Comments on: How to run a business. http://comics212.net/2008/05/30/how-to-run-a-business/ Never Safe For Work Mon, 14 May 2012 23:56:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Homo Sum » Blog Archive » Sunday night quick book links http://comics212.net/2008/05/30/how-to-run-a-business/comment-page-1/#comment-71605 Homo Sum » Blog Archive » Sunday night quick book links Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:31:52 +0000 http://comics212.net/2008/05/30/how-to-run-a-business/#comment-71605 [...] Hope’s husband, indie comics golden boy (and former HGPA member), Bryan Lee O’Malley had an interesting rant on the TokyoPop Manga Pilot contract. Great fun to read. An even better read on the same subject though, comes from Toronto comics retailer–and former O’Malley roommate–Christopher Butcher. And, actually, he hits it again later. [...] [...] Hope’s husband, indie comics golden boy (and former HGPA member), Bryan Lee O’Malley had an interesting rant on the TokyoPop Manga Pilot contract. Great fun to read. An even better read on the same subject though, comes from Toronto comics retailer–and former O’Malley roommate–Christopher Butcher. And, actually, he hits it again later. [...]

]]> By: MangaBlog » Blog Archive » Tokyopop restructuring: early reactions http://comics212.net/2008/05/30/how-to-run-a-business/comment-page-1/#comment-70601 MangaBlog » Blog Archive » Tokyopop restructuring: early reactions Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:07:04 +0000 http://comics212.net/2008/05/30/how-to-run-a-business/#comment-70601 [...] Fair enough, if a bit hyperbolic. In fact, it’s almost as if they read Christopher Butcher’s post on what it means to be a publisher, as opposed to an exploiter of intellectual property. This also reflects something that people were talking about at NYCC: the flood of manga in the past few years has increased competition for shelf space and overwhelmed some direct market retailers. [...] [...] Fair enough, if a bit hyperbolic. In fact, it’s almost as if they read Christopher Butcher’s post on what it means to be a publisher, as opposed to an exploiter of intellectual property. This also reflects something that people were talking about at NYCC: the flood of manga in the past few years has increased competition for shelf space and overwhelmed some direct market retailers. [...]

]]> By: R5 http://comics212.net/2008/05/30/how-to-run-a-business/comment-page-1/#comment-70549 R5 Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:42:14 +0000 http://comics212.net/2008/05/30/how-to-run-a-business/#comment-70549 On the other hand, the quality of talent such publishers would attract would be very low. Even if a company could make a little money by selling an initial volume of amateur-level work, they'd lose it again by volume two when no one comes back for more. These are self-defeating business models. On the other hand, the quality of talent such publishers would attract would be very low. Even if a company could make a little money by selling an initial volume of amateur-level work, they’d lose it again by volume two when no one comes back for more. These are self-defeating business models.

]]> By: Chip Zdarsky http://comics212.net/2008/05/30/how-to-run-a-business/comment-page-1/#comment-70120 Chip Zdarsky Sat, 31 May 2008 23:12:41 +0000 http://comics212.net/2008/05/30/how-to-run-a-business/#comment-70120 All right, I'm in. All right, I’m in.

]]> By: Jason Thibault http://comics212.net/2008/05/30/how-to-run-a-business/comment-page-1/#comment-70097 Jason Thibault Sat, 31 May 2008 18:59:28 +0000 http://comics212.net/2008/05/30/how-to-run-a-business/#comment-70097 Extremely well put Christopher. These recent contracts made public are exactly the reason why we're doing it ourselves and getting the chance to work with a few choice creators along the way. In publishing Danijel Zezelj's back catalog we've taken no rights other than the right (license) to publish his books. And we elected to put our company logo on the back of the book. This is Danijel's show. It's all about making your creator a star (although DZ does have a fair bit of name recognition with Vertigo) and growing together as a team. When newbies approach me about publishing their work I tell them to start a webcomic and spend 2-3 years building a fanbase. Make minicomics. DON'T GET RIPPED OFF. Now I have get back to mailing out another 100 review copies of Rex. -Jay co-owner / publisher, Optimum Wound Comics Extremely well put Christopher.
These recent contracts made public are exactly the reason why we’re doing it ourselves and getting the chance to work with a few choice creators along the way.
In publishing Danijel Zezelj’s back catalog we’ve taken no rights other than the right (license) to publish his books. And we elected to put our company logo on the back of the book. This is Danijel’s show.
It’s all about making your creator a star (although DZ does have a fair bit of name recognition with Vertigo) and growing together as a team.
When newbies approach me about publishing their work I tell them to start a webcomic and spend 2-3 years building a fanbase. Make minicomics. DON’T GET RIPPED OFF.
Now I have get back to mailing out another 100 review copies of Rex.
-Jay
co-owner / publisher, Optimum Wound Comics

]]> By: MangaBlog » Blog Archive » Translate this! http://comics212.net/2008/05/30/how-to-run-a-business/comment-page-1/#comment-70048 MangaBlog » Blog Archive » Translate this! Sat, 31 May 2008 12:21:46 +0000 http://comics212.net/2008/05/30/how-to-run-a-business/#comment-70048 [...] Are you a publisher? Or a different type of beast? Christopher Butcher draws the distinction at Comics 212. [...] [...] Are you a publisher? Or a different type of beast? Christopher Butcher draws the distinction at Comics 212. [...]

]]> By: Lea Hernandez http://comics212.net/2008/05/30/how-to-run-a-business/comment-page-1/#comment-69934 Lea Hernandez Fri, 30 May 2008 23:46:26 +0000 http://comics212.net/2008/05/30/how-to-run-a-business/#comment-69934 That was beautiful. I think you and others have nailed it: not-a-publisher is, well, not a publisher. That was beautiful.

I think you and others have nailed it: not-a-publisher is, well, not a publisher.

]]> By: Leigh Walton http://comics212.net/2008/05/30/how-to-run-a-business/comment-page-1/#comment-69900 Leigh Walton Fri, 30 May 2008 19:31:33 +0000 http://comics212.net/2008/05/30/how-to-run-a-business/#comment-69900 Also, your sidebar says "Categroies." Also, your sidebar says “Categroies.”

]]> By: Leigh Walton http://comics212.net/2008/05/30/how-to-run-a-business/comment-page-1/#comment-69899 Leigh Walton Fri, 30 May 2008 19:30:07 +0000 http://comics212.net/2008/05/30/how-to-run-a-business/#comment-69899 This whole thing has been especially frustrating for me 'cause I've been self-conscious about the superficial similarities between our Top Shelf 2.0 program and this crap. Of course, we're doing the exact opposite on almost every point (not taking any rights, making no money, requiring no commitment, never stripping out creators' names)... But I see the honest enthusiasm with which we're approaching this (the creators and also myself as editor) and if I squint I can see how it could be exploited by a program like this. There but for the grace of God, I guess. Maybe the worst thing about this kind of exploitation (which is systematic throughout the industry) is that it's designed to capitalize on the participants' innocent enthusiasm and love of comics -- and that includes most of the staff, I'm sure, as well as creators. This whole thing has been especially frustrating for me ’cause I’ve been self-conscious about the superficial similarities between our Top Shelf 2.0 program and this crap. Of course, we’re doing the exact opposite on almost every point (not taking any rights, making no money, requiring no commitment, never stripping out creators’ names)… But I see the honest enthusiasm with which we’re approaching this (the creators and also myself as editor) and if I squint I can see how it could be exploited by a program like this. There but for the grace of God, I guess. Maybe the worst thing about this kind of exploitation (which is systematic throughout the industry) is that it’s designed to capitalize on the participants’ innocent enthusiasm and love of comics — and that includes most of the staff, I’m sure, as well as creators.

]]> By: April L. Hamilton http://comics212.net/2008/05/30/how-to-run-a-business/comment-page-1/#comment-69897 April L. Hamilton Fri, 30 May 2008 19:08:23 +0000 http://comics212.net/2008/05/30/how-to-run-a-business/#comment-69897 This article sums up pretty completely why I've elected to go indie rather than sign with a mainstream publisher. For all but bestselling and prestige clients, advances are paltry to nonexistent, promo budgets are not forthcoming, publicity is virtually nil, and if your book fails to 'break out' into big sales, your publisher will dump you anyway. The majors can't even guarantee your book will be shelved in brick-and-mortar stores following its publication! Now, *I'm* the one calling the shots, I retain all my rights, my career in authorship is not dependent on the whims of a media megaconglomerate publisher, and I earn author royalties at least 3x higher than my mainstream peers to boot! No more worrying about whether or not my agent or editor will like the new chapter...no more ulcers between the time negotiations begin and signing the contract...no more beating myself up when a project that was in development gets dropped...no more sales-figure obsession...what's not to love? Come on in, other authors. The indie water's fine! http://www.aprillhamilton.com This article sums up pretty completely why I’ve elected to go indie rather than sign with a mainstream publisher. For all but bestselling and prestige clients, advances are paltry to nonexistent, promo budgets are not forthcoming, publicity is virtually nil, and if your book fails to ‘break out’ into big sales, your publisher will dump you anyway. The majors can’t even guarantee your book will be shelved in brick-and-mortar stores following its publication! Now, *I’m* the one calling the shots, I retain all my rights, my career in authorship is not dependent on the whims of a media megaconglomerate publisher, and I earn author royalties at least 3x higher than my mainstream peers to boot! No more worrying about whether or not my agent or editor will like the new chapter…no more ulcers between the time negotiations begin and signing the contract…no more beating myself up when a project that was in development gets dropped…no more sales-figure obsession…what’s not to love? Come on in, other authors. The indie water’s fine!
http://www.aprillhamilton.com

]]> By: TalkAboutComics Blog » TokyoPop’s Manga Pilot Program: In Which I Stay Out of It, but Not Really http://comics212.net/2008/05/30/how-to-run-a-business/comment-page-1/#comment-69861 TalkAboutComics Blog » TokyoPop’s Manga Pilot Program: In Which I Stay Out of It, but Not Really Fri, 30 May 2008 15:55:27 +0000 http://comics212.net/2008/05/30/how-to-run-a-business/#comment-69861 [...] But, yeah. Even though I’m staying out of this, I still appreciate a good, level-headed, but utterly, utterly devastating analysis when I see one. [...] [...] But, yeah. Even though I’m staying out of this, I still appreciate a good, level-headed, but utterly, utterly devastating analysis when I see one. [...]

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