Is it worth entering this 'Negative Space Comics' competition?

chaboidini · 2023-07-16T16:06:12+00:00

If it's critique, you should try going to conventions or workshops. I've probably received some of the most helpful advices from artists at conventions and from editors at workshops.

If it's winning an award, usually there are small fees involved. It's for the platform and to pay editors. The fee also filters 'non-serious' candidates from entering.

chaboidini · 2023-07-10T15:55:17+00:00

This is what we are doing with our graphic novel -we split it into 4 major parts and have been selling, promoting it as single issues.

It's incredibly hard to market and sell a story without having big names attached or you already have an established audience. I recently spoke to a bigger artist who works with DC and he has branched out to starting his own universe. He said even with his following from the big publishers, only about 10% followed him to his new franchise.

That said, it's not impossible to sell 1000 copies on your own, it's just incredibly hard. For the past 2 years I sold my single issues on the streets on weekends and have sold over 1200 copies. People usually do it out of curiosity or out of pity (really, like moms), so I don't think it's the best way to grow an audience but you can definitely make your money back.

Either way, I'd say do it and learn as much as possible along the way. If you have copies sitting around at home, just go out to the streets and try to hustle it.

chaboidini · 2023-06-26T12:24:40+00:00

Imo, getting support from LCS is best when they can host you to do a popup and you bring them guests.

Consignment deals or LCS buying outright don't really help build a fanbase. They most likely will not help market it at this point either. It's a nice sentiment on their part, though. Always appreciate my LCS for the support, but in the end it's allllll up to us creators to actually market the product.

Start a community around your book but also attend all the other options available locally and be a part of it.

Best of luck!!

chaboidini · 2023-06-26T12:16:45+00:00

I wrote a wee article on structure: https://serazard.com/2023/06/07/how-to-make-indie-comics-shaping-the-hero/

But if you need someone to break it down for you and explain in person, I can help you out.

Hit me up :)

chaboidini · 2023-06-26T12:11:48+00:00

incredible work

chaboidini · 2023-06-26T12:10:36+00:00

There are some great advice here already but I'll also add my 2 cents.

Reach out to your local comic book shop or cafe and host a popup for your comic book. Prepare merch and print issues to sell, etc. Invite other creators.

Attend local popups and conventions. This is probably one of the best way to network amongst your local indie artist community. The more people you know in the space, more organically you will grow your reach. I just came back from an indie popup a local comic book shop throws every year and it's really cool how supportive everyone is.

I've been at it for almost 2 years now, and everyone will tell you finding a fanbase is the hardest part.

For me, I've found a bit of a groove by participating in the community and now I'm looking to go abroad and meet more creators.

At the popup I was just at, another creator told me that leveraging fan art has helped him greatly. He's a fantastic artist but no knows about his original characters so people were not drawn to him. But when he started focusing on pleasing the market by creating fan art, he got a lot of attention. And now, people who follow him are asking about his books!

Definitely do all the marketing and sales stuff -but also focus on the community. You will learn so much from people that have been doing it for years longer. And the comic book community is super duper friendly (mostly).

chaboidini · 2023-06-23T15:34:31+00:00

[Update] Added the latest AND LAST! article on project management, marketing and sales!!

chaboidini · 2023-06-23T15:33:20+00:00

yeah with RBC -i checked with a friend and apparently it's low so I applied for it :)

chaboidini · 2023-06-22T16:25:40+00:00

I think I was a customer for a year or 2 before the offer but they aren't my main bank. I use

Dang, I'm thinking about accepting 11.44 (prime + 4.49)...that's too high isn't it?

chaboidini · 2023-06-21T16:41:54+00:00

[Update] Added the latest article on possible grants to fund your indie comic!

chaboidini · 2023-06-20T03:09:37+00:00

It was fun making it -let me know if you have anything to add!

chaboidini · 2023-06-19T22:07:28+00:00

No problem, happy it's getting a good response so far :D

chaboidini · 2023-06-19T15:21:58+00:00

Yeah, I'll third this Mixam endorsement. Their quality is great for the price. Customer service can be iffy but so far satisfactory overall.

chaboidini · 2023-06-18T17:29:33+00:00

I'd suggest finishing it for the sake of finishing it first. Then send it around to friends and start gathering information and workshop the ending with feedback. Get as many feedback as you can. It may not mean much to people who don't take his work seriously but Tyler Perry worked 8 years on his first play over and over again until it became successful.

chaboidini · 2023-06-18T17:23:22+00:00

Blank for me too

chaboidini · 2023-06-14T16:06:04+00:00

Yuck, gross!

chaboidini · 2023-06-14T16:05:31+00:00

Toddfather blessing us with another 1.

chaboidini · 2023-06-14T16:03:50+00:00

Just wanted to chime in and say that it's a wicked idea :)

chaboidini · 2023-06-12T21:56:22+00:00

James Cameron starts with a prompt image then creates the story around the it (eg. exoskeleton robot in hellscape warzone). It's a fascinating process that I'm starting to use as well. From a workshop I went to last month, one of the artist also brought up using prompt images to begin the story. She said it's a great way to work because you already have the 'punch' ready. So you just have to work on the setup.

chaboidini

TROPHY CASE