I recently posted on Twitter a bunch of #ComicPitch #Tips. I was subsequently asked to re-blog them in one handy place, so here you go!
In no particular order:
• Make sure you include some professional lettering and colouring. Try to supply a few example pages of the finished thing.
• Show you understand your audience - give an indication of the demographic you are aiming for and marketable opportunities.
• List previous publishing credentials for your team.
• Try and make the pitch look professional, invest in a bit of design time on the pages.
• Keep the outline for the story to one page. Hit the main beats and avoid meandering into every tiny detail.
• Leave room for publisher involvement in your idea. Be welcoming of additional input and change of concept direction.
• Understand your publisher needs. Check their current slate. Anything close to your own IP will probably be passed on.
• Try to network with editors at events, building a rapport over time will improve your chances over a cold unsolicited email.
• Get into the habit of building bibles for your IP. You may be asked for it if there's genuine interest in your pitch.
• Your IP should be first presented as a short elevator pitch before being developed with a deeper series outline.
• Number all the pages, add a project title to each footer and add full contact details on the title page.
• Unless you are a designer or know someone with design experience on comic titles, avoid designing a logo for your IP.
• Pitch your IP with a full team, ensure you have secured your letterers, colourist and artist before your make an approach.
• Don't rest on your laurels, pitches to publishers can take a while to review. Keep busy by working on your next pitch.
• Try to track IP trends, avoid pitches ideas that already exist in a saturated market. Look at what's popular in TV/Film.
• Be ahead of the curve. publishers are more likely to engage with original content with broadcast potential than worn tropes.
• Be realistic with your planned comic series. Most publishers will look for 4 issue minis or a 6 issue run. Anymore is rare.
• Unless you are legally trained, any contract offer you get should be looked at by an entertainment lawyer.
• Most publishers will take a set percentage of your title in return for publishing. Ask what costs will also be taken out.
• Be aware of what rights you are relinquishing by signing with a publisher and what happens if it is optioned.
• Unless specifically invited or you've permission to, avoid pitching ideas which belong in part to a third party.
• Remember there are significant differences between full copyright vs publishing rights, it's your job to understand them.
• Publisher contracts will often work in favour of the publisher. It's not unreasonable to negotiate any sticking points.
• Accept Publisher rejection gracefully. This isn't the moment to start telling your contact why they are wrong about your IP.
• There is always more than one way to market. Comics shouldn't be the start and end of your journey. Think laterally.
• Show passion rather than obsession. Don't harass for an answer, be patient and keep busy with your next idea.
I'll try to add more as I think of them. Feel free to share.
You can catch me on Twitter @AndiEwington