Steam Crow is a Phoenix, Arizona company that creates quirky, imaginative characters and strange stories for people with a monster imagination.

These two artists have combined monsters, steam punk, and more into some amazing products, including story books, prints, buttons, purses and more.

I first met them at the Phoenix Comicon (Cactuscon) a few years ago and really dug their character Klawberry, and became an instant fan.

Daniel has created a new web comic- “Monster Commute” and even offers it as a collected “Traffic Novel“.

I can’t say enough good things about this Arizona couple’s work- or just how nice they are.

They’ve always got something new at their ever-growing and ever-changing booth every show I see them- Phoenix, San Diego, Emerald City, and more.

Daniel was recently interviewed on the Andrew Long Show (Ep.11) and talked about the creation of Steam Crow Press, the many irons he has in the Steam Crow fires, and what’s coming up down the road for Monster Commute and other Steam Crow projects and products.

Keep and “eye” out for Klawberry and Steam Crow at a convention near you!

Remember- monsters are real…real fun!

Lin

DEDLOCK #1

Written and Illustrated by A.E. Sparrow

Standard Comic
Black & White
Page Count: 24

Cover Price $2.50 (POD)

Lady Draca Infernia suddenly finds herself without an empire to rule. Face-to-face with the man who helped orchestrate her downfall, she uses every trick in her bag to avenge her loss. But this man isn’t all he seems to be, and before too long the pair find their lives to be linked…in more ways than one!

When the clandestine Ordo Draco Infernium is purchased by an outside investor, its offices liquidated and its arsenal of doomsday devices confiscated, Lady Draca Infernia suddenly finds herself on the streets with no marketable skills. Determined to restore her evil empire to its former levels of glory, she finds her way blocked by one man…with matrimony on his mind!

Deadlock #1 is available through IndyPlanet.com.

Or you can stop by booth T22 at the Phoenix Comicon Memorial Day weekend and meet Al face to face…

…if you DARE!

Al will also be pimping his comic THUGS! with artist partner Stephen Reid (aka “Flint Lockjaw“) at Cactuscon.

You can check out THUGS! online here.

Al’s a great guy and has great taste in head wear!

Lin

Dedlock #1 TM and © 2010 Al Sparrow/Studio Fugazi. All rights reserved.

Read the adventures of Commander Milyo and his Agents of C.O.L.T. assault team along with the action-packed outer space excitement of Blacks Danger in Space!

If you enjoy classic cartoons like G.I. Joe, & Flash Gordon, then this is just what you need! Written by award-winning writer Shawn Pryor and featuring the artwork of the talented Andrew Charipar, this book is 72 pages of fun for all ages.

If you’d like to see more head on over to PKD Media online or stop by their booth at the Summit City Con May 22nd in Fort Wayne, IN.

Every customer that orders a copy of Agents of C.O.L.T. – Volume 1: Recipe For Destruction will receive a “FREE HEAD SKETCH” by C.O.L.T. artist Andrew Charipar!

You can pre-order your copy at the following online locations:

http://www.dcbservice.com

http://www.heroescorner.com

Don’t delay, get your copy of Agents of C.O.L.T. today!

Mike and the Ninja creator BrianRhodes (L) and well, the Ninja- or at least one of them.

There was one on Saturday (Josh) and one on Sunday (Thomas- above).

Mike and the Ninja is a webcomic where things just never go right for Mike and when he meets a ninja named Stu his life is never the same again.

What I really liked about meeting the MATN Crew was that they had a good table set up, including printed copies of the comic (some standing up, some fanned out on the table), fliers, stickers, a price list, and the name of the comic across the front of the table. But what really made them stand out was a booth ninja! The ninja would stand very still in front of the booth and when someone would walk in front of their table the ninja would spring into action and hand the potential reader a flier or sticker while striking a martial arts pose. It was a lot of fun to watch, especially when the ninja would catch someone not paying attention to their surroundings! The creator of Mike and the Ninja and “introvert at heart” Brian Rhodes decided to try something new at his hometown show this year when his cardboard stand up of  Stu the ninja was damaged earlier in a move. He enlisted a couple friends to don a mask and black ninja attire and help him promote his comic. It worked, and worked well. One of the other things I noticed was the Mike and the Ninja web address (URL) on all of their promotional items. Why is that so important some folks may ask- well, for a webcomic it’s everything. You’d be surprised at how many creators forget to promote their website.

I’ve said it before, if you’re going to set up at a show bring a friend. Most shows will let you bring an extra person to work your table, if not it’s worth paying a bit extra to have another body there. If you’re a bit shy and have a friend who isn’t bring them, give them a tee with your logo or art on it and let them be your pitch man(or pitch woman). If you have a friend who doesn’t mind dressing up as one of the characters in your book bring them. If nothing else you’ll get a bit more attention for your booth/table and have someone there to talk to and/or watch your booth if you want to do sketches,  go see some of the show, meet with editors, or go visit the restroom- very important for a weekend show!

Good luck to Brian and “Mike and the Ninja”.

Lin/neenjah

The SIVADS of March!

March 25-28

A four-day tribute through art, film, music and words to the late Watson Davis, the innovative Malco ad man and ballyhoo specialist known for his elaborate movie promotions and who, in his guise as the ‘horror host’ known as Sivad (on the “Fantastic Features” program from 1962 to 1972 on WHBQ-TV Channel 13), was one of the most influential and beloved Memphis pop-culture heroes of the era, with a popularity that crossed generational and racial lines. He also scared the willies outta me as a kid here in Memphis in the late 60″s!

The new Art Of Bushi Tales book is now available!

Written and Illustrated by Dave Beaty, Lin Workman, Micah Stewart

Standard Sized Trade Paperback
Full Color
Page Count: 100
POD

$19.95 (+s/h)

Dave Beaty, Lin Workman, and Micah Stewart take you behind the scenes in the Art of Bushi Tales. See the scripted page come alive from pencil sketches to painted art. Includes a special guest artist gallery featuring art by Bret Blevins, Scott Clark, Greg Cravens, Andrew Charipar, Harold Jennett, Martheus Antone Wade, and more! A must have for art lovers and Bushi Tales fans.

It’s is the 31st century of man and the ancient world has returned. Four female Samurai are sent on a quest by Hachiman, the god of war, in this post-apocalyptic series created by Dave Beaty (X-men: Sword of the Braddocks, Adventure Comics, Brightest Day) and Lin Workman (Stargodz, Scared Silly, CGS: The End).

The book is available from Indy Planet. If you’d like to have one personalized or pick up a copy in person Dave, Micah and I will all be at the Phoenix Comicon (Cactuscon) this May, so if you’re in the area stop by the Bushi Tales booth and say hi.

I should have news on the Bushi Tales trade paperback coming soon- stay “tooned”!

Lin

I’ve been invited to participate in a book signing at the M.R. Davis Public Library in Southaven, MS on Sunday, January 31st from 2:30-4:30pm.

I’ll be singing/selling copies of my comic series “Bushi Tales“.

Other authors in attendance will include  Mark Grisham (John Grisham’s brother) and Daivd Donaldson- authors of “Bedlam South“, and Suzanna Maddox one of 150 teachers who contributed to “Teaching Hope: Stories from the Freedom Writer Teachers“.

The library is located at 8554 Northwest Drive, Southaven, MS 38671, and you can get directions here. Phone number is (662) 342-0102.

Hope to see you there!

Lin

…well, except for a couple geeks.

Welcome to the crazy world of Geek Syndicate. Geek Syndicate chronicles the adventures of Dave and Barry, two British geeks who love themselves some comics, sci-fi, and anything else geekworthy! Geek Syndicate is based on the podcast of the same name, and features art by Harold Jennett.

Their Christmas special is underway so grab a cup of cheer and head on over!
Comic link: www.geeksyndicatecomic.com
Podcast link: http://www.geeksyndicate.co.uk/
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Looking for something fun to do on Friday night? There will be an art show on Friday, December 11, 2009, at the studio of Adam Shaw featuring some of his art in a show titled “The Heidi Series.” There will also be other artists on display, so be sure you show up! The show is at 2547 Broad Avenue, Memphis, TN 38112.

www.abshaw.com

But, the “Adam” fun times don’t end there! On Saturday, December 12, you can meet and greet with Adam Shaw, the artist of the new graphic novel, HARPE (about the first serial killers in the U.S.), at Comics and Collectibles from 2 – 4 p.m. Comics and Collectibles is located at 4730 Poplar Ave. #2 Memphis TN 38117.

http://www.memphiscomics.com/

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But, wait! Your Saturday fun isn’t over just yet–you can also see Kevin Williams performing as Riverthing, the favorite mascot of the Mississippi Riverkings at the Desoto Civic Center. The game begins at 6:30 p.m. on December 12. If you’ve never been to a Riverkings game before, you should. Skate on down to the DCC and watch an awesome game, and if you show up and find Riverthing that night and mention you’re with the MSCA, you’ll get a special photo opportunity!!

http://www.muleythemule.com/

http://www.riverkings.com/

Watch the MSCA site for frequent updates, like this week’s very fun text version of “Mule on the Street” when Muley the Mule interviewed none other than our own Sam Ray!  Ever wanted to know more about an original member of the MSCA?  Sam Ray is one of the guys to talk to.  If you missed his talk at the December dinner meeting, this is your chance to get caught up.
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More PKD!

The second part of the interview Wonton and I did with Shawn Pryor and Jon Carroll for The Black Box podcast is now available. We talk more about digital comics, distribution, web comics, Jetta, Bushi Tales, my B/W art show and Comic Whore site.

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KOTOR Kitties

Our recently adopted kitties Zayne and Jarael were recently mentioned on Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic author John Jackson Miller’s webiste “Faraway Press”. JJM is a former Memphian and is a comics/writer guest each year at Midsouthcon. He’s written for things like the Comics Buyer’s Guide magazine, comics (Star Wars, Iron Man, Indiana Jones), role playing games, and does a web comic called Sword & Sarcasm. If you get the chance to catch one of his panels do, or if you see him running around with his short box of comics at a con stop and pick up a few issues from him. Be sure to tell him Lin and Nicki sent you!

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That’s all for this week’s Pimp It Friday. Stay warm!

Lin

The second part of the interview Wonton and I did with Shawn Pryor and Jon Carroll for The Black Box podcast is now available. We talk more about digital comics, distribution, web comics, Jetta, Bushi Tales, my B/W art show and Comic Whore site.

Click here to go to the Black Box Podcast site.

I’ve got some news about mine and Nicki’s recent adoptions, last Friday’s art walk and George Hunt art show, Adam Shaw’s upcoming art show this Friday and more on my LinWorkman.com site. Check it out if you get a chance. Pics from last night’s Hernando Christmas parade will be up there later this week.

Type at ya later,

Lin

Ask Friends and Family for Help

Ask friends, family and co-workers for assistance.  You never know when your girlfriend will offer to build you a website for free.  You may be able to barter professional services such as graphic design to others in exchange for web development.

Borrow Ideas

Look at other websites for inspiration.  Note what you like and dislike about these sites, and incorporate the things that you like into your site.

Update, Update, Update

Don’t let your website grow mold from inactivity.  You should update no less than weekly; I encourage Lin to update at least twice a week.  A static site that hasn’t been updated in 3 years doesn’t do you a lot of good.

Content

Snazzy layouts and pretty pictures are really cool, but content is king in promoting yourself.

The following items should always be included in some manner on your website:

• Contact information – You must provide at least an email address that you check regularly.  I wouldn’t recommend publishing your home address and phone number on your website.  You may consider renting a post office box for business correspondence, and publish this address on your site.

• Experience – What have you done?  What have you published?  What are your credentials, be they work experience or education?

• List of former or current clients if you freelance – This may seem like a “duh” statement, but do not list disgruntled or unhappy clients.  You may have designed a killer logo for ABC Company, but do you want potential employers or clients possibly contacting a client who was not happy with your work?

• Examples of your work

Consistency

Establish a look and feel for your website and keep it consistent throughout.  Your website should tie into your business cards, banners, and other promotional materials.  You are trying to build a brand, and that brand is YOU!

Promoting Your Site

Promote your website on social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.  They are great lead and traffic generators.

A word of caution – social networking sites are not a substitute for your own website or blog; they are complimentary pieces.  Many employers, libraries, etc. block access to these sites, and others are simply do not like these sites and avoid them.  You are limiting the number of people who can see you and your work.

Include links to your site in message board profiles and signatures.

All promotional materials should have your web address plainly visible.  Duh, right?  Even the best of us let that slip by us sometimes.  Lin recently sent me the proof of the postcard and poster for his art show, and I didn’t notice that he hadn’t included his website.  Thankfully, he caught the error before we ordered 1,500 postcards.

Be Realistic in Your Expectations

It takes time to build your website’s traffic.  You are not going to achieve 1 million hits per month unless you are selling porn, so be patient and persistent.  You can use Google Analytics to determine how much traffic your website is receiving and where the traffic is originating.  I’ll discuss Google Analytics in more detail in future posts.

Make your site search engine-friendly

This is often referred to as search engine optimization (or SEO), and people make careers out of specializing in this area.  The search engines use programs called bots to map or index your site.  If the bots have trouble navigating your site, then your site will not be displayed correctly in search results and people will not find your website.

This will be a topic that is discussed in future articles, but the Big Three of search engines – Google, Yahoo and Bing – offer free webmaster tools that allow you to analyze traffic to your site.

Nicki