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Underground > Comic Books >

Won't somebody just tell me what to do?

  
 
Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!
21:30 / 22.07.03
I blame the society I was brought up in, but I'm just so much better at doing what I'm told than trying to think for myself. That just leads to confusion.

I'm putting this here because, well, because... I like you. And I want your help. It's probably more to do with the latter, but still. That and I think this is the one place I know on the internet where people seem actively interested in the same things as me, and thus might be remotely interested and/or able to help.

I have recently (within 6 months) finished a project of mine. I was quite pleased about that (I've never finished a project). Anyway, initially it was a book. This is because I went to visit a publisher up in Lahn-dahn and they suggested I put together a rough draft for them. Good.

I finished said rough draft, and all was well. I got it all scanned up and spent a long time putting the whole shebang in to acrobat. I grinned. Then I put it on cd's, and sent it to some agents and publishers I thought might be interested. Before that, I sent a cd to the publisher who had previously shown interest. Then I sent them an e-mail asking them to confirm they received the package. I heard nothing (it's been a long while) and have tried phoning them a few times to speak to the lady with whom I previously met. To no avail. This made me sigh.

I realise they never made any commitment to me, or my work, but it would be nice to get a reply. However, this has left me wondering what to do. My work is... well, it's rather like a comic. (I can send a .pdf on a cd to anyone who is interested, and could be persuaded to try and post some sample pages up... although that does make me nervous.) It's about 40 pages, with around four that are just writing. The bulk of it is black and white sequential story bits, with bits of colour art by the main protagonist. I'm not sure how to get it published - and as a book, or a comic? It is a comic, I know (save for a few pages of pure writing)... but how do you get a comic published? Self-publish? I don't even know where that would get me, and I'm so poor I feel guilty for living at home. And being a big spongey sponge thing spongier than spongebob squarepants.

I don't know if it's because I'm dreadfully inefficent or just have a greater ambition to be as lazy as possible, but all my trying to get published seems to amount to is sitting around and panicking. Then making plans, and worrying about them. Then trying to stop thinking about it so I can concentrate on watching telly/film/listening to music/sleep.

I just want to feel secure. I sometimes go to my mother and ask for a hug, hoping she will provide this, but she just tells me to bugger off and get a job. (note: mostly fictional)

So, uh, what am I asking? I'm asking myself that more than anything. To be honest, I feel like my work's done. It's increasingly apparent to me I am frankly inept with trying to deal with people and making any progress on my own. Obviously, I'm not asking this monumental task of you (unless you happen to be the kind of alternative publisher who wants to). But just some advice, a small publisher who might be interested. My knowledge of publishers, especially (small, alternative)comic publishers, is incredibly limited. I know what I should be doing (or what everyone/thing I read says I should ie, sending sample pages to people, covering letters [i only sent .pdf files to people - did I go wrong there??!!]) but I feel well.. stranded and increasingly desperate about going nowhere. Not sure if I'm sending the right thing to the right person or if I am if they will even care. Like you're in an exam and everyone has started leaving and you're stuck on question 2 and seeing everyone leave and do their own things is making it even harder for you to know what to write... Does anyone have any knowledge of how I can get my comic/book/personal project published/to see the light of day/make me some money/start my career?

I apologise for what is probably an incredibly vague, self-indulgent thread that is quite clearly asking for too much. Posting this has simultaneously got a lot off my chest and made me feel a bit guilty.

Oh, and mods move it wherever you may, I wasn't sure whether it went in comics (shall we?), books or creation.

Phew.
 
 
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22:32 / 22.07.03
I'm sure it's fine, babe. The big difficulty we have here is that all publishers are staffed exclusively with what Pratchett calls the "Inerchangeable Emma". So, even if after calling for the fiftieth time to (what you think is) the same Cheltenham-girl office assistant, you have become a problem, much like aphids on the kitchen-sill basil plant or staining on the raffia-work dishmat. What you need to do is to quietly insist that there's been some misunderstanding involving the girl that left a few weeks ago. This makes them feel more important and willing to confirm their position by demeaning another (at this point, I must say that men can be Emmas, too). Insist that "Eleanor" (a good name, seems to work in most situations) said she was "intrigued" (enthusiasm will set alarm bells ringing among such cynical people) by your proposal.
Back in the real world:
Right, the best thing you can do is to get an agent. They shouldn't charge you a cent if they think you're any good. Getting them interested is hard. However, getting any job is hard. Be prepared to work.
 
 
Whisky Priestess
22:32 / 22.07.03
From what little I know of print rather than zine/comic/graphic novel publishing it is considered a large faux-pas and larger cheekiness to email stuff rather than printing it out and posting it to the publisher. This is mainly because:

a) people don't generally like reading pages & pages on stuff onscreen
b) neither do they want to (possibly) waste their own ink and paper resources on printing it out if you can't be bothered to do so.

NB - It's also unwise to send a printed version without an SAE, even if you don't want the copy back. It's just considered rude and lazy.

However, if you had a contact and she asked you to send stuff, presumably she asked for that format, and it is both lazy and rude of her not to bother to reply, even with a polite 'no'.

Not sure how to get through the security though, except by pestering so hard that eventually she HAS to give up and speak to you just to get you to go away. That's how one friend of mine got his agent and subsequently a two-book deal, if it's any help.
 
 
Char Aina
22:37 / 22.07.03
i would say if you only send a pdf file on a cdr, with no cover, cover letter or introduction of some other kind, you are greatly reducing your chances of distracting someone long enough to get them interested in putting it in their computer.
 
 
Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!
11:20 / 23.07.03
Thanks, you mothers, that helps and no mistake. Even though it's probably things I know anyway. How dumb is that? Well dumb, that is.

Just to clarify a few matters for you.

Toksik: I send out all my cds with a covering letter. And very nice it was too. I knew I'd manage to miss clarity at some point, I always seem to be subconsciously avoiding it. Maybe so I can appear more "edgy" or "daring". Or alternatively; "stupid".

Cube: I am actually allergic to work, and if try and partake in it I break out in a horrible rash. I've been trying to avoid doing any with a vigorous sleeping routine, but unfortunately I have to be awake at some point. I shall not let those agents sleep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*ahem*

On to whisky: Thanks, I think I have a better idea of what to send now. I'm learning as I go, and getting paranoid with each stage. And to clarify for myself, it probably seems better for me to send my covering letter, five sample pages of art on nice glossy paper, a couple of writing, as well as the .pdf (which I really hope doesn't turn out to be a pointless exercise) and an SAE (how big will that have to be to fit all that in?! I might end up sending actual parcels.)

That definitely seems to make sense.

Now, does anyone know any good comics (I'm looking at you moriarty, I'm not sure why. But it feels right.) /book publishers/agent types?

That like cats, preferably.
 
 
sleazenation
11:49 / 23.07.03
THe comics international website (and magazine) has a directory of most comics publishers and covers the types of material they publish - do a google search for comics international and you'll find 'em
 
 
The Return Of Rothkoid
23:59 / 23.07.03
Improved clarity or no, just bear in mind that most publishers don't accept unsolicited manuscripts: that's why you're not hearing back. Their websites generally say this somewhere.
 
 
Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!
13:20 / 03.08.03
Right. I've left this for a while.

Sleaze: thanks for info.

Roth: Then what do you suggest? Most of the websites I've been to seem to suggest they do accept unsoliticited material... but bear in mind "major" publishers aren't really a goal for me at present. I got confused and thought that was the way because one book publisher was interested in me. Who I will still get in contact with, though she seems to be hard to reach on the phone... hmph.

Anyway, I move for this thread to be moved to comics. That is because I have newly discovered that what I've really done *is* a comic, and I should probably think about it that way. That and I visited page 45 in Nottingham yesterday and was blown away by all the beautiful comics I saw there.

So yes. I want to get as much as I can done before I start work (!) soon and forever lose the life I have become accustomed to (lazy).

So, comics gurus, can you help me out? And obviously, I'd like to show you all my stuff, I'd really like to hear what any of you think. I can send you a cd, with a .pdf and loose .jpegs, or if you've got a decent net connection I can e-mail the stuff.

I'm looking to send about 5 - 10 really nice packages out so I can still live in hope while I grind out a living.

I'm keeping this pretty short for now, but I'll be back. Let me know yr thoughts, or any questions you have. I could really do with some help on this.

Muchos appreicatas.
 
 
Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!
00:45 / 06.08.03
(Bumped due to me accidentally complicating the thread moving process by being a bit stoopid. I love my momma, she dun be tha only woman i'll ever love.)
 
  
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