My ebook is on Amazon

Rogue Cartoonist, the ebook!

http://www.amazon.com/Rogue-Cartoonist-Internet-Perils-Citizen-Muckraker-ebook/dp/B00XGFI0SK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1431308798&sr=1-1

No, I'm not just blowing smoke! My ebook is now available on Amazon. It's still pricer than I would have liked, but it's 1/3 the cost of my printed book. Since it has a great many images, the file size is on the large side, and so Amazon charged more than it would, say, for an unillustrated standard novel. 

I also added in more cartoons to the ebook version as well as a new epilogue!

Thanks to everyone who has given me and Tina their support--and for those of you who already bought my printed book, I arranged for the ebook version to be available to you for only a couple of bucks. The book is also in the Kindle Unlimited Library where it can be read for free if you are a subscriber.

It has been quite a learning journey for me. I learned that writing a book is much harder than I had imagined and my respect for real writers increased immensely. I'm also a horrible editor and I couldn't spot a typo if it hit me over the head with a 2x4, but I did fix them for the ebook. Those who have read my book have commented that they found it very interesting. 

By the way, I'm out of promotional copies of the printed book for now. I have a few in reserve that I’ll send out to publishers, but I realize attracting a big-name publisher is a long shot. Heck, they all want literary agents nowadays and only 3 percent of the submissions on average get accepted.

I did snail-mail out 70 free signed copies to anyone who wrote me a polite email. I sent free copies out to people all over the United States as well as copies to other countries such as Mexico, England and even a few were sent to Australia. Those books will be 'rare' since I don't plan on printing any more unless I can find a publisher. They were very expensive to print on my own.

Ben Garrison

My ebook will be released soon

I've gone for months without any commercial art assignments, but lately I have been lucky enough to have several going on at once. So I've been busy and that's good. I need to make a living.

I've also received some very nice responses about my printed book and I greatly appreciate that, especially since I'm not a writer (and I'm a terrible editor). I have mailed out approximately 70 books for free to those who sent me a polite email asking about them. I've also sent out many to friends and family. I'm just about all out of my promotional copies. To all of you who have written me with encouragement, I appreciate your sentiments very much and I'd much rather pay postage on the books than give money to lawyers. That said, I'd like to bring some of the worst offenders to justice, but that may take a while still.

I will definitely get the book uploaded to Amazon sometime next week. It will be a lot cheaper than the printed book, and it will also contain updates and more cartoons. I'm sorry to say I won't be able to autograph any of those copies.

The book was cathartic and it marks a turning point in my attitude. I no longer worry about the attacks and I've become so calloused that sometimes I even find myself laughing. The entire 'Zyklon Ben' meme has officially jumped the shark and now the trolls are starting to realize I'm 'untouchable.' In fact, I got a chuckle out of seeing this peculiar painting--done by a young artist who is also using my name on Google:

He actually took the time and energy to paint my portrait. Sure, I don't like the swastika and it's silly, but I smiled regardless. This only illustrates just how far and ridiculous the entire meme has gotten and now that it's impossible for me to be angry about it...well, it surely signals an end point to the trolling.

I like how the artist captured my expression here. People have remarked that my expression is always the same. They may have a point!

It's been quite a journey and I've learned a lot about trolls, memes and even a little about anime. Someone sent me a very interesting explanation about Bitcoin and I confess I've never been able to figure out exactly how that works. He explained it clearly and succinctly. I now wish I had mentioned it in my book. Five years ago I was naive and ignorant about the chan boards and those who posted on them, but I've discovered that there are many good people there. (Of course, many are very obnoxious, too). My ebook alludes to this in the epilogue.

Writing is very difficult. Writers hone their craft by daily practice and through years of learning and dedication. To become a good writer, one most possess a complete and resolute devotion--similar to musicians who spend a lifetime improving their skill. I don't have that kind of time and I'd rather produce art with what time remains. My attempt at writing a book instilled within me renewed admiration for good writers. It's very hard work. It's more difficult than I had ever imagined, but at least I can say I did it and now I can move on.

Thanks to everyone who bought the funny coffee mugs recently, and when I get the time I plan on doing a few more. The operator of 8chan is a tough guy who can take the flak and if he can, then so can I. I especially want to thank Tina who has been helping me monitor things while I've been busy cranking out the commercial art. 

More soon! --Ben Garrison

OK, it's back on: ROGUE CARTOONIST

My book will be published after all. Look for it on Amazon and elsewhere in a couple of weeks.

Bear in mind I have no publisher. I'm my own publisher. I had to fork over a small fortune to get a modest book filled with expensive color plates printed. I'd love to sell the book cheap, but it can't happen and I won't get much in the way of royalties, either. It's a money-losing venture. Then again, I never drew these cartoons to make money. I've lost a LOT of money doing them. I've lost a lot of time removing libel.

Thanks again to all of you who wrote me with your encouragement. If I can, I will send you a free signed copy after they're printed.

"Rogue Cartoonist"

I continue to receive email from young people who are encouraging me to publish my book. I am considering it. There are some very awake people of the younger generation out there who really do appreciate my cartoons. A few kind words from them makes it all worthwhile to me....and their encouragement cancels out all the discouragement and hate from the trolls.

I've already published my 'fine art' chapter on my blog. I was considering publishing other chapters...but now I will wait. I may release my book after all. To be sure, the trolls will deface whatever is published, but many people are now aware of their ruse, so their power to confuse people is waning.

Stay tuned....

"Rogue Cartoonist, Internet Perils of a Citizen-Muckraker

I had originally intended to release an ebook, but now I will redesign it into a 9x12 paperback. It costs a lot of money to print it--especially in color, but I'll take the loss on it. I doubt I'll sell many copies, but I want to be the first published author in my family, so it will be completed sooner or later. The title of the book is "Rogue Cartoonist, Internet Perils of a Citizen-Muckraker." 

Here is a low-res version of the ebook cover. I still might do the ebook sometime after the physical book is printed. --Ben Garrison