{"id":1466,"date":"2015-05-20T04:10:36","date_gmt":"2015-05-20T08:10:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/makingcomics.spiltink.org\/?p=1466"},"modified":"2023-02-19T23:29:34","modified_gmt":"2023-02-20T04:29:34","slug":"financing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/financing\/","title":{"rendered":"Grants, page rates, crowdfunding &#038; $$!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Making Comics is expensive!<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-background has-medium-font-size\" style=\"background-color:#fce08c\"><strong>ED:This post is pretty out of date now, some of the general info is still usful but a lot of details will have changed since i first wrote it years ago, FYI.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"233\" data-attachment-id=\"1504\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/financing\/ahcomics\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/ahcomics.jpg?fit=1500%2C1163&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1500,1163\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"ahcomics\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/ahcomics.jpg?fit=1024%2C794&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/ahcomics.jpg?resize=300%2C233&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1504\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/ahcomics.jpg?resize=300%2C233&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/ahcomics.jpg?resize=768%2C595&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/ahcomics.jpg?resize=1024%2C794&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/ahcomics.jpg?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In both time creating them and financing their publishing. To start I\u2019d say, don\u2019t rush into printing or publishing, until you\u2019ve invested a decent amount of time in practice, and have reasonably polished work to share. But once you do, there are ways to try to generate an income from the work, and some\u00a0interesting alternate sources of income\u00a0available.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Again when&nbsp;you\u2019re just starting out, I wouldn\u2019t worry too much about $ other than the funds you need for supplies and time to practice. At that stage, if you want to publish at all,&nbsp;just post examples of what you\u2019re doing to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Facebook&nbsp;<\/a>or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">twitter<\/a>, set up a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tumblr.com\/login\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tumbler<\/a>&nbsp;maybe? They have a few&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tumblr.com\/themes\/search\/Webcomic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">webcomics templates too<\/a>&nbsp;and can work without one as well. Another good way to&nbsp;share it at 0 publishing costs. That\u2019s a great way at first to test a new comic on your friends and start to build an audence. Join&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/search\/groups\/?q=webcomics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">communities&nbsp;<\/a>of peers to learn and share tips. In time, you\u2019ll become more confident with what you\u2019re doing&nbsp;and ready to expand on it. The readers feedback for your work will be one of the best indicators of whether your comics are ready to be monetized somehow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once your work is, there are a number of common questions. First, do you want to work on your own stories, or are you interested in working for a company fulfilling&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Intellectual_property\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">their IP<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For many people getting to work on characters they grew up with, or simply being paid to make comics is an attractive idea. But it\u2019s not&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/deadline.com\/2014\/01\/superman-warner-bros-dc-comics-copyright-lawsuit-668850\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">without<\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.tcj.com\/marvel-vs-jack-kirby-legal-rights-and-ethical-might\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">its&nbsp;<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/hicksvillecomics.com\/1702\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">downsides<\/a>. The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Creator%27s_Bill_of_Rights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Creator\u2019s Bill of Rights<\/a>&nbsp;is not a&nbsp;widely&nbsp;officially recognized document but expressed the desire for something better within the american comics industry. Neil Adams attempted to kick start a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Creator_ownership_in_comics#Neal_Adams_and_the_Comics_Creators_Guild\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Comics Creators Guild in \u201978<\/a>&nbsp;in part to set fair rates and creators rights, but that failed to take off with only 36 notable creators signing up as members.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rozz_Tox_Manifesto\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The ROZZ-TOX Manifesto<\/a>&nbsp;is an interesting alternate idea about creative freedom and business. Written by a&nbsp;youthful&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.garypanter.com\/site\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gary Panter<\/a>&nbsp;in the \u201980s, it famously influenced a few artists including his friend&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Matt_Groening\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Matt Groening<\/a>,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Suffice to say the comics industry\u2019s labour practices and compensation for IP has been less than always fair to creators. It\u2019s very important for creators to know their innate rights, and some idea of fair rates for their work.&nbsp;First, here\u2019s how page rates in the US comics business are usually established. They are not fixed, there\u2019s a generalized average range but for the most part publishers offer a wide range of rates and compensation arrangements. Marvel, DC, and most companies that own their line\u2019s IP and do licensed work, use&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Work_for_hire\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WFH contracts<\/a>&nbsp;of one form or another. In this you\u2019re paid a flat rate per job category [&nbsp;<em>penciler, inker, artist, colorist, letter, and writer<\/em>&nbsp;] per page of the book.&nbsp; Graphic Novels sometimes also follow this model, or they are contracted based on a flat fee for the whole project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pricing of comics art is based typically on a projection of sales by the publisher and self evaluation of the artists. Artists speed, ability and importantly today more than ever, built in readership they bring to a book, all are considerations. As are the size and deep integration in the market of the publisher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So the imprints and titles *retailers and readers consider must haves command the best page rates, and or backend returns for Image\/creator owned titles. So of course experience, general appeal of the creators, the size, and prosperity of the publishers all drives the valuation of the work. It is also often why WFH comics can get canceled quite suddenly, if that projection fails, they start to lose money really fast. [<em>&nbsp;*arguably comics publishers customers are the retailers first, and readers second in the current direct market model.<\/em>&nbsp;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll find confirmation more or less of this in the GAG handbook mentioned later in this article under Pricing in the comics section. For me this was also how It was explained when I first started 1992 and had my professional page rates established. Which increased twice over 5 years as well thanks to a bit of competition between clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Something that also often fails to get considered in comics circles by creators is their intrinsic&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Copyright\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Copyright<\/a>&nbsp;in the work they do. Really even working on someone else\u2019s IP, their creative contribution has to be accounted for. WFH contracts today basically do that by negating it. You agree to give it up in exchange for payment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Something that i\u2019d consider in pitching or accepting rates is if I\u2019d also retain my copyright, and thus a stipulated stake in the IP, both backend sales of the book and whatever else came of it. If I don\u2019t I want the page rate to reflect that, or the buyout to be an additional payment we agree on. If I keep my share of the IP and I\u2019m confident about the project, i\u2019d set a more bare bones page rate. It still has to make the work worthwhile, no lower than equal to minimum wage for the hours put in. But that\u2019s one way in which there can be negotiable flex in my rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And then there are&nbsp;creator owned books, which mostly are paid enterily via sales, or the \u2018back-end\u2019. In a few cases, usually when the publisher both has the funds and believes the book will sell well, their may be an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Advance_payment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">advance<\/a>&nbsp;given. But typically any profits the book makes are paid after the book sells. That typically takes a few months to be processed.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/Graphic-Artists-Handbook-Pricing-Guidelines\/dp\/0932102166\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"1526\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/financing\/graphicartistsguildhandbook\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/GraphicArtistsGuildHandbook.jpg?fit=791%2C1000&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"791,1000\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"GraphicArtistsGuildHandbook\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/GraphicArtistsGuildHandbook.jpg?fit=791%2C1000&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/GraphicArtistsGuildHandbook.jpg?resize=119%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"GraphicArtistsGuildHandbook\" class=\"wp-image-1526\" width=\"119\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/GraphicArtistsGuildHandbook.jpg?resize=237%2C300&amp;ssl=1 237w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/GraphicArtistsGuildHandbook.jpg?resize=768%2C971&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/GraphicArtistsGuildHandbook.jpg?w=791&amp;ssl=1 791w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 119px) 100vw, 119px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.leslibraires.ca\/livres\/guide-de-survie-de-l-illustrateur-nicolas-trost-9782922021325.html\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"1599\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/financing\/jli5976292-1453365487-580x580\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/JLI5976292.1453365487.580x580.jpg?fit=342%2C580&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"342,580\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"JLI5976292.1453365487.580&amp;#215;580\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/JLI5976292.1453365487.580x580.jpg?fit=342%2C580&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/JLI5976292.1453365487.580x580.jpg?resize=89%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"JLI5976292.1453365487.580x580\" class=\"wp-image-1599\" width=\"89\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/JLI5976292.1453365487.580x580.jpg?resize=177%2C300&amp;ssl=1 177w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/JLI5976292.1453365487.580x580.jpg?w=342&amp;ssl=1 342w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 89px) 100vw, 89px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>One thing I\u2019d recommend any freelance artist to do first off, is to pick up a copy of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/s\/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&amp;field-keywords=Graphic+Artist%27s+Guild+Handbook+of+Pricing+and+Ethical+Guidelines+\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Graphic Artist\u2019s Guild Handbook of Pricing and Ethical Guidelines<\/a>. And any local equivilant information, in Quebec we have&nbsp;Illustration Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/illustrationquebec.com\/en\/outils\/guide-de-survie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u2018Illustrator\u2019s Survival Guide\u2019<\/a>. There are digital tools&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/illustrationquebec.com\/en\/outils\/guide-de-survie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">online<\/a>&nbsp;including a very handly&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/illustrationquebec.com\/en\/outils\/grilles-tarifaires\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">online Editorial illustration rate calculator<\/a>, and links to buy the print edition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of you decide to do work for hire comics, or pursue your own work and probably pick up some freelance work to pay the bills, resources like those&nbsp;prove an invaluable tool for many. The first&nbsp;includes sections on comics and graphic novels, as wall as many other mediums. And lots of info on and direction&nbsp;in&nbsp;how to negotiate, set rates, and get paid and protected. The Quebec handbook has great local resources critical to navigating the regional market.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/makingcomics.spiltink.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/2015fairpagerates.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"528\" height=\"508\" data-attachment-id=\"1527\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/financing\/2015fairpagerates\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/2015fairpagerates.jpg?fit=528%2C508&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"528,508\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"2015fairpagerates\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/2015fairpagerates.jpg?fit=528%2C508&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/makingcomics.spiltink.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/2015fairpagerates.jpg?resize=265%2C255\" alt=\"2015fairpagerates\" class=\"wp-image-1527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/2015fairpagerates.jpg?w=528&amp;ssl=1 528w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/2015fairpagerates.jpg?resize=300%2C289&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 528px) 100vw, 528px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>There are some standard comics rates listed in the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/s\/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&amp;field-keywords=Graphic+Artist%27s+Guild+Handbook+of+Pricing+and+Ethical+Guidelines+\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Handbook<\/a>, I\u2019ve posted the 2010 edition numbers&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/photos.app.goo.gl\/A3xCTYZjt8KoTtJk1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>&nbsp;for my students. That\u2019s an older edition I own but fairly accurate.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/fairpagerates.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The&nbsp;2015 Year In Review Fair Page Rates survey<\/a>&nbsp;shows from a small professional sample base, what comics companies are actaully paying for various services as disclosed by anonymous artists, divided by two \u2018levels\u2019 of the industry. Jim Zub&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.jimzub.com\/comic-qa-rates-cons-and-distrubution\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">has also shared some good insights on the question of page rates<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I think it\u2019s important to say WFH &amp;&nbsp;Creator Owned are not either or decisions either. Many creators do both&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Work_for_hire\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WFH<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Freelancer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">contract work<\/a>&nbsp;for publishers, and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Self-publishing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">self publish<\/a>&nbsp;or do&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Alternative_comics#Independent\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">indie<\/a>&nbsp;deals for their own stories too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re self-publishing, do you want to go&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.zenotelos.com\/digital-comics-distribution-platform-list\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">digital<\/a>&nbsp;first? Or some mix of digital and print?&nbsp;Or just print, or just digital\u2026<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Webcomic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">webcomic<\/a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Digital_comic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">app based<\/a>? When I started it was making&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Zine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zines<\/a>! There\u2019s a lot of options now. A lot of paths and international markets even available to you.&nbsp;And the forms of distribution you want to exploit can shape the physical form of your work will take, and the kind of business plan you\u2019ll need to get it done, and get readers! I\u2019m myself still learning about all this, so I listen a lot to what other people are doing and what seems to be working or not. So here\u2019s some recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To start, here\u2019s a great talk with Jason Brubaker at the Emerald City Comic Con 2015 (March 27 \u2013 29), \u201c<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/www.thecomicbooks.com\/Audio\/2015-03-27-ECCC-MakingMoneyCreatorOwnedComics.mp3\" target=\"_blank\">Making Money with Creator Owned Comics<\/a>\u201d (50:41, 46.4mb)\u00a0He covers this subject very well \u2013 he\u2019s\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/JasonBrubaker?ty=c\" target=\"_blank\">on patreon now too<\/a>, this will come up later in the post:\u00a0Check out\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/www.adistantsoil.com\/2015\/11\/08\/can-you-make-a-living-in-comics\/\" target=\"_blank\">Can You Make A Living in Comics?<\/a>\u00a0By Colleen Doran: \u2018<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/www.jimzub.com\/how-do-i-break-in\/\" target=\"_blank\">How Do I Break In?<\/a>\u2018 by writer Jim Zub:\u00a0Tor\u2019s\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/www.tor.com\/2014\/07\/15\/advice-to-aspiring-comic-book-creators\/\" target=\"_blank\">Advice to Aspiring Comic Book Creators<\/a>:\u00a0A few relevant entries in the \u201cHow Do You Make a Living\u201d series of posts:\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/psmag.com\/how-do-you-make-a-living-molly-crabapple-a996906a87ad#.1ivlmvclh\" target=\"_blank\">Molly Crabapple<\/a>:\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/psmag.com\/how-do-you-make-a-living-comic-book-illustrator-99286d1add5a#.m0mse798x\" target=\"_blank\">Neil Googe<\/a>:\u00a0Faith Erin Hicks talks a lot about this which is great:\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/www.friendswithboys.com\/2012\/01\/page-175\/\" target=\"_blank\">\u201cDrawing Comics is my Job\u201d<\/a>: \u201c<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/faitherinhicks.tumblr.com\/post\/126832695795\/hi-just-a-curious-query-for-your-making-comics\" target=\"_blank\">Do you need to tour to make it?<\/a>\u201c:\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/comicsalliance.com\/faith-erin-hicks-nameless-city-interview\/?trackback=tsmclip\" target=\"_blank\">Make Something That\u2019s Yours: An Interview with Faith Erin Hicks<\/a>: A bit of law and creators rights history,\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/www.tcj.com\/marvel-vs-jack-kirby-legal-rights-and-ethical-might\/\" target=\"_blank\">Marvel vs. Jack Kirby: Legal Rights and Ethical Might<\/a>. Presented by The Vermont Law School and The Center for Cartoon Studies. A\u00a0conversation between Oliver Goodenough and Stephen Bissette held Friday, Oct 21,\u201911:\u00a0And finally, let\u2019s go metta for this link list, and link to a BIGGER links list!\u00a0The Beat\u2019s \u201c<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/www.comicsbeat.com\/resources\/information-on-how-to-get-into-comics-and-survive-once-youre-there\/\" target=\"_blank\">How To Get Into Comics and Survive Once You\u2019re There<\/a>\u201c. We really live in a time of embarrassing riches when it comes to the sharing of this kind of knowledge, so don\u2019t stop there!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Secondary income streams<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"1501\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/financing\/4e131397d3b34872d0d595e58e10c1b4_400x400\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/4e131397d3b34872d0d595e58e10c1b4_400x400.png?fit=400%2C400&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"400,400\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"4e131397d3b34872d0d595e58e10c1b4_400x400\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/4e131397d3b34872d0d595e58e10c1b4_400x400.png?fit=400%2C400&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/4e131397d3b34872d0d595e58e10c1b4_400x400.png?resize=150%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"4e131397d3b34872d0d595e58e10c1b4_400x400\" class=\"wp-image-1501\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/4e131397d3b34872d0d595e58e10c1b4_400x400.png?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/4e131397d3b34872d0d595e58e10c1b4_400x400.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/4e131397d3b34872d0d595e58e10c1b4_400x400.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Typically these means merchandise linked to your art, like prints, t-shirts, mugs, vinyl toys, games, that sort of thing. My own interest in this is limited but it\u2019s a big factor for many creators these days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I use&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/society6.com\/salgoodsam\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Society6<\/a>. They do nice work from what I\u2019ve seen of the products I\u2019ve tested and I preferred them to&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.zazzle.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zazzle<\/a>&nbsp;who sourced all it\u2019s stuff from unknown places I could not easily track down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve tried other platforms for this, but for now&nbsp;I\u2019m sticking with Society6 for myself. I always recommend doing your own research. If you\u2019d like to work with an operation more local to Montreal, check out&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.needen.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">needen.com<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wordans.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wordans.ca<\/a>, &amp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.spreadshirt.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">spreadshirt.ca<\/a>. There are more out there too based in the region and most areas have their own relatively local operations. Both in the online class like those sites, and small screen printing shops and fabricators you could work with offline to supply goods for either online sales or tabling at events, and selling wholesale along with your comics! Investigate!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/topatoco.com\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2711\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/financing\/topatoco-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/topatoco.jpg?fit=300%2C76&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"300,76\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"topatoco\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/topatoco.jpg?fit=300%2C76&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/topatoco.jpg?resize=150%2C38&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2711\" width=\"150\" height=\"38\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/topatoco.jpg?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/topatoco.jpg?resize=200%2C51&amp;ssl=1 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Those are all non specific operations to create merchandise via. There are others that specialize in working with web comics and \u2018geek culture, like&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/topatoco.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">topatoco<\/a>. They are harder to join, but if you\u2019re project gets really successful someone like that might take an interest!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Crowdfunding!<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"1499\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/financing\/kickstarter-logo-k-color\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/kickstarter-logo-k-color.png?fit=800%2C800&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"800,800\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"kickstarter-logo-k-color\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/kickstarter-logo-k-color.png?fit=800%2C800&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/kickstarter-logo-k-color.png?resize=150%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"kickstarter-logo-k-color\" class=\"wp-image-1499\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/kickstarter-logo-k-color.png?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/kickstarter-logo-k-color.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/kickstarter-logo-k-color.png?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/kickstarter-logo-k-color.png?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The catchphrase of the day, but also a real viable option for financing print runs and some projects. I recommend having a comic book done BEFORE you go to something like&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kickstarter.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kickstarter<\/a><\/strong>. There are other sites like it, but not many of them work as well. I\u2019ve used&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegogo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Indiegogo<\/a>, and it\u2019s not bad, their&nbsp;<em>\u2018Flexible Funding\u2019<\/em>&nbsp;model appeals to some but is higher risk for backers, and way fewer people trust it and are comfortable pledging there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>IMO One time goal oriented funders like that are a great way to pay for getting something printed, and try to build buzz and market interest in the work. In many ways the secret to\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/www.themarketingagents.com\/clay-hebert-marketing-crowdfunding\" target=\"_blank\">good crowdfunding<\/a>\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.trycelery.com\/how-brands-use-crowdfunding-for-kickass-marketing\/\" target=\"_blank\">is when it\u2019s also<\/a>\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/tripleseo.com\/traffic-marketing-crowdfunding\/\" target=\"_blank\">good marketing<\/a>. But I caution that I think they get to be high risk options if you raise the funds to\u00a0<strong>DO<\/strong>\u00a0the work. In that case if anything, ANYTHING goes wrong with the project schedule it can go bad. There\u2019s already a lot of risk in any supply chain, making sure your first job of making the books is done is a good way to reduce the risks to yourself and backers. Trust me on this, I\u2019ve made the mistake.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And keep in mind it truly is a LOT of work to run a crowdfunder, even with a team. I\u2019ve held&nbsp;one time crowdfunders three times now. Running a Kickstarter WILL eat your brain while it\u2019s live, completely dominate your attention when it\u2019s on, and then drain you getting the fulfilment done, no matter how well prepared! And it can go bad very easily if you don\u2019t plan for it properly! Check out&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.comixlaunch.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">this podcast<\/a>&nbsp;on the prep one repeat Kickstarter has done. You\u2019ll need to think about the full shipping and sourcing of every item you offer. Including the envelopes and stamps!&nbsp;Outsourcing a lot of it is a great idea i\u2019ll be embracing if I ever do it again. And keeping it really simple is another. if you\u2019re crowdfunding a comic, ideally the main reward would simply be the comic. Maybe,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kickstarter.com\/projects\/rkl\/deer-editor\/description\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&nbsp;just a digital comic<\/a>? Anything that makes it more manageable is worth thinking about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My favorite cautionary example is the rather dramatic&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bleedingcool.com\/2014\/02\/28\/kickstarter-fail-john-campbell-burns-comics-rather-than-sending-them-to-donors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">self sabotaging of the \u2018sad pictures for children\u2019 Kickstarter<\/a>. I don\u2019t think I could do it service, so just&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kickstarter.com\/projects\/73258510\/sad-pictures-for-children\/posts\/759318\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">go watch and read this<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;That\u2019s extreme, and a warning against letting yourself ever get antagonistic with your backers. These are your die-hard fans, or could be. burn that bridge and it\u2019s going to take a long time to build a new base or have anyone trust you again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve had late fulfilment on my crowdfunders but for the most part good communications have kept things positive. People who support your work this way generally want to help you get the thing done. Again, your die-hard #1 fans mostly. So long as we don\u2019t overload them with drama, keep them informed, and stay civil at all costs and they will tend to root us&nbsp;on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And again, this is why having the work basically done, and ready to print is the best case scenario usually. I\u2019ve tried both ways and the difference is profound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">But that means, I have to draw it&nbsp;without financial suport?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Maybe. That\u2019s always the big issue with things like comics [large long term creative projects]. How to pay the rent while you get the work done?<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"160\" height=\"160\" data-attachment-id=\"2714\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/financing\/downloads_logomark_color_on_coral-copy\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/downloads_logomark_color_on_coral-copy.jpg?fit=160%2C160&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"160,160\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"downloads_logomark_color_on_coral copy\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/downloads_logomark_color_on_coral-copy.jpg?fit=160%2C160&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/makingcomics.spiltink.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/downloads_logomark_color_on_coral-copy.jpg?resize=160%2C160\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2714\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>There are a few solutions. To start, if you can\u2019t swing getting a job behind the cash at your local comics shop, or a paid internship or office gig at your favorite publisher, check out\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Patreon<\/strong>.<\/a>\u00a0It\u2019s the new kid on the block in the otherwise relatively new business of crowdfunding.\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/wH-IDF809fQ\" target=\"_blank\">You can watch a short video explainer here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Started by Youtubers and other creatives looking for a way to connect with their supporters and generate an ongoing stable income from\u00a0their work.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mindengine.substack.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"3439\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/financing\/bksn04pm_400x400\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/BkSn04Pm_400x400.png?fit=400%2C400&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"400,400\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"BkSn04Pm_400x400\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/BkSn04Pm_400x400.png?fit=400%2C400&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/BkSn04Pm_400x400.png?resize=200%2C200&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3439\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/BkSn04Pm_400x400.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/BkSn04Pm_400x400.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u00a0<s>I use it as well,\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/salgood\" target=\"_blank\">here\u2019s my profile<\/a>\u00a0<\/s> UPDATE: After I started working full time in Animation when the pandemic started, I shut down my patreon but set up on <strong>Substack<\/strong>, a hybred of a mailing list platform, patronage\/subscription sytstms, and blog. You can <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/mindengine.substack.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">see how I&#8217;m using that here<\/a>. I&#8217;ve not started employing the paid sub mode yet by many have and it seems to work very well, I&#8217;m liking it more than i did either Mailchimp or Patreon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take a look at how other artists doing comics employ it&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/search?q=comics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>, and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/featured?cat=4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>. It\u2019s a kind of crowdfunding platform but more like setting up your own PBS broadcasting\/publishing channel. It\u2019s ongoing, and is best built to not be reward based the way something like Kickstarter is. Ideally any perks people get for backing you on Patreon are digital insiders access and the frequent and public thanks from you [though some prefer to be anonymous].&nbsp;&nbsp;The authors doing the best there, had a large readership before launching, realistically don\u2019t expect to be making hundreds or thousands on the platform unless you have hundreds or thousands of readers.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/salgood\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">My own is right here<\/a>, it\u2019s been a very slow and modest build up but does help a bit with my monthly bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are other options like this,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/tapastic.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tapastic&nbsp;<\/a>has a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/tapastic.com\/faq#what-is-the-support-program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">similar system<\/a>&nbsp;built into its site for example. The field is changing fast, so again, hit&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.ca\/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&amp;ion=1&amp;espv=2&amp;ie=UTF-8#newwindow=1&amp;q=crowdfunding+for+comics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">google<\/a>&nbsp;and do some research for yourself too! I suspect we\u2019ll see more like those in time, and know I\u2019ve seen others around I\u2019m not remembering now. They are an interesting evolution in the comics market. Patreon primarily works on the model your work, comics in this case, is mostly free to consume online. They provide an opportunity for regular readers to show support in a more sustainable way than just buying a T-shirt and one book now and then. I would never expect a large percentage of your audience to support you like this, but it doesn\u2019t take many to accumulate into a substantial amount of funds. Some use the analogy of a digital tipping jar, but with a monthly renewal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Last for this post, is something that as a comics artist I didn\u2019t consider myself until I\u2019d been in the business for over a decade. I wish I\u2019d known about it sooner! You can\u2019t bank on it, but never underestimate the value of\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Grants &amp; Prizes!<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"157\" data-attachment-id=\"1500\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/financing\/council-facebook\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Council-FaceBook.png?fit=486%2C255&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"486,255\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Council-FaceBook\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Council-FaceBook.png?fit=486%2C255&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Council-FaceBook.png?resize=300%2C157&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Council-FaceBook\" class=\"wp-image-1500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Council-FaceBook.png?resize=300%2C157&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Council-FaceBook.png?w=486&amp;ssl=1 486w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Grant funding if you qualify, can be a massive boost for any artist\u2019s work. Even Just the affirmation of being recognized by a Grant Jury is like rocket fuel!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Small grants and prizes can help make focused short-term projects possible with minimal fulfilment requirements [Just the one granting body usually, not hundreds of crowdfunding backers!]. And larger grants can buy creators months, even sometimes years of time to work on a project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Very&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/comicsalliance.com\/image-comics-iron-circus-creators-for-creators-grant\/?trackback=fbshare_flat_4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">recently a new Grant body was formed<\/a>&nbsp;by Image &amp; Iron Circus Comics, it\u2019s a Peer Juried grant called<strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/creatorsforcreators.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Creators For&nbsp;Creators<\/a><\/strong>.&nbsp;it will be $30k +&nbsp;publishing and marketing assistance, to&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/creatorsforcreators.org\/submissions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">eligible applicants over 18<\/a>. It\u2019s limited to creators who\u2019ve never had a solo book published, a break-in-grant if you will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>The goal of the Creators for Creators grant is to support original work from new creators. Applicants must either be a single creator or a writer-artist duo with joint ownership of the submitted work.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Each applicant must be eighteen years old or older, and the work cannot have been submitted to a publishing company or similar entity within the past year. The Creators for Creators grant is international, so there are no geographic restrictions on applicants.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Applicants must have never had solo work published by a third-party publisher. Self-published work is acceptable, as is participation in anthologies, but any non-anthology industry publication is unacceptable.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Eligible stories for proposal must be between 64-100 pages upon completion. Works may be intended for print or digital distribution of any type, but must be wholly new works\u2014no reprints.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;Creators For Creators grant at this time is&nbsp;the largest available that i know of for comics. It\u2019ll be a huge boost to the lucky recipients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each year the&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cartoonstudies.org\/index.php\/studio-prize\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cartoonist Studio Prize<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;is&nbsp;awarded to work that exemplifies excellence in cartooning. The creators of two exceptional comics will be awarded $1000 each. Not a huge prize but substantial, and it comes with the esteem of the&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cartoonstudies.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Center for Cartoon Studies<\/a>, and the perk of&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.slate.com\/search.html#search=Cartoonist%20Studio%20Prize\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">being promoted on Slate<\/a>, a fairly large media outlet!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<strong>Lambda Literary Awards<\/strong>&nbsp;identify and celebrate the best lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender books of the year and affirm that LGBTQ stories are part of the literature of the world. The Lammys, which receive national and international media attention, bring together 600 attendees\u2014including nominees, celebrities, sponsors, and publishing executives\u2014to celebrate excellence in LGBTQ publishing.&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.lambdaliterary.org\/awards\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Awards page<\/a>:&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.lambdaliterary.org\/emerging-writer-award\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Emerging Writer Award Applications<\/a>;&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.lambdaliterary.org\/awards\/mid-career-novelist-prize\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mid-Career Novelist Prize<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every year, Prism awards the&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.prismcomics.org\/grant\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Prism Comics Queer Press Grant<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;to assist in the publication and promotion of LGBT comics [Grant is in the $2000 range]. The grant is funded by donors who are either creators who want to help others just starting out, or fans who want to see more LGBT creators get published. it\u2019s eligible to applicants from outside the USA, and paid out in US dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Sustainable Arts Foundation. &nbsp;<\/strong>An org that offers&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/apply.sustainableartsfoundation.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">awards of up to US$6000 to writers and artists with children<\/a><strong>.<\/strong>&nbsp;The money can be used for costs such as child care, workspaces, new equipment, research and travel.&nbsp;There are two funding rounds each year and typically a total of ten grants&nbsp;are made in each round: five&nbsp;Sustainable Arts Foundation Awards valued at $6000 each and five&nbsp;Sustainable Arts Foundation Promise Awards valued at $2000.&nbsp;To be eligible to apply for a grant you&nbsp;must have at least one child under the age of 18. &nbsp;Applicants can be based anywhere in the world and there are no citizenship restrictions but you do have to apply in english.&nbsp;Writers may apply in one of the following categories:&nbsp;Fiction,&nbsp;Creative Nonfiction,&nbsp;Poetry,&nbsp;Long Form Journalism,&nbsp;Playwriting,&nbsp;Picture Books,&nbsp;Early and Middle Grade Fiction,&nbsp;Young Adult Fiction, &amp;&nbsp;Graphic Novels!&nbsp;Visual artists are also eligible able to apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The annual&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/fbdfq.com\/archives\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PRIX JACQUES-HURTUBISE<\/a>.<\/strong>&nbsp;A small award given during the&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/fbdfq.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Festival de la BD francophone de Qu\u00e9bec<\/strong><\/a>. The award was created in 2016 to promote new work and emerging authors in Quebec. In addition to a&nbsp;prize of $1000, the winner\u2019s work will be exhibited during the following years&nbsp;<strong>FBDFQ<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Short aside:<\/strong><\/em>&nbsp;Not many&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_comics_awards\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">comics awards<\/a>&nbsp;come with a cash prize like these do, i\u2019ll update this post with any more I find. FYI in my experience as a rule awards or prizes, most will only require you to submit a copy of your book to enter along with meeting their eligibility requirements. If they ask for cash\/registration fees, have doubts and investigate before applying! That said entering your work in awards its applicable for is a great way to get more attention for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/canadacouncil.ca\/funding\/grants\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Canada Council for the Arts<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;is applicable to graphic novels and comics, as well as potentially&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/canadacouncil.ca\/funding\/grants\/supporting-artistic-practice\/literary-publishing-projects\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">financing a small publishing operation!<\/a>&nbsp;Most canadian publishers rely heavily on grants. You\u2019ll need to establish yourself as at least an emerging artist to qualify, look&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/canadacouncil.ca\/funding\/grants\/guide\/apply-to-programs\/fields-of-practice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here under&nbsp;<strong>Literature<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;for info on that I think, that\u2019s how they classified comics and graphic novels in the previous systme. Contact them&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/canadacouncil.ca\/contact\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>&nbsp;if you have further questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have the most personal&nbsp;experience&nbsp;with the CCA, all good, but under a past organizational structure. It\u2019s been changed dramatically since. I was awarded grants three times out of seven tries under the old structure, which is a high success rate from what I\u2019ve been told. I\u2019ve also once served as a judge for them, most of their juries are made up of peers in the same field. I would say generally expect to get refused the first few times, that\u2019s normal. Both your own learning curve and luck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have some gripes about how it\u2019s been restructured but the Canadian arts federal grant system is pretty great still. They offer substantial sums and were very positive about comics as a medium deserving of suport. A key to it like many is applying often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The judging of the grants is pretty fair from my experience, with the judges instructed to look for a good story, professional skills, and then give extra consideration to stories that focused on a<a href=\"https:\/\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/emanata\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&nbsp;list of social issues or author status<\/a>. I think the proposals that probably do best are more socially or literary minded, than very commercial or pop properties. But the judges change every year and it\u2019s down to them in the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>CALQ<\/strong>! Every province has its own regional grants,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.calq.gouv.qc.ca\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Quebec\u2019s are quite substantial<\/a>.&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.arts.on.ca\/site4.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ontario\u2019s<\/a>&nbsp;are as well! Check out your own provinces arts funding infrastructure.&nbsp;At CALQ as I understand comics projects and cartoonists qualify, but you\u2019ll have to contact them to check on exactly how? Comics were specfically mentioned on past versions but I can\u2019t find them on The site as of now&nbsp;<em>8\/23\/17.<\/em>&nbsp;CALQ also has a Writer and graphic novelist&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.calq.gouv.qc.ca\/en\/aides\/echanges-decrivains-et-de-bedeistes-entre-le-quebec-et-la-federation-wallonie-bruxelles\/?profil_0=160&amp;profil_1=164&amp;profil_2=&amp;disciplines=&amp;regions=&amp;typesAide=147\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">exchanges between Qu\u00e9bec and the F\u00e9d\u00e9ration Wallonie-Bruxelles<\/a>. One of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.calq.gouv.qc.ca\/en\/grants\/les-programmes\/recherche\/?profil_0=160&amp;profil_1=164&amp;profil_2=&amp;disciplines=&amp;regions=&amp;typesAide=147\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">many residencies<\/a>&nbsp;actaully!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And, every city and many towns, also tends to have their&nbsp;own grant systems!&nbsp;<strong>Conseil des arts de Montr\u00e9al<\/strong>&nbsp;for example is my local body: I\u2019m still doing some&nbsp;research&nbsp;on this one. Look under&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.artsmontreal.org\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Supporting the arts<\/a>&nbsp;if you want to beat me to it! I have seen this on the site, a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.artsmontreal.org\/en\/programs\/ecrivains-en-residence\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WRITER IN RESIDENCE IN LIBRARY<\/a>&nbsp;program.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.artsmontreal.org\/en\/blog\/hellman\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">This is a blog<\/a>&nbsp;by a past resident, to give you an idea of some of what that\u2019s about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You&nbsp;can always take the initiative and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.artsmontreal.org\/en\/contact\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">write the department heads<\/a>&nbsp;to see what they&nbsp;advise themselves. For any grant, I recommend doing this, it\u2019s how I learn more about them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And last for my students, If you\u2019re young, there might be something of use here on&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.yesmontreal.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Yes Montreal<\/a><\/strong>. Kind of related as well,&nbsp;<strong>Emploi-Qu\u00e9bec<\/strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.emploiquebec.gouv.qc.ca\/en\/citizens\/developing-your-skills-and-having-them-recognized\/job-readiness\/young-volunteers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">has an interesting system for young \u2018volunteers\u2019<\/a>, they basically&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.emploiquebec.gouv.qc.ca\/en\/citizens\/developing-your-skills-and-having-them-recognized\/job-readiness\/young-volunteers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pay you to do something for the community<\/a>, I know one young artist who\u2019s doing a comic about depression with their assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Ok, that\u2019s all I\u2019ve got for now but I\u2019ll update this post with new info as I come across it. For many of your favourite independent comics creators, the answer to how to pay the bills long-term lays in freelance work as writers or artists, or some kind of stable day job that leaves them with enough creative energy to still do their own work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There sadly isn\u2019t enough cash in comics for most for them to not have to rely on something other than their comics to do this. Though if you\u2019re fairly successful, the profile of your comics art will attract things like freelance illustration work and if you\u2019re open to them, contracts to draw graphic novels for authors who can\u2019t draw their own or publishers looking to get something made. Each creator tends to have to find their own formula for this, there\u2019s no real one right way to do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anyway the cookie crumbles for you, prepare to be creative and probably have to work pretty hard at it. Hope this all helps, and if you feel like returning the favour, you could always\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/salgood?ty=h\" target=\"_blank\">pledge a buck or two on my patreon<\/a>!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Good Luck!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Making Comics is expensive! Here&#8217;s some now dated ways to finance the effort.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1492,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1466","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-processes","8":"czr-hentry"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/fundinglogo.jpg?fit=800%2C200&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pf76WW-nE","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1466","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1466"}],"version-history":[{"count":73,"href":"https:\/\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1466\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3440,"href":"https:\/\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1466\/revisions\/3440"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1492"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1466"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1466"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/salgoodsam.com\/mc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1466"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}