Hello, and welcome to Paper Cat Press’s first weekly roundup! Here I’ll provide links and summarized information about the crowdfunded projects, creator opportunities, and resources that have caught my eye over the week. I hope you enjoy!
As a note: I am not sponsored by any company, group, or individual listed below or elsewhere on this site.
Crowdfunded Projects
Love! Love! Fighting! Vol. 3 Series Finale
The final volume of Love! Love! Fighting! by S. Morishita is up on Kickstarter. I’ll quote an article from Black Nerd Problems to explain what makes this series so great:
Love! Love! Fighting! tells the story of two people, one beautiful by societal standards and the other typically rejected, and proudly proclaims, “Yes, attraction happens here. Black women deserve more than just ogling or sympathy, we can and deserve to be loved both by other people and ourselves.” Add all this to an art style that’s fluid and easy on the eyes with a storyline that’s just the right amount of drama and humor and you can see why supporting this comic will not only bless your entire life, but the lives of Blerd women everywhere.
Thank you, Lauren Bullock! (Find her on twitter here.)
Tiers are available for PDF or printed copies of the book, and at a great value. Please support this heartfelt and groundbreaking comic made by a hardworking and kind-hearted #ComicMom!
Sweaty Palms – The Anthology About Anxiety
To quote from the Kickstarter page itself:
Sweaty Palms is an autobiographical comics anthology about anxiety. The book contains more than 350 beautiful pages of black and white comics by 50 incredible indie cartoonists. We’ve collected their stories to present a very intimate and comprehensive look at what it’s like living with anxiety.
This anthology is our way of helping to destigmatize mental illness. As cartoonists, we can’t think of a better medium for the job! Visual storytelling gives a face to abstract things, like anxiety, which can be very difficult or painful to convey otherwise. It is our hope that readers will connect with the stories and know that they aren’t alone.
The twitter and tumblr accounts for the Sweaty Palms anthology have been sharing previews of the works to be published to build up anticipation and excitement, and it’s definitely working on me. Be sure to give them a look! Tier options for the Kickstarter include PDFs or hard copies of the zine, an mp3, prints, and more.
La Raza Anthology: Unidos Y Fuerte
The Kickstarter campaign for La Raza Anthology was launched this week! To quote the Kickstarter page:
La Raza Anthology: Unidos y Fuerte is a collection of works celebrating and analyzing our experiences with cultures from Latin America. Tired of the very little Latinx representation in the art scene, we created La Raza Anthology as a way to give creators proper recognition & chance to address important issues that matter to us.
Tier options may include PDF and/or hard copy versions of the anthology, postcards, prints, pins, tote bags, charms, or commissions.
Creative Opportunities
Animation
Nickelodeon Animation Studios is seeking hires for a number of positions and skill sets.
You can find a directory of currently open animation jobs at animatedjobs.com!
Comics and More
Habibi is seeking submissions for stories, comics, and illustrations produced by Muslim women. The theme is “love.” Submissions are due by September 3 (tomorrow).
Lilies Anthology, a lesbian/female/queer romance- and sexuality-focused compilation of comics and art, is seeking submissions for their second issue. The theme of this issue is stars, outer space, and the night sky. Submissions are due by September 25. Read their submission guidelines here.
The Silent Manga Audition is running a competition with cash and publishing rewards. The theme for this competition is “childhood.” Comic entries must be textless and read in right-to-left format. Submissions are due by September 30, 2016.
Sparkler Monthly, which just released an issue full of comics, prose, and a visual novel game for free download, is seeking submissions as a direct result of their successful Kickstarter campaign last month. Submissions guidelines are available here. Supplementary assurances and explanations were discussed in this twitter thread here. Short story prose and comics short and long are welcome. Submissions are due by September 30, 2016.
Writing
Book Smugglers Publishing is seeking submissions for an anthology on the theme of Gods and Monsters. Length must be between 1500 and 17,500 words in length. Payment is $0.06 per word, up to $500. Submissions are due by December 31, 2016.
Less Than Three Press is seeking prose submissions revolving around the theme of knights. Submissions need to be at least 10,000 words without exceeding about 20,000 words in length. Works must feature relationships that are not cisgender M/F and do include a happy ending. All sub-genres welcome. Read submission details here. Submissions are due by September 30, 2016.
Check out writingcareer.com for a list of calls for submission!
Resources
The prolific Becca Hillburn of Nattosoup has released additional videos and blog posts in her ongoing series about comic creation and watercolors. For watercolors: blog posts on choosing the right paper for your needs , selecting the types and quality of paint , and assembling and cleaning your pan palette. For comics: a video on Making a Mini Comic in Black & White. Becca Hillburn is not only a provider of extensive, honest, and high-quality product reviews and tutorials, she’s a full-time comic artist and illustrator passionate about children’s lit and helping others. Check out her store, her book, or her Patreon and send her a “thank you” message if you can!
Frank Hong is generously offering a number of video tutorials on topics like visual development and portfolio building and even has a brush set available for free! Since the videos are up on Gumroad, you can choose what you want to pay. Consider adding a “tip” as a “thank you” if you can!
Jetpens released a Guide to Manga Nibs, for those of you who ink traditionally or enjoy the look produced using pen nibs.
Sparkler released a Storytelling 101 article about introducing characters, building story arcs and universes, and developing anticipation throughout your series. Some of the most successful and poignant series I know of follow many of these guidelines, so check it out!
Deals
ZapCreatives is offering 15% off their custom printed clear acrylic charms using code “clarity15”. I haven’t used their services before, but you can check out what other artists have made through ZapCreatives on their twitter account.
That’s it for this week! Look up for another post next week with these categories and possibly more. Is there something you’d like to see more of? Let me know!
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