It’s been a long time since I’ve posted an update here. For well over a year, I was hard at work on my graphic novel, Chadhiyana: In the Company of Shadows, which published in weekly installments on chadhiyana.com from October 2013 until December 2014. If you’ve been keeping up with my blog (on jmdesantis.com) or were reading the comic online, you already know the big news: the graphic novel officially has a publisher!

In March of this year, the announcement was made that Chadhiyana: In the Company of Shadows had been picked up by Rosarium Publishing for publication (you can read the original announcement and my excitement about it here: jmdesantis.com/2015/03/the-big-news). At that time, all but twenty-four pages of the then published seventy-two were taken down from chadhiyana.com; the first twenty-four will remain as a free preview of the book. The graphic novel will be divided up into individual comic issues, released bi-monthly through Comixology, the Rosarium Publishing website and other digital comic distributors. The tentative release date for issue one is July 13th.

For those of you unfamiliar with the graphic novel (which I imagine is most of you), it is a medieval Indian fantasy book centering on the title heroine, Chadhiyana. This first graphic novel tells the story of the Tal-Ifatiir, a shadowy order which is on a quest to destroy the demon lord, Aghal-Paraag. To this end, they capture the demon lord’s servant: a powerful witch with a dark agenda of her own. However, Chadhiyana, the order’s first female member, holds a troubling secret. As the company journeys to Aghal-Paraag’s prison, one misfortune after another befalls them. Is it the witch? The demon lord himself? Or perhaps Chadhiyana and the secret she keeps?

As can be imagined, I am extremely excited, as I’ve wanted a publisher behind my work for a long time, but it’s only the beginning of what I hope will be a steady and successful journey. You can keep up with all announcements and news related to not only this graphic novel but all of my work on my website, jmdesantis.com, the Chadhiyana website, chadhiyana.com (for Chadhiyana news only) and social media (follow me on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/jmdesantis.writeist>, Twitter <http://twitter.com/jmdesantis/> and Google <https://plus.google.com/+JMDeSantis/posts>). You can also find an always up-to-date list of my convention appearances on the Events & Shows pages of my website (jmdesantis.com/events/).

I hope many of you will begin following me as the release date approaches, and more, that you will pick up a copy of the first issue. It’s really a great book (I know I’m biased), and I’m very proud of it. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to tell Chadhiyana’s story in its entirety, and to hopefully many readers enjoying it in the years to come.

Cheers!

I know it’s been a while since I posted something here; too long in fact. I’ve been hard at work for months at a new teaching job and on my graphic novel, Chadhiyana: In the Company of Shadows (a continuation of the title character’s story, who I began writing and drawing about in 2012). So, I hope you can excuse my seeming absence on this site; I’ve just been very busy.

That said, you can read said graphic novel as I’m working on it! Since October, I’ve been posting one page per week of the dark fantasy book on chadhiyana.com. So if you haven’t begun reading it yet, click over and check the graphic novel out. I’m very happy with the way it’s been coming together, and I hope you’ll enjoy it.

Also, despite my absence, I do blog weekly on my website (jmdesantis.com), so you can always keep up-to-date on what’s going on with me there. Right now, other than the graphic novel and some other freelance gigs, I’ve been playing around with a new monitor calibrator (this is my first one), so as soon as I’ve gotten used to it, I’m sure I’ll be posting new artwork here.

In the meanwhile enjoy the graphic novel (chadhiyana.com) and keep up with my blog. I’ll do my best to post here more often if I can, but if I can’t, rest assured I haven’t disappeared.

Cheers!

Unfortunately, as promised, I haven't kept up with blogging here and on deviantART as much as I had hoped this summer (maybe next month). That said, I've still been blogging weekly on my website, and I've still been hard at work on the Chadhiyana graphic novel. At this point, I am still writing the script for said graphic novel, and I've moved on (some weeks ago now) to designing all of the story's principal characters (there are a number of them). My hope is to have more information on the graphic novel soon--very likely in the coming weeks following the Boston Comic Con this weekend.

And speaking of the Boston Comic Con, I'll be appearing at it in Artist Alley this weekend (Saturday and Sunday: bostoncomiccon.com) and next month at the Baltimore Comic-Con (September 7th and 8th: baltimorecomiccon.com). I'm also planning to be at the New York Comic Con again this year, as I have every year since 2010 (newyorkcomiccon.com). So if you're in the area for any of these events, or if you already have tickets, make sure you drop by my table. I always love meeting and talking with fans.

Anyway, I will try going forward to keep up with this blog a little bit better, but, again, if I don't, you can always read weekly updates (usually on Wednesdays) on my website (jmdesantis.com). For now, I'm just getting ready for this weekend's convention and trying to get as much work on Chadhiyana done before then. After all, I'm really looking forward to bringing more of her story to life as soon as possible. Be patient. It's coming. Cheers!

J. M. DeSantis
Write-ist (Writer-Artist)
Official Website: jmdesantis.com

I've honestly been terrible at keeping up with my blog here and on deviantART (despite updating my website's blog/news feed weekly). Part of it is due to how busy I've honestly been and that has led to a bit of forgetfulness and negligence on my part (in many areas, it seems).

That said, I'm toying with two ideas for keeping this blog better updated, but, as I haven't decided between the two yet, you'll have to wait for some information on what those are. I'm hoping to start implementing one or the other next month (July); then I won't risk neglecting to post about conventions and art shows where I'm exhibiting, as happened last month (which is the first time I've ever forgotten to post about something I've had coming up--except, again, on my website which I've been consistently updating weekly since before the new year).

In light of the above, tomorrow is the opening and reception for the Pet-icular Poses group art show at the Art Garage in Montclair, New Jersey. Some of my original artwork will be on display. The show runs until June 30th and features art and photos of animals (and, in my case, mythological creatures) by a variety of artists. Tomorrow's reception is from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm EST. For more information and the Art Garage's address, visit studiokidsart.com.

Furthermore, though it's old news, the Boston Comic Con has been moved to August 3rd and 4th. I've already confirmed the dates and will be exhibiting at the rescheduled show. Of course, you can always find up-to-date information on my shows and appearances on the Events & Shows page (under Miscellanea) on my website.

Other than that, I've still been hard at work on the Chadhiyana graphic novel script (which is taking so much longer to write than I'd expected). I'm hoping to release more information about it soon. In the meanwhile, I hope some of you can make it to the art show or Boston Comic Con, and keep checking my website for weekly updates. And again, I'm hoping I'll be back next month with a better plan for regular updates here. Cheers!

J. M. DeSantis
Write-ist (Writer-Artist)
Official Website: jmdesantis.com

It's been quite a long while since I've written a new update on this blog. That was mainly because I've been hard at work on a new Chadhiyana project (my new fantasy heroine), and wanted to wait until I revealed news about it officially on my website before I posted anything about it here. However, I've finally revealed information about that project, and as there are a number of other things worth noting, I thought I'd write a new blog post.

First and foremost, I added a blog to my website some months back (jmdesantis.com). From now on, that is the best place to get regular updates about my work, appearances, publications, etc, etc, etc. I will still, of course, update this page, from time to time, but not as regularly as my website. After all, how many of these things can I keep going simultaneously? And I still wish for jmdesantis.com to be the home of my presence on the web.

Secondly, I will be appearing at the Boston Comic Con for the first time this year (Saturday and Sunday, April 20 - 21) as well as making a return to the Bronx Heroes Comic Convention on May 4th and 5th. So if you're planning to attend either convention, please drop by my table. As always, up-to-date information on my convention and public appearances will be listed on the new Events & Shows page on my website.

Finally, as I stated above, I'm working on a new Chadhiyana project: a graphic novel. I'm still in the process of writing the script. You can get a bit more information by reading my recent post about it on my website: here. A print version of the first Chadhiyana comic is still available on IndyPlanet.com, if you don't own a copy already (click here to order). I'm also currently looking into a number of websites to offer the comic for sale for digital download.

That's all for now. I'll have even more happening in the future; that I promise. And again, the best way to keep up is trough my website: jmdesantis.com

Changes have been made to my website, jmdesantis.com. Most important of all the changes the menu has been moved to the top and some new content and pages have been added to the site. The plan is to have a blog on the front-page, however, I'm still having some trouble getting that ready. Thus, I decided to launch the new design in the meantime, rather than have this last (though big) addition hold it back any longer. The blog is coming, it's just going to take a little more time. Other content will be added in the coming year as well. I have a lot planned for 2013, so keep checking back.

www.jmdesantis.com

Also, if you haven't yet, be sure to check out the new comic introducing my fantasy heroine, the Indian-inspired, Chadhiyana. There are links to reviews on my website, if you're interested, or you could just go straight to IndyPlanet.com and order the book now:

Order Chadhiyana on IndyPlanet.com (Print Version)
Digital Version Coming Soon!

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!

Chadhiyana is a female warrior who has a troubling past, centering around her abusive father. Often forced to face the past she wishes to distance herself from, Chadhiyana battles both villainous men and foul creatures of darkness as she journeys through a lush fantasy world based loosely on ancient India, Persia and the Middle East.

This issue includes two stand-alone short stories (which originally appeared in the limited edition GWP Presents: Volume 1) introducing J. M. DeSantis's female fantasy heroine, Chadhiyana: "A Saviour in the Dark," is a simple introductory tale, focusing on Chadhiyana's personal past. "Chadhiyana and the Serpent" gives a glimpse into the fantasy world of Chadhiyana, where she is pitted against the ancient serpent, Sagreembal, who was once worshipped as a god in a distant land and may know more about Chadhiyana than she would prefer.

Order Chadhiyana's first comic on IndyPlanet here: www.indyplanet.com/store/product_info.php?produc ts_id=7869

Digital version coming soon!

Greetings, Newgroundians

I've recently entered the 3rd Ward Open Call art competition and am doing everything in my power to win the coveted People's Choice award. However, the winner is determined solely from outside votes. How can you help? Simple. Visit the link below and click VOTE in the upper right corner. Then click LIKE when the box appears (you must have a Facebook account). The votes do not count unless you click both VOTE and LIKE. After that, please, spread the word.

jmdesantis.artistswanted.org/opencall2012w

Hurry up! Voting closes March 9 at 11:59 pm EST. Thank you for your support.

Okay, Newgrounders... Newgroundians... Newgroundites? Well, whatever the proper term is, I have unfortunately been neglecting to post much here. Though I do visit Newgrounds a lot, I suppose I haven't embraced it yet as a means of promotion (as I do with most other sites I'm a member of--social network or otherwise). But I really have to do something about that. So in honour of what I'm hoping is a new focus on Newgrounds, here's what you guys have been missing who aren't connect to me elsewhere:

First, other than my website (jmdesantis.com) you can find me on these social networks:
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
MySpace

Also, you can find me on deviantART: jmdesantis.deviantart.com

As far as recent updates career-wise, I was in Artist Alley at NYCC. The weekend went well and I was asked a few questions about the woman in my Goddess of Sand painting. As it is, I'm currently doing research and brainstorming ideas (plus developing a few conlangs--a secret I've only revealed here!) for a graphic novel based on the character which I'll write and illustrate. So stay tuned for information about that.

Also, at the end of last month, my short story, "The Real Saint Nick, or How Henry and Jack Learned the Truth About Father Christmas" was published in the Christmas-horror anthology, "Unholy Night: Christmas Fears 2," from Static Movement. You can order it on the Pill Hill Press book store (www.pillhillpress.com/shoppe-static-m ovement.html) or on Amazon.com.

Well, that's all for now. I'm going to try and be better about posting here in the future. Also, since I know so many of you are gamers with a sick sense of humour, don't forget to check out the humorous video game site (which I co-own and write and illustrate for): Game-Flush.com

So, I've been visiting Newgrounds.com for some time now and after the PS3 release of Castle Crashers (and the recent launch of Game-Flush.com, of which I am a contributing writer and artist) I decided it was high-time I finally created an account here. Not sure what I'll do with it just yet or how active I'll be, but I suppose we'll see, won't we?

Sincerely,
J. M. DeSantis
Writer - Illustrator

Website: jmdesantis.com
Figmunds: figmunds.com
Game-Flush: game-flush.com