Submitting Cartoon Strips for Syndication

[Ken]

Do single-panel cartoon strips, like Family Circle, need to be about the same size, if you're looking to submit them to syndicates? If so, what are the prefered dimensions; Square; Rectangular? (It would seem that something irregularly shaped, something that was really tall and skinny, would be difficult to place on a printed page.) Thanx. : )

[JRH]

Anis,

I don't know if this will apply to all Syndicates, but here are the guidelines for the King Features Syndicate: http://www.kingfeatures.com/subg_comic.htm

Hope this helps,

Jim Hoye, JRH

[JRH]

Hi Anis, me again,

David Stuart is a professional cartoonist and has a site at: http://www.squidoo.com/badonions_cartoons# wherein he offers the following tips for submitting to Syndicates along with a listing of the more prominent Syndicates out there.

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"Submitting Cartoons to Syndicates

So you have a cartoon strip that you think can be a winner. Then why not submit it for syndication.

Always include a cover letter with your submission. This is your opportunity to sell your strip and yourself. Make it brief, to the point, and outline why you think your strip will succeed and who you believe your target market to be.

Give a brief history of your strip especially if it has been previously published or if not, some detail of other work you have had published.

There is no need to use fancy binding or bulky portfolio's. A staple in the top left corner is sufficient. Do use some stiff cardboard to protect your work during transit.

Unless submission specifics are outlined most syndicates will like to see at least three to four weeks of strips to assess consistency and the longevity potential of your strip.

Always include a SAE with your submission. It can take up to six weeks to hear back.

Don't be afraid of rejection. Some of the most successful artists and strips had years of rejection before finally getting picked up.



Most syndicates receive around five thousand submissions per year with around three chosen for syndication.

Below is a list of the main players in cartoon syndication and their contact details.

Submissions Editor
Tribune Media Services
35 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 60611

We will need 6 to 8 sample columns to consider, as well as a brief cover letter detailing your experience and your idea. Please send us 8 1/2 " x 11" copies of your material.

Universal Press Syndicate
4520 Main Street
Kansas City, MO. 64111
Contact person: Lee Salem

We prefer four to six weeks of samples of a proposed feature.
Please include a letter explaining the purpose and scope of your material.

King Features Syndicate
235 East 45th Street
New York, NY 10017
Contact person: Jay Kennedy

Your total submission package should include:
1. A cover letter - that briefly outlines the overall nature of your comic strip. Your cover letter should also include your full name, address, and telephone number and shouldn't be much longer than one page.
24 daily comic strips - on 8-1/2" x 11" paper (you can fit up to 3 or 4 strips per page).
3. A character sheet - that shows your major characters (if any) along with their names and a paragraph description of each.

Creators Syndicate
5777 W. Century Boulevard, Suite 700
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Contact person: Anita Tobias

(4) weeks of samples, but not more than six (6) weeks of dailies and two Sundays. If you are submitting a comic strip, you should include a note about the characters in it and how they relate to each other. Artwork is about standard sheet-sized (8 1/2 x 14 inches)

United Media
200 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Contact person: Amy Lago

United Cartoonist Syndicate
PO Box 7081
Corpus Christi, TX 78415

Los Angeles Times Syndicate
218 S. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Contact person: Cathy Irvine

Cartoonists & Writers Syndicate
1923 Wickham Road
New York, NY 10024

Chronicle Features
870 Market Street
Suite 1011
San Francisco, CA 94102"

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If you are set on using odd sizes for your cartoons, I suggest you contact each of these Sydicates and ask what their policy is for accepting such, and, if they do, what sizes they prefer for their submissions.

Hopefully, this will give you a place to start. Good Luck

Jim Hoye, (JRH)

P.S. The site also includes samples of his work and advice on how he set up his own Greeting Card Market, which you also might consider, (although I suspect their requirements might differ from single panel cartoons for Newspapers or Magazines).

P.P.S. You might also check out the following site: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It...artooning.aspx for general information on Cartooning for either Magazines or Syndicates. It doesn't give specifics on editors preferences but It does give a very good overview of the process and practical aspects of doing cartoons and finding markets.