A New Kind of Graphic Novel

[C. L. Richardson]

In the 'graphic novels' section of the bookstores I see lots of Manga and little else. What's the market like for non-Manga graphic novels? My story isn't even about people. It's about animals. Do I stand a chance at being published?

[veinglory]

Um. I strongly suggest getting to know your market. DC, Marvel (countless amll indies)? Go to a comic book store and see what they have. Most graphics are not sold through Borders but specialist outlets.

Other than that it depends on what you have. A scipt, a finsihed work, length, YA or adult? You really need to get over to a specialist forum for comic writers and artists like dimestore or komik

[C. L. Richardson]

Thanks for the tip. I wasn't even aware that such specialist outlets existed.

Another idea I have is to self-publish on the web. I've seen a number of nice comic strips by beginners online, and the artists make a little bit of money by selling merchandise.

[veinglory]

Comics have some of the most thriving small and indy presses currently going. I would suggest that before self-pubbing unless you want to take copies to a lot of cons. If you are in the 'furry' area there are specific vendors online for that which do quite well.

[C. L. Richardson]

Thanks, I will look into that.

[UrsulaV]

If you're a furry comic, I recommend "Sofawolf Press." They're the biggest of the furry small presses, and they've just gotten into comic books (by virtue of publishing mine!) I think their submission guidelines may be on-line--not sure, I went kinda sideways, since I knew 'em already.

Regardless of genre, if you're interested in the webcomic scene, by the way, I recommend it highly. That was my route--did a webcomic, got a fanbase, had a small press pick it up, got an agent based on it, and now there's all kinds 'o potential craziness in the works. There are tons and tons of webcomics out there--scads--mountains--but the vast majority are dreadful and die quickly. If you can sustain a good and interesting webcomic, it's extremely possible to build up a fairly solid fan base, and there's an increasing number of small presses who are very interested in publishing print collections of successful webcomics.

It's a slow process. You have to keep doing it, and it takes a lot of discipline--every hiatus and every gap. You will not make money for awhile, if ever. But there's a huge, thriving, vibrant webcomics community that is very, very accepting of new talent, and I can't speak highly enough about 'em.

'Course, I'm biased. *grin*

[Sparhawk]

Great advice <<above>>

My son has his own comics <<Demonic Bunny>> He started posting a few strips at Deviant Art and then built upa small but rabid following. He's got some story boards at TJ's collectibles in Milford and may have an in at Rubber Chicken Comics in Belingham.

Also, a manager at the local Hot Topics wants his permission to silkscreen his Demonic Bunny logo on black teeshirts.

My son is 17. There is a world of small operators that have a big influence. The owner of TJ's has been a great source of advice.

[CyberCobre]

In the 'graphic novels' section of the bookstores I see lots of Manga and little else. What's the market like for non-Manga graphic novels? My story isn't even about people. It's about animals. Do I stand a chance at being published?

You do at The Deepening (http://www.thedeepening.com/). We want animal stories (no cruelty or perversion -- keep it clean) , especially graphic novels and shorts. Sound included is also acceptable.

[PeeDee]

I'm curious: do you mean graphic novel (like A History of Violence, A Contract With God, V for Vendetta,) or do you mean the sort of magna like graphic novels that everyone else is talking about? Maybe I just missed the clarifying bit of text up there.

[CyberCobre]

Graphic novels as in:

"Graphic novel" (sometimes abbreviated GN) is a term for a kind of book, usually telling an extended story with sequential art (i.e. comics). It is not strictly defined, and is often used to imply subjective distinctions between a given book and other kinds of comics.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphic_novel

[PeeDee]

Well, I do know what a graphic novel is (own too many of them not to), I was just trying to clarify the original question, actually... :)

[veinglory]

I think it was meaning non-manga.