The upshot for the comic is that the real world will still take priority and updates will continue to be very sporadic. However, my resolution is to make more time for the comic. I find I am more energized when I am being creative, and I lost my zest in 2011, the whole time I wasn’t doing the comic or at least drawing *something* every day.

It is so rewarding to make comics for you. I enjoy writing and drawing, but my enjoyment grows when I can share the comics with you.  Talking with you in the comments and on facebook and twitter adds to the whole experience.  That’s why when I’m counting my blessings this year, I include those of you who read and enjoy Life’s a Witch.

All the profits from this book go to food banks in the US and Canada. In it, you will find recipes and comics from some of your favorite webcomic creators! INCLUDING a wonderful breakfast recipe and a little Life’s a Witch comic from ME.

Click for larger image

In order to sell the last few, they’re letting the creators offer a 7.5% discount!

You have to use the discount code: Samantha to get the sale price. (This code is case sensitive.)

This is such a great little cookbook. It would make a wonderful gift for anyone and you know the holidays are coming up.

I understand that there aren’t that many of these books left. Let’s see if we can clear the warehouse before the holidays to give the food banks a boost and cross some things off our Christmas lists!

Remember: for the 7.5% discount, use the coupon code Samantha.

Ready to Comic!

STRIP this past Saturday was a blast! I had SO MUCH fun. Husband Michael was there to help me with the table while I flitted around the floor visiting old and new friends. Touching base with the comics community is so wonderful.

I got to see the best uber fans EVAR: Adminderella and Mr. Posslq! (Links to their own write-ups on the con.) They buttered me up by bringing liquid refreshments. *wink wink* Unfortunately, I didn’t get their pics to show you, but I did get these to share! Check them out, posted in no order of particularness:

Due to some fortunate (for me!) fluke, my table was right next to Joel Watson of Hijinks Ensue. His comic is incredibly popular and it’s terrific that he comes to STRIP. His publicist wasn’t there to stop me from getting a picture with him. I hope it doesn’t hurt his reputation!

Samantha and Joel Watson

The lovely Hector Cantu, the writer behind the syndicated strip “BALDO,” was also arm-wrestled into a picture with me. His wit is as natural in person as you would think if you’re a Baldo reader (and you should be).

Samantha and Hector

I don’t go to any conventions where I don’t see Rebecca Hicks and James Hicks of Little Vampires. That’s because any conventions which they don’t attend aren’t worth attending! After a ferocious battle of epic proportions, they reluctantly agreed to take this photo with me.

James Hicks, Samantha, Rebecca Hicks

Another highlight of the convention for me was a chance to see Barry Buchanan of Don’t Feed the Geek! fame. I hunted him down and forced him to pose for this picture. Fortunately, his wife and daughters were on MY side so I had help. You see that look of terror in his face, don’t you? That’s what happens to a guy when the girls gang up on him.

Samantha and Barry

Then there’s Mark Largent, creator of the wonderfully cute The Wannabe Pirates. It’s like he thought he could escape me!! I finally tackled him and forced him to pose for this picture with me.

Mark Largent and Samantha

David Wilborn’s Urban Jungle comic consistently gets a laugh from me. Maybe it’s the office humor or the funny way he draws critters. Either way, he’s been a victim of my stalking for a while. I pounced from behind his banner there and the paparazzi caught me trying to lift his wallet.

Samantha and David Wilborn

I also saw Chris Jeffrey and his wife. My son is a fan of Chris’s Cartridge webcomic which is full of gamey boy humor. I am a huge fan of Chris, so I didn’t want to ruin his reputation by being captured in a pic with him. You’re welcome, Chris!

The Jeffreys!

I also attended some panels! This was the first time I really took advantage of the panels provided by STRIP and I’m glad I did. Here are some photos of some of the remarkable folk who are helping this little convention grow:

Industry Illustrators

Terry Parr, Michael Champion, Kit Lively, and James O’Barr

Gary Kent, Stuntman,writer, director, actor, special effects expert and do-gooder!

Gary Kent, Magic Man

Creating Comics (these guys know their stuff)

Drew Edwards, Rob DenBleyker, Dave Barrack, Joel Watson, Thomas Overbeck

Women of Webcomics (Yes, that’s ME there!)

Rebecca Hicks, Samantha Wikan, Emily Karnes, Eliamaria Madrid, Halo Seraphim

Awesome Awesomeness

Look what I found in my mailbox this morning! Dutch (a/k/a Mr. V), creator of the Spiderforest comic “School Spirit” sent me this wonderful pic of Zelda and Wendy (who happens to be my favorite character from School Spirit, btw.

THANK YOU so much, Dutch!

And if any of you STILL haven’t checked out School Spirit after my many suggestions to do so, now would be a great time to get with it! (Check out the “Strine” link at the top of the page. That’s where I go for Australian-English translations or just for a chuckle.)

But what’s the hold-up on Life’s a Witch you ask? We’re sending our oldest off to college and then we’re moving to Dallas (we promise to give oldest our forwarding address). The husband is already in Dallas working at his new company and I’m down here getting things in order for college admission and the house ready to go on the market. Unfortunately, the comic MUST take a back seat to all that.

HOWEVER, I will still be at STRIPCON in Dallas in AUGUST! Even though I’ll have nothing new to show, I will be meeting and greeting and drawing and having fun. Come join me and a whole bunch of fun folks from the webcomic community. Admission is only $5, so you’re anywhere near Dallas in August, you’ve no excuse not to come over and say hello!

Even though the updates have stopped, I haven’t! I’m still drawing and practicing and creating stuff, which I’ll share with you here and there.

(and yes, I’ll fix those last two strips as soon as I can!)