“Fairhome” Interview with Scott Richmond – Tapas Comics

Welcome, everyone! We have a fantastic interview lined up for you today as we dive into an exclusive chat with Scott Richmond, the creator of “Fairhome.” Get ready to explore the creative journey of this talented artist, from their early beginnings in the comic book world to the thought-provoking themes that shape their work. Join us on All Ages of Geek Tapas Reviews as we learn about Scott’s passion for storytelling, their unique approach to character development, and the wonderful world of indie comics!

What initially sparked your passion for creating content, and how did that desire evolve into the work you produce today?

I suppose like most I really have a love for the medium. I’ve been a comic reader for 30 or so years now. I also study identity as my day job as a professor, so to explore those themes through fantasy and comics seemed like a fun opportunity to do something (a bit) different.

Can you walk us through your journey as a content creator, starting from the moment you first decided to explore this medium?

Well I actually got started around 15 years ago by writing for Young American Comics, an indie publisher ran by my friend Tod. Once YAC closed its doors, I still had lots of notes and ideas for a fantasy project that I never stopped thinking about from time to time. So I finally decided to revamp and release it relatively recently.

Your work touches on various themes and subjects. How do you choose which stories to tell, and what do you hope your audience takes away from them?

I think for me it’s about giving characters that the audience can see themselves in – including and especially readers who may not often have that feeling. I personally love heroes, but I don’t know that I relate to them, per se. I relate more to the sidekicks; the side characters. So I thought it would be fun to show how a fantasy world would have its own outcasts who struggle more than everyone else, just like real life.

What led you to choose your current platform for sharing your work, and what aspects of the platform do you find most appealing?

Well, we use a number of platforms, Webtoon, Tapas, ComicFury, etc. Each have benefits and drawbacks. I suppose I just believe in giving people the chance to find the story and meet them where they already are rather than expecting them to come to us.

Are there any aspects of the platform that you feel could be improved, or perhaps have been challenging to navigate?

I wouldn’t mind if Webtoon would alert me to any comments, I’ll say that much.

In your opinion, what distinguishes independent content from mainstream content, and why do you think the indie scene is important for the overall creative industry?

Well it’s a freedom thing, isn’t it? I have the “benefit” of a small audience. I can go out on a limb creatively and target a story to anyone I think may enjoy it – whether they want to or can pay for it or not. So that’s a benefit. Indie comics and indie creators of any medium have always been vital. There’s a passion and a dedication to the medium that people can see and appreciate.

As a content creator, what are some unique storytelling techniques you’ve developed to set your work apart from others in the genre?

I don’t know that that’s my place to say. I try to stay true to my story and look at themes of identity change, new phases of life, self-definition, etc. Whether that sets the story apart from other stories isn’t up to me but the reader to decide.

Apart from your main work, what other avenues do you explore to engage with your audience, such as social media, live events, or merchandise?

We are on Instagram, tiktok, etc. All supporters on Patreon have access to the Fairhome discord to talk to me, the rest of the creative team, and discuss plot, secrets, and any number of things.

Creating content can be both rewarding and challenging. Can you share some of the struggles you’ve faced along the way, and how you’ve overcome them?

I’m lucky to have a very supportive partner in life who enjoys me pursuing the story. I have a great couple of folks who work on the comic with me who are all brilliant and supportive. And at the end of the day, we have people who read the story week in and week out. That’s priceless.

Are there any creators, artists, or writers who have been particularly influential or inspiring to you? How have they shaped your creative journey?

Too many to name to my satisfaction. George Perez to me is the greatest comic artist of all time and a major inspiration for me creatively.

For aspiring content creators, what are some practical tips and advice you would give to help them find their own voice and style?

Focus on what you care about and what you’d want to read. Think about the tropes in comics or any medium that do and don’t work for you. Just try to write the best story you can and the one you wish someone had written for you when you needed it.

Can you tell us about your creative process, from brainstorming ideas to the final execution of your projects? How do you stay motivated and consistent throughout?

I write and re-write up until each page of the comic is locked, including after it’s drawn, lettered, etc. I confer with my artists, spouse, anyone I need to to make sure I feel like everything has come together. Seeing pages come together is very motivating, as is getting them out for public consumption.

How do you balance the creative and business aspects of being an independent content creator, such as promoting your work and managing finances?

I set limits on how much I’ll promote as I find that can be exhausting and not very rewarding. I think the main thing is I try to have reasonable expectations and to enjoy the process more than worrying about hitting a number or getting a viral panel or anything like that.

Funding creative projects can be challenging for many artists. What strategies have you employed to fund your work, and are there any resources you’d recommend to other creators?

Patreon, to me, helps the readers who want more access, more content, or just to support the comic to be able to do that. I may do a Kickstarter some day, but to be honest for me the focus is on making the comic available to anyone regardless of if they want to or can pay.

How do you stay updated on the latest trends and developments in your industry, and how do you integrate this knowledge into your work?

I don’t know that I do. I’m sort of an island in that way. I do this as a passion project more than trying to be a part of “the industry.”

In what ways do you believe the creative industry is evolving, and what opportunities do you see for independent creators in the future?

Well, the double-edged sword of everyone being able to create, right? You can always put your stuff out there, but Webtoon et. al are so saturated it is daunting to find your audience. So, I think there are many opportunities, but they require a lot of patience.

Collaboration can be an essential part of the creative process. Have you worked with other creators or artists on projects, and if so, how have those experiences shaped your work?

Sure. I bounce ideas of off several creators I respect, and my artists who work with me help me a great deal to make the story better.

What are some personal or professional goals you have for your career, and how do you plan to achieve them in the coming years?

For me, as long as Fairhome keeps finding an audience, I’ll be satisfied. I’d love to have enough Patreon support to balance out the cost of producing the comic, but time will tell.

As a creator, how do you measure success, and what achievements are you most proud of so far?

It’s subjective obviously. For me just having readers at all is something I’m very proud of.

Lastly, could you share an anecdote or experience from your content-creating journey that has had a profound impact on you, and what did you learn from it?

I have had someone tell me a scene in the comic helped them out of a tough emotional time when they needed something like that very much. That the story had a positive impact on someone in a real way is a tremendous thing.

And that’s a wrap on our insightful interview with Scott Richmond, the brilliant mind behind “Fairhome.” We hope you’ve enjoyed this in-depth look at Scott’s creative process, inspirations, and the significance of the indie comic scene. As you continue to explore the ever-expanding universe of content creators, don’t forget to check out Stec Studio, All Ages of Geek, and the captivating series, “I Married a Monster on a Hill.” Stay tuned for more exciting content, and until next time, keep supporting the incredible talents in our community!

About Stec Studio, All Ages of Geek and “I Married a Monster on a Hill”

Stec Studio is a New Jersey-based company founded and run by by the Stec Sisters. We specialize in producing interactive comics and novels based on All Ages of Geek media, as well as creating a fully open world Boys Love Universe called BLU Media. This universe is being built from various media forms, including readable media, games, and animations.

Our main series, I Married a Monster on a Hill, is a popular WEBTOON that tells the story of a retired knight who falls in love with a half-monster. We are also developing an in-production visual novel called I Married a Monster on a Hill: Dates, along with an upcoming Wattpad Exclusive set in the same Universe. At Stec Studio, our goal is to create content that gives people hope and light, and we hope our stories can provide joy and entertainment to all who experience them.