How to Self-Publish Your Own Comic Book

First and foremost, this book is not for artists who are only considering self-publishing their work - it's for people who are willing to put in the time and effort it takes to successfully self-publish or launch their own self-publishing company. Even Jeff Smith (yes, he's a self-publisher) has used this book and commented that it is "full of very real commercial information." This book goes into all the information a self-publisher needs to ease through the necessary legal processes involved in self-publishing and starting a publishing company, and teaches us what the author himself took many years to figure out. The book contains the following chapters: 1. GETTING STARTED Contains the following sections: THE COMIC BOOK INDUSTRY, INDUSTRY OUTLOOK, ONLINE COMIC BOOKS, YOUR BASE OF OPERATIONS, OFFICE FURNATURE AND EQUIPMENT, COMPANY STTRUCTURE (sole proprietorship vs. partnership vs. C corporation vs. sub-chapter S corporation), COMPANY IDENTITY 2. TRADEMARKS, COPYRIGHTS, AND LICENSES TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHTS, THE INDICIA, COPYRIGHTS AND FREELANCE EMPLOYEES, LICENSING ARRANGEMENTS 3. COMIC BOOK CREATION AN OVERVIEW OF COMIC BOOK PRODUCTION, WRITING, PENCILING: THE ART OF STORYTELLING, PENCILING QUALITY, LETTERING, INKING, HAND COLORING, COMPUTER COLORING, FREELANCERS AND CO-CREATORS, SCOUTING FOR TALENT 4. PRINTERS AND COLOR SEPARATORS THE PRINTING PROCESS, FINDING A PRINTER, COLOR SEPARATORS, LINESCREENS AND COLOR COMPOSITION, PRODUCCING A DIRT CHEAP COLOR COVER 5. CONTRACTS LETTER OF INTENT, ARTIST CONTRACT, PAYMENT VOUCHER, SECURITY AGREEMENT, CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT, includes samples of each 6. COMIC BOOK DISTRIBUTION AND SALES THE DIRECT MARKET, NEWSSTAND DISTRIBUTION, CMAA, UPC BAR CODE, BOOKSTORE DISTRIBUTION, DISCOUNT DISTRIBUTION, SUBSCRIPTIONS, THE FOREIGN MARKET, COLLECTORS AND BANK ISSUES, PAID ADVERTISING, SELLING DIRECT 7. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGIES THE KEY ELEMENTS OF MARKETING SUCCESS, DIRECT MARKETING SALES AND STRATEGIES (these I found particularly useful), DEVELOPING LICENSING AND MERCHANDISING OPPORTUNITIES, ESTABLISHING FOREIGN PUBLISHING RELATIONSHIPS, AQUIRING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, USING NATIONAL PUBLICITY TO INCREASE SALES, SURVIVING THE GLUT, NEWSSTANDS AND BOOKSTORES: THE MASS MARKET, INCREASING NEWSSTAND SALES THROUGH INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES, THINGS TO AVOID 8. PROMOTIONS, ADVERTISING, AND PUBLIC RELATIONS NEWS RELEASES (and how to write them, includes samples), THE NEWS MEDIA, PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRMS, TRADE SHOW AND CONVENTION PROMOTIONS, PRINT ADVERTISING, THE INTERNET 9. BUDGETS AND BOOKKEEPING INVOICES AND SHIPPING MANIFESTS, KEEPING AND MONITORING YOUR FINANCIAL RECORDS, INCOME STATEMENTS, SPREADSHEETS, CASH FLOW 10. CAPITAL AND INVESTORS RAISING CAPITAL, A START-UP BUSINESS PLAN, AQUISITION AND EXPANSION, SELLING YOUR COMPANY, INVESTORS, LOVE MONEY: BORROWING FROM FAMILY OR FRIENDS, LAWYERS 11. SECONDARY RIGHTS SUCCESS WITH LICENSED PROPERTIES AND SECONDARY RIGHTS, THE PRESENTATION PACKAGE, S

Since I was 12 years old, I wanted to break into the comic book industry. It was my goal in life, and by the time that I was 18 years old, I started attending Comic book Conventions. That's when I realized that breaking in would not be a walk in the park. After 2 years of trying, I finally gave up on breaking in and I gave up on comics. Something happened that changed my life and impacted me in a lot of ways. Coming home one day from work my brother and I went to pick up some music cds, I really can't remember from where, but something I will never forget that day was seeing a book on the shelf titled "How to Self -Publish your own Comic Book " by Tony C. Caputo. My brother and I looked at each other and smiled, we then without hesitation combined our money and paid $19.95 and picked up the book. Four years later, I now own my own comic book publishing company working with the likes of Image Comics, Dreamwave Productions, New York Times Best selling Authors; Robert Jordan, Raymond E. Feist, George R.R. Martin, Robert Silverberg and much much more. With blessings from God and "How to Self -Publish your own Comic Book " by Tony C. Caputo, I was able to take my dead dream, revive it and turn it into my lively hood. I have since then been in touch with Mr. Caputo and we are very good friends, I still seek his advice from time to time. Thank you for putting out this book Mr. Caputo. Les Dabel V.P. Dabel Brother Production LLC.

I am an indy comic book publisher at eigoMANGA.com, and I used this book for the last 3 years to get my company started from the very bottom.This book is my bible in terms of building my company at eigoMANGA.com. I have it secretly stashed in my desk and let people believe that I'm a comic book genius.The blueprints are spelled out in this book so you can't go wrong. Yeah, it can be alittle intimidating sometimes so read the parts that are relevant to your needs at that time. When I started out in my dining room several years ago, I didn't need to know about worldwide distribution, now I do. This industry is a real rat-race, with very few big time people wanting to help you. Mr. Caputo and this book is a blessing!With a little bit of desire, work ethic, and Mr. Caputo's book, you are destined to go far in this industry. TRUST ME!

I was in desperate need of a book of this type when I saw this. It is the best book ever written on this subject. Mr. Caputo should teach a class. If you are interested in comics at all this is a must read. I can't praise this book enough. Complete and educational this book tells you everything you need or would want to know about publishing comic books.

Tony Caputo has taken his years of experience as a major comic book publisher and created a guide that is indispensable for publishers of any size. The book offers guidance in getting started and takes you through every step in the process. It is well organized and well written. It covers printing, distribution, and marketing as well as contracts and budgets. It was the primary reference work I used (and continue to use) when starting my own publishing business. I recommend it to anyone in the comic book business, and also to comic book readers who are interested in looking behind the scenes. Edward DeGeorge, Publisher, October Comics.