Publish Your Own Graphic Novel
Publishing your own graphic novel may be hardwork, but some parts are probably easier than you think. Here are a fewtips to get started.
Publishing your own graphic novel may be hardwork, but some parts are probably easier than you think. Here are a fewtips to get you started.Study
Whatever your motivations are for wanting to write and publish your owngraphic novel, you should have a firm and exhaustive grasp of the genrebefore you begin. Spend as much time as you possibly can studying thework of those who are successful (both critically and commercially),and make copious notes as to what it is about their work that appealsand endures. What scenes did they choose to illustrate and how did itconvey what the artist meant to convey? What is their style and what isit based on? Delving deep into what the artist was trying to achieveand how he or she succeed or failed are the are the kinds of thingsthat will help you get a sense of your own craft.
Your Story
This is the fun part, of course, but also the most work. Things to keepin mind in this stage are to work, work, and work to get yourcharacters fleshed out and nailed down. You should write down completecharacter sketches (these won't appear in your book, naturally) so youhave a deep and enduring concept about who your characters are, andwhat each character's motivation is in any given scene. This helpscreate consistency and help you and your audience build a bond withyour characters.
Team Up If Necessary
If you are a skilled storyteller but your drawing skills leave a littlebit to be desired (or you just can't seem to achieve what it is thatyou have in your head), consider finding someone or a group of peopleto team up with. Make sure that these are dependable and creativepeople who can help you with your vision, and that have some greatideas of their own.
Seek Out Criticism
Before you start publishing large numbers of books yourself, seek outopinions on your work. If you have friends in the business, that is thebest place to start. However, you will want to try your work out on afew members of your intended audience as well. When they are throughwith your book, be prepared to ask them what they liked and what theydidn't and why. Make it clear to them that you are not looking forcompliments, but that you want to hear the bad along with the good. Ifyou start to hear the same tings over and over, you will have a prettygood idea what is working and what is not.
Print and Bind
Once you've got your book dialed in, you are ready to put it togetherand pass it around. The printing should be done on a high-quality lasermachine, and the cover should use a four color process. As far as thebinding, there are several ways you might want to go depending on thelength of your book, and what it is you are trying to accomplish. Foran old-school comic book look, you can use a simple booklet maker thatplaces two staples in the center of the book (called saddle stitching).If you are going for a hardcover or softcover book, thermal bindingmachines are inexpensive, easy to use
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