Diving into Sci-Fi, Comic Fairs and Giant Bugs

Why I write science fiction and musings about fairs and stuff

Hi there!

A warm welcome to my new subscribers from PCFZ, and a massive thank you to those who have been with me for some time! Your support truly means the world to me. I know, I know… I say this every month, but only because it is true. 😜

I hope I'm providing you with engaging content, but if there's something else you'd like to hear about, you’re very welcome to reply to this email or drop me a line at hello@claudiamatosa.com.

This issue is packed with content, so brace yourselves! :D

We will begin by speaking about what got me into writing science fiction (you may be surprised), and then we will move on to some highlights from my table last month at Plymouth Comic and Zine Fair. It was a truly motivating experience! And this section comes with a curious fact about The Sea Wall of Plymouth that you may not have noticed… 🧐

Afterwards, the regular progress update on The Last Day of Rain because that’s what we’re all here for (or is it?!). I’m unsure if we can call it an update, but you can decide for yourself when you get there!

Aaand, finally, we’ll review another science fiction comic, also about climate change: “Salamanca Blues” by Alba Ceide. If you’re bored by my shenanigans, I hope you skim to the end to read the review because it’s a fantastic book. Spoiler: there are giant bugs on it. There. I hope you’re convinced.

Delving into the world of science fiction and why I write it

My love for the genre began with something you wouldn’t probably guess, and you will also need to be old enough to remember a world where social media wasn’t a thing, and people shared chain emails and forgot to put people in “BCC”.

This particular chain was making the rounds in the 90s when we were beginning to talk seriously about the effects of climate change. It told the story of a future where water was a scarce good, and the narrator was anxious about them and their family experiencing escalating thirst. I wish I had saved it, but maybe it’s for the better!

This story must have impressed me so much that now I’m writing a graphic novel about a city where it doesn’t rain.

My Third Fair - PCFZ!

Earlier this month, I attended my third comic book fair, Plymouth Comic and Zine Fair. And three is a good milestone and a perfect opportunity to talk about the tabling experience in general!

I feel honoured to have been given these chances to table and bring my work to people around the UK, particularly because English is my second language, and I suffer from massive imposter syndrome. I’ll keep doing my best to improve it, but I have an inkling that it may never be enough.

As a matter of fact, I was initially put on the reserve list for the fair, and I thought that I wouldn’t make it. But a few weeks before the day, I received an email from Laura informing me that a spot for the weekend had opened up. I jumped at it and began preparations!

Curious fact: why is the sea wall full of Cornish names

Aside: It’s an OCEAN wall, Claudia, not SEA!

I know. I tend to use the word interchangeably, like many English speakers, and people do the same in my native language, Portuguese. Mar = Sea, Oceano = Ocean. But it’s not technically correct. Plymouth, for example, stands on the Atlantic Ocean, and Aberdeen on the North Sea. In retrospect, I should have called it “The Ocean Wall of Plymouth”, and I regret it a little, but I’ll roll with it anyway. 😛

On the to the curious fact! If you have read the book, perhaps you remember a hand touching a wall scratched with names of people lost to the sea. And even though Plymouth is in Devon and actually only borders Cornwall, the wall was full of Cornish names! Why is that?

Progress on The Last Day of Rain

Though I don't have any new images to share this time, I've been working on a plan to complete the book without burning out. I'll release five additional chapters independently before launching a Kickstarter campaign, where I'll merge them into a single book with exclusive content.

There will be character sheets, maps, 3D renders and an exclusive side-story about Julia's life, who we won't get to see much for the rest of the book. But that's only towards the end of this year, and a lot of work to do until then. 😛

Click below to see my timelines, which I will quite likely fail at, but hey, you’ll be here to witness everything!

Review: Salamanca Blues, by Alba Ceide

This month I bring you a review of a science-fiction comic set in a world highly affected by climate change. Sounds familiar? That’s because it is, but that’s where the similarities end. If you follow my work, you’re potentially into dystopian futures, so this comic may be right up your alley.

Shop!

Just a quick note to let you know that I've been sprucing up my online presence, which includes my shop. There's a variety of new prints available to purchase alongside my books!

Next up

Stay tuned for more updates on The Last Day of Rain, more comic reviews, and insights into my creative journey. Remember, if you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch.

Wishing you all the best and happy reading!

– Claudia