I think others here read on GoComics, so likely are aware that they did some work on their site. I’m an almost-daily reader there, but I have no account; I just go there and read the ones I want to read.

One of those is “Fur Babies.” Nancy Beiman has not only created a genius little toon about a girl and pets, she’s also mentioned other ‘toonists and their work, and I read those now, most of the time, as well.

Since I don’t have an account, I’m not aware of the issues Ms. Beiman mentions here in her substack. I do see, in comments when I bother reading those, that people have trouble getting in, getting around, and seeing what they go to GoComics to see. So, all of that is the background for this, from Nancy Beiman. Maybe none of you read her comic, and don’t mind what she or any other artist does. But, maybe some of you do, so please read this and give her your thoughts, all right? You’ll need to click through to Substack to do so. And thanks!

A Question and a Poll by Nancy Beiman

Two year anniversary…then what? Read on Substack

FurBabies will have its second GoComics publication anniversary on June 5, 2025.

I was told that I should allow two years for the strip to get off the runway. The time is nearly up, it’s still on the runway, and I need to know if the flight should be cancelled.

Drawing a daily strip is a lot of work for very little reward, and I’m not talking about money. I got rewarded well at first. A core group of readers posted daily on the GoComics page. They enjoyed the strip, there were very few trolls, and the number of followers was going steadily up. Then they changed the site and everything changed for FurBabies.

The strip now gets 50% of the likes and comments that it formerly received. I have no way of seeing if the followers are increasing or decreasing. Some commenters have disappeared (most were able to return, although not without difficulty) No one can see the number of followers change any more. The system now only changes when 100 people add or leave the page. This is of little consequence to strips with thousands of followers, but it is devastating to ones with fewer than two thousand (I am not the only one in this predicament). If the smaller strips aren’t publicized, they never will become better known. I’ve done everything I could to get the word out, but am completely discouraged by the recent developments.

I’m running a poll here and on Instagram: Should I keep drawing the FurBabies?

They were intended to bring a little fun and innocent humor into the comics. The zeitgeist tends toward ‘dark’, snarky, or autobiographical strips lacking in humor. I’m out of touch and I know it. Frankly I don’t want to be ‘in touch’ with these times.

If I do continue FurBabies, I will most likely go to alternate days and drop daily updates.

Thank you for reading this and I look forward to hearing from you.

Nancy

(snip-go answer the poll-it’s a simple couple of clicks. I don’t mind how you vote, but she’d appreciate the information.)