There is the old saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” While this may be true for a novel, in regards to a comic book cover this couldn’t be further from the truth. Every writer will tell you that the first paragraph should set the tone for the coming novel. The importance of this…
Category: Blog
Ideas and You (AKA, Know What You’re Writing About II)
How To Get Into Comics: An Introduction
What’s in an anthology contract?
Contracts exist to protect all the partners involved, and to help clarify expectations. They should help both the publisher and the artist know what’s involved in the project, and let everyone make the most informed decision possible. Here’s our sample contract (click the link to be taken to the downloadable template) we use for anthologies, with…
Pitch Talk 2: AKA Put the Bat Down Before You Hurt Someone
Hello, Happy Holidays, and welcome to another Tales from Outside Comics! The series of posts from someone just like you, a conduit for the psychic cuttlefish collective trying to escape from aquariums everywhere. They’ve seen what people do to the lobsters, and they don’t want to be next. Today, I’ll be following up on last…
Pitch Talk: AKA, Please Not Another Sports Metaphor
Hello, and welcome once again to Tales from Outside Comics! The series where someone just like you, a word-goblin scribbling away the madness, rants uncontrollably about how difficult it is to find shiny things in the haunted mines. Apparently, my stand-in for sports metaphors are fantasy ones. Today I’m telling a story about my experience…
Day Jobs: Can’t Write with ‘Em, Can’t Live without ‘Em
Hello, and gather ‘round once more, for “Tales from Outside Comics!” Hopefully I haven’t lost my Outsider status after a mere four installments. I’m sure the new-writer smell will fade away eventually, so let’s enjoy it while we can. I think it’s safe to say every creative’s dream is to quit the day job. We…
Anthology Contract Template
Anthologies are a great way to break into comic books as a creator. It’s a great way to showcase range and different voices as they tell their version or interpretation of theme or concept that unites the book. Lots more anthologies have popped up over the years and that is absolutely wonderful to see. On…
Know What You’re Writing About
Hello, and welcome one more to “Tales from Outside Comics!” The series of posts from someone just like you, a wide-eyed hopeful looking to break into the industry, talking from the heart about the things that keep me up at night. This week, I’m going to dive into talking about actual writing. Which means the…
The Freelancer’s Cookbook: Super Easy Chicken Chili
This recipe for “Super Easy Chicken Chili” comes from Andrew Hess. He writes: “I forget where I first learned of this, but it’s incredibly easy and very satisfying. Plus since all you are adding is salsa, it becomes very easy to control the spice level in case you have picky eaters. Served straight from a bowl…