Hello, and welcome again to another Weekly Roundup! In the Weekly Roundup, I 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.
These past few weeks have been tough for many of us in the United States. We vastly underestimated the nation’s xenophobia, homophobia, racism, sexism, and other prejudices held against mentally ill people, disabled people, veterans, the poor, Muslims, and so many others. For many, their worst fears were confirmed. A man who stands for all of these was voted into the presidential office and many of us are horrified, disgusted, and terrified.
I am finding it incredibly difficult to remain positive and be strong. I’m scared for so many of my friends, and shaken that some family members, coworkers, and people around me voted for someone who sees us as Less Than and Other. But I will continue to take my time and do my best. We are not the minority – we are diverse and powerful. You are loved. You are important. And you have to stay here in this world. Together we can face the evils in our society and overcome them. I have to believe that.
Here is a list of some charities and nonprofits to donate to. Thanks Christina!
RAINN is automatically doubling donations made through the month of December.
Here is a list of inclusive volunteer positions organized by state.
Here is a list of opportunities recently collected for marginalized voice actors, musicians, writers, and artists. Thank you Cassandra!
If you are a trans person in need of legal assistance, many people are offering services pro bono. Check the hashtag #TransLawHelp on Twitter or at translawhelp.org.
If you need to talk to someone or otherwise vent, please utilize this list of help hotlines.
Take care and take your time. Your work is more important than ever. Thank you for sharing your originality and openness with the world. You bring light to the days of others, and it is so, so appreciated.
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!
Crowdfunded Projects
Creature Feature is running a Kickstarter to fund the production of its first volume. Totalling at over 148 pages, Creature Feature Volume 1 will collect over two years’ worth of the ongoing NSFW comic series along with never-before-seen bonuses. Tier options include PDF and print versions of the book, wallpapers, mini comics, prints, bookplates, and commissions. The Kickstarter ends December 29, 2016.
Pretty Boys and Animals: A Coloring Book is running a Kickstarter to raise funds for its production. The books will be printed on 190 gsm pure white A4 paper with single-sided pages, great for coloring with marker without heavy bleed. Tier options include PDF and print copies of the book. The Kickstarter ends December 30, 2016.
Ignition Zero is running a Kickstarter to fund the production of the third volume of their comic and the reprinting of its first two volumes. The queer urban fantasy was illustrated completely in ink and watercolors over the last 6 years. Tier options include PDF and softcover versions of the comic volumes, a sew-on patch, custom illustrations, and original comic art. The Kickstarter ends January 4, 2016.
Nerve Endings: The New Trans Erotic is running a Kickstarter to pay its 30 contributors and fund the production of the anthology. Nerve Endings seeks to give writers connected to the trans community the opportunity to discuss sensuality and eroticism on their own terms, rather than through the “by cis people, for cis people” model often featured in popular fictions about trans people. Tier options include ebook and paperback versions of the book, Launch Party digital and VIP invites, additional e-zines and audio stories, poems, smut short stories, illustrations, beautiful handcrafted earrings, and more. The Kickstarter ends January 7, 2017.
[Super]Natural Attraction is running a Kickstarter to fund the production of the digital comic. The story focuses on college student Persephone, who is killed in a hit-and-run and then revived by her med student room mate. Once revived, she can see the supernatural creatures on her campus and uses her newfound skill to assist a local monster hunter. Tier options include wallpapers, tutorials, concept art, commissions, cameos, and additional comics. The Kickstarter ends January 17, 2017.
Creative Opportunities
General
The Paper Cat Press Holiday Gift Guide has been posted!
Becca Hillburn of Nattosoup released a Holiday Gift Guide for Adult Artists that is full of a lot of great items for cartoonists and illustrators. I especially like the list of items at the bottom for people who can “Spend Only Time.” Talk about a HUGE way to help someone you know and show your support!
Here is a list of publications currently seeking pitches from marginalized creators. Thank you Alaina!
Check the Lemma Soft Forums for paid work related to visual novel and game development, including project management, illustration, voice acting work, animation, sprite creation, writing, coding, and more.
Check this list for an assortment of different opportunities linked through Twitter. Thank you Cassandra!
Animation
Here is a survey for Women Professionals in Animation. If you work in animation and identify as a woman, please submit your anonymous information to this survey to inform and assist current and future animators.
DigiCel Flipbook is having a 75% off sale on their 2D animation software using code “Merry Christmas” at checkout.
You can find a directory of currently open animation jobs at animatedjobs.com! Companies like DHX Media, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and others have a number of open full-time, part-time, and freelance positions available, including social media, editing, and teaching.
Comics, Illustration, and More
Amazon is looking for a digital editor for Comixology in New York.
Facebook Stickers is looking for artists to create more stickers for their messenger. Thank you Cole!
The Fair Page Rates annual survey is live! If you’ve worked professionally as a comic artist this year, fill out the survey to help inform yourself and other artists in the future.
Laura Hudson of Feminist Frequency commissions art for the Feminist Frequency newsletter each month and is open to artist suggestions, particularly marginalized artists.
Iron Circus Comics will be hiring in the new year. Sign up to receive more information when the positions become available. They also have submissions open, so consider pitching!
Jerry’s Art-A-Rama is hosting a number of art contests, some ongoing and some requiring specific materials. Check what’s open and see if you can qualify.
Lucy Knisley is looking for illustrators to create a print to benefit Planned Parenthood. Sign up using your email and select an important American activist for women’s rights to illustrate.
An artist named Montana has a call out for zine submissions about “recovery.” Contact them for more information or to apply to co-edit.
Passion Fruit Anthology, a queer erotica anthology to be released by Beyond Press, will begin accepting submissions in February 2017. Sign up to be notified with information here.
Ray Sonne is looking for comic artists and illustrators for paid graphic novels and anthologies based off of diary entries. Experimental artists are encouraged to apply. Artists with experience illustrating erotica will also be needed for several projects. Pay rate is $100-$200 per page, depending on the project. Check here for more info.
Tee Franklin is looking for colorists, specifically those who can color POC in various skin tones, for a paid gig. Email your portfolio to vixenvarsity [at] gmail.com to be considered.
The Yaoi Army is hiring a Main Illustrator and Graphic Designer for an upcoming RPG bishounen card game. Email your portfolio to theyaoiarmy [at] gmail.com.
The Ypsi High Superhero Program is seeking digital and hard copy comic donations, mainstream and independent. They’re particularly looking for comics with POC leads and/or creators and women lead characters. Please sunbmit comics appropriate for ages 14-18.
Check out Arts for LA or College Art Opportunities for more exhibition, residency, and grant opportunities. See Find Anthologies for a list of anthologies with open submissions and to submit anthologies of your own.
The Yuri on Ice Charity Fanzine has applications open until December 26.
Draw your favorite character from Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization, Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale, or the Sword Art Online anime series for a chance to win a copy of Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization, a ticket to Yuki Kajiura’s live concert in Los Angeles, and more! Entries must be received by December 28.
Comics for Choice has an open call for submissions for comics covering abortion rights with proceeds going to the National Network of Abortion Funds. Submit proposals by December 30 to be considered.
StArt Faire magazine is accepting submissions for their December issue until December 29. You are welcome to submit ongoing comic series, one-shots, and advertisements for free.
Arcana: The Dragon Age Zine is accepting submissions of art and writing until December 31. All proceeds will be donated to the ACLU.
PaigeeWorld is hosting a coloring contest featuring the line art of _hellomango. Submit by January 2 to be considered.
Tim’rous Beastie is accepting comic submissions for stories of all genres involving anthropomorphic, intelligent animals. Pitch by January 2 to be considered.
The Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience is looking for comic artists and writers for a project about the Japanese American Resisters during World War II. Please apply by January 3 to be considered. Read here for more information.
The Haikyuu Flower Zine is looking for contributors to a free e-zine. Signups will be open until January 9.
Stacked Deck Press has opened submissions for the anthology We’re Still Here, an anthology by and for trans cartoonists. Submit your pitches by January 9, 2017.
State of the Union, an upcoming digital zine featuring black and white color illustrations, comics, prose, poetry, and more, is accepting submissions until January 13, 2017. The zine will be available for free online. Donated proceeds will be donated to Planned Parenthood.
Weekly Shonen Magazine and MediBang are hosting a manga contest! Submit your completed comic by January 12, 2017 for the chance to have your work reviewed by Weekly Shonen Magazine editors. Simply post your comic of 50 pages or less and MediBang will translate it. Winners will have an editor assigned to them to help develop your comic further. Grand prize winners will also be published in Weekly Shonen Magazine’s manga app Magazine Pocket.
Little, Brown’s Emerging Artist Award is accepting entries until January 15, 2017. Submitted mockups should invoke the diversity and rich cultural experiences in America. Potential prizes include $2500 in American Express gift cards, round trip travel to New York City, and a one-day mentorship with the Little, Brown book design and editorial team and Jerry Pinkney.
Light Grey Art Lab has extended its call for submissions for its show The Lost Isle of Kismet: A Choose Your Own Adventure Exhibit. Artists will be grouped into teams that will each help create the immerse world for this unique and interactive gallery show. Submit by January 20, 2017 to be considered. Final artwork will be due March 1, 2017.
Nature and Humans: A Comic Anthology is accepting comic submissions until January 30. Final submissions will need to be between 4-8 pages and in full color. Payment for art to be determined be funds raised through crowdfunded after the book is printed and shipped.
Level-8 Comics is hosting a Design a Character competition for creators ages 5-15 until January 31, 2017. Design one hero and one villain to be drawn and featured in issue 1 of Late Knights: A Sense of Steel.
Gothic Tales of Haunted Love is accepting applications until February 1, 2017. About 10 applications will be accepted into the anthology, to be paid $50 per page with potential bonuses. Final submissions should be gothic romance comics 1-10 pages in length.
The Indigenous Love Comic Collection is accepting submissions of completed art, comics, essays, and poems for inclusion in an anthology published by Native Realities Press by February 1, 2017.
Swan Song is accepting submissions for their music-themed anthology until February 1, 2017. Submissions must be in full color and contributors must have previously lived in or currently live in British Columbia. Submissions should be up to 9 pages in length, and contributors will be paid $50/page.
Hellcat Press is accepting applications for their upcoming Tales from the Public Domain anthology until February 28, 2017. Creative teams will be paid $20 for up to ten pages of black and white work and will retain copyright of their work.
The Silent Manga Audition announced its seventh run of its worldwide dialogue-free comic competition. The theme is “unforgettable taste.” Entries are due by March 31, 2017.
The Trans Lifeline Benefit Anthology is accepting submissions of writing and illustration. Stories must be fanwork for a work in the public domain and have a hopeful or happy ending. 100% of proceeds will be donated to Trans Lifeline. Submissions are due by March 31, 2017.
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.
Submissions for 2017’s If Anthology are open. The theme is “crime” and the soft deadline is May 1, 2017. Contributors will be compensated with 1 book per page.
Conventions and Events
Con or Bust has free tickets available for people of color for a number of upcoming conventions, including ConFusion and MidSouthCon.
Clexacon is accepting applications for their artist alley.
Rose City Comic Con is accepting applications for their artist alley.
SakuraCon will open its Artist Alley applications from 8PM PST December 25 to 8am PST December 27. Artists will be selected by lottery.
VanCaf (the Vancouver Comic Arts Festival) has exhibitor applications open until January 6, 2017.
GeekGirlCon is looking for volunteers to help plan next year’s convention. Check the site for open positions, or sign up for the mailing list to hear more!
Design
Hachette Book Group is hiring a Production Associate in New York to coordinate design and composition services for adult trade print and ebook titles.
Penguin Young Readers is hiring a Senior Designer in New York to design book packaging and interiors.
The Yaoi Army is hiring a Main Illustrator and Graphic Designer for an upcoming RPG bishounen card game. Email your portfolio to theyaoiarmy [at] gmail.com.
Mentorships
The Representation Matters Mentorship Program is accepting applications from self-identified people of color interested in the publishing industry. Mentorships will last 6 months, with a minimum of one session every two months.
Music
@JkaplanAW is searching for a composer for a future yuri visual novel project. Ideally the composer would be comfortable creating music stylistically somewhere between jazz and classical, making use of acoustic guitar and piano.
Residencies
Check out Arts for LA or College Art Opportunities for exhibition, residency, and grant opportunities.
Scholarships
Here’s a list of 102 college and graduate scholarships available for women of color!
The Different Games Collective is accepting applications for their Ambassador Program, which includes all-access passes to the 2017 Game Developers Conference (GDC) and access to the GDC Vault for those fostering diversity and inclusivity in games. Apply by January 2 to be be considered.
Teaching
Columbus College of Art and Design is hiring a Comics Illustration Assistant Professor, among other faculty and staff positions.
Sign up to teach at Skillshare to earn royalties based on the premium member students in your class. See here for additional information.
Translation
Cheritz is looking for a Korean to Spanish or English to Spanish translator for their future game projects. They would prefer an employee based in Korea available to work 9:30am to 6:30pm.
Typesetting
Tapas is looking for typesetters to clean up and letter comics with provided English translations.
Voice Acting
Check the Casting Call Club and Voice Acting Alliance for more voice acting and audio opportunities.
Writing and Editing
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.
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.
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.
Tor is accepting submissions of fantasy novellas between 20,000 and 40,000 words. The story’s world must be one not modeled on European cultures. Submissions close January 12, 2017. Tor is also accepting pitches for essays, think pieces, reviews, and similar content with a final length of 1000 to 2000 words.
State of the Union, an upcoming digital zine featuring black and white color illustrations, comics, prose, poetry, and more, is accepting submissions until January 13, 2017. The zine will be available for free online. Donated proceeds will be donated to Planned Parenthood.
Lambda Literary Writer’s Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices is accepting applications until January 30, 2017. 12 students per workshop spend a week attending intensive classes, workshops, and lectures featuring reknowned voices in modern queer storytelling, such as Malinda Lo and Phillip Howze, and other publishing industry professionals.
Arsenika is open for fiction, poetry, and artwork submissions through March 15, 2017. Payment for accepted submissions is $0.01 per word, with a minimum of $5. Read here for more information.
The Trans Lifeline Benefit Anthology is accepting submissions of writing and illustration. Stories must be fanwork for a work in the public domain and have a hopeful or happy ending. 100% of proceeds will be donated to Trans Lifeline. Submissions are due by March 31, 2017.
Amazon Publishing is seeking a Senior Editor in New York to acquire narrative nonfiction.
Anime Feminist is looking for contributors in the upcoming year. Read here for more information. Article writers will generally be paid $50 per article.
The newly launched Argot Magazine is seeking submissions about queer and marginalized experiences. Click here for more on their mission as well as their pay rates.
Beyond the Binary is seeking non-binary contributors, prioritizing people of color, low income people, and disabled people.
Online monthly magazine The Dark is accepting submissions from 2000 to 6000 words in length. Encouraged genres include horror and dark fantasy, but graphic, violent horror is not desired. Payment is $0.03/word for up to 6000 words. Republishing payment is $0.01/word.
Everyday Feminism is looking for an Editor and Editorial Associate for a remote position.
Hello Equality is seeking trans and POC writers for their website. Speak on issues related to LGBTQ+ people, feminism, or pop culture topics.
Horror-Writers.net is seeking submissions of horror fiction and articles related to the horror genre.
Random House’s digital-only imprint Hydra has open submissions for completed works in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror categories. There is no word count limit for submissions, but full-length works of 40,000 words or more are preferred. Accepted writers will be assigned to a Random House editor, marketer, and publicist. Response time is usually 2-4 weeks.
Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group is seeking an Editor in New York.
The Mary Sue is looking for new contributors, particularly those with opinions on the current sociopolitical climate.
NerdyPOC is looking for new writers for commentary on pop culture. Expected submission is once every one or two weeks.
Pink Narcissus Press is seeking complete novel and novella manuscripts of 50,000 words or more. They are interested in well-written but non-mainstream speculative fiction with strong elements of sci-fi or fantasy.
StArt Faire Magazine is seeking interviewers, reviews, tutorials, and prose for their monthly e-magazine.
Vanessa Erazo is compiling a list of Latinx film and TV critics. Please DM them to be included.
Videodame is seeking contributors for their monthly guest residency. Contributors will be paid $50 for 1-4 pieces about or inspired by games and gaming culture.
Women Write About Comics is looking for female and nonbinary contributors in the new year. If you’d like to offer in-depth and nuanced critique of comics and related pop culture, please apply.
Check out writingcareer.com for a list of calls for submission!
Resources
Read this thread of tweets by Anoosha for information on the benefits of having an illustration agent.
Artist Shops by Threadless is offering a set of textures available for free download. They also feature a number of articles about creative industries, so check it out!
Becca Hillburn of Nattosoup uploaded more in her Watercolor Basics series, including a tutorial on planning your illustration, penciling, and paper stretching. She also released a video with fountain pen tips and a series of Draw With Me videos for the holiday season.
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!
The Center for Cartoon Studies has a One-Week Cartooning Workout available to you for free through email sign up.
Do you use Clip Studio Paint? It updated its software on December 14. Download and update for free here! Be sure to check that your system is compatible with the update.
The Creative Market offers new free resources each week. Sign up via email to be alerted each Monday!
Jessica Hische has created and shared a tool to help generate emails between creators and their clients.
I updated my post about the costs of online storefronts and marketplaces. Pricing is now accurate as of 10/31/16 and information about itch.io has been added!
Jetpens posted guides on Filling Fountain Pens and Water Soluble Fountain Pen Inks. They also released a Gift Guide for the upcoming winter holidays, with gift ideas for artists, writers, students, your officemates, and more!
OMI is hosting a giveaway on her Instagram! Follow, like, and leave a comment here for a chance to win a cool Pokemon keychain. Plus, you’ll get to see all of OMI’s amazing art!
Deals
Book*Walker is offering randomized coupons of up to 50% off on manga and light novels that refresh every day until December 31.
Now through January 16, Barnes and Noble is having a buy 2 get 1 free sale on Viz manga.
Jerry’s Art-A-Rama is having a sale with hundreds of art supplies on sale for $1 and $2. Check it out!
Now through December 25, June Manga is offering 20% orders using code “Shounen Ice” at checkout.
Kodansha is offering digital first volumes of select manga titles for $0.99.
Liz Staley‘s e-publisher is having a sale, which means her ebook and video tutorials on Manga Studio 5/Clip Studio Paint are only $5.
RightStuf has a Holiday Sale with huge deals and limited time offers. If you’ve got an anime or manga fan on your list, consider checking it out and save yourself some money!
Remember to check Dick Blick, Jerry’s Art-A-Rama, Joann, and Michael’s for their weekly ads, coupons, and specials.
Giveaways
Manga Test Drive is hosting a manga giveaway. Leave a comment by December 25 describing your favorite comic from this year for a chance to win a $25 gift card.
Each purchase made through RightStuf’s Holiday Sale enters you in a raffle for a chance to win a $250 gift certificate. You can also enter by mailing an entry to the address provided. The giveaway ends December 26.
Read It Forward is hosting a giveaway. Submit by December 27 for a chance to receive a bookshelf, 50 books, and a box of book-related items from Out of Print and Chronicle Books.
Donate $5 or more to the White Helmets or Doctors Without Borders for a chance to win Candy Girls prints and original art from phenomenal artist Rian Gonzales. Message her proof by December 29.
E. Ross. Ura is also offering free art to those who donate $10 or more to UNHCR, Unicef, or Médecins Sans Frontières.
Scholarpitch is giving away 2 passes to the upcoming BookExpo 2017. Apply here by January 15, 2017 if you are a PoC, Native American, or LGBTQIAP+ book blogger. Travel expenses not included.
Everyone Is Gay is offering a free holiday e-care package Where the Love Light Gleams. Submit your email to receive it for free!
Follow cetriya and comment in this journal for a free advance reader copy of Axiom: A Parallax.
That’s it for this week! Look out for another post next week with these categories and possibly more. Is there something you’d like to see more of? Something you know about but don’t see here? Comments and suggestions as this year comes to a close and a new one begins? Let me know!
Link to the previous Roundup: Weekly Roundup – December 2, 2016
paper cat press 