A guide to comic book publishers

Comic book publishers are responsible for printing some of the world’s best-known and independent comic titles. A list of publishing companies is available online, for example, conventions and comic book associations. Individuals interested in getting their graphic novel or manga comic published, should do the research, create lots of sketches and be open to feedback. This article provides you with a guide to comic book publishers.

Creating the draft

For those starting out in the field, start to create your own comic by reading existing ones. Know what comic books are popular. Get a copy of image books made by both legendary and emerging artists. This will help artists to get a gist of what plots work well, and understand why certain titles are well-received. Create your own storyline based on the research performed. Make a draft of the script or storyline. Create lots of sketches. Expect to do lots of revisions before making the final copy for submission.

Getting feedback

Get feedback from friends and family to see whether the flow of the dialogue, the images and the story are effective. A better option is to get feedback from other comic book artists or those working in the publishing industry. This will give artists a better idea on the chances of getting their work published. Participate in comic book conventions. Submit an ashcan or a preview of the comic to distribute to members of the industry. Always be polite and open to suggestions. The first sets may not get published right away, but can be a stepping stone to creating better comics.

Finding a publisher

Online research Major book publishers have their own websites which indicate whether the company is accepting submissions or not. Check the instructions for submission. Some of the larger comic book companies may not be currently open for submissions or proposals from aspiring artists. Underground comics may not get as much attention as major titles, but it is a start for artists wanting to get their work published. Companies that are accepting submissions have detailed lists of requirements on what types of comic books and storylines they are looking for. Doing the research will help artists to choose publishers who have a similar style to theirs, increasing their chances of getting accepted and published. The website will also indicate the required development of the comic book to be considered for review and how to submit the manuscript. There are companies which only accept emailed submissions while others only accept mailed projects.