Self Publishing discussion thread

[Obi-Ron]

Anyone else here write/draw/publish/enjoy small press comics?

Planning a trip to MoCCA Fest, or SPX, or SPACE?

Let's talk about it.

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Never been to MoCCA but I hear fantastic stuff about it. Good way to get one's work out there.

I write and draw my own stuff, but have yet to publish it yet.

I think it's become alot easier to do it, now. Internet and all.

 

[Thundarr]

I read an article about self publishing books in The Vancouver Courier a few years back. Unfortunately I lost my copy of the paper, but you can probably find a copy of the article on their website. If remember correctly, about $850 will get your book published for you, but you're responsible for handling sales and promotions. For $1200 the publishing company will actually help you with getting stores to carry your book and set up a page for you on Amazon for internet sales. I can't remember the name of the company though.

 

[Obi-Ron]

MoCCA's always been a great time. I am a member of the Boston Comics Roundtable, a local collective of indie creators, and we sometimes pool our efforts for getting tables, or just teaming up for travel and accomodations for shows like that. Last year's MoCCA fest was in a new location, and they didn't have all the bugs ironed out. That's OK, I was just passing through this year, not staying the entire day. It's great to connect with other people with the same aspirations. And some of the comics you end up coming home with are just insanely good.

And yeah, there are several printing options for small press comics, just do a quick web search. I even found a site that will produce self-published board games. I'm seriously considering making one.

 

[Zaron]

I make my own independent comics, and I've been considering MoCCA for next year. Kind of made me sad to hear that Evan Dorkin won't be going next year, though. I do want to at least hit up Connecticon, since a lot of my artist friends will be exhibiting there.

 

[Obi-Ron]

When is Connecticon?

 

[Zaron]

They haven't announced a date for next year yet but it'll most likely be July or August.

 

[yenaled]

I do but other side of the pond. Can't afford to fly out over there for press.

 

[Zaron]

Yeah flying all over the place to conventions costs a bundle. I don't know how my friends can afford it unless they're earning way more than I realize when they exhibit. I still have yet to attend any cons at all (even as just a regular attendee) so I haven't really got much idea what I'm in for.

 

[BLACKVULCAN]

Anyone else here write/draw/publish/enjoy small press comics?

Planning a trip to MoCCA Fest, or SPX, or SPACE?

Let's talk about it.

Hey Obi
I wrote ,drew my own comic( Haven't most comic nerds tried at one time or another) actually I got 3 issues done it was suppose to be a 12 issue mini series of a super team i had concocted wheni was younger. I was planning on having someone ink my artwork and get it published. I was thinking of taking it to next years comic con in San Diego.I have seen other jokers there with worst stuff then mine peddling their stuff so i thought why not get a booth myself and see if anyboy likes it. Hit me up if you or anybody else got advice to do that. i would appreciate it.

 

[Obi-Ron]

First off, I encourage you to make the comic anyway. Thing is, artist alley tables at comiccon are insanely expensive. By all means finish your story, but you will have to give serious thought to whether it's good enough to make it worth the expense.

 

[Zaron]

I can't imagine anyone doing ComicCon as their first con. You'd get lost in the sea of artists there. I'd think ComicCon is something you have to work your way up toward, after hitting some smaller cons first.

 

[Obi-Ron]

Good point - a smaller, local show would be a good way to get your feet wet. (Although I heard a rumor that SDCC was possibly moving to Las Vegas in the future - that would make it local for you, wouldn't it BV?)

 

[Zaron]

Yeah, I'm hitting up a small con in Dallas this November to help me figure out how to run things, and then next year I'm going to try to make some bigger cons. I think I'm at least two years from being ready for ComicCon, though. If I'm going to lose money there's no reason to go, and from what I hear it's extremely easy to lose money there.

 

[BLACKVULCAN]

i dont know Obi. I havent heard that rumor about SDCC movin to Las Vegas. I heard it was movin but not to here. We had a comic con here a few years back and my comic book dealer said really nobody turned out for it.( i was outta town when it happened) So there hasnt been one since.
you guys make a good point about getting lost in a sea of people though. i just was thinking it was a good way to see SDCC while maybe getting some input from others. Last time i was there i picked up an indie book from some Black dude( i had to represent) and read it in the airport and it was god awful including the artwork. So i was thinking i would do the same, but i think you guys are right about going the smaller venue road.

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Oddly enough, I've never been to a Con. Ever.

 

[BLACKVULCAN]

awww you have to go to one Chris especially anyone who loves comic. I try to make SDCC each year and have been to Dragoncon in my hometown a few time. you have to go to at least one my friend.

 

[Zaron]

I hear DragonCon is awesome. That and Sand Diego are at the top of my list of cons I hope to attend. MoCCA too. There's a couple small cons near me in Tulsa but I'm not sure they'd be worth my time.

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

I'd like to go, soon, to a Con. My understanding of what I hear about most Cons is that alot of them seem to have been overrun with other stuff that isn't exactly related directly to comics.

I do hope to get a job in the industry, and I hear Cons are basically now the only way to get a job breaking into comics nowadays. So I know a con is in my future, certainly.

 

[Zaron]

I'd like to go, soon, to a Con. My understanding of what I hear about most Cons is that alot of them seem to have been overrun with other stuff that isn't exactly related directly to comics.

That really only applies to the larger ones, like ComicCon. Most of the smaller ones are still pretty focused on comics, or at least equal parts comics and anime.

 

[Obi-Ron]

Anyone in the DC area this weekend should head to Bethesda for the annual Small Press Expo, one of the biggest self-publishing events around. I've been there in previous years both as a visitor and as a tabler, and had a blast every time. Definitely a must-visit for the serious indie comicker. Be prepared to hemorrage tons of money on mini-comics from ridiculously talented people you've never heard of, and books from smaller companies like Top Shelf and Oni.

 

[Zaron]

Whoa is that header art by Kate Beaton? Sweet!

I've been hearing a lot about this con. I'll have to make it sometime. Sounds like a lot of fun.

 

[Obi-Ron]

(copied from the NEW indie thread)

The Comics Journal just reviewed the Boston Comics Roundtable's Inbound anthology series, and mentioned my robot story by name!

toot toot

 

[Sean Fahey]

For those of you who have self-published, what are some of the printing options you recommend/have had good experiences with?

Thanks.

 

[Obi-Ron]

I've worked in printing for years so I usually go for the employee discount when doing press runs.

From the indie shows I've been to, ComiXpress and Ka-Blam seem to be the most popular small press printers.