How would I go about pitching a comic/graphic novel?

TheTygerfire

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Jun 26, 2008
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Anyone that's had some experience and would like to give advice is great. Also when I scout an artist what should I look for? (I'd just use my dad if he remembered how >_>)

Edit: And no I won't tell you the idea for the book, fucking thieves...

Edit 2: ANYONE that's dealt with a publisher and would like to clue me in on the workings please do so.
 

Marv21

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I havn't done it before, im just an average person who hasn't done this crap, but!

I would reccomend picking a mood or tone of the novel and making sure your author could duplicate that mood/tone.

Example: Death Note(big Fan...if you already couldn't tell), has a heavy gothic vibe, with realistic drawings, the idea of it and the story fit hand and hand.

Another Example: Watchmen: I got a real muddy feel from it, it was kind of dirty with a touch of dystopian.

After that I would make a poster for it a cool one, think of the Heroes show insignia, and making a poster like that meaning.

1. Make it simple
2. Make it grand
3. The Vibe/mood/tone must feel from the poster
4. Show 1 character good or bad in the poster


After the poster I would make a comic line for it, usually from something relevant in the novel like 2-3 pages if you want to do it right. Show it off someplace where they will want to take a look at your stuff, I dunno Comic-con or a large state-wide comic convention.

I repeat I have no experience from this, all I can reccomend is what I would do.
 

JuniorMartin

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First provide a portfolio to several different publishers. In the portfolio include previous work, such as comic issues, short stories and other work i.e illustrations or past published works. Separate from the portfolio have about five chapters of your novel, let them judge the works for what they are, try not to sell the work, try to make them want it. Its important to not rip off other works and remember this will be how they place a value of you.

When scouting an artist it depends on the tone of your work, if your story is gothic find an artist with an art style that works. Examples : watchmen, killing the joke, sin city.....
 

JuniorMartin

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Then finish about the first 5 chapters, have outline for the next five chapters. Then get an artist to illustrate the chapters. The illustration needs to fit the chapters, show key events, and convey the emotion of the scene. Be smart with the text placement and make sure that it doesn't subtract from the scene. There so much I can tell you just ask away.
 

Adam Jenson

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To pitch an idea your gonna need a synopsis. A 1000 word breakdown of the story, its influences and possibly an insight into a character via a qoute.
 

Erana

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In general illustration, its good to have an agent. I don't know if that's so good for comic books, though.
 

mark_n_b

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TheTygerfire said:
Anyone that's had some experience and would like to give advice is great. Also when I scout an artist what should I look for? (I'd just use my dad if he remembered how >_>)

Edit: And no I won't tell you the idea for the book, fucking thieves...

Edit 2: ANYONE that's dealt with a publisher and would like to clue me in on the workings please do so.
OK, on the first edit, don't be a douche, I am going to tell you right now: as awesome as your idea is I guarantee it has been done and that kind of attitude is one of the number one signs that yours is a book that will never be.

As for hunting down an artist, are you paying them? The first step to finding a good artist is making sure you are offering fair compensation, you are not going to get anyone worthwhile otherwise. The first thing you want to look for is an artist that has graphic novel work to their credit, pinup work and really awesome photo realistic paintings are great, but serial artwork is a completely different beast. The second thing is someone you can touch and see in real life, an online artist will not be with you through thirty pages. By way of example, I have worked with close to two hundred on line artists on recreational projects, only one of them has ever completed a full length book project with me (if you're a gambling man though 0.5% aren't the worst odds)

As for the publisher. You are self publishing. Period, if you are thinking of maintaining 100% creative control, hiring (and controlling) the artist, and writing the script, then you are not looking at getting picked up by a major publisher. Indie publishers (say Oni Press) will not accept blind submissions for legal reasons, because most of it is crap, and because they don't have the time. They decide on products to pursue based entirely on reputation and recommendation. Get your web comic up, get your novel on a couple shelves, attend a few comic-conventions (as a presenter) and make sure publishers know you're in the market to be picked up.
 

TheTygerfire

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Jun 26, 2008
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mark_n_b said:
TheTygerfire said:
Anyone that's had some experience and would like to give advice is great. Also when I scout an artist what should I look for? (I'd just use my dad if he remembered how >_>)

Edit: And no I won't tell you the idea for the book, fucking thieves...

Edit 2: ANYONE that's dealt with a publisher and would like to clue me in on the workings please do so.
OK, on the first edit, don't be a douche, I am going to tell you right now: as awesome as your idea is I guarantee it has been done and that kind of attitude is one of the number one signs that yours is a book that will never be.

As for hunting down an artist, are you paying them? The first step to finding a good artist is making sure you are offering fair compensation, you are not going to get anyone worthwhile otherwise. The first thing you want to look for is an artist that has graphic novel work to their credit, pinup work and really awesome photo realistic paintings are great, but serial artwork is a completely different beast. The second thing is someone you can touch and see in real life, an online artist will not be with you through thirty pages. By way of example, I have worked with close to two hundred on line artists on recreational projects, only one of them has ever completed a full length book project with me (if you're a gambling man though 0.5% aren't the worst odds)

As for the publisher. You are self publishing. Period, if you are thinking of maintaining 100% creative control, hiring (and controlling) the artist, and writing the script, then you are not looking at getting picked up by a major publisher. Indie publishers (say Oni Press) will not accept blind submissions for legal reasons, because most of it is crap, and because they don't have the time. They decide on products to pursue based entirely on reputation and recommendation. Get your web comic up, get your novel on a couple shelves, attend a few comic-conventions (as a presenter) and make sure publishers know you're in the market to be picked up.
Thanks, this is really going to help me out. I actually doubted if there were people with real exp. in this sort of thing, at least on forums.
 

Nevins

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Dec 18, 2008
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You might also want to visit your local comic shop and run it by the owner (when you have a more finished product). Those guys know more than God about this stuff, and can normally give you an honest answer, or set you up with people they know in the publishing side of the comics world.