Weekly Roundup: March 20, 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.
  • In response to the difficulty experienced by creative professionals affected by show cancellations, a number of people have developed online-accessible events:
    • Artist Alley Online is a directory of the artists who would have been at Emerald City Comic Con prior to date changes.
    • This Artist Tracker shares creators whose upcoming show appearances were cancelled or rescheduled.
    • Love in Panels is offering to schedule interviews, giveaways, and/or guest content with creators who have adult and YA romance books or comics with queer or romance elements to promote.
  • Etsy is forcing sellers who made more than $10,000 last year participate in advertising that costs a 15% additional fee on each sale. Sellers cannot opt out. However, watermarking your image may save it from being used by Etsy outside of the site.
  • Kickstarter employees voted to form a union. Congratulations!!
  • 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.

button_new3 The 50th Annual Locus Awards has voting open until April 15.

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

ignitionvol1

button_new3 Shawn Pryor is currently raising funds to publish Ignition #1: A Racing, Thrilling Comic with a Twist! The 28-page first issue features Jemele Reid, an up-and-coming star on the professional racers circuit. After a life-changing accident, she has to decide if she will risk it all to get back the life she once had. Reward options include digital and physical copies of Ignition #1, a mini poster set, a magnet, a bumper sticker, and a t-shirt. The campaign ends on March 27.

saintsquarter1

C.R. Fahey is currently raising funds to publish the first episode of SAINTS’QUARTER. The ongoing urban fantasy series features a supernaturally-saturated neighborhood, the people who live there, more than mild peril, and the trials of learning to adult. Reward options include digital and physical copies of Episode one, a Kickstarter-exclusive digital wallpaper, sticker packs, postcards, a poster, custom artwork, and a cameo in the comic. The campaign ends on March 30.

portents

Abi Stevens is currently raising funds to produce PORTENTS, a hard enamel jewelry series. The designs are based on an illustration created for short story The Splendour With Which She Shines by Jen Lua Allan. Jewelry pieces are gradually unlocked as pledges towards the campaign increase in volume. Reward options include earrings, necklaces, commissions, and prints. The campaign ends on March 31.

hiraeth

Ilinca Barbacuta is currently raising funds to publish Hiraeth: A Longing for Home. The art book collects the work of 28 artists tasked with illustration their perspective of “home.” Reward options include digital and physical copies of the art book, a bookplate, a bookmark, prints, an embroidered patch, enamel pins, and commissions. The campaign ends on April 1.

goingsteady

POMEMag is currently raising funds to publish GOING STEADY, an anthology about couples in solid romantic partnerships. Featuring over 200 pages of comics by fourteen creators, Going Steady “[celebrates] the romance—and adventure—of loving partnerships, whether your relationship is a brand new spark or an old flame. Reward options include digital and physical copies of the anthology, and digital and physical copies of past POMEMag comic anthologies. The campaign ends on April 4.

almostrealvol3

button_new3 Fortuna Media is currently raising funds to publish Almost Real: A Speculative Biology Zine (Volume 3: Aquatics). The Almost Real series, a multi-volume, ~60 page anthology collection with at least 12 different speculative biology prose and artwork entries in each volume, focuses around the celebration of speculative biology while aiming to recapture the magic of publications like Zoobooks and interactive encyclopedia artwork entries. Reward options include digital and physical copies of Volume 3, digital or physical copies of Volumes 1 or 2, an acrylic stand, an enamel pin, and a poster insert. The campaign ends on April 9.

yourestucknow

button_new3 Cartoonist Matt Smith is currently raising funds to publish You’re Stuck With Me Now, a 140+ page graphic novel romantic comedy about how Matt met his Scottish wife while teaching in Kuwait. Reward options include digital and physical copies of You’re Stuck With Me Now, an autobio digital or physical comics bundle, a digital horror comics bundle, or a collection of all of Matt’s comics to date. The campaign ends on April 9.

rebirthanth

button_new3 Ravi Teixeira is currently raising funds to publish Rebirth: An Ecosocialist AnthologyRebirth features over 20 creators, from journalists to cartoonists to poets, and examines the effects of the climate crisis and ecofascism and what we as a people can do to stop them. Reward options include digital and physical copies of the book, a sticker, and a tote bag. The campaign ends on April 14.

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



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

Many conventions and major events have been cancelled due to travel restrictions, guest cancellations, and preventative responses to the spread of coronavirus. Here is a list of cancelled and postponed conventions. Please check in daily with any event you have planned for the next three to four months. And, as always, wash your hands.

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

Looking for fan zines to submit to? Check out this spreadsheet created by magicalzombie or the FindAnthologies twitter page 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

  • endingbutton_4 Gale Gillman is accepting applications to their online comics mentorship until today, March 20. Their portfolio review request form is also available.
  • The Disruptors, an inaugural fellowship for emerging television writers of color who identify as trans and/or non-binary, disabled, undocumented and/or formerly undocumented immigrants, is accepting applications until March 23. Selected fellows will receive master instruction and mentorship, a $5,000 stipend, the opportunity to create a TV pilot, and more.
  • Dani Chuatico is accepting applications from Filipino comic creators for a comics mentorship until March 30.
  • 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.
  • (Brooklyn, NY) Words Without Borders is seeking applicants for its editorial fellowship until April 15. The position requires a commitment of 16 hours per week for nine weeks, beginning in September, at the rate of $15 per hour.
  • The Emerging Writer Fellowship program, sponsored by The Miami Book Fair at Miami Dade College, is accepting applications from writers working to complete a book-length project within a year until April 30. Selected fellows will receive a $41,000 stipend, mentorship opportunities in Miami, FL, and more.
  • 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

  • endingbutton_4 We Need Diverse Books, in partnership with Children’s Day, Book Day is offering mini-grants of $250 to teachers, librarians, and literary advocates. Applications are open until today, March 20.
  • button_new3 Irish artists experiencing lost income related to COVID-19 can apply for the Artist Emergency Relief Fund. Small grants of 500 will be paid rapidly on a first-come, first-serve basis. As of the publishing of this post, applications are suspended, but you can donate here.
  • button_new3 Small businesses located in the Jade District or Old Town Chinatown in Portland, OR can apply for grants, for which $190,000 total is available. Priority will be given to Asian and Pacific Islander owned businesses.
  • button_new3 The Seattle Artists Relief Fund is accepting applications from individual artists in the greater Seattle area.
  • Cow House Press is accepting applications for the Cow Pie microgrant until May. The Cow Pie microgrant provides one creator (or creator duo/group) with mentorship, printing of their work, and covers the table fee for one 2020 exhibitor event.
  • The Boston Artist Relief Fund will award grants of $500 and $1,000 to individual artists who live in Boston whose creative practices and incomes are being adversely impacted by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). They are accepting applications through June 30.
  • The Awesome Foundation offers $1000 grants on a rolling basis.
  • Black Rainbow offers microgrants of $300 to LGBQTI people of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community that includes $200 to assist with hosting Indigenous LGBTQI community events.
  • The Eyebeam Center for the Future of Journalism is accepting applications from artists on a rolling basis. Artists covering data privacy, the 2018/2020 elections, the role of technology in society, political influence campaigns, harmful technologies, countering disinformation, and artificial intelligence may receive $500 to $5,000 in grants.
  • Gumroad’s Creators Fund is accepting applications on a rolling basis. Gumroad will be allocating $50,000 in creative grants of $500 to $5,000 throughout the year.
  • Mel Gillman shared this list of Grants, Fellowships, and Residencies for Cartoonists! Thanks, Mel!
  • My Documented Life maintains a list of scholarships for undocumented students.
  • 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.
  • Springboard for the arts offers an Emergency Relief Fund for personal and community disasters that affect artists in Minnesota.
  • Tulsa Remote is accepting applications from remote workers who are willing to relocate to Tulsa, OK in exchange for reduced rent and a total of $10,000 over the course of a year. Read more about the program here.
  • We Need Diverse Books is offering Internship Grants for interns focused on children’s publishing.

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

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


Writing and Editing


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


Youth & Internships

Resources

Deals

  • Many artists who were affected by recent show cancellations are running sales in their shops to help mitigate their losses. Check the hashtags #ECCCOnline and #ArtistAlleyOnline to find a shop to enjoy!
  • button_new3 Affinity is offering its programs for a 50% discount until April 20. They also have a 90-day free trial, and have promised to engage more than 100 freelancers for work as a response to COVID-19.
  • button_new3 NSFW! Slipshine is holding their Spring Sale – becoming a member for just $9.95.
  • button_new3 TO Comix Press is offering all of its Toronto-themed anthologies for free in their Gumroad store.

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! 

pcpat

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 – March 13, 2020

 

 

2 thoughts on “Weekly Roundup: March 20, 2020

  1. As an autistic, queer 22-year-old creative floundering around with half a degree; I cannot even begin to thank you enough for these posts.

    Getting into the art industry is difficult enough as it is, almost like rock climbing blindfolded. You know the footholds exist, but you don’t know where and have a hard time telling whether they’re safe to step up onto.

    Finding this resource was entirely by chance, but I’ve linked it to all of my creative friends- many who have similar difficulties of their own.
    Finding something this well laid out, up to date and all around useful feels like nothing short of a miracle, especially with things going haywire all around us.

    Words can’t express how much this has made my night, but please accept my sincerest gratitude and wholehearted support.
    CS

    Like

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Log Out /  Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. Log Out /  Change )

Connecting to %s