Traveler - The Second Minisaga for Badin and the Secret of the Saami

Traveler is the second puzzle piece for a complex and wonderful story about a Swedish man of African descent. I am very excited and I want you to buy it now. You will be moved.

This is the first of its kind in historical fiction: A combination of sequential art and short story prose with a deep educational component.

Traveler introduces a famous 10th century Arab explorer with a new twist. What would an Arab explorer be doing in Sweden and what connection could it possibly have to Badin in the 18th century or the Saami people? Read the Traveler to find out.

This mini-saga is exclusive and not included in the upcoming graphic novel.

For some behind-the-scenes video of the production of artwork in Traveler, watch these videos from the Black Rhino Illustration YouTube Channel:

Literary Agent Rejections for Badin and the Secret of the Saami

After completing the final art for Act 1 of Badin and the Secret of the Saami, I embarked on an 8 hour binge of combing the internet for literary agents who are looking for graphic novel writers. I narrowed it down to 14. I methodically submitted requests for representation and prayed for the best.

As of today—a week later—about half declined to assist me in finding a publisher. The replies were standard and cordial. I am a little disappointed. However, my story is controversial and the artwork is not fancy—and in some cases unorthodox. Also, it about Swedes, Saami people and an African child. Many Americans don't consider that interesting (unfortunately).

However, I will keep trying as I work. Regardless, I plan to finish three more mini-sagas (buy Vaarvaa at Lulu today!) and the graphic novel this year. If no one wants to represent me, I will represent myself. I am used to self-publishing and I have no fears about knocking on doors and asking people and businesses to carry it.

At left is an ink-only abstract from the upcoming Mini-Saga "The Traveler." I created it with Clip Studio Paint. This one will be 2 pages of art and about 3 pages of text. I'm almost done with it. I am looking for an April release. It is heavy! Those who buy it will be in for a treat and a big shocker when they read the graphic novel. The Mini-sagas are not included in the graphic novel. So if you think you can "wait it out" I would not recommend it. I do plan a special edition graphic novel that will include the, but that may not be finished until late 2018. The special edition will contain concept art, related articles and art directors notes.

As I grow with the creation of the graphic novel's Act 2, 3 and 4, I have realized that this story is a powerful weapon against xenophobia, racism and—to a small, but significant degree—Islamophobia. I need your support to help me fight the rising tide of hatred that is growing in the United States and Europe for immigrants. We are in a time of great danger. Please buy, read and invite others to buy and read Vaarvaa, the upcoming mini-sagas and the graphic novel. Use the posters and avatars. Let's get the word out now!

Thank you for your support.

Act I Final Art Complete for Badin and the Secret of the Saami

Abstract from Act 1

A year ago today I began preparation for a Kickstarter campaign to fund the translation of Gustaf Adolph Badin's diary. Thanks to generous friends and family, it was very successful and now the real Badin's diary is free for the entire English speaking world.

Also as of today, I can proudly announce that the first of four Acts for Badin and the Secret of the Saami is complete! Complete as in all ink, color and lettering (the hardest part), that is. There is still some more editing of text and artwork required. Some things I am not happy with and must leave along until I complete the entire graphic novel. Nonetheless, it is ready to start "shopping" around for a literary agent. Even if I do not snag an agent, I will not let that stop me from self-publishing. However, if I do, it might mean I can be more financially secure as I proceed over the next few months.

All of the main characters—including villains—have been introduced. They live my mind and to see them finished on paper is truly inspiring. Speaking of inspiration, I have been sending the art to a select few around the world. One of them is a man named Donald Clayborn. He spent many, many years in Sweden and Denmark gathering information about Badin in the 1980's. Needless to say, he has been a crucial source for my research of Badin, Queen Mother Lovisa Ulrika and King Gustav III.  Mr. Clayborn has told me that what he sees me doing makes him proud. That is something I do not take lightly because Mr. Clayborn is a serious no-nonsense man. I hope to write more about him in later posts.

I do not like complacency. So I am not taking a break from my work (with the exception of writing this blog entry). Today, I created the page files for Act 2 and built the layout for Mini-Saga #2: Ahmed. Hopefully, you have purchased Mini-Saga #1: Vaarvaa. If not, please do so. You will not regret it!

My plans are to release four Mini-Sagas leading up to the graphic novel. Some people are under the impression that the Mini-Sagas are samples of the graphic novel. They are exclusive PDF stories that will not be in the graphic novel. However, in another year or two I plan to create a special edition which will include them (along with all kinds of extras such as Art Director's notes to explain all the pages and the symbolism behind their composition). Before that I still will need to release the graphic novel in Swedish, Sámi and French. So don't wait.

The Mini-Sagas have been written and will be a unique blend of sequential art and text. As with Vaarvaa, there will be an educational component. Here's a list of the Mini-Saga titles (subject to change):

#1 Vaarvaa (released)
#2 Traveler (script and artwork complete; still editing)
#3 Kraken (script and artwork complete; still editing)
#4 The Mirror (script complete)

On the marketing front, I have established a Twitter hashtag #BadinSecret. I'm still new to this realm of advertising. So please feel free to offer any suggestions. I am experimenting with it for my children's books and it seems to be generating more buzz. 

Introducing Gaaktu for Badin and the Secret of the Saami

Free hi-res download!

There would be no "Saami" in the title of Badin and the Secret of the Saami without this special main character. His name is Gaaktu. He is an extremely humble, yet strong man. I actually wrote his personality based on some real people of Saami ancestry who I interviewed.

In the poster, Gaaktu is on the left and a young—very anxious looking—Badin is on the right.  Destiny is the title of the poster. Badin is a big part of Gaaktu's destiny and vice-a-versa. If you read the Vaarvaa mini-saga, you will probably get a good a idea what their relationship symbolizes.

On his model sheet, I classify him as most honorable. You can liken him to a trusted uncle. In some regards you might even trust him more than your own father or mother. Simply put, he has nothing on which to judge your actions.

There are many Saami characters in the story. However he is the lead. You will see some clues in the poster about his culture. The colors red and green are very important. Same with his hat.

Although Gaaktu and his Siida (community) are fictional, I based them off of elements in the very old South Saami culture found in central-south Sweden. Every Saami community generally has its own selection of colors and designs in their clothing. I spent many hours of research to create such a culture for Gaaktu's people. Everything about it is symbolic and it relates to the Vaarvaa mini-saga and the graphic novel. In the Special Edition of the graphic novel I plan to include all the details about Gaaktu's Siida. You might be able to figure some of that out if you read the Vaarvaa mini-saga. But I have no spoilers for you here!

I appreciate your support. This is graphic novel project with which I hope to counter racial prejudice, xenophobia and greed. It is the most ambitious—and expensive—undertaking I have embarked upon in my lifetime. Please download and post these social networking avatars and banners. Of course, it's all free. So please help me spread the word!

Here's an avatar featuring Gaaktu you can use:

Here's an avatar of Badin also free to use:

Finally, a Facebook profile page image:

Page 15 Done for Badin and the Secret of the Saami

A forest scene abstract from page 15

I have been so deep into Badin and the Secret of the Saami that I have not been able to take time to create a thoughtful journal entry.

I also have been struggling with family issues and trying to keep my general retouching and illustration business afloat. Life is very hard for me right now and I fight daily with the urge to just give up on any hopes of being a full-time artist along with finishing an 80 page graphic novel.

Talking about Sweden

Nevertheless, the desire to complete this project is growing intensely as time passes—and I continue to invest huge chunks of my time into it (With this project and regular work, I am averaging 50 hours of solid work per week). When I think about the Black pioneers like Badin and the people of Sweden and the friends who want me to finish this, I get the inspiration I need to break the barrier of self-doubt. I was recently inspired by a friend name Donelle who invited me to bring my books and postcards for Badin and the Secret of the Saami and help her represent Sweden for International Day at MCC Academy. When you meet people like that—the type who go out of their way to help you succeed—I remember that there is a Divine Hand involved in all things. We just need to have faith in what we are born to accomplish.

I am still conducting research in the midst of completing the mini-sagas in addition to training myself on drawing certain objects such as trees and animals (You can buy the latest mini-sagas here). Some may think it easy to draw mundane object. It is not. This is especially true when trying to capture the essence of specific flora and fauna. Trees in Sweden are typically not found in Boliva. So the forests will look different. I have to capture that "look" of Sweden.

I think I have some of the general 18th century fashion down. The characters are also coming to life. Page 15 introduces the main Saami character. He will be featured along with Badin in the next promotional poster (Download the previously released posters here).

As of this morning, I have 4 more pages for Act I. With this, I plan to actively pursue an agent—also while finishing the other acts. Thank you for your support!

Vaarvaa - The First Minisaga for Badin and the Secret of the Saami

I have reached an important milestone for Badin and the Secret of the Saami with the release of Vaarvaa. It is the perfect herald for the story. I cannot offer any spoilers. It's short. It's deep. It is the introduction of the forthcoming graphic novel.

I plan to publish 2 or 3 more mini-sagas. These are exclusive online only editions that will not be included in the graphic novel. However, I do intend to include them in the Special Edition of the graphic novel. The Special Edition will be a much more expensive and expansive book with Director's Notes, non-fiction history, behind-the-scenes and concept artwork.

Please buy Vaarvaa at my Lulu store.

I also uploaded a video about the illustration part of the minisaga. Most of it is text. But the art part had alot of planning. Check it out video. Then buy the minisaga.

First Vignette is Almost Finished - Badin and the Secret of the Saami

I just finished the color and lettering for the first introductory vignette for Badin and the Secret of the Saami. It is called "Vaarvaa." These are called vignettes because the are not the story in and of itself. Nor are they teasers because they are not part of the script or main story. However, they focus on aspects of the story to give it an appealing background .

These will be free of charge—for awhile at least.

It should be released within a few days. Since it contains a prologue and—believe it or not—a glossary outlining little historical and historical fiction details, I need to lay it out properly in InDesign.