EDITOR’S NOTE: WATCH FOR A SPECIAL COMICS GRINDER 20% OFF LULU.COM COUPON NEXT WEEK
Lulu.com is the top one-stop-shop destination for print-on-demand and now even more so. Over this weekend, Lulu.com is relaunching its site with a broad range of new options. This is great news for any type of book project, including comic books! There’s so much to choose from to meet the needs of authors, artists, educators, and even nonprofits.
Here is a quick look at what Lulu.com has to offer:
Authors
Fiction and non-fiction writers alike can create, print, and sell their books through all major retail channels.
Joel Craig loves a challenge. He is pursuing three of them: acting, nursing, and cartooning. Yes, if you’re serious about each of these professions, they can all take a lot out of you. And they can all definitely give back to you. WELCOME TO NURSING HELL0, Joel Craig’s recently released graphic memoir, is a very funny and insightful collection of comics. You can read my review here. He’s in the thick of it, living and working in Los Angeles and navigating a busy life.
Here is Dark Horse Comics company news that is good news for us:
JULY 26, MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse Comics is pleased to announce the promotion of former assistant editor Daniel Chabon to associate editor!
Chabon, who celebrated his third year with the company this June, will now take on the full-time responsibility of maintaining a balance between the needs of creators, copyright holders, and the publishing company. His new position as associate editor entails project management, facilitation, and problem solving.
“It’s fitting that I first met Dan at Portland’s H. P. Lovecraft Film Fest, a few years ago. Since then, he’s become an invaluable part of the Mignola team, and more recently he’s been incredible at bringing in great artists, and running some really difficult projects on his own. We’re glad we’re not losing him off Mike’s books, and I’m excited by what he has happening on his own,” said Dark Horse’s editor in chief, Scott Allie.
As an associate editor, Daniel will continue to assist on and coedit several titles, while taking a larger role on many of them—including Hellboy, B.P.R.D., Criminal Macabre, and The Occultist.
“Dark Horse could use more good (meaning smart) young men like Daniel Chabon. I don’t know that there are any more like him so I’m very glad at least they have the one—and have the good sense to promote him. He certainly deserves it and I look forward to continuing to work with him for a very long time,” Mike Mignola noted.
Chabon will also be editing more of his own titles, including Kiss Me, Satan!, Alabaster, Axe Cop, The Creep, Colder, and more to come!
“From the beginning, Daniel Chabon has been great to work with. I kept thinking, ‘This guy’s too good to be a comics editor. I wonder how long he’ll last.’ And then they go and promote him, so I’m thinking he’ll be sticking around a while—which is great news for everybody who loves the Hellboy universe,” stated John Arcudi (The Creep, B.P.R.D.).
This campaign is on fire! There’s been a flurry of activity and things just keep heating up!
Within only a small span of time, I have ten new backers to welcome. Everyone who has backed the project will, of course, get a special mention in the book.
And, earlier today, I got a ReTweet from author Hugh Howey! I cherish those ReTweets even if some people might think they don’t actually bring about interest in pledging to a Kickstarter project. You just never know.
Nope, it wasn’t a ReTweet that inspired my recent support. It was just me and my project. Which is how it should be, right? Absolutely! However, ReTweets are still nice. You gotta love ’em. A Kickstarter campaign is made up of many, many components so you’re best to go with the flow, make your own opportunities, and be very grateful. Always be grateful!
Perhaps a ReTweet from Hugh Howey will lead to more people considering my project. You can’t beat that, right? Well, sure, I keep it perspective, no doubt. As they say, those who have ridden the mighty Kickstarter wave, it’s all about the project. At the end of the day, people are interested in whatever the project is, whether film, book, what have you. Ah, but the campaign is just as much about connecting with your prospective backers and getting them to consider your project in the first place. It’s truly fascinating. If Hugh Howey chooses to lend a hand, yes, I’m very grateful.
That said, I welcome you to consider my project, a quirky collection of comics in the spirit of the original television series, “The Twilight Zone,” to put it in a nutshell description. Check it out HERE.
What’s THE STRUMPET about, you ask? Well, it is a collection of comics showcasing female cartoonists. It follows in the footsteps of WHORES OF MENSA, an anthology that set the bar high on quality. Not only that, it brings together new talent from around the world. THE STRUMPET #3 is in the works and is currently seeking submissions with a deadline of September 1, 2013. Visit THE STRUMPET website HERE.
Let’s place our attention squarely upon the current issue, THE STRUMPET #2. It is edited by the multi-talented Ellen Lindner and Jeremy Day. All the cartoonist talent here bring together a cohesive and compelling collection with a travel theme in mind. What does travel mean to you? When was the last time you were on a trip? Just a few hours ago at your desk at work whilst you daydreamed? My word, did you think there was only one way to travel?? If you did, then catch yourself please because you’re due for an adventure and an education. Let the ladies from THE STRUMPET encourage, engage, and entertain you on all manner of thought and conjecture regarding the subject of travel.
This collection is 21 cartoonists strong: Patrice Aggs, Rachael Ball, Badaude, Juhyun Choi, Marguerite Dabaie, Jeremy Day, Shamisa Debroey, Lisa Rosalie Eisenberg, Karrie Fransman, Robin Ha, J Homersham, Kripa Joshi, Emily Ryan Lerner, Ellen Lindner, Tanya Meditzky, Kat Roberts, Alison Sampson, Maartje Schalkx, Julia Scheele, Nicola Streeten, and Myfanwy Tristram.
Did I miss anyone? Well, I certainly hope note. I feel like this is a very special endeavor and everyone contributed to make it so.
Let me share with you some of the work in this wonderful anthology.
“Mr. Murray” by Ellen Lindner
Ellen Lindner’s wry sense of humor is spot on in this tale about the search for the seemingly elusive Mr. Bill Murray.
“Trenitalia” by Robin Ha
Robin Ha is full of wanderlust on this adventure on an Italian train.
“The 171 Bus Route” by Julia Scheele
Julia Scheele immerses us in this richly detailed look at a bus commute through London.
“Deaf” by Patrice Aggs
Patrice Aggs has a hilarious story to tell in this comedy of errors.
“Homesick” by Lisa Rosalie Eisenberg
Lisa Rosalie Eisenberg’s “Homesick” is a deliriously wild ride that floats, flies, and dreams its way through to charming results.
“The Next Life of Ruzzell” by Kat Roberts
Kat Roberts gives us a most inventive take on the concept of travel. It is full of magic and whimsy.
“Miss Moti Can Go Places” by Kripa Joshi
We end with the back cover by Kripa Joshi. She’s an engaging artist and this next issue’s co-editor with Ellen. We look forward to what results.
And be sure to pick up your copy of THE STRUMPET #2 which you can find HERE.
Stay tuned. There’s more to come from the Stumptown Comics Fest held in Portland, Oregon, April 27-28. That includes video interviews with Ellen Lindner and Robin Ha.
Gay is a powerful term, particularly in its use in a political movement. However, as Charles “Zan” Christensen points out, it is not as useful when describing the complexities of an individual. The categories of “gay” and “straight” just aren’t enough. What about everything in between? Christensen, publisher of Northwest Press, which specializes in comics with LGBT themes, is preparing to launch a new comics anthology that explores these issues of sexuality. “Anything That Loves,” brings together a roster of excellent cartoonists creating works that explore their unique observations on the sexual spectrum.
It was a pleasure to get a chance to interview Zan. He’s very passionate and articulate about what he believes in, as is evident in our conversation.
“Anything That Loves” has achieved phenomenal success as a Kickstarter project. And the party isn’t over yet. This campaign runs through April 28. It has already reached over twice its funding goal. Additional funds mean more money reaching the creators of the anthology. You can view the campaign here. Since I have launched my own Kickstarter project, which you can view here, I have come to more fully appreciate the work and dedication behind such projects.
From the Northwest Press website:
The Northwest Press anthology Anything That Loves will be released this July, just in time for Comic-Con in San Diego, and features a variety of wonderful artists exploring the seldom-seen world between “gay” and “straight”. The anthology features work from artists Erika Moen, Ellen Forney, Randall Kirby, Jason Thompson, Kate Leth, Leia Weathington, MariNaomi and lots more, and is currently the subject of a Kickstarter fundraising drive.
