Indy Comics Writer

There are times you suspect that a project you’ve worked hard on is dead. Then there are times when you know. What’s the difference?

To me, it’s when the editor/publisher disappears.

It’s probably happened to you. You make contact with an editor/publisher who’s thrilled with your story. This publisher promises you that your story will appear in an upcoming issue of his anthology series. Call or e-mail at any time with questions, he says.

Feels great. We all love to have our work appreciated, even when the payment is tiny.

But then, trouble starts. You notice that the comic company’s Web site hasn’t changed in weeks. You stop getting messages from the publisher. And, the final straw, the publisher doesn’t return any of your e-mails or calls.

That’s when a project is dead.

I think this has happened to me. A publisher enthusiastically accepted a story of mine for one of his company’s upcoming themed anthologies. I was pleased as could be. I’m still in the game of getting exposure in the comic world. Every little bit helps.

And at first, this publisher was awfully communicative, sometimes sending messages to me without me even sending one to him first.

But then, about two months ago … silence. I wanted to know if the publisher had come any closer to finding an artist for my script. No response. I waited two weeks and asked again. Nothing. Last week I tried one more message. Still nothing.

To me, that means this particular anthology is dead. I’ll shop my script around again. If it was good enough to attract this publisher, it should attract others. It’s a script I’m quite fond of, actually, so I do want to find it a good home.

I’d prefer that the publisher tell me if his company was going under. But I suppose that’s unrealistic. I’m sure he’s swamped with other pressing concerns.

And that’s my advice: Try contacting the non-responsive three times. If three doesn’t work, consider the answer to whatever question you had as a big fat “no.” For instance: Is your anthology still alive? No! Are you still searching for an artist for my script? No! Should I ever get in touch with you again? No!

And don’t take any of it personally. I’ve had enough experience with rejection and failed publications as a non-fiction freelance writer to know that it comes with the business. No one ever said writing for comics was an easy task.

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