Writer With An Idea

[thedan]

Hi,
I'm Dan, I've written a few short stories in my 20 years and I've recently become really interested in comics, so I'm kind of an amateur at this whole industry. I've got a couple of ideas for a comic but I've got absolutely no skill in drawing. I'd love to collaborate with an artist to maybe develop and produce some of my ideas. Because I'm new to this, I have no idea how to go about this. I don't want to post my idea somewhere because it's really just a premise at the moment, and I guess what I'm asking is, does anyone have any advice for me to go about this, as I'm completely new to it.
Thanks guys,
TheDan

[suttercain]

Hi,
Because I'm new to this, I have no idea how to go about this.

Hi Dan,

I just wrote a mini-series and had posted in some art forums, like DeviantArt, looking for an artist. At first I didn't offer any money only a 50/50 split. I got no replies. Then I offered a specific amount per page... I got about 16 replies. The key to getting an artist, unless you already know someone, is to pay them. I can't blame the artists for wanting $ up front because think about it. They spend all this time on YOUR idea and they have no clue how you're going to promote it or anything.

Anyway, my first issue artwork is going to be completed by the end of this Month. After that I am having it colored, then 50 issues run off professionally and I'm going to send it out to publishers as well as a proposal. All in all it's costing me about $2500 up front.

Hope this helped.

[thedan]

Yeah thanks,

So (if you don't mind me asking), how much did you end up paying per page? I don't want to sound cheeky but I have no idea about this..
Thanks,
TheDan

[GRKiller]

Hi Dan,

I agree with suttercain. Most artists are gonna want to be paid up-front if you arent an established writer. I cant really get into amounts per page, as it varies from artist-to-artist depending on skill and style. Do you plan on self-publishing your work, or are you gonna' submit your work to a publisher?

[suttercain]

Hi Dan,

I can't really say what I paid per page out of respect for the artist who ended up doing it cheaper than normal... but it still cost me a good penny. Different styles and how detailed you want the art will affect the cost heavily.

We drafted up a contract where I would pay him a flat rate for the ink/pencils and then he would earn a specific % of the sales, if the book is picked up and published and after I recoup any out of pocket expenses. He also own the rights to the original non-colored pages and can sell them how he sees fit as long as it's not for publishing.

I will say I was very lucky to come across this artist and he is extremely professional and takes the work very seriously.

Check out deviantart.com and post what you can afford per page on that board. You'll get responses with samples of their work. If that work is on par with what you're looking for and can afford, cool. If you get a lot of 'stick' figure drawings, you may have to shell out some more $.

[thedan]

Thanks, I'll take your suggestions on board. As I said it's only an idea at the moment so theres a long way to go before I think about doing anything serious, I was just trying to get an idea of what to expect. Thanks guys :D