Questions about putting together a proposal

[goatfog]

I'm a would-be comic book writer from Norway, who has written a few scripts and would like to take a shot in getting some of them published.

I've hired an artist, and during the summer, I will receive six pages (fully pencilled and inked) from him, which in turn I will have lettered. When they are finished, along with a cover, I will make a proposal out of it, and submit it to Image.

So, here's where I need your help. Since I want my submission to look as professional as possible, I need a few guidelines when it comes to what everything should look like, except the story synopsis and those six pages. It wouldn't be a problem for me if I was submitting to a Norwegian publisher, and I guess it's not that much different in the States, but still.

So does anyone have any examples on how they present themselves and stuff like that when they submit comic book projects? How does your cover letter look like? Do you staple your pages, or do you put them in a small binder? How do you phrase yourself when telling about what format the book is, who the creative team are, if it's an ongoing or mini, etc.

I'm probably overthinking this, but it would be nice to have some example to go by when I'm putting my proposal together later this year. Maybe someone have a pdf-file or something (just erase your personal information) that they can show me?

Thanks in advance for any help in this!

[maverick]

http://www.imagecomics.com/submissions.php

[goatfog]

Well, I know their submission guidelines, duh. What I'm asking for is some examples, and you can't find that on that page.

But thanks anyway........

[BobRivard]

Somebody once referred me to this site

http://calebmonroe.com/comic-writer-services/#submissions

It's got some great advice on pitching and writing in general.

[goatfog]

I know that site too, but it doesn't feature many examples.

[maverick]

A cover letter is a cover letter is a cover letter.

As for the rest, here is a possibility:

Title (ongoing series)
genre, target audience, etc.
Writer/Creator: your name
Penciler: name
Inker: name
Colorist: name
Letterer: name
Cover artist: name
Your one page synopsis here.


I've never made use of a binder or anything, and you've already read the Image page: "Make sure it's printed nicely, sure, but don't worry about the packaging -- if the pages look unprofessional, it WON'T get a green light."

It's nothing too worry about too much. Give a summary of your story, list your team, that's pretty much it.

[goatfog]

Yeah, then I was probably right when I assumed that I was overthinking this.
I'll just jump right into it, then. Thanks anyway

[BobRivard]

Yeah, I mean just write your one-sheet, issue breakdowns, etc, and show the art. If it's good, you'll hear from them and if it's not so good, not even the most well written pitch is going to push it through. Just follow the submission guidelines to make sure they do look at your proposal.

good luck

[powerbomb1411]

Try here (http://www.imagecomics.com/messageboard/viewtopic.php?t=566&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=1005) and here (http://www.imagecomics.com/messageboard/viewtopic.php?t=16792) .

[JAQ]

Well, I know their submission guidelines, duh. What I'm asking for is some examples, and you can't find that on that page.Good. Examples won't help you. Give Erik Larsen what he asks for... and the less it looks like some "example" he's seen before, and the more it looks like something original and interesting and new, the more he's likely to be impressed by it.

[J.D. Lombardi]

This has been something on my head for a while as well, but I already know I put faaaar too much pressure upon myself as it is.

I'm writing one now and have just decided to let it flow in terms of describing the overall tale, characters and issue by issue synopsis.

In this day and age, is it getting far easier to do this if you post your "pitch/proposal package" online and simply email folks links? I think that Image link up above even mentioned online pitches...yeah?

[BJCochran]

I would do both actually...email the proposal and send in a hard copy. Now dont get me wrong, I personally have not done that, but I have heard multiple times from various people that that's the way to go.

I guess Mr. Larson has great turn around for email stuff but sometimes the paper proposal sits on his desk for a while. So try both...



I have a feeling I am going to be slanderized (If thats even a word) for this advice.

[Dan Hill]

I'd be interested to hear as well if the "online proposal" is an acceptable method. I'll be submitting a proposal sometime this year and it'd be cool to find out.

[powerbomb1411]

Submit both ways.

They won't green light any submission without seeing a hard copy, but you get a quicker response through e-mail and will tell you right away if there is any interest on their end at all.