For the past couple of months, I’ve been working as a freelance consultant with John Kovalic, the cartoonist, illustrator, game designer and writer behind Dork Tower, Dr. Blink, Apples to Apples, and Munchkin. In July, I announced that I was working behind-the-scenes with Dork Storm Press, but wasn’t ready to share with you what that role entails. Well, today I am.
Since John is a high profile individual within geek and gaming circles, I felt that it was in both of our best interests to take things slow. Fortunately, we both share the same business philosophy which has really helped our discussions. Those conversations began with a series of questions designed to make John think about what he wanted out of his career. After the first couple of meetings, it was clear to both of us that he had outgrown his modus operandi and he needed someone to help him shape both his short-term and his long-term goals.
As John’s consultant, I’m not telling him what to do or cracking a ruler over his knuckles, I’m providing him with choices. At first, these options were to help him create a loose infrastructure for his business that fit both his original and contracted works. Now? I’m happy to report we’ve gotten the bare bones of processes and roles down that will accommodate the growth of his business along with developing a new web presence.
My role may adapt to fit the business as it grows, but right now I continue to fill the shoes of freelance consultant as his partner on the business-facing side. E Sophia will be managing the Army of Dorkness (which is what we call the fans of John’s artwork) where she’ll employ her endless enthusiasm to have fun with fans, run contests, etc. We are also exploring a mentoring opportunity for her, too, that John and I both hopes will be the first of many such opportunities.
There is a lot of Dork Storm Press-related news in the works and a lot more planned — but we’re tackling the new website first. I can’t wait to share with you what that will look like when it’s all said and done.
Until next time… Or better yet? Go read Dork Tower.
🙂