vonandmoggy

My first graphic novel, collecting a variety of short stories I've written and drawn, is now available. Yay! It's titled Li'l Kids and is 88 pages in length and features three short stories plus all kinds of concept art. Plus, there's a lot on the writing side of things, too. Not only did I include the script from each story but I also did a breakdown detailing how each story was put together - right from the brainstorming stage to the final script. Hopefully you'll enjoy the peek behind the curtain!

And I've made it available a few different ways, too. First, you can download a free PDF Ebook version at my website (http://www.vonallan.com/shop.html). The link to the PDF is there and there's also a link to a torrent version of the book, too. So if you're not sure about purchasing it sight unseen or if you just prefer an ebook version, this is the way to go. If you do download it, please share it, too. It's licenced under Creative Commons, so if you like it please pass it around to friends and family. One of the hardest things about being an artist is avoiding obscurity. This is an attempt to avoid some of that so please, I would dearly love it if you pass it around.

If you want to purchase a copy, there are a few ways of doing it. The print version is up on Amazon now as well as Barnes and Noble (I'll post the links in just a sec). It will be in a few stores here in Ottawa, Ontario in the near future (including my old bookshop Perfect Books). I'm not positive about comic shops yet. That should be finalized in the next week or two, but things are still up in the air on that front.

The Amazon links are as follows (and yes, in the interest of full disclosure, I do earn a few cents if you purchase a copy following these links):

Amazon.com                        Amazon.ca                         Amazon.co.uk

And the link to Barnes and Noble is right here, too!

I'm still a little dazzled that I have my first book out, too. I hope you like it!

Von
<x-posted to altcomix, girlamatic, art_ottawa, comic_creators, ottawa_art and webcomics

arcana_j

http://www.girlamatic.com/comics/gam-edit.php?view=archive&chapter=13693&mpe=0


No Open Call

Well folks, after much thought I’ve decided that, this Spring, GirlAMatic will not be holding its usual open submission call.

At first, I thought that just postponing the April call until May would be enough, but there are just too many things going on behind the scenes right now for me to conscience bringing new people on board. I’ll open the submission floodgates again in the Fall. Until that time, here’s what potential GAMmers can do to improve their chances of becoming actual GAMmers:

-Build your archive. 
When I tell people that I need to see at least half a dozen pages of continuity to get a feel for their work, that doesn’t mean that that’s all one needs to have finished. That’s just the minimum it usually takes for me to decide if a series is right for GAM.

A full, ongoing and regularly updating archive tells me that the creator in question is making her/his webcomic because that’s what they want to do. Whereas a few pages that were created just for an open call tells me that that creator has no real idea what’s involved in producing consistent updates every single week. Adding a few extra pages to beef your proposal won’t cut it either. If a series creator can’t show that they update their story regularly, on their own, without editorial mandate, then I can be pretty sure that they’ll wash out of GirlAMatic in short order. Hey, if committed, seasoned pros find the pressure difficult at times, then what chance does the unlearned amateur stand?

If you’re uncertain, try putting your series up on your own site (or blog, or whatever) for awhile. Update weekly. If you can manage that for six months without burning out or calling it quits entirely, then we can talk. Your series still might not be right for GAM, but at least you’ll know what it takes and there are other Modern Tales sites that will gladly look at your submission.

-Write your proposal now. 
Seriously. Then put it away and forget about it until you’re ready to submit your series for my review. Then take it out, read it and be amazed. Then be prepared to rewrite the entire thing.

-Get to know us first. 
GirlAMatic is a family. If the first question in your submission is, “How much money can I make?”, then it’s a pretty safe bet that you won’t be joining our family. It’s not that we don’t want to make money, far from it! But getting rich isn’t why we do what we do. If it was, we’d all be politicians or plastic surgeons.

-This is a creative field, so for cryin’ out loud, use your imagination! 
The comics industry is full of unfunny gag strips, bland slice-of-life chronicles and trite superhero stories. I’ve seen more than my share of manga-afflicted artwork and “tell” rather than “show” writing. There is so much more to good storytelling than aping the stuff you grew up on.

Read more than just comics. Learn what makes good storytelling good and apply that to your work.


That’s about it. I’ll meet you all back here in the Fall, when I fully expect to have my socks knocked off.

Until then, a bientot! 

maelie

New Outspoken interview, conducted by guest interviewer Lisa Jonté! In this edition of Outspoken, we spotlight Karen Luk, creator of the watercolor series Raconteur. Hear ye, hear ye, these folk tales with a twist.

Go read!

maelie

New Outspoken interview! In this edition of Outspoken, we spotlight Michelle Mauk, creator of the transcendental fantasy Voyage Moyen. There’s life, there’s death, and then there’s a strange world in between, through which Nate finds himself escorting a mysterious girl named Lunette. After all, it’s a little hard to resist the daughter of Death.

Go read!

maelie

New Outspoken interview! In this edition of Outspoken, we spotlight Rachel Hartman, creator of the offbeat trickster tale Return of the Mad Bun. Most rabbits spend their days munching on grass and bounding o’er fields. This one amuses himself by deceiving kings, seducing ladies, and driving villagers plain mad. This is one bun you won’t soon forget.

Go read!

maelie

New Outspoken interview, conducted by guest interviewer Karen Luk! In this edition of Outspoken, we spotlight Lisa Jonté, editor of Girlamatic.com. Lisa gives tips on the craft, remains mysterious about upcoming changes, and comments on the webcomics scene.

Go read!

maelie

New Outspoken interview, conducted by guest interviewer Traci Spencer! Whoo! I’ll leave her to introduce this month’s interview:

In this edition of Outspoken, we spotlight Tara Tallan, creator of the futuristic sci-fi adventure Galaxion. When Interplanetary Patrol assumes control of their vessel for an all-too-successful test run of the new jump engines, the crew of the Galaxion are stranded in deep space!

Go read!

maelie

New Outspoken interview! In this edition of Outspoken, we spotlight John Peters of the musical action-adventure Gypsy!. What do you do when you’re an unwitting doctor forced to rescue a comatose client from the clutches of a winged frog? Make sure you’re accompanied by song and dance, courtesy of your friendly neighborhood puppet troupe, of course. It’s that kinda tale.

Go read!

maelie

New Outspoken interview! In this edition of Outspoken, we spotlight Katie “Kt Shy” Shanahan, creator of the off-the-wall journal comic Shrub Monkeys. Well, “journal comic” if you consider random gyrating robots and red-caped Spartans part of the norm. They certainly are in this comic, which revels in spontaneity and leaps out at readers with all the energy of a sugar-high. Katie is joined in this interview by co-conspirators Shagster and Hes.

Go read!