SPECIAL EDITION

November 8, 2024: Hey — My apologies, I know this is supposed to be a once-a-month newsletter, but in light of recent events I wanted to put a few thoughts out before December and the holidays roll around.

Well … what a week, huh? It's really hard to put into concise words the level of disappointment, frustration, anxiety, depression, and injustice I'm feeling right now, and I'm sure plenty of you share those feelings. It's hard to see how there won't be a lot of unnecessary, irreparable harm and damage done, or how long the effects will last. But, this is where we are, and we have to deal with the situations.

So, first of all, I'll be doing what I can to help mitigate harm. Times are tough but I'll be donating what I can to legal advocates like the ACLU and the SPLC, groups that support LGBTQ, BIPOC, immigrant, and other vulnerable communities, and whatever still-reliable news organizations I can find. I'll also be trying to support and network with whatever communities I can, locally and in our fandom. We can and must help each other.

Secondly, it's challenging to push through and get work done, but I'll be doing my best to continue to create art, championing kindness, diversity, and love. If I can make people smile for a moment of their day … if I can maybe open people's minds or change their hearts just a tiny bit … if I can send a message to someone feeling alone and helpless in their community that, hey, they're not alone and it's okay to be different … I'll consider that the noblest effort that I'm capable of with what few talents and skills I have.

Thirdly, I'll be contacting my doctor to see about possibly getting back into seeing a therapist and/or mood medications again. If you feel like you need it (and, yeah, have the means, unfortunately), don't be afraid to reach out for mental health assistance or, worst case, keep the number of a reputable suicide hotline handy. It may be a difficult time ahead but it would be immeasurably darker without you.

And finally—a plea. These will be difficult times, so I hope you'll be able to do what you can to support each other and the causes that you care about. But also, if you've got any means remaining and want to help me continue my work, as an independent artist facing uncertainty, I'd really appreciate any support you can give. If you want to subscribe to my Patreon and see the comics projects I'm working on, that's great. Or if you'd like to order a badge for MFF in a few weeks, or for mail order next month. Or whatever.

Thanks again, everyone. Love each other, and try to have a pleasant day. ❤️

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