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Networking and Support Resources
One of the keys to making it in this industry is meeting other creators
to share ideas, ask questions and find/offer support for each other. Here
are some resources to help you in this way.
Newsgroups
Although most comics newsgroups do not have specific interest groups about creating comics, a lot of related information can be found through them. This is the weakest area for support or networking but it does offer the largest audience base to promote your work and ask questions. Here are some of the most relevant:- alt.comics.alternative: For discussions about non-mainstream comics. However, this group was replaced by rec.arts.comics.alternative, where you will find more postings.
- alt.comics.fan-fiction: Where you can read and post any fan fiction based upon other media.
- rec.arts.comics.alternative: For discussions about non-mainstream comics.
- rec.arts.comics.creative: For reading and posting, typically, super hero, comic writings not based on other published media.
- rec.arts.comics.info: A place for general notices dealing with the comic industry.
- rec.arts.comics.misc: A catch all group where you will find pretty much anything about the comic industry posted.
Mailing Lists
Mailing lists are one of the quickest ways to find support or ask questions of other creators. The audience base here is smaller but a larger portion of them are creators who might be able to help.- Creating_comics is a moderated list for comic professionals and those aspiring to be so about all aspects of comic book creation including the translation of comics to other mediums. Tips, opinions, opportunities and support, etc are exchanged without the offtopicness and meanless messages of unmoderated newsgroups and mailing lists. This is the only moderated list for comic professionals and is superior in this sense. Those interested in joining can join at their web page.
- A similar mailing list, though more specific to discussions about the publishing and selling of comics, is comix-biz. To join:
- Send a message to majordomo@xmission.com with a message body of info comic-biz and this will give you all the details about joining.
- Another similar group is Comicbookpro. This is a breakaway group from Comics-pro which wanted greater leeway in what their members could discuss. If you are interested, go to their web page to join up.
- Other similar groups include:
- Friends of Lulu is a comic group 'promoting women and girls in comics, both as readers and as professionals creating, publishing and selling comics'.
- Another comic creators mailing list, though not as active and only for published creators, is Closure. To join:
- you have to send a message to: nspace@cts.com, listing one of your published credits.
- If you are interested in meeting out creators you can check out the Creator's Bullpen. Information on joining is on this page.
- If you looking for talents to work with you might want to check Comic Talent Search mailing list.
- A mailing list just for comic writers is the Comics Writers Forum. For more information check out their web page.
- Another mailing list for comic writers is run by Curtis Mack. If you are interested in joining send a message to: curtism@ls.barrhead.ab.ca. Membership is limited to 20 members.
- Yet another mailing list for comic writers is Comic_Writers. This group offers a forum for discussing the aspects of comic writing as well as critiquing scripts submitted from members. To join go to their web site.
- For a general mailing list for writers, try Writers. To join:
- send a message to listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with the message subscribe Writers your_name and the second line set Writers digest unless you want to get 60 - 80 messages a day instead of four to six digests.
- A mailing list specifically for illustrators is Gutters. This is a place where illustrators can discuss issues in creating comic book and comic strip artwork. To join:
- Send a message to: listproc@pwa.acusd.edu with the body of the message stating subscribe GUTTERS Firstname Lastname.
- Another mailing list for artists is Comic_Artists. If you are interested in joining go to their web page for more details
- Yet another mailing list for artists is Comic Book Illustrators Network.
- For anyone interested in inking specifically there is a form for you, Inkwell.. If you are interested in joining go to their web page for more details
- Although not specifically for comic creators, if you are a gay or lesbian creator and you looking for support queercomix might interest you. This is a place where gay and lesbian comic book/comic strip characters and storylines are discussed, in addition to issues about being 'queer' in the comic industry and/or comics fandom. To join:
- Send a message to: majordomo@queernet.org with the body of the message stating subscribe queercomix.
- Another mailing list not specifically for comic creators is The Furry Side, for anyone interested in animal cartoons, comics or anthropomorphic animals. To join:
- Send a message to: LISTS@FN.ORG with the body of the message stating SUBSCRIBE FUR.
- To keep up with comic book news you might want to subscribe to the Superhero news mailing list. Go to their web page to join.
APA's
Amateur Press Association's, APA's, are regularly produced publications which contain the various writings and work of the members of the APA. How this work is that each member writes a type of zine containing whatever they want to write about, work they want to get reactions to and reactions to what other members have shown in past issues. They then send, depending upon the APA, enough copies of their zine for every other member to a central mailer. This central mailer collects together everyone's zines and sends a compiled copy to every member.Whereas with newsgroups and mailing lists you can remain anonymous simply listening to what others write, you have to take an active role with an APA. As such, APA's offer the creator the best chance to form solid friendships and support networks. There are several APA's currently being published for those interested in comics, however to keep this list short here are a number with specific interests for comic creators:
- APA5: This is one of the oldest (started in 1972) comics APAs around. Several well known comic professionals have been or are currently part of their membership. For more details about them check their web page.
- Comicopia: This is another APA comic creators that has been around since 1990, with a mixture of small press talents to seasoned pros to self-publishers. Check out their web page for more information about them. Currently they have several openings.
- Gallery APA - This is an APA for creators of Furry comics.
- Ink Spots: This APA is strictly for cartoonists and comic artists that has been around for a few years. Check out their web page for more information about them.
- Phoenix APA: This is a well established (over 25 years) APA. Although this is a general interest APA their is a large emphasis on helping members improve their stories and artwork. For more information check out their webpage.