FAQ
What are the differences between the Comic Sections?
When do the comics update?
How do I contact the author?
Have you tried turning the comic off and on again?
I have an idea for an EGS. Should I send it to you?
What about fan fiction?
What about fan art?
Why is this comic named "El Goonish Shive"?
How far are stories planned in advance?
How do I pronounce "Shive"?
How do I pronounce "Kaoli"?
How do I pronounce "Nanase"?
How do I pronounce "Nioi"?
What are the differences between the Comic Sections?
The story, or "main" section, has an ongoing story to it, and new comics for it appear on the front page for all of EGS. Updates Mon, Weds, Friday
EGS:NP is a subsection with short stories that generally aren't canon unless stated. Updates Tues, Thurs, Saturday
The Sketchbook section is full of one-shot gags, sketches, comics that don't fit elsewhere. Update days vary
What time do the comics update?
Ideally, 12 pm US Eastern Timec. If a comic is running late, I will announce it on Twitter.
Have you tried turning the comic off and on again?
THAT WAS THE FIRST THING I TRIED, DARN IT
I have an idea for an EGS story. Should I send it to you?
While I appreciate the attempted contribution, I have more than enough stories and I prefer to use my own ideas. I ESPECIALLY do not wish to be sent new character ideas.
My policy on El Goonish Shive fan fiction is that I don't read it or "officially" endorse it in case someone does something similar to something I have planned or wind up doing (i.e. potential frivolous legal mumbo jumbo).
So, basically, I mostly ask that people not ask me to read it, or tell me about them, or try to profit off of them, and not do anything that would put me in a position where I would NEED to make a fuss about it to protect my copyrights and such.
Fan art is generally awesome and encouraged. There's a line it can cross where fan art becomes fan fiction, but that generally doesn't happen. There's a tag I try to remember to use when reblogging them on Tumblr.
Why is this comic named "El Goonish Shive"?
I couldn't think of a name that summed up the comic, so I went with nonsense followed by my last name. The "Goonish" part of the name is actually a result of an episode of The Simpsons with the line "Hired Goons". As a result of that line, I wound up signing some papers "Dan 'the Goon' Shive" in high school, which lead to my using it as part of the current title.
How far are stories planned in advance?
Generally speaking, the main points for stories are planned well in advance. I have enough story ideas to last for several years. The reason for comic delays and the like is that while I have the major plot points down, I don't have some massive script or layout guide for the day-to-day comics. If you will, I have several fine forests planned, but I need to sort out the trees.
Sh-I-ve. The "e" is silent, and the "I" is long. So basically, it's pronounced exactly as it's spelled following proper rules of English pronunciation, and rhymes with "hive".
Kah-oh-lee. The origin of this word is Japanese, though the original spelling is "Kaori", meaning "fragrance". The "r" was made into an "l" due to Japanese pronunciation.
Nah-nah-say. The origin of this name is Japanese.
Nee-oh-ee. The origin of this word is Japanese. The translation for "Nioi" is intended as "Scent" for this comic, though the spoken word can stand for other similar meanings in Japanese (one possible translation is "smell").
