JAVILAND Episode 25: The Secrets of Self-Publishing PT. 2

This is Part 2 of the "DIY Comics: The Secrets of Self-Publishing" podcast. Pt. 1 can be found on Episode 24.

Here's what we discussed:

#3: CREATE THE STORIES YOU WANT TO TELL, NOT WHAT YOU THINK PEOPLE WANT TO READ: If you try to get ahead of some type of particular trend in comics, how long will that trend last? Is your heart behind that type of story? If you tell the exact story you want to tell, your own voice will shine through. And if people like the work you produce, they'll look at you for your unique ways of telling stories, regardless of whatever genre you tackle.

#4: DON'T CREATE IN A VACUUM: This one is, I believe, very particular to those of us who publish our own books. Even before you sit down and draw your comic, how is it going to be published? In print, or on the web? Your page format, and digital files, must be taken into account. Do you have money to print your book once it's ready? Can you build your own website, or can you afford to have someone build it for you? What are your goals? Lots of questions relating to marketing and distribution should be asked at this stage. We tackle a few on the podcast.

Joining me on the Call were : Ted Seko and Ryan Dow. The chatroom was populated by: Matt Nastos, MarkCalifornia, Tim Fischer, Wet Ink Studios, Dungeon Warden. TreComics

Ryan Dow shared this link with us: How To Be Creative, a manifesto by Hugh MacLeod on being creative. I found it very insightful and practial, and an entertaining read as well.

I've recently taught my first seminar of "DIY Comics: The Secrets of Self-Publishing" at a local comic shop, and in fact have been invited to the Portland Comic Book Show on November 15 to teach the workshop there as well. My hope is to be able to reach more people with this, as a way of inspiring them to make their own comics. I'm planning on creating a "DIY COMICS" book as well, filled with anecdotes, comics and the 'Secrets' on self-publishing.

Listen to the episode with the TalkShoe Player on the right, or go to our TalkShoe page and listen there. While you're over there, add Javiland to your iTunes feed and get every episode delivered automatically as they're posted! Thanks for paricipating, reading, and listening!

JAVILAND Episode 24: The Secrets of Self-Publishing PT. 1

This episode turned out to be Part 1, as we had more material to cover which we'll discuss in Pt. 2, scheduled for Sunday, Sept 27, in Episode #25.

This episode is derived from a recent seminar I gave at GEEKS, our local friendly-neighborhood comics shop in Whittier, CA. Titled "D.I.Y. comics: The Secrets of Self-Publishing", the seminar consisted of me sharing with others my own personal mantra, (or manifesto, if you will!) of creating self-published comics.

Because we had lots of great discussion on the roundtable for this episode, we only really were able to discuss 'Secrets' #1 and #2. (I know these probably aren't really 'secrets', but part of establishing your own brand in comics is coming up with attention grabbing labels!). Come back for Episode 25 for Secrets #3 and #4.

Here's what we discussed:

#1: COMICS ARE YOUR CHOSEN VOICE OF EXPRESSION: This one probably sounds the most obvious, but it's meant to be a liberating declaration. We love the comics medium and so choose to use that as our vehicle of expression. Your artistic voice is your personal unique fingerprint you leave on the world (whether your voice is heard by a couple of hundred people or tens of thousands). And only you can speak in that voice. See what others have done in comics, but pursue it with your own innovations and style.

#2: SELF-PUBLISHING IS A MARATHON, NOT A 50 YRD DASH: You have to think long-term in regards to establishing your brand and audience. The assumption is that we have more limited resources (time and money) to devote to our work, so concentrate on fostering your own 'staying power'. Prepare for the barrage of upsets, setbacks, obstacles (many put there by ourselves!), but as long as you know that they will appear, you become better at handling them.

Joining me on the Call were a good cross-section of indie creators: Ted Seko, Ryan Dow, George Ward, Colin Panetta and Gregory C. Giordano. The chatroom was populated by: Krishna Sadasivam, Matt Munn, Matt Nastos, MarkCalifornia, Tim Fischer, Palooka Press, Wet Ink Studios, Dungeon Warden, Gonzalexx and Evan Quiring

Also on this episode, we announce the winners of the coloring contest I ran on JAVZILLA.COM!

Listen to the episode with the TalkShoe Player on the right, or go to our TalkShoe page and listen there. While you're over there, add Javiland to your iTunes feed and get every episode delivered automatically as they're posted!