply pay for my book. (Wire fees.)

It’s going to be a lot of work to get the orders shipped out. But it’s a priority. I want you to be happy. It will happen soon.

Customs is a little crazy. Customs Agent probably made my life easier.

Planning ahead is not enough. I need to be working on the next book right now, so I have more time to proof. (Thanks Sara!)

Allowing you to choose your support level was epic good. We’re going to do that again. 13 levels was probably a bit much though.

Doing the Book Drive during Xmas was not so helpful. Order were dead in December, but perked back up in January.

Next time, we’re going whole hog. I think that we can raise 100% of the next book. This 82% proved that it’s really achievable.

Some people thought that this Book Drive was a donation drive. I don’t want your donation, I just want your order. I hope that we never have to ask for a handout… it’s not how we roll.

- – -

Last chance.

Yep, I’ve left you one last chance to also be part of this Book Drive, and catch one of the deals before they’re gone.

Order now, before I take down the store and kill the deals.

I’ll update this story to reflect your support.

- – -

Thanks again, you folks rule.

- Daniel

UPDATE: I think I’ve got a volunteer, folks. Thanks for the support. If we survive, we’ll hopefully have some video to show to prove it.

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So, I just found out that the Monster Commute books arrive this next week, in Longbeach, California.

That means we have to go pick them up. In person. Friday, February 19th. (Just found out.) Trouble is, Daniel isn’t so much a good distance driver, and the rest of Steam Crow can’t go.

Daniel needs your help:

• He has road narcolepsy. (Fault)
• He gets lost very easily. (Fault)
• He is easily confused. (Wisdom -2)
• He is on medication. (Intelligence -1)
• He needs a good map reader.
• He hates driving in traffic: LA traffic! (Phobia)

If you’re in the PHX area and can go, we’re looking for a co-pilot who:

• Has a level head. (Wisdom 14 or higher)
• Can read maps.
• Is alert.
• 15 or higher Strength.
• Can help Daniel deal with LA traffic. (Previous experience a plus)
• Likes to talk about Monstru, RPGs, movies, or soup.
• Can operate a video camera to document the adventure.
• Has excellent bo staff or hacking skills.
• Can be more fun than dangerous.

Itinerary: (Subject to change and adjustment)

• Depart PHX at 6 am sharp (Road eats and coffee)
• Arrive in Long Beach by about 12 (Eats / drinks)
• Deal with US customs (YAY! -2 Sanity)
• Load up books into power van. (Whew)
• Eats and maybe drive back to PHX or maybe hotel up to head back Saturday Morning.

Pay?

Sadly this isn’t a paid gig. It’s a labor of fun and perhaps low-fi adventure. We will cover your food, coffee, soda and possible hotel though. I’d give you experience points if I could.

We’ll make sure that our co-pilot walks away with some Steam Crow stuff, for certain. That’s what we’ve got.

Caveat:
This is open to anyone, but folks that I know and friends with the most skills will most likely be picked ahead of complete strangers. It isn’t a popularity contest, but simple survival!

If you’re interested, and can do it for sure, drop me a line ASAP!

Thanks!

- Daniel