Weekly Roundup: February 7, 2020

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 || Games || Mentorships & Fellowships || Residencies, Retreats, and Workshops || Scholarships, Sponsorships, and Grants || Teaching || Voice Acting || Writing and Editing || Youth and Internships || Resources || Deals || Giveaways


News

  • Paper Cat Press now has an official mailing list! Sign up here and get notified whenever a new Weekly Roundup goes live.
  • The 2019 Diversity Baseline survey results are now available. Unfortunately, “There is no discernible change to any of the other racial categories. In other words, the field is just as White today as it was four years ago.”
  • Kickstarter United has received several commitments from Kickstarter management indicating a fair process moving forward with union negotiations and has agreed to a media blackout as a show of good faith.
  • Supporters of Kickstarter United can look to this page for ideas on how to show their support. NOTE: Paper Cat Press supports the union and will follow their lead in the use of Kickstarter.
  • 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.

Social Resources

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 and Prizes

Nilah Magruder shared this Illustration Awards Masterlist. Scroll down to the Resources section to see even more that Nilah has contributed to the community for free. Thank you so much, Nilah!

The Penguin Random House Library Award for Innovation Through Adversity is accepting applications from US libraries and staff who overcome adversity and create lasting innovative community service programs that successfully inspire and connect with new readers. A $10,000 cash award will be given to a US library, and four runners-up will receive $1,000 in Penguin Random House books.

The Ripped Bodice Awards for Excellence in Romantic Fiction will announce its winners on February 14. While there is no formal submissions process and judges are tasked with making note of memorable romance fiction, you are welcome to submit your work for consideration.

The SFWA Nebula Awards are accepting nominations from Active, Lifetime Active, and Associate SFWA members in good standing until February 15 at 11:59pm PST.

The Jeanne Córdova Prize for Lesbian/Queer Nonfiction is accepting submissions from lesbian and lesbian-identified queer authors through February 17. The award winner will receive a cash prize of $2,500.

The Jim Duggins Outstanding Mid-Career Novelists’ Prize is accepting submissions from LGBTQ-identified authors who have published multiple novels and show promise to continue publishing high quality work for years to come until February 17.

The Judith A. Markowitz Award for Emerging LGBTQ Writers is accepting submissions from LGBTQ-identified, emerging writers who have published at least one, but not more than two, books of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry until February 17. Two award winners will receive a cash prize of $1,000.

The Myriad First Graphic Novel Competition is accepting submissions of graphic novels in process from creators who have not yet published a full-length graphic work until February 28.

The 2020 Comedy Women in Print Prize is accepting submissions of published comedy, unpublished comedy, and humorous graphic novels by “female (identified) authors including non-binary” published in the UK and Ireland until March 3. There is no cost for entry, but for shortlisted books, £50 will be required from the publisher and a further £50 for the winning book.

Nominations for the 2020 Hugo Awards, 1945 Retro Hugo Awards, Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book, and Astounding Award for Best New Writer are now open until March 13.

The 2020 Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards is accepting entry submissions until March 13.

The 2020 World Fantasy Awards are accepting submissions of fantasy books and magazines published in 2019. Materials should be received before May 31 (as soon as possible).


Crowdfunded Projects

wychwoodch1

endingbutton_4 Ally Rom Colthoff is currently raising funds to publish a physical copy of Wychwood Chapter 1: Discovery. Wychwood is a sci-fi/urban fantasy post-apocalypse story that begins twenty years after the world was invaded by an alien force that left behind strange magic. As the organization Wychwood seeks to maintain its status as an authority on magic, delinquent Tiara must protect herself and stay under the radar. Tier options include digital and physical copies of the 36-page chapter, a sticker, prints, and a complete set of Colthoff’s comic Chirault. The campaign ends on February 12.


dddeath10Dirty Diamonds is raising funds to publish their final volume of Dirty Diamonds: its tenth volume, Death. The 252-page anthology features semi-autobiographical comics from female and femme comic creators based on the theme of Death and how it has impacted their lives. Tier options include digital and physical copies of the book, postcards, bookmarks, a patch, an enamel pin, a signed bookplate, every volume of the Dirty Diamonds series, a candle, and a custom canvas print. The campaign ends on February 14.


valor3

Megan Lavey-Heaton is currently raising funds to publish Valor Anthology: Volume 3. This third and final volume of the Valor trilogy features LGBTQA+ friendly adapted, re-imagined, or invented fairy tales aimed at all-ages readers. Tier options include digital and physical copies of Volume 3, digital and physical copies of past Valor books, digital wallpapers, a stationery set, prints, and an enamel pin. The campaign ends on February 16.


TLoJR-issue-2-ks-header

button_new3 Comic creator Kelci D Crawford is currently raising funds to publish The Legend of Jamie Roberts: Chapter 2. The Legend of Jamie Roberts is the story of a genderqueer pirate and their two best friends treasure-hunting in a land full of dragons. The webcomic is ongoing and the first chapter has been printed. Tier options include behind-the-scenes backer blog access, PDF and print copies of Chapters 1 and 2, commissions, and an original production page. The campaign ends on February 21.


alchemistaurillia

button_new3 Comic creator Melissa J Massey is currently raising funds to publish The Alchemist of Aurillia, both a standalone story and the opener for a full length series. In an alternate world version of the Ottoman Empire, wizard-in-training Nuriye summons a weak lantern sprite to serve as her familiar, but they need to learn to get along if they want to survive the night. Tier options include a wallpaper pack, digital and physical copies of The Alchemist of Aurillia, an exclusive print, a sticker, Vatican Assassins Chapter 1Black Ball #1, an illustrated bookplate, and a commission. The campaign ends on February 29.

General


Animation

Check this list of animation and gaming jobs worldwide that’s updated daily. You can find a directory of currently open animation jobs at animatedjobs.comSee Entertainment Careers for more listings.


Comics, Illustration, and More

  • DisabledCartoonists.com has launched! Submissions at CartoonistsofColor.com and QueerCartoonists.com have reopened. Thank you Mari Naomi and Cameron for all of your work in creating and maintaining these priceless resources!
  • The results of the Comics Workforce Study is now available. Thank you Sasha Bassett for all of your work in collecting and parsing this data!
  • Threadless is accepting artwork for the following challenges: Year of the Rat, due February 14; and Pop Art, due February 21.
  • SICK is accepting pitches and submissions from chronically ill and disabled people for their second issue until February 14. Writers will be paid 10 pence per word, and poets and artists will receive £40 for selected work.
  • InQluded is seeking submissions from QTIBIPoC youth (aged 12-30) for their fifth issue with the theme “joy” until February 15.
  • Pictoplasma’s Too Cute to Fail Challenge is accepting entries until February 15. Upload original artwork of one irresistibly cute character to Pictofolio with the tag #2Cute2Fail for a chance to win lifetime licenses of Clip Studio Paint and free registration to the Pictoplasma Berlin Conference 2020.
  • MediBang Paint is hosting a Carole and Tuesday Fanart Contest. Submit fanart of the series by February 28 for an opportunity to win up to 100,000 yen prize money and comments from the judges (Shinichiro Watanabe, Minami Masahiko, and Tsunemori Saito).
  • Red Stylo is holding an open call for its upcoming anthology Bite Me, inspired by Bram Stoker’s Dracula, until February 15. Red Stylo does not share contract terms with anyone before accepting a submission.
  • Top Cow is hosting a Talent Hunt for previously unpublished writers and artists. Submit by February 28 for consideration. 
  • The 2020 Comedy Women in Print Prize is accepting submissions of humorous graphic novels published in the UK and Ireland by “female (identified) authors including non-binary” until March 3. There is no cost for entry, but for shortlisted books, £50 will be required from the publisher and a further £50 for the winning book.
  • MediBang Paint’s ARTStreet is hosting a contest to design a new cover for the mystery fantasy novel “Spinning.” Submit designs by March 9 for a chance at prize money and publication.
  • MediBang Paint’s ARTStreet is hosting a Bessatsu Shonen Manga Award. Submit a manga project by March 12 for a chance at prize money and publication.
  • button_new3 #DVPit’s next dates will be April 22 for Childrens/YA, and April 23 for Adult and #DVArt.
  • Clip Studio Paint’s International Manga/Comic Schools Contest is accepting entries of comics and illustrations with the theme “promise” until April 27.



Check out Arts for LA, Call for Entry, College Art Opportunities, or Graphic Competitions for more exhibition, residency, and grant opportunities. Check Chris Arrant’s #ComicJobs hashtag on Twitter.


Conventions and Events

Con or Bust is seeking volunteers to join their Board as a an Interim President and Treasurer, as well as seasonal volunteers. Con or Bust aims to provide free tickets and travel grants to fans of color who want to attend SFF cons.

Here’s a list of international zine fests brought to you by ZINES!


Designers


Fan Zines

  • button_new3 Someone Will Remember Us, a non-profit fanzine dedicated to the Ineffable Wives form of Aziraphale and Crowley from Good Omens, is accepting submissions from artists and writers until February 14. Proceeds will be donated to a charity yet to be decided.

Looking for more fan zines to submit to? Check out this spreadsheet created by magicalzombie for more!


Games

Check this list of animation and gaming jobs worldwide that’s updated daily. Mitch Dyer shared a doc full of Game Dev jobs.


Mentorships & Fellowships

  • Las Hermanas Mentorship Program is accepting applications for mentees for traditionally unpublished Latinx kidlit writers comfortable identifying on the female spectrum until February 15.
  • The True Colors Fellowship is accepting applications from young people aged 18-24 with former or current experiences of homelessness or unstable housing until February 17. Up to five selected fellows will have the opportunity to execute a six-month project that contributes to a more inclusive world in which lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, queer, and questioning young people are included and affirmed in their identities.
  • button_new3 Arizona State University’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts and ASU Gammage are accepting applications for the Mellon Projecting All Voices Fellowship from artists living in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado, and Native American artists within the geographic Southwest. The fellowships supports underrepresented artists from the Southwest who are interested in exploring issues of racial equity in the arts, engaging with an educational institution and participating in an intergenerational mentorship cohort. Applications are due by March 15. Selected fellows will receive a stipend of $38,000 and travel funds.
  • button_new3 The 2020 Kundiman Mentorship Lab is accepting applications from emerging writers who self-identify as Asian-American until March 15. Writers must not have published a full-length book by the conclusion of the Lab, and cannot be enrolled in a degree-granting program during the time of the Mentorship Lab. Writers must be residents of the five boroughs of New York City, and be living in NYC for the full period of the Mentorship Lab. 
  • button_new3 University of Texas Press is accepting applications for its 2020-2021 Fellowship Program from applicants interested in a career in book publishing until March 31. The Fellowship will last from September 1, 2020 until August 31, 2021, and the selected Fellow will receive a total stipend of $30,000.
  • VS Books is accepting applications from unpublished writers who are Indigenous, Black or a person of color and who are 50 or older living in Canada until January 4, 2021.


Residencies, Retreats, and Workshops

Check out the Alliance of Art CommunitiesArts for LA, College Art Opportunities for exhibition, residency, and grant opportunities.


Scholarships, Sponsorships, and Grants

Check out Arts for LA, College Art Opportunities, 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.

Voice Acting

  • button_new3 Untitled Lavender Project is seeking voice actors who are bilingual and use Puerto Rican Spanish. There is a role for a cis woman, a cis man, and a queer, nonbinary Nuyorican.

Check the Casting Call Club for more voice acting and audio opportunities.


Writing and Editing

  • We Need Diverse Books is looking to fill three contractual team positions this winter: Webmaster for WordPress Site; Assistant Editor for YouTube Content; and Contributing Writers for the blog.
  • SICK is accepting pitches and submissions from chronically ill and disabled people for their second issue until February 14. Writers will be paid 10 pence per word, and poets and artists will receive £40 for selected work.
  • Cantina Publishing is accepting submissions for f/f anthology Silk & Steel: An Adventure Anthology of Queer Ladies until February 22. Selected authors will be paid $0.08/word.
  • Bitch Media is seeking pitches for their issue themed “Fantasy” until February 24.
  • Mattilda B Sycamore is accepting submissions for Between Certain Death and a Possible Future: Queer Writing on Growing Up with the AIDS Crisis until March 1 (but earlier is better). Submissions should be under 5,000 words.
  • The 2020 Comedy Women in Print Prize is accepting submissions of published and unpublished comedy novels published in the UK and Ireland by “female (identified) authors including non-binary” until March 3. There is no cost for entry, but for shortlisted books, £50 will be required from the publisher and a further £50 for the winning book.
  • button_new3 #DVPit’s next dates will be April 22 for Childrens/YA, and April 23 for Adult and #DVArt.
  • Speculative City is seeking  fiction, poetry, and essays with the theme of Afrofuturism written by authors who are specifically of Black and/or African descent until June 1. Submit pieces under 5,500 words to submissions@speculativecity.com.
  • Nerve Endings: Smut and Nerve Endings: Romance are accepting submissions of short fiction addressing trans and non-binary experiences of sex, sexuality, and relationships. Submissions for Smut are due by July 5, and submissions for Romance are due by July 5, 2021.

Check out writingcareer.com for a list of calls for submission!


Youth & Internships

Resources

Deals

Remember to check ComiXologyDick Blick, Jerry’s Art-A-Rama, JoannMichael’s, and RightStuf for their weekly ads, coupons, and specials on comics and art supplies.

Giveaways


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! 

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Thank you to Steven, April, Chromophage, Indira, Nathan, SAWHAND, Elle, Geneva, Amanda, Andi, Annie, BlackHairedDemon, Catherine, Farid, Frannie, Grey, Lara, Laura, Maaike, Metouji, Michi, Myfanwy, and Ravi for your Patronage!

If you enjoy the Weekly Roundup, please consider supporting me through my PatreonPaypalor Ko-Fi.

Link to the previous Roundup: Weekly Roundup – January 31, 2019

 

 

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