Comments on: Random Thoughts on Publishing, Archaia http://www.popcultureshock.com/random-thoughts-on-publishing-archaia/41924/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:25:18 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: TheDeeMan http://www.popcultureshock.com/random-thoughts-on-publishing-archaia/41924/comment-page-1/#comment-94535 TheDeeMan Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:02:20 +0000 http://www.popcultureshock.com/random-thoughts-on-publishing-archaia/41924/#comment-94535 Ah, yes. The old "don't call us, we'll call you" policy. Well, it would be a lot easier for "us" to find them then for them to find us. Dee - GAAK writer dude Ah, yes. The old “don’t call us, we’ll call you” policy. Well, it would be a lot easier for “us” to find them then for them to find us.

Dee – GAAK writer dude

]]> By: Guy LeCharles Gonzalez http://www.popcultureshock.com/random-thoughts-on-publishing-archaia/41924/comment-page-1/#comment-93816 Guy LeCharles Gonzalez Wed, 06 Jun 2007 14:19:02 +0000 http://www.popcultureshock.com/random-thoughts-on-publishing-archaia/41924/#comment-93816 Graphic novels are one of the fastest growing segments in publishing right now, so every publisher is on the lookout for under-the-radar projects being published by smaller publishers that they can snatch up. There's a lot of comics fans working in traditional publishing, too, so I know some of the recent pick-ups have come about somewhat organically that way. The best bet for an unestablished name to get on the bigger publishers' radars is to bust their ass getting their work out there, either going through one of the smaller direct market publishers or self-publishing, and then marketing the hell out of themselves and their work. Networking is very important, too, as like any industry, knowing the right people doesn't hurt, and if you're part of a collective and one of your partners breaks in, you're one step closer. PS: Literary agents only work when there are significant contracts in play. 15% of the average graphic novel contract isn't worth their time or effort. I suspect you may start to see newer agents looking to carve a niche for themselves by focusing on graphic novels as a specialty, but like the clients they'll likely represent, they'll be working at a competitive disadvantage. Still, it's something to consider... Graphic novels are one of the fastest growing segments in publishing right now, so every publisher is on the lookout for under-the-radar projects being published by smaller publishers that they can snatch up. There’s a lot of comics fans working in traditional publishing, too, so I know some of the recent pick-ups have come about somewhat organically that way.

The best bet for an unestablished name to get on the bigger publishers’ radars is to bust their ass getting their work out there, either going through one of the smaller direct market publishers or self-publishing, and then marketing the hell out of themselves and their work. Networking is very important, too, as like any industry, knowing the right people doesn’t hurt, and if you’re part of a collective and one of your partners breaks in, you’re one step closer.

PS: Literary agents only work when there are significant contracts in play. 15% of the average graphic novel contract isn’t worth their time or effort. I suspect you may start to see newer agents looking to carve a niche for themselves by focusing on graphic novels as a specialty, but like the clients they’ll likely represent, they’ll be working at a competitive disadvantage. Still, it’s something to consider…

]]> By: TheDeeMan http://www.popcultureshock.com/random-thoughts-on-publishing-archaia/41924/comment-page-1/#comment-93695 TheDeeMan Wed, 06 Jun 2007 12:08:33 +0000 http://www.popcultureshock.com/random-thoughts-on-publishing-archaia/41924/#comment-93695 Another catch 22 for comic and graphic novelist trying to take advantage of manstream publishings interest in comics/graphic novels is in their submissions. Villard, Pantheon, Philomel, Del Ray, etc, are delving into a new genre of publishing (graphic novels) but in a way that's as old as the dawn of time--Through agented submissions. Literary agents frown o most childrens book submissions, much less what they consider children's "funny book" submissions aka comics/graphic novels. Believe me I know. I've been trying to submit my book "GAAK" for the past 3 months and literary agents seem TOTALLY UNAWARE of the recent surge in graphic novel publishing that's begun in recent months. So I wonder where are these publishers like Villard, Philomel, etc, getting their graphic novels from? Because it sure isn't from comic book creators because comic book creators sure as hell can't get the agents required to submit the comic books/graphic novels they create. Like I said, it's a catch 22. Dee - GAAK writer dude Another catch 22 for comic and graphic novelist trying to take advantage of manstream publishings interest in comics/graphic novels is in their submissions. Villard, Pantheon, Philomel, Del Ray, etc, are delving into a new genre of publishing (graphic novels) but in a way that’s as old as the dawn of time–Through agented submissions. Literary agents frown o most childrens book submissions, much less what they consider children’s “funny book” submissions aka comics/graphic novels. Believe me I know. I’ve been trying to submit my book “GAAK” for the past 3 months and literary agents seem TOTALLY UNAWARE of the recent surge in graphic novel publishing that’s begun in recent months. So I wonder where are these publishers like Villard, Philomel, etc, getting their graphic novels from? Because it sure isn’t from comic book creators because comic book creators sure as hell can’t get the agents required to submit the comic books/graphic novels they create. Like I said, it’s a catch 22.

Dee – GAAK writer dude

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