Sketchbook Experiment

It's that time of year again, when the streets of Pittsburgh are flooded with unofficial autonomous mascots - Anthrocon! And though Volume 3 is still far from completion, we actually do have a new book to sell at our table. What's it about, you ask?

Well, nothing really... Literally. Literally nothing. The pages are all blank... I dare say, it's the easiest book I've made so far. It's a sketchbook!

It's not much different from your average art-pad sketchbook, except it's bound in a really pretty glossy hardcover which I designed myself. I figured, if people are going to collect drawings in a sketchbook, maybe they'll want one with more of a themed cover.

Now, will there be any interest in our new sketchbooks? I have no idea. But I wanted one! So I made a batch, and we'll see if anyone else wants the other nineteen. Based on how well they sell, we might wind up printing more and offering them online, too.

Before you get too excited about our new sketchbooks however, I want to point out an excellent alternative I've recently discovered;

Having sent the hardcover files to the printer, I felt knockingly clever at being the first to offer custom sketchbooks - when , at the Furry Connection North, something caught my eye:

Another table selling custom sketchbooks - and with a fun variety of covers! Some were pop-culture related, and others were actually tactile and fluffy - they are the sketchbooks custom created and sold by Neko2. Neko2’s sketchbooks have other noteworthy features, too: They're bound on detachable rings, so you can shuffle the order of the pages however you want - plus, for those collecting commissions at conventions, you can keep your sketchbook with you and drop individual pages with multiple artists at once! The books include a plastic backstop to prevent ink-work from bleeding, and the paper quality is superb.

Now, to be clear, my Sketchbooks don't have those features... They just have nice looking covers, and paper inside. If you want more of a traditional-styled book to draw in, our Vivid Sketchbooks may be of interest to you - but check out Neko2's products too!

Check out his work here: http://www.etsy.com/profile.php?user_id=6279425
Or here: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/neko2/

Why, you ask, am I pimping someone else's product alongside mine?

Well, heck - I don't want someone to buy a sketchbook from me if there's another option that would fit their needs better. With the Dreamkeepers graphic novels, we can offer something completely unique - but a sketchbook is just blank paper, after all.

KAZAAAM! After such a blindingly persuasive sales pitch as that, it suddenly occurs to me that perhaps I should stick to drawing. I ought to get this guy to sell my stuff for me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUbWjIKxrrs

He could coin such phrases as 'NOW with 20% more Igrath included in every story- COMPLETELY FREE! Your life will be EXCITING!'

V3 Sneak Peek - Striptastic

Volume 3 work has been moving ahead at half-sail due to the focus on web design upgrades the past few weeks. That's not to say progress has stopped, though -we've been developing the pages in the next scene, and designing one of our more elaborate settings to date...



Our current efforts take place in an underground dance/strip club decked out with elaborate Aztec-inspired decor... Think if Disneyland went to the effort of designing a themed strip club. It’s got everything except the animatronic pirates and screaming stroller-bound 10 year olds.


With all the time spent drawing fountains, engravings, statues, tables, structural perspective, and paraphernalia, it seems by comparison the actual strippers come into play almost as an afterthought.
Now, don’t get consternated that striptasticness will be completely devoid on the pages - just be sure to appreciate all the freakin’ detail behind the girls!



Aside from an opportunity to draw cartoon divas with a tepid attitude towards attire, the scene does serve a purpose in the actual story. Seriously. This is not a contrived indulgence. Or, at least, not just that...

In our story, this particular nightclub is allegedly a cover for illegal activity and trafficking related to ‘Scinter’s Mark’ - and that’s more than just a reputation. It’s scenes like this that make me grateful we publish ourselves, so that we can handle adult situations and scenarios without skewing towards the kid-bubble-compatible spectrum of pap.

I will say, I’m also looking forward immensely to the lighting in this scene - think very moody, with the fountains and liquid displays done up in neon.

I especially like the Mickey sketch here, and think it actually holds up on it’s own humor-wise. I posted it on Deviant Art and Fur Affinity.
Obviously I won’t be using Mickey in the final scene, because Disney has more lawyers than I have hairs on my body, and an inversely proportioned sense of humor. Try bringing your own wild-eyed Mickey costume to Disneyworld with a plush bloodied hammer included, and chase kids in the park while wearing your hilarious custom outfit, and you’ll see what I mean.


...Completely off topic, but I just thought of another entry for my ’Before I Die’ list.

Sparkle Power ACTIVATE!

After a few weeks of effort, and the obligatory 'David vs. technical competence' overtime round, new website pages are at last live!

If you're like me, obsessively fixated on turning Dreamkeepers into a viable career, then you'll want to dash over to the site and assess the new pages immediately. If not, well... They are pretty! Sparkly, with rollover buttons and... Sparkles. Did I mention sparkles? Whatever site you were thinking of hopping to today, I guarantee mine will have more glittery stuff, or your money back. That's right - all of it.

I'm especially pleased with the visuals on the 'Graphic novel' Volume 1 & 2 pages, and their nifty little sample page viewers.

'Shiny Factor' appeal aside, the site now actually has updates worth checking on aside from the weekly comic: Our Twitter feed (Yes, we have fallen victim to the fad- It's easier for Liz to throw a drive-by into Twitter than for us to actually sit down and formally update the web page constantly) is streamed onto the new 'news' page, so for those wishing to avoid the frivolity of a Twitter account, you can still check on our occasional updates. Also, there's a status sidebar indicating book stock and commission status, links to book reviews online, and 'Behind the Scenes' now doubles as a convenient online hub, linking to various Dreamkeepers accounts, articles, videos, and groups online. Also makes chili and fries.


Although I'm very pleased with the current round of upgrades, the site has a few lame pages, dead galleries, and renovations pending... And I'm still trying to think of some way to get subliminal messbuyages into the design. The next major tweak will be to enable digital graphic novel sales, hopefully by August. My time estimate here is a tad iffy, since I have utterly no idea what in the hell I'm doing.

But first, I'm refocusing my efforts on Volume 3 progress. Collecting all the reader quotes and reviews for the new web pages was tremendously encouraging, and is motivating me to make some strides producing the next book.

Not that I've been completely neglecting Volume 3 lately... I've been working steadily on the next scene, which involves designing and assembling a very complex interior setting... Think if Disney were designing an Aztec themed dance / strip club. There should be a Sneak Peek behind the scenes with concept development sketches soon.

*Sigh* yes... Themed strip clubs. My noble aspirations drive me incessantly to ever greater heights of artistic and literary achievement.

Lackadaisy Volume 1 Review

Now I'm not exactly much of a critic, and the only reviews I've ever written were to get my brains organized enough to pass a school exam. But ignorance never stopped me before, so why start worrying now?
Besides, a book this exceptional is a rare thing to come across. Its unparalleled execution quietly but unavoidably demands notice:

Lackadaisy Volume 1, by Tracy Butler.

The premise seems simple enough at first glance; a prohibition-era gangster story, with a cast comprised of cartoon cats. For the uninitiated, this may not be enough to draw them in for a closer look... But passing this story by would be a regrettable mistake.

A quick flip through it's pages, and anyone with an iota of appreciation for animation will be hooked by the art alone. The stylization is a work of beauty: simplified, dynamic shapes are imbued with magnificent dimensionality and detail, bringing the characters to life with magnetic appeal. We get the best of both worlds: the vibrant expressive attitude of well done cartooning, combined with the weight and tangibility of naturalistic art. The result of this potent brew gifts us with alluring, marvelously emotive characters who interface seamlessly with the detailed settings gilding the pages. The carefully drafted props (Including the featured arsenal items) are convincing enough to inspire concern for the safety of the cast as they gallivant through the story.

And what a cast! Every character is powerfully individual, resulting in a well - balanced mix of disparate three dimensional personalities. No two are alike, from the slick-talking mischief factory Rocky, to the shy-yet-explosively-psychotic Freckle, the brooding brutish Viktor, the coldly calculating Mordecai, the perky Ivy Pepper - the list goes on. When an author takes the time to breathe life into their characters, to fully and truly understand who they are and what drives their actions, it shows. And it makes for one hell of a good read.
In addition to a brightly balanced character ensemble, the dialogue itself sparkles. There's enough wit on display to fill any ten normal books, with memorably distinctive lines popping up non-stop throughout the story. Not only are the lines well - crafted and impactful, but they possess the enviable trait of perfectly suiting the personality of the speaker, every time. Not a single syllable feels contrived or artificial. It almost seems as though there isn’t an author working here at all - everything is coming straight from the characters hearts, every step of the way.
Despite the fact that the characters are clearly in the driver’s seat, the plot moves forward at a good clip, developing into a captivating account of a struggling speakeasy marked for death by it’s competitors. As if all of this weren’t enough, the book is imbued with assiduous attention to historic accuracy and detail, in everything from the costuming to the culture to the props and architecture. One could arguably market this book to schools on the pretense of exposing students to American history. Whether or not it would be a valid replacement for a textbook is debatable, but one thing is certain; The kids would read it.

Not just kids, either - in fact, any particularly finicky parents out there may want to consider reviewing this book themselves before allowing it into the bubble, as it has a ‘teen & up’ rating. Although this book would appeal to a younger audience, it presents a gratifying read for anyone, from teen to adult, providing they’re not too self conscious to be seen reading a graphic novel.

If I’ve managed to spark an interest in Lackadaisy, you can read the pages for free on the website - www.lackadaisycats.com

But I’d strongly advise ordering a copy to own - aside from being beautifully manufactured, the volume is loaded with extras - illustrations, concept work, bonus comics, even art tutorials.

In closing, and considering its subject matter, I’d have to compare Lackadaisy to a shot of high grade liquor... You’ll want to take your time and really enjoy yourself, because you’ve just found one of the finer things in life. Its carefully crafted art style has been brewed to a fine maturity, and culminates in a beautiful amber richness. The reading experience is something to savor - distinguished, yet filled to the brim with scintillating pizzazz and punch. The aftertaste lingers satisfactorily, leaving a patina of nostalgia, and the sense of having visited a time long past, and of having been welcome there. So the next time you need a good yarn, crack open the covers of Lackadaisy - and enjoy the mayhem.

http://www.lackadaisycats.com/

V3 Sneak Peak 2: Drawing Monsters

At long last, I'm tackling the next edition of Dreamkeepers in earnest... And let me tell you, it feels good. I've been away from my cartoon crack for far, far too long.

Now pencils are really rolling forward on Chapter 7 - I've just finished drawing the first scene of the story, which ran about 6 pages. The opening involves monsters - lots and lots of monsters. Big, small, pointy, flabby, grim, goofy, humanoid, animalistic, hideous - I was really trying to convey a wide range of morphology. The goal is to distinguish each beast as being it's own individual, as possessing particular physical features. Who needs more monotonous orc armies? It's been done to death, and I want to have unlimited options and deformities available to me when creating beasts.

I have such a good time drawing creepies... It really reminds me of my artistic roots, my first major project when I was four or five. Up until then, I was just doodling whatever came to mind, without much real direction... And then I saw “The Real Ghostbusters“.

I was enamored with the cartoon immediately, and rather than draw Venkman or Egon (ever) I scrawled page upon page of monsters and ghouls. No scrap of paper was safe - junk mail was promptly flipped and transformed into a canvas of horrors.
Not only was I fascinated with illustrating creatures at a tender age, but I was also led closer to the spectrum of publishing... With the help of my Mom, my irregular stack of monster drawings was bound with twine between crayoned cardboard covers, and there was my very first book.

It sucked - the drawings were pretty terrible. I doubt I could have gotten it published. Plus the obvious copyright issues. 'Ghostbusters, by David Lillie age 5' - Hello, lawsuit. Heh - actually, I would love to read a news story about a company suing a toddler for copyright infringement.

As I sit here drawing monsters and making books, and look back on myself age 5, drawing monsters and making books, it does stir the thoughts a bit:

Do we really change that much, essentially, from who we are at birth?

Is it possible that we really do have pre-determined paths?

And, most importantly - why in the hell did I blow all that money I didn't have going to college? Absolutely the stupidest decision of my entire life... But that's a whole other blog.

Here are some sample pics and sketches:


Now I'm starting pencils on the next scene, but I'm taking a break to get a few web pages on the Dreamkeepers site revised. The old 'Graphic novel' page is so sad, it makes weathered steely-eyed assassins cry when they see it. Must reduce the suck.

Also, check back here soon - I'll be posting my review for Tracy Butler's new book release 'Lackadaisy Volume 1'. It's worth reading! The book, I mean. My review's okay, but you could probably miss it and live to see another day.


Probably.

Progress Posterity

Six articles later, and I think I've exhausted my supply of hot air. With nothing left to fuel pontification, it's time to get back to work. I'm finally poised to begin serious production on 'Volume 3' of the Dreamkeepers series! Cue applause.

But considering 'Volume 2' released just about a year ago, it may be natural to wonder... What exactly have I been up to in the interim? (Besides penning reactionary megalomaniacal articles about the funnies.)

Well if you're curious, I'll lay it out below. But considering my resolute personal need to make headway, this catalogue is as much to bolster my own sanity as anything else. Enjoy!


* Volume 2 came back from the printers in April of 2008 - Liz and I spent the next solid month hand-burning custom paper sleeves, signing & numbering books with custom sketches included, and packaging them for trips to the local post office. By the middle of the second month, we'd officially earned the 'Oh God not them again' look from the mail clerks.

After mailing out all the pre-orders, I had two basic tasks on my mind: Make the website no longer suck, and start Volume 3!

* Liz and I finalized the story for Volume 3, and went through script drafts for Chapter 7. Meanwhile, I realized that technology is my enemy.
* After failing spectacularly to learn PHP on my own, I was fortunate to receive lessons from the talented Ed Mason - bringing my competence level from 'I like Trix' to 'So that's the code viewer!' This transition took some time, and superhuman teaching ability.
* Scripting completed, I drafted page thumbnails for Chapter 7, which Liz and I reviewed and revised together. By this time, things were going along well, so it was necessary to get distracted.
* Suddenly realizing I wanted to make something out of leather (sniff sniff - maaanly!) I opted to create a really, really unnecessarily cool prints binder for the Anthrocon - along with a few new art prints to add a little life to the old lineup. I sacrificed a coat, and spent a couple of weeks with an exacto knife and a hot glue gun.
* After the Anthrocon in July, Liz and I started getting ready for our wedding. This involved a lot of me being on my best behavior, so that she wouldn't have second thoughts until it was too late... Mission accomplished.
* Our wedding was absolutely fantastic - the best I've ever had!
* After the wedding, I finalized some more website pages, and celebrated by opening commissions in August, with what I confidently believed to be prohibitive prices.
* Woops.
* My original intent was to crank out the commissions at a nice brisk rate - but I'd keep stopping and saying, 'Oh, well, this is a really neat idea - I have to take a little more time with it.' On every one.
* In October, I took a quick break from commissions to create the web page and prizes for the annual Halloween fanart contest. That was exceptionally fun in every dimension, and a lot of really cool work came in. But, curiously, I had more commissions pending in early November than I'd had back in October. People were still ordering more.
* After Midwest Furfest in mid NO!-vember, I finally had to close commissions. I was swamped. Initially expecting like ten or twenty orders back in August, I think the final came to over 50 - and most of them were 'full background' commissions, to boot! I now realize a great truth; Most of the world is not as cheap as me.
* Commissions kept me occupied through the winter, and early spring. It was a lot of fun creating them, and I had the privilege of working with some original and interesting material. But I was increasingly getting twitchy about the standstill on Volume 3 and the website.
* In late February, with commissions nearly done, Liz and I took some time off to finally go on our honeymoon. To Disneyworld! Turns out I like Disneyworld. It’s even better than Ohio. Who knew?
* Returning in March, we completed and mailed the last commissions - and just in time for tax season!
* By this point, the old war-horse (My computer) was having some trouble. Enduring years of (looking back, increasingly pointless) college projects, my year of freelance and CG animation, and two high-res graphic novel projects, the half-decade-old thing was about as twitchy as a tegu on taurine. We backed up our files, re-organized things into some semblance of order, and finally replaced the workstation.
* Capping April, we attended the Furry Connection North, and I spent this last week assassinating the surviving stragglers on my 'to-do' list.

Annnd, that less-than fascinating catalogue brings us roughly up to present! Also dispersed within the above timeframe, I was busy researching marketing options and writing articles, drafting a specific business plan to pull Vivid into a profitable range of production, creating video tutorials for local library presentations (and YouTube), drafting a new look for the Vivid Publishing website (which mainly serves as a placeholder until I earn more capital), keeping up with Prelude every week, filling orders and ordering small-runs of the graphic novels, and solidifying our Dreamkeeper backstories and character arcs into a writing bible with a consistent timeline, which resulted in improving and polishing some parts of the story.

So although visible progress is nil, a lot of necessary foundation has been laid; both on the creative and business side. At least, it's consoling to entertain that notion.

Now my plate is cleared, and I need to focus on the two linchpins of my future; Volume 3, the revenue from which will launch Vivid at a professional scale, and completing the website, the hub for all my planned marketing efforts. For those who've been waiting patiently on the next book, thanks for sticking with me! Next blog update, I'll have some Sneak Peaks at the new work being done on Chapter 7... Meaning pictures. Meaning more fun than what you just read.

ARTICLE #6: Action - The Road to a New Market.

Enough complaining - time for action!

Not that I haven't enjoyed the whole whine-a-thon, or the cheap 'n easy potshots along the way. Some of that stuff was just too sumptuously ludicrous to pass unscathed. And passively complaining about 'the system' is a cherished tradition of our generation.
But as riveting as whining may be, it's even more fun to shake things up and watch the pieces fly. Have you ever seen a hand grenade go off in a chicken coop? ...Me neither, but that hasn't stopped me yet. I'd rather kick ass than mope - so let's get down to business! It's time to stop glamorizing the Creator Revolution, and start making it a reality.

We've established that the establishment cares about the creator-owned movement, much in the same way that windshields care about butterflies. But now comes the truly pertinent question: Do you care about it? Your answer determines the future of an entire medium. What's your stake in this endeavor?

Any aspiring creator with a unique, exciting story to share - this article is for you. Come on in. If you enjoy reading comics and want to see more & better books, then this article is for you, too. Welcome, good to have you with us. If you never really liked comics that much, but have the capacity to appreciate dynamic art and entertaining stories - then this article is for you, too! Seating is to the left, just file on down. And if you love hardcore bondage but can't find any that involves vintage grammaphones, then this article is... Well... No, actually, it's not really for you. Where'd you come from? Google's that-a-way, bucko.

To kick things off, let's reiterate one last time what the Creator Revolution is:
Comics are a long underestimated medium with massive potential for fun and relevance, a medium that deserves a niche in mainstream culture. The Creator Revolution is about putting control of comics back into the hands of creators and readers. With genuine taste and imagination unfettered at both ends of the spectrum, comics can finally bloom, offering more diversity to more consumers, and a healthy, viable market for aspiring talent.
Fundamentally, the Creator Revolution is focused on serving the needs of creators and readers.

So practically speaking, we're talking about building a market together. We have people with the talent and desire to create, and there's a huge population of potential readers out there. All we need now is some clever way of sticking these two groups together. The current Direct Market for comics performs this task with all the aptitude of a novice neurosurgeon howler monkey who doesn't take your insurance. We've got a square peg, and a square hole - the only thing lacking is a connection. The effective connection between a seller and a buyer is a marketplace.

That's our Holy Grail - a New Market.

We need a system that doesn't choke out good work as it sprouts, but instead lets it flourish. A system that's attractive and inviting for potential customers, one that makes it easy for them to find something they like.
So, something unique to the world of comics as we know it.
The hardest part is starting. (Except with drugs, of course.) Starting with nothing takes a lot of grit, and a lot of hard work. After that, it's an upward spiral that results in surfing on waves of cash. Waves and waves of cash! Guaranteed! Surfing along without a care in the world! Look, I can prove it with maths: (Watch, as my honors high school math courses pay off in SPADES!)

[
New Creators + Sacrifice Time = Different Work.
(Different Work + Marketing effort) = New Readers.
New Readers = $$$
$$$ = (More [Different Work] from New Creators + Newer Creators) = Even More Different Work
(Even More Different Work + Marketing Effort )*(New Readers + Word of Mouth) = $$,$$$,$$$
$$,$$$,$$$ = (More Creators^2) + (New Readers*Comics visible in Public) = Actual Mainstream Market
Actual Mainstream Market(AMM) + Creator owned work + $$,$$$,$$$ = Diverse Quality Comics.
Diverse Quality Comics * AMM = Surfing on the blood of the innocent.
]

Oops. Well, slight miscalculation - but you get the idea! Nobody likes innocents anyways, they're so boring. About the only thing they're good for is blood, and potlucks.

So the functionality of our New Market is pretty straightforward. We need someplace where creators can get a chance to be seen by readers, and readers can pay for what looks good. But how, exactly, should we make that happen? Vague idealistic notions are great for politicians - but if we're going to accomplish something (Besides plunging a nation irrevocably into a black abyss of mind boggling debt), we actually have to know what direction to head in.

Why not kick things off with some brainstorming? Just because it hasn't been done, doesn't mean it can't be done! (Except for cloning cats with thumbs. I mean, duh. Obviously that can't be done. Who wants a thumbs-up from a cat, anyways? Not me.)
What if Deviant Art set up an online store where subscribers could sell and buy books? What if Amazon.com developed a ranking system and site exclusively for comics? What if people could subscribe to digital comics on their i-phone? What if we could magnetize comics so that they shot through people's windows and stuck across their TV screens? How about comics on toilet paper? Yes? Yes?

Not every idea will be a gold nugget - but we need to get some new ones, and start acting on them!

“It is not a successful formula to keep doing things the same way because it worked in the past. If you want to achieve a competitive edge, you'll focus on creating something that will strike a nerve tomorrow.”
-Donny Deutsch

Whatever form the new market takes, it needs to perform one task surpassingly well - serve the customers, both veterans and especially the uninitiated. The experience must be easy, fun, and uncomplicated. It has to be inviting and entertaining - Like a comedy troupe with a mansion for rent. Simulating the perspective of a potential customer, new to comics, here's what I would want:

[BEGIN SIMULATION]

Customer Service Requirements:

#1: Lazy Compatible.
Like I'm going to get up and move around over stuff I don't want yet. Right. If I'm going to start getting into comics as a customer, it has to be convenient for me. How about a website? That's easy.

#2: Pretty Colors.
The website has be appealing, of course. I don't want to spend time in a clunky website that hurts my head to look at, and I certainly wouldn't feel safe spending money there. What if I'm robbed by internet gypsies? Or that Nigerian guy that won't stop e-mailing me?
I want a site that's appealing, fun, and inviting to the eye. Boobs wouldn't hurt either. Not a requirement. I'm just saying. You could make them buttons or something.

#3: Free Stuff.
Pour out your effort, your hopes, your sweat and talent to me - for free! This isn't really asking all that much. I mean, listen. If I'm not a comic fan yet, am I going to rush over to a site just to buy comics? I need something to entertain me - something fun. If there's no free entertainment, I can always visit, I don't know... A bazillion other websites. Keep that in mind - you're competing with cute kitty videos on YouTube, You'd better have something damn amazing.
And I don't mean a couple of measly page samples. Give me something quality, and a decent, engrossing stretch of it. I won't buy your story until I need to read more of it.

#4: Easy Browsing.
So, I'm at a retail site - maybe Amazon, maybe IndyPlanet, maybe Haven's got an online store, maybe something totally new from an ambitious creator. What activity would I, the customer, cherish more than anything else?
If you answered 'scroll through countless pages of cover thumbnails that all look bland', then your response was WRONG! Open bear trap, insert head.
If anyone and everyone can offer their wares in this new market, let's face facts - they aren't all going to be keepers. And prospective customers aren't going to laboriously squint through screens and screens full of mediocrity in search of the gems. (See Requirement #1).
I want a way to find what I want, fast. A few genre tabs are only the start - I want to have control in narrowing down my browsing, so I can zoom straight to what I'm interested in. So how about a reader ranking system? With multiple categories, too; Art Quality, Concept Originality, Story & Writing, Character Appeal, Humor level, Action level, Drama level, Sexaciousness, Overall Score, etc... And having a reader review box would be nice. Speaking of readers...

#5: Add Friends.
Hook us up! An online customer community, be it a forum or whatever, is essential to the experience. I want to chat about my purchase, and read about what others are saying. If I feel like I'm part of a group, and can enjoy interacting with others, there's a much better chance I'll return to the market for more.

#6: Add Stuff
If I find something I like, and I'm a consumer, odds are I'll want to buy some related stuff. Look at how many band - related t-shirts are out there. What do t-shirts have to do with music? Nothing. But they accent the culture, by showcasing a person's individual taste to others. Shirts, or other merchandise, allow me as a consumer to extend and enjoy my experience with your product.

[SIMULATION TERMINATED]

So, that little fantasy session gives us a nice picture of just one idyllic venue for the new market. If something like this were set up with good content, and the creators put some elbow grease into marketing it, I guarantee that readers would come. And if you’re a Direct Market store owner fuming over this competing service concept - well, who says that’s not the website for your personal store? You need to shift gears upstairs.

This is a neat idea - but how do we accomplish it? How do we bring comics back to mainstream level readership, with creator owned content? By all means, brainstorm some ideal scenarios. We need to have something worthwhile to aim for. My personal favorite is the comic strip-porium, where Vegas meets cartoons, and white tigers with pencils for claws prance about on the paper-stage, live. But we’ve all got to start from where we are right now - reality. (I can only afford one white tiger.)

Nobody’s going to hand this to us. We can't conquer the world from our couches - it'll take applied persistence, innovation, and effort. The new market is for Creators and Readers - both are integral to building it. Each has their own crucial role to play:


CREATORS.

Your future career is literally on the line. What do you want to spend the rest of your life doing? How much do you love your craft? Perhaps you’re content to enjoy your art as a side hobby, while working in an unrelated career - there’s nothing wrong with that.
...But not everyone can relegate their endeavors to a side-bin. There are people out there with a story burning inside of them. Individuals who love to create, who devote themselves to honing their talent, who must pursue their passion or live unfulfilled. For those of us dedicated to our chosen form of storytelling, there’s no other option. The current situation is sterile - we must forge a new market to have even a chance at success. It’s do or die!

...Let’s discuss the ’do’ direction.

To build a new market, creators must accomplish two tasks - and the first of those is to craft stand-out quality work.

Task 1: Make Something.

Creators, your unique work is the crucial foundation of the new market. It’s pretty hard to build a market selling nothing. We're not Wall Street. And you can’t merely make comics - you have to make great comics! We’re not just reaching out to comic fans, remember - we have to offer something irresistable to the millions who have no interest in the current selection.
Make something compelling! Something of quality, something of substance! Something that will resonate with the imagination and taste of readers! Something that surpasses the standards and preconceptions of the industry! And, most importantly...
SOMETHING DIFFERENT! Don’t offer more of the same - no matter what, find a way to stand out! After all: If you’re not creating something unique and different, something that only you personally could envision - then why make it? If it’s been done, go pick it up, read it, and enjoy it. But don’t echo it.

“If you're just starting out, being different is your only edge. You can't compete on experience or size. Unless you can strike a fresh nerve, you can't win. I'll take it a step further. I don't care what you're doing, if you can't honestly say that you're bringing something new and different to the marketplace - something that adds value - what's the point?”
-Donny Deutsch

Don’t forget - comics give you, the sole creator, the liberty to make anything you can envision. There’s no board room censoring your jokes, no focus panel picking out your characters' traits. In comics, you have the freedom to do anything, the freedom to be different and honest and better - use it!

So, let’s say you’ve accomplished Task #1. After the most inspired creative effort of your life, you’ve rendered the best graphic novel in the world, ever. Using glow-in-the-dark silver ink on pages of pure platinum.
Great job! But guess what?

It doesn’t matter. Nope- not at all. You may have just pwned Shakespeare by summoning forth the crowning artistic and literary achievement of the human race, but all of that effort and love was wasted. Unless, of course, you follow through with your next task:

Task 2: Market it.

If a gold asteroid falls in the woods, and nobody’s around, what sound does it make? Answer - it doesn’t matter. Because if nobody knows about it, then nobody cares.

You thought making your own entire book was tough? The hard part is still coming - you have to learn to effectively market your work. If your story isn’t being heard, then you wasted your time in making it.
The better your creation, the more you owe it to yourself, and your potential readers, to spread the word.

Now, I’m not saying you have to purchase a full page spread in People Magazine and start running 30-second ad slots during prime-time. Buying mainstream advertising is probably the least cost-effective technique you could use for growing a readership.
Marketing is a scary word, but there’s no secret magic (Or secret shortcut) to it. Marketing is anything you do to attract attention to your work. It could be as simple as joining a forum, or giving out some postcards. You don’t need a thousand-dollar budget, or a publicist. But you do need to learn what options you have, which ones work for you, and make sure you apply them on a consistent basis.
That means research - read library books about marketing, hit the internet, do whatever it takes. But remember one thing - Unless you learn about marketing, inside and out, and use it to promote your work, then your work isn't going to matter. You must learn to market effectively - nobody’s going to do it for you.


READERS.

You really need to do some marketing for the creators.

Oh, wait, I got that out of order... I’m supposed to make you care first, hold on.

I suppose it's a valid point to bring up... Whether or not you have an obligation to care about this stuff. You’re the customer, after all. You’re here to find what you like, and enjoy it. It’s not your job to be a salesperson! Besides, don’t salespeople get paid?

Well, here’s the deal... It depends on how much you want a new market, and all it entails. A new, revitalized comic market means more new creators with careers, which means more variety, diversity, and quality in comics. There are brilliant stories out there right now, in the process of being created, or in the early stages of conceptual formation. If there’s no market for these potential treasures, odds are they’ll wither and disappear before they see the light of day. They’ll vanish forever as though they never existed, the talent behind their inception wasted and forgotten.
Other entertainment industries have mainstream support and funding - comics, as discussed, have been crippled and marginalized for decades. The business powers in the Direct Market won’t help - quite the contrary. They see original upstarts as competition to be crushed.

There’s nobody else to turn to - and literally nobody else that cares. Just you. We can build a new market together, and achieve these dreams - but the creators can’t do it alone.

Aaaannnd - DING! According to my calculations, you have now been guilt-tripped into caring. So what exactly am I suggesting that you do, anyways?
Well, anything and everything you’re willing to do - but why not start simple? Find comics that you enjoy - you’re already doing that anyways. Then, share your favorites with other people.
...That’s about it. Relatively painless - yet this small habit is utterly vital to the survival of independent creators.
I’ll share a little secret with you. The most effective form of advertising in the history of earth is also the cheapest - it’s word of mouth. I mean, think about it. What are you going to place more trust in - a random banner ad flashing in front of your face, or a friend's recommendation? We trust real opinions more than expensive ads - and for good cause. A good half of the stuff being advertised to us is guaranteed bullshit. When it comes to politics, both halves. But if the product is endorsed by someone we know - someone who is sharing their positive personal experience - that connects.
If you’re enthusiastic about a story you just read, share it! You are the outside world's guide to comics! Remember, the vast majority of people haven't an inkling of what comics can offer. You're a reader - you have some familiarity with the terrain out there. Explore! Find what's good, and bring the exceptional titles to light. This is the simplest and most effective thing you can do to help generate a new market - casually, naturally introduce people to what you like. And some of them will like it too.
Now, let's say that you enjoy sharing your favorite comics with those who might be interested - but you want to do even more to help promote that series! What then?

Well, first off, you're a glittering gift from above for whatever lucky creator you're a fan of. Bless you, and bless your children.

If you want to do more, the sky's the limit. It's your turn to be creative - you can help in any way that you choose. Make up something fun! It can be gratifying and entertaining to get involved promoting an under-recognized story. Here's a brief brainstorm of ways to go above and beyond in helping promote your favorite comics:

1) Write to comic reviewers.
Do you read comic reviews anywhere? Drop that reviewer a line, and tell them what you think of the series - and that you'd love to hear their review of it. You're their audience, after all - they should have a healthy respect for what you like. Let them know what about the series appeals to you, and why you think they should take note.
2) Write to other book reviewers and publicity venues.
Same deal as above - it wouldn't hurt to clue in some mainstream reviewers that their readership has an interest in graphic novels. Write to bloggers, podcasters, magazines, newspaper sections, radio hosts - anything that comes to mind. Heck, write Oprah. Why not? You're the audience, after all. If you give them a heads up on an emerging trend, they should count themselves fortunate for your input!
3) Ask for the title.
Go to a Barnes & Noble, your local bookstores, your comic shop, your library, and ask if they stock your favorite title. If they don't, ask them to do so. Now, if you already own a copy of this comic, don't get them to stock the title and then bail when it comes to purchasing, that doesn't really help anyone in the equation much - storeowner, creator, or you. If you can convince a local place to invest money in a title, try to ensure it pays off for them.
4) Promote the title.
Post a few flyers around town, or near the shops that should be carrying the book. If you're in school, post flyers or hand out copied ads in the halls. Stick a flyer on the bulletin board at work. Write a personal note on the flyer, mentioning what people may find interesting about the book. Send a personalized e-mail, or talk up your favorite book in an online forum. There are other ways besides posting flyers, too - don't limit yourself!
5) More stuff.
Start a fan club. Make an online group. Dress up for Halloween as your favorite character. Wear a t-shirt featuring the series. Hire a sky-writer. Give books out as gifts. Wrap them in candy and throw them at children. Be creative, and have fun!

Now, one caveat... I’m not asking you to rush around and promote all independent comics... Only promote work that you actually like and think is good. Remember, you’re a customer - not a charity for the hopeless. You are the market’s quality control! Nothing will turn off new readers faster than having a crappy product foisted on them.
If you don't like a particular comic, then don't buy it, and don't feel obligated to support it. That goes for my work, too. It may sound a bit harsh - and it is. It's reality, the most honest and valuable feedback you can ever give a creator. Most artists have friends and family that care about their feelings (Or about the risk of pushing their offbeat companion over the edge), so they tend to sugarcoat feedback. That's helpful for an uncertain artist's immediate emotional needs. But for long term improvement and success, nothing is more helpful than candid reality.

Well, creators... Readers... that's about the long and short of it. We are nearing the end of my long, long winded ramblings.

You may notice, however, that although I exhort a general direction for both creators and readers to take, I didn't mention a lot of details and specifics about exactly how to proceed.
I left the details out, because things are so much more interesting when freedom and originality run the show! Of what value would it be for me to state one static 'formula' to follow? You can think of ideas that wouldn't ever have occurred to me - That's why there's two of us. The details are up to you.

And I do mean you - you, sitting there, reading this blog right now. How many other people do you think are browsing this alongside you? Millions? Hundreds? Ten? Newsflash - As of the writing of this article, I'm still pretty much unheard of. You're one of the few people on the planet reading this right now. So, it really is a question for you, personally - what are you going to do? What do you want to do?

For the record, here's what I'm planning to do:

I'm going to work hard with my partner Liz, making the absolute best books that we can. I want 'Dreamkeepers' to be a truly exceptional series, filled with character, color, story, and danger, a series that can hold its own and endure on a crowded bookshelf.
Using our story, I'm going to launch my upstart publishing company, 'Vivid: Independent Publishing'. I'm raising the capital for this venture by selling short - run editions of Dreamkeepers right now, while I work a night job to pay my bills. It'll take time to earn my way up - but I'll get enough for professional scale print runs sooner or later.
Once I can operate at a professional, profitable scale, I'll promote Dreamkeepers as far as it can go, and turn it into a mainstream success. Readers have compared its appeal to Harry Potter, and I intend to fulfill that potential. (Although, just between you and me, the climax of Dreamkeepers is going to make Potter's finale look like a baby shower.) And being the owner of Vivid, I can ensure the books are released with integrity and creative control intact.
And of course, owning a publishing company will have other advantages - like the opportunity to publish other stand-out independent creators, and give them the same creative freedom and ownership which I so value.
Throughout my endeavors in reaching for these goals, I'll share my failures and successes here on this blog. Because what could possibly be more entertaining than me? …Me with blue hair? Hmmm… I’ll see what I can do. No promises.
Hopefully others out there can learn from my efforts. I'm going to spill the beans on everything, from the creative end of things, to business advice and mistakes. Tutorials and notes will be mixed in amongst my progress updates.

And on that note, here are the links to my first video tutorials:

'Then and Now' introduces my tutorial series, and compares my highschool art to my current stuff. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF_tRHgM1S8&feature=channel_page
'Basic Photoshop Shading' is just what is sounds like. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVWKECLQhNc&feature=channel_page

Mainstream success, a new market, being able to feed myself with my life's work... This stuff is a long shot, of course. All I really have right now are dreams. Is it actually practical to focus all of my career efforts on these unfounded aspirations? Can we really create a new market, and bring vitality back to this wayside medium? Am I crazy to think I can actually do this?

Maybe. I guess there's only one way to really find out.

"The best way to get started is to stop talking and begin doing.”
-Walt Disney






Here's a list of resources that I have found helpful to date. For those looking at where to start, here are some good choices: (Note for those that share my operating budget - libraries are free.)
Books:
1001 Ways to Market your Book - John Kremer
Understanding Comics - Scott McCloud
Reinventing Comics - Scott McCloud
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey
Guerilla Marketing - Jay Conrad Levinson
How to Make Webcomics - Scott Kurtz, Kris Straub, Dave Kellett, Brad Guigar
How to Publish Comics, not just Create them - Josh Baylock
Think Big and Kick Ass - Donald Trump
The Big Idea; How to make your entrepreneurial dreams come true. - Donny Deutsch

Websites: (This is only a tiny sample of all the useful, free information available on the web.)
http://ka-blam.com/printing/
Note - for those on a budget starting small, I highly recommend Ka-Blam's print on demand services. I've had great products and great customer service from them.
http://www.havendistro.com/
http://www.comicon.com/about.aspx
http://www.hoboes.com/Comics/Creators/
http://www.deviantart.com
http://www.members.shaw.ca/creatingcomics/publishing.html
http://www.indycomicreview.com/
http://www.indyworld.com/comics/stores.html