The Cartoonists League of Absurd Washingtonians has as part of its objectives the awarding of a scholarship to a student interested in learning the mystical art of sequential illustration. This scholarship will be at least a lowly $100, but might reach loftier sums of $200 or maybe even higher. Funds for the scholarship are gathered in the year prior, and all funds gathered are bestowed on the talented applicant the CLAW chooses. Update: The funds raised for the 2011 Scholarship have reached over $900. And it is potentially available to the student who best fills out this application. You must also be currently enrolled in an institution or have confirmation of enrollment.
While there are only a few of these programs at present, their rapid growth matches the growth and development of the comics category and industry overall as the medium comes to be to be recognized as a legitimate creative discipline.
Dear, Content Maker--Something to think about.
Being published by someone else does not legitimize your hard work. And, the financial advance hardly pays the rent. Think about that the next time you sign a contract for your original ideas. I trust a firm handshake over most of the jargon they write into those binding contracts, anyway.
Sadly, the death rattle of print is shivering its way towards the way we currently package and distribute our wares, and marketing is a publishing luxury of the past. The good news? There is a new dawn on the horizon where the author will become the provider, publisher and publicist. Don't let it daunt you. Continue to network, make strong allies, be aware, show up, and be gracious. The digital age was created by us, for us. If you can procrastinate one hour a day, you can certainly keep track of what's what. Train your eye and keep tabs and make something new.
Bottom line: keep making original content and stop giving it away to publishers. If you're going to give it away, then benefit from it. Meanwhile, hold on a little bit longer for the paradigm shift to settle in. Exclusive content, destination points, and perceived value is the name of the game. Meanwhile, watch how many publishers close shop in 2011 and know that we're on the cusp of a publishing revolution. Be armed with your stories and get ready. People love to read.
Respectfully,
Dean Haspiel
Now in its second year is Cartooning Studio, an intensive designed for adult students who want to workshop independent comic projects. Cartooning Studio students may also attend the Extended Studio Option, and add 3 days of workshopping to their CCS experience.The Center for Cartoon Studies.
Faculty include:
Cartooning Studio - Steve Bissette, Jon Chad, Robyn Chapman, Alec Longstreth and Jason Lutes
Extended Studio Option - Jon Chad, Robyn Chapman and Alec Longstreth
