Questions about the Tapas Creator Incubator Program

[baka_reader]

So thats like only a week left till August, I am assuming they already picked and notified the winners. Next time better luck maybe!

[GoodMoeJo]

Have the announcements for the submissions last month been posted somewhere I'm not aware of? I'm so excited to hear who the winners are
Also, is it winners? or is it just one person this time around?

thanks for the great opportunity, Tap! looking forward to hearing more about how this round went!

[eleoza]

They'll announce winners in august.

But with 4 days left I think people who haven't heard anything didn't make it? Is it safe to post our new comics online yet?

[Frostfire]

Lol, this is what I think also.

[eleoza]

@staff can we get a confirmation? <3

[Saajing]

Does anyone know when the next incubator program will be announced?

[SeraphicMayin]

They said it would have another submission opening in the winter so I'm predicting late november/mid-December.

[PyroToaster]

can I post the concept art on social media that I submitted?

[baka_reader]

Where are the winners?

[Saajing]

Considering it JUST turned August, I doubt we'll be hearing about the winners anytime soon ( I'm sure the winners still have to look over their contracts). I do hope, though, that we here something from the staff soon.

[baka_reader]

I thought they were going to be announced on 1st August

[monikagill524]

Still hoping for that email confirmation,even though its 10th August already!
Please announce the result and put the rest of us out of misery

[Swamp]

They said they wanted to give people time to look over the contracts, which I think is a very good thing. They probably don't want to announce anything until they're sure exactly who's on board.

[joannekwan]

Yep! Because anyone who doesn't want to go through with the contract even after negotiations, Tap will most likely contact any runner-ups to fill their spot.

[baka_reader]

Is there any update? :o

[Saajing]

Lol at this point, I'm just wondering if I should contact Tapas staff and ask how I can improve my entry for the winter round :''''')

August is ending soon, though, so hopefully there will be SOMETHING posted.

[Luminosophy]

Question for STAFF

(Unless I have missed an answer to this elsewhere.) Are Incubator series required to use the pay-to-unlock model ? I checked out a couple incubator series and after a few pages they switched to paid reading.

---

For artists/ authors concerned about contracts and particularly the 50/50 copyright share. This is a very good read by a lawyer who talks about this. http://www.ivanhoffman.com/own.html

I read around a lot because so many on twitter were sounding alarms about it. However since these people aren't lawyers, I wanted that perspective. What I found is that it boils down to what was confirmed by some here on Tapas. It's not really as simple as saying signing rights over is inherently bad. Every creative work is unique, which means no two contracts will ever be the same. If you find yourself in a position to sign something and you don't understand the terms, seek out a lawyer to guide you. Contracts shouldn't be treated as an evil bogeyman where everyone is out to get you and sap your worth. Business relationships are relationships. It's give and take. Both parties have something each other want, but what both parties come out with individually is far greater than what they would've gotten if they had tried to work alone.

Business is not bad. Bad business is bad. Don't stifle your growth through fear. Do your own due diligence, don't just take my word for it. Ask around, research on the web. Look at the conversations people are having and listen to all points being raised and/ or refuted.

[LordVincent]

Wait, is there a drama storm on twitter about this again? (It's the conclusion I drew since this thread had been untouched for a month before your reply)

I am so glad I don't use twitter anymore.

[vvbg]

The purpose of the Incubator Program is that Tapas funds you to create a Premium series. It would be hard for them to make back their investment if they paid you to make a comic for free. ^^;;

As for the legal stuff - you're right, every contract is different! We've been pretty happy to speak openly about our experience working with the Tapas team as part of the Incubator. Tapas is easy to work with, they're patient, open with communication, and they never want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable.This was our first ever contracted work, so we were fairly cautious about it, too, and did a LOT of reading around and research before we decided to accept the deal. I'm so glad we did.

This October makes one year since we've been participating in Incubator, and I have to say it's been a wonderful experience. Doors have opened for us professionally that we never thought possible, and it's a great opportunity for anyone serious about becoming a professional comics creator. Like I mentioned previously, Archia and I used to do self-publishing and patreon, and we made our money through those avenues. We've definitely gained from our relationship with Tapas in more ways than we could have imagined and it's a shame if people don't give this program a chance based on some hearsay from people who've never even published on Tapas, nevermind been a part of Incubator.

[Luminosophy]

That makes sense, I was able to gather as much later on from poking around other incubator series that were hosted. xD
I think I was just confused if there was any other way Tapas was monetizing the series. I'm trying to do a lot of digging around too, all of this is very interesting to look at but it seems like it's a very recent/ new model in the webcomic world and there's not a whole ton of insight to the whys and hows of every aspect. Google unfortunately mostly leads to a lot of "how to monetize webcomics" that just talk about patreon and ad campaigns through project wonderful... and I think the ad stuff is outdated by this point. : 0

Wait, is there a drama storm on twitter about this again? (It's the conclusion I drew since this thread had been untouched for a month before your reply)

Sorry I didn't meant to raise alarm. Looking up things on the web brought me to a lot of those old twitter threads and I thought it might be worth dropping the info because afaik the program will open again fairly soon here and this particular forum thread gets brought up a lot in searches/ referenced by people claiming it's a scam. Figured it might help out anyone who lands here outside of Tapas. I mean knowing twitter, I'm predicting the same old alarms will cycle through again, lol.