Hi, folks, a little personal news. In mid-November, I'm getting my aortic valve replaced via open-heart surgery. As scary as that sounds, my prognosis is excellent. This is fairly personal health news, and I'm posting publicly for two reasons.

First, I am so grateful for the friendships and collegial connections formed online. In the unlikely event that something goes wrong, I wanted to say thank you.

Second, of course, is the sad issue of money and American healthcare and disability support. We have a reliable insurer who approved all testing and procedures. However, the substantial out-of-pocket cost after insurance and the lack of earnings during recovery are the crux. My wife and I work for ourselves. Like most freelancers, we don't make money when we're not working, and my wife will initially be devoting significant time to my care.

I’ll be unable to work at all for a few weeks, then at reduced capability for several weeks. I would never ask for charity when so many people are desperately in need of aid in the world. But I do write and publish books that make great birthday and holiday gifts—for yourself and others. These books can ship out quickly.

Perhaps consider Six Centuries of Type & Printing, a beautiful, compact volume, great for typophiles and others interested in design and printing? Available signed; ships worldwide. Audiobook and ebook versions and bundles are available.

Or a signed copy of How Comics Are Made, my romp through the history of making newspaper comics and printing them? Features interviews with Garry Trudeau, Lynn Johnston, and Bill Watterson. Also available at bookstores worldwide.

Thank you for your support. I'm not planning on going anywhere—the odds are very much in my favor—but I will be absent and trying to pay the bills for several weeks later this year.