Fyredrake.net Announcements

Happy New Year!

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:07:00 GMT

Happy New Year to you all! Hope that everyone has had nice holiday season. Sorry for the long absence of an update on here, I've been away for about a month (but I'm still feeling tired, hehe).

Have a nice piece of artwork to show you, it is my holiday picture of Briony reading books by lamplight. It will be featured on the cover of the Publishers' Supplement of Peters Bookselling. Also did a couple of cute Final Fantasy XI fanarts!

Got a lot of little things here and there to work on, many new things indeed! I am working on getting a couple of things out for May Expo, but in the meantime I will be at various events in the lead up. Can't say more than that! Don't forget to head to my Comics Section if you haven't yet seen my latest works in DOMO: The Manga and Talking to Strangers. And check out my Other Projects page for more info on Girls FC (Walker) by Helena Pielichaty.

Winter Wind Down

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:54:00 GMT

Yoohoo! I'd like to say Hiya! and Thank you! to all the schools, libraries and museums I've visited over the summer. I hope to see you guys again at some trade shows, you know that you can always meet me at any of the events that I list above. Of course, if your school will have me back, let me know! And if you have any feedback to give, please email me or leave it with the lovely guys at Authors Abroad if they organised the visits.

Well, the summer has been ridiculously busy, finally my workload is winding down a little. Looking forward to settling down into some proper illustration work AT HOME rather than on the run, jet-setting around, hehe. Don't get me wrong, I love travelling but it does make getting books done a little difficult!

Domo: The Manga (Tokyopop) has just been released! It is a very silly full-colour anthology which I contributed to. Other artists include other Tokyopop stalwarts, Jared and Lindsay Hodges and REM. And my latest comic baby with Sweatdrop was the anthology Talking to Strangers written by Fehed Said, a truly amazing anthology featuring work from Faye Yong, Wing Yun Man, Nana Li and Chloe Citrine. It is AWESOME and has caused nightmares. Cool. Head to my Comics Section for purchasing information! If you buy directly from Sweatdrop's shop, we will heart you forever! We take paypal, credit cards and ship internationally ^w^ Or you can wait until you see me or the team at a UK event!

In other news, I've been working on lots of very fun children's books - specifically, Girls FC (Walker) by Helena Pielichaty. Really recommend this series for 9-12yrs, even I personally enjoyed them at my age :3 Very characterful and not just fluff. Head to my Other Projects page for more info!

Finally, check out some of my latest arts! Only a couple of things, but I hope you like them anyway XD

It's the Summer - How are you doing? Shout outs!

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 19:55:00 GMT

Yo! I think I should stop apologising for the long breaks in between my updates - if I don't post, just assume that I am incredibly busy, okay? LOL! As always, you can check my livejournal for signs of life (amidst day-to-day waffle).

Anyway, I wanted to give a shout out to all of the schools that I've visited over the past 2 months - Hi guys!! I've had a great time working with you all, thank you so much for being so enthusiastic. I hope to see you guys again at some trade shows, you know that you can always meet me at any of the events that I list above. Of course, if your school will have me back, let me know! And if you have any feedback to give, please leave it with the lovely guys at Authors Abroad, who organised all the visits.

I had a fabulous time at the Japanese Art Festival last weekend, I love the atmosphere and the crowd who go - so much talent in such a small space! A wonderful way to meet creators up close and personal. And such lovely food and other products too! If you've never been to one, please try! It's absolutely free and perfect for all Japanophiles ^.^ Next time will probably be February 2010?

Love Stuffing and Aya.Takeo were strongly featured in this month's NEO Magazine! Issue #61 August 2009, page 14 - I got a little box all to myself called "Suddenly Sonia"!! Thank you sooooo much NEO, it is super appreciated!! *bows* If anyone wants to buy the comics featured, please head to the Comics Section for purchasing information! If you buy directly from Sweatdrop's shop, we will heart you forever! We take paypal, credit cards and ship internationally ^w^ Or you can wait until you see me or the team at a UK event!

Speaking of comics... you may have noticed that I've added an extra bar to the top of my website, which displays thumbs of all recent comics I've done. It is pretty! Clicking the thumbnails will bring you to relevant section in my Comics page. But... lookie lookie, What's this Domo: The Manga doing here? Ohohohohoho....

To catch up on past news, please read my RSS feed or my livejournal!

Once Upon a Time reprinted! March Catch up!

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 23:42:00 GMT

My, weeks can fly by so quickly! Well, I've finished off a lot of work for some childrens' books. Which meant that I've been to progress with not one, not two, but THREE different books that have gone/are going/will go to the plate printers!

First up, the Once Upon a Time... graphic novel (160pgs) has been reprinted!! It looks gorgeous!! It has a thicker spine!! Laminate gloss cover!! BUY IT!! You can buy from me or the Sweatdrop Studios team personally at any event we have a stand at (look above for a list of upcoming events I will be attending) and online from Sweatdrop Studios' online store: Once Upon a Time product page

Love Stuffing volume 1 (192pgs) official release is for London MCM Expo in May. I'm getting so pumped about this!! I love the last few chapters of this book very much. Art and story are by me, concept is by Stereoblind. If you'd like to know more about the story, head to my Comics section.

My webcomic Aya.Takeo is now at 105 pages - this is a webcomic that is published every Sunday, in full colour at www.ayatakeo.com, going since April 2007. It's also being mirrored at DrunkDuck.com, where it was recently a top feature!! The US E-shop offers lots of collectibles! UK versions are also available! Just email me at sonia@fyredrake.net if you are interested! AyaTakeo volume 1 (64pgs) is set for release in May, at London MCM Expo in the UK AND at Anime Boston in the USA!

Next - I've actually been doing TONs of art recently - I've started accepting small little requests for cute avatar artwork on Gaia. I only really want to show case my best pieces officially, so you should see my selection below! If you want to see all of them, you can check out my Gaia thread dedicated to this (I have strict rules about what I am willing to accept, as these requests are only for fun, nothing else):::FYREDRAKE::quality avi art shop or you can head to my deviantArt account here: FyredrakeMagick on dA

And so!! What next, ne? EVENT SEASON!! I'll be heading to lots of anime conventions etc. over the next few months, please please please say hi to me if you can! I won't be cosplaying at all of them though, relish my Trinity Blood cosplays when I do bother with them, hehe!

HUUUUUGE Update

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:34:00 GMT

Darlings, I am so so sorry for not updating this feed. Bad Sonia. My excuse is that I got horribly busy in November, then horribly ill in December, then abroad for most of January. Forgive me? Now then, a big summary about what's been happening over the past few months.

First off, comic updates - the first print run of Once Upon A Time... totally sold out within 1 month. Thank you to everyone who bought it! I'm organising a reprint this month, should hopefully be done by MinamiCon. The Love Stuffing prequel also sold out! Thank you!!! Sorry about the delay in release schedule for this, my illness really set me back. The graphic novel volume 1 official launch is London MCM May Expo, sneak peeks to be viewed at Minami. AyaTakeo volume 1 is also in the works, for dual launch at both the London MCM Expo in May and at Anime Boston.

Other projects - the How Manga Took Over the World exhibition is touring the UK! Formerly at the Manchester URBIS centre, it is now at the Hub in Northampton until the 3rd May! Randomly and very awesomely, Channel 4's award-winning sitcom The I.T.Crowd season 3 features some of my artwork in Jen's office, look out for it from episode 3 onwards!

Event update! After the October London MCM Expo, I went to the Thought Bubble in Leeds on the 15th November - this was a very wonderful event, thank you to my (literally) hordes of screaming fans!! Then I attended the Grand Cosplay Ball at the Clapham Grand on the 30th November. It was AWESOME, I was so pleased that my cosplay was well received!! Then in late January I was sponsored by the British Council to give Manga workshops at the Children and Young Peoples' Book Fair in Athens, Greece. I worked with some amazing people and was bowled over by the warm welcome I received! And then last weekend I attended the star-studded New York Comic Con which was heaving with attendees! So now you know how ridiculously busy I've been, hehe.

And so! Artwork update? Why yes! Have some.

And I'm tired now. So if you'd like to check up on where I'll be heading next, visit my website home page and read about it there. Thank you very much and good night!!

Two new comics for you!

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:50:00 GMT

TWO NEW BOOKS FOR YOU!! ^_^ Both will be available to purchase from the Sweatdrop Studios stand this weekend!

Once Upon a Time... the collected volume!

---
Briony: What do I say to him?
Mercedes: I'm going to let them all down.
Latisha: Gotta keep up my reputation, y'know what I'm sayin?
Alice: You said you'd always look out for me!
Alexis: I just...can't keep it all to myself anymore.

Once Upon a Time... stories of our time, the here and now. What challenges do we face when we have to grow up? Look through the eyes of different people as they deal with their personal battles, face the truth and determine their futures. Life's lessons can only be learnt from living it.

Details: 9x6"comic digest, 160 pgs (5 chapters), colour cover, age rating teen, UK 5.00

OUAT was my first manga. And this volume is the entire thing - so this is a standalone graphic novel, complete as it is. (Although perhaps in a few years' time, I may release another standalone volume which shows all of the girls' lives several years from now...)

Longtime fans might notice that I have pretty much re-drawn most of chapters 1-3 so they are new and improved! But I have left only a couple of pages here and there in retro style just cos they were so cheesily appropriate XD

Attached is the cover mock up and some sneaky pages! Each chapter focuses on a different girl and her story. I've included two pages per chapter, in chronological order. I hope it whets your appetite and makes you want to find out what happens! Enjoy...

Love Stuffing - the prequel!

---
The fluff love is made of!

Jenny is a girl who loves her stuffed animals. Wishing she could get Steve to love her the way she loves her soft toys, she wonders if the secret to being loved is in the stuffing itself. Comparing herself to the more popular girls in class, she realises her problem - she lacks the stuffing! Borrowing "love" from her fluffy friends, she "stuffs" herself and goes to school...

Story and Artwork by Sonia Leong
Concept by Stereoblind (http://www.stereoblind.com/)

The limited edition prequel covers Chapter 1 of the upcoming volume. It also contains concept art and initial character sketches which will not be available in the final volume.

Volume 1 is to be released in December 2008!
192 pgs each, UK 5.99 or US 9.99

Volumes 2 and 3 to be released in 2009 ^_^ The limited edition (30 copies only) prequel comic will be available at the London MCM Expo for UK 2.00. There will also be 30 US versions as well, details on where to get them to follow.

New Art for sale/exhibition

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:05:00 GMT

The exhibition and sale of anime/manga related artwork runs from today until the 1st November 2008 at the Westminster Reference Library, on the 1st floor.

Westminster Reference Library, 35 St. Martin's Street, London WC2H 7HP
The nearest tube station is Leicester Square, and the library is opposite the National Gallery.

I have 10 pieces available for sale.

These first five pieces were exhibited in Richmond as well. Prices range from 130-220 pounds, these are originals (pen and ink or colour markers) in frames. Sizes are A4-A3.

I also have a portrait of Akemi Solloway, A4 rendered in pen and ink. Unfortunately I do not have a preview available.

These are unique, one-off printings of the following images from the Once Upon a Time... series. They are A2 sized, framed and signed, each are for sale at 90 pounds.

Finally, I have two brand new pieces to show you. These two pieces are the reason why I haven't slept since Monday - I've been awake for 36 hours, been to London and back only to bring you this!! I have touched them up a little in photoshop as there are some limits to what markers can achieve (I didn't have enough colours to get some of the lighting/shading perfect), but otherwise, the originals are sold as is.

Both are A4, colour marker pieces. The princess is 300 pounds, the prince is 270 pounds.

I don't think I want to draw ringlets ever again.

And now, for some much needed sleep T_T

(PS: if you go to the website www.solloway.org, you can find out a little bit more about it, the exhibition is headed up by Martin and Akemi Solloway. Some familiar names are exhibiting do check it out if you can ^_^)

News, art and releases update!

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:10:00 GMT

Some of you might have seen me recently at AmeCon, Leicester, 8-10 Aug '08 and at the Manga/Anime Art Exhibition, Richmond, 15-16 Aug '08, or at Alcon, Leicester, 5-7 Sept '08. Apologies if I missed you, you know how busy these things can get ^_^.

Look out for Comic Book Tattoo (Tales inspired from Tori Amos), published by Image comics. It is an anthology of comic shorts inspired by her song lyrics. I collaborated with my sister, Stephanie Leong, to produce the chapter on "Siren". The UK release is out now!

The Once Upon a Time... graphic novel is going to press! Yay!!! Please look out for it, I'm so so proud of this book, I really worked hard on improving it and chapter 5 represents some of my best work to date. I will make more announcements once I have some pages ready to preview and once it is available for sale.

I've just finished work on another set of children's books for Hachettes' I, Hero series of choose-your-own-adventure books, Pirate Gold is about Privateers in Tudor Times and you get to play a Victorian detective in Save the Empire! Previous titles include Vikings, Greek Mythology, WWII Spies and Roman Gladiators. Not fun to draw, but pretty fun to play!

I am also working on a very cute romantic comedy which will release straight to GN format, called Love Stuffing, to be published with Sweatdrop. Hoping to get this out around about London Expo in October.

And look out for a new comic from me called Decravia's Diary, published online with Taymai - this free online/interactive magazine also has many other comics for kids, including cartoons like Roobarb and Custard, etc.

The Manga Life Series, a collaboration between the self help publisher Infinite Ideas and Sweatdrop Studios, were officially released earlier this year. The first two titles Be Creative and Find True Love are available to buy from most bookstores. The next two titles are still work in progress.

The Manchester URBIS Manga Exhibition How Manga Took over the World is running until 21 Sept '08. I created the mascot Umeko, she is seen throughout the exhibition in different styles and poses to match the various themes. If you missed it, no worries - the exhibition is likely to go on tour throughout the UK next year!

My webcomic Aya.Takeo is now at 79 pages - this is a webcomic that is published every Sunday, in full colour at www.ayatakeo.com, going since April 2007.

So I have some pretties to show you! This series of monotone illustrations was created specially for the exhibition in Richmond, and the last one is in the foreword of Once Upon a Time...!

Upcoming event and news updates

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:31:00 GMT

Sorry for the long radio silence from me, that usually happens when I have far too much work to do, as usual. Currently I'm working on finishing off the Once Upon a Time... graphic novel, which is going to the printers very soon. I am also working on another set of children's books for Hachettes' I, Hero series, one about Privateers and one about Victorian Murder! I am also working on a very cute romantic comedy which will release straight to GN format, called Love Stuffing, to be published with Sweatdrop. And look out for a new comic from me called Decravia's Diary, to be published in an upcoming online serial with Taymai...

Look out for Comic Book Tattoo (Tales inpired from Tori Amos), published by Image comics. I collaborated with my sister, Stephanie Leong, to produce a 7-page manga for this anthology based on the songs by the awesome musician. 7 pages doesn't sound like a lot, but the book is massive in dimensions - 12x12 inches! So you'll get plenty of panels and dialogue! It's gonna hit the US shops in July, the UK release is set for August!

The Manga Life Series, a collaboration between the self help publisher Infinite Ideas and Sweatdrop Studios, were officially released earlier this month. The first two titles Be Creative and Find True Love are available to buy from most bookstores. The next two titles are still work in progress.

The Manchester URBIS Manga Exhibition How Manga Took over the World is running until 27 Sept '08. I created the mascot Umeko, she is seen throughout the exhibition in different styles and poses to match the various themes. I've collected some pictures together in a livejournal post: Official pictures. I will be attending the Manga Maniacs day this weekend 28 June to help judge a cosplay competition and I will be drawing a portrait of the winner as prize.

My webcomic Aya.Takeo is now at 67 pages - this is a webcomic that is published every Sunday, in full colour at www.ayatakeo.com, going since April 2007. The E-shop offers lots of collectibles and if you're based in the US, you can order some funky custom keyboards. Hoping to offer UK versions soon...

Oh, and here is some new artwork for you, all from Once Upon a Time...!

Thank you for buying Satan's Amazon! Also, new artwork

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:51:00 GMT

Thank you to everyone who bought the limited edition of Satan's Amazon, it was sold out at Minami! Standard edition should hopefully be available to buy online soon, or from May 2008 at events. Progress on the Once Upon a Time... graphic novel is slow but steady. I really hope I can have this ready for May 2008 Expo! I also have some new artwork for you! Sweet Angel, Gothic Devil. The Angel is based off my website header image.

New Comic! Satan's Amazon - Limited edition at MinamiCon this weekend

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:45:00 GMT

Satan's Amazon: UK POUNDS 2.00, A5 wirebound 20 pgs, colour cover, age rating older teen 16+ Oksana is an Amazonian warrior who finally falls in battle - and is brought face to face with Satan. He tells her that in order to reach Heaven she must re-live her life again... without ever fighting back. Artwork by Sonia Leong, Story by John Bamber. Here's a couple of sample pictures for your convenience, more available in the comic section of my website!

A limited edition of 10 handmade copies on marbled paper will be on sale at MinamiCon 14, 29 Feb - 2 Mar 2008, Southampton, UK. Once gone a standard edition will be made available from May 2008 onwards.

Website update, 23 Feb 2008

Sat, 23 Feb 2008 16:33:00 GMT

Fyredrake.net now has a new feature - an RSS feed, so that you can be notified of any new artwork, recent publications, awards and updates to the website. Please subscribe to it at http://fyredrake.net/feed.xml!

I finally finished work on the first two collaborations between Sweatdrop Studios and Infinite Ideas - the Self Help series of Manga, called "Manga Life"! The official product page is here: Manga Life Series, please note that the first two titles are Be Creative and Find True Love, the other two titles have placeholder covers. For a closer look at the cover illustrations, see these pictures below.

I recently created the mascot images for the Manchester Urbis Manga Exhibition - How Manga Took over the Workld. Her name is Umeko, she will be seen throughout the exhibition in different styles and poses to match the various themes - see if you can spot her! The exhibition runs from 13 March - 27 September 2008, for more info, see the official website: How Manga Took Over the World. Here are some related images, more to come in the following weeks.

My Manga Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet made it into the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Booklists and Book Awards - the 2008 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers and the Best Books for Young Adults 2008!

A new character emerges tomorrow at Aya.Takeo - a webcomic that is published every Sunday, in full colour at www.ayatakeo.com since April 2007. Also the online shop is gearing up to open soon, with some really striking products - They will be at Anime Boston 2008! Unfortunately I can't be there in person, but if you're stateside and in the Massachusetts area, do go along and check it out.

And last, but not least, have some pretty, random artwork from me. Bye bye for now!