Storycomic Weekly Newsletter: November 15th
ALWAYS POSTED A WEEK EARLIER ON PATREON
Why Elephant Beach Is More Than Just a Children’s Book
When Solitude Meets Surprise: Inside Elephant Beach by Christine Devane
This week on Storycomic Presents, we’re thrilled to welcome Christine Devane, elementary school teacher‑turned‑children’s author, for a conversation about her delightful debut picture book Elephant Beach. The story begins with a young girl seeking a peaceful beach day—with her nose in a book—but everything changes when a lively herd of elephants shows up, turning her quiet into adventure, and her solitude into connection.
Christine draws on her background—growing up shy, collecting lucky elephants with trunks up, and teaching dozens of children who needed a gentle invitation to join the group—to craft a tale that speaks to kids who dwell quietly and kids who play loudly. The story explores themes of stepping out of comfort zones, the value of friendship, and recognizing that sometimes the best day isn’t the one you planned.
Whether you’re a parent looking for a heartwarming read‑aloud, a teacher seeking a classroom gem, or simply a lover of charming stories, this chat offers insight into why children’s books matter, how stories can bridge internal worlds and large‑hearted fun, and how stepping forward can lead you right into play.
📚 Learn more about Christine and the book here: christine‑devane.com
Don’t miss this inspiring, joyful interview.
Project Update: A Quiet Stretch
Not too much to report on the project front this week—things have been pretty minimal in terms of progress. Between the steady pace of work and everything else going on, the creative projects have mostly stayed on the back burner.
That said, I’m keeping the ideas alive and checking in on them here and there. Sometimes these slower stretches are exactly what’s needed to let things settle and recharge before the next burst of inspiration hits. So while it’s been a quiet week, it still feels like a small step in the long rhythm of keeping creative work moving forward.
Book Review: Liberty Frye and the Sails of Fate – A Whimsical Voyage into Magic and Mischief
This week I dove into Liberty Frye and the Sails of Fate by J.L. McCreedy, and it was an absolute delight—a perfect mix of adventure, magic, and just the right amount of mystery. It’s one of those middle-grade stories that manages to feel both classic and fresh, like a blend of A Wrinkle in Time and a dash of Harry Potter, all with its own unique sense of charm.
The story picks up with Liberty Frye—Libby for short—whose life has never exactly been normal. On her eleventh birthday, a strange invention and a bit of magical mayhem send her and her friends spiraling into an ocean of darkness, where new dangers (and plenty of surprises) await. It’s a tale full of witches, wonder, and the kind of wild imagination that keeps you turning pages just to see what strange corner of the world you’ll visit next.
McCreedy’s writing has this wonderful rhythm—clever, warm, and just spooky enough to keep it exciting without ever being too much. The dialogue sparkles, the settings are vividly drawn, and Liberty herself is a fantastic heroine: curious, brave, and full of heart. She’s exactly the kind of character young readers can see themselves in—and the kind adults can’t help but root for.
Reading Liberty Frye and the Sails of Fate felt like a return to the kind of imaginative storytelling that made me fall in love with books as a kid. It’s whimsical, fast-paced, and bursting with personality. If you’re looking for an adventurous read full of clever twists and genuine warmth, Liberty’s journey is absolutely worth setting sail for.
Personal Update: Frosty Mornings and Printing Woes
This week has been all about wrapping up our holiday greetings for both the paper and the radio. It’s a lot of coordination, but it’s always exciting to see the community’s messages and ads come together for the season—it really starts to feel like the holidays are right around the corner.
We’ve had a few cold mornings lately, and the frost has officially made its appearance. I’m definitely overdue for getting my winter tires put on. I actually missed my tire change appointment this week, so with my 50-mile round trip each day, I’ve been a little nervous about those early morning drives on summer tires. Hopefully, I can get that squared away soon before the roads get any slicker.
On the work side, we hit a bit of a snag this week—some of our printed papers came out missing pages. Never a fun surprise! I’m hoping to get some compensation from the printers next week to help make up for the mix-up. Despite that, we’re keeping things rolling and staying focused on finishing the year strong.
It’s been one of those weeks where everything happens at once, but all in all, things are moving forward—and that’s what counts.
Having Fun with dinosaur checkers!
Some work to be done at the AM Tower before the snow flies
🎙️ Been Here. Still Awesome. Still Limited. 🎨📚🎲
For a while now, we’ve been offering a tried-and-true promotional opportunity through the Storycomic Patreon—and if you’re an independent creative, it’s still one of the best ways to sustainably share your work and grow your audience.
Here’s what our Patreon members have been benefiting from:
✅ Permanent Promotion
Your website or project link is featured in the show notes of all podcast episodes for as long as you're a patron. That’s long-term visibility across every platform where our show is streamed.
🏆 Founders Club Access
The Founders Club remains limited to just 15 spots. No expansions, no waiting list—once it’s full, that’s it. These early supporters have their names (and links) locked into the Storycomic platform.
📢 Monthly Promotion at the Super Club Level
At the Super Club tier, members receive a minimum of one promotional post per month—whether it's a new release, project update, or spotlight on their creative work.
Founders Club patrons include amazing creators like:
Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, and Matt & Therese.
Explore their work:
🎯 If you're a creator—author, game designer, comic artist—this is your signal. This system is working. Don't wait until the last spot is gone.
Let’s keep building the kind of community that lifts each other up.
—Barney Smith