Customer Reviews

How to Self-Publish Your Own Comic Book

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
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First and foremost, this book is not for artists who are only considering self-publishing their work - it's for people who are willing to put in the time and effort it takes to successfully self-publish or launch their own self-publishing company. Even Jeff Smith (yes, he's a self-publisher) has used this book and commented that it is "full of very real commercial information." This book goes into all the information a self-publisher needs to ease through the necessary legal processes involved in self-publishing and starting a publishing company, and teaches us what the author himself took many years to figure out.

The book contains the following chapters:

1. GETTING STARTED
Contains the following sections: THE COMIC BOOK INDUSTRY, INDUSTRY OUTLOOK, ONLINE COMIC BOOKS, YOUR BASE OF OPERATIONS, OFFICE FURNATURE AND EQUIPMENT, COMPANY STTRUCTURE (sole proprietorship vs. partnership vs. C corporation vs. sub-chapter S corporation), COMPANY IDENTITY

2. TRADEMARKS, COPYRIGHTS, AND LICENSES
TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHTS, THE INDICIA, COPYRIGHTS AND FREELANCE EMPLOYEES, LICENSING ARRANGEMENTS

3. COMIC BOOK CREATION
AN OVERVIEW OF COMIC BOOK PRODUCTION, WRITING, PENCILING: THE ART OF STORYTELLING, PENCILING QUALITY, LETTERING, INKING, HAND COLORING, COMPUTER COLORING, FREELANCERS AND CO-CREATORS, SCOUTING FOR TALENT

4. PRINTERS AND COLOR SEPARATORS
THE PRINTING PROCESS, FINDING A PRINTER, COLOR SEPARATORS, LINESCREENS AND COLOR COMPOSITION, PRODUCCING A DIRT CHEAP COLOR COVER

5. CONTRACTS
LETTER OF INTENT, ARTIST CONTRACT, PAYMENT VOUCHER, SECURITY AGREEMENT, CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT, includes samples of each

6. COMIC BOOK DISTRIBUTION AND SALES
THE DIRECT MARKET, NEWSSTAND DISTRIBUTION, CMAA, UPC BAR CODE, BOOKSTORE DISTRIBUTION, DISCOUNT DISTRIBUTION, SUBSCRIPTIONS, THE FOREIGN MARKET, COLLECTORS AND BANK ISSUES, PAID ADVERTISING, SELLING DIRECT

7. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGIES
THE KEY ELEMENTS OF MARKETING SUCCESS, DIRECT MARKETING SALES AND STRATEGIES (these I found particularly useful), DEVELOPING LICENSING AND MERCHANDISING OPPORTUNITIES, ESTABLISHING FOREIGN PUBLISHING RELATIONSHIPS, AQUIRING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, USING NATIONAL PUBLICITY TO INCREASE SALES, SURVIVING THE GLUT, NEWSSTANDS AND BOOKSTORES: THE MASS MARKET, INCREASING NEWSSTAND SALES THROUGH INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES, THINGS TO AVOID

8. PROMOTIONS, ADVERTISING, AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
NEWS RELEASES (and how to write them, includes samples), THE NEWS MEDIA, PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRMS, TRADE SHOW AND CONVENTION PROMOTIONS, PRINT ADVERTISING, THE INTERNET

9. BUDGETS AND BOOKKEEPING
INVOICES AND SHIPPING MANIFESTS, KEEPING AND MONITORING YOUR FINANCIAL RECORDS, INCOME STATEMENTS, SPREADSHEETS, CASH FLOW

10. CAPITAL AND INVESTORS
RAISING CAPITAL, A START-UP BUSINESS PLAN, AQUISITION AND EXPANSION, SELLING YOUR COMPANY, INVESTORS, LOVE MONEY: BORROWING FROM FAMILY OR FRIENDS, LAWYERS

11. SECONDARY RIGHTS
SUCCESS WITH LICENSED PROPERTIES AND SECONDARY RIGHTS, THE PRESENTATION PACKAGE, SELLING AN OPTION,

APPENDIX
Contains a listing of about 300 comic trade shows and conventions, trademark and copyright agencies, licensing resources, printers, color separators, computer colorists, distributor and trade publications, different types of distributors, foreign publishers, foreign agents, foreign sales representatives, foreign and domestic comic specialty shops, lawyers, investor services, internet service providers and browsers, and national and midwest news wires, all with attourney names and contact information.


All in all, this is a very detailed and well-written book. If you are serious about starting a publishing company but are unsure about some of the legal processes (or clueless where to begin), then I cannot think of a better book for you.


T. Fischer
Killer T-Rex Comics

Since I was 12 years old, I wanted to break into the comic book industry. It was my goal in life, and by the time that I was 18 years old, I started attending Comic book Conventions. That's when I realized that breaking in would not be a walk in the park. After 2 years of trying, I finally gave up on breaking in and I gave up on comics. Something happened that changed my life and impacted me in a lot of ways. Coming home one day from work my brother and I went to pick up some music cds, I really can't remember from where, but something I will never forget that day was seeing a book on the shelf titled "How to Self -Publish your own Comic Book " by Tony C. Caputo. My brother and I looked at each other and smiled, we then without hesitation combined our money and paid $19.95 and picked up the book.



Four years later, I now own my own comic book publishing company working with the likes of Image Comics, Dreamwave Productions, New York Times Best selling Authors; Robert Jordan, Raymond E. Feist, George R.R. Martin, Robert Silverberg and much much more. With blessings from God and "How to Self -Publish your own Comic Book " by Tony C. Caputo, I was able to take my dead dream, revive it and turn it into my lively hood. I have since then been in touch with Mr. Caputo and we are very good friends, I still seek his advice from time to time. Thank you for putting out this book Mr. Caputo.





Les Dabel

V.P. Dabel Brother Production LLC.

I am an indy comic book publisher at eigoMANGA.com, and I used this book for the last 3 years to get my company started from the very bottom.

This book is my bible in terms of building my company at eigoMANGA.com. I have it secretly stashed in my desk and let people believe that I'm a comic book genius.

The blueprints are spelled out in this book so you can't go wrong. Yeah, it can be alittle intimidating sometimes so read the parts that are relevant to your needs at that time. When I started out in my dining room several years ago, I didn't need to know about worldwide distribution, now I do.

This industry is a real rat-race, with very few big time people wanting to help you. Mr. Caputo and this book is a blessing!

With a little bit of desire, work ethic, and Mr. Caputo's book, you are destined to go far in this industry. TRUST ME!

Tony's book is a wealth of information on comic book publishing, from hiring free-lancers, drawing up contracts, dealing with printing, and doing paperwork. I found many parts to be very helpful - especially for the detail-oriented person in me. However, for the small independent publisher in me, it was a little too much. For example, Tony writes about renting office space, hiring lawyers, and doing complicated spreadsheets. In other words, while I found this book helpful with some aspects, the book seems written more for the large scale indy publishers with plenty of money to invest, rather than the small scale bartender/writer collaborating with his artist friend, and working out of his own home - which, I think, is how most of us aspiring comic creators start out... right?

I've been on both sides of a comic book... the buying side and the publishing side, and I can tell you for fact, that there is no where else to obtain the information in this book without working for years on staff of a major publisher.

It covers the creation process, the printing process and even distribution.

If you are a future comic book creator you're going to want to have this reference tool on your book shelf. Even if you never self publish a title, there is plenty of behind-the-scenes insight.

I have learned so much from this book. I can tell you that this is a tool, and not a way for Mr. Caputo to line his pockets. I am very grateful that he took the time to enlighten us all. We have a chance to learn from his mistakes and flourish due to his success. I have read, enjoyed, and have learned from this book. Thank you Mr. Caputo, and I for one hope you do more books.

Tony Caputo has taken his years of experience as a major comic book publisher and created a guide that is indispensable for publishers of any size. The book offers guidance in getting started and takes you through every step in the process. It is well organized and well written. It covers printing, distribution, and marketing as well as contracts and budgets. It was the primary reference work I used (and continue to use) when starting my own publishing business. I recommend it to anyone in the comic book business, and also to comic book readers who are interested in looking behind the scenes. Edward DeGeorge, Publisher, October Comics.

It was a good read, but it didn't have absolutely everything that should've been in there. It was too vague on many of it's subjects. It felt as if it really should've put it's foot down and gave specifics in certain areas.

It is were cheaper, I'd give it a better rating.

I was in desperate need of a book of this type when I saw this. It is the best book ever written on this subject. Mr. Caputo should teach a class. If you are interested in comics at all this is a must read. I can't praise this book enough. Complete and educational this book tells you everything you need or would want to know about publishing comic books.

the infotmation is now 5 years old so while its a good book to get ideas about cost that information needs to be updated.
The book is not geared to the just starting out writer or artist as one reviewer already stated. unless your rich or have a good business background this book is not for you
at least not right away
i am not sorry to own this book but i think the book could have done a better job on actual creating of ads rather then waste a few pages with comic con types of aadvertising. more tips to finding good people rather than just pluging a few talent scouts also whould be helpful