Production costs for 2024 Sweet Leaves titles!
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Hi! I'm TanukiDad, and I'm the creator and writer of a warm n' fuzzy n' cute anthropomorphic LGBT slice-of-life webcomic called Sweet Leaves (boy, that's a bit of a mouthful, huh). It tells the story of a non-traditional family who coalesces around a young boy named Toby, and explores themes like death, sadness, and grief, but also of hope, joy, life, and most importantly, love. The series aims to show the value of empathy and kindness in a world that tests us all - and in ways we could often use support of loved ones in overcoming.
I've been producing the series since 2018, and I've had the opportunity to tell a variety of stories and do some limited exploration of characters' backstories. However, this year, I've been presented with a rare opportunity to partner with a publisher, Fenris Publishing, to help bring a few projects to life, and to also line them up for both digital and physical publishing. On top of that, they're even going to have Sweet Leaves merch for sale too!
Due to their length, scope, and quality of production teams already put together to bring these 2024 projects to life, their costs aren't exactly small.
That's why I'm here on Gofundme — I'm trying to raise some funds to offset some of those production costs and the laptop repair, and to be able to continue making webcomic shorts while the bigger projects are being made.
With that out of the way, let me finally tell you what's already being worked on and coming to you late 2024 and early 2025, in bullet point fashion - everyone's favorite fashion!
First up, The Official Badgercakes Cookbook and Badgercakes apron!
- Featuring artwork by Soul Nero of not just Sebastien, but the entire Sweet Leaves cast
- A combination art book, short story book, and real, honest to goodness cookbook with over fifty original Badgercakes recipes, ranging from cupcakes to cookies to tarts - and even a few family-favorite savory dishes!
- Contains thoughts and tips from Sebastien on topics ranging from baking, family, love, life philosophy, and his childhood years with his grandmother
- WIPs/finished pages will be posted as they are completed on the Sweet Leaves Patreon as a reward
- Will be published both physically and digitally by Fenris Publishing
- The official Badgercakes apron will also be offered by Fenris. You'll be able to wear the same pink and white candy stripe apron Sebastien does, as you can see in the image above!
- Publishing ETA: Late 2024/Early 2025
In Orbit!
- Features artwork by Mousenoises and Borkthunder, the same art duo responsible for What Brings Us Together, the 24-page future timeline comic just recently released!
- Follows the story of young Toby and his best early childhood friend, Zach, and their adventures in spaaaaaaace!
- Presented in the style and typical orientation (rectangular landscape) of a children's book, but aimed at readers aged 13+.
- Lots of fun narrative and stylistic surprises in store for this one! We'll definitely be switching things up in a lot of ways for this project!
- WIPs/finished pages will be posted as completed on the Sweet Leaves Patreon as a reward
- Will be published both physically and digitally by Fenris Publishing
- Publishing ETA: Late 2024/Early 2025
Snowed In With You
- A 48-page 18+ adult graphic novel collaboration between Zestybone and myself
- Features 3 criss-crossing storylines about 3 couples on Valentine's Day that doesn't go quite as expected. Seriously, there's a ton of story here, and you'll get to see two new couples in action in addition to Colson + Sebastien: Nico + Brook (nearly brand new character!), and Jo + Peach (brand new character!).
- One new character (Peach), one mostly new character (Brook)
- Contains explicit M/M and suggestive F/F content.
- WIPs/finished pages will be published on both the Sweet Leaves Patreon and Zestybone's Patreon. However, since the SL Patreon is SFW, about a quarter of the book cannot be posted there. However, Zestybone will be publishing each and every page of the graphic novel as it is in production on his Patreon. If you want to see this one in its entirety as it goes along, I would recommend subscribing to his Patreon.
- Will be published both physically and digitally by Fenris Publishing
- Publishing ETA: Mid 2025 (48 page full color graphic novel takes a while!)
- NOTE: Gofundme does not allow funds to be raised for adult content. Any donations to this fundraiser, therefore, cannot and will not be used to fund this particular project - they will instead go to the other projects mentioned here. Snowed In With You is being mentioned only so that Sweet Leaves fans are aware of everything I'm working on!
Continued Webcomic!
- Last but certainly not least - continuing Sweet Leaves as a webcomic series! While these other projects above are being worked on, I want to make sure there's no content gap. Plus, there's always more stories to tell in the Sweet Leaves universe!
- The webcomic for 2024 will feature earlier parts of Colson and Sebastien's relationship, prior to their marriage and Sebastien's adoption of Toby.
- Will feature artwork from guest artists - GenOttr, Soul Nero, and others
- The better this fundraiser does, the more of these I can make!
- Will be posted for free on Patreon , Twitter/X , Bluesky , and Furaffinity
Merch!
Badgercakes Apron!
- As mentioned above, you'll be able to get the official Badgercakes apron from Fenris Publishing near when the cookbook launches. You do not have to get the cookbook to get the apron, though!
Dakimakura!
- In addition to the Badgercakes apron, Fenris Publishing will also be producing Dakimakura of Colson and Sebastien, with the artwork being done by Bakemonoy, the artist for Spicy Leaves!
Candles/Oils!
HUFF Aromas has created an official Badgercakes scent that you can get in either oil or candle form. It's got strong notes of vanilla cupcake, espresso, and dark chocolate (yum). Trust me when I say the candle in particular smells amazing - I've already burned through three of them (and hey, my mom loves them too, so you know it's good).
2025 and beyond!
While this fundraiser isn't for 2025 productions, I wanted to briefly tell you while you're here that the series isn't going anywhere (unless I get hit by a bus?), and that 2025 is going to bring a major new focus into play - a video game, and not just a simple Ren'py visual novel style game. Fenris Publishing will be producing the game, and I'll be writing/directing. I'm super excited about it, because I'm going to get to tell you oodles of story and show you character background and development I've not had the budget or space to do before. The game will be designed to make it feel like you're living a normal life around the Grainger family in rural Minnesota, USA. You'll be able to spend time with them in lots of various ways, and as you develop relationships with them through various means (like conversation choices, giving gifts, providing emotional support, spending quality time, playing games, etc.), you'll become closer to them and learn more intimate details about the characters. You might even be able to romance one or two as well if you get close enough.
Don't worry if you like the webcomic though - I will ensure that shorts will come out in 2025 for sure; I can't picture SL ever going away as a comic while I'm still creating stories with the universe and characters!
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THANK YOU!
Seriously, thank you everyone for your support! Sweet Leaves is my ikigai; it's why I get up in the morning, it's what I daydream about, and you can't possibly imagine the fulfillment and happiness I get from being told that the series helped someone process their emotions, inspired them to acts of kindness or love, or that they just simply smiled at it. I want nothing more than to continue making it, so if you like Sweet Leaves, please consider supporting these projects through this fundraiser, or through other means like my Patreon, if you would like to see these projects while they're ongoing in production.
Organizer
Tanuki Dad
Organizer
Redmond, WA