The Varmint Story
by E.J. Wilson
"Vamint" is a term of endearment that my wife, Annie started calling me a long time ago. Naturally, when I needed a name and logo for my book imprint, it had to be Varmint Books. I can do digital art (I designed the covers for Star Trek: Exploring the Original Series and Letters from the Road), but I can't actually draw.
I turned to my friend, Neil Riebe for help. Neil is a well-known comic artist and author who has done fantastic illustrations for a co-author and mutual friend, Noe Torres at Roswell Books.
"Neil, can you draw me a varmint?"
"What's a varmint?"
I wanted an animal that looked friendly and appealing, so I chose an otter, and sent Neil a photo of a real otter. The above drawing is what he produced for me in less than a day. As you can see above, it's perfect.
Neil is a good man. He wouldn't even let me pay him for his work. He advised that our friendship is compensation enough. So I said something nice about him in the acknowledgments of Star Trek: Exploring the Original Series. There is a special place in heaven for Neil, and I hope he knows how much he is appreciated.
I turned to my friend, Neil Riebe for help. Neil is a well-known comic artist and author who has done fantastic illustrations for a co-author and mutual friend, Noe Torres at Roswell Books.
"Neil, can you draw me a varmint?"
"What's a varmint?"
I wanted an animal that looked friendly and appealing, so I chose an otter, and sent Neil a photo of a real otter. The above drawing is what he produced for me in less than a day. As you can see above, it's perfect.
Neil is a good man. He wouldn't even let me pay him for his work. He advised that our friendship is compensation enough. So I said something nice about him in the acknowledgments of Star Trek: Exploring the Original Series. There is a special place in heaven for Neil, and I hope he knows how much he is appreciated.
