I can’t believe it, but this is my 100th post to gegallas.wordpress.com!!
I started this blog in March of last year, not knowing where it would take me. It’s quite incredible how many amazing people are here on WordPress and that they have and continue to visit my humble blog.
For my 100th post, I’d like to share a drawing I’ve been meaning to squeeze in somewhere for a long time. This drawing is from August 2011, but really marks the point at which I discovered, after a long hiatus due to college, that I could enjoy drawing again.
For my 100th post, I’d like to ask two important but simple favors from my readers:
- For those of you who have yet to check out my graphic novel The Poet and the Flea, it would be a great honor if you would go over to thepoetandtheflea.wordpress.com and check it out!
- If you’d like to receive notifications on Facebook about my new WordPress posts, please follow/like me at www.facebook.com/gegallas!
By the way, if you’re interested in checking out my 99 previous posts, head over to the contents page by either clicking on “contents” at the top of this blog or by clicking the following link: gegallas.wordpress.com/contents.
Thank you very much and I look forward to writing the next hundred posts of this blog!!!
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For more updates, don’t forget to follow me on tumblr and/or twitter.
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Copyright 2013 by G. E. Gallas
44 comments | tags: 100, 99, Achievement, Amazing, Annoucement, Announcement, Art, Artist, Artwork, August, Beauty, Believe, Black, Black and White, Blog, Blogger, Cards, Cartoon, Celebrating, Celebration, Character, Character Design, College, Comic, Comic book, Concept, Contents, Continue, Costumes, Creative, Creative Process, Creativity, Culture, Cute, Discovered, Discovery, Doodle, Doodles, Drawing, Drawings, England, Enjoy, Exhibition, Facebook, Fashion, Fashion Design, Fashion Illustration, Favor, Fiction, Figure, Film Noir, Filmmaking, Flowers, Follow, Freelance, Graphic Novel, Grey, Greyscale, Handmade, Hiatus, Historical, Honor, Humble, Hundred, Illustrated, Illustration, Illustrator, Important, Incredible, Ink, Interested, Interesting, Last Year, Like, Links, Long Time, March, Markers, Marks, Mixed Media, Model, New, Notifications, Outfit, Paper, Party, Pen, Pen and Ink, Pencil, Point, Portrait, Pose, Post, Previous, Print, Project, Readers, Receive, Simple, Sketch, Sketchbook, Sketches, Squeeze In, Storytelling, Striking, The Poet and the Flea, Update, Visit, Visual, William Blake, Wordpress, Writer, Writing, Yay | posted in Announcement, Illustration/Design, Links, Update
Related post: Plans for APE
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Wow, what can I say about APE?
Well, this was definitely an experience!
Firstly, I believe that APE (Alternative Press Expo) was a productive endeavor. I learned much more about the nature of each publisher I’ve been tracking online. I hope that Shannon and I managed to get the names of our projects (The Poet and the Flea and The First Reich) out there just a little. And I learned a lot about what techniques make a successful table.
As far as the bigger publishers go (Fantagraphics, Drawn & Quarterly, Last Gasp, Top Shelf, etc.), I was glad to see them at the Expo — to see all their products laid out in front of me, rather than squinting at images on a computer screen. Some of them only had marketing representatives who didn’t know much about the submissions process, which was too bad. Others had more knowledgable people to talk to, who offered some useful advice. I guess it really just boils down to submitting material and seeing what happens!
I very much enjoyed talking to some of the smaller publishers. They were very enthusiastic, helpful, and informative. And just because they’re smaller doesn’t mean they have inferior products. They are extremely professional (but in a laid back sort of way) and their books are gorgeous!
I loved talking with the kind folks at Yam Books. Tim Hensley (creator of Ticket Stub) was shocked that someone in their twenties (me) was a Barbara Stanwyck fan!! Both Saturday and Sunday, we had conversations about the film noir starlet, exchanging movie titles and laughing away. He even drew me this awesome illustration of Barbara (see below) in Double Indemnity — bangs and sunglasses and all!
Also had good but brief conversations with the good people at A Raven Above Press and Never Press.
I’ve only recently become interested in learning more about the world of zines. And Tugboat Press seemed like a good place to start. I really admire what they’re doing. I’m glad I talked with them because I learned that, rather than taking submissions, they commission artists. I also received recommendations about which volumes of their anthology Papercutter to buy and realized that they are interested in a vast array of genres. I’m excited to really sit down and read my purchases.
Sunday, I finally figured out where Uncivilized Books got to (I just could not figure out that map!). Their chief Tom was excellent at patiently answering my questions and encouraging me to submit my work. I’m excited to start working on sending out some follow-up e-mails to everyone I talked with!
Also, I picked up a lot of interesting flyers, cards, stickers, etc. from around the expo and from the free table. Below are some of my favorites!!
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Here are my notes of what makes a successful table in case I end up getting one for APE next year!
(This is just a rough list for my personal use. In no particular order!)
- Need a billboard/banner advertising name of artist/graphic novel.
- Need a tablecloth.
- Need a sign (or maybe t-shirts) to hang off the front of the table.
- Wear one of your own t-shirts to further advertise your graphic novel.
- Perhaps a sign or two saying: “Pleas talk to us — we’re friendly!”
- Perhaps a big bowl of free candy.
- Attract customers with a selection of cheaper items ($1 pins or stickers?).
- Need a clipboard and form for customers to sign up for your mailing list.
- Provide plenty of business cards and/or postcards.
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Among the flyers and such was a postcard for the East Bay Alternative Book and Zine Fest, free and taking place December 8th in Berkeley. I’m very interested in checking it out!
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For more updates, don’t forget to follow me on tumblr and/or twitter.
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Copyright 2012 by G. E. Gallas
19 comments | tags: Author, Screenwriter, List, Future, Projects, Screenplay, Graphic Novel, Comics, William Blake, The Poet and the Flea, Illustration, Drawing, Comic book, San Francisco, Publishers, Drawn & Quarterly, Photos, Writer, Illustrator, Graphic Novelist, Barbara Stanwyck, Script, Blog, Information, October, Portfolio, Film Noir, Movie, Fantagraphics Books, Top Shelf Productions, Last Gasp Books, Weekend, Photographs, Interested, Saturday, APE, Opportunity, Idea, Successful, Admire, Rough, Productive, Enthusiastic, Advice, Helpful, iPad, Shannon, The First Reich, Networking, Wilhelm Reich, Alternative Press Expo, Next Year, Gorgeous, Wes, Vistaprint, SF, Snuck Up, Out of the blue, Hoping, Informative, Rare, Chance, Sunday, Expo, Postcard, Supplement, Business Card, Advertising, Showcasing, Scans, Shlep, Ginormous, Preperation, Exhibitors, Tables, Visitng, Personal use, 4th Dimension Entertainment, A Raven Above Press, Fantagraphics, Yam Books, Uncivilized Books, Tomorrow John Press, Tugboat Press, Sparkplug Comic Books, Puna Press, Pernicious Press Magazine, Perfect Day Publishing, Never Press, NBM Publishing, Expect, Experiences, Perhaps, Plan, Half-Table, Luck, Please, E-mails, Professional, Endeavor, Products, Submissions, Tim Hensley, Ticket Stub, Conversations, Starlet, Double Indemnity, Sunglasses, Bangs, Zines, Learned, Commission, Volumes, Papercutter, Genres, Purchases, Chief, Tom, Encouraging, Patient, Follow-up, Flyers, Cards, Stickers, Free, Free Table, Billboard, Banner, Tablecloth, T-Shirts, Wear, Friendly, Candy, Customers, Selection, Plenty, Mailing List | posted in Brainstorming, Graphic Novel, Research, The Poet and the Flea, Travel
