This was cool to listen to. We printed and delivered our 1st children's picture book to customers this year. It got us in into a couple of colleges for speaking engagements. After participating in a couple book fairs and festivals, we're working to be vendors at a couple of comic cons next year. It is a lot of work, but it is rewarding to see the happy faces.
@@THE_SAMURAI_PETERFirst, thank you for the question. On the other hand, that inquiry encompasses a lot. LOL For instance, are we asking about filing our operation at the city level or with state government? Are we talking about the creative process or are we speaking about marketing & selling our material to turn a profit after all expenses are paid? All that said, I am not an expert. I am still in my infancy. However, there are some things the comic enthusiast described in his interview that I have experienced to some degree on my journey. And for the sake of time, let us assume you mean selling the work. I think it starts at the 6:00 mark when FC asks "do you think novice creators want things to be easy." (I'm paraphrasing). Then, there is a section where the speaker talks about being self-motivated. That observation and the answers that follow I believe to be key. Definitely revisit that section. We have to be willing to accept all the "NOs" before we get to our "YESes." We can learn from those NOs, but we must be clear of mind and not take things too personal. Remember that this is the business of art, not art by itself. Lastly, what is the shortest distance between two points? A straight line. Know what you want and then reverse engineer it. See the steps (I actually write down my steps) and then take the necessary action knowing that you have little control over the outcome. However, you can control your attitude and your activity. So, if I think a comic con is where my tribe is, then I'm going to find info on all the conventions coming up. Next, I'm going to see how much they cost to participate. And finally, I will commit to as many events as I can or at least the most "popular" ones because they have the most visitors. I have more chances to hit homeruns knowing I'll probably strike out a lot. The important thing is to have the right positive mind set and ENJOY THE PROCESS. It is not going to be easy, but it will be a great learning experience for those who choose to have the right mind set. I hope this helps. But again, this was a question with a lot of variables. 😊
A few years ago, I made an attempt to pitch a comic to Image Comics. The comic revolved around a Mexican hitwoman who was determined to break free from the oppressive culture deeply rooted within the Mexican cartel. I genuinely believe that my story is better suited for the big screen rather than the medium of comics.
Firstly I would self fund your book. Then skip publishers and send it to small production companies. They are more likely to read it, and can actually get meetings with studios / streamers.
The purpose of publishing comics is to make money in movies? No wonder Marvel and DC books are over colored. You can’t really appreciate the line work cause they’re trying to make every panel look cinematic.
And that's bad advice. Comic books and film are two different storytelling mediums. Don't get into comic books so you can make a movie because who knows if this trend is going to last long. Write a screenplay as a screenplay. Write/illustrate a comic book as a comic book.
@@philthymcnasty4034There's no money in comics precisely because they keep treating them as nothing more than a Netflix pitch. People are reading different comics nowadays.
So, it's called, "Write a number down, and if I agree, I'll sign the rights over to make my idea into a movie or TV series", or, "I am an artist who puts a series of small paintings on pages."
Some of this advice is outdated. Most publishers don't review portfolios at comic cons anymore. Hell, Marvel doesn't even take submissions via mail or email anymore! Which is insane. It's basically a case of "we'll discover you." Image comics takes submissions, but you basically need to produce the comic or at least a few issues of it beforehand to prove you can do it before they'll make a deal. The other publishers are like this too. They don't have a stable of artists anymore. It's basically you submit to them a book you've already made. The way to get into Marvel or DC is to self-publish something that is successful and that fits with what they want stylistically and thematically, etc. Everyone can self publish now and everyone does before they get deals or jobs, it's how things are done these days, gone are the days of getting a portfolio into the hands of an editor at a comic con. And did I mention it's very political now, good luck if you are a white male! You'll need to be Alan Moore level skill or be gay to get a job with Marvel.
Have you published a comic book? What happened?
Not yet. Hopefully one day.
This was cool to listen to. We printed and delivered our 1st children's picture book to customers this year. It got us in into a couple of colleges for speaking engagements. After participating in a couple book fairs and festivals, we're working to be vendors at a couple of comic cons next year. It is a lot of work, but it is rewarding to see the happy faces.
This is fantastic news! Congrats Solomon!
How did you do it?
Fantastic
@@THE_SAMURAI_PETERFirst, thank you for the question. On the other hand, that inquiry encompasses a lot. LOL For instance, are we asking about filing our operation at the city level or with state government? Are we talking about the creative process or are we speaking about marketing & selling our material to turn a profit after all expenses are paid?
All that said, I am not an expert. I am still in my infancy. However, there are some things the comic enthusiast described in his interview that I have experienced to some degree on my journey. And for the sake of time, let us assume you mean selling the work.
I think it starts at the 6:00 mark when FC asks "do you think novice creators want things to be easy." (I'm paraphrasing). Then, there is a section where the speaker talks about being self-motivated. That observation and the answers that follow I believe to be key. Definitely revisit that section. We have to be willing to accept all the "NOs" before we get to our "YESes." We can learn from those NOs, but we must be clear of mind and not take things too personal. Remember that this is the business of art, not art by itself.
Lastly, what is the shortest distance between two points? A straight line. Know what you want and then reverse engineer it. See the steps (I actually write down my steps) and then take the necessary action knowing that you have little control over the outcome. However, you can control your attitude and your activity. So, if I think a comic con is where my tribe is, then I'm going to find info on all the conventions coming up. Next, I'm going to see how much they cost to participate. And finally, I will commit to as many events as I can or at least the most "popular" ones because they have the most visitors. I have more chances to hit homeruns knowing I'll probably strike out a lot.
The important thing is to have the right positive mind set and ENJOY THE PROCESS. It is not going to be easy, but it will be a great learning experience for those who choose to have the right mind set.
I hope this helps. But again, this was a question with a lot of variables. 😊
@@williampowell3378thank you
Awesome! Steve Stern is great and very down to earth.
Thanks for watching!
More of this please.
More to come with Steve!
Love to see Artist talking about self publishing graphic novels/comics!!! Independent business people
Great to hear! More to come!
THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!!!!!
Thanks for watching!
Stephen L. Stern da comic book graphic visual novel professor 😮❤
Thank you, FC.
This interview speaks directly to me.
I'll be contacting Mr Stern thanks to hearing this.
Happy Holidays from Canada.
Cheers.
Bob.
Cheers Bob! 🇨🇦
I hate that everything has to be a movie and everything is merchandised. It's really sad, we should respect certain mediums for what they are.
A few years ago, I made an attempt to pitch a comic to Image Comics. The comic revolved around a Mexican hitwoman who was determined to break free from the oppressive culture deeply rooted within the Mexican cartel. I genuinely believe that my story is better suited for the big screen rather than the medium of comics.
Firstly I would self fund your book. Then skip publishers and send it to small production companies. They are more likely to read it, and can actually get meetings with studios / streamers.
Mark Millar has been living off of his Netflix deal for the last year.
The purpose of publishing comics is to make money in movies? No wonder Marvel and DC books are over colored. You can’t really appreciate the line work cause they’re trying to make every panel look cinematic.
And that's bad advice. Comic books and film are two different storytelling mediums. Don't get into comic books so you can make a movie because who knows if this trend is going to last long. Write a screenplay as a screenplay. Write/illustrate a comic book as a comic book.
@@Madbandit77he is not wrong as there is no money in comics. But you are right, make a good comic first.
@@philthymcnasty4034there is money in comics for those with good hustle in the self pub and crowdfund arena.
@@Madbandit77 good stuff
@@philthymcnasty4034There's no money in comics precisely because they keep treating them as nothing more than a Netflix pitch.
People are reading different comics nowadays.
So, it's called, "Write a number down, and if I agree, I'll sign the rights over to make my idea into a movie or TV series", or, "I am an artist who puts a series of small paintings on pages."
Some of this advice is outdated. Most publishers don't review portfolios at comic cons anymore. Hell, Marvel doesn't even take submissions via mail or email anymore! Which is insane.
It's basically a case of "we'll discover you."
Image comics takes submissions, but you basically need to produce the comic or at least a few issues of it beforehand to prove you can do it before they'll make a deal.
The other publishers are like this too. They don't have a stable of artists anymore. It's basically you submit to them a book you've already made.
The way to get into Marvel or DC is to self-publish something that is successful and that fits with what they want stylistically and thematically, etc.
Everyone can self publish now and everyone does before they get deals or jobs, it's how things are done these days, gone are the days of getting a portfolio into the hands of an editor at a comic con.
And did I mention it's very political now, good luck if you are a white male! You'll need to be Alan Moore level skill or be gay to get a job with Marvel.
👍 👍
Eric July’s Rippaverse is building a new empire for the abandoned comics fans.
Lol no garbage books for culture war dummies
Is this satire?
Do not published comic book I have lot all my money.
This guy is a lie.