According to one source, the New York Comic-Con will feature a panel to discuss self-syndication vs traditional syndication. Those panelling the discussion include: Doug Bratton, creator of online comic and self-syndicated feature Pop Culture, Andrew Feinstein, co-creator of Girls & Sports, Francesco Marciuliano, writer for Sally Forth and creator of Medium Large, Rina Piccolo, creator of Tina’s Groove and one of the Six Chics, and R. Stevens the creator of the newly launched Diesel Sweeties.
Here’s the description:
Most comic strip artists dream of getting picked up by a big syndicate that then gets their comic strip published in newspapers around the world. But in the era of webcomics, alternative newspapers and declining circulation among large paid dailies, is traditional syndication still the best route for an aspiring comic strip artist? And given the increased selectivity of the big syndicates, do you even have a choice of deciding between a traditional syndication deal and going it alone? These topics and others will be discussed with comic strip professionals who have gotten their strips published in newspapers nationwide through non-traditional means.
I admit the idea of these kind of syndication facinates me. Maybe very hard to make a living out of it, but worth trying on smaller newspapers.
Traditional syndication is great for people like me who are not born self-promoters. I’d rather focus on drawing the comic than selling it. I wish there was a middle ground between getting yourself noticed in the sea of submissions and going it alone with a website. Authors and actors have agents, maybe cartoonists could have the same?
I strongly feel that wether you are born to promote your comic strip art or not you should tap into the resources found on the internet and do it your self. No one other than the creator of the comic strip will see the full potential of the comic strip other than the creator. Most people wont be inspired to work extremly hard unless money is involved out the gate. i am tired of promoting my own work as well but if i want the best presentation possible and learn the business at the same time then I had better keep pushin.
If you would kindly take a look at my website,
you will see that I have quite a stack of cartoon material that is already packaged in brochures & CDs, ready for marketing.
The only trouble is, I have no experience in this field. Previously, my work was always handled by agents in London, none of which had any connections to the American market -the only market that counts when it comes to cartoons. My work was published in Europe, the Far East & Africa, and paid me a reasonable living for 15 years. This all ground to a halt when I lost my sight about 10 years ago. Following recent operations, I have regained some sight, and am ready to get back into business.
Maybe a non-traditional way to distribute all this work stock is worth a try?
If there is anybody out there that would like to take on the job of doing it in collaboration with
myself, I would like to hear from them. My eyesight & computer skills are a bit on the primitive side.
Yours faithfully,
Geoff Watson
Good Afternoon:
I was wondering how I go about seeking an agent for my comic strip. I have received my copyright with the Library of Congress but I am uncertain as to how to do this.
Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks very much,
Mary Pearson
Mary, you don’t need an agent. You can get started on your own.
First, hone your craft. Get as good a product as you can. Then make it better. Keep refining and getting input.
Put together about a month or two’s worth of your best material. Then start shopping it to syndicates. Get their addresses and submission policies through Google. Brace yourself for a lot of rejections and “we like it, but….” Keep refining. Keep submitting. If no one wants it, take all you’ve learned and try something else. If you’re good enough, you’ll get a bite sooner or later.
You need an agent if you want to do a picture book, not a comic strip. If the comic strip doesn’t pay off, (highly likely) you could always make a story with your characters instead of a strip. Speaking from personal experiance, it’s incredibly liberating and personally rewarding. Whether or not I make a dime from my book, I know it’s a good book and can show it to people without cringing, and I never really felt that way with any comic strip I did. That money you spent on your copywrite was a waste, never do that again.
Honestly, I wanted to go the syndicate route but why restrict myself and conform to their culture when I can put it out on the net and go the alternate route. No one reads the funnies anymore. I ask why and they say the same thing, it’s not funny anymore. It’s really not. They’ve been using the same formula for decades and it’s just so tired. I don’t have my webcomics up yet but I’m so happy that I live in an era where I don’t need the ‘big shot’ syndicates to approve me. I approve myself and I juat want to share my work. Spadeanddiamond.com is not up yet but stay tuned, I just want to contribute some real laughter to our communities.
I have tried submitting my comic strip to four of the big syndicates. I do believe that people still read the comics in newspapers.
It’s been suggested to me to keep trying and maybe do a comic book. A comic book isn’t want I wanted at all. I have had many publishers like my strip, however they all want a lot of money to publish and market.
I can’t help but wonder if some of the cartoons in the newspapers got in there because they knew people at the newspaper. Mine are much better then some of theirs.
Hope we all make it BIG someday.
Stay writing and drawing.
Hello All,
I am an experienced salesman, and promoter. I have two degrees one in Graphic Design, and one in Marketing.
I believe that I can be of some help to those of you seeking an agent. I intend upon creating an Agency/Service that operates on Commission alone. I will not have any upfront costs when working with my clients.
If this interests you at all please email me your contact information. I will work diligently for all of my clients.
Thanks,
S. Ricks – oldworldjade@gmail.com