Manga writer looking for artists to collaborate with. (Unpaid) [Closed]

[DragonMaster]

Alright, it seems my initial post was to hard to understand. I’ll have it left at the bottom though, to be transparent.

To be completely honest and speaking from the heart, I really love Manga. I’ve been writing for a while, and have worked on four one-shots at this point. I’m looking to keep gaining experience, while working with different types of people. I think working together on manga/comics, is a really good thing for both sides of the collaboration. A chance to gain some experience, see how others work, and get an interesting, or even good piece of art by the end.

My portfolio has information on all types of things. I’m fine with working on someone else’s story, for them to post it to their account, and obviously fine with splitting revenue, if that ever comes up. I am more then willing to write to someone’s art style and preferences, or for someone to draw one of the scripts I already have complete in my portfolio.

The thing I’m most interested in, is simply improving myself, while making the best work I can.

I am also trying to tackle two birds with one stone right now. I would like to find a manga partner (artist) to work together with, towards the goal of being published in a magazine. I don’t know if I’ll find one here, but even if I don’t. I’m still interested in collaborating to gain new experiences.

First Post:
Hello, I’m James, a writer with over a decade of experience.
I’ve got 7 published novels, and three published manga, with another in the works.
I’m looking for multiple artists to work with (on separate projects).
My portfolio has far more information, but I’ll leave a little here.
I’m looking to continue making more one-shots, as to gain practice, while also searching for an artist who I can work with towards getting published.
My portfolio has three example scripts on it, along with links to my published manga and many other works. They should give a rough idea of my skills.
I would be remised not to mention, my main genre is Battle Shonen, so if that’s what you’re interested in as well, I implore you to contact me.
Thank you for your time.

DragonMaster Portfolio

[snowy]

You're a published author, and you don't pay your artists ?

[DragonMaster]

Okay, here we go. A common response, which I will try to reply to adequately.
What I am looking for is a collaboration. Obviously, artists should be paid for work. If anyone wants to send me a proposal with their rates, feel free to do so. However, first make sure that you would be willing to draw for one of my stories for free. If you aren’t willing to do something without compensation, I don’t think you should do it for compensation. Art should be something you enjoy doing.
On that note, what I am looking for is someone passionate about working together on a project. I would prefer to entice someone just with my writing capacity, rather then waving around money to buy peoples favor. I understand that is a rather prideful thing to do, but it is how I feel.

More then that, collaborating is about more then just making money. There are a lot of reasons to want to work together on a project. For one, someone might want to less stressful project, that won’t have someone pushing them to get pages done on time.
Another reason could be that I have collaborated with a bunch of people and am good at working with others. I have far more experience in that regard. At least compared to some. So, I can somewhat help people along the process and answer any questions they might have.

Also, I just want to point out that it is a little silly that the default is that a writer needs to pay an artist. There are so many different contexts and situations to take into account, that such a blanket sentiment like that just doesn’t seem to make sense to me. It seems to be that way, just because it is. Answer why the artists wouldn't pay me? Or why the default wouldn’t be a 50/50 split. Which again, I am more then fine with, just that this isn’t a project that has the promise of making any money. And it would be disingenuous to guarantee that it would be.
Sorry that I kind of went on for a bit there. I just want to make sure to cover most bases, before things spiral out.

[AnimeKitty]

If you're wanting to find an artist for your series to get published, then you're going to need to pay them for their services. Especially when you post about your decade of experience and already having 7 stories published.

[AnimeKitty]

You do you, I guess. Most artists on here aren't going to work on a project where they're not getting anything out of it, especially from someone claiming to be an experienced writer. Just thought I'd point that out. Not sure why you feel an artist would have pay you though? You're the one looking for their service. Good luck finding someone for your future projects.

[DragonMaster]

I’m fine if most artists are looking for commission work, on a collaboration platform. That’s why I specified that this isn’t that, but instead a way to work on something better than they could do themselves, while gaining experience working with someone else.

I’m not looking for a service, I am not making a product to be sold. This is a collaboration to either post somewhere once its done (I don’t care if the artists posts it, some of my works are in fact posted on the artist’s accounts). Or, if I’m lucky, maybe this post will help me find someone else serious about getting published in a magazine. Which again, is something were both of us would be getting paid equally, by the publisher.

Thank you for being cordial at least, and I’m sorry for leaving a long post on this topic.

[Callirai]

I think the problem is that artists have works of their own just like writers do. Actually, most artists on here are writers as well and have their own stories they are working on. And some are even writers who learned to do art after the fact to create a story with art that they could take credit for. And really when and artist and writer do collaborate together, generally it is when both have a passion for the project or if one is paying the other. Generally it would the the writer paying the artist because it was them looking for the service. But on another note, most collaborations that do hope to make money and do a revenue share, generally have or set up so they are splitting profits 70/30 in favor of the artist.

Also, you mentioned that you have more experience under your belt, but please take into consideration that any decent artist has spent years honing their craft and learning their style. This is not just some skill we are born with, like any other hobby or passion, we had to spend time on it and put hours of work into it. It take a lot to be able to create good art just like it takes a lot for you to be an experience writer.

Consider starting with something smaller for an artist to work on for free. The simple fact is that most artists want to do this as their job. And if they are, cool! They probably aren't looking for too much more work. But if not, then they spend their free time either working on their own stuff or doing something that will help them make more money and possibly make it their job. The amount of work you are asking for would be like a second job, but they wouldn't be getting paid, nor would they have time to work on their own passion projects.

If you want to collaborate on something that is free, try asking someone to create some character designs for free. Make sure you have good descriptions and lots of reference photos if possible. You could also maybe ask someone to do a storyboard sketch of a scene that you like. Those someone might do for free!

Then maybe when you do have money to pay someone, come back to pitch the larger idea.

But also, not to sound rude, but your last responses to others sounded very entitled. And to be fair, their response was very forward and might have come off as rude or off kilter. But if you want to be able to find someone to do anything for free for you, especially on this forum, you need to come off as a nice guy. People are more willing to help someone with a project, for free, when that person seems nice. So maybe try deleting this post and starting up a new one. And maybe ask for something a little more reasonable. You can still add the stuff from this post and what you eventually want to do. Maybe say it at the end and add if anyone is possibly interested in the longer project, that would be cool too and you would love to hear from them. But just start small. Work your way up.

Good luck with it all!!!

[EncryptedWriting]

As a fellow writer, I want to wish you the best of luck, but as someone who has worked with artists beforehand, this is not how you go about it. This will come off as very rude, and I don't mean for it to be, but it will.

You sound very entitled, when you suggest someone could work for experience i.e."

But instead a way to work on something better than they could do themselves, while gaining experience working with someone with more time under their belts.

"It is an immediate sign to run away.. I understand working for free, rev share even, but the big thing for artists here is that most of them don't have a lot of free time, and we both know that art takes a lot of effort. Not saying that writing does not, but drawing/coloring is a very different type of craft. You need to respect that.

Now I am not any better as I have done the exact same thing, I won't deny it. However, the way you have gone about it just doesn't seem very kind in the slightest. I would recommend reflecting on this thread and put it in the perspective of an artist's eyes.

I don't know how to finish this, just reflect a bit on it.

[DragonMaster]

I see you’re trying to explain something to me, I suppose I appreciate the hustle. Though, you have to understand, I’ve already thought all this out. This isn’t close to my first collaboration.
I don’t understand trying to counter my claims. Since the initial side of things is, “artists need to be paid.” With my response being “so do writers.”
I didn’t say only writers do, but rather for an equal collaboration like this, it doesn’t make sense for one or the other to be paid.
I would feel, its clear my stance is, “I’m looking for someone with similar goals as myself, who is passionate about the story.”
If someone is a writer foremost, they obviously aren’t who I am after. So I don’t particularly get the point being made there. And the thing about revenue sharing is fine, but those are all things that can be discussed, and obviously aren’t going to be a part of a quick pitch. My most successful manga that’s already published, I am willing to give all the revenue to the artists, if that will make a better manga. However, that isn’t something the artist is interested in, since they know it doesn’t make sense for the artist to make more than the writer, since it’s an equal split in terms of making the manga.
My comment on having experience, was more so just to show that writers also work hard, so its not fair for artists to automatically get more.
The more I read of your response, the more I feel you must not have read all of mine. I’ve already worked with artists. I am offering to collaborate on small projects, but I am also looking for someone who would be interested in a more large scale one.

Actually, I’ve gotten to the second half of your response. Its clear you didn’t look at the portfolio and are commenting this out of pocket. Please do not give someone feedback, if you didn’t even check over their work. I have storyboards, I have detailed scripts, I’ve already worked with people. Please, please, please, don’t ever leave a response to someone again, before doing your due diligence and checking over their stuff.

Sorry if my replies seem rude, but they are the reality of the situation.
Also, my post specifically talks about working on a one-shot? Then at the end, I leave a final comment saying that if someone is interested in longer projects, they can contact me for more info. That’s literally the intro post I left. So, I don’t particularly understand the comment at the end.

[AnimeKitty]

There's nothing wrong with wanting to collaborate and work on projects like that. They can be a lot of fun and a great learning experience for both parties involved. However, when you come in mentioning how you've got so much experience repeatedly and have published works already, it can come across the wrong way. You have to realize that there are artists here who have just as much, perhaps even more, experience than you with their craft. Not once did I ever say writers shouldn't be paid either. There are many opportunities out there for writers to get paid if they look in the right place. But this is a personal project of yours, so nobody is going to pay you for it.

Seeking artwork is a service, regardless of whether or not you sell it. I've worked with artists quite a bit this year, and I'm no experienced writer, but I still pay them. If you really want someone to collab with, then I'd suggest you change your tune here and be less conceited about your skills.

[DragonMaster]

I'm really not trying to sound entitled. But the entire point of a collab is to either, make something interesting, or gain experience. Sure, a long scale project might have other potential reasons for it, but we are talking about a quick one-shot here. Also, you come across as a little elitist in this post. "...as someone who has worked with artists beforehand..." and all.

[DragonMaster]

Yes, it is fine if they have more experience. I highly doubt their are any with 16 years of practical experience, but if there is, cool. My point wasn't to be conceited. I was simply selling myself. If you have advice on how I should do that, besides listing what I have done, then I would like to hear it?
I do think that my experience can sound intimidating, and I don't want that. Though, I also don't want to hide that fact either.

As I said, if someone wants to be paid, I won't shame them. However, this is a post, specifically looking to collab. If an artist wants me to write for there manga for free, I will. Simply because, I am just looking to make some nice art. I'm not looking for money, I'm not looking for a personal project to be made, I just want to collaborate with more artists.

If someone wants to work on a full scale project, we can independently talk about it through messages.

[AnimeKitty]

I'd suggest you try to show how it can be a learning experience for both the artist and writer here, being an unpaid collaboration. In the same line you write "making one-shots" you also bring up wanting an artist to help you get more works published. It comes across as you wanting to get free artwork to publish, which I'm seeing doesn't seem to be the case after reading more of your responses, but some clarification there would help a lot. While it's okay to bring up your experience, your post seems to rub it in our faces. Not to come across as a little rude there, but it does, and I can see why some have issues with it. While that's great how you have experience, perhaps add in how you're wanting to experiment with more stories and ideas, needing an artist to help you out with those. Be sure to include the workload too. How long do you plan for these one-shots to be?

You have to realize that posts like these get buried in the forum all the time, looking for artists to work for free. Usually, not many receive responses. If you're not paying the artist, then you need something else that will hook them in and want to work with you. You're wanting to sell yourself here, but it's kind of falling flat. What would make an artist want to collaborate with you? The chance of being published and earning money later on, if you work more on bigger projects together could be a goal for them? Offering to read over their own comics and helping them with their craft would be nice too, and a free payment where you could use your experience as a writer to help with dialogues, plot pacing, etc... Whatever else they might need for their series.

[DragonMaster]

I feel I was kind of touching upon all of those points, but I suppose from your perspective I spent to little time on each one, and transitioned too quickly.

Rubbing in people's faces you say? I suppose that is a cultural thing. I've noticed working in every other medium, even animation, that people are thrilled and jump at the opportunity to work together. I've also noticed most the replies I've gotten, saying "you need to pay artists." Have been from none artists. Where as most artists seem chill. The most I've gotten from one is "I'm interested, but focused on commissions right now."

I didn't want to mention work load, since that can vary, but since the standard in the industry is 10-20 pages. I would assume most people would be thinking on those lines. Though, perhaps a comment fleshing out, that I'm good with any length of project could help. But my portfolio does mention something along those lines.

I understand these posts get buried, that's why I led with the hook of experience. I would say "professional" writer. But I feel that would be dishonest, since just because I have success in one field, doesn't mean it will directly translate to another.

The thing that would make me want to collaborate with me, is my skill. That's all I ever focus on.
And when I mention getting published, I feel like that is kind of putting the idea out there, that it would be a goal for us. (Meaning those looking for more then a one-shot). Though, perhaps maybe more focus on it? It's clear that many people don't look at the portfolio, so maybe adding in a more fleshed out section on it in the lead in would be good. But to me that also seems self explanatory. Actually, no, you have a point. A lot of things I think are obvious, often aren't and need a lot more explaining before people fully understand. Perhaps, I'll take that into account for these types of posts.

I don't want to have to leave a really long post, but it seems like that's what's being built towards here.

I'm more then happy to look over anyone's scripts, whether they help me or not. Though, bribing them seems kind of shady to me, but that might just be me.

[AnimeKitty]

It definitely felt like the transition was fast-paced. Your new post is a lot better and I like how you included personal touches there with how you love Manga and want to keep gaining experience. Most artists on here see "unpaid" and skip over it, so that could be why you're not hearing much from their side. They just don't care to bother with it. You needed something to get people to want to look at your portfolio and your response before just wasn't cutting it. But I think what you added on will help more with that, especially for artists on here looking for a project to help improve their craft.

Also, it's not bribing them. It's offering support back, if they'd want it since there won't be payment. I wish you the best in finding an artist to collab with.

[snowy]

Answer why the artists wouldn't pay me?

Because you're asking them to work for you, not the other way around.

I have far more experience

That's an assumption.
Also, experience doesn't entitle anyone to free labor. In fact, experience should make you realise that rates are already ridiculously low, and if anything, you should offer artists more than they're asking.

Also, when you say "published", do you mean posted on a site somewhere ?

[amortelito]

"Why shouldn't they pay me?". Even big publishing companies pay their mangakas. You don't see the Shonen Jump editor asking for free labor. The assistants get paid for working with an experienced creator because that's a job.

If some artists collaborated with you that's totally fine. I have done free projects for people I care about. If you find someone, then great for you. But don't come here with an attitude. This is your project and that's why you should be paying if you are the one in charge. That's what a professional does. Artists who draw hire writers too, depends on who is the one making the project.
This is not the way to present yourself in a forum of artists.

Frankly your experience will hardly blow anyone away. When it's an UNPAID work, people care more about interesting stories they want to help creating than anything else.

[DiegoPalacios]

Because people work to get money......not to give it.

[DragonMaster]

I'm asking to work together. That is what the word collaboration means.

[DragonMaster]

I don't have an attitude, its a genuine question, to make people think about their bias. If your answer is that "Art is more valuable then story". Then okay, we have a difference of opinion, and that's fine.
So, they'll read a script, and decide if they want to work on something or not.
Also, there's no guarantee the collaboration would be my project, I don't know why that would be the assumption.