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 || Social Resources || Awards and Prizes || Crowdfunded Projects || General/Misc. || 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
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News
- Paper Cat Press now has an official mailing list! Sign up here and get notified whenever a new Weekly Roundup goes live.
Social Resources
- 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 Ignatz Awards are accepting submissions until June 1. Comic submissions must have been published between June 1, 2020 and May 30, 2021.
- 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!
- Voting for the Mike Wieringo Comic Book Industry Awards, also known as the Ringo Awards, is open until June 24.
Crowdfunded Projects
Cloudscape Comics is raising funds to publish Through the Labyrinths of the Mind: A Graphc Novel Anthology About Mental Illness and Recovery. The graphic novel anthology explores mental health through 11 stories told in 115 black and white pages. Reward options include digital and/or physical copies of the book, a bookplate, a bookmark, and other Cloudscape books. The campaign ends on April 29.
Director and writer Douglas Cushnie is raising funds to produce and publish Walo: A Central American Odyssey (Volume 1). Walo, a young man from a small town in Nicaragua, flees a violent conflict in his country and sets off on a migrant odyssey through unfamiliar Central American territories with his unhinged uncle and best friend. Along the way, he encounters dangerous gangs, corrupt land owners, and mythical beings from Central American folklore come-to-life, all in his quest to earn a living. Reward options include digital and physical copies of Walo Volume 1, available in Spanish and English; a postcard; a print; and a guest appearance as a background character in the comic. The campaign ends April 29.
Level Ground Comics is raising funds to produce and publish The Greatest Hits: A Comics Mixtape. The all-ages comic anthology features 16 artists each with 4-page stories that all involve music as a central focus. Reward options include a digital and/or physical copy of The Greatest Hits, a digital and/or physical copy of A Taste of Home: A Cooking Anthology, a sticker pack, a postcard pack, an enamel pin, and a concert t-shirt. The campaign ends on April 30.
S.H. Aeschliman is currently raising funds to produce Inclusive Future Magazine, Issue 1: Visions from an Inclusive Future. Inclusive Future Magazine is an anthology of speculative prose, poetry, and art in the guise of a pop culture magazine from the future. Submissions are currently open for this first issue. Reward options include a sticker pack, an art card, digital and/or physical copies of the magazine, a folder poster, a grocery tote bag, a virtual launch party invite, a canvas print, and a signed copy of Trans-Galactic Bike Ride by Lydia Rogue. The campaign ends on April 30.
Grant Stoye is raising funds to publish Yule: Dreadful Tales for the Holiday Season. The comic anthology features 14 spine-tingling stories from an all-star lineup of talent examining Yule, Winter Solstice, Saturnalia, and a slew of other terrifying folklore from around the world. Reward options include digital and physical copies of Yule, a bookmark, a sticker, a temporary tattoo, prints, sketch cards, and an enamel pin. The campaign ends on April 30.
NSFW! Korinna Mei Veropoulou is raising funds to publish Τσοντοκόμικ/Smutcomic: An Erotic Anthology Made in Greece. Smutcomic #2, a comic anthology by 13 female and non-binary artists in the Greek indie comics scene, is a collection of 13 interconnected erotic stories set in modern-day Athens. The books are available in either Greek or English. Reward options include digital and/or physical copies of Smutcomic #1 and #2, a set of 3 A4 prints, a traditional A4 commission, stickers, and more. The campaign ends May 1.
Kymera Press is raising funds to publish the fifth and potentially sixth issue (depending on reaching stretch goals) of Dragons By the Yard. Anna, a woman who handcrafts all things dragon and sells them at the Rose Bowl Swap Meet, winds up handling real dragons after crafting with brimstone given to her by a mysterious woman. Reward options include digital and/or physical issues of Dragons By the Yard, an enamel pin, a coloring book, a concept art book, a bean bag dragon, a dark chocolate dragon, a signed archival print, and more. The campaign ends on May 5.
Illustrator Kelly McMahon is raising funds to produce Imperium Playing Cards, a deck of playing cards featuring a world of female rulers and their tales of victory. Imperium is a deck of 54 playing cards featuring a world of matriarchs. Each suit is ruled by a trio of leading ladies and accompanied by an elegant set of number cards. Reward options include the deck of cards, art prints, and a publication featuring the heroines’ tales of victory written by Rachelle Heger, with illustration and concept development by Kelly McMahon. The campaign ends on May 7.
Cartoonist Christina Major is raising funds to print Sombulus Volume 3, as well as a reprint of Book 1. Surreal fun, terrible puns, and magical antics continue in the third graphic novel of Christina Major’s ongoing fantasy adventure webcomic, Sombulus. Reward options include digital or physical copies of either Book 1, 2, and/or 3, two comic anthologies from the SpiderForest Webcomic Collective featuring comics by Christina and other great creators, and additional goodies. The campaign ends on May 8.
Please check the Comics section on Kickstarter to find even more creative crowdfunding campaigns to support.
General/Misc.
- Go Komikimok, a collective of SEA creators, is now open. They recently released a series of resources: “The Comic Creator’s Guide to Graphic Novel Pitch Packets” and “The Comic Creator’s Guide to Literary Agents.“
- 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!
- If you’ve ever been caught unawares by a popular promotional hashtag event, you’re not alone! To help, the Online Organizers Collective created a Social Media Event Directory and submission form.
- Un-agented authors/illustrators can pitch their MG and younger GN/hybrid projects by participating in a Twitter pitch event with the hashtag #KidLitGN on May 5, 2021 from 8AM to 8PM EDT. There will also be a website pitch event both for unagented and agented kidlit authors and illustrators. The website pitch event starts at 8AM May 4 and ends 8PM May 6, 2021, EDT. The window to add your pitch, however, starts on May 4 at 8AM but ends May 5 at 11:59PM EDT. Pitches after that time will be deleted. May 6 is an extra viewing day for agents/editors.
- The Latinx Collective shared a directory of Latina and Latinx small business owners and collectives. Check it out!
- Represent Me is seeking to expand its list of freelance diversity consultants for paid opportunities. Email hello [at] representme.charity for more information.
- WEBTOON will be extending the WEBTOON CANVAS Creator Rewards Program until the end of 2021. The current 100% net ad revenue support for CANVAS creators will continue until the end of June 2021.
Animation
- Elvie Mae Parian shared a Google Sheet with a Directory of Remote Animation Workplaces. Check it out!
- (Vancouver, Canada) Bardel Entertainment is seeking a 2D Background Supervisor, a 2D Compositing Artist, a 2D Compositing Supervisor, a 2D Flash Animator, a 2D FX Artist, a 2D Harmony Animator, a 2D Lead Animator, a 3D Animator, a 3D FX Artist, a 3D FX Lead, a 3D Lead Animator, a 3D Production Assistant, a 3D Production Coordinator, an Animatic Editor, an Animation Director, an Art Director, a Background Paint Designer, a Builds Artist, a CG Animator, a CG Generalist, a Designer, a Digital Matte Painter, a Lead Digital Matte Painter, a Lighting and Compositing Artist, a Line Producer, a Modeler, a Motion Graphics Artist, a Production Manager, a Production/Online Editor, a Rigging Artist, a Senior Fur Artist, a Senior Production Coordinator, a Storyboard Artist, a Storyboard Revisionist, a Storyboard Supervisor, and a Texturing and Surfacing Artist.
- Bento Box:
- (Burbank, CA) Seeking an Animator, an Associate Producer, a Harmony Compositor, and a Production Manager.
- (Glendale, CA) Seeking a 2D Harmony Animator, a Dialogue Editor, and an Assistant Editor.
- (North Hollywood, CA) Seeking a Producer and a Supervising Animator.
- (Atlanta, GA) Seeking two 2D Harmony Animators and an After Effects Compositor/Animator.
- (London, UK) Blue-Zoo Animation is seeking an experienced 3D Character Animator, a 3D Character Concept Sculptor, a 3D Maya Rigger (experienced), an Assistant Editor (part-time), an FX Artist (experienced), a Junior 2D Compositor, a Lighting and Compositing Artists (entry-level and experienced), a Production Coordinator, a Senior 2D Compositor, a Senior Pipeline TD, and a ToonBoom Harmony Animator (experienced). They’re also accepting speculative applications.
- (Kilkenny, Ireland) Cartoon Saloon is hiring an Animator, a Line Producer, and a Production Coordinator.
- (Burbank, CA) Disney TV Animation is seeking an Art Director, an Assistant Art Director, two Background Painters, two Character Designers, a Color Designer, a Lead Character Designer, a Line Producer, two Location Designers, a Location Design Lead, two Production Coordinators, a Production Supervisor, a Prop Designer, two Storyboard Revisionists, and a Supervising Director.
- (Glendale, CA) DreamWorks Animation is hiring an Animation Pipeline TD, an Assistant to the Producer/Director, a Digital Animator (temp), a Lead Animation Pipeline TD, a Production Assistant, a Production Coordinator, a Production Designer, a Storyboard Artist, a Storyboard Revisionist, a Supervising Director, a Supervising Producer, and a Visual Development Artist.
- Industrial Light and Magic:
- (London, UK) Seeking a Lead Creature Technical Director, a Lead Generalist, a Lead Layout Artist, a Layout/Match Move Artist, a Media Systems Engineer, and a Senior Layout Artist.
- (Vancouver, BC) Seeking an Animator, a Junior Lighting Technical Director, a Previs Generalist, and a Studio Production Manager.
- (San Francisco, CA) Seeking a Senior FX Technical Director.
- (Singapore) Seeking a Compositor, a Creature Technical Director, an Effects Technical Director, a Generalist Supervisor, a Groom Artist, a Look Dev Technical Director, a Senior FX Technical Director, and a Senior Houdini Creature TD.
- (Sydney, Australia) Seeking an Effects Supervisor and a Lead Pipeline Technical Director.
- Ketnipz is seeking to hire an Illustrator, Graphic Designer, Animator, and BG Artist. Sends portfolios and/or work samples to info@ketnipz.com or DM bonusbeans on Instagram.
- (Madrid, Spain) Lightbox Animation Studios is seeking a Mid Animator and a Senior Animator.
- (San Francisco, CA) Lucasfilm is seeking a Production Assistant (project hire).
- (Los Angeles, CA) Netflix Animation is hiring a Post Production Supervisor and a Project Manager. They’re also seeking REMOTE CG Generalists.
- (Burbank, CA) Nickelodeon is seeking an Animation Casting Coordinator, an Art Director, an Asset Production Coordinator, a Background Designer, a Background Painter, a CG Animator, a CG Animation Director, a CG Storyboard Artist, a CG Storyboard Revisionist, a Character Designer, a Colorist Designer (Style), a Lighting and Comp Artist, a Post Production Supervisor, a Pre-Vis Environment Modeler, a Storyboard Director, a Storyboard Artist, a Feature Line Producer, and a Line Producer.
- (New York, NY) Noggin from Nick Jr. is seeking a Compositor and a Production Assistant.
- (Emeryville, CA) Pixar Animation Studios is hiring a Render Pipeline Engineer, a Technical Director, Character Shading, a Technical Director, Compositor, a Technical Director, Set Extensions, a Technical Director, Set Model, and a Technical Director, Set Shade.
- (Austin, TX) Powerhouse Animation is seeking Character Designers.
- (Vancouver, BC) Sony Imageworks is hiring Animators, Character FX Technical Directors, Compositors, FX Artists, Layout Artists, Lighters, Matte Painters, Modelers, and more.
- Titmouse:
- (Los Angeles, CA) Seeking two Art Directors, two Episodic Directors, a Flash Retake Animator, a Production Coordinator, a Senior AE Compositor, two Storyboard Artists, a Storyboard Revisionist, and a Supervising Director.
- (Vancouver, BC) Seeking a 2D Animator, a 2D Production Coordinator, an AE Compositor, an Assistant Editor, a Background Layout Artist, a Design Production Coordinator (starting May 31), Flash Animators, a Flash Builds Artist, a Flash Builds Supervisor, a Harmony Animator, a Harmony Builds Artist, a Harmony Builds Supervisor, a Harmony Pipeline TD, a Lead Character Designer, a Storyboard Artist, and a Storyboard Supervisor.
- (Burbank, CA) Walt Disney Animation Studios is hiring an Associate Editor, a Character Designer, a Character TD: Rigging, a Crowds Artist, an Environment Modeler, a General Technical Director, a Character TD: Rigging, and a Story Artist.
- XP-Pen hosted a free 6-Week Animator Incubation program. All of the courses are now available to view for free.
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!
- Clip Studio Paint is accepting submissions for its International Comic/Manga Schools Contest with the theme “Admiration” until April 29.
- Autostraddle is accepting pitches from API LGBTQIA+ writers for AAPI Heritage Month until April 30. Artists and graphic designers are also invited to apply.
- Quindrie Press is accepting submissions for WHEN I WAS ME: Moments of Gender Euphoria until April 30. Quindire Press plans to accept 60-80 trans artists to each complete a one-page comic for a payment of £60.
- Threadless is hosting a design competition with the theme “protect the Earth.” Submit designs until April 30.
- WinC Magazine, the official publication for Women in Comics Collective International (WinC), is accepting submissions for their summer issue through April 30. Comics, prose, and poetry are welcome and creators of accepted submissions will be paid (visit website for pay schedule).
- The ART Street Monthly Illustration Contest is accepting submissions with the theme “flower” until May 31. Prize money will be credited to the Medibang account you applied with. To receive the prize money, you need to register a PayPal account or your bank account information.
- The Silent Manga Audition is accepting textless comic entries between 5 and 17 pages in length with the theme “moments of fear, joy or love” until July 28.
- Illustrators can take the State of Illustration international survey here.
- Illustrators and literary agents: With the help of Cameron Decker and Houndstooth Designs, the Agents for Illustrators list is now a searchable directory. Search agent listings by genre, location, and agency. Agents can now sign up and log in to control their own listings. Thank you, Nilah Magruder!
- Anathema is open to portfolio submissions from illustrators for new/original and/or reprint cover art.
- Annick Press is looking for Sikh Punjabi illustrators for picture book work. Please share your portfolios by commenting on this tweet or send them to submissions [at] annickpress.com.
- Arledge Comics is accepting submissions of all-ages comics on a rolling basis.
- 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.
- Ketnipz is seeking to hire an Illustrator, Graphic Designer, Animator, and BG Artist. Sends portfolios and/or work samples to info@ketnipz.com or DM bonusbeans on Instagram.
- Do you have a webcomic with LGBTQ characters and themes? LGBTQ Webcomics is looking to add more queer webcomics to their database on Tagpacker!
- New Naratif welcomes pitches from freelancers in Southeast Asia (or from the Southeast Asian diaspora) about stories and issues that matter to Southeast Asia and Southeast Asians. Submissions may include research, journalism, comics, videos, podcasts, etc..
- The New Southern Fugitives is seeking submissions of fiction, book reviews, essays, poetry, photography, and visual art from creators in the South.
- 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.
- Shout Mouse Press, a writing program and publishing house for underheard voices, is seeking illustrators for their 2020 series of Books by Teens. In partnership with Reach Incorporated, Shout Mouse Press coaches 12-15 DC teens to write 4 illustrated children’s books for the students they tutor. The project requires at least 2 on-site visits during the last two weeks of July in Washington, DC, and illustrators are offered a stipend of $1,500 per book with the opportunity for a bonus, plus 5 free copies.
- 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.
- Submit your webcomic to The Webcomic Library by using this form.
- (Los Angeles, CA) WEBTOON has a multiple opportunities available.
- (Horsham, PA) Zenescope is seeking an Editor-in-Chief to oversee and manage the editorial department for our growing line of comic books and graphic novels.
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 frequently with any event you have planned through 2021. And, as always, wash your hands.
- Anime Expo has been postponed. An online event will take place on the July 4th weekend.
- CAKE, the Chicago Alternative Comics Expo, has been postponed until a proposed date of June 2022.
- The Comics Studies Society is hosting its fourth annual conference on Re/Building Community from August 6 to August 7. Registration is free, though donations are encouraged.
- The Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) will take place December 10-12 in 2021.
- Emerald City Comic Con has rescheduled its event for December 2-5, 2021.
- FIYAH Con will take place September 16-September 19. Registration is now open and will close on August 31.
- Black speculative fiction writers can email events [at] sfwa.org for instructions on how to claim a free registration for the 2021 Nebula Conference Online.
- New York Comic Con will have an in-person event with a virtual component October 7-10. They are accepting Artist Alley applications until Friday, June 4 at 5:00 PM ET.
- Sakura-Con 2021 has been cancelled. Memberships for 2021 will be forwarded to 2022.
- San Diego Comic-Con has postponed its in-person event. Instead, the online event Comic-Con@Home will take place July 23-25. They recently announced a smaller in-person event, Comic-Con Special Edition, on Thanksgiving (US) weekend November 26-28. Read their statement regarding the event here.
- Short Run Comix and Arts Festival has been postponed. The Short Run Dash Grant is now on hold.
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.
Designers
- (New York, NY) Abrams Children’s Books is seeking a Senior Designer.
- Chronicle Books is seeking a Design and Development Director for the Petit Collage brand.
- (Milwaukie, OR) Dark Horse is seeking a Digital Art Technician, a Graphic Designer, and a Prepress Technician.
- (New York, NY) HarperCollins Children’s Books is seeking an Assistant Designer with a passion for graphic novels and children’s literature to join its graphic novel imprint, HarperAlley.
- Ketnipz is seeking to hire an Illustrator, Graphic Designer, Animator, and BG Artist. Sends portfolios and/or work samples to info@ketnipz.com or DM bonusbeans on Instagram.
- (Los Angeles, CA) Rebel Girls is seeking an experienced Editorial Designer and Illustrator.
- (New York, NY) W. W. Norton is seeking an Associate Art Director to focus on the Norton Young Readers list.
- (New York, NY) Workman Publishing is seeking a Designer/Senior Designer.
- (New York, NY) Zeitgeist is seeking a Designer for nonfiction releases.
Fan Zines
Looking for fan zines to submit to? Check out Apps4Zines on Twitter.
Games
- Brass Lion Entertainment is filling the following positions related to the development of an action RPG with an anime aesthetic for next gen console and PC: Gameplay Programmer, Concept Artist, Network Programmer, Senior Animator, Senior Combat Designer, Senior Graphics Programmer, Build Programmer, Lead 3D Environment Artist, Principal Software Programmer, and 3D Animation Director.
- (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Dontnod Studios team is seeking a Freelance Writer to take part in the development of its upcoming narrative title.
- (San Francisco, CA) Lucasfilm Games is seeking an Associate Brand Art Director.
- (Glendale, CA) Marvel Entertainment is seeking Art Lead and a Director of Product Development for Marvel Games.
- (Kirkland, WA) Monolith Productions is seeking a Senior FX Artist.
- Nix Hydra Games is seeking a Creative Video Editor (contractor), a Marketing Director, and a Marketing Graphics Contractor.
- (London, UK) Rocksteady Studios is seeking an Engine Director, a Lead Network Programmer, a QA Tester, a Senior QA Tester, a Senior Rendering Engineer,
- (Manchester, United Kingdom) TT Games is seeking a Character Artist.
- ustoo games is seeking a Writer to develop an original story and dialogue for their next project. As the project features a non-binary protagonist, they hugely encourage applications from non-binary writers.
- WB Games is seeking a Senior Gameplay Technical Animator, a Senior Level Designer, and a Senior 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
- The Editor-Writer Mentorship from The Word for Diversity is accepting applications for mentees until April 30. Aspiring or upcoming writers from underrepresented groups with a completed, unpublished manuscript in the picture book, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, or nonfiction categories may apply.
- The 2021 #PBChat Mentorship is accepting applications from authors, illustrators, and author illustrators actively working toward picture book publication until April 30, 2021 11:59pm EDT.
Residencies, Retreats, and Workshops
- The Native Children’s and YA Writing Intensive is accepting applications on a rolling basis through June 15. Up to 20 participants will be invited to the intensive, which intends to offer an opportunity for reflection, conversation, celebration, and manuscript and career development. Registration is $100, but most participants will receive scholarship support.
- ViciousMinutesHour is accepting applications from Black Trans folk for two Artist-in-Residence positions. The artist-in-residence opportunity pays $225 CDN per week and serves as a space/time grant, providing an additional source of income for the general work applicants do as an artist.
Check out the Alliance of Art Communities, Arts for LA, College Art Opportunities for exhibition, residency, and grant opportunities.
Scholarships, Sponsorships, and Grants
- 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.
- 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.
- Gender Reveal’s Spring 2021 Grants, consisting of ten $500 grants to trans artists/activists of color, is accepting applications until 11:59PM PT on April 30.
- 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).
- I Need Diverse Games & McElroy Family Podcaster 101 Grants are accepting applications on a rolling basis from Black and POC podcasters (preferably beginners). Recipients will receive one of five bundles which include a Yeti Blue Microphone & a copy of “Everybody has a Podcast (Except You).”
- The Moonrise Fund, an early-stage equity fund backing ambitious creators, is offering $120,000 to $250,000 funds. Visit this page to learn more and apply.
- 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.
- We Need Diverse Books is accepting applications for its Emergency Funds for Diverse Creatives in Children’s Publishing. The grants will provide up to $1,000 to diverse authors, illustrators, and publishing professionals in financial need. They’re also accepting applications for their Internship Grant Program, which offers up to $3,000 to summer publishing interns, until April 30.
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
- Pixar is seeking a voice actresses 12-17 years old who can authentically portray a 14-year old transgender girl for an upcoming animated project. If you know a child who fits the description and would like to audition for the role, her legal guardian should email casting@pixar.com.
- PodCastle is seeking a Japanese narrator, or someone of Japanese-descent, comfortable narrating as a middle-aged woman (30-50yo) and preferably familiar with Japanese. $30 paid. Please email a short MP3 sample to editor@podcastle.org.
Check the Casting Call Club for more voice acting and audio opportunities.
Writing and Editing
- Autostraddle is accepting pitches from API LGBTQIA+ writers for AAPI Heritage Month until April 30. Artists and graphic designers are also invited to apply.
- Departure Magazine is accepting submissions of up to 12,000 words, paying 10 US cents per word for the first 3,000 words and a flat $300 above that, until April 30. Submissions should be anti-violence, current, and inclusive.
- Escape Pod is accepting submissions for Black Future Month through the end of April. They’re also accepting general submissions and novelette reprints.
- Fiyah Lit Mag is accepting prose and poetry submissions with the theme “sound and color” until April 30. They’re also accepting nonfiction submissions.
- khōréō is accepting submissions of speculative stories, essays, and art that are fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and any genre in between or around them until April 30. They accept submissions from creators who identify as an immigrant or member of a diaspora in the broadest definitions of the terms.
- Queer Sci Fi is accepting submissions of flash fiction from queer writers through April 30. Submissions of sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal, or horror LGBTIQA stories featuring the theme “ink” with no more than 300 words will be considered.
- Uncanny Magazine is accepting novella submissions through April 30.
- Improbable Press is seeking submissions for the Cryptids Anthology until May 1. They pay 0.05¢ American per word for stories up to 5,000 words.
- The Little, Brown Emerging Artist Award is accepting submissions from unpublished, unagented picture book creators until June 15. The winner will receive $1,500, receive a portfolio review, and will have their submission considered for publication.
- Through June 2021, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) is waiving fees for SFWA membership for Black writers. If you qualify for membership, are a Black writer, and would like to join the organization or renew your membership, please send an email to office@sfwa.org for more information.
- Inclusive Future Magazine is accepting submissions of prose, poetry, art, and graphic design from trans, nonbinary, and genderqueer artists and writers until July 15. Selected contributors will be paid; pay amounts are available on the website.
- The Ann Petry Award is accepting submissions of previously unpublished prose, either a novel or a collection of short stories or novellas, with a minimum of 150 pages, by a Black writer. The awarded manuscript will be published by Red Hen Press, with its writer awarded $3,000, and a four-week residency at The Community Library’s Ernest and Mary Hemingway House in Ketchum, Idaho. Apply by July 30 for consideration.
- 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 Romance are due by October 4 (extended).
- AbleGamers is looking for pitches about disability in video games to be featured in their newsletter and on the AbleGamers website. Financial compensation available for accepted pieces.
- (New York, NY) Abrams Press is seeking an Editorial Assistant, an Editorial Director, and a Senior Editor.
- (New York, NY) Aevitas Creative Management is seeking an Editorial Assistant.
- (Park Ridge, IL) Albert Whitman & Co. is seeking an Editorial Director and an Editor.
- Anathema Magazine is seeking poetry and cover art submissions from queer/two-spirit person of color/Indigenous/Aboriginal people.
- 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.
- (New York, NY) Apollo Publishers is seeking an Associate Editor with prior publishing experience.
- 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.
- (West Concord, MA – currently REMOTE) Barefoot Books is seeking an Assistant Editor.
- 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.
- (New York, NY) Bold Type Books is seeking an Editorial Director.
- (Somerville, MA) Candlewick Press is seeking an Art Department Administrative Assistant.
- Carnation Books is accepting submissions of f/f historical romance of at least 50,000 words from fanfiction authors.
- CBR is seeking experienced writers to write on comic book news, analyses, and movie and tv show casting news.
- (New York, NY) Clarkson Potter is seeking a Senior Editor.
- 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 Deadlands, a new monthly speculative fiction magazine, is accepting short fiction submissions of up to 5000 words and pays $0.10/word.
- (New York, NY) Disney Hyperion is seeking a creative Assistant Editor to support two editors through the acquisitions and editorial process for their full lists, which will include all formats from picture books through young adult fiction.
- 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.
- DVdebut and DVmentor are accepting applications for mentors in their inaugural mentorship programs. Applications for mentees open on May 1.
- Escape Pod is accepting short science fiction submissions.
- (New York, NY) Hay House is seeking a full-time Editor to acquire and manage 12-16 projects a year for their Metaphysical list, which includes topics such as Angels, Astrology, Channeling, Manifesting, Oracle Cards, Tarot, and Spirit Guides.
- (New York, NY) Holiday House is seeking an Editorial Assistant to support editors, review submissions, write copy, and help keep the editorial department functioning smoothly.
- Interlude Press has reopened to submissions.
- (New York, NY) Kevin Anderson & Associates is seeking a Senior Editor.
- (New York, NY) Kokila is seeking a Publishing Assistant to report to both the Publisher and Art Director to provide administrative, editorial, and design support all while coordinating with various departments in the division, agents, authors, and illustrators.
- (Minneapolis, MN) Lerner Books is seeking an Associate Editor/Editor of YA Nonfiction.
- “Love Like Mine,” an ongoing column in Xtra, is seeking essays about queer love in all its forms – romantic, familial, platonic, and more.
- New Naratif welcomes pitches from freelancers in Southeast Asia (or from the Southeast Asian diaspora) about stories and issues that matter to Southeast Asia and Southeast Asians. Submissions may include research, journalism, comics, videos, podcasts, etc..
- (New York, NY) One World, an imprint of Penguin Random House, is seeking a Senior Editor.
- POMEgranate Magazine is accepting pitches from artists and writers.
- (New York, NY) The Viking Penguin imprint of Penguin Random House is seeking an Editorial Assistant.
- (Princeton, NJ) Princeton University Press is seeking an Editorial Assistant to support two editors in the acquisition, development, and publishing of distinctive and outstanding books in history. They will serve as a liaison both between authors and the Press, and between departments within the Press.
- (Philadelphia, PA) Quirk Books is seeking a full-time Editor.
- (New York, NY) Quarto Books is seeking a Senior Editor.
- (New York, NY) Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing, is seeking an Editorial Assistant.
- 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.
- Scholastic’s STEAM classroom magazines are looking for freelancers who write for kids. Articles are given on an assignment basis, between 150-800 words at about $1/word. Add your name here to be considered for future work.
- The SFWA blog is open to nonfiction submissions that might be of interest to new and/or established writers of science fiction and fantasy.
- (Asheville, NC – Remote eligible) Soomo Learning is seeking a Senior Editor.
- Strange Horizons is seeking First Readers and Article Editors. Positions are volunteer and unpaid. They’re also accepting poetry submissions from Trans/GNC writers.
- 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.
- (New York, NY) W. W. Norton & Company is seeking an Assistant Editor to support its custom publications department.
- We Need Diverse Books is seeking blog volunteers with experience writing for an audience or an interest in interviewing authors about their work. The position is unpaid.
- (New York, NY) Workman Publishing is seeking a Children’s Editor, a Director of Children’s Publishing, and a Senior Editor.
- (New York, NY) Zeitgeist is seeking an Acquisitions Editor.
Youth and Internships
- Comics Club highlights and connects comic clubs and shares advice and resources to help youth comic creators.
- Hachette Book Group is seeking paid Summer 2021 Editorial interns.
- Little, Brown Books for Young Readers is seeking an Art Intern for their paid summer internship program, which runs from June 7– August 13.
- (San Francisco, CA) Lucasfilm is seeking an Animation intern.
- 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.
- Nickelodeon is seeking interns in Animation Production and Casting (Animation and Live Action).
- (REMOTE) W. W. Norton & Company is accepting applications for its paid summer intern program until May 10.
Resources
- This zine, 12 Things to Do Instead of Calling the Cops, is available for free.
- Interested in studying design for TV animation on a budget? Abby put together a Google Doc compilation of resources on topics like Background Paint, Color Design, Character Design, and more.
- Abelle, with help from Annie’s Google doc, created a calendar of the various scheduled hashtag events on Twitter. Now you can add your hashtag events, if you don’t see them on the calendar.
- Andrea of White Squirrel Co. shared a series of threads on how to set up an online store.
- Arin Bray shared a thread of (mostly) online classes for comics that are free or low-cost.
- Ashley shared a spreadsheet of resources and job boards. Thanks, Ashley!
- Check Becca Hillburn’s Youtube channel for new video interviews with independent artists, walkthroughs with dip pen nibs, tutorials, and more.
- Byte Size Treasure shared a thread of advice for artists with small businesses who want to be more eco-friendly.
- Cait May shared a brush pack perfect for spinal columns.
- Looking for a pet commission? ChloeCarterArts created a Pet Portrait Artist Directory, an open directory of independent pet portrait artists from around the world. If you sell pet commissions, you can add your name to the directory. Thanks to Aviva Maï for including the resource in your newsletter!
- ColorSupplyyy.com/app/ is a handy website for creating palettes.
- 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.
- Danielle shared a doc with information on what to expect and questions to ask when contacting a potential literary agent you’re considering a partnership with.
- Elissa shared a thread on reaching out to your local bookstores as an author.
- 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 and a Kickstarter Budget Calculator.
- Everest shared a HUGE list of artist opportunities (mostly residencies, grants, and galleries) with over 375 links!
- 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.
- Looking for diverse photos of students, teachers, and schools during the pandemic? Need diverse stock photos? Check out the newly launched & updated “EDUimages”, All4Ed’s free gallery of 700+ original, usable photos.
- Gale Gilligan shared slides from their talk on using perspective as a cartooning tool.
- Jaq shared a series of graphics demonstrating how to create circular text and/or effects in Clip Studio Paint.
- Jenny shared a series of reference photos of a person wearing glasses at different angles.
- Canadian authors, illustrators, and comic creators can register their work with the Public Lending Right program to receive payouts for up to 25 years from the publishing date. Thank, Jim Zub, for the tip!
- Jun shared a Twitter thread tutorial on how to use Clip Studio Paint’s 3D capabilities.
- Kiri Yu’s Convention Artists vs. COVID-19 survey results are now available.
- L.D. Lewis shared a thread detailing how FIYAHCON happened for less than $25,000. If you’ve been wanting to host or learn more about online events, read the thread!
- Learn how to use your Switch Joy-Con with Clip Studio Paint with this post originally by toyotsuku555 and translated into English by Spiritsnare.
- Lily Joiner created a Google Sheets database listing different manufacturers of all types of products. Lily created it to cut through the stigma behind artists not sharing information on where they get their products made, as well as a way to help artists new to the merch world make their research easier. Thanks, Lily!
- Litebox has launched its website which shares wages earned by illustrators from a variety of clients. Submit your rates.
- Literary Agents of Color is a directory that aims to support literary agents of color in the publishing industry.
- Michael Rianda shared a free class for people who want to learn Story in animation.
- 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.
- Nilah Magruder put together two surveys to learn more about the timelines picture book and graphic novel illustrators work with to illustrate books for the US publishing industry. Please fill them out to help yourself and your peers negotiate better in the future!
- Noelle Stevenson shared the script for She-Ra season 5, episode 5: Save the Cat as an educational tool for aspiring animation writers.
- In conjunction with their current call for submissions, Oneshi Press released a video and accompanying blog post with five tips to help get your work noticed by an editor.
- 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.
- Sydney wrote and shared a guide for US-based sellers regarding the 2021 UK VAT laws. The guide outlines general information, to-dos, and resources.
- 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.
- Toniko made a video with passive income ideas for animators and illustrators.
- Tori shared a set of Procreate brushes that feature braids, twists, and more.
- Visit ReferenceAngle.com to find free photo references of heads at different angles. Search by age, emotions, gender, and more. There’s a similar website for animals here.
- 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
- Affinity is offering its programs at a 50% discount following a free 90-day trial.
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
- Clip Studio is giving away a CLIP STUDIO PAINT EX-12-month license for 1 device (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android), a value of $219, to an author-illustrator or illustrator who submits a website pitch to the upcoming #KidLitGN pitch event: kidlitgn.com/blog/
- Goodreads offers giveaways for a variety of titles in all genres. Check out these giveaways for comics and graphic novels.
- NowToronto.com is giving away an ultimate prize pack for comic lovers that includes 30 graphic novels for adults and kids (as well as some awesome merch) worth over $700! Enter by subscribing to the Toronto Comic Arts Festival mailing list at http://www.torontocomics.com, or make a tweet that includes the hashtags #TCAF and #TCAF2021. Alternatively, you can fill out the form on this page to enter.
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!
Thank you to Steven, April, Ari, C. Ellis, M Sorcier, SAWHAND, Bones, Elle, Geneva, Jesse, Abi, Amanda, Andi, Annie, BlackHairedDemon, Catherine, Char, Clorinspats, Eric, Farid, Frannie, Hedwig, Ian, Laura, M Maaike, metouji, Michi, Myfawny, Ravi, and Sheika for your Patronage!
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Link to the previous Roundup: Weekly Roundup: April 16, 2021
paper cat press 