Welcome to Paper Cat Press’s 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!
WARNING! Some content below may feature NSFW content. Links will be marked NSFW! when the content identifies itself as adult material.
As a note: I am not sponsored by any company, group, or individual listed below or elsewhere on this site unless otherwise listed.
Want to jump to a specific section? Use the links below:
Helping Others || Awards || Recent Webcomic Debuts || Crowdfunded Projects || Animation || Comics, Illustration, and More || Conventions and Events || Fan Zines || Mentorships & Fellowships || Residencies, Retreats, and Workshops || Scholarships, Sponsorships, and Grants || Teaching || Typesetting || Voice Acting || Writing and Editing || Youth || Resources || Deals || Giveaways
Helping Others
Are you a US resident wondering what to do about recent executive orders, gag orders, cabinet confirmations, and the future of your country? Sign up with 5calls.org to find out who to call about specific, pressing issues and what to say. Countable is also an informative resource. Check What the Fuck Just Happened Today? for daily summarized news on the current administration that you can have delivered to your inbox.
If you’re just getting started with protesting and doing something about your government, you can read this free zine What Now? organized and designed by Deandra “Nika” Tan. (I contributed a short comic.)
Here’s a free, open source Resistance Manual.
If you are a trans person in need of legal assistance, check translawhelp.org for pro bono services in your state.
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
Lee and Low Books is accepting submissions from authors of color to their New Visions Award for middle grade or young adult novels. Submissions will be accepted until October 31.
The 30th Annual Lambda Literary Awards for excellence in LGBTQIA+ literature and by LGBTQIA+ creators is accepting submissions for consideration through December 1.
The Dwayne McDuffie Award is accepting applications from diverse comic creators and diverse works. Submissions will be accepted until December 31.
Recent Webcomic Debuts
Did your webcomic debut or will it debut this year before September 30, 2017? Did you publish a comic online or sell it online this year? Fill out this form so I can add you to an upcoming post about webcomic debuts and cool comics to check out!
Check out February’s mid-month list of debuts.
Looking for more webcomics? Check out Michael Kinyon’s ongoing and ever-growing list of creators!
Crowdfunded Projects
The Sketchbook of Loish: Art in Progress is running a Kickstarter to fund its printing and fulfillment. The Sketchbook of Loish collects sketches, developmental work, tips, and tutorials into a hardcover volume of 152 pages. Tier options include a copy of the book, a copy of Loish’s previous book The Art of Loish, a downloadable video tutorial, exclusive prints, bookmarks, stickers, playing cards, and a coloring book. The Kickstarter ends on October 12.
Offhand: A Johnny Wander Collection is running a Kickstarter to fund the book’s production. Offhand collects the work of Ignatz-winning illustrator Yuko Ota, drawn between 2012 and 2017 with her non-dominant hand in response to chronic wrist pain. Tier options include digital and physical copies of the book, digital copies of other Yuko Ota works, a signed bookplate, charms, prints, and more. The Kickstarter ends on October 13.
Everything Will Be All Right: A Fantasy Coloring Book is running a Kickstarter to fund its production and fulfillment. The book features over 25 single-sided illustrations exploring flora, fauna, and fables drawn by artist Heidi Black. Tier options include digital and physical versions of the book, a copy of Heidi Black’s ElectricAbyss instructional art book, coloring supplies, and original artwork. The Kickstarter ends on October 15.
The GaMERCaT Comic Volume 1 is running a Kickstarter to fund its printing and production costs. The GaMERCat is a slice-of-life comic featuring two cats and their adventures with the world of games. This volume will collect the first 100 comics into a perfect bound 9″ x 6″ paperback book. Tier options include digital and physical copies of the book, and enamel pin, and stickers. The Kickstarter ends on October 16.
The COMPLETE Girls with Slingshots is running a Kickstarter to fund its production and fulfillment. Girls with Slingshots is a Reuben Award-winning webcomic that recently ended after a run that spanned over ten years and thousands of strips. The Complete Girls with Slingshots is a 2-book hardcover collection of the entire series, including developmental artwork, new and updated strips, and creator commentary. Tier options include digital and physical copies of the books. The Kickstarter ends on October 18.
NSFW! Hard Drive Volume 1 is running a Kickstarter to fund its production and fulfillment. Hard Drive is the first in a queer sci-fi porn comic trilogy featuring comedy, adventure, and sex with robots, extraterrestrials, and humans. Tier options include digital and physical copies of Hard Drive volume 1 and signed prints. The Kickstarter ends on November 1.
General
Did you or will you table in an artist alley in the US this year? Take the 2017 Artist Alley Convention Survey here.
The Comic Tea Party is a weekly book club for webcomics. Participate in the Discord chat weekly on Thursdays at 5pm to 7pm PST. Sign your comic up for a chance to have it read and discussed in the group!
Looking for other weekly chats on Twitter? Ink Drop Cafe lists them on this handy calendar!
Are you a comic critic or journalist? Take this survey!
#VisibleWomen was a huge success! Are you a hiring professional interested in seeing a list of the participants? Email info at milkfed dot us! There will be another #VisibleWomen in February, so prepare your portfolios! (I know I gotta!)
Do you work in interactive fiction? Check out these opportunities, some paid and some with “potential stipends.”
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.
Cherylynn Lima is looking for an animator with 3D low poly experience.
You can find a directory of currently open animation jobs at animatedjobs.com! Companies like Cartoon Network, DHX Media, Nickelodeon, and others have a number of open full-time, part-time, freelance, and remote positions available, including those in social media, editing, and teaching. Cartoon Network also has several positions in Production available!
Comics, Illustration, and More
Looking for a fun and challenging community event? This Saturday is 24 Hour Comics Day, and many local businesses, schools, and art shops are participating.
Elle Skinner and I are participating in a #12hourcomics day using the hashtag on Twitter! We’ll be updating our progress every hour. Feel free to watch or participate! I hope to see you there!
POMEmag is seeking pitch submissions for its upcoming anthology Group Chat! celebrating found family and friendship. Pitches are due October 10, and selected participants will be paid $50 per page for 5-15 pages of comic work.
Threadless is accepting design submissions for “cropped” through October 13. You can submit designs outside of contests anytime here.
ZapCreatives is accepting submissions throughout the month for charm designs featuring their new fluorescent orange acrylic. Upload a photo of your finished charm as late as October 22 and tag one of ZapCreative’s social media accounts for a chance to win a £500 credit.
The Alloy Anthology is accepting pitch submissions from mixed-raced creators and creative teams until October 27.
StArt Faire is accepting submissions for its 20th issue until October 29.
The Gender Euphoria Zine is accepting written and illustrated submissions about the joy and euphoria of being trans and nonbinary until October 31. Contributors will be paid $50 per accepted work.
Lilies Anthology is accepting submissions to their spooky-themed 4th volume SPIDER LILY! Submissions close October 31.
Flora and Fungal: The 2018 Object Head Zine is accepting submissions until November 2. The zine will be distributed digitally for free.
The Manga Jiman Competition 2017 is accepting submissions of short comics from UK residents, including youth, until November 6. Selected winners may receive round trip flights to Japan, a Toshiba laptop, a Ricoh camera, and various manga.
Corpus: A Comic Anthology of Bodily Ailments is accepting pitch submissions through November 22. If selected, creators will receive $50 per comic page.
Queerly Represent Me is accepting submissions of writing and art pertaining to queer representation in video games and any related intersections of diverse representation and expression in media until December 31 2017. Accepted submissions will be collected into a zine next year and all contributors will receive evenly split compensation depending on funds raised.
Weekly Shonen Jump is holding a Universal Manga Contest with MediBang! They’ve even made a free new program, Jump Paint, to help illustrate and tone your creation. You can submit up to 5 entries in any genre at a length of 55 pages or less. Submissions are due January 5, 2018.
The Silent Manga Audition‘s 9th competition event is accepting submissions through March 31, 2018. This SMA has a limit of 16 pages or less and a choice of three themes to select from. Comic submissions should be silent and without dialogue.
Aquila Magazine is seeking illustrators with fun, colorful work.
Argot Magazine is seeking written and illustrated submissions about queer and marginalized experiences.
Asexual Artists is seeking creative asexual interviewees all year long.
Black Girls Create is looking for submissions of written, drawn, filmed, photographed, or any other expression of creative work from black creators showing what their time at Hogwarts would’ve looked like! They are also seeking black women creators and pop culture critique and commentary from black women creators.
The Brave Some is seeking submissions of short stories, prose, essays, reviews, and visual art by black and/or brown women and femmes.
Cicada is seeking submissions of poetry, fiction, essays, comics, and illustration.
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.
Jerry’s Art-A-Rama hosts a number of art contests, some ongoing and some requiring specific materials.
Makers in Malaysia is accepting registration applications for their upcoming English language zine celebrating the work of Malaysian creators.
You can send samples of your work along with pitches to thenib@firstlook.org to be considered by The Nib.
Panel Patter is looking for contributors, particularly from writers interested in manga and webcomics!
Parker D. Hicks is looking for a US military veteran developmental editor with experience in comics for a paid project through VengefulGhost.com.
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. Check Comic Ops to see opportunities specifically for comic creators. Zine Submissions and Zine Scene have great lists of zines, too!
Conventions and Events
Con or Bust has free tickets available for people of color for a number of upcoming conventions, including WizCon, Nine Worlds, GeekGirlCon, and more.
Conosaurus is LIVE! Browse cons by location, date, and other variables! Check it out and please support their Patreon! Here’s their Weekly Digest #30!
C2E2, the Chicago Comics and Entertainment Expo, is accepting applications from vendors until November 7.
Artist Alley tables are available for ClexaCon 2018.
DiNK is accepting applications for their artist alley tables through October 15.
HavenCon 4 has vendor spaces open, especially to vendors who are LGBTQ+, marginalized, or vendors allied to marginalized groups. HavenCon 4 will take place March 29-April 1 in North Austin, TX. (Application form)
Artist Alley tables are available for HeroesCon 2018.
Exhibitor and Artist Alley tables are available for Indiana Comic Con 2018.
Indigenous Comic-Con, taking place November 10-12 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is accepting artist alley & exhibitor applications.
Exhibitor and Artist Alley tables are available for Long Beach Comic Expo 2018.
The Nerdtino Expo 2017 in Philadelphia is accepting applications for exhibitors until October 18.
Phoenix Comic-Con, taking place Memorial Day weekend 2018, is accepting artist alley & exhibitor applications.
The Toronto Comic Arts Festival, or TCAF, is accepting applications for its artist alley until October 31.
The Vancouver Comic Arts Festival, or VANCAF, is accepting applications for its artist alley until December 31.
Here’s a list of international zine fests brought to you by ZINES!
Designers
I created a document where people who have skills in web design and are willing and able to assist comic creators in creating their own websites can list themselves. Feel free to add your name, examples, and prices!
Fan Zines
The 90s Anime Girl Zine is accepting submissions through October 8.
An OiKage zine celebrating the pairing from Haikyuu is accepting applications from artists and writers until October 9. Profits will be donated to Direct Relief.
Limitless: A Kuroko no Basket AU Fanzine is accepting applications from artists until October 16. Contributors will receive physical and digital copies of the final zine, and any profits will be donated to charity.
The Yuri On Ice Nautical Zine is accepting applications until October 22. All contributors will receive a full zine bundle, and profits will be donated to charity.
Adventuring: A Balance Arc Fanzine is accepting submissions of art until October 23. The final collected works will be shared online for free and a printed copy will be given to the McElroys in December.
The second volume of Just the Two of Us, a KorraSami fan zine, is accepting submissions through October 25.
Looking for more fan zines to submit to? Check out ZineAppCalls for more!
Mentorships & Fellowships
SmokeLong Quarterly is accepting applications from writers who are over 18, unpublished in SmokeLong, unagented, and have had no book-length works under contract for the 2018 Kathy Fish Fellowship. The winner will receive $500 and as a remote fellow will have their flash fiction work featured in 4 SmokeLong Quarterlies. Applications are due October 31.
The Representation Matters Mentorship Program is accepting applications on a rolling basis 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.
Residencies, Retreats, and Workshops
Check out the Alliance of Art Communities, Arts for LA, College Art Opportunities for exhibition, residency, and grant opportunities.
Scholarships, Sponsorships, and Grants
A number of micro grants are available for marginalized writers.
Melanie Gillman shared this list of Grants, Fellowships, and Residencies for Cartoonists! Thanks, Melanie!
Pop Culture Collaborative offers grants year-round for rapid response initiatives that help advance social change through pop culture.
Canadian artists and cultural connectors are welcome to apply for grant funds through the Professional Development for Arts Professionals of Supporting Artistic Practice. Details on how and when you can apply are available on the page.
Are you a professional freelancer experiencing financial duress? The Haven Foundation offers grants and assistance to applicants with chronic illness or injury or other career-threatening emergencies.
The Liberty Foundation will be accepting applications later this year for fellowships that provide a $60,000 stipend and coaching support for creators. Sign up for their mailing list to hear the latest news.
The American Booksellers Association is accepting applications from booksellers of diverse backgrounds for their Winter Institute 2018. Apply by October 30 for consideration.
The McKitterick Prize for 2018 is accepting applications from unpublished authors over 40. The grand prize recipient will receive £4,000 and the selected runner-up will receive £1,000. Submissions are due October 31.
The Royal Geographic Society, in partnership with BBC Radio 4, is offering a £5,000 grant for travel to anywhere in the world through the Journey of a Lifetime Award. The recipient of the award will record their journey and their reflections for a BBC 4 radio documentary. Applications close on November 6.
The 2017 William H. Johnson Prize is accepting applications from African-American artists through November 16.
The Jhalak Prize for Book of the Year by a Writer of Color is accepting submissions of books first published in the UK and written by British and British resident BAME writers. Those awarded will receive £1,000. Submissions are due November 30.
Check out Arts for LA, College Art Opportunities, this list by Donathin Frye, or this list by ProFellow for grant opportunities.
Teaching
Sign up to teach at Skillshare to earn royalties based on the premium member students in your class. See here for additional information.
Typesetting
Digital Manga has positions open for freelance manga letterers.
Voice Acting
Check the Casting Call Club and Voice Acting Space for more voice acting and audio opportunities.
Writing and Editing
Rogues Portal is accepting Halloween-themed pitches through October 13.
ClexaCon and Sapphire Press are accepting written submissions for anthology “Fandom and Cosplay at the Con” with lesbian characters and themes as key to the story. Submissions are due October 15. Selected applicants will be given $50, 2 physical copies of the book, and a digital file.
StArt Faire is accepting submissions for its 20th issue until October 29.
The Gender Euphoria Zine is accepting written and illustrated submissions about the joy and euphoria of being trans until October 31.
NineStar Press is accepting short stories of LGBTQIA+ characters for their Teacher’s Pet anthology. Submissions are due October 31.
The Fresh Ink Anthology is accepting submissions to their second issue “Smoke and Mirrors” until November 1.
Stone Soup Community Press is seeking lesbian responses to the current US presidency and administration for No. 45 – A Stone Soup Anthology. Submissions of poetry of any length and fiction, nonfiction, and essays of 6000-8000 words in length are welcome until November 11.
Mason Jar Press is accepting submissions of short queer urban fantasy-adjacent fiction for their Broken Metropolis Anthology through December 7.
Iridium Magazine is currently accepting short story submissions of genre fusion and speculative fiction through December 15, the end of their winter reading period.
Book Smugglers Publishing is accepting short story submissions with the theme of “awakenings” until December 31.
Game Studies is accepting submissions of writing 6500-8000 words in length for special issue on “Queerness and Videogames.” Intersectional perspectives on queerness in and around video games are welcome. Please read the submission guidelines before submitting your final work, due by December 31.
Lethe Press has open submissions and is seeking submissions for A Midas Clutch: Tales of Opulent Horror for horror stories featuring the wealthy, due in January 2018. Queer speculative fiction is preferred. Stories featuring negative perspectives of LGBTQ+ individuals will be rejected.
The American Greetings Alternative Writing Studio is accepting applications for freelance card writers.
Anime Feminist is looking for contributors in the upcoming year. Read here for more information. Article writers will generally be paid $50 per article.
Anime News Network is looking for News or Interest Interns, a Tokyo Correspondent, Freelance Editorial Contributors, Convention Correspondents, and an OpenX Expert.
Argot Magazine is seeking written and illustrated submissions about queer and marginalized experiences.
Asexual Artists is seeking creative asexual interviewees all year long.
Black Girls Create is looking for submissions of written, drawn, filmed, photographed, or any other expression of creative work from black creators showing what their time at Hogwarts would’ve looked like! They are also seeking black women creators and pop culture critique and commentary from black women creators.
The Brave Some is seeking submissions of short stories, prose, essays, reviews, and visual art by creators who identify as black and/or brown women and femmes.
Carnation Books is accepting submissions and welcomes fanfiction writers seeking to transition into publishing their original writing content. They are also accepting applications for plot and line/style editors and marketing interns.
Choice of Games is hiring writers for their new line of interactive romance games.
Cicada is seeking submissions of poetry, fiction, essays, comics, and illustration.
Culturess is seeking new contributors!
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.
Geeks of Color is looking for news reporters and social media managers!
GeekGirlCon is seeking guest bloggers.
Hello Equality is seeking trans and POC writers for their website. Speak on issues related to LGBTQ+ people, feminism, or pop culture topics.
Lillium Publishing is accepting fiction manuscripts, either standalone books or series, in a number of genres, including urban romance and erotica.
Low-income writers in the UK can check this Storify of opportunities from The Literary Consultancy.
Lore Lush Publishing is accepting manuscript submissions in a number of genres. Diverse and inclusive works are prioritized.
Makers in Malaysia is accepting registration applications for their upcoming English language zine celebrating the work of Malaysian creators.
The Mary Sue is hiring freelance writers, especially those with pitches on queer representation, video games, and music.
NineStar Press is seeking submissions of romance, erotica, and literary novels. They’re also looking for ARC reviewers.
On She Goes is seeking pitches and ideas about women of color and traveling. Tips, insight, and anecdotes are welcome.
Panel Patter is looking for contributors, particularly from writers interested in manga and webcomics!
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.
Publisher’s Weekly is looking for a Contributing Editor for Books in Spanish. This remote position requires experience in journalism.
The Quill is accepting submissions of stories, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Check here for their submission guidelines and pay scale.
Sapphire Books is accepting submissions of lesbian fiction, particularly within the genres of romance, mystery/intrigue with romantic elements, and young adult.
Sky Pony Press is accepting submissions for picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and YA fiction and nonfiction.
Swoon Reads is accepting submissions of complete novels for young adult and new adult fiction.
ThinkProgress is accepting pitches from freelance writers on topics such as climate policy, economy, reproductive rights, refugees, diverse perspectives, and more. Read here for guidelines on how to pitch.
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.
Check out writingcareer.com for a list of calls for submission!
Youth
The Manga Jiman Competition 2017 is accepting submissions of short comics from UK residents, including youth, until November 6. Selected winners may receive round trip flights to Japan, a Toshiba laptop, a Ricoh camera, and various manga.
Check out Comics Club, a new blog that highlights and connects comics clubs and shares advice and resources to help youth comic creators.
Check out the NewPages Young Writers Guide for artists and writers seeking to submit their work to publications!
Are you an LGBTQ+ teen? The University of Connecticut has a survey open to help scientists better understand the needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ teens.
Natalie “Tally” Nourigat offers advice & resources for young cartoonists ages 14-18 (although this is good advice for creators at any age)!
Resources
The 2016 Artist Alley Convention Survey is now available to view and purchase! Find out which conventions were rated highest by engagement, sales, amenities, and other information, all in easy-to-understand charts and simply written information. Thank you so much Kiriska for putting this together!
Did you or will you table in an artist alley this year? Take the 2017 Artist Alley Convention Survey here.
Becca Hillburn of Nattosoup shared tips on using masking frisket with markers, working in batches for watercolor paintings, and a video comparing the Kuretake, Pentel, and Pilot brush pens.
Blambot shared these tips on effective comic lettering! Thanks, Nate Piekos! See Blambot for additional tips under the “Articles” section, as well as fonts for free and for purchase!
The Crash Override Network has resources on what to do if you’re a victim of online harrassment and/or doxxing and how to protect yourself.
For full time independent contractors and freelancers, here’s a list of deductables, expenses, and other tax advice!
Katie Lane released a free e-course for artists and freelancers about How to Read a Contract. Thank you, Katie!
Malaak Online shared a list of writing, drawing, and marketing resources for comic creators.
Nilah Magruder created this awesome list of literary agents who represent illustrators. Niki Smith also has a list of agents who represent creators of graphic novels. Thank you Nilah and Niki!
Peahat created a webcomic theme that you can host on Github pages for free. It was developed so those with little or no coding experience can set up a webcomic site without complications. Check here if you have any questions, or send a DM Peahat‘s way! Thank you so much for this awesome resource, Peahat!
SpiderForest released episode 11 of their podcast. “Proud to Be A Working Artist” explores the balance webcomic artists make with fulltime work, freelancing, and making ends meet!
StArt Faire has a dedicated page of resources for comic artists.
Strangely Katie shared this great list of ways to develop a creative project outside of drawing or otherwise directly making! Thanks, Katie!
Deals
Daiya Manga lists great deals for manga and anime!
Make sure you have business cards before your summer cons! Save $15 off your first purchase from MOO using this code. Thanks, Becca!
ZapCreatives is offering 50% off fluorescent acrylic charms with code “radiant” this month.
Remember to check ComiXology, Dick Blick, Jerry’s Art-A-Rama, Joann, Michael’s, and RightStuf for their weekly ads, coupons, and specials on comics and art supplies.
Giveaways
Goodreads constantly offers giveaways for a variety of titles in all genres. Check out these giveaways for graphic novels, including these ones for Cucumber Quest, Junko Mizuno’s Ravina the Witch?, and Suee and the Shadow!
Love in Panels is giving away critically acclaimed romance comics to celebrate 100 twitter followers! Enter to win, and while you’re at it, support them with a follow on Twitter!
Melissa Capriglione is giving away a free copy of the Falconhyrste sketchbook when you sketch some fanart! Be sure to tag Melissa before October 9!
Seven Seas has a new survey for September! Fill out the survey to be entered into a raffle to win a copy of any book Seven Seas has published in 2017!
Snowy Wings Publishing is giving away 13 paperback and hardcover books, necklaces, a journal, and bookmarks. The giveaway ends on October 31.
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? Let me know!
If you enjoy the Weekly Roundup, please consider supporting me through my Patreon or through Paypal. Any tips through Ko-Fi will go directly to supporting papercatpress.com, which just renewed its annual membership!
Link to the previous Roundup: Weekly Roundup – September 1, 2017
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