I’ve decided to start selling my book from my own place instead of through a third party. Why? Because I really want to see how this stuff works. Plus, I think it’ll be fun.

I haven’t always thought this way, mind you. In fact, when I first decided to create a book, I was stricken with fear as to how to send stuff out in the mail. I was worried about how I was going to keep up with orders, how I would label things, what packages I would need, how much to charge for postage, etc. Some of those fears are warranted but most of them are silly. The learning curve is pretty slow with these things, one can stand to take a few chances and learn along the way. That’s what I aim to do.

Why the change? I was listening to Truth2U Radio and Jono Vandor (the host) was interviewing Clint Branham of Awakened Church about a DVD this guy creates and sends out for free. When Jono asked him how he could afford such a thing, Clint basically stated two things that enabled it: 1. He uses his tithe money, and 2. He’s learned ways to save money with the process. Now,  I’m not about to use tithe money to send out Perk at Work books for free to everyone, but I do want to learn how to send stuff out cheaply.

The guys over at Webcomics.com have spoken about this subject but, at the time I was listening, I was so far from creating a book that the info just went over my head. I couldn’t imagine being at the level that those guys were at. But I have to tell myself that they weren’t always pros. They too had to learn. I need to start believing that one day I may be at their level. And to do so, I need to do the same thing they did – learn as I go.

Another reason I’m excited about selling the book from my home base is that I am currently working on Book Two. I can’t wait to get it to print and hold it in my hands. It’s my goal to have that book available by mid July.

So if you haven’t already, pick up Perk at Work Vol. 1 – “Open for Business”. It’s the complete first year and change. Folks seem to get a kick out of seeing my drawing style change over the course of the book. They also like the gags so that makes me happy. Click here to check it out!

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Too often, we are led to feel guilty by people wanting us to give to charity. Well, here’s a proponent of charity who will put his money where his mouth is. Bearman at Bearman Cartoons has recently started his “Third Annual Bearman Cartoons Charity Challenge.” It’s an initiative with a twist.

Notice the ad on this page to the right of this blog. By placing this on my site, dear old Bearman will cough up $5 to feed the hungry by way of the Cincinnati FreeStore Foodbank. But placing an ad on a site isn’t the only way to get him to donate. Last year I came across Bearman Comics right as he was doing the Charity Challenge 2010. I followed him on Twitter and he donated some cash because of it. I was new to Twitter and all this social media stuff and it really opened my eyes to the possibilities.

Check out what he’s doing at http://beartoons.com/2011/05/01/bearman-cartoons-charity-challenge-2011. If you’re like me, you’ll stick around and chuckle at his comics. I really like his stuff because it’s such a refreshing view on editorial cartoons. Some of the ones in the paper and such are a bit stuffy for me. Beartoons kicks pop culture and politics in the groin and makes it funny.

I wish Bearman the best in this effort. Take a few seconds and give him a visit. You’ll be glad you did.

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Over the last year, I have had to dial back my efforts in many aspects of my life. The problem was that I had stuffed too much into my days. And, when something came up, my whole schedule got out of whack. Basically, I allowed no time for emergencies. In fact, I didn’t really allow time for rest.

That worked for a little while, then my life started to fall apart. There’s no balance in a schedule that’s jam-packed with work all day, every week. I had to cut back.

I have heard – and I have noted in a previous blog – that the secret to doing more is to do less. I’m still trying to wrap my brain around that. But strangely, it works. Yet it doesn’t work the way we think it would. When I was working all day, I was producing more, but the product wasn’t as good. When I dropped down from seven comics a week to five, the quality improved. Then I dropped down from five to three and the quality improved even more. Now I’m at two a week and I’m seeing an improvement in writing and art.

Most importantly, I’ve allowed time to do nothing and I’m at peace.

I have also cut back/discontinued/tabled other projects I had going on. I look back at what I used to produce and what I produce now and I wonder how I ever did it. Then again, I was feeling drained all the time.

Something wonderful happens when we plan to do nothing: suddenly pockets of time to spend with other people are made available. Just the other night, I called up a buddy of mine to see if he wanted to get some exercise. The old me would have seen the time walking and hanging out as a comprimise to my work. Now I’ve come to the realization that the time spent with my friend was worth far more than any additional work I could have done.

The world won’t notice that I haven’t drawn another comic but, if I wasn’t spending time with people, sometimes doing nothing, I would notice it.

I’m glad I didn’t get too into my work at the expense of my friendships. No amount of success is worth that.

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