Tl;dr: the public webcomic is taking a 2 month holiday break, with Reader Question updates every Tuesday, returning with Chapter 9 on Tuesday, February 17th.
So, most of you probably know I draw pages much slower than they upload here. The reason I’ve kept a steady 3 day a week schedule is because I started uploading with about half the book already completed. I did some calculations before launching the public webcomic and determined that with my rate up to that point, I could upload here continuously without catching up to my backlog until the very last pages.
Unfortunately, last year, I did not maintain that page completion rate. Instead I traveled out of the country 3 times, tabled at 4 conventions, had delays on collaborative parts of the project, helped a partner move in, got dumped by that partner, moved out of that apartment into a house, and more. So, the site has been catching up to my page backlog much faster than I planned for. This is the first time I’ve ever made a 300 page graphic novel, so I’m learning how long it actually takes to complete one the hard way.
I considered my options and decided I would prefer to have a hiatus than slow down the update schedule for narrative pages, because I feel that 3 updates a week with breaks at the end of chapters makes for a more enjoyable reading experience. This will also allow me do editing how I prefer to, which is reviewing an entire chapter once it is complete. There are two more chapters remaining in this RttS book (the first of a planned four) and they are some of the longest and juiciest chapters in the book, so I need more time to finish them. There will be another hiatus after Chapter 9 finishes posting here. I’m slowing down the rate at which Reader Questions post, because honestly, they eat up time that really ought to be going into finishing the actual book. So, I’ll be back with Chapter 9 on February 17th, 2026, updating three times a week, but Reader Questions will be posting every Tuesday until then.
In the meantime: if you are impatient for more RttS, consider throwing 5USD at the Patreon to receive pages the second they are completed on their real chaotic non-schedule. You can even contribute 5 bucks and then immediately cancel the subscription for one month of access, I won’t be mad. (I actually wish Patreon made unsubscribing easier. But that’s a different old man rant).
If you have better things to do with your money, consider dropping in on one of my Twitch streams! Or watching the vods, since unfortunately I have a vampire sleep schedule and live on the west coast of North America. I’m streaming Mon/Weds/Fri (with two exceptions) this December because I want to blast through Chapter 9 as fast as possible and having the panopticon (Twitch chat) staring at me while I draw helps keep me focused.
That’s all for now! Have a happy new year, everyone, and if you’re in the southern hemisphere, please GIVE BACK THE SUN!! I MISS GARDENING!!
19 thoughts on “Winter Hiatus”
Marcie
Got the 17th marked on my calendar ❤️
Eux
good luck with things Jay!! that’s a lot to have all in one year. i’ll be here for the long haul 🙂
Vinemaple
My suggestion for how to fill the RttS hole in your life, during this break, is to check out Jay’s recommendations! Where the advertisement would be! Read Skin Deep, read Mare Internum, study occlupanids on Horg.com, play corru.observer, browse Knife Beetle, watch Worldbuilding Notes, study Serina… there is so much good stuff in Jay’s recommendations!
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CORRU IS FIRE GO CHECK OUT CORRU
un_pogaz
Personaly, I just found O Human Star (finished comics). Very great, almost laughed on the main plot twist of the story of how its brilliant.
TauCeti
Gosh, I am so looking forward to this being published. My parents grew up in the era before computers could fit in houses and thus don’t read webcomics — but they will read a graphic novel and I need to share this with them.
I’ve been summarizing your work to my friends as “Jay does the best worldbuilding…. there was a period there.”
godspeed
Seeing that little picture makes me wish I had wings for ice skating, too.
Can’t stop looking at it for some reason.
Take care, I hope the next year will better for you 🙂
Rose
take care! i’ll be glued to the patreon for updates in the meantime <3
zel
i hope it goes well! im rather pleased that it returns literally the day before my birthday its like a nice gift to me
Feather
I love RTTS, but only if it’s being created at a schedule that’s sustainable for you! I hope the new year is better and less chaotic, and that you have some time for a break.
Flori
As someone who only knows about your personal life through your hourly comics, reading this was a roller coaster. I’m so so sorry about your relationship, and I hope it wasn’t too rough. But also a huge congratulations on getting a house!!! That’s massive!!! I really hope this break helps you relax some, even if you’ll still be working through it. And also sorry if any of this comes off as parasocial in any way.
Jay Eaton
Well, the house is a rental. I am saving pennies to hopefully buy a house in ≈5 years. But this place has a yard and an in-unit washer/drier and a great location; so I’m perfectly happy to not have to move again for the next half a decade. Honestly rental house-hunting was probably the most stressful thing I did all year lol
Flori
Well, rentals better than nothing at least. Plus having a yard is pretty huge on its own. I do have to ask- did Michael and the Michael-lings make the move okay?
DeathbyPixelz
Take care of yourself! ❤️
Waulatu
i hope the holidays treat you very well, i know for a fact the hiatus is worth the wait ^^
petra
sorry about your relationship ending, you’re very resilient for being able to keep up with art, comic making, managing a website, uploading on time and answering questions all this time. get some good rest and/or prep planting some greens in your yard!! you’re the only patreon i am subscribed to……… love to see your critters
Curona
I know that I am not alone in saying that we love the deep and relatable characters and world that you have built. I hope you have a chance to rest and recharge over the hiatus! We will be eagerly waiting on your return.
Tumorhead
Have a nice…well its not a break for you because you’ll be working!! A nice winter solstice and New Year 🙂
Chrysalis
I love the 3-day-a-week posting schedule, which is why I subscribe to the Patreon but only read the comic here on the public site. I hope you have a relaxing break and a much less chaotic next year!