Hey all, just looking a little help and guidance from ye creative boarders.
As my zombie horror novel, FLU, continues to sell well, I am starting to think that a comicbook version of the novel might be very cool. With the rights to such remaining with me, annd with having no agent, progressing this idea falls to me.
So where do I start? :lol:
I guess maybe one way forward would be to submit a proposal to some comicbook publishers. Yet, I don't even know where to start with that.
Another idea, of course, would be to put a sample together, first, and then submit a proposal based on such.
Any ideas on the best way forward would be most welcome :)
Thanks!
Quote from: HOO-HAA on 04 September, 2010, 04:59:11 PMI guess maybe one way forward would be to submit a proposal to some comicbook publishers. Yet, I don't even know where to start with that.
You'd be wanting someone who could offer you a creator-owned deal, so Image (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_Comics) seems the most obvious one although I can't think of a huge number of novel-adaptations on their books. The Dabel Brothers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dabel_Brothers_Productions) did do a lot of that but it all got rather messy there. Avatar Press do quite a bit of this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar_Press#Licensed_properties) and it'd be easy enough to contact them (if you like I can ask Mark or Rich over at Bleeding Cool). Wildstorm do both creator-owned titles and comics based on licensed properties although the latter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Wildstorm_titles#Licensed_titles) tend to be high-profile and based on video games, TV and film. Closer to home Markosia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markosia) have adapted a lot of books and done nicely from it.
You could also have a nose around here and see if any publishers catch your eye:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Comics_based_on_fiction
So if it was me... I'd speak to Avatar and Markosia. There are talented artists around the forum, who I'm sure could turn in some mean zombie comics, but it'd be worth speaking to the publisher about what they'd like to see as Avatar tends to use a lot of in-house artists, so you'd not want to waste anyone's time making concept art that doesn't get used (unless you are paying them upfront for it). Oh and make sure you get a decent letterer ;)
It might also be worth putting the word out (or get your agent to) as it might be a more traditional book publisher could be interested.
Hey Emp, thanks so much for all this info - I've sent you a PM re: your contacts.
I don't have an agent so I'm keen to progress this off my own bat. I would love to involve creative boarders but take your point that some companies will have their own guys and gals on hand to progress a new project.
I'm very keen to go with an established comicbook publisher as, while some trad publishers may be interested in taking a project like this on, it's unlikely they would have the experience to make a successful venture out of it - I imagine comicbook publishing involves different networking than trad publishing.
Of course, this may not be seen as a viable venture for any publisher, comicbook or otherwise. We shall see...
Sounds like a good idea.
Maybe try Berserker? Them being a Belfast company and all...