September 2023 Update
I’m really sorry guys. I still have no job prospects, and the weight of that leaves me pretty dang depressed. In my free time between job searching, I’m trying to learn software that might make me more marketable and create some portfolio pieces. I want to work on TMK, but I feel guilty whenever I think of it, even if ultimately I don’t do much of anything. Anyone reading who has Depression no doubt can understand.
So Chapter 23 will have to be pushed to October sometime. The exact date I’m not sure of, but it might be later in the month.
I’m also thinking of going back to once a week updates.
I was able to handle twice a week updates just fine, but the primary reason I did it in the first place was to garner more readers. If Google Analytics is anything to go by, that hasn’t happened. Even twice a week doesn’t seem fast enough in these days of (overworked and underpaid) Webtoon artists putting out whole mini chapters once a week.
Now, part of that is also on me. I’ve never been good at self-promotion and these days “if you build it, they will come” doesn’t really apply anymore. You gotta make videos. You gotta post to six different social media accounts. You gotta do something every day. Sometimes it’s all I can do to make a comic page. Sometimes it’s all I can do to draw anything at all. Sometimes I can’t even do that.
All this isn’t to say the comic will spontaneously stop anytime soon. I do have other stories I want to tell, and maybe I’ll take a break to work on something else just for the change of pace, but I’ve spent fourteen years on this comic. I’m not about to drop it in the home stretch.
And we are in the home stretch. The last couple of chapters have essentially been the start of Act 3. The last act.
To those of you that have continued to check in, leave nice comments, reblog things on Tumblr, and support me on Patreon: thank you. I shouldn’t rely on anyone but me to make the comic, and shouldn’t chase validation through my audience, but there’s no denying those things make a difference. Working on a webcomic can be a lonely endeavor and all those things help me feel less alone. I’m not trying to garner pity or make excuses. That’s just how things are.
If you want to stay updated on my goings on, I’m more active on Tumblr these days. I also joined Bluesky as “depleti” if you’re on there. I have the newsletter signup link in the header. I don’t send a lot of emails so you won’t get much.
Thank you all again for your support, and thank you so much for reading. <3
I don’t comment near as often as I should, but this is one of the webcomics I’ve consistently followed for the longest (for about a decade, if my tumblr history is to be believed). I will happily continue to follow it for as long as you make it, however long it takes to make, and through as many breaks as are needed. I hope things turn around for you, but meanwhile please take care of yourself first and foremost! Readers will be here when you’re ready.
Honestly, I’m just glad you’re taking time to ensure your mental health doesn’t tank completely. I just went through the job search thing and it is the worst on any semblance of sanity. As far as the comic marketing goes, there’s a reason people get degrees in that field. It’s a lot of work to get even a foot in the door with any algorithm and even people who have been studying marketing trends for years still struggle with it.
I can’t believe this comic’s in the home stretch! It feels like yesterday when I started reading, and I feel like this story is a major comfort in my life. I love checking in every week and reading the updates, and I look forward to reading the rest and rereading it for years to come. Thank you for sharing your hard work with all of us!
The lack of job prospects would be enough of a burden, without the delights of depression as well. Please, from time to time, do something you actually enjoy, however small.
If you do hugs, consider yourself hugged from afar – or a friendly shoulder punch, if that’s more your style!
We’ll be wishing you well until you find the new job that would be knocking on your door right now, if it knew what was good for it!
I feel you with all of this.
A few days ago I wanted to delete everything I ever created off the internet. I thought how easy it would be to live with not having to create anything or worry about posting all the time. I’m glad I didn’t do that, but it just sucks.
Webcomic creators have it bad. We love comics and we love sharing our stories with people. This is why I keep making comics, but sometime it feels like that feeling alone isn’t enough.
Taking a break and even switching gears a bit can really help. I’ve done it in the past to help.
Any reader worth keeping will wait for your stories.
I’m sorry you’re going through this. I know the feeling. If you can, if it interests you, try to find a group of other comic or novel writers to chat with online. You can make some great connections with people who know exactly how you feel, who can give you great advice and who can potentially form a long-lasting support system. I’m in a writers’ Discord server which I found through a Facebook group, and it’s really helped me out as a writer.
I really hope you find a job soon – a great one!
I’m sorry all this is happening for you but I will definitely be here when you are able to come back. I’m sure there are plenty of others who feel the same way.
*hugs*
And again (or rather, still): Good luck with the job search. Been there, done that, hated every frustrating second of it.
Ah yes, I know that specific job hunting depression, fingers crossed that it’s not for much longer!
I hope you got a shot of dopamine even from making this Coal doodle & update for us (and not incidentally for you) – it is a thing, and you did it. Every day, one thing, one little thing. Wipe down a countertop, it counts. Draw a pterodactyl or Loki with a Walkman, it counts. I have no idea how to pursue the jobs you’re after, but one email maybe, that counts. Prepare a cup of a nice beverage and drink it, that counts. Unplug and walk somewhere, even to the side of the road, find something with a nice texture, you can pick it up and study it or just look at it, that counts.
Job hunting depression really sucks, I know how that can feel and how hard it can be to do *anything* when it takes hold. I haven’t commented much, being a relative newcomer to this excellent comic, but I grok that the webcomic sphere is very much full of people working themselves to death to hit deadlines. My opinion is that your mental health and wellbeing is far more important than trying to hit a deadline to somehow “make it up to readers”.
Well wishes and fair seas.
I have been enjoying your work for years, with more delight than most comics or other works of literature bring to me. It’s always been the case that self-promotion demands a whole different skill set from making art, and there is no reason to expect the same people to have both sets of skills. I hope this will not stop you from creating this comic and other works. May Odin’s wisdom, Loki’s trickiness, and all the talents and gifts of the whole pantheon rub off on you and bring you to good work, livelihood, happiness… and the time to keep this story going.
Do what you need to do. We’ll still be here when you come back. (Well, I will, at least. I can’t speak for anyone else, I guess.)
Long time reader, but first time replying. Don’t feel rushed, as I’ll be here when the next page gets posted. You’re still light speed compared to some glaciers I still follow.
Oh no, please, take care about yourself first, we’ll wait whatever it takes. Good mental health of the author is essential for everyone, so take time you need to sort hard things out. I tried to recommend your comic to people who might be interested, hope a couple of people added up. Thank you for your story you are sharing with us!
Totally understand. I’m hooked on the story, so I can wait until you’re able to resume. Good hunting on the day-job front – may you find an awesome job that pays you all the money you are worth. 😀
I will gladly wait. I have been reading it too long to stop now. I wish you the best.
Take your time. The right job will come to you eventually. I have thoroughly enjoyed TMK from the first page. I can wait. The re-reads are great. Love how Coal has changed through the years.
Depression sucks and lies too. Find joy in the small things..
Hugs from Australia
I really hope the job hunt goes better than it has so far and you wind up with a fantastic day job.
I don’t comment anywhere near as the comic deserves, but your comic is truly a treasure. I can see how much love and care you put into art, plot and research, and it’s one of my favourites. I’ve dropped many webcomics over the years when depressed or stressed or just plain worn out, but TMK is a mainstay for me.
TMK is among the best comics I’ve ever read and I can’t imagine the work that must go into it. Good luck, and whenever you’re ready we’ll be here 🙂
I don’t know if this will help with your depression at all — and I’m really sorry things are going the way they are for you– I thought of this webcomic today. I fell off reading it 5+ years ago (not for any lack of quality! I fell off a lot of things) and was trying to think of comics that I had really followed closely over time, that had impacted me. Even not reading it for years, I remembered the quality and clarity of the storytelling and emotional beats, the depth and heart in the characters. It’s hard to make comics, especially ones that take a while to tell — and life often steps in the way. However you’re doing right now, you made (and may continue to make) a very good thing for readers. CONGRATULATIONS, seriously, on sticking with it, comics are so hard to finish. You’re almost there. You’re in the home stretch. Your work is quality, and I hope that a paying job sees that worth and compensates you adequately. Take care of yourself.
I’ve been following along from page 5 of this comic and I am more than willing to wait a little longer to see its end. <3 You do you for a little while and hopefully the once a week updates could take some of the pressure off too when you decide you're ready to come back. We're all rooting for you, you have such a remarkable talent for storytelling- thanks for posting so we could enjoy it! Hang in there <3
Hang in there.
Whatever troubles you’re going through, you can overcome them. Depression sucks but everyone who follows your work is glad to see new things whenever you release them, so don’t beat yourself up about delays or output pace. We’ll be here to find out how this tale ends when you’re able to tell it.
I think you’re extremely talented and worthy of great things, even though it might seem they’re not coming anytime soon. We don’t mind waiting as long as you need to, the priority here is your wellbeing, or your fine-enough-being (at least that’s what I call it when “well” being seems completely off the table as an option). A big big hug if you’re an affectionate type. 🙂
I must say, I adored the exercise posted on the depleti tumblr – all the little expression shots of these characters, my gosh what a treasure. *mwah*
Just hang in there. Most days it is all I can do just to place one foot forward, just take that one step at a time and you will walk past the darkness and into better days. I will just keep popping in to see if any new comments and hopefully an update.
You’re great, and doing what you can. Just take care of you and try get out of depression, you deserve it.
Thanks for everything you created this far! When you will be better, we will resume enjoing your comic.
I hope you have a better year this year 🙂
Happy New Year!