Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Breaking in without Rules by Kurt Busiek

This is topic Breaking in without Rules by Kurt Busiek in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :

This is a long article. Besides, it's about breaking into the comics business.

However, I submit that it is worth reading no matter what business you want to break into.

Posted by Dark Warrior (Member # 8822) on :

lol...and I just bumped a five year old post on 'rules' lol.

I look forward to reading this...especially since I am collaborating with my nephew on a comic book.

Posted by babooher (Member # 8617) on :

Good Stuff!

Posted by rich (Member # 8140) on :

Thanks, KDW. This is MUST reading.

Posted by Brendan (Member # 6044) on :

This is a fascinating insight into the comic book industry. However, it leads to some interesting questions.

quote:

One last note, for anyone who thinks the comics industry should be like book publishing:
The comics industry isn't like book publishing...
The major reason comics aren't like book publishing is that comics editors and book editors need different things. Both of them need to keep putting out material, but after that, it just ain't the same. To keep putting out books, a book editor needs to keep finding new authors, at least until they have a stable of steady producers, and even then the editor will usually need to find more, as authors die or go to other publishing houses or slump in sales. But comic book editors? They need to fill the books. And for most comics, that means a regular team. So the regular team is filling that book every month, and the editor's job isn't about seeking out new material—it's about getting the book out on time, getting those regular guys to produce.

So, why has this difference in model been created? Why is the comic book business model effective? (Is it really?) Does the comic book business model mean that it doesn't actually attract the breadth and level of talent (for writing stories) that the book industry or movie industry does, because it doesn't create hope for potential talented people? Is it now more volnerable to outside businesses/influences (e.g. Manga, internet comics etc) than the book industry because of this model?