Vol 4 Cover; So Many Delays (Patreon)

In keeping with the recent tradition of showing off my lack of artistic ability, here's the sketch for The Alchemist cover. (That's supposed to be a volcano in the background.) I was due multiple pieces of art this week, but wouldn't you know it, production gets less reliable in the run-up to Thanksgiving.

It's been hard to get any movement on Volume 2, which was supposed to be out by now. First, I left my backpack in Ottawa, stranding some chapter drafts and sketched ideas in another country. Then, US Customs decided got snerty about my paperwork for "unaccompanied baggage." I reacquired the long-lost backpack, but it's been hard to get back into book production because of my day job.

And now I'm having trouble getting art done because, apparently, artists have lives. Go figure.

Despite all that, the chapters keep coming. Apprentices should receive their installments without interruption through Christmas at a minimum.