And, of course, you can still buy a copy of the English-version of "Customer" by clicking the link below. You'll get the story I did with Tomás and 8 more great tales from a variety of genres. Just click on the link below the video.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Trailer for Los Malditos
The guys of Ikari did a trailer to promote the first issue of Los Malditos, or "The Damned," which will be published next month in Europe featuring the Spanish version of my short story "The Customer Is Always Right." Read my last post for more info. Take a look, I think it's a gorgeous anthology.
And, of course, you can still buy a copy of the English-version of "Customer" by clicking the link below. You'll get the story I did with Tomás and 8 more great tales from a variety of genres. Just click on the link below the video.
And, of course, you can still buy a copy of the English-version of "Customer" by clicking the link below. You'll get the story I did with Tomás and 8 more great tales from a variety of genres. Just click on the link below the video.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Worldwide Publishing Domination or La dominación de todo el mundo editorial
My relatively short journey to worldwide publishing domination (or, and apologies for the Babelfish/Yahoo translation: La dominación de todo el mundo editorial) is coming to an end. Okay, I'm kidding. I'm nowhere near becoming the next big thing in comics--but I have started my ten years of work to become an overnight sensation, and, in doing so, I at least have a shot, right?I mentioned a short time back that my partner for "Customer," Tomás Morón, is publishing our story in a Spanish edition in Europe. Part of a collection from Ikari Studio called Los Malditos (translation: The Damned), our story joins a cast of other really awesome-looking tales. You can check out their site here (in Spanish): ikaristudio.blogspot.com or here with a rough English translation.
To the left is one of the promos for the book. I can't wait to see the Spanish edition of El Cliente Siempre Tiene Razon, done as their site says, by Tomás and me in the pure classic terror EC Comics style. And, of course, the North America edition is still available for purchase by clicking the ad below.
Also, Tomás has recently completed a graphic novel (with concept by Chad & Dara Creasey and script by Mark Haven Britt) called Maximum High for Kickstart Comics. Check out his blog, to see pages or go to Kickstart's page.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Six Errors New Creators Make in Comic Marketing: Words of Advice from Jim McCann
This is Part Two of a three-, maybe four-part series on the marketing advice former Marvel marketer and now writer Jim McCann (Return of the Dapper Men, numerous Marvel titles) shared with the Creators Workshop over at Comics Experience. Click here to read Part One.
Jim McCann says there are (at least) six common errors new creators make when marketing their comics.
1. Going out too soon. Don’t announce or promote until you have something to show off. Jim says, “If you don’t have a final cover to go with the project and some finished pages, you are not ready.” He recommends an info packet that includes the first six pages. Wait until you have those items, then create a pdf you can e-mail around (see point 3 below); use as flier or promo materials to give to stores and at cons; and post on the Web.
2. Not knowing your timing. Make sure you have factored in time for pre-publishing promotion: the pre-solicit announcements, solicits, etc. Know those deadlines and be ready to go. Get your info packet together (see number 1 above) and promote before it’s in Diamond Previews. (Waiting until Diamond comes out is way to late.)
3. Not knowing your audience. Who makes up the audience you are trying to pull in? And more importantly, where are they? Don’t try carpet bomb all the comics sites with your product. Or, rather, don’t count on your story announcement rising above the clutter. Take a minute to consider who is likely to like (read: want) your story and where can you connect with them. Don’t ignore the mainstream comics websites and fans, but zero in on your readers and possible avenues for press coverage.
Are you writing a specific genre story, say, a Western? Contact sites that promote Westerns—and not just comics. Moreover, find people who are jazzed about Westerns or zombies or whatever niche your story takes place in and get them onboard. Just like you will want to pitch your Western comic to an editor who does Westerns, you want to find reviewers and reporters who have shown an interest in your topic. They’re most likely to embrace something they have an affinity for.
4. Don’t wait for them to come to you. Make your own opportunities. Once you’ve found your “targets,” send write them. Introduce yourself and your book, ask them if they like to cover it. Be sure to send them the promo materials you’ve created or, hey, a pdf of the whole book if you really want to get them onboard.
5. Don’t get lost in the news. First, Jim recommends keep an eye on con schedules. You don’t want to begin your marketing efforts the week before, during, or even after the major conventions. The big publishers use up all the oxygen in the news cycle, and comic news sites have tons of material to post. Time your announcements to hit at a time when they might get noticed. It’s true that con season has become an almost year-round marathon, but here’s the major shows that will step on your promotion: San Diego, New York, C2E2, Emerald City, Heroes Con, and MegaCon (I mentioned this in a previous post if you want to read more). (As a side note McCann does recommend new creators attend both Heroes Con and MegaCon, which are great for small creators.)
Second, don’t release your news on a Friday—it’s a bad day for news because no one is paying attention.
6. Don’t be obnoxious at conventions. Offer people your product, but outrageous costumes and stunts are only going to piss people off. (That’s not going to sell books.)
Click here to read Part One.
Jim McCann says there are (at least) six common errors new creators make when marketing their comics.
1. Going out too soon. Don’t announce or promote until you have something to show off. Jim says, “If you don’t have a final cover to go with the project and some finished pages, you are not ready.” He recommends an info packet that includes the first six pages. Wait until you have those items, then create a pdf you can e-mail around (see point 3 below); use as flier or promo materials to give to stores and at cons; and post on the Web.
2. Not knowing your timing. Make sure you have factored in time for pre-publishing promotion: the pre-solicit announcements, solicits, etc. Know those deadlines and be ready to go. Get your info packet together (see number 1 above) and promote before it’s in Diamond Previews. (Waiting until Diamond comes out is way to late.)
3. Not knowing your audience. Who makes up the audience you are trying to pull in? And more importantly, where are they? Don’t try carpet bomb all the comics sites with your product. Or, rather, don’t count on your story announcement rising above the clutter. Take a minute to consider who is likely to like (read: want) your story and where can you connect with them. Don’t ignore the mainstream comics websites and fans, but zero in on your readers and possible avenues for press coverage.
Are you writing a specific genre story, say, a Western? Contact sites that promote Westerns—and not just comics. Moreover, find people who are jazzed about Westerns or zombies or whatever niche your story takes place in and get them onboard. Just like you will want to pitch your Western comic to an editor who does Westerns, you want to find reviewers and reporters who have shown an interest in your topic. They’re most likely to embrace something they have an affinity for.
4. Don’t wait for them to come to you. Make your own opportunities. Once you’ve found your “targets,” send write them. Introduce yourself and your book, ask them if they like to cover it. Be sure to send them the promo materials you’ve created or, hey, a pdf of the whole book if you really want to get them onboard.
5. Don’t get lost in the news. First, Jim recommends keep an eye on con schedules. You don’t want to begin your marketing efforts the week before, during, or even after the major conventions. The big publishers use up all the oxygen in the news cycle, and comic news sites have tons of material to post. Time your announcements to hit at a time when they might get noticed. It’s true that con season has become an almost year-round marathon, but here’s the major shows that will step on your promotion: San Diego, New York, C2E2, Emerald City, Heroes Con, and MegaCon (I mentioned this in a previous post if you want to read more). (As a side note McCann does recommend new creators attend both Heroes Con and MegaCon, which are great for small creators.)
Second, don’t release your news on a Friday—it’s a bad day for news because no one is paying attention.
6. Don’t be obnoxious at conventions. Offer people your product, but outrageous costumes and stunts are only going to piss people off. (That’s not going to sell books.)
Click here to read Part One.
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