The Creative Call

A fresh and eye-catching book of useful, expert-led prompts and practices for artistically inclined women who seek to live and create with balance and total freedom.

It's no secret that the journey of an artistic soul can feel uncertain, lonely, and confusing. Whether you're an artist, a writer, or you express your creativity in other ways, you deserve the companionship, guidance, and understanding of someone who has successfully explored the path of creativity. In The Creative Call, artist, designer, and mentor Andrea Pippins invites you to discover how to answer your creative call in the right ways for you.

How do you balance your everyday obligations with your need for artistic time and expression? How do you navigate creative ruts? And, if you're a person of color in a world that often overlooks those stories, where do you go to feed your creative soul? The Creative Call will help you find solutions that align with the vision for your creative path.

Midway through her career, Pippins was successful but didn't feel satisfied. She began what has been a decades-long examination of what inspires art and contributes to healthy life balance--and what stands in its way. Compiling her findings, Pippins shares a wealth of tools here, using her bold artwork to decorate this collection of insightful advice, helpful rituals, and relatable stories that will help you discover new parts of yourself and manifest your creative dreams.

As you explore your own artistic journey, keep this book close by for daily inspiration or to ignite your creativity in new ways. Whether you are looking for a new beginning, an encouraging tool, or a comforting voice, The Creative Call will help you live and create with more purpose, curiosity and, most of all, joy.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs