Should I be doing more stuff?

Delphonse 2016-07-05 16:29:27 UTC #1

It feels like I am not really doing much. I have 32 chapters written already and production is going smoothly. I have a lot of free time and it does not feel like this is even a hobby. I spend maybe a couple hours a week talking to my art team and reviewing the material they give me and then the rest of the week is just relaxing. Hell I even started a second series that I am working on and have the first three chapters written and the artist for that one is working on drawing it up. It seems like I need to be doing something. I play games and read comics and watch anime. But is there any suggestions on things I could do graphic novel wise? I study up on things ocassionally and talk to other artists. I don't really advertise at all. I update facebook when something happens but that is about it. I have a twitter and tumblr and deviant art but none of that really gets used.

I am not stressed out or anything in fact the complete opposite. I have to much time on my hands. What should I do?

joannekwan 2016-07-05 16:58:42 UTC #2

I think, as the writer, you should work on promoting your series, it'll be for everyone's benefit!

I work with a writer and he works his ass off promoting our series and his other ones. He gets in touch with reviewers, local libraries, and people in Hollywood to try to get a show out of our series. He even made ties with Rob Liefeld. And he goes to almost all the major cons down in the LA area with a booth selling our stuff. And he does all this while working a full time job too.
How successful is it all? Well we haven't hit it big just yet, but people do recognize the series and look forward to it at cons. But it's more attention than we would have if he didn't promote at all.

PotooGryphon 2016-07-05 17:12:57 UTC #3

There's always something to do. lol

Promoting alone is a full time job, however there's also researching how to go about publishing it or will you court a publishing company, attend events and make contacts, networking, research distributors and find out what needs to be done to get into stores and libraries, really the list goes on and on. Researching conventions and book shows, making connections at local comic stores, getting into their store events and ask if they're into carrying indie books, crowd funding, putting on events for readers, ask for reviews, get in on podcasts, ask to be interviewed, on and on and on. Research and look into different revenue streams you can setup with your series, build those streams. Oh gosh, I'll probably just keep adding to this list as I think of stuff.

Delphonse 2016-07-05 18:32:18 UTC #4

That is the thing I really wanna promote but I don't know where or what to do. I have looked into it and asked the generic how do I promote better but I always get the basic responses. I use to promote constantly but I don't know where too anymore or what to say to promote. My focus it to get 3 chapters out and start working on getting hired on by webtoons. And if that does not work then focus on self publishing or something along those likes. I create the storyboards in a way that allows for reformating into either scrolldown format or book format.

Because I am dead set on getting on webtoons I am not sure how promoting and looking into book distributers will help eapecially since only one chapter is out atm. At a rate of about 3 weeks to a month in between releases. Going to cons and booking places like that is kind of hard when my extra money goes into getting the pages made. I talk to a few other creators here and there but aside from that I am really new to the art and creators community that I don't know who to talk to or what to talk about.

swiftestgamer 2016-07-05 18:32:52 UTC #5

Well, the way I see it, there isn't anything inherently wrong with having time on your hands. Personally, it gives me time to reflect and to think, which, if you were pursuing a high stakes Wall Street job, would sound like a fantasy. In my down time, I feel that it is necessary to use the excess time that we are given as a means to discover ourselves and to really figure ourselves out. That's my opinion; hopefully I've granted some insight for you.

Delphonse 2016-07-05 18:38:04 UTC #6

I want to get published on Webtoons is the thing. I am working on getting the three chapters they require before emailing them with a proposal. Or hoping that they notice eventually. I do have the storyboards created in a way to go mobile format or book format. I would be okay with either one. The thing is i feel if i look for other publishers while working towards webtoons then I might find someone and for some reason I feel wierd about that. If there were other publishers that were interested then cool we could work something out. Also I have already done the reaserch and study into local places that would shelve my series if it became a series and I have 6 spots in my area where I have friends with the owners of their stores or online areas that would house it. I am not sure where else to go. The information i look up and the answers people give me are mainly generic and does not really help me move forward. I know I can look myself and study myself and trust me I spent a good year doing that. I dont know what to look up anymore. That is my problem I am at a road block. My main goal in this is to make a series that people enjoy and promote the artists doing it. Making a profit is not a bad thing and I would love that which is why webtoons is my main focus. It will allow me to increase payment per page and increase workload.

joannekwan 2016-07-05 18:54:35 UTC #7

Well, I think it's best not to put all your eggs in one basket. What if things don't work out with WebToons?
Since your series are more online focused, I suggest just making sure all your series are available on as many sites as possible. And think about different avenues for revenue, Patreon, Etsy, etc.

PotooGryphon 2016-07-05 18:56:16 UTC #8

A good chunk of the featured artists on Webtoons are already published artist with publishing companies. Just read all fine prints and contracts to make sure everything messes together. There's no harm in looking into both especially since one is mostly digital and the other is mostly printing.

That's awesome that you've already scoped out stores and have them inmind. Now you just have to print the book. With that comes researching print on demand companies, weighting out which one you prefer, if you have the money to pay for printing or if you have to organize a crowd funding for it and such.

That's a good goal to have, and the best way to achieve this is to actively promote, reach your target audience, and expand your reach. For that you'll need to look beyond Facebook. Try getting active on Tumblr, and Instagram.

somvi 2016-07-05 21:37:28 UTC #9

If you want to help out with the production side of things, you could try learning lettering - which is low impact in most cases but at the same time, bad lettering can easily ruin a comic. Learning self-publishing tools like indesign, acrobat, etc. can also come in handy when it comes time to print as there's usually adjustments to be made. Some printers can do the changes for you but usually at premium rate especially if you're in a rush.

Unless you've signed some agreement with webtoons you should try exploring other options since you have no obligation towards them. "I made this just for you" is something publishers hear all the time - sounds nice and all but in the end it has no bearing on the decision to accept your comic.

Apart from marketing and shopping the comic yourself, you could also hire a literary agent to do this instead. A good agent goes beyond all the generic dead ends and already has all the industry connections to work with so you can spend more time creating rather than selling/panhandling.

Best of luck!

Michelle 2016-07-05 23:58:43 UTC #10

Here's the thing-- if you ask generic questions, you'll get generic answers. It sounds like you might want to hone your focus a little more on what exactly you want to achieve with your comic at this time.

You said yourself that you don't advertise at all. If you want to fill your free time with something more useful, I would focus on effective marketing strategies. It's good that you have a publishing goal, but in the event that it doesn't work out, you'll still want a growing readership. So do some research into the various social media outlets and try them out to see if you like them for comic promotion. Really dig in to how each platform works, how their audiences are different, and how to post content that will get people interested in your comic.