Hello, and welcome to another 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 unless otherwise listed.
Awards
The Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity is accepting nominations for writers, artists, and creators who work towards:
…Broadening the range of characters portrayed in comics, adding to the variety of creators contributing to the medium, influence on the marketplace and contributions to the advancement of women, minorities and LGBTs in comic books and pop culture.
Nominations are accepted until December 31, 2016, and the award ceremony will take place in Long Beach, California on February 18, 2016. Think about your favorite creators whose work has helped transform the modern comic landscape and give them a chance to get the recognition they deserve!
The 3rd Annual Autostraddle Comic and Sequential Art Awards are still accepting votes until midnight PST on September 24 – that’s TOMORROW! Here’s more on the awards:
The stated goal of the Autostraddle Comic and Sequential Art Awards, also known as the ACSAs, is to recognize and celebrate webcomics, graphic zines, comic books, graphic novels and other forms of sequential art that come out each year between September 1st of the previous year and August 31st of that year that feature both excellence in the art form and excellence in representation for girls and women (especially queer girls and women) and feminist themes.
(from the article here written by Autostraddle staff writer Mey.)
Check out the nominees and vote for your favorites! Women have always been a part of the comics industry and deserve all the recognition they can get.
Crowdfunded Projects
LeyLines Volume 4 has initiated its Kickstarter this week, with tier options that include your choice of any volume of the series thus far. Volume 4 will be the largest book of the series yet, with 180+ full color pages and 20 pages of extras. Be sure to check out! Read the comic online at LeyLinesComic.com.
The Check, Please! Kickstarter started this week and met and well surpassed its goal within the day! Congratulations to creator Ngozi! If you haven’t read the series before, I really recommend checking it out. (To be honest, I’ve only read bits here and there… which is exactly why I’ll be purchasing PDFs of both volumes! Hooray!) Tier options include PDFs, softcovers, hardcovers, and some extras for higher tiers. Check it out!
The Castor’s Easy Readers Kickstarter started this week, seeking to raise funds to produce 3 books in Castor Tales‘s easy reader series aimed at children in grades K-2nd grade. The books feature sci-fi and fantasy settings as well as people of color, nonbinary characters, and nontraditional family structures. These sound and look like amazing books to have available for young readers, so give them a look! Tier options include the books, signed or not, and prints.
Perry Winkle Comic: Comics Fighting Cancer has 2 weeks to go in its Kickstarter! The Kickstarter aims to promote, publish, and distribute the creator’s semi-autobiographical comic Perry Winkle. The comic provides information on lymphoma and hopes to empower those dealing with lymphoma and other cancers.
Tiers include wallpapers and PDF, softcover, or hardcover version of the finished comic.
AllergyStop: Affordable Epinephrine Injection is running an IndieGoGo campaign to raise funds for its affordable EpiPen alternative. The gradual rise of the cost of the EpiPen has made it unaffordable for many people with life-threatening allergies. AllergyStop seeks to reduce the burden placed on people who lack the resources to purchase such an expensive but potentially life-saving allergy injection.
The La Raza Anthology: Unidos Y Fuerte Kickstarter ends September 28, 2016! For a summary of the project, I 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.
The Power and Magic: The Queer Witch Comic Anthology Kickstarter ends October 7! From the Kickstarter page, here is a summary of the intent and purpose of Power and Magic:
POWER & MAGIC is a comics anthology about queer witches of color for teens and adults ages 14-and-up. The book is over 160 pages long, black and white, and contains 15 original stories blending fantasy, drama, humor, and romance.
On January 27th, I asked if any women of color out there were interested in making comics about queer witches of color, an archetype near and dear to me… The answer was a resounding yes. POWER & MAGIC is brought to you by a team of 17 women, demigirls, and bigender creators of color.
The witch is an icon of power. She represents transcendence, healing, insight, defiance, feminine monstrosity, and a sacred relationship to the self, the community, and the universe. From the euphoria of holding the stars in your grasp, to the sacrifices we make to reach them, POWER & MAGIC explores what it means to be a person of power in all its complexity.
Tier options include PDF or paperback versions of the comic anthology, a postcard print set, a bookplate, and commissions from the artists involved.
P is for President Coloring and Activity Book is running a Kickstarter ending on October 7, 2016. To quote the Kickstarter page:
This limited edition coloring and activity book features 40 pages of adorable illustrations and fun activities for hours of enjoyment. Each page features a different career option such as astronaut, heavy metal guitarist, video game developer and more!
The original A to Z Guide to Jobs For Girls features both traditional and nontraditional career options for women in all fields, with an emphasis on STEM, the arts, and athletics. The book is designed to promote both literacy and female empowerment for young girls.
The P is for President Coloring and Activity Book reinforces those ideals, while incorporating interactive elements such as mazes, word searches, and other activities for hours of fun!
Tier options include PDFs or paperback of the coloring book and the book it’s based on, totebags, stickers, commissions, and more. This looks like a great gift for the young people in your life, so as the holidays approach, consider backing this positive and encouraging Kickstarter!
Creative Opportunities
Animation
YGO Reanimate is looking for animators to collaboratively reanimate an episode of Yu-Gi-Oh, much like the widely popular project MoonAnimate, Make Up!. Check here for submission details.
You can find a directory of currently open animation jobs at animatedjobs.com!
Comics, Illustration, and More
Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic that previously published Raina Telgemeier’s Smile, Jeff Smith’s Bone, and Kazu Kibuishi’s Amulet, is accepting submissions for graphic novelists creating works for children and teens. Visit their site for more information. The deadline to apply is April 1, 2017.
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers is accepting entries for the Little, Brown Emerging Artist Award until January 15, 2017. Submit a mock-up of no more than 32 pages of text under 1200 words, sketches, and at least 6 pages of finished art. Check here for more information.
The Mental Health Anthology will begin to accept submissions beginning on September 30, 2017 and ending on October 31, 2017. You can use the hashtag #MHAnthology on twitter to search for writers, artists, or other collaborators. Here are the details about submissions.
Open Road: The Poly Romance and Adventure Anthology will begin accepting submissions from September 25 through October 25. Check here for more information.
SCWBI is seeking submissions for the 2017 Tomie de Paola Award. Submit an illustration of yourself as a child in a children’s book expressing and portraying quickly-read emotion. Entries are to be printed on 8.5″ x 11″ paper and due by December 1, 2016.
From previous weeks:
Ascend magazine is seeking female-identifying people of color contributors for art or writing. The application can be found here.
Andy has opened applications for their Asian Ladies zine, welcoming submissions from those who “identify as Asian and are somewhat femme-leaning in [their] identity” to produce creative self-portraits. Submissions close September 30, 2016, with art due in mid-December.
The Buff Babes Zine is seeking submissions for their third volume with the theme “Exoterran.” Check the FAQ for more information. Submissions are due by October 16, 2016.
Fiyah Lit Mag is seeking an illustrator for the cover of their January 1, 2017 issue. The theme is “Rebirth.” Portfolios are due by November 1, 2016. Check here for submissions guidelines.
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, 2016. 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 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.
StArt Faire magazine is hosting a Halloween Contest where winners have a chance to be featured in issues 8 and 9 of their monthly online comic magazine. Rules can be found here. Submissions are due by October 29th, 2016.
StArt Faire magazine also accepts comics, reviews, prose and art-related advertising in their magazine for free. Read here for more information. Submissions for the upcoming issue are due September 29. They’re also on the lookout for a regular interviewer! It’s amazing that so much work is being compiled into a free magazine, so be sure to offer thanks and feedback if you can.
#Trans – An Anthology About Transgender and Nonbinary Identity Online is accepting submissions until October 31, 2016. Creative non-fiction, personal narratives, or a mix of both are welcome, with a length of 1000-4000 words. Check out the tumblr page for more information or to ask questions.
Tu Books, the middle grade and young adult imprint of Lee & Low Books, has announced the New Visions Award for writers and graphic novel creators. The winner will be published under the imprint. Submissions are accepted until October 31, 2016.
Uber is seeking brand illustrators in San Francisco, CA. Read here for more information and to apply!
Conventions
Tidewater Comicon is accepting applications for their vendor and artist alley space. Artist Alley tables are $150 until October 1, when prices increase to $199. Tidewater Comicon will be held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center May 13 and May 14, 2017.
From previous weeks:
Anime Expo, the largest anime convention in the USA, is accepting Guest Suggestions for its 2017 convention! If there’s someone you want to see at this convention, be sure to put in a good word!
Con or Bust has free tickets available for people of color for a number of upcoming international conventions, including Geek Girl Con, ConClave, StokerCon, and others.
The Colorado Anime Fest is accepting applications for its Artist Alley until September 30, 2016. Half and full tables are available.
The very first Indigenous Comic Con is taking place in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the National Hispanic Cultural Center November 18-20, 2016. From the con website:
The Indigenous Comic Con seeks to highlight the amazing work that brings understanding about the Indigenous experience to the world of popular culture! The action begins Friday afternoon and continues through Sunday evening! Everyone is welcome!
At this time, artist alley booths, regular booths, and preferred booths are all sold out, but demand may lead to additional space opening up. If you’re in the area, consider attending to this new and inclusive comic con to support its guests and vendors!
The New Orleans Comics and Zines Fest taking place on November 19 and 20 is accepting applications until October 15, 2016. The festival is a free 2-day event at the New Orleans Public Library. Tables are free of charge to residents of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, and out-of-state residents can expect to pay between $10 and $30 for a table.
The Toronto Comic Arts Festival taking place May 12, 13, and 14, 2017, is accepting applications until October 14, 2016. If you exhibited last year, be aware that artists are requested to exhibit every other year. More details about applying can be found here. The application itself can be found here. If you’re a Canadian artist exhibitor hopeful, you can apply here for a travel grant to attend.
Editing
HelloGiggles is looking for a deputy digital editor in Los Angeles, California.
NETCOMICS is hiring translators and editors. Send an email and cover letter to job [at] netcomics.com
Yatta Tachi is seeking Editorial Columnists to discuss Japanese pop culture. Here is more information for contributors.
Residencies
The Cornish Center for Cartoon Studies is accepting applications for its residency in Cornish, New Hampshire. The month of February 2017 would be spent in a secluded home on 12 acres of land and includes an honorarium of $600. Applications are due November 1, 2016.
Scholarships
Cards Against Humanity is funding the Science Ambassador Scholarship, now accepting applications until December 11, 2016. The scholarship will cover full tuition for up to four years of an undergraduate degree for a woman studying science, engineering, or math.
Translation
MyAnimeList is running a translation competition with submissions due by November 4, 2017. Prizes include a Macbook Air, Apple Watch, a chance to visit Japan for the awards ceremony, and potential translation job offers.
Writing
Lee & Low Books is accepting submissions for its New Voices Award until September 30, 2016. Writers of color over the age of 18 who have not been previously published and credited in a children’s book are eligible. Stories must address the needs and issues of children of color, but may also include non-traditional family structures, gender identity, or disabilities.
From previous weeks:
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.
The Buzzfeed Emerging Writers Fellowship is accepting applications until October 1, 2016. The fellowship is a 4 month program beginning January 2017 and is a full-time position with a $12,000 stipend located in either Los Angeles or New York (the choice is yours).
Ceilings and Standards is seeking submissions of 1000-1500 words for their site, paying $50 for each article. Send pitches or completed articles via the contact page. (src)
The Coalition Zine is seeking and paying contributors. Read the guidelines here.
Fiyah Lit Mag is seeking submissions of fiction and poetry for their Summer 2017 issue with the theme “Spilling Tea”. Submissions are due by January 1, 2017. Check here for more information and details.
Handtype Press is seeking submissions from writers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Stories should be at least 500 words and at most 4000 words, with elements of science fiction, horror, fantasy, the supernatural, and/or magical realism. 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.
VICE Gaming is seeking creative and original freelance story pitches. Check this twitter thread for more information.
Women Write About Comics is seeking 4 women or nonbinary reviewers for manga and webcomics. Write 2 short reviews or 1 long review per month, collaborate in roundtables and projects when you can, attend events for WWAC as press, and more. Send a short bio with links to your past work to editors@wwacomics.com and talk about when you can bring to the table.
Mentioned above: Sparkler Monthly is seeking prose, and StArt Faire Magazine is seeking interviewers, reviews, and prose.
Check out writingcareer.com for a list of calls for submission!
Resources
The prolific Becca Hillburn of Nattosoup has collected her blog and video tutorials and resources on inking into a master post, just in time for Inktober! 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!
Jetpens released guides on Pencil Sharpeners and Graphite Drawing Pencils.
MissChroma released a new set of Kakeami Brushes for Manga Studio 5/Clip Studio Paint available here.
Katie McMahon started a class on Skillshare called Creating Journal Comics: Drawing Your Life with free enrollment available for the first 30 who sign up!
Artist Christine Nishiyama released a free comic creation guide for those who sign up for her newsletter. It’s a concise yet informative guide, so give it a look!
Deals
ZapCreatives is offering 10% off custom enamel pins using code “pingame“. I haven’t used their services before, but you can check out what other artists have made through ZapCreatives on their twitter account.
Giveaways
Jetpens is hosting a giveaway for a Colored Pencil Sketch Kit! Just read the directions here. You have until September 21, 2016 to enter.
S-Morishita is hosting a giveaway to promote the new 3-in-1 volume of her series, Love! Love! Fighting! It ends tonight at 8PM PST, so be sure to enter!
Twitter users can retweet this tweet for a chance to win 50 25mm custom enamel pins from ZapCreatives.
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!
Link to last week’s Roundup: Weekly Roundup – September 9, 2016
paper cat press 
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