How long must Tharg keep me holding on?

[Emperor]

One more thing to be aware of is that folks have been on Holidays recently. The command module isn't staffed by that many droids- so the amount of time available may be at a premium at the moment.

Also they have been making more effort on the comics conventions - preparing for San Diego, travel time, jet lag, etc. must really eat into that valuable comics making time and I think we'd all rather focus on that

If I do send another without hearing about the first, though, that's technically breaking the "no more than one submission at a time" rule.

I don't recall ever seeing such a thing written down ... can I ask where this "one submission at a time" rule comes from?

I think the idea is from the submissions page (and possibly some general advice on the forum:

HOW TO SUBMIT
You should enclose a one-page synopsis along with your five-page script. Because we receive so many submissions, we will usually only read the synopsis at first. Only if it engages our interest will we read the full script. Sorry, but that's the way has to be!

Always enclose a stamped, self addressed envelope, and await our response before sending further submissions.

Source - a cache of the original

I suppose what Tharg doesn't want is vast amounts to work through. If you submit one story at a time then you take your time, make it the best it can be and you give Tharg enough time to read it before the next one arrives and possibly head you off at the pass if you realy need to get more practice in before submitting again.

[Emperor]

I seem to recall something in one of Tony Lee's last columns on Comics Bulletin which suggested Tharg wasn't accepting pitches at the moment.

From February:

the credit crunch has hit publishing. Diamond has raised its costs, and publishers left, right and centre are imploding. Even Top Cow had to let go one of their shiniest employees. And the publishing companies are becoming cautious, in some cases even over cautious.

2000 A.D., with whom I've written three, four stories with in 2008 are holding off now until at least Spring.

There is also a photograph of how the pitching process really works

http://www.comicsbulletin.com/hoaw/123303519142485.htm

[Jim_Campbell]

Always enclose a stamped, self addressed envelope, and await our response before sending further submissions.

Well, if that's what the Mighty One says, then I stand corrected and wouldn't dream of contradicting his Verdant Majesty. Apologies for the duff info -- I clearly mis-remembered that one.

In that case, I second the small press route: a bunch of quality stuff in print is probably a better way of demonstrating your talent to our Betelgeusian Overlord than cold submissions languishing in the mouldering foothills of the slushpile.

Cheers

Jim

[locustsofdeath!]

Is there any right way to go about asking for an update via email? I have never been sure of the length of time I should wait when submitting electronically...certainly I prefer the old SASE way, where you always got back your manuscript with a few comments or at the very least a form letter rejection slip.

[Buttonman]

At last a topic I can give some factual insight into, although I'm sad to say it means highlighting my massive failure.

I thought it'd be a wheeze to get a script published and thought it could make for an interesting thread on here with the scripts up for slagging and the rejections laid bare. Sadly it petered off mainly due to the slowness of the feedback and the spirit crushing rejections - two submissions and no commissions are they mental?!

Anyway script one was a dialogue light piece about a cave man who finds a mysterious object which he then twats someone with it. We then follow the object through history where it's at the forefront of most major confrontations before being part of a doomsday machine that near destroys the planet. We close with a ragged survivor picking through the rubble and...you've guessed it. (it was all a dream)

This masterpiece was sent with a nice stamped envelope and approx 3 months later I had it back with a one paragraph rejection which said it lacked and characterisation or sympathetic elements (no one told that to Bob Byrne!). The rejection was fair enough and I was glad to see it had been read and given a personal reply from Matt.

The second script was a near classic, no goddamn it, it was a stone cold classic called 'Plan : Hit Earth'. I won't give to much away here as Spielberg has an option (to wipe his ass with it) but it was basically an alien invasion of Earth from the aliens' point of view with various last gasp human endeavours easily thwarted. Bolt01 of 'buy Futurequake' fame proclaimed it "not that rubbish" but alas was back within a couple of months saying alien invasion stories were so last year and the shock was as mild as hearing John Inman was gay.

My third script was strangled at birth and never shamed Tharg's eye and the fourth is still gestating away but it's frankly poor and the reward to effort ratio is already massively imbalanced.

I was grateful for a hearing and although I modestly feel mine were better that at least some of the crud we've seen I'm glad I took a chance. I don't know if I received a bit more courtesy as I write to Tharg every week but I'm sure if you send an SAE he'll give you a reply even if it's to crush your dreams.

Still my dreams have been realised as I now deal with personal injury claims at Aviva! The page rate suggested by previous writers of £35 a page would mean I'd need at least two future shocks a week for a £25k salary - I sent in two that took me six months for bugger all. Clearly not my line, but good luck with yours X although you've at least that medical qualification to fall back on.

[Proudhuff]

Huzzah!
I thought the Butt'hole surferman's absence had been caused by him being eaten by Radge Buddies, turns out he's got a job! jings Crivvens, whitever next? soap?

[The Legendary Shark]

I don't recall ever seeing such a thing written down ... can I ask where this "one submission at a time" rule comes from?

Cheers

Jim

Yep,

I did a similar thing last year: Waited months and months for a reply and decided to send a second script in whilst waiting to hear about the first. Both were rejected in the same letter and the last paragraph of the rejection letter said:

"Also, please don't submit more than one story at a time."

[Buttonman]

Soap Huff? Don't be daft it's be like you giving up herion and acting all superior.

The empire is on hold at the moments so rather than wear out the carpet I've been sent back to my forst love of insurance claims. God damn you Brown!

Sadly my first choice careers of porn and comic writing were deemed socially unacceptable so if you fall in front of a car it could be me stamping your cheque.

[Emperor]

Yep,

I did a similar thing last year: Waited months and months for a reply and decided to send a second script in whilst waiting to hear about the first. Both were rejected in the same letter and the last paragraph of the rejection letter said:

"Also, please don't submit more than one story at a time."

Thanks - a useful bit of information. You certainly don't want to get on Tharg's tits, especially as his people are multi-mammaried.

Always enclose a stamped, self addressed envelope, and await our response before sending further submissions.

Well, if that's what the Mighty One says, then I stand corrected and wouldn't dream of contradicting his Verdant Majesty. Apologies for the duff info -- I clearly mis-remembered that one.

It may be it has changed over time - I'm sure when I read it a while back that the guide suggested you send an outline and another script that you had previously done, but I might be mistaken.

In that case, I second the small press route: a bunch of quality stuff in print is probably a better way of demonstrating your talent to our Betelgeusian Overlord than cold submissions languishing in the mouldering foothills of the slushpile.

It is clear that it will take a bit of time before one ges a Future Shock published, so you might as well have fun making comics in the meantime. After all if you are too focused on getting into 2000 AD you are carving the Buttplug of Disappointment for yourself, from a lemon.

[Jim_Campbell]

"Also, please don't submit more than one story at a time."

Definitely passed me by. Once again, my apologies for the clearly VERY poor advice on the previous page.

Cheers

Jim

[WoD]

If you submit more than one then you're missing out on feedback in between which could have directed you to writing a better script the next time...

[Emperor]

"Also, please don't submit more than one story at a time."

Definitely passed me by. Once again, my apologies for the clearly VERY poor advice on the previous page.

There is no need to apologise - you'd not be keeping such a close eye on such processes as you made it, you lived the dream. Most of us would die happy with that kind of achievement under their belt.

[Mike Gloady]

if you are too focused on getting into 2000 AD you are carving the Buttplug of Disappointment for yourself, from a lemon.

Dropped my coffee at that, thanks Emperor. 

[amberkraken]

I've just sent off a Future Shock, looks like I'm gonna be waiting a lot longer than I thought!
Oh, well.
Wont stop me writing. Could even self publish a few comics and sell them at local stores, I know a few artists that might be up for it.

[Emperor]

I've just sent off a Future Shock, looks like I'm gonna be waiting a lot longer than I thought!
Oh, well.
Wont stop me writing. Could even self publish a few comics and sell them at local stores, I know a few artists that might be up for it.

Well you don't seem so shabby as an artist yourself!! But, yes, the general feeling arising from this seems to be keep at it, keep getting your work out and trust in Tharg (the upturn in fortunes for 2000 AD is laid on the foundation of the old Green Gusset being able to recognise talent when he sees it).

Note FP in Brum are making an offer to stock small press comics (I believe the FutureQuake chappies have been on the shelves there before):
http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2009/do-you-make-comics-well-we-want-them-in-our-nostalgia-comics-branch/

Perhaps now might be a good time to start a general publishing thread.

if you are too focused on getting into 2000 AD you are carving the Buttplug of Disappointment for yourself, from a lemon.

Dropped my coffee at that, thanks Emperor. 

Touched a... nerve did I?