March 29, 2024

Journey into Syndication Pt. 2

Like I said, as of December 1st 2006, I became a professional cartoonist (and yes, I use that term rather loosely). It was a fairly easy transition. I had already gotten used to meeting self-imposed deadlines while I was on Comics Sherpa and I had a backlog of ideas to write and draw from. The only real change was that I would now be drawing 7 days a week instead of the 5 I had grown accustomed to on Sherpa (and let me tell you, there’s a BIG difference between the two).

Anyhow, I had been on GoComics for about 2 or 3 weeks when I received my first e-mail from Universal Press Syndicate’s VP of Rights and Acquisitions, John Glynn congratulating me on the move. He also informed me that they had my print submission, that they’d like to monitor my work for a while and that he’d like to touch base with me again in a few weeks. While I wasn’t exactly sure of what the next discussion would be about, I was excited and anxious to find out.

The first week of 2007 came… And on January 5th I received another e-mail from John. Although I was really only expecting a critique of my work and how to improve it, to my surprise, the e-mail was much more intriguing. To be honest, I don’t even know or remember what most of the e-mail said as I soiled my pants and fainted from delight 3 or 4 times while reading it. After gaining composure, I gleefully called my girlfriend and my family to report the good news. I was offered a print syndication contract.

The contract was sent a few weeks later and after having my attorney request a few subtle changes, I had signed the contract and was officially in development as of March 1st 2007.

I continued to work online as part of the development process while my editors kept an eye on my comic through the GoComics website. Although it was my choice to continue working online and developing over the web isn’t anything unique to me and my situation – as I know there have been a few other cartoonists that have endured this process as well, it is a difficult process. While most professionally syndicated cartoonists have editors to catch mistakes, errors and other problems that may arise before the rest of the public is exposed to their work, because my editors didn’t get to see my work until it was posted on GoComics, the whole world (or at least those reading comics) got to see my work unedited and unadulterated – mistakes and all. And while it was embarrassing at times, it was a wonderful experience that actually allowed me to continue to gain exposure and learn at the same time…To Be Continued

Comments

  1. Kristi says:

    I knew from the MOMENT you showed me your work (on our second date almost 3 years ago) that if you would just put your work out there, there was no stopping you and your undeniable talent. I am amazed *every single time* you show me one of your new ideas. I continue to be so very proud of you, and I love you so much.
    Kristi

  2. Rick Ellis says:

    Same here.

  3. JG says:

    I think Rick just said he loved you so much?

  4. Jonathan says:

    These posts are great fun to read Scott! Looking forward to the next!

  5. scotthilburn says:

    Damnit Rick – I told you never to contact me here.

  6. Mike Witmer says:

    Whoa…it’s getting a little humid up in here!

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