I design a book series very, VERY carefully, and build in both what I call "accordion points" where you can do more books if the response to the series is strong AND points where you can end it and still get a satisfying ending if the sales just aren't strong enough to continue.

Whelp, took a bath and while I was in there worked out the plan for the rest of the Amelia Shadows books and decided which of the options for the rest of The October Girl series I want to do...

Tuesday Tip: 12/23

Making Comics Monday: Step-by-step process for a page from last week’s Amelia Shadows chapter, now up on my Patreon — www.patreon.com/matthewdowsmith Layouts Roughs Inks Colors #AmeliaShadows #PatreonComics #KidsComics

As the butler to several black cats over the years... Yes. This is all exactly as it should be.

Magic Runs in the Family, but Amelia Shadows might rewrite the rules entirely in Amelia Shadows & The New Head Ghost from @madcavestudios.com @matthewdowsmith.bsky.social comic-watch.com/news/magic-r...

Happy Holidays!

Behind The Scenes: Character concept for Max, aka "The Tinkerer", from the After School Villain Society.

An (almost) end of year thought --

New Comic Book Friday: A brand new chapter of AMELIA SHADOWS AND THE CHRISTMAS CURSE is now up on my Patreon for all my paid subscribers! #AmeliaShadows #PatreonComics #KidsComics

Throwback Thursday: Sabrina the Pre-Teen Witch edition

I was archiving finished projects today and worked out that I've written and drawn 8 graphic novels and more than 100 pages worth of short comic book stories this year alone. So again, when I say I hope you like the work I'm doing now because there's a lot more on the way, I am so not joking.

I know a lot of people are starting to log out for the holidays, so while we're all still here, I just want to share an important annual reminder from Comic Book Dad that you are awesome --

Time to once again post "The Online Artist's Lament" --

Behind The Scenes: Coloring this week's chapter of AMELIA SHADOWS AND THE CHRISTMAS CURSE. This is what my colors look like while I'm working on them. I do all the character coloring first, since the colors for each character are already set, and then do the backgrounds later.

Great interview with the great @dirkmaggs.bsky.social, which is much better than any interview I'd ever do of Dirk, which would just be endless questions like "Why are you so great?" and "What's it like to be so great?".

If you are still on X/Twitter in any capacity as an artist, get off there right freaking now.

My favorite thing I drew today --

I know I'm always sharing Julie's blog posts, but it's because they're really good. And this is a really important one for creative professionals to read.

Tuesday Tip: "You can edit it later" applies to comic book artists, too. The only way to start a comic book page is to draw something on it. Even if you redraw it later.

My friends @brandtandstein.com have a new graphic novel coming out next summer and I am sooooo theeeeere. aiptcomics.com/2025/12/16/e...

Down to just TEN copies left of MR. MUFFINS: DEFENDER OF THE STARS on Amazon, so make sure to grab a copy of this sci-fi Boy & His Dog adventure for the holidays! www.amazon.com/Mr-Muffins-B...

As more and more creators are expected to be on camera to promote their comics, can we talk for a second about how this opens up female creators to intense harassment about their looks? Not to mention a lot of "You only have a career in comics because you're good looking" comments?

A gift that keeps on giving!

Am I doing an entire Amelia Shadows graphic novel Christmas story just to put Henri in a Santa hat and do a "You'll put an eye out!" joke? Yes. Yes, I am.

Everything is terrible, but libraries are making social media videos and it's kind of giving me life right now.

Just a reminder, if you need a gift for your kid who loves graphic novels, I've got two books on the shelves RIGHT NOW -- DC's MISFITS OF MAGIC, a fun little kids adventure with a whole bunch of DC's magic characters! and THE OCTOBER GIRL Book One, a YA fantasy coming-of-age story!

Hi all! We're hiring at DC for a sales manager in the book market! This role would be working very closely with me, so I'm happy to answer any questions. Let me know if you know anyone! careers.wbd.com/global/en/jo...

I am allergic to simplistic political platitudes, but I did want to say this -- In a world overrun with grievance grifters, be a warrior of kindness and life and simple humanity, like Rob Reiner always was, both in his work and in his life.

I am ashamed that I came up with this joke, but I'm using it anyways. Because I am a professional. #AmeliaShadows #DadJokes #DeepDeepShame

I firmly believe you don't create an abomination like generative "AI" without seeing the vast and incredible expanse of all human creativity as nothing but "content".

I've never seen the middle of THE PRINCESS BRIDE. I've seen most of the first half multiple times. Most of the second half multiple times. Just not the middle bit. The fire swamp sequence, specifically. (1/6)

Dark magic, good heart, BIG TROUBLE in Amelia Shadows and the New Head Ghost #comics #graphicnovel #kidlit

If you've never read the @marthawells.com Murderbot stories... OH MY GOD YOU'VE GOT TO READ THEM. I'm making my way through the three volume Murderbot Diaries editions and they're fantastic. Maybe the first sci fi I've torn through this eagerly since I was a kid.

For today only (Dec 14) All Systems Red (1st book in The Murderbot Diaries) is on sale across all US ebook retailers for $2.99 (published by Tordotcom, edited by @leeharris.net cover art by Jaime Jones) www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/...

It's not the New Year and I don't do New Year's resolutions, but I am trying to get my workflow more organized.

Happy Birthday to my friend and writer of many amazing comics, including the upcoming Library of Memories, @mustachebabs.com!

Saturday Soundtrack: Listening to Tears for Fears's Songs From the Big Chair album while working this morning. I was 14 when this album came out and it's deeply imprinted on my brain. Every time I listen to it, it takes me straight back to being in my room, reading comics with my headphones on.

Kids will always love comics. They just need good ones and be able to find them. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Sketchbook: Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl

THE OCTOBER GIRL Book Two and AMELIA SHADOWS AND THE NEW HEAD GHOST both got a mention in @comicsbeat.bsky.social's Digest this week! @maverickogn.bsky.social @papercutzgn.bsky.social

Enough about all of my upcoming projects, it's time to talk about @zoekeating.com writing music for a freaking video game!!! Just listen to this from the game trailer!!! Isn't this absolutely incredible?!

Another graphic novel to look forward to for the new year! @matthewdowsmith.bsky.social @maverickogn.bsky.social are bringing in the magic of storytelling through, The October Girl! Check out book one and please get ready for book two!! A lot of fun reads!

Pre-Order Now! Coming May 2026!! From me and @papercutzgn.bsky.social!!! AMELIA SHADOWS AND THE NEW HEAD GHOST!!!! You can pre-order here: www.simonandschuster.com/books/Amelia...

I am determined to use my new career as someone who makes oddball funny stuff for kids to introduce as many people as possible to what The Goon Show was and who @dirkmaggs.bsky.social is. With great power comes great responsibility, and I intend to use this power wisely.

More about the upcoming AMELIA SHADOWS AND THE NEW HEAD GHOST from me and @papercutzgn.bsky.social! With preview pages! And insightful quotes from me! Quotes like, "If I’ve learned one thing from making comics this long, it’s that it’s tough to get ink out of your clothes..."

New Comic Book Friday: A brand new chapter of AMELIA SHADOWS AND THE CHRISTMAS CURSE is now up on my Patreon for all my paid subscribers! #AmeliaShadows #PatreonComics #KidsComics

Remember a little while back when I said, "I hope you like this new stuff I'm doing, because there's going to be a lot more of it in 2026?" I was not kidding.

Step Out Of Your Parents’ Shadows 👻 🟣 Papercutz is proud to present AMELIA SHADOWS by @matthewdowsmith.bsky.social , available April 7th 2026! More info on this magical new series here: bit.ly/4iRnVi0 #kidlit #spooky #graphicnovel #Middlegrade #ghost

So... A little bit of news... AMELIA SHADOWS AND THE NEW HEAD GHOST from me and @papercutzgn.bsky.social! Coming April 7th 2026!