So many times I’m asked “How do you break into comics?” especially as a writer. I’ve created the following constantly updated list of resources for creators in all ends of the business, from the mechanics of pitching to the psychology of surviving, how to exhibit at shows, crowdfunding basics and more. Please feel free to contact us with additions and updates.
— The Editors
The Basics
Literary Agents Who Represent Graphic Novels by Niki Smith
The Comic Book Writer’s Guide
Comics Economics: How To Earn A Living With A Comics Degree
“How Do I Break In” by Jim Zub
Kelly Sue DeConnick on how to get started as a comics writers
Discussion of comics economics and page rates
Zander Cannon on how to make money tabling at shows
Comics Survival Kit a Tumblr developed by Gail Simone spotlighting creator resources
Molly Crabapple’s 14 Rules for success in the digital age
Mari Naomi’s Illustrated Guide To Writing People of Color
Ben Towle on publishing a longform narrative webcomic
The Ormes Society on What a Young Artist Should Know
Natalie Nourigat on Advice for Aspiring comics Artists age 14-18
Faith Erin Hicks Master List of Making Comics Posts
Ben McCool on Breaking Into Comics As A Writer: 4 Rules All New Talent Should Follow
Kieron Gillen’s Comics Writer Masterpost
Steve Lieber on How to Launch a Self Published Comic
Ron Marz on The Seven DOs and DON’Ts of Writing Comics
Neil Gaiman’s writing advice
Rachel Gluckstern on So You Want To Write a Comic Book
Chris Oatley on How to Write a Comic Book Script
Melanie Gillman on How to Pitch to a Comics Anthology
Jim Zub on How to Find an Artist
Ramon Gil on Breaking and Entering
Ramon Gil on Seven Things You Can Do Towards Becoming a Comic Creator
Kurt Busiek on Breaking in Without Rules
Noah van Sciver on Breaking In To Comics “There is no Short Cut”
General Resources (Updated 2019)
- NEW! Creator Resources – Awesome site with information on the profession of comics, compiled by Stephanie Cooke
- NEW! Tips on all kinds of things from Jesse Hamm
Script Formats
- Marvel Editor Jordan White, Greg Rucka and more on Script formats (Twitter)
- Direct link to Script Format
- Blambot article on Script Formats
- NEW! Fred Van Lente on Anatomy of a Comic Script
Pitching
- How do I submit my work to publishers? by Steve Morris
- Top Cow’s Matt Hawkins on Pitching
- Chris Schweizer on How To Pitch a Graphic Novel
- Janelle Asselin’s presentation on The Art of the Pitch
- Faith Erin Hicks on writing a pitch for a graphic novel
- Kelly Thompson on How To Write Comics
- Jason Thibault’s The Definitive List of Comic Publisher Submission Guidelines
Ebooks
- Formatting Comics for the Kindle and Nook: A Step-By-Step Guide to Images and Ebooks
- Write or Wrong: A Writer’s Guide to Creating Comics
- Economics of Digital Comics by Todd Allen
Online Resources
Foundations in Comic Book Art: SCAD Creative Essentials (Fundamental Tools and Techniques for Sequential Artists) by John Paul Lowe
Craft
- Larry Hama’s 10 Rules for Drawing Comics
- Wally Wood’s 22 Panels That Always Work
- Carson Van Osten’s Comics Drawing Kit
- Emma Coats on 22 story basics from Pixar
- Greg Pak’s Downloadable MS Word comic book script template!
- Alex De Campi on Handlettering Comics in Illustrator
- Chris Oatley on Lettering Basics
- Chris Schweizer on Avoiding Tangents in Art
- Steve Leiber’s Tips on putting together a portfolio (and storytelling in general)
- NEW! Bon Alimagno on The Perfect Portfolio Review
- NEW! And a twitter thread on all that.
Getting Noticed
- Frank Santoro on creating your own local comics scene
- Megan Byrd on Pitching Your Comic For Review
- Kieron Gillen, Felipe Smith, and Katie Cook on using social media to sell your work
- Retailer John Hendrick on How to Sell Your Comic: A Retailer’s Perspective
- Tyler James on The Creator & Small Publisher’s Guide to the Diamond Distribution Cycle
Surviving
- Nate Bellegard on working through tough times
- Jim Zub on The Economics of Creator Owned Comics
- Rob Liefeld on How to Beat the Haters
- Marguerite Bennett on surviving as a writer (Twitter thread)
- Ramon Gil on Hard Lessons for a Comics Creators
- NEW! Jim McLaughlin’s 3×3: Mike Marts
- NEW! Kriota Willberg’s “Get a Grip” column with resources for staying healthy as an artist
Crowdfunding resources
Todd Allen’s Kickstarter Diary
- Part 1 – Intro
- Part 2 – Rewards and Goals
- Part 3 – Setting up the campaign
- Part 4 – Marketing the campaign
- Part 5 – Post Mortem
Exhibiting/Marketing Skills
- Derpygirl on 25 Reasons Why You Don’t Make Any Money At Comic Cons
- How to be a Con Artist – A tumblr of exhibiting resources
- Afua Richardson on making promo materials
- Kel MacDonald on tabling at conventions
- Dylan Meconis on basic table set-up:
Are you an artist hitting the comics convention circuit for the first time? Here's a good basic table setup! pic.twitter.com/c7Mh2GwWXD
— Dylan Meconis (@dmeconis) April 13, 2016