I keep overestimating my time constraints, this overseas move has really sucked the life out of me.
At this point, the project is behind schedule. I may be able to catch up, thanks to the big amount of buffer time I built into the timeline, but I'll be frank: I have a new life to accommodate to with my family and by now I need to accept that adapting to life in the tropics is not going to be as simple as I'd thought.
Manuscript status
In the limited time I've been able to set aside, I've been in a revision loop: adding in Mothership style guide formatting, going over the editing notes from Will Jobst, and trying to come to terms with the immense amount I've learned from the past year running Flatline on the Blocks, editing several Mothership Month projects, and hosting Ansible Uplink. This is a silly joke graph circling around bsky that I think sums up my revision struggles:
I am in that lower green circle bit, right now.
The answer to this bit is: Get over yourself, Chris.
Jokes aside, the lack of scheduling the dedicated time to work consistently is the main problem. I'm very much a creature of habits, and not having a real routine has been difficult to manage. Once the kiddo is back at school, I feel like landing on the finalized, layout-ready draft will be much easier.
In any case, thanks for your understanding and continued support, folks.
Project Timeline
September 2026: Finish style guide revisions, slap into layout.
October 2026: Print tests, and finalize Layout with Jean.
November 2026: Production (patches, map, flyers, zine), and shipping to warehouse
December 2026: Kitting
January 2027: Fulfillment Begins
Future Updates
As I do on all projects I run, I'm committed to sending an update on Twisting Unseen's progress on the second-to-last Monday of each month. Thanks for reading, and talk to you next month.
I've made a lot of progress on the manuscript this month, and just wanted to pipe in to say that I'll be tossing this into layout very soon! So I'll be back in a week or two with a bigger, better update to share with y'all. I just didn't want to go radio silent on the usual update day. Be back soon with some pretty images to show off, :)
Between all the complexities of my transatlantic move, getting Flatline on the Blocks to print, and other personal priorities, I haven't had the time to work on Twisting Unseen. I considered doing a bit of work just to show an example to y'all, but one thing I've learned from getting Flatline on the Blocks ready is that it's best not to break up layout work like that.
I did mention in the last update that I would have more availability in July, and with Flatline off to print, that's looking to be the case. (For the most part, I still have to pack boxes.) I am hoping to have some layout to show off in time for the next update.
Project Timeline
The updated timelines allows us to use December for kitting.
July 2026: Finish style guide revisions/begin Layout
August 2026: Finalize Layout with Jean + Order print tests
September 2026: Proofreading + Print test checks
October 2026: Production (patches, map, flyers, zine)
November 2026: Shipping to Warehouse
December 2026: Kitting
January 2027: Fulfillment Begins
Future Updates
As I do on all projects I run, I'm committed to sending an update on Twisting Unseen's progress on the second-to-last Monday of each month. Thanks for reading, and talk to you next month.
I don't have any news for you this month. I've been knocking out personal matters related to my upcoming move overseas that have left me only with ttrpg time to complete editing and layout work on Flatline on the Blocks.
Not fun news, I know, but like I mentioned last month, the work is cut out for me once I have the actual time to get into layout for Twisting Unseen. And July will be kiddo-free (actual papa tears), so I'll be able to work full time on ttrpgs between boxes that month.
Project Timeline
June 2026: Finish style guide revisions/begin Layout July 2026: Finalize Layout with Jean + Order print tests August 2026: Proofreading + Print test checks September 2026: Production (patches, map, flyers, zine) October 2026: Shipping to Warehouse November 2026: Kitting December 2026: No-go postal delivery zone, :( January 2027: Fulfillment Begins
Future Updates
As I do on all projects I run, I'm committed to sending an update on Twisting Unseen's progress on the second-to-last Monday of each month. Thanks for tuning in, and see ya soon.
I had my layout consultancy meeting with Jean Verne a week and a half ago. He's back from Japan! As I believe I mentioned before, Jean has already chosen the typefaces and created the grid for Twisting Unseen, as he detailed in his newsletter if a deep dive interests ya.
We spent a good amount of time correcting some of my amateur layout settings, and talked about how to prep the manuscript for import. Not only that, Jean had some true layout wizardry (for the professionals: Decorations) that kinda broke my brain, but I was able to put into practice emulating some design work Jean had already done for the zine mockups.
Using the unrevised manuscript, and I gotta work on that page number footer
All that was just before the spring break hit. When I posted last month's update, I'd totally forgotten I had to be on vacation this month. Ouch. Plus, my family is preparing for an unexpected transatlantic move this summer! Well, the big move was a possibility, but in our minds it was definitely a long shot. This has naturally put the time crunch on something fierce!
The style guide edits to Twisting Unseen that I mentioned in the last update are running behind schedule, due to other professional engagements taking priority during this crunch. (Check out my 5 Million Worlds Rokaner Reports, i.e. my newsletter, to follow more on that work.)
I'm not too worried about delivering this project on time, however. With the new tools that Jean has taught me, this is likely to be the quickest layout I've done yet. The overseas move does put me in a pickle for getting my hands on print tests, so I've opted to release an updated Project Timeline.
Project Timeline
May 2026: Finish style guide revisions June 2026: Begin Layout July 2026: Finalize Layout with Jean + Order print tests August 2026: Proofreading + Print test checks September 2026: Production (patches, map, flyers, zine) October 2026: Shipping to Warehouse November 2026: Kitting December 2026: No-go postal delivery zone, :( January 2027: Fulfillment Begins
I built in a lot of redundancy for this project just in case the overseas move became a reality. This updated version of the Project Timeline slots all the production together, and runs coinciding proofing with print checks (which was how I did Not Enough Scoundrels). I'll continue posting updated Project Timelines as the months continue, :)
Future Updates
As I do on all projects I run, I'm committed to sending an update on Twisting Unseen's progress on the second-to-last Monday of each month. Thanks for tuning in, and see ya soon. Enjoy the holiday, for those who celebrate, ;)
