Some cool news about one of Leek & Sushi’s friends: Donna Pesani, who wrote and drew the beautiful story “Stars” is getting some international recognition.
A while ago, I got an online order for Leek & Sushi from one Davide Castellazzi in Italy. I thought it was pretty cool that people in Italy were interested in my books, but other than that, I didn’t give it any thought. A couple of weeks later, however, I got an e-mail from Davide, asking for contact details for Donna Pesani.
It turned out he is an editor for a new magazine starting up in Italy called “Mangaka”. It will feature European manga, and he was interested in buying “Stars” for the magazine. Much excitement ensued!
So Davide and Donna got in touch, and Donna tells me things are working out well. She sold “Stars” as well as the one page comic “The Wish”, and they’ve asked for a full colour splash page to go with the story. Hurray!
I don’t have any links for the Manga magazine, but you can visit the publisher’s website: Coniglio Editore. It is, as you would expect, in Italian. I also recommend you visit Donna’s new site: Pie in the Sky. You’ll see that the Italians made the right call in getting her to do some colour work; her elite marker skills deserve to be seen.
Update: Mangaka #2 is now available to buy! Click here if you can read Italian and want a look, or if you’re just interested in the pretty pictures.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I just came by Donna’s art topic by chance, and must say you have done a wonderful job promoting her, as her name had stuck in my mind as an artist of particular interest (the previews and announcements of Leek ‘n Sushy saw to that). Her work really is no less than professional. Also interesting to hear about other international manga publications, all the way from Italy, no less.
Here’s some more on the magazine, I gather #1 was in published in July, #2 this September, and #3 is coming up. MANGAKA sure beats Manga Pulp in being a full-bred manga magazine, from what I can read.
http://comixfactory.blogspot.com/2009/07/mangaka-e-arrivata-in-edicola-lunica.html
It’s proving to be quite interesting to hang out with you ;D
that’s kinda cool =] my teacher always said to me, by the way; ‘never go to UK to get a careear in comics- i command all of you to go europe! it’s much easier to get into the industry over there’
i guess he’s right =D france for me!
Ha ha! You’re right, Knight, now if only I could speak a foreign language… Oh, wait, I do. I AM foreign! O.o; Keep forgetting that…
Although interestingly, I’m currently working with a guy in France and one in Spain on comics they may want to publish through ITCH in the UK. They both also have local publishers though.
Ahhh I wish this was in the UK! We need a mangaka magazine… I may need to import this and brush-up on my Italian…