Requesting Input: Future Chapter Release Schedules
So since we’re roughly halfway through Chapter 2 of NINE GATES I thought I’d ask for some help from people that likely have more experience with webcomic release schedules. Currently I alternate every week between drawing the lines of two pages and then coloring those two pages the next week. This works great for getting out a page a week but it also begins to get sort of taxing after a while.
I want to know what you think, so reply to me here. Should I continue as I am? Take some time to do the entirety of the next chapter and then work on the chapter after that while releasing a page weekly? Something else?
Find my other things here:
Twitter if you want to see sketches of future characters and concepts,
or non-NINE GATES art (And if you wanna know when a post like this goes up): https://twitter.com/SomaDrawsArt
Patreon if you want to send me some money: https://www.patreon.com/NINEGATES
-Soma
It seems like you’ve already received some good advice, and in light of your goal, to foster an active community you can interact with, I think the suggestion to take your time to build up a buffer and maybe post non-spoiler art or details of the world is personally my choice. I read several comics (Marblegate, Ikon, Datachasers, Unsounded, The Gentle Wolf, Byrnberry) where the authors obviously spend a lot of time crafting their characters and world, so it really interests me when they share background information. I’ve always loved character creation and world building, so finding out how actual published authors approach it and what they have come up with fascinates me.
I could probably use the blogpost section of this site to post little things about characters. Either here or on Twitter.
I’ve never used Twitter before and don’t really have an interest in it, but I can appreciate the convenience for some folks. I grew up when personal computers were just gaining ground in households (the 80’s), so by the time things like Twitter came along I was already past my prime for learning social media stuff. I’m likely in the minority on that note, but just wanted to add my 2 cents in case it mattered. 🙂
I like this and wouldn’t change anything.
I’d just concentrate on finding time to build up a ‘buffer’ for when things go wrong, and they will.
I for one get a little worried when something just stops dead with no warning and having a few pages or even just random art to post lets us know you’re alright.
Even a ‘from the sketchbook’ or just a character page once in awhile to slip the regular page for the week into that buffer would be nice.
Not everyone can afford to hire a colourist and even if you can, you’ll know it’s done the way you want it if you do it yourself, everything looks good so far so why tinker with it ?
Yeah, once I finish chapter 2 (We’re in the latter half right now) I think I’ll take a few weeks off to work on building up a buffer, and that’ll probably be how I operate from now on.
That’s a good idea, just make sure to post something so we know and if it’s going to take longer, please tell us !!
A lot of comics just stop dead with no warning and I never know if they’re coming back late or at all.
Yeah I try to always make sure people know what’s going on because I’m the same way. Plus the biggest goal I have with NINE GATES is to foster a healthy and active community that I can interact with, so it just makes sense.
I’m a reader not a producer so this may not be sound advice, but I see Nine Gates as in the phase of building an audience, so I wouldn’t advise stopping uploads. However, I’ve seen two other methods that might be helpful. First, don’t color, or don’t color everything. Get the story out and then hire a colorist when it makes sense. Alternatively, go to every other week or every third week. You have to build up a buffer or you will burn out. So many great comics abandoned when their creators burned out. Just food for thought.
I previously did every other week, which worked well enough but honestly I’m too impatient. It would be like three or four years before this portion of the story was finished as opposed to one or two, I do plan to hire a colorist at some point though.
Maybe a solution is to slow down for now and then speed up once it no longer seems excessive to hire a colorist.