Jerzy Drozd
Teaching Artist and Cartoonist
Jerzy Drozd
Teaching Artist and Cartoonist
Today I share some of the things I’m working on as we lead up to Kids Read Comics 2011 and use it as a demonstration of the many realms of concern that will face you as you begin your own public comics events. There’s a lot to do, a lot to worry about, but it’s all worth it!
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Not much of an essay this time, but a series of updates on some projects I’ve been working on for Kids Read Comics and Comics Are Great! Also, fighting a cold.
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Today I share some big news from a meeting I had this afternoon, and offer some thoughts on avoiding brand cannibalism, picking battles, and how partnerships might work between an independent content creator and local businesses.
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Today I share some thoughts about how I’ve learned to deal with failure a little better than in years past by watching the present as if it’s 5 years from now. It not only helps you laugh at your blunders, it also helps you maintain your course for future goals.
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In part two of my audio essay in response to a recent thread in the A&S forum, I discuss my thoughts on “fandom” and whether or not a creator should treat all fans equally. Throughout my talk I highlight some terrific discussions I heard on a recent Spark podcast and Merlin Mann’s advice on an episode of Webcomics Weekly. The bottom line? If you’re putting stuff out there, you’re asking for it.
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Today I begin what will likely be a multi-part series in responding to a thread in the forums begun by Rene van Belzen. How do you deal with an audience? If we’re sharing online, we’re bound to accrue an audience of some sort. Are there any “best practices” in handling ourselves publicly? Is there a “one size fits all” kind of advice we can look to? I ruminate about the only big idea I can identify when handling one’s self publicly: be Authentic. But there’s more than one way to be authentic.
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Today I share some thoughts on opportunities open to independent comics creators, having just attended an ALA “Unconference” in Ann Arbor. If you haven’t thought about getting your books into libraries before, I think I have some observations that will get you to do so.
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Inspired by the rage I felt when I read about a new Zorro film (shared by Jon David Guerra), I rant a little bit about the value of the Justice Hero, or better yet, the Smiling Justice Hero. A revisiting of topics first explored in A&S 112 – The Big Good Guy.
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Today I share a few thoughts in response to a thread in the Art & Story forum about the dreary state of Direct Market publishing. Is it a sign of stormy weather for comics, or is it an opportunity for a brighter world? Bet you can guess what I think!
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Today I share an exercise I’ve used in my classrooms to teach some vital comics storytelling skills. By drawing a conversation sequence, we explore moment choices, scenery, emotional context, acting moments, and best of all, word balloon placement!
Also mentioned some great lettering tutorials over at Balloon Tales.
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