A ComicLab listener submitted a question for the show: “Some successful artists honestly believe that others aren’t successful because they didn’t ’put in the work.’ They don’t acknowledge the complex machinery of creative industries. What are your views on Survivor Bias in the creative community?“

Buckle up…

Here’s a thought-provoking question: Does the “more is more” philosophy of social media really lead to success? For instance, is it really better to offer hamburgers five times a week instead of steak twice weekly if you want to build a better career?

The newspaper comic strip didn’t go extinct — it evolved. But if your work doesn’t keep up, your career may be fossilized! From Reddit-ready square comics to vertical-scroll storytelling, they explore how creators are adapting to phones, social media, and changing reading habits while keeping the heart of the comic strip alive.

Topics covered

• The evolution of newspaper comic strips
• Why horizontal strips existed in the first place
• How phones changed comics formatting
• Square-format comics on Reddit and social media
• Vertical-scroll storytelling
• Why readers won’t rotate their phones
• Charles Schulz and the flexible-format origins of Peanuts
• Newspaper syndication vs. modern web distribution
• YA graphic novels as the next evolution for newspaper strips
• Lincoln Peirce and the success of Big Nate books
• Why comic strips are still thriving online
• Modular comic formatting for webcomics
• The launch of The Comic Scout 
• Dave Kellett’s Hugo Award nomination anticipation
• Tips for maintaining visual consistency in comics
• Workflow advice for newer cartoonists

Kickstarter has released an apology for the Mature Content Creator Guidelines they released last week. Here are my thoughts — for what they’re worth.

If you’re publishing a book—whether independently or through a traditional press—one of the most important metadata decisions you’ll make is choosing the right BISAC Subject Heading. Short for Book Industry Standards and Communications, BISAC codes are the standardized categories used across the publishing industry to classify books by subject, genre, and audience. Far more than just a label, the BISAC code you choose can directly influence your book’s discoverability, placement in online stores, and how it’s marketed to readers. In this tutorial, we’ll break down what BISAC headings are, why they matter, and how to select the ones that will give your book its best shot at success.