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:
News || Helping Others || Awards || Recent Webcomic Debuts || Crowdfunded Projects || General || Animation || Comics, Illustration, and More || Conventions and Events || Designers || Fan Zines || Mentorships & Fellowships || Residencies, Retreats, and Workshops || Scholarships, Sponsorships, and Grants || Teaching || Typesetting || Voice Acting || Writing and Editing || Youth and Internships || Resources || Deals || Giveaways
News
Conosaurus has closed. They hope to open again in 2019. Thank you to Stephanie and John for providing such a helpful and beautifully-designed resource!- Clip Studio Paint released an update Vers. 1.8.2.
- SPX has created a legal aid fund in support of 11 indie artists and an indie publisher who are faced with a defamation lawsuit because they spoke out against another creator’s alleged pattern of sexual abuse. Please support their cause and send the message that survivors of sexual assault do not feel afraid to speak out against their abusers and supporters of victims should not pay for an abuser’s crimes.
- Paper Cat Press’s “Links” pages is currently offline as it undergoes construction. Thank you for your patience!
Social Resources
- Need information on elections, candidates, and public policy in the US? Check out Ballotpedia.
- Need to contact your government officials? Let Resist Bot and 5calls help you out.
- The Crash Override Network has resources on what to do if you’re a victim of online harassment and/or doxxing and how to protect yourself.
- If you are a trans person in need of legal assistance, check translawhelp.org for pro bono services in your state.
- Here’s a list of free or low-cost mental health resources. Thank you so much for compiling this list, Tiffany!
- If you need to talk to someone or otherwise vent, please utilize this list of help hotlines.
Remember to rest, eat, and drink water when you can. Take care of yourself the best that you can. You, your presence, and your work have an incredible impact on the people around you. You should be here.
Awards
The 2018 Cupcake Award is now accepting applications through September 30. Award recipients will receive $250 towards making a new minicomic, a free half table at CAKE, mentor support, and promotion.
The 2019 Lambda Literary Awards are accepting submissions through December 1. Yes, comics are eligible. There is an entry fee of $50 per book.
The Jhalak Prize is accepting written works by UK-based writers of color published in 2018 until December 15. The selected recipient will receive £1,000.
Bitch Media is accepting submissions of leaders from marginalized communities for their Bitch 50 Awards.
Recent Webcomic Debuts
Check out this list of 2017 Webcomic Debuts and find a new series to read!
Looking for more webcomics? Check out Michael Kinyon’s ongoing and ever-growing list of creators!
Crowdfunded Projects
Artist Isadora Zeferino is currently raising funds on Indiegogo to produce her artbook Pot Pourri. The artbook will contain illustrations, fan art, tutorials, walkthroughs, and notes from the artist herself. Tier options include digital and physical copies of the book, prints, original artowkr, hard enamel pins, and more. The Indiegogo campaign ends on September 22.
Comic artist Pearl Low is hosting a Kickstarter to raise funds for the physical production of TENSION, a graphic novel exploring the diverse experience of the Black Hair Experience. This third print of the 48-page black and white TENSION softcover comic is available internationally. Tier options include digital and physical copies of TENSION, a digital wallpaper, digital or physical commentary on TENSION, a digital sketchbook, a postcard, an enamel pin, and a commission. The Kickstarter ends on September 25.
Tab Kimpton is currently raising funds on Kickstarter to produce Mini Minority Monsters, a 2018 Dinky Nominee for Best Self-Published Comic. Mini Minority Monsters is a smaller travel-sized version of Minority Monsters, the original comic shared on Discord, with additional information on demi and grey-a identities, information on the history of pride as a protest, a better organized transgender section, and more.tier options include the physical book, postcards, charms, prints, a bookplate, plushes, and original artwork. The Kickstarter ends on September 29.
A Destiny Forged: Adventurer’s Anthology Fantasy Art Book is currently raising funds on Kickstarter to produce its works into a published collection. The book will be a full-color perfect bound collection of works from 65 international artists exploring themes of adventure and fantasy. Tier options include digital and physical copies of the book, a desktop wallpaper, prints, acrylic charms, D20 die, original artwork, and more. The Kickstarter ends on October 2.
Sparkler Monthly is currently raising funds on Kickstarter to fund Sparkler Monthly Magazine: Year 6. Sparkler is a publisher of femme-friendly, LGBTQ-inclusive comics, prose, podcasts, and visual novels. They produce a digital magazine each month in the form of publications like Shonen Jump, but also share content online for free, with membership fees granting early access to content and directly contributing to creator pay. Tier options include an annual membership, access to “Cherry Bomb” adult content, desktop wallpapers, ebooks, paperback books, discounted mailed monthly subscription book boxes, and additional items. The Kickstarter ends on October 2.
Artist and writer Melissa Pagluica is currently raising funds on Kickstarter to produce Above the Clouds – the complete graphic novel. Above the Clouds is a webcomic following Eily, a young girl “whose world is silent until she is given a book” and must persuade its author to complete the book. Tier options include digital and physical copies of the book, bookmarks, and a signed bookplate. The Kickstarter ends on October 4.
Pacific Arcana: Tumultus – A Pacific Rim Uprising Tarot Deck is currently raising funds on Kickstarter to produce an artistic collection of fan-made tarot cards. The deck includes work from over 70 artists to produce a full deck of 78 cards, along with a companion book in 132 full color pages which describes the thought and inspiration behind every card. Funds raised beyond production and shipping costs will be delivered to Lambert House and The Orca Conservancy. Tier options include digital and physical copies of the handbook, the tarot deck itself, postcards, stickers, keychains, a spread cloth, and more. The Kickstarter ends on October 5.
Recondite Hill: Things to See is currently raising funds on Kickstarter to produce its physical comic anthology and pay its contributors. The book contains 110 pages of haunting grayscale comics from 24 writers and artists. Tier options include digital and physical copies of the book and digital wallpapers. The Kickstarter ends on October 10.
Draw the Line, a comics anthology addressing contemporary politics, is currently crowdfunding on Unbound. The 144-page hardback anthology featuring work by 114 artists encourages proactive responses to injustice and offers non-partisan guides for political actions and dissent. Tier options include digital and hardback copies of Draw the Line, prints, a bookplate, comics by David Blumenstein, commissions, and more. All proceeds following book production and shipping costs will be given to helprefugees.org.
Reimena Yee is currently raising funds on Unbound to produce a hardcover edition of the first volume of her Eisner-nominated webcomic The Carpet Merchant of Konstantiniyya. The Carpet Merchant is set in 17th-century Istanbul and centers a carpet merchant who must contend with his home, his relationships, and his faith after he is killed by a vampire. Tier options include digital and physical copies of Volume 1, bookmarks, an exclusive print by strangelykatie, postcards, an enamel pin, a signed bookplate, and a commission.
The Emerging Artists Zine, Volume 1: The Witching Hour is currently raising funds on Indiegogo to cover its production costs and raise funds for Pencils for Promise. Every artist featured in the zine – which has over 35 contributors – has not been previously accepted into another zine. The final book will be softcover with over 60 pages of full color illustrations within. Tier options include the digital or physical version of the zine.
General
Did you or will you table in an artist alley in the US this year? Take the 2018 Artist Alley Convention Survey here. The results of the 2017 survey are available 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!
JiMi Agency‘s fall group order will open on September 14 at about 7AM EST. They will be offering clear tapes, washi tapes, poker cards, broken glass posters, and sticker sheets (not kiss cut). Art files will be due October 12.
Lion Forge Comics is hiring a Social Media and Community Manager.
The Spare Change Program is offering two $40 fee sponsorships for Black, PoC, and LGBTQ+ artists to cover the fees for calls for submissions and other application fees. Apply by September 25 to be considered for selection.
Upwork is seeking stories of freelance success through September 30. Enter yours for a chance to win a $1000 Visa gift card.
Animation
- (Greenwich, CT) Blue Sky Studios is seeking a temporary Animator, a BG Character Pipeline Lead, a temporary Effects Technical Director and a temporary Rendering Technical Director.
- Breaking the Glass Frame: Women & Animation Past, Present, Future is a symposium exploring women’s contributions to animation and examining bias and discrimination faced by women in animation today taking place in Los Angeles on October 5-7.
- The Color Stylists of IATSE Local 839 ask for your support in seeking pay equity. Sign their petition to improve rates for color stylists in the animation industry.
- (Burbank, CA) Cartoon Network Studios is seeking two Production Coordinators (1) (2) and a Production Manager. They’ve also started a paid 12-week, full time storyboarding trainee program and are accepting applicants.
- (Kilkenny, Ireland) Cartoon Saloon is looking for a compositing supervisor, FX supervisor, a key posing artist, and technical lead.
- (Vancouver, BC) DHX has job openings for a 3D Animator, 2D Character and Prop Designers, a 2D Director, an Episode Director, a Pipeline TD, and a Shot Finaling Artist, a 2D Storyboard Artist.
- (Burbank, CA) Be sure to check Disney’s website for both creative and office positions with Disney!
- (Glendale, CA) Dreamworks is hiring an Animator, an Animation TA, an Assistant Animatic Editor, a CFX Artist, a Digital Animator, a Production Assistant, a Prop Designer, a Rough Layout Artist, a Temporary Surfacing Generalist, a Temporary Technical Director, a Feature Technical Director, a Visual Development Artist, and more.
- Grace Fong shared this informative thread on working in the animation industry. Thank you Grace!
- Laura Price shared tips for applying to animation studios.
- (Burbank, CA) Nickelodeon is hiring a storyboard director, storyboard artists (1) (2), and more! They’re also accepting applications for spring internships until November 1.
- Pixomondo is seeking an Animator, a CG Supervisor, a Compositor, a Houdini FX Artist, a Pipeline TD, and a Senior Lighting Artist in Los Angeles, CA. They’re also seeking animators in Toronto, a Senior Lighting Artist in Vancouver, and more internationally.
- (Vancouver, BC) Sony Imageworks is hiring Animators, Character FX Technical Directors, Compositors, FX Artists, Layout Artists, Lighters, Matte Painters, Modelers, and more.
- Titmouse is looking for a line producer in New York, NY. They’re also seeking a 2D animator, a background layout artist, a background painter, a line producer, and a lead designer in Vancouver, Canada.
- The Tokyo Anime Award Festival is accepting entries through October 31 for Short Animation (30 minutes or shorter) and November 10 for Feature Animation (60 minutes or longer). Award recipients may receive up to 500,000 yen.
- Toniko Pantoja made a video with tips on making a strong story portfolio for tv and feature animation.
- (Toronto, Canada) Ubisoft is hiring artists, programmers, office workers, and more.
- (Burbank, CA) Walt Disney Animation Studios is hiring an environment designer and a story artist.
- (Burbank, CA) Warner Brothers is hiring a Storyboard Artist, a Storyboard Revisionist, and a Technical Director.
You can find a directory of currently open animation jobs at animatedjobs.com. See Entertainment Careers for more listings.
Comics, Illustration, and More
- Threadless is accepting artwork for the following design challenges: Strange 80s, through September 25; Woven Blankets, due September 28; and Seasons: Autumn, due October 5.
- Texas A&M University is seeking artists and artist teams to create site-specific artwork for two new Student Services locations. Submit by September 22 for consideration. Semifinalists will receive $4000 each to develop their concept and present it to the jury, and selected artists and/or teams will receive either a $90,000 or $150,000 grant (depending on the location they develop) to complete their concept.
- Dick Blick is accepting entries to the On-Trend Art Challenge through September 23. Submit artwork that incorporates alcohol ink, hand lettering, paint pouring, and/or resin for a chance to be one of five winners of a prize pack of art supplies worth over $500.
- MICE Exhibitors are invited to apply for the MICE mini-grants by September 23. 10 confirmed exhibitors will receive $75 each to help with production costs of new work.
- Local Haunts: A Spooky Comic Anthology is accepting applications through September 25. Comics should be between 1-5 pages when completed and preferably in color. Contributors will receive $50 per page if sales goals are met.
- The City of West Hollywood’s WeHo Arts program is accepting submissions for its 2019 One City One Pride Arts Festival Design Competition through September 27. The selected artist will receive $600 and have their art featured on a pamphlet and city-wide banners.
- The Bennett Prize is accepting submissions from women fine art figurative painters through September 28. There is an entry fee of $50.
- Create Magazine is accepting submissions for their upcoming issues through September 29. There is a submission fee of $30.
- Upcoming anthology Boricua en la Luna is accepting applications from Puerto Rican writers, illustrators, and comic artists through September 30. Selected contributors will receive a copy of the anthology; otherwise, proceeds will go to the Hispanic Federation.
- Cloudscape Comics’ Life Finds A Way comic anthology project is accepting submissions of proposals and completed scripts through September 30. Accepted contributors will receive $50/page pending Kickstarter success. Proposed comics should be up to 12 pages long and in full color.
- Professional visual artists and artist teams are invited to submit an application to paint a mural honoring women’s history for She Built NYC by September 30.
- The Silent Manga Audition is accepting comic submissions of 31 pages or less for its 10th contest through September 30. Comics should have the theme(s) of friendship, effort, and/or victory. Cash, Wacom, and Clip Studio Paint prizes will be awarded to winners.
- Specto Art Space is seeking submissions of artwork related to the visual lore of fear now through September 30. There is a $35 entry fee, but printing and framing of artwork is provided for free. The recipient of Best in Show will receive $400, with 2 $100 Honorable Mention prizes awarded. Specto Art Space takes 35% commission on any artwork sold.
- Manifest is seeking submissions for the 9th Annual Manifest Prize ONE through October 1. The prize recipient will receive $5000 and a solo exhibition. Ten runners-up will also be published in the Manifest Exhibition Annual. There is a submission fee of $40.
- The Pabst Blue Ribbon art contest is seeking submissions through October 1. Selected artists will receive up to $10,000 and will have their artwork featured on PBR cans in 2019.
- Antenna’s Open Call is accepting applications from local Louisiana artists and artists nationwide and internationally located through October 15. The selected nonlocal artist will be awarded a solo show for the 2018 calendar year, given an honorarium of $1,000, paid shipping, paid travel to and from New Orleans for the install and opening of the exhibition, accommodations in Antenna’s residency space, and the publishing of an exhibition catalog, artist book, or similar work with Antenna’s publishing center, Paper Machine.
- The Embracing Our Differences 2018 Art Contest is accepting submissions from artists at all career stages through October 15. Three prizes of $1000 each will be given to selected entrants, whose works will be featured in a gallery show in early 2019.
- The iJungle 2018 Illustration Awards are accepting entries through October 15. The entry fee is between $20 single works and $40 for multiple works. All winning entrants will be exhibited in the 2018 iJungle Illustration Annual, a publication available for free online. Gold medalists will have e-magazines dedicated to their work and will be interviewed.
- The Tapirulan Illustrator’s Contest is accepting illustrated submissions of the theme “Chaos” until October 20. Work must be between 25x25cm and 40x40cm; digital works must be 31x31cm exactly. The entry fee is 15 euros, and there is an opportunity to win up to 2,500 euros.
- Grit City Comics is accepting submissions of comics featuring monsters from the public domain through October 30. Creators will be paid per page contributed according to funds raised via Kickstarter.
- The PAVE 2018 Student Design Competition is accepting submissions from college-level students studying retail planning, design, visual merchandising, and branding programs. Submit by November 1 for a chance at cash prizes.
- Frisson Comics is accepting submissions for their horror zine Knock Knock Issue 10 through November 12. Submissions may be written or visual and up to 4 pages long.
- Antenna is accepting unpublished comics and Guidebooks focused on some aspect of New Orleans at any stage of completion through November 30. There is a submission fee of $20. Artists of selected comics will receive an honorarium of $500, 50 printed copies, and royalties of $1/book should it be reprinted.
- The Nib’s upcoming quarterly magazine is seeking pitches for the issue on “Scams” by November 30.
- The Votes for Women anthology is accepting portfolio submissions from “creators who identify as female and have been affected by [the 19th amendment]” through November 30.
- The Palos Verdes Art Center in Los Angeles, CA is seeking proposals from artists for its 2019 building wrap exhibition by December 1. The selected artist will receive $5000 and will be featured in the gallery.
- Queerly Represent Me is accepting submissions for their annual zine “Represent” by December 31.
- Girls Drawin’ Girls is accepting membership applications until January 2, 2019.
- Lilies Anthology is accepting submissions to their 7th volume “Lily Bulb” through January 22, 2019. The theme of the anthology will be the environment and should represent female/lesbian romance, relationships, and/or sexuality. They’re also currently seeking countdown artists!
- Argot Magazine is seeking written and illustrated submissions about queer and marginalized experiences. Their payment ranges from $35 to $250 per piece.
- Arsenika is accepting portfolio submissions for cover work and pays $100 for reprint artwork.
- Artifact is seeking artists and accepting portfolio submissions.
- The Asexual is accepting general submissions from marginalized voices in the queer community.
- Asexual Artists is always seeking creative asexual interviewees.
- 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.
- New publisher Bulgihan Press is seeking to publish short self-contained comics of 20-40 pages by solo creators.
- Burnt Roti Mag is seeking British Muslim comic book illustrators, particularly women and nonbinary artists of any Muslim ethnicity, to contribute to upcoming graphic novel Threads of a British Museum.
- Carnation Books is accepting submissions of queer genre fiction and welcomes fanfiction writers seeking to transition into publishing original writing content. They are actively seeking submissions with asexual or aromantic main characters. They are also seeking cover artists and plot and style editors.
- ComicsMNT is seeking pitches for features. They are also seeking to interview comic artists on their process and comic retailers.
- Stephanie Cooke is actively connecting comic creators of all types for paid projects. Check out Creator Advisor for more information.
- The Doubleclicks are seeking nonbinary artists, animators, and filmmakers for paid contributions to their upcoming music video.
- Literary Agency Full Circle Literary is now accepting submissions from writers and illustrators.
- Familius LLC is seeking an Art Director in Sanger, CA. Remote okay.
- GenderTerror is accepting submissions of LGBTQ+ horror from artists and writers.
- (Chicago, IL) Jackbox Games is seeking a lead artist.
- Jerry’s Art-A-Rama hosts a number of art contests, some ongoing and some requiring specific materials.
- Kima Jones is seeking a book cover designer for a small press project with a two week turnaround.
- Do you have a webcomic with LGBTQ characters and themes? LGBTQ Webcomics is looking to add more queer webcomics to their database on Tagpacker!
- Longreads is accepting portfolio submissions from illustrators.
- Lore Lush Publishing is seeking Cover Artists.
- You can send samples of your work along with pitches to thenib@firstlook.org to be considered by The Nib.
- The New Southern Fugitives is seeking submissions of fiction, book reviews, essays, poetry, photography, and visual art from creators in the South. They pay $60 per book review, essay, or story and $25 per poem, photograph, or visual art.
- Michael Perlman is seeking artists, colorists, and letterers for THE GOOD FIGHT, a comic anthology benefiting the Southern Poverty Law Center.
- Pink Narcissus Press is seeking cover artwork for SF/F speculative fiction. They pay $100-$200 for nonexclusive rights.
- POMEgranate Magazine is accepting pitches from artists and writers.
- Robot Dinosaur Games is accepting artwork submissions for its upcoming anthology. They will pay $75 per piece.
- (New York, NY) Scholastic Corporation is seeking a Senior Editor to join their imprint Graphix to work on graphic novels for elementary and middle grade readers. They’re also seeking a Production Editor.
- The Webcomic Library is a new resource that hopes to serve as a comprehensive list of webcomics. Submit your webcomic using this form.
- Are a fan of webcomics? The Webcomic Whisperer is looking for guest posts!
- ZEAL is accepting pitches on comics, games, and pop culture, as well as comics and hybrid multimedia work.
- Zine-O-Matic, a zine subscription service, is open for zine submissions!
Check out Arts for LA, Call for Entry, College Art Opportunities, Graphic Competitions, or Hey, Art Friends 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 Chris Arrant’s #ComicJobs hashtag on Twitter. 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 GeekGirlCon, the World Fantasy Convention, the Nebula Conference, and more.
- The Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo, or C2E2 (March 22 – 24), is accepting applications for its artist alley.
- ClexaCon (April 11-15) is currently accepting applications from artists and exhibitors. If you can’t afford a ticket and/or travel costs, apply for the Clexacon Scholarship Fund.
- Denver Comic Con (May 31 – June 2, 2019) is accepting applications for the Artist Valley, Booktopia, and Merchant Mesa through October 8.
- GeekGirlCon is accepting name ideas for one of their mascots until October 1. The first prize winner and runner-up will each receive complimentary badges to GeekGirlCon weekend.
- MICE Exhibitors are invited to apply for the MICE mini-grants by September 23. 10 confirmed exhibitors will receive $75 each to help with production costs of new work.
- Nerdtino Expo (October 20) in Philadelphia, PA is accepting exhibitors.
- The Prarie Comics Festival is accepting applications for exhibitors until December 1. It is free to table at and attend.
- The Queers & Comics Conference (May 17 – 18) in New York, NY is accepting panels, panelists, and workshops through September 30.
- TCAF is accepting applications to its 2019 show (May 11 – 12) through October 12.
Here’s a list of international zine fests brought to you by ZINES!
Designers
- The Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games is seeking design proposals for the Beijing 2022 Olympic Mascot and the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Mascot from October 20 to October 31. 10 finalists will receive a cash prize of 10,000 yuan, the top three designs will receive 30,000 yuan, and the grand prize winner will receive 100,000 yuan.
- An anonymous production company is seeking a Graphic Design Coordinator – remote okay.
- (Glendale, CA) Disney Corporate Creative Resources is seeking a Graphic Designer.
- (New York, NY) Harper Collins is seeking an Assistant Designer.
- Knovva Academy is looking for freelance graphic designer that specializes in document layouts (information organization) and icon designs.
- (New York, NY) Marvel Entertainment is seeking an Interactive Designer.
- (New York, NY) Penguin Young Readers is seeking a Junior Designer. Penguin Random House is seeking an Assistant Design Director.
- (New York, NY) Public Art Fund is seeking a full-time Graphic Designer.
- SmackJeeves is hiring template designers (on a contract basis), UI/UX designers, and full-stack web developers.
- (San Francisco, CA) Viz Media is seeking a Designer.
Fan Zines
Artist applications for the Legend of Zelda: Hero of the Ages fan zine are open from September 1-30. Proceeds will be donated to charity.
Looking for more fan zines to submit to? Check out ZineAppCalls or this incredible spreadsheet created by magicalzombie for more!
Have a finished zine project you want to advertise? Check out Zine RTer!
Mentorships & Fellowships
- The Brave New Fellows program is accepting applications from activist storytellers who want to learn how to use film to support their activism until today, September 21. Selected fellows will work 9-6PM in Culver City, CA beginning January 14, 2019 while receiving $800/week and PTO.
- The Vermont Studio Center is accepting 25 fellows for its 2019 Fellowship program through October 1. 25 fellowships will be open to all artists and writers living and working anywhere in the world. 25 additional fellowships are available based on age, gender, financial need, and/or other factors. All fellowships include a private room, private studio space, meal, and access to special programs and events.
- Writers in who have not completed nor enrolled in MFA or PhD programs are invited to apply for the 2019 Winter Tangerine Fellowship through October 3. The 12-month fellowship will occur mostly online, and includes writing and editing a chapbook to be released through Honeysuckle Press, writing mentorship, private guest seminars, an editorial internship, and an honorarium.
- The Tiptree Fellowships are accepting applications from creators who explore gender through speculative narrative through October 31. Recipients will receive $500.
- POC in Publishing is accepting applicants for its Writers and Illustrators of Color Mentorship Program.
- 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
- Rimbun Dahan is accepting applications from Southeast Asian artists to its residency through October 1. Residencies may last from 30-90 days, depending on immigration restrictions, and include accomodation, studio space, and a monthly allowance of 1000RM.
- The Art Studios program at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, NY is accepting applications for its Residency program and Fellowship through October 15. Residents will receive an honorarium of $125 per day and will work one day each week over a 6-month period. Fellows will work 40 hours/week and will receive an honorarium of $15,000.
- The CAAF Residency in Calgary, Alberta is accepting applications through October 22. Selected artists will be paid $700/month following the conclusion of the residency.
- The Customs House in Brenton, Nova Scotia is seeking seven craft artists in residence.
Check out the Alliance of Art Communities, Arts for LA, College Art Opportunities for exhibition, residency, and grant opportunities.
Scholarships, Sponsorships, and Grants
- The Working Artist Grant is accepting applications through September 30. There is a $25 submission fee.
- Artist Grant is accepting applications for their quarterly $500 grant through October 15. There is a $25 fee.
- Arte Público Press is seeking bilingual (Spanish/English) children’s book manuscripts to be considered for the inaugural Salinas de Alba Award for Latino Children’s Literature. Recipients will be published, receive royalties, and will be awarded $5000. Submit your work by December 31 for consideration.
- Koyama Press is accepting applications for OAC’s Recommender Grant for Writers until January 16, 2019. Applicants must be in Ontario and may receive between $1,500 and $5,000.
- A number of micro grants are available for marginalized writers.
- The Awesome Foundation offers $1000 grants on a rolling basis.
- Melanie Gillman shared this list of Grants, Fellowships, and Residencies for Cartoonists! Thanks, Melanie!
- 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 Spare Change Grant Program offers one grant of $25 each month to a person of color and/or gender minority to be used for covering application costs for residencies and calls for submissions. Apply by the 25th of each month for a chance at the award.
- Springboard for the arts offers an Emergency Relief Fund for personal and community disasters. Artists in Minnesota affected by the Roberts’ Shoes Building fire are invited to apply.
Check out Arts for LA, College Art Opportunities, or this list by ProFellow for grant opportunities.
Teaching
- (Santa Ana, CA) The Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Art Center is hiring a Visual Arts Instructor.
Sign up to teach at Skillshare to earn royalties based on the premium member students in your class. See here for additional information.
Voice Acting
Check the Casting Call Club and Voice Acting Space for more voice acting and audio opportunities.
Writing and Editing
- PseudoPod is seeking submissions of 2000-6000 word horror fiction during the month of September. PseudoPod pays $0.06/word.
- EFNIKS is seeking pitches for the upcoming November issue TWO-SPIRIT, focusing on uplifting Native, Indigenous, Two-Spirit LGBTQ+ perspectives through September 22. They need two longer articles of 1200-2000 words (paying $300 each) and 6 personal essays of 600-800 words (paying $100 each).
- Augur Magazine is open to submissions of fiction and poetry through September 30.
- Upcoming anthology Boricua en la Luna is accepting applications from Puerto Rican writers, illustrators, and comic artists through September 30. Selected contributors will receive a copy of the anthology; otherwise, proceeds will go to the Hispanic Federation.
- Less Than Three Press is seeking apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic/pastoral apocalyptic LGBTQIA+ stories between 8000 and 15,000 words by September 30 for their upcoming anthology Life After All. They are also open to general submissions.
- The Saints and Sinners LGBTQ Literary Festival 2019 Short Fiction Contest is accepting submissions from authors through October 1. Work must be based on the theme “Saints and Sinners.” There is a $20 entry fee.
- The next #DVPit event on Twitter will take place on October 16 for kids/YA projects and on October 17 for adult projects. Find out more at dvpit.com.
- WisCon Chronicles Volume 12: LGBTQ+ Identities is accepting submissions of written work between 1000 and 4000 words through November 5.
- Frisson Comics is accepting submissions for their horror zine Knock Knock Issue 10 through November 12. Submissions may be written or visual and up to 4 pages long.
- Antenna is accepting submissions of chapbooks that “investigate the intersections and collaborative possibilities between literature and art (defined and interpreted broadly)” through November 30. There is a $20 submission fee. Writers of selected works will receive $500 and 50 copies of the book.
- Bitch Media is accepting submissions of “reportage, analysis, and commentary that looks at where the multiple meanings of “broke” reside” through November 30.
- Ninestar Press is seeking LGBTQA+ romance fiction and genre fiction novels with the theme of “Deal with the Devil” through November 30.
- Queerly Represent Me is accepting submissions for their annual zine “Represent” by December 31.
- Amendo is accepting story pitches on topics such as self-discovery, community, and attaining financial stability. They offer an undisclosed pay.
- The American Greetings Alternative Writing Studio is accepting applications for freelance card writers.
- Anathema is seeking fiction and nonfiction from queer nonwhite 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 Freelance Editorial Contributors and Convention Correspondents.
- Argot Magazine is seeking written and illustrated submissions about queer and marginalized experiences. Their payment ranges from $35 to $250 per piece.
- Arsenika is accepting previously unpublished fiction and poetry up to 1000 words. Payment is $60 for fiction and $30 for poetry.
- The Asian American Writers’ Workshop is accepting creative nonfiction, cultural criticism, and essay submissions for their magazine The Margins.
- Autostraddle is seeking article submissions on “contemporary LGBTQ herstory,” personal essays, feature stories, fashion and beauty, sex and relationships, humor, and investigative journalism, particularly from butch/masculine-of-center women, people of color, people over age 45, and trans women.
- Black Girls Create is looking for submissions 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 Blend at Hello Giggles is seeking essay and interview pitches, particularly involving “mixed” or intersecting identities.
- 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.
- Bustle is accepting pitches and set up guidelines for how to pitch to them.
- Carina Press is open for submissions, especially romances featuring a plus-sized protagonist, where being plus-sized is not their defining characteristic, or cozies with a hint of the paranormal. They also have an ongoing open call for male/male romantic suspense.
- Carnation Books is accepting submissions of queer genre fiction and welcomes fanfiction writers seeking to transition into publishing their original writing content. They are actively seeking submissions with asexual or aromantic main characters. They are also seeking cover artists and plot and style editors.
- CBR is seeking experienced writers to write on comic book news, analyses, and movie and tv show casting news.
- Choice of Games is hiring writers for their new line of interactive romance games.
- Clarksworld Magazine is looking for nonfiction contributors and pays up to $0.10 per word.
- 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 $0.06/word for up to 6000 words. Republishing payment is $0.01/word.
- (New York, NY) Dey Street Books is seeking an Executive Editor.
- (Glendale or Emeryville, CA) Disney Publishing Worldwide is seeking an Editor with experience in Children’s Publishing on a project-by-project basis.
- Twitter pitch event #DVPit is hosting a #PreDV event on October 3 from 8AM to 8PM EST. Receive critiques and feedback before the official #DVPit later in September!
- Geeks of Color is looking for news reporters, writers, and music bloggers.
- GenderIT.org is seeking articles, comics, podcasts, and English-language videos on online violence, harassment, privacy, security, sexuality, intersectionality, movements, campaigns online, and internet for feminism. They pay $0.12/word.
- GenderTerror is accepting submissions of LGBTQ+ horror from artists and writers.
- Interlude Press is seeking submissions of fiction of all genres featuring LGBTQ characters.
- (New York, NY) Scholastic Corporation is seeking a Senior Editor to join their imprint Graphix to work on graphic novels for elementary and middle grade readers.
- Latinx Publishing is seeking more mentors for its 2018 Writer/Mentor program.
- Lillium Publishing is accepting fiction manuscripts, either for standalone books or series.
- (NSFW!) Liquid Silver Publishing is seeking short romantic fiction between 8000 and 25,000 words.
- Literary Agency Full Circle Literary is now accepting submissions from writers and illustrators.
- Longreads is seeking pitches for personal essays, interviews, reading lists, and more.
- Lore Lush Publishing is accepting manuscript submissions in a number of genres. Diverse and inclusive works are prioritized. They’re also hiring Editors, a Publishing Assistant, and a Publicist.
- The National Book Foundation is seeking a freelance content writer for the Author In Focus: James Baldwin initiative.
- Native Ink Press is seeking submissions of nonfiction prose and children’s books.
- The New Southern Fugitives is seeking submissions of fiction, book reviews, essays, poetry, photography, and visual art from creators in the South.
- NineStar Press is seeking submissions of romance, erotica, and literary novels.
- (Salem, MA) Page Street Publishing is seeking an Assistant Production Editor and a Design Assistant.
- Panel Patter is looking for contributors, particularly from writers interested in manga and webcomics!
- (New York, NY) Penguin Random House is seeking an Editor or a Senior Editor to acquire and edit fiction. Penguin Young Readers is seeking an Associate Managing Editor.
- (New York, NY) Peter Lang Publishing is seeking an Editorial Assistant.
- POMEgranate Magazine is accepting pitches from artists and writers.
- (Seattle, WA) The Quarto Group is seeking a Juvenile Book Editor.
- Radish Fiction, a mobile app for serial fiction, is hiring freelance writers and ghostwriters for twenty 1500-word chapters of serialized romance, YA, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and/or other genres.
- Reckoning is accepting submissions of creative writing (fiction or nonfiction) about environmental justice for its third issue.
- Rubén, co-host of podcast Bitter Brown Femmes and public speaker, is seeking an editor for a small monthly gig.
- (New York, NY) Scholastic is seeking a Production Editor and an Editor of Licensed Publishing, Media, and Brands.
- (Washington D.C.) The Smithsonian is seeking a Digital Editorial Assistant.
- (New York, NY) St. Martin’s Press is hiring an Editorial Assistant.
- Three-Lobed Burning Eye is seeking original speculative short stories and flash fiction for their Fall issue. Accepted authors of short stories will receive $100 and for flash fiction authors will receive $30.
- Unearth Women is seeking a part-time digital editor and part-time staff writers.
- 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.
- Are a fan of webcomics? The Webcomic Whisperer is looking for guest posts!
- (New York, NY) Workman Publishing, Co. is seeking a Production Editor.
- ZEAL is accepting pitches on comics, games, and pop culture, as well as comics and hybrid multimedia work.
- (Grand Rapids, MI) Zonderkids is seeking an Acquisitions Editor.
Check out writingcareer.com for a list of calls for submission!
Youth & Internships
- Abrams Books is seeking interns in Adult Marketing & Publicity, Trade Marketing, Children’s Editorial, and Creative Design.
- (Burbank, CA) The Walt Disney Company (Corporate) is seeking Graphic Design interns for Spring 2019.
- Comics Club highlights and connects comic clubs and shares advice and resources to help youth comic creators.
- The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations is accepting submissions from artists ages 5-19 for the World Food Day 2018 Poster Contest through November 9. Create a poster that illustrates the idea of “Zero Hunger” for a chance to win a Certificate of Recognition, a gift bag, and the opportunity to be featured in an exhibit.
- (San Diego, CA) IDW is seeking interns in Editorial and Marketing.
- (Portland, OR) Miss Anthology is accepting sign-ups for their upcoming free winter classes. Artists aged 9 to 18 are welcome to apply.
- Natalie “Tally” Nourigat offers advice & resources for young cartoonists ages 14-18 (although this is good advice for creators at any age)!
- The NewPages Young Writers Guide for artists and writers shares publications seeking applications from youth contributors.
- (Burbank, CA) Nickelodeon is accepting applications for internships for Spring 2019 through November 1.
- (Philadelphia, PA) Quirk Books is seeking a paid Publicity and Marketing intern.
Resources
- The 2018 Artist Alley Convention Survey is open for responses! Here are past survey results. 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 Kiriska for putting this together!
- Becca Hillburn of Nattosoup shared an Intro to Comics blog post on Text Balloons. Winners of 2018 NATTO Scholarship were also announced! She also shared a list of Recommending Reading for Comic Artists. Be sure to check Becca’s Youtube channel for new video interviews with independent artists, walkthroughs with dip pen nibs, tutorials, and more.
- Clip Studio Paint shared a tutorial on how to use its Perspective tool.
- Have you checked out the Creator Advisor? Initialized and run by Stephanie Cooke, the project aims to connect artists, writers, editors, and anyone involved in making comics together for paid projects, with an aim to prioritize marginalized creators. Talk about amazing!! Please look into it and consider contributing to their Patreon.
- Creator Resource aims to share resources for comic book creators, writers, and editors. Check it out!
- Sign up for Draw This to receive free reference photos in your email each week. Join the free life drawing livestream every Friday at 4PM PST!
- Artist E.Hanby opened a blog sharing Clip Studio Paint tips!
- A good tip for blocking and composition from Eric!
- Erin Roseberry shared some great info on getting your work into your local library! Thanks, Erin!
- Fai wrote a comprehensive Zine Organizing Guide. Thanks, Fai!
- The Freelancer’s Union posted The Freelancer’s Guide to Getting Paid on Time. Check it out!
- Hannako shared information on American-made enamel pin manufacturers.
- Ila compiled a list of resources that may help when learning Japanese. Thanks Ila!
- Iron Spike shared an informative thread with tips and information on how to draw Black hair.
- Jesse Hamm shared 10 ways to save time while making comics! These are incredible tips, and as the “slowest artist ever,” I look forward to using them. Thanks Jesse!
- KikiDoodle shared a valuable thread on how to treat people who visit your booth at conventions and shows.
- Brushes by Kyle T. Webster are available on Adobe’s website. Apparently they work on older, non-CC versions of Photoshop. Test it out and see if it can work for you!
- Lacey shared great tips on drawing hands and feet! Thank you, Lacey!
- Liz Kramer shared this comprehensive list of artist resources in a Twitter moment! Thank you Liz!
- Nilah Magruder created (and recently updated) 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!
- Nilah Magruder also created an email newsletter offering tips and advice for caretakers with creative kids.
- Tired of seeing tweets out of order? Check out REALTWITTER.COM. Thanks to everyplace and waxpancake!
- Ever had your work stolen? RitheGuardian created a free DMCA takedown template!
- Shay shared these great tips on selecting zines to participate in (I follow these too!). They also created this incredible spreadsheet for zine templates… wow! Thank you, Shay!
- Strangely Katie shared this great list of ways to develop a creative project outside of drawing or otherwise directly making! Thanks, Katie!
- The Toronto Comics Anthology shared their process for organizing anthology projects.
- The Void Academy is offering a free 30-minute webinar on Building Your Community as an Artist, available on September 18, 19, and 20.
- Andreas Werchmeister created a “Visible Peeps” website where artists who are not cis men can submit a tweet with their artwork. Thanks Andreas!
- Yoshi Yoshitani shared a great thread on pricing commissions!
Deals
- The entire Adobe Creative Suite is on sale for $30/month for the first 12 months. It’s usually $53/month for that plan, so this is an incredible deal.
- Every Monday, Barnes and Noble offers deals on manga.
- Get a free zipper pouch with code FREEZIP when you purchase a September
#CopicColors Sketch or Ciao 6-pack. - Daiya Manga lists great deals for manga and anime!
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
- Book Riot is giving away a $250 Barnes and Noble gift card through September 30.
- Dick Blick is giving away two round-trip tickets to London with $4000 cash to customize the trip and a $500 Windsor & Newton prize pack. 10 entrants will also receive a Blick gift card for $250. Enter by September 30 for a chance to win.
- Goodreads constantly offers giveaways for a variety of titles in all genres. Check out these giveaways for comics and graphic novels, like this one for DC Super Hero Girls: Search for Atlantis and Flawed by Andrea Dorfman.
- Seven Seas has a survey for September. Fill out the survey to be entered into a raffle to win a copy of any book Seven Seas has published so far in 2018!
- Sparkler Monthly is hosting a survey for June. Fill it out for a chance to win a Sparkler paperback of your choice!
- It’s not a “true” giveaway, but: The Comic Con Museum is accepting donations starting at $10 and in exchange is offering the chance to win yourself and a friend 4-day passes to San Diego Comic-Con with preview night, reserved seating in Hall H, and complimentary travel and stay. Donate by October 18 for a chance to win.
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! (This button was a suggestion from Yen! I hope it helps you all find more recent updates!)
If you enjoy the Weekly Roundup, please consider supporting me through my Paypal or Ko-Fi. Thank you to Atla, comicops, and Toronto Comix for sharing Paper Cat! And hello to the new followers out there – I hope this resource helps you!
Link to the previous Roundup: Weekly Roundup – September 14, 2018
paper cat press 