Hi everyone! Back from holidays and have an important message:

Here's the short version: due to concerns with US taxes, energy levels, and passion, I'll not be accepting commissions traditionally for the foreseeable future.

What do I mean by "traditionally"? I won't be considering writing ideas (or drawing, though I've no idea why someone would want me for that yet) for money. This reduces a good deal of stress on my part, prevents me from losing money overall due to the ridiculous issues of US tax law and tax program pricing, and means I can focus on pursuing my passions with my free time instead of money I've yet to meaningfully use. It wasn't as though it was helping me achieve financial independence, even if I got all the commissions I could ever want, the money was more demotivating than motivating, and I wasn't always getting to produce the work I felt best about through it. So...no more commissions!

So...how will I produce work requested by other people, then? As trades, collaborations, or exchanges!

1. Trades - In exchange for an art piece in your style I'd enjoy, I will write a story you're interested in! This has to be discussed before-hand, though; if you surprise me with an image, there's no guarantee I'll write a story for you. Once we've settled on ideas we're happy with, we work simultaneously and exchange drafts and finished products!
2. Collaborations - We work together on the same project or related projects! I love doing this, and I almost want this more than trades. If we're both passionate about an idea, I'd love to pool our talents and insights and make something together!
3. Exchanges - For non-artists/writers/creators, you can still participate! If you really want a story from me, talk with me about possibly commissioning an artist for a piece I'd like in exchange for me writing you a story. Again, this has to be discussed prior. In fact, I'd rather not be surprised with art you've commissioned of my characters at all (unless you're an extremely close friend, in which case you know who you are); talk with me, and we'll see what's a good exchange. =)

Will this disappoint people? Probably... Is it a tad convoluted? Yeah. But thank the US tax system for that. You can still request non-specific things, or specific things involving only my characters, and I might do them! But otherwise...this is how things will go until either I get both enough income and interest to make paid tax programs not a net loss or feel as though accepting commissions is a requirement for me to continue living.

Cheers!