It the Sky Falling?
Also featuring: All-Star Superman!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
All-Star Superman Audiobook
Our Main Story Tonight
Champion Corner
The Crochet Report
All-Star Superman Audiobook
In a year where work seems scarce, I’ve had a couple exciting projects. You may have seen one of them announced:
As that gets closer, I’ll absolutely be talking more about it. It was a beast of a project. In a good way, in a really interesting way, in a really cool way. Because… How do you adapt a comic for audio?! One is all visual, one is… not.
Look forward to me breaking down the process.
And… maybe a REDACTED??? (stay tuned)
Our Main Story Tonight
If you’re an avid John Oliver/Last Week Tonight fan, you’ll notice a similar structure. And I love a structure. I may present as an emotion girlie, but I’m a structure rising.
This won’t be a long main story. Mostly because…
As I write this, aware of at least four other projects I should be working on, aware that it’s been months since I’ve written a substack, aware that I’m in the middle of a “STATE OF THE INDUSTRY” study that I haven’t gotten back to (and next up is comics!), I lift up my glass of wine and shout “I AM DOING MY BEST” with all my heart.
It’s been a difficult 2025. I’m sure I said that about 2024 (and 2023), but gosh. GOSH. A dear friend visited London last week and she said that those who were living through their Chinese zodiac were considered unlucky. And, as the year of the snake is my birth year, I feel that.
I say all that to encourage you, if you’re struggling right now. It’s a tough time to be a creative. There’s a lot of fight against the arts. Heck, against science. Against what we’ve been taught as necessary and decent. Against what is important and crucial. I feel crazy at least 80% of the day (and 20% of the day I’m trying to sleep).
BUT HERE’S THE THING. THIS IS CRUCIAL. THIS IS IMPORTANT.
Don’t give up.
No, this isn’t toxic positivity. No, this isn’t a desperate plea. This isn’t even delusion.
We won’t get through this period of history without art. Story, art, it’s all still vital, still incredibly important. Necessary, even when the uphill battle turns into straight up rock climbing out of a very deep, dark hole.
So, how do we survive?
There is only one way. Community.
When things get dire, no matter if it’s the arts or other industries, places batten down the hatches. They lean on “known” talent, circle the wagons, protect whatever they are holding — as if that protects them.
With layoffs happening constantly, places tightening the belt left and right, and companies like Warner Brothers getting labeled a “Junk Stock”, we can see that closing off does nothing. Hiding does nothing. Relying only on ourselves does nothing.
It’s counter intuitive, but what we should be doing right now is taking chances. Engage with each other. Build community. Make things with friends. Ask for help, as friend Kris Simon literally wrote in her newest Substack.
I’m always reminded of the importance of community at conventions. Being a creative means we don’t get to see people as often as we need to, but finding ways to engage with each other, to not hide, to not be alone, it truly changes our brain chemistry.
Look, I am scared of not making money. It’s ridiculous to pretend otherwise. But the best way to fight that fear is to support others. To get excited to hear about the projects others are working on (while holding back the green-eyed monster). To fight against our fear reaction so we can be enthusiastic for each other.
So let’s make things together. Let’s support each other. Share Kickstarters, go to the free shows, watch the short films. Read. Give feedback when asked for it. Let’s fight fear with enthusiasm.
I’m not saying this lightly. I’ve not been feeling up to reading much, to looking for new things to read or watch. What I’m suggesting is not an easy thing to do. When the whole world around you is screaming about the sky falling (and when chunks of cloud are falling into your hair), it’s difficult to not let that affect you.
But when all the clouds fall, we are left with clear, beautiful, blue skies.
Champion Corner
Gonna start putting my money where my mouth is and tell you about the things I’m reading/watching/loving. (Also so that I make sure I am engaging and not hiding!) Some of it will be big budget, some will be indie, but all are worth your time.
Dear friend Lauren Shippen (of The Bright Sessions, which you absolutely need to listen to) is doing something VERY COOL, and launching next Monday. Trust me, I will be screaming about it all over socials.
Y’all, I love Speed Racer. Like, so much. So, when friend David Pepose announced his Speed Racer book, I lost my mind I was so excited. AND WHEN I TELL YOU THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING, KNOW THAT MY EXPECTATIONS WERE HIGH.
Went to a friend’s live show of his comedy sketch podcast Crowley Time - It’s extremely absurd, but I had a genuinely fun time. There’s a bit in the live show that was pure genius.
HOUSE MD - lol throwback from 2004, but wow. Just finished rewatching the first season (for the first time in ten years???) and it’s so good? Such an amazing example of my favorite type of storytelling: Episodic narrative with serialized emotion. They also play with form in a really fun way that second to last episode. Just STELLAR work. I went and found some scripts from the first season, I cannot wait to read them.
What are you excited about??
The Crochet Report
I have been SO slacking on my crochet this year. It’s been incredibly stressful and I haven’t had the brain space.
BUT you should go look at the gorgeous crochet art that Tini Howard is doing (link is to her Substack, which is also an extremely good read).
Here’s to blue skies!
Best,
Meghan
Thanks for the shout-out, friend! Right back at you, this subject is important and timely. And also, we are aligned on SPEED RACER. Hell yeah.
Okay while I am beyond flattered to be featured here, i selfishily must say LEMME SEE SOME GOOD MEGHAN CROCHET PROJECTS. Past ones are acceptable. Thank you.