We were lucky to catch up with Tycho Dwelis recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Tycho, thanks for joining us today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?
The smell of fresh paper and ink had always been a comfort to me. It’s the smell of potential, of words waiting to be read, of stories about to come alive. But nothing, absolutely nothing, compared to the envelope I held in my hand – my very first paycheck as an independent author.
To most, it would seem a modest accomplishment. I had been self-publishing for years, weaving tales and crafting worlds from the confines of my own mind, always relegated to online platforms and small print runs. And while I had a dedicated following, my sales were far from spectacular, less than a hundred books sold each year, if that.
Getting my work into a brick-and-mortar bookstore had been a dream long held at arm’s length. It was a lofty milestone I had hoped to achieve. Yet, against all odds, I had done it. My books, my words, were nestled among the towering shelves of the Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver, Colorado, whispering their tales to any who would listen.
I hadn’t anticipated a surge in sales, I knew my limitations. But I did harbor a faint spark of hope. The kind of hope that keeps you writing, keeps you dreaming, keeps you striving. And then, one otherwise ordinary afternoon, there it was. An unexpected envelope in the mail.
The moment was surreal. The feeling of the paper, the ink spelling out my name, and the sum earned from the sale of my books. It wasn’t a grand amount, it wouldn’t pay off my mortgage or buy me a luxury car, but it was something even more valuable – tangible proof that I could make it. That people were buying my book, reading my words, living my stories.
I held the check up to the light, and watched as it cast long shadows on my desk, a reminder of how far I had come, how far I could go. It was a physical affirmation, a promise, a testament to my efforts. In that moment, I wasn’t just an independent author; I was a successful independent author.
The joy bubbled up inside me, a quiet but potent elation. It was a moment of validation, a signal that I was on the right path. My heart swelled with pride and, if I’m honest, relief. The world of independent writing is a challenging one, fraught with doubt and uncertainty, but in that moment, it was all worth it. The late nights, the countless revisions, the periods of self-doubt – all worth it.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m Tycho (I also use the pen name Cassidy), and I love storytelling! I’m incredibly passionate about writing, art, and anything that allows me to create my own worlds. My goal is to write dreamy fiction for all ages that is unique, inspiring, and imaginative. I like to write about themes that include coming of age, magic realism, identity, relationships, and bullying. My books are intended for readers ages eight to twenty-five, and are meant to connect the world of the fantastical to everyday life.
I am also an independent illustrator who was trained in book illustration and concept art. I also love to help other authors bring their books to life with pretty pictures, editorial services, and more.
I currently live in Colorado and have my MA in Publishing!
When I’m asked what drew me into creating, be it art or writing, it always circles back to one thing – the power of storytelling. It’s a deep, human connection that bridges our shared experiences, emotions, and imaginations. I felt this unshakeable spark at a young age and it’s a flame that’s only grown brighter over the years.
Choosing the path of an independent creator was a decision rooted in the desire for freedom. Freedom to craft my narratives, to shape my characters, and to breathe life into the worlds I build without having to convince an agent of the marketability or trendiness of my ideas. This path allows my work to stand on its own merit and to reach audiences who connect with the authenticity of it.
What sets my work apart, I believe, is the raw human element at its core. Even though my stories often venture into realms of fantasy, the characters are grounded in a tangible reality. They grapple with emotions, face challenges, and grow in ways that mirror our own experiences. My aim is to create characters that readers can see themselves in, offering them a sense of companionship and the comforting knowledge that they are never alone. That, to me, is the magic of storytelling.
With that drive of storytelling as my main fuel, I decided to go to art school to help other people paint their dreams, and then decided to write mine down, too. Those dreams became books, and then those books became a Publishing MA, and now here I am.
My books have gone on to win awards – my Braidy von Althuis books have won 5 Star Awards from Reader’s Favorite, and some of my titles have even been #1 Bestsellers on Amazon. Outside of my own work, however, I’m proudest of my ability to deliver a top-notch experience to my clients, whether it be through editorial or illustration services. I want their books or other projects to sparkle no matter what, so I always put my client first.
Ultimately, I don’t plan on stopping any time soon. My head is just swimming with ideas for books, and if you’re looking for diverse fiction that especially focuses on LGBTQ, POC, or diverse stories in general, I’m your writer. If you want to read books that help you teleport out of this reality and into somewhere better where you’re seen, heard, and loved, my books are for you!
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Artists often get left behind. This is a fact. We can see this as artists struggle against A.I. generated art, actors go on strike, writers go on strike. We’re all out here just trying to be seen, and supporting creatives is a multifaceted challenge that can’t be handled by one person alone. However, there are loads of things people can do as individuals to help!
1. Education: Learn where your art comes from. A lot of people assume that most artists are either hobbyists or – on the other end of the spectrum – multi-million dollar creatives. If you want to know how your favorite TV show was made or how your favorite character was designed, find the artist behind it. Get to know them and learn more about the craft. Listen to their struggles and recognize their value.
2. Financial Support: This is kind of an obvious one, but most of us don’t drive sports cars. We often struggle financially (go listen to Hobo Johnson’s 3% to understand what I mean), and that can limit our ability to create. Either we get undercut by the companies we work for in the large industry side of art, or we get completely ignored in the sea of social media and get to enjoy paychecks of $50 a month doing what we love. If you find an artist you like, sign up for their Patreon, contribute to their Kofi, or buy a commission. Sometimes, this kind of support is only $1 a month, which is much less than even a Netflix subscription (and an artist will never tell you what to do with your password!)
3. Recognition and Respect: This can look like a lot of things. Share artists’ work on your social media timelines, give artists credit for their art, don’t copy, trace, or resell artists’ work, and don’t use A.I. generators, which is just a bunch of stolen artwork in a database. Highlighting artists’ achievements on public platforms can gain them more followers, which often helps an artist build a more sustainable and stable lifestyle doing what they love!
4. Accessible Platforms: Support artists on platforms that are accessible and stable, like Patreon, Kofi, Gumroad, and their newsletters. Also support them on social media too, but understand that the aforementioned
sustainable platforms are not going to randomly rebrand and doom an artist’s career.
5. Encourage Diversity: See an artist that is in a minority group? LGBTQIA? POC? Disabled? SHARE SHARE SHARE. Often times artists in these groups get left behind. Become a number one super fan and scream their names from the rooftops! This, of course, doesn’t mean that everyone else should get left behind. However, supporting artists from diverse backgrounds fosters a rich, vibrant artistic landscape that reflects the full spectrum of the human experience.
Remember, artists and creatives are an essential part of society. Their work sparks imagination, encourages empathy, and makes our world a more interesting and beautiful place!
Have you ever had to pivot?
In my life, I’ve experienced several pivots – it almost feels like a dance that never ends. Often, the world of creativity can be as unstable as a boat in a stormy sea, making each pivot feel like a chase after a fleeting vision, a struggle filled with challenges.
My first major pivot came after I completed my education in game art and illustration. I was juggling a conventional job and freelancing on the side, but I realized that the job wasn’t as secure as I had hoped, leading me to quit. I decided to return to academia, pursuing a MA in Publishing, as I felt a pull toward the world of writing. By then, my books had already started winning awards, bolstering my confidence and validating my potential as a writer. But, I wanted to master the craft thoroughly and the degree seemed like the perfect route.
However, as I stepped into the world post-graduation, ready to embark on my writing journey, I was met with the unforeseen obstacle of the COVID-19 pandemic. This led me to pivot yet again. I found myself locked indoors like everyone else and I saw an opportunity to freelance as an artist again, primarily through Twitch streaming. My rationale was simple: build an online presence during a time when people were indoors and online more than ever.
This is an ongoing process, and I am yet to see where this path leads. But life, as it seems, had another twist in store for me. I recently made another pivot, re-enrolling in grad school for Visual Development. This was a step towards pursuing my original dream of becoming a concept artist in a video game studio. But, that doesn’t mean I’m putting a halt to writing. It’s more of a shift in priorities.
All in all, this journey was full of constant pivots and adjustments. I’ve learned that it’s crucial to remain flexible and adaptable. While it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, I reassure myself that each pivot is a step forward, each one imbuing my journey with value and meaning. The key is to keep going, to keep dancing, to keep pivoting.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tychodorian.com/
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