Originally, I was scheduled to be situated at Table II-24 in Artists Alley, located in Hall G, but through dumb luck and incredible timing, I can now be found at Table O-01 in the Small Press section located towards the rear of Hall B.
Above is the 5ft by 6ft banner that will be displayed behind my table, so that people will have an easier time finding me.
Obviously, the focus will be on selling copies of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS. While people can purchase the book for the cover price of $35.99 plus CA sales tax, due to costs of appearing at Comic-Con, I’ve added a couple of options to help defray those costs.
Other options include $50 for the book and my signature (personalization optional at no extra charge) which includes CA sales tax. The 3rd option is $75 which includes a hand-drawn sketch of Lara-Su (sample shown below), as well as both items autographed. Price also includes CA sales tax.
I’ll also have available the following new prints offered for the 1st time:
Sonic’s Cast of Characters, available for $40 which includes CA sales tax
Along with this print featuring Shadow for $35, which includes signature and CA sales tax.
Then there are the Unit patches and Lara-Su T-shirts.
1 patch is $10, 2 are $16, 3 are $21 and all 4 are $25. T-Shirts are $30 available in various adult & child sizes.
The reason I’m stressing the CA sales tax is due to new business realities. I live in CA, the event is taking place in CA, and CA residents are paying CA sales tax already when they buy a copy of BEGINNINGS through my website. That’s money that I have to report. Considering I use Square payment as my platform of transacting business at the convention, there’s no choice in the matter when it comes to collecting sales tax and reporting it. I’m actually in the process of incorporating Floating Island Productions, so this all a big step for me.
In addition, I’ll also have a selection of original art, other prints and a number of back issues, most of which I never worked on. The reason for this is when I added random SONIC or KNUCKLES issues to the pre-order packages, that meant I still had a lot of issues I hadn’t worked on, so I’m making these available in my SONIC $10 BOX for people to pick through.
To make it easy for people to find me, I’ve included the map above showing I’ll be located in the SMALL PRESS area in HALL B at Table O-01 between aisles 1800 and 1700 in the rear section.
If anyone has any questions after this, please email me and I’ll try to respond as best as I can these days. Thanks and take care.
It’s been a little more than a week since the first copies of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS were packaged and taken to the Post Office for shipping to their intended recipient. And while that was going on, more orders started to roll in, people began receiving their copies, and the emails started arriving at my In-box full of compliments and plenty of questions regarding what’s next.
People even began sharing pictures of the contents of the packages they received, resulting in more inquiries sent my way. When’s the LARA-SU APP coming out, many wondered. (NOTE TO EVERYONE: it’s being worked on with a release date to be announced for sometime later this year.)
It’s taken me a long time to get here, but one only gets one chance to make a great first impression, and I was determined to get this right. And by all accounts, I succeeded. So much so, this one book is about to be the catalyst for more than a few future releases under the FLOATING ISLAND PRODUCTIONS MOBIAN LINE banner.
It’s necessary to take stock at this moment, because THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES could’ve fallen flat out of the gate. I could’ve misread a number of items. In the end, though, everyone who supported this project confirmed what I believed deep down.
Contrary to the naysayers, there was an audience for this project. More than that, the audience showed they could get behind a good story even if it didn’t feature Sonic and /or Knuckles. The audience also showed a genuine affection for the characters who weren’t Sonic and Knuckles.
Going further, the audience didn’t care that neither Archie, SEGA or IDW were releasing this project. This was support for the creator, and believe me, I can’t begin to tell you how many notes were written on the orders or the emails sent that expressed congratulations, support, and what I and my stories meant to so many of you while you were growing up. And yeah, I did get choked up reading all your kind words.
When I initially expressed my ambition to aim for a global audience instead of just restricting myself to the USA and Canada, again I was told I was aiming too high. But it turns out you guys are everywhere and that my audience really is global. Packages were sent to Canada, the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Poland, France, Sweden, Mexico, Brazil, Ireland with now Austria about to come online shortly.
And when I marketed patches, T-shirts, prints and assorted other items, I was again told it was too soon, that I should instead wait until the book was released. But yet again, you guys were there to support my efforts, and sales are now so brisk I may either have to re-order more T-shirts or come up with a new design. Maybe both.
My goal initially was to get the LARA-SU APP released this summer at Comic-Con, but when a printing representative met with me at Comic-Con 2023, that set the ball rolling for the release of BEGINNINGS to take priority. No matter how many escape hatches I left for myself to pull the plug on this thing, it was you guys who made it clear you wanted this.
Now that the book is here, everyone’s asking “What’s next?”
For the past week or so, I’d been bouncing ideas off the wall while packaging up everyone’s order. The item highest on the priority list at this time is THE LARA-SU APP, which I’m moving forward with full steam ahead once I get past Comic-Con. The app will be key to releasing future segments of SHATTERED TOMORROWS until the story is complete. Then the entire story will be collected and released as a hardcover edition similar to BEGINNINGS.
But while I’m working on that, I have other people assisting with the assembly of (tentatively titled) SCOTT SHAW!’S SONIC TALES (although I’m leaning towards SCOTT SHAW!’S SONIC DAZE), a volume collecting all of Scott’s published work along with a few surprises. In addition, work is proceeding similarly on KEN PENDERS’ KNUCKLES OMNIBUS Vol. 1. I have a few ideas for the extra features, but I’d like to talk with the printer first to see what’s feasible without sending the price into the stratosphere at the same time.
All of the aforementioned projects will fall under what I call the FLOATING ISLAND PRODUCTIONS MOBIAN LINE. With the exception of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES, the projects I’ve just mentioned will collect and republish only previously published stories and art. There will be no new material beyond any special features that go into the creation of these stories originally. So whatever storylines featuring Sonic and Knuckles that were not resolved while under the Archie banner, those will stay unresolved. The only way possible moving forward on that front is if IDW wanted to come to some arrangement. But I’m not counting on it and I doubt it will ever happen.
Regarding seeing the material in other formats, that’s off the table for the foreseeable future. For one, I don’t have a staff at this time beyond those few individuals assisting me. For another, I don’t want to flood the market for a quick cash grab. I want the FIP MOBIAN LINE to represent a quality product which has stood the test of time.
Another front in which FIP will go beyond Archie, IDW and others who don’t pay creators any royalties for any work reprinted, FIP actually offers an advance against royalties before the material is even published. It may not be as much as I’d like to offer, but I hope to do better as FIP establishes itself in the marketplace.
Just to be clear, my goal remains nothing less than the complete restoration of the entire SONIC line of books published from 1992 through 2017, with the intent to make it a vehicle as something that provides for the creators who contributed by keeping the material perpetually in print.
At this time, I’m working with a number of those creators in order to get this effort off the ground. I’ll inform everyone what’s happening and who’s involved at the proper time. All I ask is patience and to not think I’m rude by not responding to any questions concerning FIP’s plans at this time. There’s still a lot to work out and I really don’t want to get ahead of myself.
Sales of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS have been brisk, if not consistent to say the least. Beyond selling the amount I expect to @Comic_Con, just the daily sales put me on track for a complete sellout of my initial order of copies by late August or early September at the absolute latest. At that time, I’ll probably resort to pre-orders once again to determine interest in figuring out how big the next print run should be.
In fact, pre-orders will be conducted for every FIP release to determine which projects see the light of day or not.
I’ve been currently working long hours to catch up so I’m no more than a day or two behind in sending out the orders as opposed to being a week or so behind. As it is, I’ve been popping into the Post Office just minutes before they close in order to carry in as many orders as I can.
Another item I’ve been getting a lot of questions concerns the subject of commissioned art. I’m currently wrapping up work on one with three people already waiting in line. To be honest, I’m not looking for the extra work as I have more than enough on my plate to keep me busy for the next year and beyond. I’d rather spend what free time I do have with my friends and family.
One item I won’t be engaging in public discussions concerns the copyrights of the material FIP plans on featuring in the new collections. The vast majority of people commenting clearly have never tried a case in court, think they know copyright law from what they see on Google or have my years of experience dealing with the subject. There is only one way any legal action will be resolved: with a settlement that benefits all parties involved. I have great representation and they would be the ones dealing with matters should they arise.
While racing to get everyone’s packages out, I’m also focusing on attending @Comic-Con. I’ll be situated at Table II-24 in Artists Alley during the entire event. Bernie will be out there assisting me throughout the event, with various friends and family stopping by as they usually do. I’ll have more to say about that later, but for now…
Thanks, everyone! You made all the effort I put into THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS very much worthwhile. It wouldn’t have been possible without your support.
Normally when someone orders a print, a T-shirt, a back issue or two, or whatever, it’s generally out the door and on its way in less than 24 hours. If the timing is right, I’ve been known to have the package ready and at the Post Office in under 12.
At the moment, as I’ve been responding to everyone who’s ordered within the past 24 hours, I’m currently filling purchases in the order they’ve been received. Ever since the shipment of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS arrived, I’ve been filling orders at a steady clip and have gotten over 80 out the door since yesterday and currently working to get more out today.
At the present rate, I estimate it’s going to take me at least a week to get all the remaining pre-ordered copies packaged and on their way.
However, ever since people started receiving their pre-ordered copies yesterday, I’ve been receiving nothing but accolades for the book. And they must be telling their friends, as I sure haven’t been doing any heavy sell since I started shipping the books this past Friday.
As a result, sales of BEGINNINGS are going absolute gangbusters. I’ve received more orders in less than 24 hours than I have in some months during the pre-sale. Which brings me to the point of this message.
For the first time since I opened my website store, it’ll be awhile before I’m able to ship anything out the door in under 24 hours. As the latest orders are coming in, the people who ordered yesterday may not see their copies ship until late next week, but the orders following them could spill into the following week.
As anyone who follows me knows, I like to be completely transparent and upfront with my audience. At the moment, I’m primarily a one-person operation that’s currently experiencing some growing pains, and I suspect that’s only going to get compounded as word of mouth spreads and more projects are in preparation for future release.
The reaction I’m receiving for BEGINNINGS has been most gratifying for which I’m truly and humbly appreciative. My only response is that I’m just getting started. Thanks for your patience and understanding in the meantime.
What everyone is seeing in the pic above are the contents of one package that someone who pre-ordered a copy of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS will be receiving by next Wednesday. The next package will contain an issue from the KNUCKLES series with the pattern repeating in a similar manner. (Not pictured is the stiff piece of foam core inserted in every package or the mylar bag everything is packaged in to ensure nothing arrives damaged.)
Since I don’t have 200 copies or so of any one issue in particular from either the SONIC or KNUCKLES series, I decided the fairest way to insert that random SONIC or KNUCKLES issue as promised was to start with the earliest issues on hand sent to the people who have waited the longest for their copy, and work my way up from there. For the record, I played no favorites.
Also keep in mind some of the books do show a little wear, particularly some of the early ones, but they’re still in collectible shape.
Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, I can now report at least 25 orders have been completely processed and shipped. 24 will be arriving by Monday or Tuesday at the latest. A couple may arrive to their buyers possible sooner due to their proximity from me. The odd one out is the first being shipped to Canada, which may take 6 to 10 days before it arrives.
I plan on spending a few hours after this packaging more books for their buyers tonight. If I get back from an appointment in time tomorrow afternoon, I hope to have enough time to make it to the Post Office. If not, Monday will be a REALLY BIG batch shipping out.
In all honesty, I estimate it’ll take me 8 to 10 days before all the orders are filled, and that’s not counting any orders being placed in the meantime until then. So I ask for patience and understanding in the meantime. It’s only me behind the curtain and I have no munchkins available to help with this part of the operation.
To end on a high note, the women of Bernie’s book club have gathered at our home tonight as it was Bernie’s turn to host. Bernie brought up my new book as a topic of conversation, and the women expressed unanimous interest. The result? After checking it out, they all wanted to buy a copy. Who knew the characters and story had that much universal appeal?
In the meantime, it’s back to work. And if anyone has a question, just ask. Take care.
After all the time, effort, blood, sweat & tears, the complete shipment of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS has arrived. The complete order arrived at the company owned by my next door neighbor, who graciously offered to store 200 cartons of books while I prepare for shipping the pre-ordered copies and take my show on the road to comic conventions.
Upon confirming the order was delivered full and complete, I loaded up the car with 30 boxes worth, most of which the copies are already spoken for, but mainly to gauge what kind of space I’d have available for everything else I’m bringing to Comic-Con in addition to the 30 cartons of books.
As you can see, more than enough room left for the original art, prints, suitcases and everything else I’m bringing to the show. (And yes, we own a Hyundai Ioniq 5, which gets great mileage when fully charged.)
The books are now on our dining room table where I am preparing to fill everyone’s order as specified by their choices and requests. Because we’re on the cusp of the weekend, I’ve decided to take my time and check everything thoroughly so no mistakes are made. Whatever I get packaged between now and Monday morning will be taken to the Post Office nearby first thing Monday morning. I will then rinse and repeat on a daily basis until all the orders are filled.
While the initial promotional offer has officially ended, I will include the Lara-Su Print I had made as part of the promotional offer with any new order as long as supply lists. (So don’t delay as I estimate I over-printed by about 30.)
If anyone has any questions, they are welcome to email me. While I can’t promise an immediate response, I will respond ASAP within 24 hours.
This is only the beginning. Besides getting ready for Comic-Con, once all the pre-ordered copies have shipped, my focus will be on getting the LARA-SU APP ready for release as well as working on the next chapter of SHATTERED TOMORROWS. I already have someone working on inserting the pages in the digital file for KEN PENDERS’ KNUCKLES OMNIBUS Vol. 1. All of these things will be discussed in greater detail later.
Right now, I simply want to focus on getting people their copy (or copies) of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES they have so patiently waited for. Once copies go in the mail on Monday, June 24, those recipients living in the USA should start receiving their copies on Wednesday, June 26, most certainly by Thursday, June 27, dependent on one’s location and mail service in one’s area.
And whether one feels good, bad or indifferent after receiving the book, I really want to hear what people liked, disliked, felt could be improved on, whatever. Thanks for your support in the meantime and take care.
The above image is a snapshot of the Port of Los Angeles. While the cargo ship in the foreground isn’t the ship that brought the shipment of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS to America, it’s a visual stand-in in order to explain what the delay for receiving the copies is all about.
Up to this point, everyone involved in the production and transport of the book carried out their part without problem and on schedule. In the case of the printer, that company did outstanding work keeping everything on track and moving forward while I kept adding detail and revising material even beyond the date I was told to submit everything in order to have the books printed and shipped in time for Comic-Con.
As the books made their way across the Pacific Ocean, the Logistics company tracking my shipment – along with many other containers on that ship, I’m sure – kept me informed of the boat’s progress throughout the journey, arriving at the Port of Los Angeles on the date promised weeks ago.
As you’ll notice in the pic above, it isn’t just one boat arriving and waiting to be unloaded, there are at least 3 cargo ships in the immediate vicinity. If you look at the yard next to the harbor, you’ll notice a number of containers awaiting to be transported to their final destination. What you’re looking at is only a small fraction of the immense port and the amount of cargo being handled through the busiest port in the United States. On a global scale, the port is the 10th busiest.
THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS sits on 4 pallets in one of those containers that has been offloaded from the ship to somewhere in the yard along with all the other containers transported on the same cargo ship. At this time, yard operations is sorting all the shipments in preparation for loading onto a truck or a train for transport elsewhere.
I received email a few hours ago that stated my order was being prepared for loading onto a truck sometime later today – Wednesday, June 19th, PST – for delivery sometime on Thursday, June 20th, at the earliest but no later than Friday, June 21st.
Once I receive word the books have reached their final destination, I’ll head over to the warehouse to transport enough copies to fill all the pre-orders received thus far.
This has been a learning experience from start to finish. In the process, I’ve set up a publishing company capable of taking a project from start to finish and selling it on a global basis. This wouldn’t have been possible without having established through the years enough of a following that was invested in seeing not only where I took the story next, but that I always delivered on what I promised, especially when conducting business through the years.
BEGINNINGS isn’t just the title of a book. It’s also a promise of more to come. And I never promise what I can’t deliver on. Thanks and take care.
There are now only 10 days left before my shipment of copies of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS arrives at the warehouse where they will be stored while I’m filling online orders thru my store page elsewhere on this website as well as selling copies at conventions.
Anyone ordering a copy of my book during the next 10 days will also receive a Limited Edition Lara-Su Print plus a randomly selected issue of SONIC or KNUCKLES I worked on, both signed by me. In addition, their name will be listed in the SPECIAL THANKS pages of the THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: SHATTERED TOMORROWS graphic novel as well as the SPECIAL THANKS section of the LARA-SU APP.
At this time, the books are scheduled to arrive at the Port of Los Angeles on Tuesday, June 11. I will make an announcement once I have confirmation of arrival. After that, I will be contacted by US Customs whereupon I will have 24 hours to pay the import tax. Once that transaction is completed, a trucking company arranged by the printer will load my shipment and deliver the copies to their destination.
After June 15, the promotion ends, but I will still be taking orders as the ONLY way anyone can purchase a copy between June 15 and July 22 is by ordering thru my website store page. Between July 23 and July 30, I will be ensconced in San Diego selling copies from my table (II-24) located in Artists Alley during the San Diego Comic-Con, so any online orders during that timeframe won’t be in the mail until July 31.
My gameplan at this time is to sell my book either thru my website or at conventions held throughout the country. Any discussions with distributors such as Diamond, Amazon, Scholastic and others will occur during my time in San Diego and should the status quo change, I’ll announce that as well.
Once I announce the pre-orders have begun to ship, the bulk of my work will essentially be complete. Once people start telling their friends about the book, I’m very confident people will want to see for themselves and pick up their own copy. What I say after this point doesn’t matter, as the audience will determine what happens next.
I just received email stating the cargo ship containing all 2000 copies of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS has left the dock and is now heading out to the high seas. The ship is expected to arrive at the Port of Los Angeles by June 15. Once the books clear customs and are delivered to the warehouse for storage, I’ll begin processing all the pre-orders.
The first batch of copies will be in the mail starting June 20. They will be sent Priority Mail to USA recipients, who should then be receiving their copies along with the promised promotional items within 2 to 3 days later, depending on the service in their area. Those individuals living outside the US will have their order processed in order they were received (along with everyone else) but it could take anywhere from a week to three weeks before they receive their orders. The type service required to ensure quick shipping along with tracking and insurance would’ve made the packages prohibitively expensive.
I should have all current pre-orders in the mail by no later than July 3. I will be working to have them all out sooner, but there’s only 1 of me, and I will be more concerned about accuracy than speed so I don’t send anything to the wrong address or not signed properly.
The current promotion of including a 5 x 7 Limited Edition Signed Lara-Su print plus a randomly-selected issue of either SONIC or KNUCKLES issue I worked on signed by me comes to an end on June 15. The only upcoming promotion will be held at the San Diego Comic-Con, of which details will be made available later. So for those not attending Comic-Con, I suggest getting your orders in before June 15. I fully believe once people began receiving their copies and telling all their friends how much the liked BEGINNINGS, there will be a made rush before I run out of copies.
At this time, there are no plans to reprint THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS as I will be focused on getting the LARA-SU APP ready for release as well getting production for KEN PENDERS’ KNUCKLES OMNIBUS underway. Beyond that, I will be working on more SHATTERED TOMORROWS pages, as there’s a lot of story to tell. (The current script is approx. 160 pages currently. Chances are that could increase.)
Between the pre-orders and copies I’m pulling for Comic-Con, that leaves me with 1400 copies available for sale. As copies get pulled for convention appearances, that decreases the amount for store orders, so if you don’t want to miss out, sooner is better than later.
Following San Diego, I’m in the planning stages for the following cities for upcoming appearances: Toronto, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco for 2024. I’m hoping to make the scene in Miami, Chicago and Boston for 2025. I’m also up for other locations but that depends on a variety of factors. I’ll keep everyone posted on what’s happening once I work out and confirm all the details.
In the meantime, I thank everyone for their words of encouragement and support. I look forward to hearing from you with your reactions to the book. You can send your comments HERE.
Many people see the above image and see a homage to my favorite band of all time. The cover art of their album MEET THE BEATLES! (US Release) was iconic and also one of my favorites. Thus, I thought this would be a positive way to introduce my characters to a general audience.
But the above illustration isn’t just a homage. Far from it. It’s also a family portrait of blood relatives.
Right now, most of you are asking who is the character in the lower right corner. As I’ve been telling everyone who asks, his name is Xero, and how he’s related to the women pictured above is part of the narrative of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES.
Chances are I may reveal hints of his backstory by the time SHATTERED TOMORROWS comes to a close. Then again, I may leave it up to the readers to guess until a follow-up novel is released.
The plan is for 7 books to comprise the complete saga of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES, which I have mapped out an overall arc while leaving room for surprises to spring up along the way.
Among those surprises are amazing backstories for characters such as Lien-Da, Director Remington, Spectre, Sabre and Geoffrey St John. Equally surprising is the direction the future takes for Lara-Su, Salma, Rutan, Jaker and many others.
My point in calling attention to the sublimal detail in the illustration is that the storytelling in THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES is told in layers. There are many details planted along the way that don’t necessarily call attention upon first reading, but they’re there to go back to as the story unfolds.
I couldn’t do this during the original run on SONIC and KNUCKLES as I never had full control of both story and art, but I do now. Breadcrumbs are already being laid.
I know from the reaction I received from those who saw my approval copy of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS is the book will sell itself when people see the real deal. What I’m waiting to hear are the reactions to the story, especially the new material.
Those who pre-ordered should be able to express themselves by the end of June / beginning of July. It’s now less then 2 months when the San Diego crowd will have their say.
The first who can guess Xero’s backstory will win an original pen & ink drawing of Xero signed by me. Guesses can be sent here. Take care.
I must admit I’ve have been gratified as well as amused by the reactions of people to my upcoming release of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS.
I particularly enjoy the postings that go all out to tear me and/or the project down.
I have just this to say to them: Thank you.
You go ahead and have your fun, post your memes, whatever. Have at it as much as you want. All you’re doing is making people who enjoy my work aware of it, so they’re then motivated to check it out and see what all the fuss is about. Their reaction is generally, “Hey, I enjoyed Ken’s work back in the day. It was special to me, and if this is what he’s doing now, I want to check it out.” Which usually results in another sale and more $ in my pocket.
As for those actually ordering THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS simply to criticize the work, create new memes, whatever, that’s still $ in my pocket.
I WIN EITHER WAY.
Especially since the printing and shipping were paid by those who ordered it. The book can now be considered a success. It’s also a better product than Archie or IDW ever offered to the fans. I couldn’t be happier.
So, yeah, thanks for your support. It’s appreciated. I’m enjoying life in the meantime with the people who are special to me and doing what I enjoy.
