Hello everyone, and it's about time I got off my rear and started in with a new digital letters column. I've been busy with a butt-load of projects the last few months, and now, they should be just about ready to show off. (Even the first primative draft of the animation should be ready now).. so, hold on and here we go!
Fred

Subject: Have you ever considered taking on a disciple?
Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 03:44:20 EDT
From: JeiSanHR@aol.com
To: fredgdp@frontiernet.net

Hello, er...Mr Perry? Fred? Geez, how -does- one refer to one's hero? ^^;;;

I'm a huge fan of your work, and have been ever since GD #21. Ryan Tabbot is my favorite character thus far.

Anyway, if you're wondering about the subject, I was the guy that asked you that in the parking lot back at A-kon this year. Assuming you even remember the occasion. ^^;;

I spent much of a-kon sortof hovering around you and hoping to gleam some artistic wisdom from you. (the rest of the time I spent drawing and trying to trade drawings with the other artists hovering around the comic market) I was the person in your art seminar that drew the manga style drawing of you giving the seminar that you signed?

Anyway, I was, unfortunately, also one of the unfortunates at the con who's comission you didn't have time to get to (it was on the back of the second sheet, two original characters named "Amy and Uki") This was at the end of a pretty long list of dissapointments from this con (not the least of which being the -outrageously- overpriced surcharges placed all over my hotel room. (bleh) ) -but- I did get to watch you draw some and gleamed some interesting info from your seminar. And there was that whole bit where you showed me that -huge- eraser (still gotta find out where I can buy one of those.)

I'm wandering a lot so I'll come to the points of this e-mail. The main thing is a friend of mine is going to Otakon this year. (why is it every time somebody mentions that con, I have a flashback to playing Metal Gear Solid?) Seeing as I missed my chance at a-kon for a comission, I was hoping he could get mine done for me at -that- con, since I've heard you're going to be there. I'm not sure if you'll be doing comissions, though, which is one of the main questions of this e-mail. So...

Are you? ^_^;;;;;;

And if so, I was wondering where you're going to be? see, he's only going to be there the first day, getting there he thinks around 2:00 PM eastern, so if he's going to get anything done for me, obviously he'll have to get on the list fairly early, otherwise you wouldn't be able to get to it in time...(and judging by how quickly your list filled up at a-kon...^^;) So I was wondering if You're going to be doing requests there, if so are you going to be doing them on the first day, and where?

Aside from that, and feel free to whallop me or something if this is a stupid question, I was kindof side-wondering if he doesn't get there in time or something if you'd be willing to do the comission in your free time and mail it to me? I'd pay for the postage (or if you had it done before the con, my friend could just pick it up) and I could scan and e-mail the character sketches if you don't still have the ones I gave you...

However, I know that you're an exceedingly busy person, so if you don't have time, it's no big, it was just a thought, please don't hurt me, and all that...^^;;;

Last thing I wanted to ask were some questions for a short story I was going to submit to the next GD annual...First question on that, is there a page limit on how long it can be? Also what proportions to the pages need to meet? Do you need photocopies or originals? Or perhaps, "What is the address of the web page that will almost inevitably answer all these questions and more but I'm too dumb to find?" ^^;;;

I really appreciate your taking the time to read all this and put up with my running on...If you have time to get back to me, I'd appreciate it very much... Sorry to have taken up your time with all these questions...

<---reply--->

Hey there..
unfortunately, I rarely have the opportunity to fill commission requests when I'm at home.
I'm really busy with GD or legacy.. sorry
The deadline for the GD annual has been bumped to the end of September..(the annual's coming out in Oct.) 8 pages is a nice size.. and it gives other artists a chance to get in too.
Any larger than that, and you really need to be super good to get in (Take into< consideration that you are probably bumping off other submisssions to get yours in when you do that.)
Send submissions to AP... if you need the address, its
GD Annual Submissions
Antartctic Press
7272 Wurzbach St #204
San Antonio Texas 78240

I will be doing commissions at Nekocon-R though... I'll be trying to improve my drawing speed and proficiency, so I'm going to try to get to as many as I can.. If you come early, I'll be in artists alley... setting up.

Fred

Subject: Web Question
Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 17:44:18 -0400
From: "ranmachan@bluegrass.net"
To: "'fredgdp'"

Dear Fred,

Quick question. I noticed you had studied computers at college in the profile they did on you on
the Cheetahholics site. I was wondering, do you have a page you did with some of your art or junk
art or non-published characters or anything? If so will you send me the web addy? Thanks.

Sincerely,
SGT Jason L. Mathews
USA, Armor
Ft. Knox

<---reply--->

I've already begun using my spare time to come up with a junk art page..
I'm calling it "the Digital Sketchbook" I'm perfecting it after I finish
updating my AD&D site.. When its ready, I'll give FPFC and Cheetaholics
a link to it.

Subject: gold digger
Date: Thu, 01 Jul 1999 08:37:30 -0700
From: rcutrer@mississippi.net
To: fredgdp@frontiernet.net

hello mr. Perry,
i need to know if there is a subscription for gold digger. my local comic book store went out of
business last week, (just in time for issue # 50 ) so now i have to find a way to get gold digger,
the coolest comic i ever read, by mail. i know this might be a strange request, but I've been
collecting gold digger since the miniseries and don't want to miss any issues. if you can help me
i would be greatful.

thank you for your time,
one large fan,
Richard Cutrer

P.S. the best story ever

<---reply--->

Actually, you can write to Ray Elliot at AP to get subscription information

Ray Elliot
GD Submission
Antarctic Press
7272 Wurzbach Suite #204
San Antonio TX 78240

I'm looking into online alternatives right now.. I hear that Trilogy
online has a thriving GD subscription system.. I have to look into that!

Subject: Ages...
Date: Fri, 2 Jul 1999 18:34:49 -0700 (PDT)
From: ctrand@yahoo.com
To: fredgdp@frontiernet.net

Sorry to bother you with something this trivial, but it's a question
that's been nagging me for awhile:

Who's the youngest of the three sisters?

I know Gina's the oldest, that's been made clear time and time again.
But how to Britanny and Brianna compare? Is Brianna the youngest
because she was only created a few years ago? Or is Cheetah the
youngest because Brianna is a split of the others' ages (eg., Gina's 23
and Cheetah's 21, so Brianna should be 22)?

This is just really bugging me.

<---reply--->

Technically Brianna is by far the youngest.. she's going on 3 years old.

But psychologically and somewhat "physically" she is the middle sister.
From the way they act, Britanny is the youngest.

Subject: Inspiration
Date: Mon, 05 Jul 1999 17:33:16 -0400
From: (removed at senders request)
To: fredgdp@frontiernet.net

Dear Fred,

I realize how buzy you've become with the massive popularity of
your work, so I will try to sum this up in as little words as possible. You
talents are amazing! I've been searching every piece of "furry" themed artwork I
can (through the net or comics) and the first issue of Gold Digger I layed
eyes on captured me like no other. Now with the prospects of an animation
I just read about on your web page, I've become more intrested than ever!
You've inspired me to start several of my own strips as well! (That is if I
ever learn to draw ;)

I understand that replying to every email for you is near impossible, so I
won't be offended at all if I hear no response. A few questions;

1) When can we expect this animation, and where can I buy it? :)
2) Is there an option to subscribe to gold digger? As of yet, I have not found it.

Thank you greatly for your time, and never stop drawing!

A loyal fan,
(removed at senders request)

<---reply--->

Thanks, ____. Makes me feel good that I've become a source of inspiration for you.
And as for the animation.. I haven't really thought about selling it.. My main goal is
doing it *right* for now... I'll think about selling it after I've perfected it.

---Inside info--- I'm often asked for tips in getting into comics... well here are a few
quick suggestions to get things started:

1)Learn how the pro's do it: Go to the book store and read, or purchase a few books on comics and
cartoons.. how-to books. These contain a lot of info on how to create work that looks professional.
(which is what publishers are looking for)

2)Create a professional looking but compact submission: 2 sets of photocopies of your work, in a
folder is just right. make sure to put your address and number on each page of the photocopies,
and bind the copies neatly... a brief cover letter explaining your submission is just the header
to use.. (Make sure your submission isn't too large.. publishers can tell if they like something
after the first four pages.)

3)Show off your skills: Put your best effort to date into these pages... No one likes it when they
hear "This isn't my best work to date." If you aren't going to show your best *now* when will you
ever show it?

4)Finally, persistance is the true key: Your work won't get accepted. But you're not really sending
it to be accepted. You're sending it to get the publisher familiar with your work. You have to send
a new submission at least every month to a publisher.. (To lots of publishers...) This shows that
you are determined, punctual and consistant. Eventually, the publisher will see that you are a true
professional and begin discussing your first comic proposal.

I hope this helps you on your way. Good luck

Fred.

Well, thats all for this week.. see you all next time when I have more
letters and some inside info on GD... and never be afraid to ask the
tough questions...I like a challenge!

Adios!