I can’t believe that we’re on Issue #8 already! Where on earth did Issue #7 go? To kick things off is the new Cover and Title Page! It’s looking a bit more serious than issue #7 so I hope you’re ready for a change of pace. This issue and last issue were written as a transition between the first Graphic Novel and the climactic end of Act I. So Issue #8 will intentionally read like an interlude. I hope you enjoy it!
Several tidbits of news this week. The first one should be obvious: Mike finished the site redesign! Not only does the site look better, and have a cleaner navigational system, he also cut down on all the load times! There is also new content on the site, so surf around for awhile and check out what’s new! One change to make note of is that the blog is no longer featured on the front page (only the most recent post will show up there). This is going to cut down on load time for first time visitors to the site. But because we gave the blog it’s own section, the RSS Feed has moved. The old one will no longer work. So please make note of it if you’re an RSS Subscriber and make the necessary changes. Thanks!
We also changed the Donations Incentive Wallpaper to this:
If you go to the brand new Store section, and make a donation of any size, you’ll be directed to a page where you can download this fabulous Alan wallpaper, available in three sizes to fit your screen! I know that we just had the Graphic Novel come out, (and we’re really hoping for a success with that!), but for now, only your donations are keeping The Dreamer going. To be honest, funds are running a bit dry and if you have a few dollars and appreciate the story, consider dropping us a tip. Thanks! Right now I need to cover costs for the PR people who are promoting the Graphic Novel and the two upcoming conventions we’ll be doing in October: Mid-Ohio Con and Baltimore Con.
Another announcement: I’ll be doing back to back signings back home in Western PA! If you live in the greater Pittsburgh Area, consider coming out to meet me and pick up your copy of the graphic novel! I’ll be at the Borders at Westmoreland Mall in Greensburg from 1-3 PM on Saturday August 15th. Immediately following, I’ll be at Joy’s Japanimation from 4-6. These are my old stomping grounds. I used to hang at Westmoreland Mall when I was a teenager, and my sister is good friends with the owner of Joy’s and I used to frequent it with her when I was in high school. If you’re into anime, it’s a fabulous store! So… come out and meet me! :)
I have one more bit of news of a more personal nature. My father-in-law is having major surgery next week (not sure of the exact day yet). In all honesty, I spent a lot of time worrying about him this week and not a lot of time working. Well, a lot of time holding my stylus and staring at a screen but not actually accomplishing much. I don’t have any idea what next week is going to look like. I’m going to try to get an update up for you but… I can’t make a promise. Family first. I know you guys understand. Some of you are the praying sort and we could all use some of those right now. Thanks.
Last, Beth Brockhaus asked me to post a message for all of you. Here it is:
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Hey guys, Beth from the Dream Team here. In honor of Lora’s awesome Harvey Award nominations a few of us have decide to throw a party in her honor. We feel it’s a big deal and decided we want to celebrate. As her readers we know you love The Dreamer as much as we do and want you guys to be a part of the party. We want to know why you love The Dreamer. What makes you flock to your computers on Friday to read the newest pages? What is it that makes The Dreamer great?
Shoot me an e-mail with your responses at ilovethedreamer@yahoo.comand they’ll be displayed in different ways through-out the night of the party. Just put Dreamer Love in the subject header. Thanks!
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I don’t know what she has planned, but it sounds like fun. :) I’d do as she says. When she puts on her “I’m serious” face, believe me, you don’t want to mess with her.
Lastly VOTE this week to see a fabulous fan art I received from Kimberly, over in England! She did an adorable Alan & Bea sketch called, “They Used to have Fun Once,” and it was way too good to keep to myself!
Watch the blog next week–I’ll let you know if there will be an update or not. Thanks.
Love the cover! The colors in the sunset are gorgeous and Alan looks all serious. The quote kind of makes me afraid, though, all that talk about corpses :( Any foreshadowing in there? But, my 11 year old sister is now officially obsessed with the Dreamer, which makes me happy! I’m sorry about your father-in-law, take as much time as you need and you and your family will be in my prayers.
Hey there! Beautiful cover. Love the colouration there. Years ago I read the book Night and I remember being very depressed over it.
I’ll keep your father-in-law in prayers! hope all goes well.
It’s a lovely cover, but I’m not ready for what I’m pretty sure is coming down the pipes. The year is 1776, though, so… Sadness… :’(
And I’m sorry about your father-in-law. Please take as much time as you need, and we’ll all be thinking of you.
I hope everything goes well for his surgery! He will be in my prayers as well =).
I love the cover, it is gorgeous! Go Alan! And I really liked the book Night when I read for school..but i am worried if that quote is going to end up foreshadowing something horrible? I hope nothing happens to my favorite characters =)
Best wishes for your dad, Mike, and your father-in-law, Lora. My thoughts will be with him.
As for the cover, I’m SO excited about returning to 1776, Alan, and Nathan! ^-^
First of all – amazing cover! and I am due one w00t for the redesign of the website from the previous blog update. Secondly, I ordered the graphic novel!! (it was difficult though, there are only two comic book stores in Israel, and both didn’t know what I was even talking about! but nonetheless, it is on it’s way, so huzzah!). I also really really promise to donate when my exams are done. I thought of doing so not for the ever cool wallpaper, but because I’m really addicted to the dreamer, to such extant I am even reading in my spare time about the American Revolutionary War (and as a complete Anglophile – *gasp*). So when I can (hopefully soon), I’ll donate. I promise. And lastly, but ever the most important, I hope your father-in-law’s surgery will go well, and am wishing him a complete and full recovery.
My thoughts and prayers go with you, Lora.
Anyway, does this mean…no, I will NOT think about it! But I must. Does this mean that Nathan will soon…no longer be with us? I dread the thought.
You’re in my thoughts a prayers… : )
Oh, goodness! Lovely cover! Alan’s face always seems to brighten one’s mood, even if it is serious looking..! Hah… But there is a thought that is absolutely horrid!! Is Nathan going to be alright…? As in NOT DEAD in this next issue?? Oh, your skill with suspense absolutely kills me but also excites me! Haha! : )
Both the cover and the site re-design are stunning! Well done to all of you who took part in those creations!
i found you by link from the Directory Listing Script from Ash.. Nice to read your blog ^.^
Wow! Loving the new site design, it’s sleek! And the “latest pages” link is much appreciated. And the cover is gorgeous, as usual.
Keep up the great work :)
Everything looks awesome and i love the cover of issue 8! Alan is sooo gorgeous! Wish I lived close enough to go to the signing! I wish the best of luck to your father-in-law as well as the rest of the family. And of course we understand, family always, always comes first. :)
I’ll send some of my luck over to your father-in-law next week.
Corpses?! I hope it’s no one we know and love …
Wow, amazing cover, beautiful job! Alan has such delicate hands :) I love the coloring and his expression. I feel like you’ve grown so much as an artist over the course of the Dreamer… you were amazing to begin with, but now you’re amazing and THEN some! Keep up the great work!
I am sending your dad tons and tons of good vibes. I really hope things work out for your family in the best possible way. *more vibes*
That quote sounds a bit too perfect. ><
And was I the only person who related that quote to Bea first and not the actual war?
*hugs* tell your step-dad we’re all pulling for him.
I love the mood setting quote.
For those worried about Nathan …
SPOILER!!
we should have a month of 1776 time before he we you know, also another beloved character dies before him (unhappy face).
You’ll have to keep reading to find out what is meant by the quote but I’ll say this. I was thinking of it’s original context when I decided to use it for this chapter. So, uh, you all have a new book to read! :) (Disclaimer: It’s not for the feint of heart.)
Thanks for the well wishes, everyone.
Absolutly gorgous cover. I am so excited for the next updates because I prefer the 1776 over the modern time…there is more drama and romance and I love the clothes! Take your time because family does come first and he is deeply in my prayers! God bless. I<3Dreamer
Oh my gosh, I think I stared at the cover for a very long time with my mouth wide open and my eyes the sizes of saucers. lol. It’s completely amazing!! And I’m sooo glad that we’re back in 1776. I can’t wait to read more about the intensity (*cough* sexiness *cough*) behind Alan’s stare. :)
Also, I FINALLY found a frame for the commission you did for me a while ago. My parents got it professionally framed for my birthday, actually, so it’s a very pretty silver scroll. :)
Aaaah, can’t wait for the next update!
I LOOOVE the new layout! Definitely easier, and super stylish.
Alan looks so serious on the cover. It makes me, at the same time, kind of nervous and excited about this issue.
Hey Lora, I remember you mentioning a book about drawing comics, one that you found helpful and recommended (does that ring a bell?), but I’ve forgotten what the exact title was.
Fabulous job on the new website, by the way! I’ve worked on a couple of websites with my brother – enough to make me appreciate the time and talent that goes into making one as nice as this!
And I’ll be keeping you and yours in my prayers. <3
I like how in these two “transition” issues, you feature both Ben and Alan on their own covers. I’m excited to read what happens next, even though the cover and quote sound so serious! =O
You grew up in Greensburg?? We used to live there!! Lol, I even remember that mall XD
I’ll keep your father-in-law in my prayers. I’m sure his surgery will go well!
Ooooooh… Alan has his serious face on. WHAT COULD THIS MEAN???????
=D Fantastic job, as usual. My thoughts and prayers are with your family, may the lord bless you and keep you, may he make his face shine on you and be gracious to you, may the lord look upon you with favor, and give you peace.
=) Family first, always. I couldn’t agree more.
Have fun and good luck at all your upcoming events!
@Erin: I technically grew up in Jeanette, but went to school in Greensburg. At Hempfield High. :) Our football team absolutely sucked, but lately Jeannette’s team has been making quite a name for itself! Two of their star players have come out to play for Ohio State, mwa ha ha!
@ Faith: It was probably Scott McCloud’s Making Comics. And you’re right about all the time and skillz that went into this site. Mike is a madman. How lucky did I get to marry a web designer? lol. I couldn’t have planed that one any better. XD
Oh, my God. Alan Warren, you are one bloody gorgeous man!
Okay, okay, I know Nathan has had first dibs on my heart for 13 years, but, um, that is one sexy man underneath that tricorn!
Actually, he does look at lot like Rupert Friend in that picture. Which is, of course, not a problem…;)
Okay, I will try to stop sounding like a walking estrogen tank. All in all, everything looks gorgeous- the site, the art, everything! I’m anxious about this issue, because I think lovely people might start dying very soon (yes, I KNOW there’s a war on) but excited, in hopes of new characters…like one named Tallmadge…maybe? (crosses fingers)
-gasp-
-gasp-
GAAAASP.
I’m 45 minutes from Westmoreland Mall! Oh my gosh, when I read you were going to be in this area I actually screamed! You can bet you’re going to see me that day, hopefully with a copy of The Dreamer! <333 I’m so excited, I can’t wait! ^______^
And I’ll keep your family in my prayers.
just wanted to say that the site redesign is fantastic. props!
Thanks Lora! That’s the one! =)
And yes. You and Mike rock. Three cheers for an awesome couple!!!
I am looking forward to as well as dreading what will happen in this issue. >___<
Of course, nothing but the best of wishes for your father-in-law!
Oh, and again, loving the new site layout and the cover for issue 8. :]
Hey, Diana… you’re not the only one wondering if and when Pythias might show up. ;) And don’t worry, I won’t tell Damon what you said about Alan. XD < /end nerd>
I did use Rupert reference for this cover. So dreamy! XP
@Eruanna: Well, I’ll see you there! ^_^
I was just at Wizard World Chicago and for some reason I had it in my head that you were going to be there. (Reading comprehension FTL) Maybe you could give us some midwest love at C2E2 next year? I was able to support your cover artist Jenny Frison at least! We wish you all the best!
Lora,
The new site looks great! I positively love the new banner!! I’ve already bookmarked the comic, now I’m going to subscribe to the front page! That way I can stay up to date (And maybe even ahead of the reading on the Webcomic!)
Hey L, nice cover, but the opening quote really hit me, if only cuz it brings back disturbing images creaTED FROM reading “Night” in high school.
If Alan played football or Ben was a soldier, which of them would be better at whichever activity? Comments, people. :)
@Brent: For. real. I had wake-up-screaming nightmares after reading both Night and Dawn. Mike said, “No more Holocaust books for awhile!!” I dunno if it was so I could get a decent night’s sleep or so *he* could. ;) That being said, I’ve never killed someone, but I think it would mess with you, whether you’re a soldier or not, so I thought a dark quote would be fitting for this issue. As a matter of fact, I wrote the Alan-centric parts of this issue right after reading the Night trilogy.
On that note: I… don’t think Ben could kill someone. And Alan’s pretty athletic so I’m gonna put my money on Alan being a better football player than Ben would be a soldier. :) Alan’s dad was a gunsmith also, which explains why he’s so handy with the firearms.
@Court: I’ve gone to WW Chicago the past few years, which might be why you thought I was going again. But it’s just too expensive. I do a lot better at some of the mid-sized shows.
Alan should probably close the frizzen before he fires…. Still looks dramatic though