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 || 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
Black Lives Matter. Paper Cat Press supports police abolition and accountability for police brutality. Check this page for a list of actions you can take.
- This zine, 12 Things to Do Instead of Calling the Cops, is available for free.
- The Sherwood Forest Zine Library shared a free collection of zines regarding Black history/struggle, privilege, allyship, policing, legal rights, activism, and protest tactics.
News
Paper Cat is offering mini-grants of $50 and $100. If you are a Black or Indigenous creator, or a creator of color, and could use financial assistance, you are invited to apply to Paper Cat’s Mini-Grant for BIPOC Creators for $100. The application closes at 11:59 PM Pacific Time on Sunday, August 30.- Paper Cat Press now has an official mailing list! Sign up here and get notified whenever a new Weekly Roundup goes live.
- The Marginalized-Genders BIPOC of Comics Discord discovered that the Eisner voting website was malfunctioning, allowing for votes to be manipulated and personal information like full name, address, and email to be revealed. The leak occurred during the same week that a number of comics professionals were exposed as alleged sexual predators. The voting website was initially shut down on June 17, before the original cut-off date of June 18. On June 24, the voting portal reopened with the message that only those who attempted to log in during the [confirmed] compromised security period of June 3 through June 18 would be eligible to re-submit their votes. Gary provided some thoughts on the “anomaly” here.
- In response to COVID–19 and the hardships many creators are facing as a result, WEBTOON is extending the current 100% net ad revenue support for CANVAS creators through the end of 2020, with the final 100% net ad revenue payout happening January 2021 for December revenue.
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.
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!
- This year’s Ignatz Awards will allow votes from any who have registered at this link by September 4. The awards ceremony will be live-streamed on September 12 at 8PM Eastern Time on the SPX Youtube channel. Find more information here.
- 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 Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics is accepting submissions until September 1.
2020 Nominations for the Mike Wieringo Comic Book Industry Awards have been announced. Comics professionals can vote here until September 23.- The FIYAHCON 2020 Committee has announced the finalists for the inaugural Ignyte Awards. The public may now vote through September 11 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
- We Need Diverse Books is accepting submissions to the 2021 Walter Awards for Outstanding Children’s Literature until November 16. Submissions must be diverse works created my diverse authors, and fit into the category of either “Teen” or “Younger Readers.”
Crowdfunded Projects
Akira Brown of WildStar Press is raising funds to publish Tales of the Unknown: A Cryptid Anthology. The all-ages black and white comic collection features ten stories by 13 contributors that involve myths, legends, and cryptids. Reward options include digital and physical copies of the anthology, stickers, postcards, and t-shirts. the campaign ends on August 31. (Note: I am a contributor to this anthology.)
NSFW! Tab Kimpton is raising funds to publish Ambrosia: A Trans Masc and Non Binary Erotic Comics Anthology. Featuring 180 full-color pages with 16 stories from predominantly own voice authors, the erotic anthology features at least one trans masculine or non binary main character in every story. Reward options include digital and physical copies of the book, digital and physical copies of previous anthology Come Together, and signed prints. There’s also a discounted digital copy available for trans or non binary people. The campaign ends on September 3.
Artists Eve and Spire are raising funds to publish Guide to Kroma: A Fantasy Travel Guide. This 48-page guide to the fictional city of Kroma includes basic vocabulary, holidays and customs, and safety information for magic storms and other local happenings. Every tier includes a PDF copy of a special one-shot tabletop roleplaying game set in Kroma, where players can become one of the knights that make the city their home. Reward options include digital and physical copies of Guide to Kroma, stickers, and posters. The campaign ends on September 3.
Kayla Shaggy is raising funds to develop and support Indigi-Show 2020, a virtual modern Indigenous art convention. The event is planned for September 26, and will feature panelists and artists from different Indigenous tribes (vendor applications here). Reward options include a digital poster, a digital or physical comics bundle, stickers, a tickets to the virtual show. The campaign ends September 6.
Ilinca Barbacuta is currently raising funds to publish HIRAETH: A Longing For Home. The art anthology features 28 artists whose interpretations of locations – real, imagined, and something in between – are inspired by the artist’s memories, narratives, and stories. Reward options include digital and physical copies of the anthology, a bookmark, a print set, an enamel pin, a bookplate, and original artwork. The campaign ends on September 9.
Beehive Books is raising funds to publish LAAB: An Art Newspaper Powered by the Radical Imagination. Founded by author and cartoonist Ronald Wimberly, LAAB #2 (the third issue) concerns itself with food, waste, compost, and sustainability, as well as broader issues from media consumption to cultural appropriation. Reward options include digital and printed editions of LAAB #2, signed copies of LAAB #0, #4, and #2, a postcard, a sticker pack, and a personal ad. The campaign ends on September 10.
Mariah Bryant is raising funds to publish Six-Petal Pyramid Chapter Two. Continuing the story of the previous volume, this second chapter of Six-Petal Pyramid follows Caroline as she questions her sanity after witnessing a living mummy hidden in an attic. Reward options include digital and physical copies of the book, digital and physical copies of book one, mini prints, stickers, and original artwork. The campaign ends on September 10.
Shawn Pryor is raising funds to publish The Fire Within, a hardcover storybook about domestic violence from the eyes of a child. With the book, Pryor intends to encourage discussion of domestic abuse and its impact on children and youth. Reward options include digital and hardcover copies of the book, a mini poster, a bookmark, a digital wallpaper, PDFs of past graphic novels by Shawn Pryor, and a Skype session with Pryor. The campaign ends on September 17.
Please check the Comics section on Kickstarter to find even more creative crowdfunding campaigns to support.
General/Misc.
- Abelle, the creator of the #DrawingWhileBlack hashtag, has moved the directory to AirTable. Please add your name if you are a Black artist!
- If you’re a Filipino artist, add your name to the Filipino American Artist Directory!
- JiMi Agency has orders now open until September 3.
- The Latinx Collective shared a directory of Latina and Latinx small business owners and collectives. Check it out!
Animation
- Elvie Mae Parian shared a Google Sheet with a Directory of Remote Animation Workplaces. Check it out!
- (Los Angeles, CA) 20th Century Fox Animation is seeking a Director of Animation.
- Bento Box is seeking a Design Production Assistant, a Design Production Coordinator, a Digital Production Assistant, a Post/Retake Coordinator, a Production Supervisor, a Post Production Supervisor, and a Storyboard Artist in Burbank, CA. In North Hollywood, CA, they’re seeking an Animation Producer, an Assistant Animation Editor, an Associate Producer, a Background Design and Paint Lead, a Post Coordinator, and a Storyboard Artist. In Atlanta, GA, they’re seeking a 2D Animator, a 2D Character Rig Artist, a 2D FX Animator, and a Character Designer.
- (London, UK) Blue-Zoo Animation is seeking an After Effects Compositor, an Assistant Director, a Character Designer, a Lighting and Compositing Artist (entry-level), a Quill Artist, a Set/Environment Designer, and ToonBoom Harmony Animators (entry-level and experienced). They’re also accepting speculative applications.
- (Burbank, CA) Cartoon Network is seeking an Art Director, a Production Coordinator, and a Storyboard Supervisor.
- (Kilkenny, Ireland) Cartoon Saloon is hiring an Effects Lead Artist, a Posing Artist, a Production Assistant, a Rigged Animation Artist, and a Tonal Supervisor.
- (Burbank, CA) Disney TV Animation is seeking a Background Painter, Character Designer, a Color Designer, a Director, a Location Designer, a Prop Designer, a Storyboard Artist, and a Storyboard Revisionist.
- (Glendale, CA) DreamWorks Animation is hiring an Animatic Editor (TV), an Animation TA (Feature), a Character Effects Artist (Feature), a Character Rigger, a Director, a Generalist, an Image Finaling Artist, a Lighter (Feature), a Lighter/Compositors, a Production Assistant, a Production Coordinator, two Script Coordinators, a Storyboard Artist (2D Board-Driven Comedy), two Storyboard Revisionists (2D Board-Driven Comedy), a Surfacer, and two Visual Development Artists.
- Industrial Light and Magic is hiring a Hard Surface Modeler and a Lead Facial Capture Artist in London, England. In Vancouver, BC, they’re hiring a Junior Animator and a Junior Creature Technical Director.
- (Madrid, Spain) Lightbox Animation Studios is seeking an Animation Lead, an FX Artist, a Matte Painter, and a Senior Animator.
- (San Francisco, CA) Lucasfilm is hiring a Storyboard Artist (project hire).
- (Ottawa, Canada) Mercury Filmworks is hiring a Harmony Compositor, a Senior Character Designer, a Senior Location Designer, an Assistant Editor, a Production Manager, an Animation Producer, a Storyboard Revisionist, a Storyboard Artist, a Crew Planning Manager, and much more.
- (Los Angeles, CA) Netflix Animation is hiring an Art Trainee, a Casting PA, a Post Production Supervisor, a Supervising Director, and a Technical Director.
- (Burbank, CA) Nickelodeon is seeking a 2D Background Designer, an Animation Recruitment Manager, a Background Designer, a Casting Administrative Coordinator, a CG Animation Director, a CG Texture Artist, a Character Designer, an EMR Editor, an Environment Artist, a Freelance Color Design Stylist, a Freelance Storyboard Artist, two Storyboard Directors, a Line Producer, a Production Designer, a Production Manager, a Prop Designer, and a Storyboard Artist.
- (Emeryville, CA) Pixar Animation Studios is hiring a Technical Director, Set Shading, a Technical Director, Simulation, and a Technical Director, Global Technology.
- (Vancouver, BC) Sony Imageworks is hiring Animators, Character FX Technical Directors, Compositors, FX Artists, Layout Artists, Lighters, Matte Painters, Modelers, and more.
- (Burbank, CA) Walt Disney Animation Studios is hiring a Character Modeler, a Lighter, a Look Development Artist, and a Senior Software Engineer (Hair/Cloth Simulation).
Check this list of animation and gaming jobs worldwide. You can find a directory of currently open animation jobs at animatedjobs.com. See 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 2019 is now available. Thank you Sasha Bassett for all of your work in collecting and parsing this data!
- Threadless is currently running the following design challenges: Vote, due August 28; Haunted, due September 4; and Greeting Cards, due September 11.
- WildStar Press is open to family-friendly short story submissions until September 1 (extended).
- Disabled and Here is accepting applications from disabled illustrators of color in the United States. 5 illustrators will be chosen to create 3 digital commissions each, and every artist will be paid $1800. Apply by September 12 for consideration.
- XP-Pen is accepting submissions to the “I Am A Unique Color” contest until September 20. Art tablets and cash prizes are available as prizes.
- Tab Kimpton and Harry-Anne Bentley are seeking submissions from artists, writers, and teams for Nectar, a comic anthology of erotic comics focused on trans femme and non binary characters. They’d like 7-15 page long erotic comics ready for Spring/Summer 2021, and are accepting applications until November 1.
- Anathema accepts fiction and nonfiction submissions year-round from queer and nonwhite writers. They are open to portfolio submissions from illustrators for new/original and/or reprint cover art.
- Arledge Comics is accepting submissions of all-ages comics on a rolling basis.
- Arsenika is accepting portfolio submissions and pays $100 for reprint artwork.
- AZE Journal is accepting general submissions from marginalized voices in the queer community.
- The Comicadia Herald is accepting submissions of news from webcomic creators, including convention appearances, publishing deals, relaunches and hiatus returns, contests, and more.
- Creator Advisor helps creators connect with other creators on paid comic book projects.
- GenderTerror is accepting submissions of LGBTQ+ horror from artists and writers.
- Jerry’s Art-A-Rama hosts a number of art contests, some ongoing and some requiring specific materials.
- Do you have a webcomic with LGBTQ characters and themes? LGBTQ Webcomics is looking to add more queer webcomics to their database on Tagpacker!
- Moonmaker Inc., an artist collective aimed towards networking and building a creative environment for artists who identify as Asian or part of the Asian diaspora, is now opened! Check out their website, Discord, and community events to get involved.
- The New Southern Fugitives is seeking submissions of fiction, book reviews, essays, poetry, photography, and visual art from creators in the South.
- Nyx Publishing is compiling a database for book cover commissions. Illustrators and graphic designers can email a portfolio & rough estimate rates to submissions @ nyxpublishing.com.
- POMEgranate Magazine is accepting pitches from artists and writers.
- QueerWebcomics.com has two mailing lists available for sign-up – one for professionals, and a general list for customers.
- Scholastic Canada invites professional illustrators to email sample art and links to an online portfolio to Andrea Casault, Art Director at acasault@scholastic.ca.
- SOLRAD is now accepting pitches for comics criticism, essays, and interviews. They are especially interested in cartoonists of color interviewing other cartoonists of color.
- (Culver City, CA) Tapas is seeking an Associate Editor, Comics and a Content Acquisition Assistant Manager.
- The Washington Center for the Book invites Washingtonians of all ages to send 1- to 3-page COVID-19 stories to be collected into an anthology zine.
- (Los Angeles, CA) WEBTOON is currently seeking a Digital Comic Editor (Spanish), a Localization Specialist, and a Spanish UA Performance Manager.
- Submit your webcomic to The Webcomic Library by using this form.
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 year. And, as always, wash your hands.- The Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE) has been postponed until 2021.
- CrunchyRoll Expo will take place virtually from September 4-6.
- Denver Pop Culture Con is accepting applications for exhibitor and artist spaces in its 2021 show until August 31.
- FIYAHCON is offering Ticket Scholarships, with 25 tickets earmarked specifically for disabled BIPOC.
- The in-person GeekGirlCon is postponed. However, GeekGirlConline will take place as a virtual event, with details to come.
- LightBox Expo will take place online from September 11-13. Registration is now open.
- MICE, the Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo, will take place online during October 2020. MICE will host multiple live online programs with panels, special guest interviews, drawing games, and cartooning workshops.
- New York Comic Con has been cancelled.
- New York Queer Zine Fair has been cancelled. However, the fair will exist on NYQZF.com as an online directory of zinesters and how to find their work for purchase. Lobo Del Mar Gallery will host an online exhibition on October 1 and run for one month, after which it will be archived online. Be sure to sign up as a participant of 2020 New York Queer Zine Fair by August 31 to be included.
- SF Zine Fest 2020, now CyberFest, will run online from September 6 to September 26.
- Short Run Comix and Arts Festival has been postponed. The Short Run Dash Grant is now on hold.
- Thought Bubble UK will take place as a digital comic con from November 14-15.
- Virtual Canzine 2020 (October 24-26) is now accepting artist applications from Canadian artists until September 10.
Designers
- I Need Diverse Games is seeking a designer, preferably one of color, to redesign their website.
- (New York, NY) Penguin Random House is seeking a Marketing Senior Designer.
Fan Zines
Blank Slate, a Kingdom Hearts Coloring Book, is accepting applications from contributors until September 6. The for-profit coloring book will feature 20-30 artists.
Looking for fan zines to submit to? Check out Apps4Zines on Twitter.
Games
- Rachel Richmond shared a list of Game and Animation job opportunities. Be sure to check it out! There’s definitely more than what I list here on the Roundup.
- (Warszawa, Poland) 11 Bit Studios is seeking an Expert Technical Animator, Senior Gameplay Animator, Lead Artist, and more.
- (Salt Lake City, UT) Avalanche is seeking an Associate Cinematic Designer (temporary) and a temporary Character Art intern.
- CAPY is pairing aspiring or junior game developers with creators for 6-month mentoring programs.
- itch.io has launched a job board so that studios can post paid positions to the itch.io development team.
- KO-OP is hiring
- (Irvine, CA) Nexon is seeking a Character Artist, a Lead Combat Designer, Lead Gameplay Engineer, a Senior/Principal VFX Artist, and a Technical Artist.
- (Wilmslow, UK) Playdemic is seeking a 3D Artist and a Games Designer.
- Queerly Represent Me is seeking interviewees who are queer and work in games.
- (London, UK) Roll7 is seeking a 3D Animator, a 3D Character Artist, an Environment Artist, Lead Programmer, a Senior Game Designer, and a Quality Assurance Tester.
- (Manchester, UK) TT Games is seeking a Gameplay Programmer.
- WB Games is seeking a Design Director, a Principal Game Designer, and a Senior Software Engineer – Mobile Games in San Francisco, CA; a Lead Technical Designer, a Physics Programmer, a Senior Level Designer, a Technical Animator, and a Technical Level Designer in Montreal, Quebec.
Check this list of animation and gaming jobs worldwide. Mitch Dyer shared a doc full of Game Dev jobs. Work With Indies lists game dev jobs with independent studios.
Mentorships & Fellowships
- Jillian Tamaki is accepting applications for 6-month mentorships until September 1. One selected mentee will be from Toronto, and the other can be from anywhere; all will meet remotely.
- The Asian American Writer’s Workshop is seeking writers of all ages for the 2021 Margins Fellowship. Fellows receive a $5,000 honoraria, distributed in three parts over the fellowship year. Apply by September 7 for consideration.
- 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
- Unnamed, the collective for Southeast Asian comics, is hosting a Weekend of Comics and Illustration on September 5 and 6. Each workshop has 15 first-come, first-serve spaces.
Check out the Alliance of Art Communities, Arts for LA, College Art Opportunities for exhibition, residency, and grant opportunities.
Scholarships, Sponsorships, and Grants
- We Need Diverse Books is offering small grants for diverse creatives in children’s publishing who have lost income due to the coronavirus pandemic.
- The Illuminations Grant for Black Trans Women Visual Artists, a $10,000 grant, is accepting applications from Black trans women visual artists until August 30.
- Paper Cat is offering mini-grants of $50 and $100. If you are a Black or Indigenous creator, or a creator of color, and could use financial assistance, you are invited to apply to Paper Cat’s Mini-Grant for BIPOC Creators for $100. The application closes at 11:59 PM Pacific Time on Sunday, August 30.
- The BAYlies Art Grant is accepting applications from any cartoonists, illustrators, editors, and writers making comics in the Bay Area until August 31. Artists must also be people of color and/or LGBTQIA. 6 artists will receive a $100 grant.
- JOANN Stores is offering a Minority Creative Grant program totaling in $100,000 in credit to be used at any JOANN store or at joann.com to Black entrepreneurs, small businesses, and charitable efforts. Apply by August 31 for consideration.
- Pixelles is offering a grant of up to $5,000 CAD to Canadian game creators of marginalized genders. Apply by 11:59pm on August 31 for consideration.
- August’s round of ShortBox mini-grants are open for application: five £100 grants available to independent comic creators. Simply email info @ shortbox.co.uk linking to your current comics work/site, with ‘mini-grant’ as the subject. You must have a Paypal. Deadline to apply is August 31.
- I Need Diverse Games is offering a total of $6,000 to Black and POC streamers that are in need of equipment to either start streaming, or upgrade their current set up. Apply by September 15 for consideration.
- The Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund is sending US-based BIPOC artists and art administrators whose income has been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic payments of $200. Click the link to apply or to donate.
- 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 Covid-19 Aid Funds website lists funding opportunities.
- 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.
- 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 (excluding COVID-19).
- 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.
- Point of Pride has established the COVID-19 Emergency Fund to connect trans people to small grants for short-term expenses.
- 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.
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
- Nightlight Podcast is seeking Black male voice actors. Episodes are paid at $15-$25 per story, depending upon length.
Check the Casting Call Club for more voice acting and audio opportunities.
Writing and Editing
- Lee and Low’s New Visions Award is accepting submissions of YA/Middle Grade novels and graphic novels from writers of color or Native/Indigenous writers until August 31.
- Lee and Low’s New Voices Award is accepting submissions of children’s picture book manuscripts from writers of color or Native/Indigenous writers until August 31.
- Strange Horizons is now accepting speculative fiction submissions of up to 4,000 words for the Mexico Special issue until August 31.
- The next #PitMad pitch event is September 3 from 8AM – 8PM Eastern Time hosted by PitchWars on Twitter.
- Flame Tree Publishing is accepting submissions of Gothic Fantasy Short Stories for the Black Sci-Fi Short Stories anthology. Black writers may submit their works by September 21.
- Graydon House, a subsidiary of Harper Collins, is accepting unagented submissions from Black authors until September 8. If they make an offer, they will recommend agents to you. Send pitch letter and the first 30 pages to GHSubmissions [at] Harpercollins.com.
- Uncanny Magazine is accepting SF/F short story submissions until September 9.
- khōréō, a magazine of speculative fiction highlighting immigrant and diaspora writers and stories, is accepting applications for Editors, First Readers, and more until September 11 at 5pm Eastern time.
- #LatinxPitch will take place on September 15 from 8am to 8pm EST. All unagented and agented Kidlit Latinx authors, author-illustrators, and illustrators are welcome to participate.
- Books Forward is offering one full-service, customized author publicity and book marketing campaign valued at $20,000. The giveaway is open to both traditionally- and independently-published authors, fiction or nonfiction. You must have a targeted publication date between May–December 2021. Apply by October 1 for consideration.
- Kwame Mbalia is seeking short story submissions from Black men and Black nonbinary writers. Submissions should be appropriate for middle grade readers and focus on Black joy in boyhood. Submit your work by November 1; 2 pieces will be selected, receive $2,000, and may be published.
- 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.
- AbleGamers is looking for pitches about disability in video games to be featured in our newsletter and on the AbleGamers website. Financial compensation available for accepted pieces.
- Anathema accepts fiction and nonfiction submissions year-round from queer and nonwhite writers only. They are open to portfolio submissions from illustrators for new/original and/or reprint cover art. They are currently seeking poetry submissions for their upcoming release.
- Anime Feminist is looking for contributors. Read here for more information. Article writers will be paid $50 per article.
- Anime News Network is seeking Freelance Editorial Contributors.
- Autostraddle is seeking personal essays, feature stories, and article submissions on 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.
- beestung is accepting submissions from non-binary and two-spirit writers. Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, hybrids, and art with intracommunity sensibilities are welcome. Contributors will be paid a $20 honorarium.
- Black Rainbow accepts pitches from LGBQTI people of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and pays $150 for selected articles.
- The BookEnds Literary Agency is hiring remote literary agents and contract consultants.
- Carnation Press is seeking submissions of short stories from fanfiction writers seeking to transition into publishing their original writing content.
- CBR is seeking experienced writers to write on comic book news, analyses, and movie and tv show casting news.
- Clarksworld Magazine is looking for fiction and 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.
- The Drinking Gourd is accepting pitches from Black Muslims. They accept work across all genres with a particular fondness for Afrofuturism and speculative fiction. All contributors are paid a $50 flat rate.
- GenderTerror is accepting submissions of LGBTQ+ horror from artists and writers.
- (Brentwood, TN) Hachette Nashville is seeking a full-time Senior Editor.
- Interlude Press has reopened to submissions.
- Interstellar Flight Magazine is accepting submissions of essays, reviews, and creative nonfiction featuring queer and marginalized perspectives in science fiction and fantasy. Contributors are paid a $15 appreciation for publication.
- Latinx in Publishing is seeking volunteer mentors for their annual mentorship program.
- (San Diego, CA) Literary Agent Kelly Sonnack of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency is seeking an Assistant “interested in the world of children’s book publishing and the publishing industry.”
- “Love Like Mine,” an ongoing column in Xtra, is seeking essays about queer love in all its forms – romantic, familial, platonic, and more.
- The Mary Sue is hiring a part-time Books Editor. New York-adjacent preferred, remote applicants will be considered.
- Non.Plus Lit is seeking previously unpublished personal essays on any topic of the writer’s choosing for Black Reflections: a collection of essays by Black writers. Contributors will be paid $50 for each accepted essay.
- (Salem, MA) Page Street Publishing is seeking an Editorial Assistant.
- Panel Patter is looking for contributors, particularly from writers interested in manga and webcomics. They do not offer payment.
- POC in Publishing is looking for POC to volunteer as mentors for the next iteration of their mentorship program for 2021, particularly in the following fields in the industry: editorial, agenting/scouting, marketing, publicity, and art/design. All queries from people interested in mentoring can be directed to Mentorship & Retention Committee Director Saba Sulaiman at ssulaiman [at] talcottnotch.net.
- POMEgranate Magazine is accepting pitches from artists and writers.
- Queerly Represent Me is creating a series of ‘Best Practice Guidelines’ on a number of topics related to diversity and inclusion, and are seeking additional writers and reviewers to contribute. This is a paid opportunity.
- Reedsy is seeking remote Freelance Editors.
- Rogue’s Portal is seeking contributors and columnists. They do not offer payment.
- Scholastic Canada is currently interested in reviewing Indigenous material in all genres and at all levels. No other unsolicited submissions are being accepted at this time.
- The SFWA blog is open to nonfiction submissions that might be of interest to new and/or established writers of science fiction and fantasy.
- SOLRAD is now accepting pitches for comics criticism, essays, and interviews. They are especially interested in cartoonists of color interviewing other cartoonists of color.
- (Culver City, CA) Tapas is seeking an Associate Editor, Comics and a Content Acquisition Assistant Manager.
- The Temper is seeking written works, particularly from marginalized writers, that relate to sobriety, addiction, or recovery.
- Three-Lobed Burning Eye is seeking original speculative short stories and flash fiction. Accepted authors of short stories will receive $100 and for flash fiction authors will receive $30.
- Variable West, a new platform for West Coast art, is accepting pitches for their column Love Letters: micro essays on artists we can’t stop thinking about.
- We Need Diverse Books is seeking recommendations for a paid sensitivity reader. The person hiring is looking for a trans reader, preferably a Black trans woman. Please send an email to alainalavoie@diversebooks.org and carolinerichmond@diversebooks.org if this is a fit.
- (Los Angeles, CA) WEBTOON is currently seeking a Digital Comic Editor (Spanish), a Localization Specialist, and a Spanish UA Performance Manager.
Check out writingcareer.com for a list of calls for submission!
Youth & Internships
- Beacon Press is seeking Black and Indigenous people and people of color for their paid Fall 2020 Virtual Internships. $16 an hour for each internship. Interns are paid $16/hour and are expected to work for 14–16 weeks, with a 12–20 hour-per-week commitment and a flexible schedule. They’re also seeking a Marketing intern and an Editorial intern. Apply by August 30 for consideration.
- Comics Club highlights and connects comic clubs and shares advice and resources to help youth comic creators.
- Harlequin is seeking paid virtual interns in Publicity and Editorial.
- Macmillian Publishing is seeking paid, part-time, remote interns for Fall 2020. Interns will be paid $15/hour.
- 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.
- Simon and Schuster are seeking remote paid part-time interns.
- W. W. Norton & Company is hiring interns for their 8-week fall remote internship program. Interns are paid $15 per hour and work a maximum of 20 hours weekly.
- Yen Press is seeking a remote, paid Design intern.
Resources
- This zine, 12 Things to Do Instead of Calling the Cops, is available for free.
- 28 Pages Later lists local comic shops in need of support, and even lists whether they have curbside pick-up or local delivery.
- Abelle, with help from Annie’s Google doc, created a calendar of the various scheduled hashtag events on Twitter.
- Andrea of White Squirrel Co. shared a series of threads on how to set up an online store.
- Ashe shared a list of discounted and free art courses.
- Ashley shared a spreadsheet of resources and job boards. Thanks, Ashley!
- Aud Koch shared a PDF with stretches and exercises for wrists and hands.
- Check Becca Hillburn’s Youtube channel for new video interviews with independent artists, walkthroughs with dip pen nibs, tutorials, and more.
- Cheyenne shared a free reference pack of feet wearing shoes at different angles.
- COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources is an aggregated list of free resources, opportunities, and financial relief options for all kinds of artists.
- Creative Capital shared a list of Arts Resources, mostly of funding information and a list of arts events moving online.
- Have you checked out the Creator Advisor? Initialized and run by Stephanie Cooke, the project aims to connect anyone involved in making comics together for paid projects, with a goal to prioritize marginalized creators.
- Dia shared a thread with human body references.
- Elissa shared a thread on reaching out to your local bookstores as an author!
- Emily Riesbeck shared what their process was for finding an agent.
- The Etherington Brothers share all kinds of drawing advice on their Instagram. They also just shared a 50-page free downloadable e-book for young artists.
- Eve G. shared a PDF with Comic Lettering Basics.
- Everest shared a HUGE list of artist opportunities (mostly residencies, grants, and galleries) with over 375 links!
- The 2019/2020 Illustrators’ Survey results are now available.
- Gale Gilligan shared a graphic with questions to consider when doing the work to dismantle racism in publishing.
- Danielle and Jes & Cin have released The Comic Creator’s Guide to Literary Agents as a pay-what-you-want downloadable PDF. All proceeds are donated to the Marsha P. Johnson Institute.
- Kiriska has shared the 2019 Convention Artist Census Report. See how well artists spent and sold at different conventions through the US.
- Litebox has launched its website which shares wages earned by illustrators from a variety of clients. They also shared an illustrated thread explaining the importance of sharing rates. Most recently, they shared a thread with some of the advance rates and pay rates they’ve received from submissions. Submit your rates.
- Literary Agents of Color is a directory that aims to support literary agents of color in the publishing industry.
- Mads shared information about getting a job in animation.
- Meg Suv shared on art tip on basic foot anatomy.
- Melanie Gillman shared a website that shows you how your website looks to those with different types of color-blindness.
- Mildegard made a website that sends users to a random webcomic. Webcomic artists can add their comic to the roulette.
- Mirre shared how you can use a limited color palette by mixing colors and adjusting values
- Mitch Dyer shared a doc full of Game Dev jobs.
- Nilah Magruder updated the list of literary agents who represent illustrators and added a new page with Steps to Querying. Niki Smith also has a list of agents who represent creators of graphic novels. Maria Vicente shared a guide on querying your graphic novel, from the perspective of a literary agent.
- Paul Duffield shared some great tips for engaging with Twitter in a productive, professional, and positive way.
- Writers and creators shared their advance rates and other received pay and experiences with the hashtag #PublishingPaidMe. Grace Fong maintains a survey on advance rates, with data gathered here.
- Richard Mercado shared his technique for lettering in InDesign.
- The Ripped Bodice shared its fourth annual State of Racial Diversity in Romance Publishing report. Four years of reports show only a 0.4% industry-wide increase of the number of authors of color being published by 18 of the top romance publishers.
- Ruby created a tumblr account with fat photo references. For an access password or to submit photos, send a direct message.
- Sarah Stern shared tips on optimizing your artwork for working with a colorist.
- Shannon Wright shared the “Super Condensed Zine” PDF – a FREE collection of tips on portfolios, websites, agents, and pitching.
- The Sherwood Forest Zine Library shared a free collection of zines regarding Black history/struggle, privilege, allyship, policing, legal rights, activism, and protest tactics.
- Shelly Romero created a document of Publishing Industry Resources.
- Smithsonian Open Access allows you to download, share, and reuse millions of the Smithsonian’s images. Nearly 3 million 2D and 3D digital items are available for free use.
- Steve Lieber shared insight on the specifics that should be mentioned when negotiating contracts with commercial clients. He also provided general notes on what to improve in your comics portfolio.
- TO Comix Press has shared a sample contract for comic anthology projects, the start-to-finish process of producing an anthology, and articles on marketing and getting indie books into stores. Recently, they shared the questions they ask in an anonymous survey given out at the end of anthology projects, which help contributors air grievances and help the publisher gain insight and grow to be better. Amazing! Thanks for always being so helpful.
- The UK Comics Creator Survey is available to view.
- Weird Enough Productions is offering 400 pages of comics and educational resources for free!
- Wendy Xu shared a primer on getting an agent as a comic artist.
- Zack has shared a lot of tips and guides for using Clip Studio Paint. Find them all here! He also posted a guide comparing some popular iPad drawing apps rating each on ease of use, cost versus value, and his overall feelings about them.
Deals
- Céli shared 5 free coloring pages.
- Chrissie shared a free Animal Crossing-themed coloring page.
- Crisalys has shared 6 free coloring pages.
- iasmin omar ata has put everything on their itch.io up for free/pay what you want.
- James Jean has put up some coloring sheets for free digital download.
- JSTOR has expanded its free online reading program until the end of 2020. You can read 100 articles for free online every month, without institutional affiliation.
- Katie Longua shared a digital coloring book for free.
- Kelsi Jo shared a pack of coloring pages.
- kiDChan shared her digital symmetry coloring zine for free.
- Lauren Walsh has made her digital coloring pages available for free.
- Pam has shared the digital edition of their coloring zine Folklórico for free.
- The Public Domain Review Coloring Book is available for free.
- Silver Sprocket is posting hundreds of their comics online for free.
- TKO Studios is sending 50% of the purchase price of their comics to the store of your choice when you checkout at TKOpresents.com.
- TO Comix Press is offering all of its Toronto-themed anthologies for free in their Gumroad store.
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 offers giveaways for a variety of titles in all genres. Check out these giveaways for comics and graphic novels.
- Seven Seas has a new survey for August. Suggest up to 18 new titles for Seven Seas to consider for licensing. Fill out the survey to be entered into a raffle to win a copy of any book Seven Seas has published so far in 2019!
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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Link to the previous Roundup: Weekly Roundup – August 22, 2020
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