People who want to break into the comics profession as artists and writers often think a whole bunch about the creative side of things, then only come to terms with the business side when they realize that's a huge part of it, too, often after they've already started working. That mentality sometimes leads to people making bad deals, giving up rights they shouldn't, and otherwise hurting themselves professionally.

To help aspiring creators from going down that path, MK Reed and Joe Flood -- who are comic creators in their own right -- created the document "Comics Economics: How To Earn a Living With a Comics Degree." It answers questions about contracts, finances, page rates and more in a straightforward, easy-to-understand way, and it's a must-read for folks who want to make their way in the world of comics.

The piece is loaded with practical advice that isn't necessarily just for comics creators, either. For example (emphasis theirs):

STAY OUT OF DEBT. GET OUT OF DEBT AS FAST AS
YOU CAN. WAIT UNTIL MONEY IS IN YOUR HANDS TO
SPEND IT.

There's also a section about networking and convention etiquette. A key tip there:

Never expect anyone to remember you right away at a convention. Conventioneers encounter tons of people, and it will take a few times for you to stick out. Try to introduce yourself with your work or with a Twitter/Tumblr/Deviantart handle if you have a big presence on that platform, to give people context for how they might know you.

For more info about what the various clauses in a contract mean, how to pitch a book, what to expect from an advance, and more, check out the full document here. The duo's latest work, The Cute Girl Network, is now available from First Second.

 

 

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