Is anyone applying to SpiderForest?

[Jabbage]

Hi guys! The webcomic collective SpiderForest is open for applications until July 31st!

If you haven't come across SpiderForest before, it's a (non-profit!) collective of quality webcomics, run by volunteers, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and helping each other to achieve. It's been around in its current from since 2008, and is a great opportunity to be part of a close-knit community who do things like promoting each other's comics, creating anthologies, tabling at conventions and recording podcasts!

You can find out more about SpiderForest here - http://spiderforest.com/about/
And see more about applying to join here - https://spiderforest.com/apply/

I applied and was accepted about this time last year and it's been great and given me a lot of opportunities that I wouldn't have had otherwise. I thought I'd come into the forums here and ask if anyone is considering applying, and answer questions if I can!

A quick note relevant to people hosting here on Tapas - SpiderForest comics are expected to have their own independently hosted website or create one on becoming part of the collective, BUT it's still totally OK to continue to upload here on Tapas (or anywhere else!). I think most of my readers are still here, but it's really nice having my own website too which I can fully customise and which doesn't depend on a third party - and SF members will help you set up your own website if you don't have one already. I just keep my independent site one update ahead of the Tapas one, as per SpiderForest's rules.

[Rodimus13]

Any downsides or problems that have come up?

[KoreanTacos]

I noticed a must be uploading weekly, how strict is that cause I do take hiatus' between chapters.

Nvm I don't have my own website for my comic, but regardless this is a cool service.

[Jabbage]

Nothing major that I can think of?

I didn't have my own website when I was accepted last year and so getting one set up did take up a bit of time. A lovely volunteer from SF helped me with most of the technical side of things, but it still required me to create new graphics. Also the SpiderForest site itself required banner images and splash images, a short description of my comic etc. So it is a bit of a time commitment at first, it did stress me out for a week or so. And i guess there are just the usual issues that come with hosting in multiple locations - it's another place to keep track of, answer comments at etc.

In terms of the actual community though, it's been really good. I've been able to table at a convention I couldn't have gone solo on, I've got to help create a short story anthology, and I've got people to go to when I need help and advice. It's nice to help others out too.

[Jabbage]

SpiderForest is offering free hosting for accepted comics this season, so if you would like your own website you can still apply!

Being on hiatus isn't a problem either - it says on the application page that you should be uploading weekly "or be scheduled to return from hiatus " Lots of members take breaks from time to time and inbetween chapters, and I took a break myself last December. The rule is just there to ensure that members are currently active. If you're on a break right now and would like to apply,I'd just make that clear in your application and say when you intent to start posting again.

[KiabIce]

I've visited SpiderForest before. I don't think I'm quite up there yet in terms of how professional my comic making is. Maybe some day when my comic looks better I'll think about it.

[marvelescent]

How does it fit into a busy schedule? Until about 2 years from now, working will be taking up a lot of time, and most spare time goes to drawing for Destiny Oblivion. Is something manageable to do within a busy schedule?

Destiny Oblivion

Destiny Oblivion

[Jabbage]

That's totally fine:D Just FYI, you can join the forums and discord without being a member to get to know the community better, and ask for help/critique.

(I'd definitely say don't write yourself off too quickly though - I thought my comic wasn't up to standard art-wise and got in somehow )

[Jabbage]

If you'll need to set up your own site (if you don't have one) and provide promotional images for the SpiderForest website will take up some time upfront.

In terms of community involvement, it's one of those things where you get out of it what you put into it? Some members are really busy and don't engage much, some are very active and visible. Personally I work a 9-5 job, do paid comics work and do a weekly webcomic so I am always juggling my time, and I find that feeling supported by a community has actually made that easier. I have decided not to get involved with some aspects of the community for time issues though (there was an awesome charity zine a few months ago that I just didnt' have time for!) and that's totally ok.

The one thing you're required to do is participate in voting during scheduled application seasons, which involves reading comics that have applied (I think the minimum is 10 at the moment?) and voting on whether to accept them into the community or not. I haven't been part of this process yet and I am a bit nervous about fitting it in alongside all my other work, but I'm hoping that the opportunity to read other webcomics and think about them critically will be a useful exercise.

[ble]

This post was flagged by the community and is temporarily hidden.

[Jabbage]

Aww no!
I have always wondered if people who dislike spiders might get put off by the name!

[ble]

This post was flagged by the community and is temporarily hidden.

[Jabbage]

SpiderForest's mascot SpiderFriend is a cutie, though

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DjDXaglUYAACCvK?format=jpg&name=900x900

[KiabIce]

Aw thanks for some glimmer of hope lol. Yeah I just posted on Tapas I wanted feedback on my story.

Also my story is a one shot I'm not sure how that would work for SpiderForest. I guess the one shot could be the first chapter, around 65 pages or so. I read that SpiderForest requires at least 1 chapter finished so that won't be happening anytime soon for me lol.

Thanks anyway though! Maybe I will apply next year

[Rodimus13]

I don't think we will.... I just don't have the time for full website upkeep

[Jabbage]

Ooh you know I think that's changed, when I applied it was 15 pages. I guess they figure that's not enough to get a good feel for the comic. That would have thrown me off a bit though, my comic doesn't have chapters!

I feel your pain with the one shot situation. I actually knew about SpiderForest years ago but I love doing short stories that are 50-70 pages long so it never seemed worth joining while I was doing those. It took until my latest comic which is a bit longer for me to feel like I should actually apply.

Doing shorter comics is a fantastic way to build experience though, best of luck with yours!

[UrMom]

I applied on theee... 9th? I don't have my own site, I'm rusty with HTML... CSS? (like, 15 years of rust), and my personality is pure trash but everyone says there's nothing to lose. So why not.