One of the biggest challenges in reentering the small press field — or entering ANY field in any industry, for that matter — is figuring out where “your people” hang out. When I was selling commercial insurance, it was the country clubs and golf courses. When I was in politics, it was that favorite watering hole on a Friday night. When I was selling long distance phone service, it was those poor folks’ desks. (They were worked so hard…)
But in small press comics, it used to be the comic shop. That’s where I learned about making the comics (from Paul Howley’s Insect Man and Matt Kanaracus’ Synapse Comics). You looked on the shelf, saw the book, saw who wrote/drew it and asked the manager when that person/people came by the shop. Easy peasy. And then, on a broader level, it was Tim Corrigan’s Small Press Comics Explosion magazine turned newspaper. That was a literal catalog of talented, motivated, like-minded creators.
But all that’s gone now. My comic shop carries the Columbus Scribbler, which is a great start. But it’s never enough! So I asked behind the counter, as one of the Scribbler cartoonists happens to work at my comic shop, to see if they knew of anyone who might be interested in doing some work with me or for publication. The Columbus Small Press scene is hosting an online version of their SPACE conference in July (…when I’ll be on vacation…sigh…) and then live in November (!!!!). Really looking forward to live networking. Hopefully my new book will be ready by then so I can share it!
I was pouring through my back issues of small press books and noticed a pretty darned good artist lived maybe 15 minutes away from my current address back in the 80’s. A quick Google search, and I discover that he’s moved about 30-45 minutes down the road. So I tossed a card in the mail to invite him to dive back in if he so wishes.
And then there’s social media. A new acquaintance who was blown away by the back issues I have stuffed into my two banker’s boxes gave me a suggestion for an artist he saw online. I checked his work out…yup, real deal. So I dashed off a private message. I’m cautiously optimistic with this one and will be downright giddy if it works out.
Lastly (at least for now), there are the Facebook Groups. I found two groups filled with plenty of like minds. “I CREATE COMIC BOOKS” and “amateur comic book artists” have some truly talented (if raw) artists and creators. It’s been a joy to finally find that wellspring of creative minds, and I can’t stop offering praise and encouragement at what I’m seeing.
Will anything come of making these contacts and connections? Who knows, but not for lack of trying. As I’ve learned from the world of sales, it takes a lot of work when you’re just getting starting. You need whole lot of prospects to get to a proposal, and a few proposals to get to a sale. In many ways, it’s the same with making true creative connections. You cast a wide net and start figuring out who’s interested. And then, from that smaller pool comes your actual finished product…the stuff that makes you proud.
It just takes time, perserverance and a positive attitude. For a project like the resurrection of Phoenix Productions, I’ve got plenty of everything needed. If you want to be part of this endeavor, drop me a line.
Phoenix Productions 