This is going to be a semi-serious post, so you have my apologies in advance! This week, Mike and I were suddenly hit with several big bills. Some of them aren’t your fault, but some of them are. :) We incurred some hefty fees from an attorney in regards to the future of The Dreamer. It’s good stuff, but it still costs money. You guys also like The Dreamer way too much: this past week you officially maxed out our bandwidth. Which is another good thing, but we had to upgrade our service. Things that weren’t your fault: a simple floor repair in the kitchen turned into having a 4′ x 8′ hole cut through our kitchen floor, a 4′ x 4′ hole cut in our wall, and another big hole cut into our bathroom. All on top of the repair we were initially anticipating.
So here’s how The Dreamer works right now: I make absolutely no money. But it’s my full time job. That’s only possible because Mike is all sorts of awesomeness and works his butt off so you guys get this web comic each and every Friday for free. Don’t panic: we have absolutely no plans to change that. But Mike’s job only covers our living expenses. And over this past year that I’ve been doing The Dreamer, we’ve incurred all sorts of expenses on the webcomic that have drained our savings. I’m sure you like getting paid for your job…? It would be nice to get paid for mine. :) Out of pocket we’ve had to pay for comic printing costs, convention costs (table space, travel expenses, lodging, food, etc), travel costs (to do my fancy pants research), web hosting space, advertising, art supplies, a new computer/monitor (mine died) which required buying a software upgrade on the entire Adobe Suite, a new scanner (mine died), and my printer died but I haven’t been able to replace it yet. Not to mention attorney fees, copyright fees, printing fees, post office fees, accounting fees, small business registration fees, etc, etc. Oh yeah, and the transmission went out on my car and I spent all winter here, trapped at home without any transportation. (I got a little batty!)
Right now we’re in the middle of convention season again and all the costs which that incurs, and with these unexpected major home repairs I’ll be honest–we just can’t do it. Here’s the truth: Right now I don’t make enough off The Dreamer to cover the cost of my pencils and paper for each issue. Some of you are the awesome and donate regularly each and every month, and if you don’t know this yet: I love you!! The old familiar ring of Paypal emails in my inbox makes me happy that some of you think this project is worth keeping around.
So we’re not going to quit The Dreamer, but what happens next is up to you. You can help us out, and help us get this business out of the red, or I’m going to have to take a break from The Dreamer for a couple of weeks and do some freelance work that pays. That sounds like suck to me, so I surely hope that you guys will help us out! I came up with a few ways that you can donate to the cause so you will get something back besides warm and fuzzy feelings:
-Any sized donation will receive our brand new spring/summertime Bea & Alan wallpaper. If you can’t make out the image, Bea is letting Alan listen to a song on her pink iPod under one of his apple trees. It’s so cute for the summertime! And… I’m just noticing that it matches the neon-puke green wall in my office!
-A $5 donation will get you a downloadable PDF of the brand new short story I wrote about Nathan Hale, with an all-new cover image. This is the story of how Nathan went from being a school teacher to an army officer. It also sheds some light on his love life. If you like Nathan Hale, this story is full of info on him that you’ll never read in The Dreamer.
-A $25 donation will get you an autographed 2008 sketchbook. Even if you watch me on DeviantART there’s stuff in there that hasn’t been anywhere online. Including some of my work for DC Comics. If you don’t watch me on DeviantART then this is a real treat. And its all new material from last year’s edition.
-A $50 donation will get you a (signed if you want it) Dreamer mini-poster. (They’re 11 x 17). We have four images to pick from: The new Issue #1 cover, the Issue #2 cover, the First Kiss, and the old donors-only wallpaper of Bea & Alan walking through the snow.
-A $100 donation will get you an original page from The Dreamer. (Except the First Kiss. Can’t sell you that one because it’s actually a page in my sketchbook.)
(Use the “Donate” button (on the top of the side bar here at The Dreamer Comic.com) for all donations except the short story. For the Nathan Hale story, use the “Buy Now” button underneath. Make sure to save it to your computer when it’s finished downloading!)
So that’ll be the deal for the next week. If we make enough to keep our heads above water, then I’ll see you back here on next Friday. If we don’t, I’m going to have to spend a couple of weeks doing freelance work and making some real money. So help out the cause! Because Issue #4 is so much fun from start to finish you don’t really want to have to wait for it! And be honest, you don’t need one more frappuccino this week do you? Or another pair of GAP jeans..? Not when Alan’s life hangs in the balance!
In all seriousness, I love you guys! There will still be an update tomorrow, have no fear! I’ve been working all week on it, even as the repair guys rip apart my house. All that hammering and sawing and interruptions of, “Um, ma’am, you really need to see this…” has made for some unusual but unforgettable work days…! :P
Well, I have totally fallen in LOVE with “The Dreamer” and I hate to hear that you have sooo much going on – I totally understand. Unfortunately, I don’t have any extra money for anything right now – I’m living paycheck to paycheck. I really wish I could help, but at this time, I’m just as low as you are on the money tree. Otherwise, I would gladly give money for the cause. I hope everything works out for you and money gets easier soon. Just keep looking up and smiling through the toughest and things won’t seem so bad.
~Patricia
Your comic is really amazing, and I can’t wait until there is more merchandise available to buy. Your talent is obvious and I think it’s only a matter of time before things really take off for you and you start making money from this!
Donation = done! No freelance for you, missy! :)
Aw! I wish I had money to give! I’m sure a bunch of people will come out of woodworks to help. Since I’m broke, I can still say a prayer everything works out!
Oh man! It’s like you read my mind, Lora! I need a new wallpaper, and I’m pretty sure everyone always needs more Nathan Hale. You’re the best!
As soon as I can afford it, I’ll donate. fo sheezy.
I love your comic I a really do but I am only 17 and don’t have a pay pal account… my parents hate me for sitting on my but and surfing the web but as soon as I can I will get a job because I am not lazy, and I exercise … most days lol. I don’t want to waste your time with this post I just want to wish you good luck because you two are very inspiring ;) well… GOOD LUCK! your comic is the best one I have read through out my life and … honest to God I mean it
XD Don’t disappoint me with a lame ass love life, Nathan.
Lora, I love The Dreamer and want to see you continue. Money is extremely tight for me as I am paying off a mountain of debt, but I’ll do what I can. I do get paid tomorrow and I think I can at least afford the Nathan Hale story. Once I look at my expenses for the month, I might be able to squeeze out enough for a sketchbook. You’re a very talented artist and I’d love to have print copies of your stuff. You also deserve to make money off your labor. If you have to freelance for awhile, I’ll certainly understand and patiently wait your return.
This next part is for those of you who can’t donate: Download Issues #1-3 off Wowio. It’s free for you and Lora gets money for each download!
Dana
Ohhhhhh OH OH- I want a sketch book- and it JUST so happens, despite the fact I really don’t have money but love to spend…( and also I feel this is a just cause)- I’ll totally donate! :D
Expect some moolasis soon!
Will be donating ASAP. You don’t mind if it’s in Canadian funds, do you? Not sure what the conversion rate is these days, either. Cross fingers and hoping it’s still at par!
Donated! Not a huge amount, but we’re all strapped for cash. I do love the comic. I’m actually surprised that I haven’t seen it on my distribution lists yet. Hopefully I will someday ^_~ Keep up the awesome work!
I love Dreamer. I’m not sure HOW I found it but I love love love it. So, do you have a schedule of conventions posted somewhere that you’ll be at. I do beleive we live in a similar state so i’d like to visit. Bunches. :) and I’ll def try to help out. Money is a Slave Master you gotta have it. Blah. <3
Man… I have wanted to donate for SO LONG. Right now though, I’m waiting on my next expense check from my college loans so I can budget it out. If I have some left over I shall certainly donate. Don’t know how much, and I can’t make any promises, but I’ll try. I know how it feels to be in the red. Just coming out of college, looking for work, trying to freelance, and I need to buy a new camera. I feel your pain.
My birthday present to myself is a donation to you (because the real present is a continued supply of Dreamer :D
YAY
D:
All your readers are paupers. This is uncool.
Do you get any ad money?
I recently got paid for a blog post I did about a month ago from IZEA. That money was just sitting in my paypal account waiting for something to do. I was so happy to see that this was where it could be used instead of something silly on ebay.
And I have not forgotten the maquettes that I was talking about some time ago! Life has been a bit hectic on my end but they’re in progress!
-DecMeadow
God damn I need a Paypal. I have enough money for more Nathan in my hands, but paper doesn’t mean crap on the net. -_-+ (Wonder if that Maxi job’s still open, but gotta wait for the exams to stop.)
I just read through your entire comic tonight, and I must say I am impressed. I have been a Nathan Hale fangirl since I was twelve, because since then I have been volunteering at the Hale homestead in his hometown. I’ll definitely show this to the rest of the Jr. Docents.
You are a very talented artist and writer and you capture being a confused teenage girl and revolutionary America so well. When my paycheck comes in I’ll love to support you’re wonderful comic. If you’re ever in Coventry please stop by, Nathan’s birthday’s coming up.
It seems like hard times abound nowadays Lora, and as poor as I am, I will donate what ever I can when I get paid this week. You have given me some invaluable advice in the past, and I love the dreamer comic and how much heart you’ve put into it. I look forward to reading it every friday, and would like to compensate you, at least a little bit. :) I’m more than happy to help a fellow artist out, all that I ask is that you keep being you, and actually taking the time to reply to your readers when they message you. That means a lot to me! Help is on the way! ;)
~Eva
If somebody donates $50 does that mean they get the downloadable Nathan Hale short story, the autographed sketchbook, AND the mini-poster? Or do they just get the mini-poster?
I love this comic and am more than willing to donate sans incentive (it inspires me to actually *not* hit the snooze button on Friday mornings :D! ), but since an incentive has already been offered, I just wanted some clarification :).
I’d donate….if I could D: I just spent a hefty sum of money on my study-abroad program…..:(
But I’ll cross my fingers that you receive enough! Whatever happens though, it’s understandable :) (at least for me)
Pingback: Adventure, Romance, War. 1776 is back. The Dreamer: A webcomic by Lora Innes
I’m sad to hear that you have all that resting of your shoulders at the moment, and I hope that my donation makes the pile a little bit lighter!
I know what its like when everything seems to need money all at once and luckily yesterday was pay day, and so I am more than happy to give a little back to the wonderful comic which has given so much to me!
I absolutely love your work (both art and story) and I am really glad that I took American History in high school, as it is starting to come in handy now :p
I hope that the money finds its way properly across the seas (I’m from Australia) and that everything changes into US dollars like it should (this was my first tome using paypal).
Thanks again for this wonderful story!
I’m sad to hear that you have all that resting of your shoulders at the moment, and I hope that my donation makes the pile a little bit lighter!
I know what its like when everything seems to need money all at once and luckily yesterday was pay day, and so I am more than happy to give a little back to the wonderful comic which has given so much to me!
I absolutely love your work (both art and story) and I am really glad that I took American History in high school, as it is starting to come in handy now :p
I hope that the money finds its way properly across the seas (I’m from Australia) and that everything changes into US dollars like it should (this was my first time using paypal).
Thanks again for this wonderful story!
That is such an awesome deal. Thanks for all of your work, I love this comic!
I’m sad to hear you’re having such a hard time of it, but glad enough people donated. :) As soon as I get access to a secure connection I’ll be donating the value of a BBC Robin Hood series one box set. I can live without that for a little while longer, and if it helps covers holes in people’s floors and gives me a weekly hit of historically romantically funny fun then I’ll be happy to do so.
Also, that summer wallpaper is soooo cute. :D
I’ve never donated to a webcomic before… however, I just got my confirmation that my donation went through. :) Thank you so much for the Dreamer! It’s awesome.
I just got a paycheck for a freelance job, so I can afford to donate! YES!
Seriously though, hope it’ll help.
I have fallen in love with your work and Bea/Alan, for sheezy yo, and i am also in works of helping my bf out with rent and bills and also our business so i know how it is. And as soon as i get my new paycheck i shall donate! :D
(Plus i realllly want that wallpaper!!<3333 My Doctor Who one is starting to lose it’s awesomeness<3_
I just donated! I love the Dreamer and I really hope this helps!
P.S.-The wallpaper is amazing! I can’t wait!