Some of my status updates have confused people, so...

I am in good health. Not to worry.

I am available for paying gigs. A change in the situation of my best client has me unexpectedly not working for him at the moment. I have no complaints in this regard. He paid me well, had me do more work than we had originally discussed, and treated me with far more respect than I have generally been treated in the comic book business. I may do more work for him in the future, but it doesn't look like that will be any time soon.

Paying gigs means paying gigs. It doesn't mean "Tony has time on his hands, so he can write something for me for free."

I would be most keen on writing for newspaper comic strips. That's what I was doing for the afore-mentioned client. I found it both challenging and enjoyable. If Lynn Johnston is really serious about getting someone to carry on For Better or For Worse, she should call me.

This change in my work situation means I'll only be attending comics conventions where the event is willing to pay my expenses. I'm not interested in hearing "We'd love to have you as a guest, but don't have enough money left in the budget." Hey, I understand about not having any money left in the budget. But understanding doesn't mean I'm coming to your convention.

People ask to interview me all the time. At least once a week. If you're a person or if you're representing a publisher who has done right by me, I'll help you out. If being interviewed by you is of benefit to me, I'll agree to an interview. Otherwise, probably not.

Consulting? I didn't like doing it when I was paid for it. Guess how much I want to do it for free.

Convention panel programming? Unless you're Roger Price, you should come to me with your checkbook in hand.

I know I'm coming off like some sort of angry mercenary here. But I have a kid in college and another one three years behind him. I've done a lot of "pro bono" work in the past. I may do a lot more in the future. But I'm not doing it today or at any time in the immediate future.

I may be grumpy, but I still love you all madly.

Be well.