smugglingvacation

Almost there...

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:33:00 +0000

London, then Leeds

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:17:00 +0000

November sees me taking a break from the drawing board and seeing some faces for a change.

Next weekend I'll be at the Hemp Expo'09 which, given the recent political furore between politicians and the science community should provide the social ease and tolerance for an even busier Expo than last year.

I'll be there raising the print money for next year's 'Day of the Deal', for which I will be selling comic artwork, original paintings as well as signed copies of Smuggling Vacation. This is a weekend that cannot be more highly recommended.

Then the following weekend I'll be at the comic festival Thought Bubble in Leeds, where I'll again be selling books, artwork and Smuggling Vacation paintings which I'm presently putting together.

Then it's back to the board and finishing the last pages of our present story, which on the serialisation is really picking up the pace as you can see the task facing Roo, Mikey and the gullible Stan.

Jas

P.S
Latest news;'Day of the Deal' is scheduled for release on 1st March, 2010.

Jas

It's BICS Time

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:29:00 +0000

This weekend is BICS weekend at the Think Tank, Millennium Point, Birmingham. An ideal time for me to come out of hibernation and start banging the drum for the new book 'Day of the Deal' which 'T' and I should be wrapping up at the end of Jan.

I'll be at the Think Tank with scores of other comic artists and publishers for the weekend selling more copies of Smuggling Vacation, as well as various oil paintings of the cast that I've been busying myself away on this last month.

Followers of the latest book should now be up to speed on the challenge facing our cast as finally, Stan steps to become the third man in the team that hopes to take on the biggest drug shipment Alleyton has ever seen.

Roo, Mikey and Stan will now start prepping for the night's work, avoiding the curiosity of the girls at the pub and focusing on the potentially dangerous job at hand, completely unaware of the interest that the British Police in the guise of SOCA are already showing.

For now, keep enjoying the latest.

Jas

Onwards and upwards...

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 14:22:00 +0000

Book 2 - 'Day of the Deal' finally kicks off

With the script and research wrapped, Book 2 - 'Day of the Deal' finally kicks off on it's regular schedule. Having been so far delayed by my ill health (quinsey) - 3 weeks, and the unfortunate arrest of the Crime Consultant in Holland - a delay of 2 weeks. The good news now being that all is storming forward once more.

Story wise - the first four pages take us into what happened after the "Smuggling Vacation" and as you'll see, all did not return to normal by any means.

The story now unfolds, of which I can say little except that the new adventure takes you to 'Alleyton' - the small industrial town where it seems to be just another ordinary weekend in the lives of our main cast of characters.

Elsewhere, glancing back to Book 1, Comics International have ran a four page interview with myself which you can find in our Media section here!

Replete with accuracy and fine detail, it should do a fine job of getting the book in front of the thousands who have so far heard plenty, but know little as to what the book is really about. So thanks to Mike Conroy at Comics International for enlightening comic readers the world over.

Now I'm back at the board - drawing, inking and painting. "T" will be putting up the latest pages every Sunday night as well as simplifying certain things and adding a little more content, which should soon include a ' Making of ' section to document how it's being put together.

'till next blog - keep reading.

Regards

Jas

P.S - Serialisation of Book 1 continues as ever in the pages of Weedworld magazine.

A new year... a new adventure!

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:09:00 +0000

Smuggling Vacation this month arrives in the States courtesy of Diamond; America's main distributor for comics.

Now having knocked myself out distributing Smuggling Vacation the best I can, I'm now on this year's book - 'Day of the Deal' which will begin it's serialisation right here from Feb 1st.
'T' is now making some additions and changes to accomodate the new book which takes us to Alleyton; the home of Stan, Kaye and Mikey, and the new true crime adventure that comes their way.

A new page will go up each Sunday night. First readers who've read the whole thing have gave it a big thumbs up and it promises to be a worthy follow on.

Well, back to the board.

Feb 1st is the night!

Regards

Jas

It's been a while...

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 15:06:00 +0000

Am now busy on the follow up to Smuggling Vacation, entitled 'Day of the Deal' as well as continuing the sales of SV on weekends. Time has been lacking, hence the lack of blogs lately.

Almost didn't have the time to promote the Ganjaman Presents magazine where Him and Her featured in the two page special 'Amsterdam Weekend'. Due to be available from the site some weeks ago it is already sold out following the three day Hemp Expo at Brick Lane. Will add it onto the paypal once Jim Stewart sends me more down.

Plenty happening. Easier just to bulletpoint so we can get up to date:

*Following Hemp Expo was Comica last week, headed by Paul Gravett. An excellent day where sales of SV surpassed expectations and reminded me that I need to start lining up some signings once more.

* Previews magazine by Diamond - the comic retailers bible: December issue. Smuggling Vacation features in both the British and Worldwide sections and will soon be taking the book all over the world.

* Contacted by a London Film Company regards the Film Rights to Smuggling Vacation. Many have said the book would be an excellent movie and it seems one film company has been quick to spot this.

*Dec 13th, 3-5pm booksigning at the Astral Gypsy in Coventry.

* Day of the Deal completes writing in two weeks time. August 2009 is now penciled in as its release date.

That gets us up to date. More additions to the site will be here soon. Hemp Expo Pics to go up, a new 'About' page, and a preview of Day of the Deal to come.

...and just one last thing. Jonathan Ross requested a copy of Smuggling Vacation prior to print with a view to providing a cover quote. Due to his overwork it never happened, but now... ?

Events for the autumn

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:04:00 +0000

Latest news:

November 14,15 & 16th - London 'Hemp Expo' - Brick Lane.
The number one day in the smoker's calender arrives. We'll be down there for all three days displaying artwork, signing copies and chilling out at the coolest London event of them all.

As well as this I'll be continuing to take SV around the country via the comic marts: Sept 27th - Liverpool, Oct 18th Nottingham, Oct 25th Birmingham and Nov 1st Sheffield.

October 3rd & 4th - BICS Comic Festival - Birmingham Will be signing artwork and grabbing copies of Amsterdam Weekend that feature in 'Jim Stewart's Ganjaman Presents', after this copies will be available from the site.

Other things are in the pipeline which can be announced once they reach print.

In the meantime I hope the new site additions introduced by Nooode and 'T' are enjoyed.

all the best

Jas

Amsterdam weekend is wrapped.

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:02:00 +0000

With the two page special Him & Her's Amsterdam Weekend wrapped I can get back on top of other things. So what's been happening?

Site News: Nooode is now working on the site. Fixing some errors that have come from switching to the bigger hoster and that have resulted in some ilogical on screen typos. As well as this he's busy building the media section to be added, space for the new comics and more shop space which will all be unveiled this weekend.

News on the Golden Orbit 'Censoring' dispute: Promotional differences with organiser Gez Kelly of Golden Orbit are resolved it seems. Gez is now cool with my promoting Smuggling Vacation at Golden Orbit comic mart events. So whilst Manchester and Birmingham have been missed, I will be at the Linear Hotel on Lord Nelson Street, Liverpool on 28thSeptember displaying artwork and signing copies of Smuggling Vacation.

One final thing. Alan Grant will be launching Wasted at Forbidden Planet on Shaftesbury Avenue on the 27th, between 12 and 2. I'll be there to show support in what's hoped will be much needed and major happening for British Comics.

Cheers for all the support over these previous weeks as it's been a little testing with the negative fallout from some of the media coverage Smuggling Vacation's been getting.

Amsterdam Weekend and site improvements now on the way.

Regards

Jas

A Stars and Stripes Special

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 12:26:00 +0000

Last weekend I joined Fesworks and Tanya on America's premiere radio show, The Webcomic Beacon, where we discussed the so called 'Controversy'...

(You may need to enable ActiveX/scripts in your browser to hear this audio)

To hear the entire show, and many others in their archive, go to http://webcomicbeacon.com/

What a week - Crashes and BAN 2?

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 08:41:00 +0000

Hi all,

So the site kept crashing and in the end, unable to top up every eight hours, we've had to change our hoster which was problematic to say the least. In short, for three and a half days - no site.

Problem now solved as we've quadrupled the bandwidth, so back to the news.

The comic ban story rumbles on. Following the signing at Sheffield last Saturday I have been contacted by the organiser who would like me 'NOT' to attend further events as he was disturbed by the below article that appeared in the Sheffield Star the evening before.

For someone in the comic industry to be so sensitive and to subscribe to a ban I find stunning and am hoping the organiser will come to his senses. Should hear off the guy later today.

Am now getting down to drawing 'Him & Her's Amsterdam Weekend' which will be up on the site at the end of the month. This means no signings for the following two weeks whilst I'm at the board, and it may be that following this, the planned signings at the Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool Comic Marts may now be cancelled.

Perhaps there's another way on this.

Keep you posted on what develops.

Jas

Jas debates Labour MP Khalid Mahmood on BBC radio

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:40:00 +0000

Hi all,
High number of visitors on the site to hear the Khalid Mahmood debate has mean't we've crashed a few times this week.

However the radio interview is now back online:

BBC WM Ed Doolan Show 21.08.08 - Jas debates with Birmingham Labour MP Khalid Mahmood.

(you may need to enable ActiveX/scripts in your browser to hear this audio file)

Enjoy!

The controversy continues....

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:46:00 +0000

Shit hits the fan...

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 12:05:00 +0000

In a big way!

Firstly this piece in The Sunday Mercury wasn't the small item I was lead to believe 'might' make the edition. Seems reporter Lorne Jackson found a great deal in the Mercury archives that could oomph! the story up a bit.

And then, Monday's Sun newspaper ran a piece:

All this ridiculous over-the-top coverage comes nicely in time for this weekend's book signing at Borders Birmingham at the Bullring, between 1 & 4.

Should be interesting.

Book signings...

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:46:00 +0000

August 2nd. Book signing #3: Waterstones Coventry

They put on a nice display.

Unnamed, author Geoff Thompson, my good self, photographer Ireene Ison & unnamed.

Myself, Geoff, Tony spencer and daughter Talia.

Reviews blog...

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:45:00 +0000

Forbidden Planet by Richard Bruton

ComicsVillage by Rich Johnson

Downthetubes by John Freeman

Livewire by Ian Murphy

Comics Village by Graham Mogford

Smallzone: Incoming

Comic Readers by Shane Hnetka

Local Launch continues...

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:16:00 +0000

Whilst the Borders signing in Leicester is the sooner one, they'll be something most special about the one at Waterstone's Coventry the following week as best selling author Geoff Thompson will be making a guest appearance. Any one wanting to grab a signed copy of Smuggling Vacation could also bring along a copy of 'Watch my Back' to be signed, or for that matter any of Geoff's other thirty books he's now had published.
It's going to be a good 'un.

July 26th, 12-3pm - Borders Leicester, Grove Farm triangle

August 2nd, 12-3pm - Waterstones Coventry, West Orchards (guest Appearance by
Geoff Thompson)

August 23rd, 12-3pm - Borders Birmingham, The Bull Ring

Local press coverage has been better than I ever expected. Cov times using the phrase 'Weed' as a headline in a positive way was an eyecatcher for me.

Next week I'll begin the British web review blog as there should be a fare few out by then. Like this blog, I'll keep adding as the reviews come in.

'till next blog - order your own copy if you haven't yet as they're not going to be around forever.

Jas

Local launch - Godiva, booksigning

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 22:02:00 +0000

Great book signing. Despite the short notice Smuggling Vacation sold out!

Crime Consultant and ex-smuggler Tony Spencer calls in to sign copies and even persuaded Police Constable A. Tarr to pose alongside us for the book.

Meanwhile we'd grabbed a stall at the Coventry's two day Godiva Music Festival. Weather was seriously crap but we got on with it.

(Mark and Craig Thompson with Jas)

Met and spoke to a couple of hundred people this weekend and I'm reminded and amazed of how great the people of and around my home town are.

As I said to so many who bought the book, you can contact me here at smugglingvacation@gmail.com where I answer everything that comes in during the evenings.

Those who have read the book complete now are quite adamant that the serialisation ought to stop now people can get their hands on copies.

I'm going to have to give this some thought.

Till the next blog - which'll be soon, if you haven't got your copy yet, what are you waiting for?

Jas

Borders Coventry 12 - 2pm this Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:39:00 +0000

Quick post this. First week with the book only just starting to go out and the first book signing is set for THIS SATURDAY! The short notice was unavoidable and the opportunity too challenging to ignore. The manager at the stall loved the book and wanted it asap with perhaps a better planned signing event later. So Borders Coventry, by the Ricoh is where I'll be this Saturday between 12 and 2. It'll be a good chance to see a load of Smuggling Vacation artwork and grab a copy of the book if you haven't already ordered.

Gradually the book'll make it out to shops all around the country. But for this first two weeks if you don't live around Coventry, Nuneaton,Leamington or Leicester the site is the only place to get the book.

Next week, a report on the Borders signing, some local press coverage, the serialisation continues and our 'Crime Consultant' Tony Spencer will be signing 50 copies to be sold from the site.

'till next week

Jas

At last, they have arrived!

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:12:00 +0000

Saturday morning at eleven...

...big relief as the books are perfect.

At the printers....

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:34:00 +0000

So at last it's rolling away at the printers. Copies arrive this Friday.

Saturday:

Meeting local author Rosalie Warren and discussing the trials and tribulations of getting out and doing book signings.

Meeting Sun columnist and Talksport's Jon Gaunt who, though very anti-drugs and unable to offer a back cover quote, wished me luck getting the Smuggling Vacation book off the ground.

Next week, an intermission as signed copies of Smuggling Vacation become available exclusively from the site.

Till then - keep reading.

Jas

At customs...

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:14:00 +0000

Now in customs, and it's hold on to your pants time as Stan is pulled up for a search. The old ticker's pounding away and like many of us in similar circumstance, he's fighting to keep that cool exterior that could be vital if it's going to turn out well.

Regarding the long promised book version, it's now at the printers in large thanks to the help of 'T' , 'Nooode' and 'Dal' who helped with the last finer details that were slowing it down. It looks 'cracking' and I'm gathering my pound notes together so they'll be plenty of copies to go round.

Weedworld#75 begins to fly out this week which features pages 7 - 10 which seem so far back now. Reading the last Weedworld it was a great feeling to read it on paper at long last and certainly whets the appetite for our forthcoming print version.

It's this I'm completely focused on now, hence the lack of blog updates lately. Like Stan, I'm worried about ballsing the whole thing up but unlike him I've good experts on the job.

Next blog I should have the copies and will sort out how you can get your hands on them first.

'till then - keep reading.

Jas

High time in Bristol

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:20:00 +0000

Just back from the Bristol Expo weekend during which I met a lot of good quality people, most of whom knew about Smuggling Vacation and are anticipating its printed arrival.

Great to meet three of the four artists who've provided quotes for the book, as well as the legendary Gilbert Shelton of the 'Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers' fame, who in all fairness hadn't a clue who I was or what Smuggling Vacation was. He took a card though and said he'll give it a look.

(Hunt Emerson)

Aaaah! Good birthday present received today from Jennifer Contino at The Pulse who's ran a Smuggling Vacation interview at http://www.comicon.com/pulse/ . Includes a great intro and I'm sure will introduce our strip to a new band of readers.

On the site 'T' has completed our comic schedule without I think giving too much away. I'll be working with him these next few days just prepping for print whilst at the same time trying to speed up the last few quotes to come in.

Our characters, having arrived in Dover now face British Customs and Excise; the most humourless people you could ever wish to meet. It's going to be interesting.

More news next week.

Jas

(Maya Wilson)

Clock is ticking down

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:05:00 +0000

The clock is now ticking down. 'T' is near finnished preparing the artwork for print and I'm busy collecting the dozen quotes for the back cover. The four from the comic community are almost all in - Alan Grant(Northern lightz to Wasted), Bryan Talbot (Brainstorm to Alice in Sunderland) , Simon Donald (Viz founder & creator of Sid the Sexist) and also the great Jim Stewart (The Astounding Ganjaman) will be heading the quotes from the comic community.
The list should be completed over the next two weeks as some of the smuggler quotes will take more effort to pin down.

A suprise page this week as we flashback to the straws scene that had previously been skipped. Getting all sentimental when you've important smuggling work to do is no good thing and hopefully young Stan'll keep it together over the next hour. I for one fear the worst, especially as I know what's next.

Good response on the book cover posted up last week. I think it captures the essence of our story and the response from comic forums such as Smackjeeves and the Webcomiclist has been
excellent on this. Now we just await the real thing.

For me, I'm back to writing again. Day of the Deal could well be the next title. More on that though after Smuggling Vacation hits the shelves.

All the best

Jas

May 26th is the day!

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:42:00 +0000

'T' is now just weeks away from completion. The printer
called today to find out how far off we are now. I explained
that just like our smugglers in the strip, we're also
amateurs and it's taking a little longer than we'd have
hoped, but we're getting there.

Bare with us. Almost there.

Jas

Smuggling Vacation Announcement

noreply@blogger.com (wilson) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:19:00 +0000

At last it can be announced....(sound of drumroll)...This week our amateur smugglers begin a two year serialisation in the pages of 'Weedworld' magazine.

Weedworld, the U.K's number one cannabis magazine will be introducing our story to tens of thousands of new readers all over the U.K and Europe, but also Canada and the States also where it sells in big numbers.
Issue # 74 can be bought straight from Weedworld (see links) or from almost 300 U.K head shops. If your local head shop doesn't sell it then they should be and I hope you'll direct them to http://www.weedworld.co.uk/ so they can rectify matters.

The latest issue even a features a story on the making of the strip aswell as the first six pages of our story. That's right 'SIX' and that willl be in every following issue.

So now - back to what I should be doing today which is 'Getting that book finnished and printed'.
Shouldn't be long now.

Till the next blog