Penny Stackin’

What are the relative merits of all my income streams?

Outbound/Inbound

“Marketing is an outbound chore that increases the frequency of inbound inquiries.”

Old Post-It

So much of this process is just trying to build a system that tells my brain I’m okay.

A Current Impasse

How can I reconcile how excited I am by this project—how tangled up in the joy of designing new characters and solving page layouts like crossword puzzles every morning—with how utterly depleted and depressed and grief-riddled I am in the rest of my life?

Second Plunge

It’s no good. The sea’s too shallow here—too full of hazardous rocks. I’m threading my way through pudgy, puckered anemones sunk flush with the surface of the sand. It’s getting dark. My car’s parked in a 24-minute parking spot and I’ve already been out here for at least 15.1 I should call it. But I’ll … Continue reading Second Plunge

100 Demon Dialogues Tour: Leg 2

Hi everyone! I’m back from a frankly ridiculous month of touring across the Midwest and down the East Coast, which means it’s time to announce the dates for Leg 2 of the 100 Demon Dialogues Tour. But first, some stats about Leg 1: PRETTY HECKIN’ COOL, RIGHT? I feel very accomplished. Also very tired. Turns out moving house … Continue reading 100 Demon Dialogues Tour: Leg 2

Inner Critic Investigation Week, Day 4

It’s Day Four of the Inner Critic Investigation series I’m collaborating on with writing coach Deb Norton! We’re hoping these prompts can give you all some insight into what your little jerks are thinking and feeling as they go about trying to stop you from making creative work. The rules are as follows: Get a … Continue reading Inner Critic Investigation Week, Day 4

Inner Critic Investigation Week, Day 3

It’s Day Three of the Inner Critic Investigation series I’m collaborating on with writing coach Deb Norton! We’re hoping these prompts can give you all some insight into what your little jerks are thinking and feeling as they go about trying to stop you from making creative work. The rules are as follows: Get a … Continue reading Inner Critic Investigation Week, Day 3

Live Event: Demons & Monsters with Jessica Abel

Let’s take a brief trip back in time to January, 2016. When Jessica Abel started posting the podcast adaptation of her storytelling handbook Out on the Wire, I was totally hooked. The series pulled from her own robust career and from interviews she’d done with luminary radio hosts and journalists, but took a wider stance on applying their lessons … Continue reading Live Event: Demons & Monsters with Jessica Abel

The Galaxy of Super Adventure: Fears

Hey Friends, If you like spaceships, comics, radio drama, and the practice of making things, let me recommend a really fun podcast! The Galaxy of Super Adventure is part one part galactic adventure saga, two parts creative advice round-table. It’s run by my comics pals Ben Hatke, Zack Giallongo, and Jerzy Drozd, and this week’s episode … Continue reading The Galaxy of Super Adventure: Fears