I had been working on my book Haunted for several years before applying for the Xeric grant. I wrote the story and began drawing it. I got about 30 pages in and was not happy with how it looked. I was trying to fit too much on a page, the art was mediocre, and I was undecided if I wanted it to be in color or black and white.

I decided I was going to scrap it all and start completely over. I also made the choice to do it in color. The other major difference was I was now working completely digitally. I would draw the pages in Manga Studio then color them in Photoshop.

Starting over was the right choice. The new pages took a major leap in quality. I ended up making a website www.hauntedcomic.com and began posting them on line.

I had used a local printer for small print runs of Haunted single issues to sell at conventions. When I was getting ready to collect Haunted in to a book and bring it to the next level I knew I’d need help so I looked in to the Xeric.

These are the two biggest pieces of advice I can give for anyone wanting to apply for the Xeric:

1. The work you submit to them should be completed or very close to. And it should be phenomenal. The quality of it should be much better than the average comic you see on the shelves of bookstores and comic shops. Because if it’s not, no one outside of your friends and family is going to take a chance on your unknown book. Certainly not retailers.

2. Work and rework your submission letters. Put as much attention in to all the Xeric requirements as you do your comic. Once you’ve crafted the absolute best submission you’re capable of, have a mentor or colleague that gives solid feed back critique your work. Then do it again.
   

Once I got the news I had received the Xeric I had to get serious now that I had a legitimate deadline. The nice thing about applying is that it’s an education process in publishing. I had quotes from a number of printers. I was also planning on using Diamond for distribution. But my price quotes were still fairly prohibitive for color. So even though I had gotten a yes on the grant money I continued to look into printers. I ended up finding one overseas that would work for my needs. Though this of course offers it’s own set of challenges.

The next several months were spent completing Haunted and putting it into book form. Learning the ins and outs of working with Diamond and working with my printer. I also had to promote Haunted. I used my own personal outlets such as my website, blog and twitter as well as interviews on comic news sites.

I also needed to promote to retailers. I considered doing an ad in Diamonds monthly catalog that Haunted would be listed in but opted against it. I chose instead to mail a small preview copy of Haunted to shops that were more likely to order my book. I really have no idea how effective this was or an ad in Diamond would have been. But I’m sure it helped.

The best idea I got for getting Haunted seen by retailers came from the owner of my local comic shop. If you’re planning on distributing through Diamond you will be listed in their catalog. The major publishers are listed in the front with everyone else listed alphabetically in the back. Try and find a midlevel publisher whose work is similar to yours then name your comic company with a name that will come right before or after them. That way when shops that order from that midlevel company see your work that’s in the same vein they may give yours a shot.

Finally when you hear people talk about unforeseen problems they’re not kidding and they will happen to you. There are always extra expenses and things always take longer than you plan or were told. Give yourself as much of a cushion as you can. When problems do arise stay in contact with all the parties involved. Haunted was much later than anticipated coming from overseas but since I kept my contact at Diamond updated he was willing to work with me.

Good Luck and welcome to self publishing,

Joshua Smeaton
Spring 2010

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