Help Drew Ford Save His Business
Donation protected
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Drew Ford, and I publish comic books and graphic novels under an imprint I own called It's Alive! Before starting my own business, I worked as an editor at another publisher for several years, where I brought to publication over forty graphic novel reprint collections, earning two Eisner Award nominations along the way.
Last Year, I sent several international wire transfers to a printer outside the USA. Initially, they told me everything was fine. But months later, they told me they never received any money. Obviously, I was in shock! I immediately contacted my bank, who confirmed that the funds were sent and received by the bank in question. After taking a closer look, my bank believes the printer has nothing to do with this, and that it is their bank who "lost" my money. I would replace the word "lost" with "stolen", but that's me.
Anyway, my bank opened an official investigation, but after several months of investigating, has made it clear that I will probably not get my money back.
And then, the story gets worse. Originally, the printer (who claims not to understand what is happening) decided to hold several of my books hostage, until I pay for them. Obviously, since I have ALREADY paid for them to be printed, I will NOT be sending any more money to that printer. But recently, I found out that the artist I was working with over there has been told NOT to send me my digital files until I pay them. Although he is freelance, that artist makes a big chunck of his living wage from work that printer provides him. Therefore, stuck between a rock and a hard place, he ultimately decided he couldn't afford to send me my digital files.
Of course, this means I had to start from scratch on several of my books, which I have. I have hired a new artist (not affiliated with that printer in any way), and he has begun work on reconstructing my graphic novels, so that they will soon be ready for print. Unfortunately, because I had to reconstruct several of my upcoming books, the money to print them will be difficult to come up with. I am hoping that folks might be willing to pick up a copy of one of my books (present or upcoming), and help me raise the money to get back on track. One way or the other I will make it happen, but I could sure use help. And I have a lot of upcoming projects that I can't wait to work on, once these handful of books are printed and out the door.
Thank you SO much for your time. All donations are greatly appreciated.
Drew Ford
Last Year, I sent several international wire transfers to a printer outside the USA. Initially, they told me everything was fine. But months later, they told me they never received any money. Obviously, I was in shock! I immediately contacted my bank, who confirmed that the funds were sent and received by the bank in question. After taking a closer look, my bank believes the printer has nothing to do with this, and that it is their bank who "lost" my money. I would replace the word "lost" with "stolen", but that's me.
Anyway, my bank opened an official investigation, but after several months of investigating, has made it clear that I will probably not get my money back.
And then, the story gets worse. Originally, the printer (who claims not to understand what is happening) decided to hold several of my books hostage, until I pay for them. Obviously, since I have ALREADY paid for them to be printed, I will NOT be sending any more money to that printer. But recently, I found out that the artist I was working with over there has been told NOT to send me my digital files until I pay them. Although he is freelance, that artist makes a big chunck of his living wage from work that printer provides him. Therefore, stuck between a rock and a hard place, he ultimately decided he couldn't afford to send me my digital files.
Of course, this means I had to start from scratch on several of my books, which I have. I have hired a new artist (not affiliated with that printer in any way), and he has begun work on reconstructing my graphic novels, so that they will soon be ready for print. Unfortunately, because I had to reconstruct several of my upcoming books, the money to print them will be difficult to come up with. I am hoping that folks might be willing to pick up a copy of one of my books (present or upcoming), and help me raise the money to get back on track. One way or the other I will make it happen, but I could sure use help. And I have a lot of upcoming projects that I can't wait to work on, once these handful of books are printed and out the door.
Thank you SO much for your time. All donations are greatly appreciated.
Drew Ford
Organizer
Drew Ford
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY