How are submissions different?
For a writer alone, it's nigh impossible to submit to a comic company. And the big two specifically. Best way I think to get in, is to either keep an eye out for someone looking for a writer, or find your own artist. You can find more on artist in the "how to writer comics" thread.
In my experience, if you are JUST writing, JUST wanting to look for a writing gig, the real way in is to network. Go to cons, shake hands, make nice with artists, try and make nice with editors and publishers and work it from there. It really is a "who you know" industry. And if you want to get your script read you really need the art to go with it. If you go to cons, don't take sample scripts. No one will read them. If you get art to go with it, and get sequentials however, that's a different animal all together.
How are projects edited and developed?
Depends on the company, the editor and if it's your project or the companies project. I plan to address the editor thing a little in the "how to" thread."
Are query letters different?
I don't know. I've never queried. I tend to send more of an introduction email that lists my credits and a little about me. It is VERY informal and coversational. Depending on the company, I either offer a sample if requested, or include it. I do not include my sample regardless, and usually now I offer it more than just send it.
More likely, you will be pitching a project, rather than your skills. And again, without an artist, you have to be really good to get them to look at it. In that case you probably want to look at how to query a movie script submission, as there is an overlap there.
How do you write a proposal?
- List of main characters and a mini-character bio. Like a paragraph at most.
- Synopsis for the story. I would recommend you pitch a project as a mini-series or graphic novel. It is much more likely to get a pick-up if it's self contained. Comic stores will be loathed to take an untested ongoing title, but ifyou pitch a self-contained four/six/eight part project, the company can sell it as a mini-series of issues, a tradepaperback, or a slick graphic novel. The bonus to TPBs and GNs is that they can sell them in regular bookstores as well as comic stores.
- a brief breakdown of what happens in each issue.
- the first issue in comic script format.
- if you have it, the credits of you, your penciler, inker, colorist and letterer. Failing that, just a brief introduction letter.
Places like Image will tell you that you don't need to do anything fancy, as they can tell whether something is quality. However, I think this is a specific attempt to weed out submissions. My personal take is that you should make your pitch bundle as slick and professional as possible. Show your commitment to quality. However, that won't improve your chances if the product isn't good enough. And believe, Image will tell you in no uncertain terms, if you aren't good enough.
