Promoting your NOVEL with....comics?

[pooknero]

I've enjoyed the last couple of years as a reader rather than sharing anything as a creator. This month I decided to post my story, No Elle, here on Tapas. But, as someone who also draws, I've been sketching my novella characters and doodling little minicomics, etc. Which got me to thinking....Tapas seems to be so highly visual in nature.

Who else is an author/artist out here? Do you use your artistic skills to promote your novel? If you draw character art or minicomics of your NOVEL characters, time to share them! I hadn't seen any other similar threads floating around here, sorry if this is a repeat!

Here's a recent doodle of a scene from Chapter Two of my story, No Elle.

No Elle | Tapas

[DasIstWunderblyat]

We are on the same boat!

I'm more of an artist than a writer, and that means I do draw my characters often besides the cover which I draw myself. I don't illustrate scenes of my novel though, but I sometimes wondered how it turn out if it was a comic.

I do think that is a good strategy to employ! It's great that you illustrate your own novel as it may give reader clarity and greater impression, also attract them to stay.

This is illustration used for cover:

This is illustration for "Thank you" message:

And this is a silly mini-comic I made without context to original story (click to zoom):

(And of course many more silly or weird things)

All from here:

Karana | Tapas

[JBrentonParker]

I fancy myself both an artist and a writer; though a writer first, artist second. I don't know which is my stronger skill, but I feel like it's a bit tricker to see flaws in writing than it is in art, so I feel much more confident in my writer!
Art is also a bit of a laborious process for me. Maybe one in ten projects I attempt actually turn out well, and if I haven't been practicing, my skills deteriorate drastically.
I make my own covers for novels, but not by drawing them (I can't draw on a computer at all--I have neither the tools nor the skills). I occasionally draw sketches of characters, or maps of the countries. I painted a cover of one of my friend's novels in watercolor. And I made mock-ups of the draft cards of two main characters in a fantasy series I'm working on.
Here's a pencil sketch I did of the main character, Rikki, in my series "Twisted Tales" (I took it with my phone, so the image quality is a bit meh):

[Glasgwyn]

I love your drawing

[pooknero]

Sometimes I wonder how things would have turned out as a comic, too. I'd originally envisioned my story as a comic, but I think in the end I did it more justice as a novel.

[mrtoontastic]

Ooh! I make novels AND draw comics at the same time!

Here's my goofy, wacky series that has a novel:

The Adventures of Jean-Luc and Joey | Tapas

Here's my cute slice-of-life series with a novel:

Mellisa and Julianna | Tapas

[JBrentonParker]

Aw, thank you! I struggle so much with consistency and proportions, so that makes me feel good!

[pooknero]

Your drawing is lovely!

[Maps]

I’ve been writing my (BL) novel Vows Of the Sentinel before I began posting comics. I drew based off a chapter of my novel and began posting it. It’s now more subbed than my novel is, though I feel much more comfortable in my writing than I do my art (only got my IPad in October)! I also created another comic called A Second Chance At Fate that I’ve started without a complete idea of where I’m going with my story line, but a general idea. I actually find t easier to draw with a more open idea of what I can do than based off my novel, but I’m trying to balance all three!
I must say, when I updated my novel’s cover to look more like webtoon characters, I became more subbed. I think people do enjoy a visual to accompany a novel.

Little snippets:

[JBrentonParker]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that!

[pooknero]

I've been thinking about updating my cover to have characters on it, and I'd be interested to see if I notice a boost in interest like you did!

[Rueleer]

I don't have a novel of my own, but I have done a promo for my close friend's novel, To Love Again! It's funny because I see a similarity between using mini comics and the likes to promote a novel, to how the manga/light novel industry uses anime likewise. Or movies and TV shows for a more Western industry.

I guess it's because those more 'enhanced' forms of media are easier for people to judge quickly, rather than text which usually takes a little to process.

Actually, that just makes people sound lazy, huh. .A.);;

[spadesart]

actually, i did draw a draft of a scene in chapter 2 before deciding sundown would be a novel. i also drew some header images for my chapters.

sundown starts a little rough since my writing is rusty but id appreciate a read!

Sundown | Tapas

[pooknero]

Here's another to go along with today's update (ch 5).

No Elle | Tapas

[pooknero]

I drew something from behind the scenes in ch. 6. SPOILERS for the results of the Shrimp Showdown.

The side characters are all my favorites.

No Elle :: Chapter Six | Tapas

[qimao]

I draw my book couple a lot on my instagram for fun! Though, the doodles are separate from the main story and are mostly just to show their fluffy relationship

The Underwoodes | Tapas

[pooknero]

Very cute! I just followed you on instagram for more.

[pooknero]

Here's my most recent ones:

Only five chapters left of my story!

No Elle | Tapas

[qimao]

Thank you!!