DC Conspiracy[dots pattern]

8.04.2005

Here's the Thing... #7: You're Being Used (And That's Not Always Good)

Last time, on Here’s the Thing…

I am using you right now. No point in lying about it. If I can write a bunch of mildly controversial but ultimately helpful articles that attract a crowd, get people talking and get my name spread around – it helps me. When I drop a book there will be an existing fanbase. That makes me more attractive to publishers. So yes, I’m using you. I hope you tell people about this article and that they come and visit so I can use them as well. I hope you link to it (and some of you have). I hope you like what you see here and continue onto my personal site where I tell you amusing stories about my past five times a week in the hopes that when I meet you, you already feel like you know me.

For some people, the word “use” automatically has a negative connotation. I don’t quite understand that. To me, the word “use” means you simply have your best interest in mind while you interact with other people. Now, while doing that, you can also help the people you are using, give something back. In that case, you are positively using them. On the flip-side, you can never give anything back and negatively use them – and that’s what you need to look out for.

We all have our best interest in mind. If we (Hoarse & Buggy) like your story and want to publish it, thus paying great sums of money to make it happen, you are using us to get published. You have your best interests in mind. But if the story drops and it’s hot and people buy it, we’re making money and we’re happy. You might even say, to an extent, we start using you at that point. But the initial risk was ours and if the book doesn’t make money, it has no effect on you. You got a credit and another sample to hand off to new potential publishers. Indie comics rarely make money; it’s not going to be viewed as your fault. And you can just walk away, leaving us to deal with the debt.

You took no risk. You used us. And we were fine with that, we understood that going in. We made you sign a contract that basically boils down to, “You are using us. In exchange, we get something in return if our gamble pays off.”

So, I’m using you right now, as I said. In return, you’re using me for knowledge and a little bit of honesty. You’re getting something out of it – I’m not the bad guy here.

But, there are a lot of bad guys. A lot.

A couple of weeks ago I talked about why you should occasionally lie and how to do it subtly so as not to get caught. Publisher’s lie, too. Every business lies occasionally. Just like the individual, the publisher will subtly lie and always have an out. There are several ways to interpret the truth; the publishers will pick the way that does the least amount of damage to the company.

The bad publisher will simply disregard the truth and flat out lie. They will lead you on, always holding the prize inches from your nose, and continue to do so for as long as you support their company, spread the word and buy their comics. They are using you in a bad way, mainly because they do not have the skills required to produce a product that can compete based on the story alone. So they take advantage of the tens of thousands of people that are actively trying to create comics. You give your time, you give your money and you will never get anything in return – not even a good story. I promise you.

And what you help to give to the comic community is bad comics. You get this entire market of publishers that talk out their ass, lie left and right and produce crap.

So, how do they use you?

Let’s preface this with Stan Lee. Stan Lee built a comic empire out of the concept of community building. It’s a model that a lot of publishers try and fail at but it’s a payday model when it works. Some may say it led to the Dark and Damp Sausage Fest Shops we have now but regardless, the guy made payroll by giving everything a personal touch and making fans feel like they were a part of something. And that’s fine. That’s why we all have message boards, blogs and other ways to make ourselves accessible.

Now, some publishers are like evil Stan Lee. They don’t give you quality product and community in exchange for your patronage – they give you a title. They give you a position. When you mention that you have some ideas you want to put out – they tell you that they’re the ones that will do it. Your idea is awesome. They bring you onto the team and get you to promote their book and buy multiple copies.

Because their product can’t stand on its own.

Your idea will never be published by them. That line has been fed to everyone else on the team (and some of these teams can get rather large). They get you to believe they’re the next big thing and that by helping them now, you’ll reap the rewards later on. They’re the Dr. Koop of comics, all talk and no substance that’ll eventually crash and burn but only after gladly accepting your money.

And you’ll be standing there, feeling used.

Ait/PlanetLar – they won’t lie to you because they make good books. If you’re idea won’t sell, Larry will tell you that. Image won’t lie to you – Eric would sooner make you cry and crush your dreams. Because they make good books. If a publisher that is in a position to publish you rejects your project, don’t go find a publisher that will make you believe they’re your solution. These guys know what they’re doing – use their advice and come back.

In other words: work harder. These guys are putting out good books for a reason, and it’s not because they make you feel like you have a future with them. It’s because they find the guys that have a future in this business – and you should want to be one of those guys.

I started this with last week’s article and conclude it today – do not allow yourself to get used by publishers who give you nothing in return. You’re hurting comics, your own growth and your own chances.

______________________

Separately, I will be roaming at WW Chicago, look for me and say “hey”. There’s like a million pictures of me on my site but here are some recent ones for your ass: uno, dos, tres.

I have some projects I’m looking for collaborators on and since WToT is on hiatus and Elk’s Run is the only book I’m doing full time, I’m looking for new editing gigs as well and will be down to hear what you got. I took one on recently and it’s been a good time, finding myself with time to do more. So look for me, I’ll make some time for you.

Jason at 10:44 PM  |  link to this   

2 Comments

I think this one got buried pre-Chicago, but it's one worth heeding. We're all in such a hurry to get published that we don't always think about what's going to happen the day after tomorrow if we give our project/money to a publisher today...a similar phenomenon exists in book publishing, where there are probably more "editors," fee-based agents (NEVER pay an agent--EVER)and vanity presses out there to prey on the fragile egos of writers than there are actual, legit agents and publishing houses.

However, I want to debate one of your points--the idea that if one of the big indy publishers doesn't take your book, you shouldn't keep shopping it. I don't think that's exactly what you were trying to say, but let's pursue...there are plenty of publishers out there who will publish, legitimately and with some measure of success, material that Image and AIT will/have passed on. If you get turned down by three or four publishers, don't lose heart. You get turned down by 13 or 14, well--you're running out of options and may want to rethink your property.

I think it all comes down to a basic bullshit test--remember that, even though all y'all may be wearing Gambit t-shirts and baggy shorts, this is BUSINESS--and everybody, creator and publisher alike, better treat it like it is. So if you start to get the feeling that a publisher isn't quite on the up-and-up--if you haven't seen ANY of their "roster" of books in Previews ever, for instance, or if they plan to publish through a vanity press--well, that little voice in your head that starts whispering, "this is bullshit" is worth listening to.

(Note that not all vanity presses are intrinsically evil--Digital Webbing, for instance, does well in its niche. I've published a story through 'em. But DW had an extensive track record and proven creators associated with them long before I stepped in. There are plenty of "studios" that can't exhibit the same pedigree but would be happy to take your money all the same.)

Blogger Jay at 8/09/2005 9:05 PM   

Josh Sage Words of Follow-Up Wisdom...

If you're involved with a company that publishes one book (not talks about publishing, not intends to publish, actually publishes) and they have more than ten 'employees'... you're in trouble.

Now, if you'll excuse, me I have a roomfull of interns to punish. :D

Blogger Fialkov at 8/10/2005 12:02 AM   

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