Shaun Keenan on Lessons Learned Over 30 Kickstarter Campaigns
by Clay Adams
This month, I talk to Shaun Keenan, a Ringo Nominated and multi-award-winning comic creator and publisher, who is renowned for his captivating storytelling and innovative approach to the visual medium of graphic novels. Inspired by his own journey as a visual learner and driven by a passion for inspiring minds through moral and historic narratives, Shaun founded COMICS2MOVIES, a publishing company dedicated to using visual mediums to educate others about moral and social issues.
In this edition of the ComixLaunch Spotlight, you'll learn:
- The one fear he had before joining ComixLaunch--and why it no longer applies
- Why the Kickstarter Post-Mortem is so important for growth
- How he landed his first Film/TV option
- Plus: Why you should get comfortable with being uncomfortable
Connect with Shaun:
Website:
Social Media:
Follow Shaun on Kickstarter:
The Game-Changing Mindset Shift That Helped George O'Connor Raise $50k on Kickstarter
by Clay Adams
This month, I talk to George O'Connor. George likes to write. A lot. Through Homeless Comics, he’s released the series Vampires on Mars, Charlie’s Spot, Silent Knight, Healed, and more. As a part of the Boston film community, he helped create over sixty short films, filling every role to help make the shoot happen. He’s the writer, producer, and director of the digital series 664-The Neighbor of the Beast. He was head writer and co-creator of the podcast Phone Hugs & Therapy. And somehow, he also juggles playing guitar in his heavy metal band, Swarm of Eyes.
In this edition of the ComixLaunch Spotlight, you'll learn:
- Why every creator needs a little Ted Lasso in them
- George's surprisingly close-to-home secret to productivity
- The importance of a clear hook--and why you should lead with it
- Plus: How your career is all "compounding interest"
Connect with George:
Website:
Social Media:
Vampires on Mars #4 Pre...
How James Ferguson Moved From Reviewing Comics to Making His Own
by Clay Adams
This month, I talk to James Ferguson, who spent over a decade reviewing comics at Horror DNA and Comicon before writing his own. After writing short stories for anthologies such as Nightmare Theater 2, Holiday Spirits 3, and Tales from the Pandemic, James began his first mini-series A Real Slobberknocker with Dan Buksa. By day, James is a digital ad exec hailing from the suburbs of NYC where he lives with his wife Monica, and their two sons.
In this edition of the ComixLaunch Spotlight, you'll learn:
- why writing comic book reviews is a great training ground for making your own
- the benefits of starting small with short stories and anthologies
- the one thing he didn't expect from his second Kickstarter--and how he adjusted
- Plus: Hot Tip! The powerful social media app you're not utilizing
Connect with James:
Website:
Social Media:
Follow James on Kickstarter:
Free copy of A Real Slobb...
How Adriano Ariganello Played Kickstarter on "Easy Mode"
by Clay Adams
This month, I talk to Adriano Ariganello, a Toronto native who has been writing short stories, screenplays and comic books for over 20 years - finally hitting his stride with thrilling pulp comics and novels. When he’s not writing, you can find him strapping on skates and hitting the ice like any good Canadian.
In this edition of the ComixLaunch Spotlight, you'll learn:
- why "writing to market" doesn't mean giving up on your interests
- the power of a great title
- the best mindset for sending cold emails
- Plus: how community helped Adriano level up his comic-making game
Connect with Adriano:
Website:
Social Media:
Follow Adriano on Kickstarter:
Free weekly newsletter and podcast, free 4-page comic:
Would You Like to Learn the Strategies Adriano and Other Talented Creators are Using to Take Your Launches to the Next Level?
Then attend an upcoming FREE online ComixLaunch Works...
"Fool Around and Find Out": How M. Sorcier Fought Burnout and Grew Her Audience
by Clay Adams
This month, I talk to M. Sorcier, a tenacious self-taught artist and writer from Bronx, NY. She's dedicated many years of her life to figuring out "how do I write and draw the thing??" and is well known for her fantasy drama series Sacrimony: A Tale of Love, Life and Death - In No Particular Order, which she writes and draws all by herself. (She doesn't sleep much.)
In this edition of the ComixLaunch Spotlight, you'll learn:
- why a systematic approach can give you big results in a short period of time
- the power of tenacity, consistency, and showing up
- how to deal with burnout as a creator
- Plus: why you should "fool around and find out"
Connect with Matta:
Website:
Social Media:
Follow M. Sorcier on Kickstarter:
Free Sacrimony Preview:
Would You Like to Learn the Strategies Matta and Other Talented Creators are Using to Take Your Launches to the Next Level?
Then attend an ...
How Sam Johnson Took a Big Swing with a Crossover Series on Kickstarter
by Clay Adams
This month, I talk to Sam Johnson, a British writer who has a Masters in Creative Writing for Film & TV and has been working in comics for fifteen years. Among this work, he created Cabra Cini (pronounced (Chee-nee): Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman, a character who had a strip annually in the Halloween issue of H!M Comics' IF-X anthology, and has now come into the Geek-Girl ongoing series, her own Mini-Series, and the new Cabra Cini/Geek-Girl Exodus Crossover. He has self-published two The Almighties one-shots (a comedy super-team co-created with Mike Gagnon); released a 4-issue Geek-Girl Mini-Series through publisher Markosia monthly from Nov 2016, and ran a successful Kickstarter for its TPB - which has now been followed with Geek-Girl's ongoing series and the new Cabra Cini/Geek-Girl: Exodus Crossover.
In this edition of the ComixLaunch Spotlight, you'll learn:
- The pros and cons of Kickstarter vs. the direct market
- Why the money is "in the resale"
- The not-so-surprisin ...
How the Power of Community Propelled Gerald von Stoddard to Kickstarter Success
by Clay Adams
This month, I talk to Gerald von Stoddard, a comic book writer, artist, creator from the Hudson Valley who splits his time between Tivoli, NY and Florence, Italy. He has his own creator owned self published comic, Immortal Coil, as well as illustrating interior and cover art for comic creators all over the world.
In this edition of the ComixLaunch Spotlight, you'll learn:
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why you shouldn't be afraid of the "F"-word (no, not that one)
- how community helps you go farther than doing it on your own
- why you should "pay it forward"
- Plus: the unexpected benefits of launching a book on Kickstarter
Connect with Gerald:
Website:
Social Media:
Follow Gerald on Kickstarter:
Would You Like to Learn the Strategies Gerald and Other Talented Creators are Using to Take Your Launches to the Next Level?
Then attend an upcoming FREE online ComixLaunch Workshop and learn the keys to making your next launch ...
How Amrit Birdi Made His Triumphant Return to Kickstarter and Raised Almost $10k
by Clay Adams
This month, I talk to Amrit Birdi, a Times Bestselling illustrator and Art Director based in London, probably best known for illustrating Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider graphic novel series, Joe Sugg's Username:Evie trilogy and Assassins Creed cover art. Day-to-day, he is an Art Director at AmCo Studio, where he produces and deliver illustration & animation work to clients such as Disney, Netflix, Adobe, Prime Video, Ubisoft, Penguin RH, Walker Books, Hachette, Adidas, Titan Comics, Bandai Namco & many more.
In this edition of the ComixLaunch Spotlight, you'll learn:
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What to do after a difficult project (hint: don't give up)
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How ComixLaunch helped Amrit overfund his first solo Kickstarter
- What backers are really looking for
- Plus: Why you need a thick skin
Connect with Amrit:
Website:
Social Media:
Follow Amrit on Kickstarter:
Free preview of RID OF YOU:
Would You Like to Le...
How Ryan Claytor Turned His Comics Career Into a Work of Art...and Raised $20k on Kickstarter
by Clay Adams
This month, I talk to Ryan Claytor, a Cartoonist and Professor at Michigan State University where he teaches Comics Studio courses and spearheaded the development of the interdisciplinary Comics Minor. Claytor's achievements in cartooning have included six Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo Prizes and two nominations for the Ringo Comic Industry Award.
In this edition of the ComixLaunch Spotlight, you'll learn:
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The importance of starting small
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How a little old-school show business can be good for your business--and your peace of mind
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Why Ryan joined ComixLaunch even after he found success on the platform
- Plus: Why you should refuse to quit
Connect with Ryan:
Website:
Social Media:
Follow Ryan on Kickstarter:
Read free previews of his work:
Would You Like to Learn the Strategies Ryan and Other Talented Creators are Using to Take Your Launches to the Next Level?
Then ...
How Craig Taillefer Warmed Up His Audience After Five Years Off Kickstarter--And Had His Best Launch Ever!
by Clay Adams
This month, I talk to Craig Taillefer, a two-times Harvey Award Nominated Cartoonist with 25 years of professional experience working in Comic Books and TV animation.His comic credits include the creator owned WAHOO MORRIS as well as inking and illustration for ELFQUEST comics, and inking BOOKS OF MAGIC, REFRIGERATOR FULL OF HEADS, and DEAD BOY DETECTIVES for DC COMICS. Craig is passionate about comic books, hammocks, and lives an alternate night life as a gigging professional rockabilly and blues singer and guitar slinger.
In this edition of the ComixLaunch Spotlight, you'll learn:
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Why community is invaluable to your growth as a creator
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The advantages and disadvantages of a short campaign
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How much runway you need to warm up a cold audience
- Plus: The power of finishing
Connect with Craig:
Website:
Social Media:
Follow Craig on Kickstarter:
Get a FREE Sîan #1 PDF
A tale of double cro...