ComicLab Ep 359 — Should your readers be your writers?

ComicLab Ep 359 — Should your readers be your writers?

BlueSky is beginning to feel like Twitter did ten years ago! Engagement is up, conversations are genuine, and follower counts...
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Understanding social media

Understanding social media

Social media is among an independent artist's most frustrating elements. We struggle for engagement, wage constant battles with "The Algorithm,"...
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Writing humor

Writing humor

Writing comedy is a challenge that is made even more daunting by the fact that humor itself is completely subjective...
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CMYK vs RGB

CMYK vs RGB

If you're saving your comics in RGB mode, you may be making a potentially expensive mistake. The content you are...
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ComicLab Ep 358 — “Help! I’m not funny anymore!”

ComicLab Ep 358 — “Help! I’m not funny anymore!”

Cartoonists Dave and Brad share some thoughts with a young humor writer trying to find their Funny. Also: Is BlueSky...
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ISBN — a beginner’s guide

ISBN — a beginner’s guide

An ISBN is a 10- or 13-digit number used to identify a book from a specific publisher. Once your book...
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How to write a Halloween joke

How to write a Halloween joke

On Substack, a cartoonist was struggling with writing a Halloween joke. He was experiencing a common problem. He was stuck...
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Webcomics Confidential: Size doesn’t matter

Webcomics Confidential: Size doesn’t matter

when it comes to your audience, size doesn't matter. A small and engaged readership beats a huge, lukewarm audience every...
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ComicLab Ep 357 — Innovation fascination

ComicLab Ep 357 — Innovation fascination

Having wrapped up his 16th Kickstarter, cartoonist Dave Kellett shares some insights about setting realistic expectations, avoiding paid advertising, and...
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Adding lettering to improve original art sales

Adding lettering to improve original art sales

Selling original art is an integral part of the business model of an independent cartoonist who works with traditional media...
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The 2011 Convention Season

As we wrap up the major part of the 2010 comic-convention season, it’s a good time to start thinking about 2011. I’ve come to a new place in my philosophy towards conventions, and I’ve arrived at a few thoughts I’d like to share.

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by on November 11, 2010
Posted In: Uncategorized
19 Comments

Comic Strip Superstar, One Year Later

In August, 2009, Universal/UClick, Andrews McMeel and Amazon announced the Comic Strip Superstar contest. And one year ago today, they named Webcomics veteran Dana Simpson as the winner for her comic, “Girl.” As the winner of the competition, Simspon has a development contract with Universal/Uclick and along with a $5,000 advance on a book to be published by Andrews McMeel Publishing. As part of that development deal, she must submit 20 samples of her comic every month in exchange for a $300 stipend.

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by on November 10, 2010
Posted In: Business
26 Comments

Using your subconscious to boost your creativity

I’ve talked about this a few time in the Webcomics Weekly podcast and in comic-convention panel discussions, but I realized I’ve never made a post about it here.

I’m a firm believer in using your subconscious to boost your creativity.

I try to use this in two ways: Before and during my writing sessions.

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by on November 8, 2010
Posted In: Writing
6 Comments

PVC banner stand

PVC pipe is cheap, it’s easy to cut, and it can be used to make all sorts of sturdy convention displays. One of the most popular is the ubiquitous PVC banner stand. Here is a simple guide.

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by on November 4, 2010
Posted In: Uncategorized
4 Comments

New Year’s Resolutions… remember those?

At the beginning of the year, I challenged you to make three resolutions.

Then I gave some advice:

  • State how you’re going to advance a third of the way to each resolution by April.
  • State what you will do to push to the 66% mark on each resolution by August
  • State what you will do to finally achieve each goal by December 2010.

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by on November 3, 2010
Posted In: Uncategorized
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November To-Do List

It’s time to shake off the Halloween hangover, adjust to Daylight Savings Time (which hits this weekend) and get started on the penultimate month of 2010.

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by on November 2, 2010
Posted In: Uncategorized
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Help a reporter (and yourself)

Getting media coverage for your comic is a great way to garner some no-cost promotion for yourself. But finding someone who wants to do a story about you can be difficult. Heck, finding someone who wants to do yet another “Look, kids! Comics on the Web!” story is getting to be darned hard.

Here’s a pretty neat way to get some media attention — from news sources that are hoping you’ll get in touch.

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by on November 1, 2010
Posted In: Business
6 Comments