Flycoren authors to host book signing

Times Reporter

 

Andrew and Amanda Glubrecht, local authors of the fantasy graphic novel Flycoren: Kausim will be holding a book signing at Canadian Tire on Feb. 22 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

“There’s actually quite a few people who have been asking for a book signing, they want to meet us, so this is just an opportunity for them to come in and get their book signed,” said Andrew. 

The book signing is also a way for the couple to introduce themselves to a larger audience, and kind of prepares them for their upcoming appearance at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo, April 24 to 27. 

The story of Flycoren began while Amanda was in high school.

“It was a creative outlet, I needed something to escape so I basically threw myself into developing and writing something that I could feel proud of and not acknowledge the outside world,” said Amanda. 

She and Andrew would spend hours after school in the art room working on the comic. 

The story follows the tale of Belle and Az, both of whom are antimorphic characters. Az is a lemur type of guy and Belle is based off of an orca whale, tail and all, said Andrew. 

Their lives are completely different, Az living in a calm and peaceful community and Belle coming from a war-torn country. 

“Because Belle is an orca whale, they (her family) were trying to escape this war and a hurricane actually sent her off course, so she ends up washed up on this island and happens to meet Az,” said Andrew. 

“It’s about their adventures of getting her back home.”

The couple has published two Flycoren: Kausim graphic comics, one in 2012 and one in 2013. The plan is to continue to print a new book each year in October, continuing the tale for their readers. In the meantime though, the comic is regularly updated online at www.flycoren.com. 

Amanda is the main writer behind the series and will colour in the characters. Andrew is the background artist and letterer. He also compiles the comics to get them ready for print. 

“It just works really well together, we just happen to have this relationship where we can play off of each other’s strengths and weaknesses and make it work really well for us,” said Andrew. 

“Even after all these years it is still something that we love to work on and every extra ounce of time we have is spent on this project and on our comics.” 

Amanda wasn’t so sure she wanted the public to read her work in the beginning, but eventually Andrew was able to convince her that the story was one to be shared. 

“It’s kind of intimidating because I am letting someone else read what I made for myself, to make me feel better and now I’m putting it out there,” said Amanda.

“I am afraid to be judged but at the same time I’m hoping it opens a world for the kids the same as it has for me, get them involved, get them to read, get them to write, just develop something that will help them feel better and help them develop something they will be proud of.” 

The comic industry has changed over the past 10 years or so; comic giants DC and Marvel no longer monopolize the industry. 

“You don’t have to be part of that anymore to do something with your stories, especially with the Internet. You can find your niche and you can bring them all together onto your website and you can find your fans that way,” said Andrew.

Online readers are very supportive, interactive and willing to appraise your work. They are excited about it and want to be excited about it, you just have to be there to entertain them, said Andrew.