WIDDERWOOD

All manner of unknown haunt the remnants of Sullivan forest next to the New England-esque town of Darlington. Strange apples keep appearing on gravesites and doorsteps. Ringing bells are heard before the legendary witch dog appears in the distant fields. There's a locked door with nothing behind it hopping around the stone ruins the frightened settlers abruptly left.

Anyone who knows what’s good for them stay well away from the breath of trees looming over their proper civilization. After all, best not to tempt fate. Its only a matter of time before the black dog steals another wandering soul to add to the backwards forest.

Who are they?

Waite Bailey is a short, bookish man born into a troubled family running an import company. With his gentle yet passionate demeanor, inability to follow rules, and never-ending curiosity of the fae, he was never bound to fit in with his highly presentation-concerned kin. After a series of frightening paranormal encounters, personal fights, and a fiery accident, he is swept into the afterlife by the hands of the unknown and finds something much sweeter than expected.

Degaré Gagnon is an agent of the end- a black shuck- and fate has picked Waite to be his next ghostly protégé. He is the one behind multiple local legends on the breath of Darlingtonites, a shrouded figure to be avoided when spotted at the edge of nearby Sullivan forest paying visit to the lost or forgotten. Mysterious, desperate, and an exhausted mess, his portrayal of a distant monster is consistently betrayed by his own hands.

FAQs

Widderwood is a story born from a lifetime of experience of barely surviving being held captive after being diagnosed with autism. This lengthy fantasy comic has been a passion project for 14 years and is now in the last stage of pre-production.
It is a narrative about the common experience of the autistic and disabled trying to survive and find meaning in a society consistently hostile to our mere existence.
As of 2024, the story is in its final round of editing with the help of Lydia's partner joining the project. Widderwood will be released free to read here on Coyoteprince.com.
Lydia is disabled and works as an artist full time. If you'd like to help support this heartfelt story be made, throw us a kofi or sign up on Patreon, where we'll be releasing writing updates, behind the scenes development, and eventual early release updates.
We believe this story is important for the autistic community. It is hope and joy alchemized from pain and we want our community to be able to reach it easily. We can't take the risk of an outside party trying to manipulate the story, block it from free public release, or put a deadline on Lydia- a disabled creator.
That said, monetary support from Patreon is critical in making Widderwood happen. It allows Lydia to put their focus on finally releasing the story to the public- while also affording them to rest.
Monetary: Join the Patreon! Widderwood is now Lydia's full time job until complete. This is the most direct way to join us in getting this important story out there.
Non-monetary: Tell your friends about Widderwood! Reblogging art, sharing merch you've got on your social media, fanart, and so on are all truly helpful in getting the project out there.
Widderwood is in its last stage of editing and organization to prepare for thumbnailing! It is not yet ready to read, but has behind the scenes development on patreon, where the pages will also eventually be able to be read early for supporters. As of September 2024, Lydia has gone FULL TIME working on Widderwood via Patreon.
The site pages- including where you will be able to read- are hosted here on Coyoteprince.com and are almost complete. We expect them to go live by early 2025. The comic for public reading is not yet official- we will make an announcement when we pick a date!
Yes, with how important the message of autistic acceptance is to us, it will be released for free to read online. All pages are being formated from the start for eventual printing; either through crowd funding or publisher.

We describe it as "Fantasy New England"- technically Midwestern Massachusetts- during the late 1800's. Keep in mind however that Widderwood's history is not 1:1 with the real world and they have their own diverging culture, religion, territories, technology, and so on.
Yes. Nearly every character in the story is as well.
Who knows! What fun! This is very much a divinely conceived story. It will be done when its done.
Fantasy, 16+, mature themes of abuse, mortality, trauma, and ableism. Some mild nudity, smoking, peril.
Sure- but be aware Lydia has limited interaction with fanwork, especially speculative fancharacters, to maintain a professional boundary!
Please also assume all fanworks are noncanon, since we can't dictate what is made. Have fun!