About Steady Beat

Summary

"Love Jessica"--That's what Leah finds on the back of a love letter to her sister--but who is this Jessica? When more letters, flowers and gifts start popping up, Leah goes undercover to discover her sister's secret. What she doesn't expect is to find is love of her own, and in some very unexpected places!

Creation

In March of 2003, "Steady Beat" was begun as a webcomic for Wirepop.com. From there sprung the first 20-some-odd pages of an idea that would quickly carry over from web to print publication.

After submitting a proposal to Tokyopop with page revisions and new original plot development, "Steady Beat" was officially okayed for creation in print. The entire first chapter was to be completely rewritten and redrawn. The plot was polished. The characters added depth. A main theme newly created.

PREVIEW of book 1. (zip file)
PREVIEW of book 2. (html)

The Story

"Steady Beat" is more than just a shoujo manga / comic. It's a story about growing up. It's about coming to terms with other people's differences and your own. It's about accepting change . . . and how those changes affect those around us.

Set in the Midwest Southern town of Austin, Texas, the first volumes of "Steady Beat" follow the life of Leah Winters as she comes to terms with her perfectionist sister's homosexuality. Having lived in her sister Sarai's shadow for years, Leah slowly begins to discover her own interests and path in life. Whether through relationships, school, or the simple trials of living, "Steady Beat" takes the reader on the journey of a young girl's discovery of self.

"Steady Beat" is an ongoing series with volumes 1 & 2 already out, volume 3 on March 2008 and volume 4 on July 2008. They are available at Barnes & Nobles, Borders, and other local book, comic, and video stores that carry manga and graphic novel titles.