It’s time for another caption contest. Come up with a caption for this comic by 10/30, posting your comment in the comments section on my Facebook Fan Page. or send me a tweet on Twitter with @UnearthedComics in it with your caption. Last round was hilarious so I look forward to seeing what you come up with this time.
Caption Contest!
Kickstarter EXTRA and update – 5 days to go!
OK- so I’m starting to sweat just a little bit because I am at 59% with only 5.5 days to go. The awesome thing is that I have 65 backers who are soooo amazing and have already shown their support. Now I just need your wonderful help to close the small gap so I can get this awesome science comic book created. So here’s what I am going to do:
- Everyone who pledges over $15 can get drawn into my special team photo
- I’m now adding 15% never-before-released comics into my book. This means if you are a backer and get this book, you get to see this secret stuff!
- I’m going to do one more giveaway that is ONLY for backers of my comic. You can back it at any level in order to win.
So now’s the time to back my Kickstarter project so you can be part of this great book and join in on the fun. Only 5.5 days left so don’t delay!
Thank you! I Made My Main Kickstarter Goal!
Wow! Thank you sooooo very much to all of my fans, friends, and family who took the time to support my comic book and back my Kickstarter project. With just under a day to go, we reached my main goal which means that Unearthed Comics: Unearthing Science, the book, along with the rewards, is a GO! I am almost speechless. As a creative, it means more than just reaching a goal to be able to make something you love; it also means validation of your voice and creations by a loving community. So, to be honest, I sat in disbelief for a bit and then cried out of happiness. It takes a lot to put oneself out into the world and to get such loving feedback is just more than anyone can ask. So thank you and thank you again. I am so grateful for you all!
So if more people would like to back my project and help me reach the first stretch goal of $5K, I will be adding pages to my book. If I hit $6K before it closes at 12noon PST on 10/31, then I will also be including a new decal to all of my supporters who pledged over $15. There are also other stretch goals beyond that which are listed on my project, if you are interested.
I will be updating how I am completing the project here a bunch in the next few weeks so stay tuned. And thank you again for all of your help and support! I fully appreciate all of your efforts and am grateful for you!
Kickstarter a success!
Hooray! My Kickstarter campaign for my book Unearthed Comics: Unearthing Science was a success thanks to all of you! Thank you so very much for your time, money, and support that you chose to put into my project and comics. It really means a lot to me and I am very grateful!
Next Steps:
So here’s how the project is going to go from here:
- I will be contacting all of my backers sometime in the next 2 weeks (11/4-11/18) regarding correct email and mailing addresses.
- I will also be asking everyone who pledged $15 or more to send me a photo so they can be drawn into my team supporter illustration. Photos will need to be received in a 7 day turnaround, so get your digital photo ready.
- I will be putting the book together in the next two weeks, sending it off to the printer thereafter.
- Signed books, prints, decals and PDFs will be shipped to you by the first week of December.
- I will be contacting Donna Saufley, John P. from Burbank, and Kirsten Schneider regarding the extra digital portraits that they won and will be completing those in the next 6 weeks.
- The backers who pledged the $200+ rewards will be contacted separately in about 4-6 weeks regarding their custom illustrations.
- Unearthed Comics: Unearthing Science will be available for sale via Amazon sometime thereafter.
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact me. Thank you again for all of your help and support! We did it!
Book and Kickstarter Update
Hi Team Kickstarter!
This has been an exciting week! Once the Kickstarter campaign completed, I immediately got started on the book that you all helped support me in creating: Unearthed Comics: Unearthing Science.
I sifted through 4 notebooks of notes to pick out my favorite ideas to make into comics. I pencilled, inked, scanned, added color and text, to make a bunch of new science-related comics. I was having such a great time that I decided, “why not add to the length of the book?” Now Unearthed Comics: Unearthing Science is going to be 94 pages long AND will have some fun additions in the back. Yay!
Since I already have experience in creating my first book and my husband Rob has been soooo helpful, things are going remarkably smooth… in fact, so smooth that I was able to finish edits and layout this morning and am sending the book proof to the printer now. The decals have been ordered and are en route, the larger prints just printed out, and assembly of the smaller prints is on schedule for later next week. So far, everything is falling into place so the rewards are looking like they will be sent on schedule to you.
Thanks again for all of your support and looking forward to getting this book (and new comics) out to you!
-Sara
Featured on Hyperallergic News
I was recently interviewed by the fine folks over at Hyperallergic, a news website that is “sensitive to art and its discontents.” Along with my Guide to Cloud comics, the article featured why I have been focusing so much on science and science-related art as well as discusses why art has so much to do with science in general. And, to make me even feel more warm and fuzzy, they lovingly listed Unearthed Comics along with some of the other fine science-related comics including xkcd, Piled Higher and Deeper, and Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal. For some more fine reading and to read a little more about the comic side of science (with some excerpts from me), check out The Comical Side of Science.
Book proof arrived!
Aww yeah! My book proof of Unearthed Comics: Unearthing Science just arrived! Thank you, expedited shipping, because I was getting so excited that I couldn’t wait to see it.
So now, after hitting APPROVE, I get to order copies for all my Kickstarter friends, then ship those reward packages out and activate it to be sold on Amazon. Stay tuned and sign up for updates because it will be available in the first week of December. Thanks again to everyone who helped me make this happen!
Unearthed Comics Turns One
Yay! Unearthed Comics turns one this month! It is a really exciting benchmark because it provides a good moment for positive reflection. Here’s what turning ONE means to me as the creator of Unearthed Comics:
- I’ve had so much fun that I didn’t even realize it has been a year.
- I have found so many new internet friends who have made such a positive impact on my internet experience and my life in general. These lovely fans have also rekindled the notion that good people DO hang out on the internet and they actually want to see some of my comics.
- I’m feeling pretty validated. I wasn’t sure if anyone would like what I had to say (or if I would), but this year has proved to me that maybe I can actually make something that someone else likes.
- I really, really, really would love to do this full time. I wasn’t sure, but now I’m addicted. I absolutely LOVE my design clients, but would like to create comics full time and only have to choose to work with the clients who love my work the most. I would be stoked to find a super amazing publisher who believes in me and wants to help me create the other 10 book ideas I have in mind, (hint, hint, to any publishers reading this out there… >
Again, I couldn’t have gotten this far without such incredible fans (no seriously, I would have cried a bunch and given up if no one ever provided lovely comments or kudos). So thanks so much for helping me through this first year and here’s to many more!
Caption Contest- ends 11/20
I know you have something funny to say, so go ahead and submit a rated-PG caption for this new caption contest. You can submit your caption to me via Facebook by 11/20/13. Looking forward to seeing your ideas.
Kickstarter Backer Team Portrait
A big thank you to all of my Kickstarter backers!! Those who pledged $15 or more had the opportunity to be drawn into a team portrait of us all rocking out in space. How fun to have a galactic party!
I really appreciate how everyone came together to help me make my goal. And though this portrait took a total of 30 hours to complete, it was well worth me getting the time to energetically thank each person who contributed face by face.
(NOTE TO BACKERS: Please note that if backers did NOT successfully send me a particular photo by the deadline, they may not have been added OR they may be only included as one of the awesome astronauts rocking out in space. If backers WERE included, please note that only ONE person from your family may have been included as space was very, very limited. I spent 30+ hours on this and did the best I could based on the energy I had. I did my best to include characters from many of my webcomic colleagues, listing their webcomic after their name. If I missed you, it means that you did not send me an image to work with or I could not tell which webcomic belongs to you based on your Kickstarter name).
Here is the list of my awesome backers as shown in the same order as the portrait:
- (Front Row, from Left to Right): Phil Thomas, Ali Leach, Tim Leach, Terry Leach, Julianne Zimmerman, Sandy Ritz, Rob Zimmerman, Cali Zimmerman, Marilyn Earth (me), Barbara Bray, Tom Bray, Michelle Turley, Karen Bray, Kim Zimmerman, Nicole Janoschek, Cathy Bray, Karen Terrey.
- (2nd Row, from Left to Right): Ann Sheppard, Nick Seluk (The Awkward Yeti), , Barbara Butko, Jon Rombach, Annie Nelson, Sandy Korth, Steve Klinetobe (I LIve in a Hole), Sonja Martin, Vanessa Porter, Amy Momb, Ryan Quint, Cristal Guzman, Kirsten Schneider, Jessica Lee, Iliese Bowman, Bob McCullough, Jesse Kiefer (Tank Monkey).
- (3rd Row, from Left to Right): Taryn Washburn, Eric Larson (Cosmic Freefall), Karin Abraham, Lisa Pearson, Tim Hauserman, Chris Grady (Lunarbaboon), Lisa McGuiness, Eagle Archambeault, Sara Armstrong, Ami Vannoy, Lara Walker, Stephen McGee (Rain Dogs), Lara Kilpatrick, Justin Voss (A Damaged Childhood), Sue Whitaker, Mayumi Elegado.
- (4th Row, from Left to Right): Aviva Rossi, Sara Dube, Amy Hakanson, Katie McKissick (Beatrice the Biologist), Kimberly Kaznowski, Mary Rae Gallegos, Eric Crowe (The Hat and The Fat), Bones (Naptoons), Mark Glavin (Adorable Crap), Aja Yee, Ann Whitney, Madeleine Holly-Rosing (Boston Metaphysical Society), Estelle Robichaux.
- Astronauts rocking out in space (not all shown): Carrie L Little, Mel Dumenko, Teri Nouchi Haye, John Evans, Robert Williams, Shirley Clark, Adrian Beffa, William Steele, Julie Spradley, Franklin Rohan, Lizzie Ellis, Lynn Sorrentino, Jason Neal Morgan, John Neininger, Lowell Tyler, Lise Rode, Anne Norloff, Ted Miles, Donna Saufley, Mickaël Pesquet, John Prichard, Kamara D Climber, Lara Pearson, Julia Worster, Jami Wardman, Lauren Schurmeier, Dunja Lavrova, Anne Marie Amyot, Jeffrey Price, Catherine One Ill, Lauren Stern, Thomas Edlen, Charles Pineo, Jan Miletich, Chandra Wade, Maya Choucair Hamade, Tracie Mulvin, Bridget Horn, James L. Smith, Robert J. Schimmel, Derena Ryan McCray, Dorene Kordal, Donald Harper, Kit Fraser, Nicholas Harman, Joslyn Neiderer and Christian Green.
Click the thumbnail to view the full-size Kickstarter Team Photo:
Unearthed Comics: Unearthing Science is available!
Unearthed Comics: Unearthing Science
Unearthed Comics: Unearthing Science is a special 94-paged, full-color compilation of Unearthed Comics’ science and science-related comics, celebrating the scientist in us all. Featuring astronomy, geology, paleontology, biology, chemistry, meteorology, and other science-related comics, Unearthed Comics: Unearthing Science also includes the popular “Scientist Vacations,” “Narcissistic Sun,” and “T-Rex’s Ride” comics, as well as several never-before-seen science comics.
Though Unearthed Comics: Unearthing Science will make a perfect gift for science students, professors, and working scientists, most people with a basic understanding of the world around us are likely to find humor in the book.
Kickstarter rewards have been sent
Thanks to my awesome husband who helped me package and mail the boxes, almost ALL of the rewards have been sent. Yay! Many of you have even sent me notes that you have already received the books and stickers- so cool! If you have not yet received your rewards, stay tuned: they should be there by next week and those overseas are wandering their way through customs.
LET’S SEE IT:
Take a pic of you with your book and/or sticker at the beach, in your lab, or somewhere inspiring and post it on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/UnearthedComics. I’d love to see where all of these books have wandered to!
REVIEW IT:
If you have viewed the PDF or the book, please help me by submitting a review on Amazon.com at http://amzn.to/1bdEnOw. Here’s how:
- Simply go to Amazon.com to my new Unearthed Comics: Unearthing Science book and write a review of my comics.
- If you have read the book, then write about that. Let people know if you would recommend it as a gift or to others in general, maybe a favorite comic, etc.
- Then email contact me saying you have a review up.
I’m choosing 2 reviewers on December 13th to give some free stuff to, making Friday the 13th something worth looking forward to. I can’t wait to read your stellar reviews and feedback. Thanks so much in advance!
MISSING ADDRESSES:
I have a small handful of folks who I still need mailing addresses from. Please email me at info@unearthedcomics.com asap so I can get your rewards to you.
PDFS:
The PDF link was sent out earlier this week for those of you who signed up for to receive the PDF version. If you would like a Kindle-formatted PDF instead or did NOT receive it, please contact me.
Thank you all again for all of your help in making this a truly great experience!
-Sara Zimmerman
Best Christmas Comics and Christmas Humor
The holidays can be stressful for some folks, whether it be dealing with traveling, searching from store to store for just the right presents, or juggling all the extra holiday events as well as your regular daily routine. Here is a compilation of some of the funniest Christmas comics and holiday humor from many great webcomic creators so you can keep a healthy perspective and maintain levity through the holidays:
Unearthed Comics
Awkward Yeti
Natalie Dee
Bad Oranges
I Live in A Hole
Safely Endangered
Adorable Crap
Lunarbaboon
Naptoons
Upturned Microscope
Bizarro
Maria Scrivan
Comics Translated in Chinese
I love seeing my comics being translated. A big thank you to Ting Yu Lin for translating my comics into Chinese. To see more comics being translated into Chinese, check them out here on her Chinese-translated Unearthed Comics page. (If you want to translate one of my comics into another language, please let me know).
Comics Translated in Dutch
A big thank you to Susanna Marien for translating my comics in Flemmish-Dutch (see English version here)! I love seeing my comics make it around this beautiful world we have.
Working on something new
I’m working on a longer piece but it’s taking me a bit. It delves into the thought process behind making art, as well as the emotions and obstacles involved in it. I’m hoping to be done here soon, but in the meantime, here is a quick sketch that will become one of the comics that will accompany it. Stay tuned for more!
Want to Translate a Comic?
It’s really fun to see people from all over the world appreciate my silliness and that my comics are now transcending language barriers. I’m sending out a big thank you to all of the people who have taken the time to translate my comics in Chinese, Dutch, and French so far. Unfortunately, I am so busy with so many other things that I am currently running out of time to personally translate my comics for you. Instead, if you would like to see a translated version on the web, please follow these guidelines when changing the text of the comic yourself:
- I allow people to share Unearthed Comics on websites ONLY if accompanied with a credit and link to Unearthed Comics. For any and all other uses on print-based or revenue-generating venues, you must contact me. (You can review my terms of use here).
- You can edit only the text.
- You MUST keep the copyright information intact.
- If you would like to add your name as a credit as the translator, please feel free, but do not alter any other elements of the comic.
- Please contact me and let me know what language you are translating them into and share either the comic or a link with me on my Facebook page or on Twitter so I can then re-share it out to my fans.
I really appreciate your efforts and look forward to seeing your translations. Thank you in advance!
-Sara
Why I create comics – A Letter to George Takei
I was really taken back when social media guru George Takei and his team shared 3 of my comics within a 7 day period. That’s like hitting comic gold. I recently wrote him a letter of thanks, but realized I should share it because the “about” part fills in the blanks to my mysterious backstory, answering the questions as to why I create Unearthed Comics:
Dear George and Team Takei-
Thank you so much for recently sharing my comics on your Facebook and Twitter pages. I really appreciate it.
I started creating Unearthed Comics about a year and a half ago as a way to pull me out of a deep funk. I am an artist, but for actually making money, I own/operate my own graphic and web design firm. However, a year and a half ago, I was getting wayyyyy too serious about some wrongs that had come my way. After awhile, the whole “poor me” bit was getting old and I desperately needed a change. Yet painting out my feelings really didn’t satisfy my need to express this depression, nor turn it around. Therefore, I started doodling about how silly I was being and before I knew it, Unearthed Comics was born.
Now I’m really having a blast creating comics about science, life, business, marketing, parenting and basically whatever comes my way. My husband and daughter put up with the fact that our life circumstances are now fodder for my comic obsession, but agree the giggling coming from my office is way better than pouting or griping. And though I would love for it to be my full-time career and to get my unending ideas for silly books out into the world, I am happily balancing creating my comics between being a business owner, mom, and avid life enthusiast and enjoying the process of the shares and likes in the meantime. So all in all, creating these comics makes my day and is incredibly satisfying. But these comics don’t do much if I’m the only one who sees them. Therefore I really appreciate all the exposure you and others have given me by sharing my comics with your fan base, helping me to spread a little more levity into this overly-serious world.
Thank you again for your all of your efforts and wishing you the best!
-Sara Zimmerman
Earth Day Cartoons and Comics
Yay! It’s the one day we all choose to celebrate the Earth for all that she gives us. So stop throwing that plastic water bottle in the ocean and put down that leaky oil can. It’s time to go green! And, if you’re having a hard time loving the only place we call home, here are some Earth Day comics to help get you feeling Earth-friendly:
Happy Cartoonists Day
May 5th is Cartoonists Day celebrating publishing the first color comic, The Yellow Kid, in 1895. In part of this celebration, I am offering up a free digital print of my book Unearthed Comics: Unearthing Science. All you have to do is repost this image below on your social media networks and tag me. I’m choosing a winner tomorrow.
To learn more about my book, Unearthed Comics: Unearthing Science, click here: http://amzn.to/1bdEnOw