Yes, this is the post where I tell you the long kept secret to breaking into the industry. All you have to do is read this post and then you’ll know how.
You don’t believe me, do you? Good.
There is no Crowbar
So, people have started to ask me how to break into the comics industry. I guess that’s something of a milestone, it means that at least some folks consider me to be on the inside. Neat.
Maybe it’s because English is my second language, but I’ve always thought of it as a strange expression. Break into the industry. As if the industry is this building with barred windows and guards outside that you could crowbar your way into if you only knew how.
I’m sorry, hon, but it doesn’t work like that.
You see, there is no breaking into the industry. There is no big fortified factory somewhere where the comics people stand at the assembly line making the comics and you have to have an employee pass to get in.
The comics industry is mostly made up of people working freelance, or working temporarily as part of organisations on particular projects. The individuals that make up the industry are in flux, moving between different publishers, projects and work styles: full time, part time, in your spare time, guess I’ll be a cubicle monkey for now time, bye boss I’m off to draw a novel time and oh, hey, there’s a shiny new project time.
It’s not like you can just pass this one interview and get hired by someone and hey, you’re in, and you can relax. It’s not about blagging your way into the country club.
It’s about —
- having your shit together,
- knowing how to market yourself and your work,
- learning new skills and keeping up to date, and
- building connections with people who believe in you and send you work / buy your stuff.
In future blog posts I will waste words on each of these points, probably more than a few words. For now, I just want to point out what this means.
It means there is no fortress/factory you have to crowbar your way into. And that means there are no gatekeepers, either. There is no one keeping you OUT of the industry. There’s just you. You and your brilliance, and an infinite number of ways you can make that brilliance work for you.
All you need to do is get rid off the crap in your head that’s holding you back, and work hard every day so you can allow your natural brilliance to shine like a crazy 500 watt lightbulb. You don’t need anyone else to give you permission, or tell you you’re good enough. You are. Now do it.
Related (because it’s one place to start): Manga Jiman Competition Announced
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