“Yeah. It’s the best way to keep people updated on when I’m going to drop the next chapters and stuff. I can’t post as often as other authors because of my full-time job. So, instead of dropping chapters every Tuesday or something like that, I usually end up just posting like crazy on the IG account to let people know my schedule and then dropping the chapters whenever I have them. It probably stunts my readership a little bit to not regularly release on a set schedule, but I’m all about limits. I can’t do more than I’m doing right now without quitting my job.”

“You have sixteen thousand Instagram followers.”

“Yeah. People like the artwork I post there. I post a lot of sketches and concept boards and stuff.”

“You just posted. Is this the painting you were just working on?”

“Yeah.”

“So, your comic is about two different worlds?”

“Yup. Our world, and then a parallel, flipped world that’s accessible only from underneath the lotus flowers in this one pond. And only when the lotus flowers are in bloom. Some of the characters go back and forth and get stuck on the other side and stuff like that.”

“This is so kickass. This is SO KICKASS.”

“I like it. I love it, actually. Sometimes I wonder if I should just—”

“Shhhhhh.”

“Huh?”

“I’m reading.”

“Oh, God. Don’t read it right now!”

“I’ll call you back later.”

“JD! No! Please don’t hang up on me in order to read my webcomic. Seriously. I’ll just spend the next couple hours completely stressing about what part you’re on and what you think and don’t do this to me! You’re supposed to be helping me sleep, not stressing me the hell out!”

“All right. I’ll just read it later. And I won’t tell you when I do, so you won’t have a panic attack.”

“Thank you.”

“This is seriously cool, though. How come you’ve never told anyone else?”

“I guess because at first it was just this little hobby and I didn’t think it would become anything. I’ve always had all sorts of little projects that I start and stop, and there didn’t seem to be a reason to tell anybody about it.”

“You weren’t sure you were gonna stick with it.”

“Right.”

“And then?”

“And then, when it started to gain popularity, I think I liked having it all to myself. I live a pretty . . . regimented life. And I think having this big secret made me feel more interesting or something. Like I’m capable of surprises.”

“I get that.”

“It’s my superhero side.”

“Excuse me?”