How do I get started publishing my own comic book?!
Question: Like many people, I have an idea that I believe would make a good graphic novel (similar to Marvel, Image, Udon works etc). I am an artist myself but I do not believe my skill is up to par with the quality of work I would like to produce. In addition I would need colorists and pencilers. So my question is, how would I make my idea a reality and how can I get started? Do I need to go to comic book conventions (i.e. Comicon)? How would I network with people already in the business? Your wisdom is sincerely appreciated!
Answers: Like many people, I have an idea that I believe would make a good graphic novel (similar to Marvel, Image, Udon works etc). I am an artist myself but I do not believe my skill is up to par with the quality of work I would like to produce. In addition I would need colorists and pencilers. So my question is, how would I make my idea a reality and how can I get started? Do I need to go to comic book conventions (i.e. Comicon)? How would I network with people already in the business? Your wisdom is sincerely appreciated!
Go to comic book conventions with samples of your work. Introduce yourself to the people at the artists' tables. Talk especially with the independent comic producers who look hungry for work. Show them samples and ask them if they would be interested in taking on your project.
Use the internet to search for groups like the Comic Art Guild. Yahoo groups has a number of forums for connection comic book talent.
To protect your copyright, publish a version of your story with the copyright symbol, your name, and the year visible on the page. By "publish," you can simply put it on a web page or go to a copy shop and have a bunch of copies printed, then distribute them by giving them or selling them to family and friends, seeing if a local comic shop will carry it, etc.
For more information about what a copyright is and how to protect it, go to http://www.copyright.gov/ (hint, the "sealed envelope" method does not always work).
So go ahead and start drawing your graphic novel. At least start with production and character sketches. Who know? With practice you may find your skill improving and before you are done, you will actually be happy with the results (hint: Drawing from life helps you like nothing else).
In short, the way to do it, is to do it.
Protect your copyright by mailing yourself an original. do not open it, do label which volume/edition/title/date it was produced. Proves the idea is yours originally on this date.
Go ahead and do your preliminary sketches. (copy, mail to self) Then decide if you really need all those other people.
Research which comic magazines are willing to place a newbie in their magazine. Could help sales, the readers Emailing...for the next installment.
Research whether or not they accept digital copy.
Library is a good source for publishing info, publishers, addresses, whether or not they accept unscolicited manuscripts....wanna see my "thanks but no thanks" letters?
Believe in yourself. See your cover of your first comic.
You may be able to run a prototype (limited printing depending on your budget) through a printing house (used to have christmas cards printed, not too expensive) to take to a convention.
Test market a prototype in ? a school district ? local library ? hmmmm possibilities...
sweet, have fun
what ever the other person said was right... plus/... you can also send an email./..