You don't have to apologize for being late on a comic

[NiccoloNiccolo]

I've noticed a lot of posts on the main Tapastic site where comic artists apologize for posting a comic late, or for skipping a week. Some of them seem to feel really bad about it. It reminds me of all the failed blogs you see on the web -- where it hasn't been updated in years, and the last five posts are all "Sorry I haven't been updating more often," which seems somehow sadder than if they'd just posted when they could and stopped when they couldn't do it anymore.

I dunno, I just wanted to say, if you're reading this, that you don't have to apologize. You can share whatever you want about the situation, but I don't think you really owe anybody an explanation, and you certainly shouldn't beat yourself up about it. If you're going to be away for a while, an estimate on when you'll be back would be nice, but don't worry about it beyond that.

I understand things happen, and I'll be happy to read more of your work whenever you're ready to make more.

[eagle1]

@NiccoloNiccolo, I agree with your post, and it's correct. Me? I have a strong code of honour, and if I am going to be late (which I have been once so far) I'm going to post an apology on my site. To me, anyone reading my comics and I have an understanding, and a relationship, so I am going to want to explain the reasons. But you are correct when you say it's not something that one has to do.

Eagle
(Hopefully, I don't wind up posting another one)

[MylCreates]

That's nice to hear. I know it's usually common courtesy to inform users of a comic being late but I too can't really help but feel the need to beat myself up when I miss an update.

[aspiderjonny]

ive apologized for missing a dateline before. It's really hard not to feel bad for both myself and my readers. I want to have everything on time but things get in the way sometimes.

[UzukiCheverie]

Apologizing is optional, and no, you don't technically owe anyone anything (unless of course they're waiting on a supporter gift or something lol). It's still common courtesy at least to let people know what's up and if you plan on returning or not with the comic. That way at least your readers know what to expect (: This doesn't have to be apologizing, but at least notifying.

[Kura]

I'm Canadian, I have a habit of apologizing for everything.

Ok not really, but in all seriousness sometimes I do throw an apology message in if multiple fans have been messaging me about it, it's just easier than contacting them all individually, which I wouldn't mind so much if I had the extra time to do, but... I don't so... yeah...

[gateofselidor]

If my comic is going to be a couple of days late, I'll just make a quick apology in the comments when I actually post the page. If I'm going to have to skip an update for that week (as I've ended up doing for my most recent update) then I notify. Maybe it's not strictly necessary, but I feel like I've failed my readers, so the least I can do is quickly let them know what's happening.

[AnnaLandin]

Hmm. Well, you're right in that we don't really owe our readers profuse apologies for stuff - I mean, we're most of us providing them with free comics. But on the other hand, I've declared my updating-schedule to be Mondays and Fridays - so if I miss a day, I've actually broken a promise. A small one, but still. The least I can do is write an apology in the creator's note for the next update.

I'm not going to explain every single detail about the reasons for my absence (people really don't need to know that), but if there's something that's come up, it's only polite to let people know.

[Jelw]

Personally I get more annoyed at getting an author posting a notification about it than I do at getting a comic late. Then again, there are very few comics I religiously check for on their update dates, so maybe that's the reason.

[getsuart]

I also apologize when I don't update, most fo time it's because I couldn't have enough time to prepare a 3 page buffer or no time to draw at all but yeah, still an apologize. I feel bad for the readers.

It's also important to say to people why they couldn't get their page. You don't know how they react. I see a lot of authors or youtubers who have a lot of people screaming "DAMN WHERE IS MY EPISODE ? U LIAR, GO FINISH IT, I WANT IT !!!". So... a little message to say "huh sorry I was riding a unicorn on a chocolate rainbow" is the least you can do to calm them a little.
Well, I don't see this much on Tapastic, though.

[zod]

I find it nice to apologise, some people dont know your situation, life, work, sleeping, gaming etc whichever the reason, I think it's good to give some form of apology, it keeps the subscribers happy that you are only human in the end

[Iron]

I see it sometimes ._. (even under apologetic note from the author)

[ToonDoctor]

I apologize on my personal site where updates are on a specific day of the week (Sundays) and where I blog about things under the comic. I know from experience that many users just check every Sunday. That's why I would apologize usually. For some reason, I don't feel the need to apologize on Tapastic. Odd.

[Spinester]

I apologize on my personal site where updates are on a specific day of the week (Sundays) and where I blog about things under the comic. I know from experience that many users just check every Sunday. That's why I would apologize usually. For some reason, I don't feel the need to apologize on Tapastic. Odd.

That makes sense... If you trumpet a regular update schedule with set days the comic updates, that might warrant more of an explanation than a schedule of whenever I can update I will. At tapastic, people come here for comics and the site does a good job of telling you there's an update so you never have to worry about checking in on certain days with a bunch of different comics. The notifications take care of that. Less guilt.

[UltHamBro]

I've never thought of my comic as an obligation, but as something I enjoy doing: that's why I don't have a fixed schedule. However, I do like giving some explanations about why I've been away for some time. It just feels right.

[Kura]

Though I don't mind leaving an apology I don't like giving reasons as to why I'm late on an update or missed an update, so it is very rare when I do. My personal life is my personal life, and usually the things that get me pulled away from work are not things I want my fans involved in (I'm in the hospital for whatever reason, death in the family for example) On more blog like sites I'm followed on I'll say a little more but still remain pretty vague and put "family matters" or "health issues" and not go into too much detail than that.

[EnzoComics]

I'm Canadian so I kinda have to

[LittleEndian]

Concerning me, I don't like making apologizes for being late. Because it removes my guilt so I can be late again and again!

[studiomik]

Sorry gets tossed around a lot these days. I think apoligizing and really feeling guilty for being late on posting a free comic, is a bit to much. We all know making comics is hard work and readers should also be thankful there is such a thing as free comics. A short update just to let people know you're on it, is just fine i think. Personally i wouldn't mind telling the reason if it's not to personally. Makes your subscribers know your also human i think. That's what makes a comic extra special, your bond with the readers. Totally different story when you've got supporters that invested in you and took the time and money to support you in making your comic... They made an effort, so should you. In the end it should all be in balance i guess.

[amoritacouret]

I usually just give word that I am taking a hiatus, but never apologize.
Mostly because the reasons of such hiatus are because of school, and I prefer to not drop whatever quality I have in my comic.