Over the last decade, I’ve gone from producing one or two comics a year to producing over a dozen comics yearly, along with webcomics, short stories in anthologies, a few graphic novels, and helping produce the very newspaper you hold in your hands. On top of all that, I’m also happily married, a father of three wonderful children, and work a full-time non-comics related job. Before you ask, no, there’s not two of me. In fact, I accomplished this level of productivity by making a few simple changes in my life.
Continue reading “Tips to Improve Your Productivity”So You Wanna Run a Kickstarter
There is no doubt that Kickstarter and other crowdfunding sites have changed the face of how comics are promoted and produced. In October of last year, comicsbeat.com reported “Comics on Kickstarter have their biggest year ever with $22 Million in 2020,” showing that this may well be the future of independent comics.
Continue reading “So You Wanna Run a Kickstarter”Finding an Artist
Do you have an idea that’s been living in your head, but requires some help bringing to life? Perhaps it’s a cartoony children’s book with an all-ages appeal. Maybe you need a sprawling futuristic world rendered in an epic graphic novel. Perhaps even the creation of a fledgling superhero universe with a full cast of characters. Whatever your plan, here are a few tips to help you find and hire an artist that fits your project.
Continue reading “Finding an Artist”Off to the Presses
Imagine you’ve slaved away for weeks, months, or even years to finally complete your first comic and now you’re ready to share it with the world. Unless you are planning on a DIY approach with a photocopier or some other avenue, that means choosing and working with a printer.
It might be a little daunting working with a printer for the first time. They’ll refer to a lot of unfamiliar terms and might even point out problems with how your work is set up. There’s no need to be intimidated, however. Here is a quick rundown of some basics to keep in mind and common mistakes to avoid as you move forward publishing your first comic.
Tips to Help You Start Cartooning
A lot goes into making comics. First, there’s coming up with an idea, then writing it, and then drawing it. That’s a lot of work and it can understandably feel like a daunting task to undertake for some beginners. To those out there itching to make their own comics, but too intimidated to put pen to paper, here are some of the methods I’ve practiced throughout the years that have helped me. Hopefully, they can help you too!
How to Write a Comic Script
Comics are often a collaborative effort with a team of people. You don’t have to look far to find disagreements over the importance of each role for a book, and writers are no different. However, writers including the late Stan Lee, Alan Moore, Mark Millar, and Neil Gaiman have proved that strong storytelling is a vital piece of the puzzle. Continue reading “How to Write a Comic Script”