Hey everyone!
Let me start out by saying, thank you so much for your patience for what has been quite the learning process in the creation of this book.
When I started this project, it was going to be a picture book with some light commentary, so in my mind, it was going to be easy to make. But the more I started designing and laying out the pages the book began to evolve into something different from what I envisioned.
This is no longer just an essential playlist of my favorite coffee cups. I tried my best to make the order chronological, and as it came to life, this retrospective of caffeinated comics made me, well, retrospective. So I started adding some context of not only what inspired some of the cups, but also what was going on in the world when certain cups were created. Then I started adding more about myself, how it felt to watch this project go viral, and the trials and tribulations of trying to make it into something more than a generally well-liked Instagram feed.
This shift has not been without its bouts of creative paralysis, brought on by an astronomical sense of imposter syndrome, and then the guilt over the length of time it's taken me to get to this point. All of you have already paid for this book, and you did it to support me personally, as well as my work, and I am terrified of disappointing even one of you.
All that said, I am thrilled to report that I will be turning in the manuscript this week. And once I do that, I promise to keep you apprised of its progress, and eventually let you know when you can expect the final book in your mailbox.
With everything going in the world, there might be some uncertainty in production timing, but I have connected with my partners at Unbound and they, as a company, have adapted to the crisis, and have been able to maintain their operation while making some necessary changes to protect the health of their employees.
You all made this happen for me, and I am so glad that each one of you will have your name(s) featured in the book. Because it would not exist without your love, support and undying tolerance for a coffee cup artist and his predictable ocean of self-doubt.
Stay healthy, stay safe.
Love,
Josh