The following is an interview with editor Alberto Rayo regarding the recent launch of the independent crowdfunding campaign for The Lizard Prince and Other South American Tales in association with Iron Circus Comics. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Rayo about the final installment in the acclaimed Cautionary Fables series, the shared creative process of working with incredible lineup of writers and artists, his collaboration with co-editors Kel McDonald and Kate Ashwin, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the recent launch of your crowdfunding campaign in association with publisher Spike Trotman and Iron Circus Comics! What are you most excited for readers to experience with this latest (and final) installment of the Cautionary Fables series?
Alberto Rayo: Hi, Fanbase Press! At the moment, I’m really excited for the readers of CF&FT to complete the series and for them to meet the artists we’re bringing. I think the readers will enjoy the variety of stories and the different art style. Any fan of fantasy and mythology will particularly enjoy this book.
BD: In bringing together so many talented creators for the project, what can you tell us about the shared creative process of working with the creators – as well as returning series editors Kel McDonald and Kate Ashwin – to shepherd their stories to completion?
AR: Every creator is different, so the process with each one of them was as unique as their story. I learnt a lot working with Kel and Kate; they’re top notch professionals, and their experience in the series made this last installment a well-run project. I appreciate a lot the importance they gave to the authors and their stories; it was really inspiring!
BD: What makes Iron Circus Comics the perfect home for this collection of stories?
AR: The work that Iron Circus and Spike have done for anthologies and crowdfunding comics is invaluable, I don’t think anthologies would be the same without them. Their focus on anthologies also has let a lot of emergent creators from countries all around the world to connect with readers. Their relevance for stories outside usual narratives and anthologies make Iron Circus Comics the perfect place for this series.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that The Lizard Prince and Other South American Tales will connect with and impact readers?
AR: I think the biggest impact will be on Latinx readers. The book focuses on Latinx stories that haven’t been represented that much in media which are South American cultures. The reader will be introduced to a vast array of narratives from different countries, all of them from different points of times in their history.
BD: What are some of the incredible backer rewards that you would like to highlight for those who support the crowdfunding campaign?
AR: The campaign welcomes old and new backers! They can complete the CF&FT collection with this last book or get the whole six-book series. There will also be other options to carry 2, 3, or 4 books of the collection, so everyone can have it their own way. Also, for the digital readers out there, there will be also a DRM-free PDF edition of the book.
BD: Are there any other upcoming projects on which you are currently working that you would like to share with our readers?
AR: Yes! A few weeks ago, my latest MG graphic novel was released. It’s called The Sky Fox, and it was published by Capstone. The artist was the fantastic Fabiana Faiallo. Also, with the artist Diego Revelo, we’re making a Webtoon Original in Spanish. It’s called Doble Detective Difunto, and it’s an ongoing urban fantasy comic that fans of detective mysteries will love.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about The Lizard Prince and Other South American Tales and your other work?
AR: You can find more about The Lizard Prince on Iron Circus Comics’ social media, like Instagram (@ironcircus) and Twitter (@ironcircuscomix). The campaign is on Iron Circus Comics’ website: ironcircus.com
