Although Comic Con season is a few months off, you may be thinking about getting ready to pitch your work at one. Read this article first:
Comic conventions are a prime venue for meeting key people in the industry – artists, writers, and even editors.
These are people with the experience, sway and even the full-blown decision-making power to help you get a foot in the door at a comic publisher.
However, does this mean that conventions are a great place to pitch your work?
Well, in a word – no.
For a moment, put yourself in the shoes of a high-profile comic editor appearing at a comic con. He or she may be attending to promote their company or to get valuable feedback on their books from the fans. They won’t be there to host an American Idol-style audition involving endless pitches over the 2 or 3 days.
But that is often what they end up with.
So how do you get acquainted with the big guns without them putting up the shutters?
Firstly – don’t pitch your ideas. By all means introduce yourself as an ambitious creator, along with a brief overview of your work so far, but leave it at high-level. Don’t pitch. Don’t gush. Don’t do anything that will make you come across as a jerk, or even worse, desperate.
Prior to the conference, you should have found out about books they’ve edited, which will give you the insight to talk to them about why they’re there in the first place. If you show a valid interest in their work (which you should have if you want to work with them in the future anyway) they’re more likely to reciprocate that interest (even if a little).
End the conversation by asking if you can submit some sample work to them after the con. If the publishing house has made submission guidelines available, review them prior to the con. Confirming to the editor that you know what they are will help mark you out as serious and professional.
Finally, ask them for their business card. They may ask for yours, in which case provide it (I’ll write a blog post on business cards in the near future). However, if you leave it to the editor to contact you first, you may be waiting a long time. You want the power of first contact after the con to be with you.
Once you’ve got their card, say that you’ll be in touch and thank them for their time, then don’t hassle them for the remainder of the con. If you happen to bump into them at the bar later, remember not to pitch. Talk to them about sport, TV, their hobbies – just don’t talk shop.
A couple of days after the con, submit your best work to them, following any submission guidelines, and include a reference to your conversation. If possible, include a web address where they can view further examples of your work online.
Hopefully you’ll get a response, maybe you won’t. But you rest assured that you did all you could to maximise the chance of a positive one.
Good luck
Phil Hampton
The Comic Academy
via- the comicacademy.com
Categories:
pitching
