Founding an independent

[ArtisticSnake]

Hey guys,

I want to gather a group of local writer-artists and found a publisher. Kinda like Timely Publications (how Marvel first started). I'm thinking of setting loose works for download (€1.50 for a chapter) and when that works I want to get to printing monthly bundles (i.e. Shounen Jump style). I have a few questions about this.

So here are they:
1. Where can I find local writer-artists?
2. How do you approach/get retailers to sell your comics?
3. What does a publisher do to make a profit?
4. What to do after founding the Publishing Company?
5. How much taxes does a Publisher have to pay?
6. What do I have to consider on a legal level?
7. Any tips on this?

Your help would be appreciated.

[aaronghunter]

I've considered this in the past, but there are a number of issues you run into. I can point you in the right direction on some of your queries...

1. You can use Meetup if you're in a developed urban or suburban area. Otherwise, you'll have to trawl businesses and libraries; legwork.
2. Well, you can talk to them directly, in person. I know one retailer who would be willing to carry anything I self-published, but in limited quantities. Otherwise, you really need to submit through Diamond; they pay you less than cover price, you ship them the printed issues, etc.
3. In general, the publisher takes a cut of the sales. You have to sell issues - a lot of issues, pay your creators, pay your printer, and then the rest - after taxes - is your own.
4. Well, you have to find facilities, build working relationships with printers and distributors, etc.
5. I can't tell you the specifics, but you'll have to register as a business and pay taxes accordingly. Import/export tarrifs may also come into play, if you're moving issues internationally.
6. You need to register the company, you need to have solid contracts and a lawyer on retainer, if not a lawyer in house.
7. Look at a few businesses, read up on the law and finances. Figure out what you can do well, and find partners to cover your weaknesses.

Good luck!

[Queso6p4]

I can only recommend Tony Caputo's How to Self Publish Your Own Comic Book and looking into copyright law as to best protect your future team's work. Best of luck to you!

[dupont2005]

Well your writers and artists don't have to be local. You can handle everything via e-mail and snail mail. The thing is though, you have to be able to offer the writers and artists something, and these days when anyone with a product can get it online it's going to be tough. I assume you don't have concepts in mind already, maybe you can basically build a website and handle the promotion and distribution of someone else's work. In which case I guess the best thing to do would be take a percentage of gross. Sell it in print or digital on a website you made yourself, distributing the digital copies via e-mail so you don't have to pay an online comic marketplace a huge cut. As far as customs and duties for international sales, I've never had to pay them...