Keeping an Eye on Expos

In February, I made arrangements with my friend Tina and about 3-4 of her friends to go in together on a table at SPX (Small Press Expo) in Maryland. And, on March 30th, after a series of techinical difficulties, I learned that we got the table!!

That means I’ll be exhibiting at SPX later this year on September 14th and 15th selling copies of my upcoming zines, plush toys, and whatnots with some wonderful company. Can’t wait!

＊If anyone has helpful advice about SPX, I would be eager to hear it. I’m trying to figure out how many zine copies, plush toys, and whatnots I’ll need to bring with me or ship by mail. What to do? ╰(　´◔　ω　◔ `)╯

Disclaimer: I do not own this image!!

In the meantime, I’m compiling a list of zine fests/expos I hope to attend and possibly exhibit at this year.

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August 31st & September 1st

San Francisco Zine Fest

Seems like a cute and fun event from what I can glean from their website. Plus, admission is free!

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September 14th & 15th

SPX (Small Press Expo), Maryland

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October 12th & 13th

APE (Alternative Press Expo), San Francisco

Related Posts: Plans for APE and Experience of APE.

As you may know, I attended APE last year — so I think I have a pretty good idea what it will be like. I have absolutely no idea about my chances of nabbing a half-table, but I did send in a form that apparently means they’ll inform me when tables go on sale. We’ll see what happens!!

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December 8th-ish

EBABZ Fest (East Bay Alternative Book and Zine Fest)

Related Post: Experience of the EBABZ Fest.

I attended this one too last year. It’s a pretty small space packed with rows and rows of tables. Might be fun!

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For more updates, don’t forget to follow me on facebook, tumblr and/or twitter.

***

Copyright 2013 by G. E. Gallas

The Liebster Award: 4th and 5th Nominations!

Thank you so much to David Blake (davidblakeimagemaker.wordpress.com and thebearggrr.wordpress.com) for nominating me a fourth time for the Liebster Award! Don’t forget to check out David’s fascinating work.

And thank you so much to Annamita Virosa (annamitavirosa.wordpress.com) for nominating me a fifth time for this award! Check our Annamita’s awesome doodles and dream memories.

To view the post from my first and second nominations, click here, here, and here.

I’d like to apologize in advanced for my answers to David and Annamita’s questions — I found a number of these queries a bit confusing. But I tried to answer to the best of my ability!

As I mentioned previously, I continue to accept these awards because I love being able to share/promote other talented WordPress bloggers by nominating them. So please take a look at the list of nominations below!!

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Rules

1. Post eleven facts about yourself.
2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you and create eleven questions for people you’ve nominated.
3. Choose eleven people to give this award to and link them in your post.
4. Go to their page and tell them.

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Instead of eleven facts about myself…

Some of My Favorite Japanese Words

1.  めちゃくちゃ, mechakucha: absurd, nonsensical, incoherent.
2. 奪う, ubau: to snatch away, to steal.
3. 見失う, miushinau: to lose sight of, to miss.
4. 罰, batsu: punishment, penalty.
5. はしゃぐ, hashagu: to make merry, to frolic.
6. 飛び立つ, tobitatsu: to fly away, to take off, to leap to one’s feet.
7. 吐き出す, hakidasu: to spit out.
8. 叫ぶ, sakebu: to shout, to cry out, to yell.
9. 降り注ぐ, furisosogu: to rain incessantly, to downpour.
10. 山椒魚, sanshouuo: salamandar
11. 鹿煎餅, shikasenbei: rice crackers for feeding deer (in Nara).
12. 理事長, rijichou: board chairman.
13. 伯爵, hakushaku: count, earl.
14. 恐ろしい, osoroshii: terrible, dreadful, frightening.
15. 戸惑い, tomadoi: losing one’s bearings, confusion, wonderment.

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David’s Questions

1. What encouraged you to start blogging (honestly)?

I wanted to share my work with the world.

2. Heart broken or never touched. Would you rather risk it all for love or not at all?

Neither. I’m not a romantic. But I have a wonderful boyfriend!

3. What is your favourite medium to write, paint, draw or generally create with?

Difficult question. If I could only have one implement, I would choose a black felt-tip pen.

4. I love to day dream (but I’m also very proactive ). Are you a dreamer?

A dreamer, yes. But also a “radiant pessimist” — I hope for the best, but expect the worst.

5. Skipping this question.

6. If you were an artist, living or deceased, who would you be?

Myself. Not that I’m “the best” artist — I just have no desire to be anyone else.

7. In answering 6, do you think you have the qualities to do that person justice?

I hope I do myself justice.

8. What is your favourite hot drink?

Chai.

9. What quality do you admire most in people?

Determination and ambition without being self-absorbed.

10. Did you believe I was a bear (ggrr bear)?

Frankly, no.

11. I love imperfection, to me it is true beauty. What do you love?

Creativity and culture.

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Annamita’s Questions

1. Hello, do you know me? ( Biffy Clyro – Living is a problem because everything dies) I’m not sure — do I?

2. How did you get that way? (Lana Del Rey - Millions Dollars Man) What way? What?

3. Do you believe ? (The cardigans – Do you believe?) Not so much.

4. Are we safer or in danger? ( Otep – Confrontation) I’m guessing “in danger.”

5. Can anybody help me make it better? (BFMV – Tears don’t fall) Err…

6. Do you have an opinion? (Garbage – Special) Yes.

7. What was said about this man? ( Chevelle – sma, the man can be anyone you want) What man? Who?

8. Someone who’ll protect you? (Muse – Deadstar) Myself.

9. Remember me when you clinch your movie deal ? (Placebo – Special Needs) If I must.

10. How do we made it? (Black Infinity – Rise of the blackstars) I think I misread something.

11. Do you have any questions? (Annamita Virosa) No, I don’t want to know.

***

Nominations

In no particular order… but each one filled with talent and creativity!

1. tabascocatart.com
2. arisbethcruz.wordpress.com
3. juannavarro.wordpress.com
4. shashinkaichiban1.wordpress.com
5. emilyfellah.wordpress.com
6. mysilvermemories.wordpress.com
7. lewisleanne.wordpress.com
8. sharonmanndesigns.com
9. loudhailer.net
10. judywatson.wordpress.com
11. oldkingcurry.wordpress.com
12. kathrinspycher.com
13. thedrawingshop.wordpress.com
14. craftedincarhartt.wordpress.com
15. madmanchegan.com
16. hamsterandthebee.com
17. myhomemakes.com
18. synkris.wordpress.com
19. gribouilleuselondon.wordpress.com
20. joannadunn.co.uk
21. violetgallery.wordpress.com
22. wildersoul.wordpress.com

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My Questions

1. What is the strangest dream you’ve ever had?
2. What is/was your favorite subject in school?
3. When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
4. Who is your role model?
5. What is your favorite holiday?
6. What is your least favorite vegetable?
7. What is your guilty pleasure?
8. Are you an optimist or pessimist?
9. What are your short-term goals/New Year’s resolutions?
10. What did you last eat?
11. Do you have any special and/or bizarre talents?

***

For more updates, don’t forget to follow me on facebook, tumblr and/or twitter.

***

Copyright 2013 by G. E. Gallas

Seeking Webcomic Suggestions!

★Please Note: Feedback on this post would be extremely appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Dear friends, followers, readers:

I need your help!

This is me, flailing for help, as represented by a simple emoticon.

I am looking to compile a list of webcomics/online graphic novels that have yet to be professionally published and fall under the category of non-fiction, young adult, biographical/autobiographical/memoir, and/or historical.

Below is my list so far (in no particular order):

1. Awkward Shelby by Shelby Lynn Criswell
2. A Space Boy Dream by Moira Zahra and Mark Scicluna
3. Pre-Raphernalia by Raine Szramski
4. Eve of All Saints by George Herman & Kit Seaton
5. Eavesdropping by Rebecca Pugh
6. Laura Knows Best by Brett Williams
7. Comics/Illustrations by Lucy Bellwood
8. Quarterly Stories by Joshua Kemble
9. Melancholy Rainbow by Nina Kim
10. Oswald the Webcomic by Adam Bastuscheck
11. Weak Highlights by (?)
12. Jack Tinn and the Aquanauts by Jess Smart Smiley
13. Comics by Elis
14. Future eating disorder comic by Lani Fernance
15. Ben Draws Life by Ben
16. Bad Machinery by John Allison
17. In Oscar’s Footsteps by Lucy Knisley
18. Loyalty & Liberty by Tamara ‘Meezer’ Gale
19. Raised On Ritalin by Tyler Page
20. The Unsunny Valley by Michał Shadovski
21. I Think You’re Sauceome by Sarah Becan
22. So Far Apart by Rasmus Gran & Rene Engström
23. Anders Loves Maria by Rene Engström
24. Comics/Zines by Heather Bryant
25. Big Plans Number 5 by Aron Steinke
26. Stripped Books by Gordon McAlpin
27. Clockwork Game by Jane Irwin
28. Dovecote Crest: A Civil War Reenactment Webcomic by Hailey Bachrach & Bridget Underwood
29. Lovecraft is Missing by Larry Latham
30. Kevin Burkhalter’s Journal Comic
31. Alex’s Guide to a Life Well-Lived by Alex Heberling
32. Bobwhite by Magnolia Porter
33. Johnny Wander by Yuko Ota & Ananth Panagariya
34. Conversations With The Boyfriend by Jade F. Lee
35. Delilah Dirk and The Turkish Lieutenant by Tony Cliff
36. Sleeping on the Sleeper by Jen Collins
37. Nine Lines of Metro and Seven Days in Berlin by Neil Slorance
38. …?

Please leave a comment below with your suggestions (name of webcomic and website address) and I’ll add them to my list.

Thank you so much for you help!

Best regards,

G. E.

***

For more updates, don’t forget to follow me on tumblr and/or twitter.

***

Copyright 2013 by G. E. Gallas

Planning for London!

by William Blake

As some of you may know, I was originally planning a trip to the UK for February 2013. Circumstances have changed a countless number of times and I thought I wouldn’t be able to go at all. But, thanks to The American Pavilion Cannes Film Program, I think I’ll be able to make my dream of seeing some of William Blake’s work in person come true (among other dreams of screenwriting, filmmaking, etc.). I’ll be in France for about two weeks, and I hope to tack on a few days in London during my journey back to the States!!!

I’m currently in the process of figuring out my travel arrangements. There are so many different routes to Nice, France, it’s difficult to decide the best way to go. Possibly, I could stop over in New York or Amsterdam or even Paris. I’m hoping my dad (Mr. Globetrotting Lawyer himself) will be able to find me the best deal. Or perhaps I’ll try a travel agent.

The wonderful Naomi Billingsley at The Blake Society sent me a fabulous e-mail detailing all the best ways to see Blake’s work and historical sites in person. She suggested that I make a list of what I want to see, so I’ll be making a number of lists on my blog in an attempt to figure out how to schedule everything into two or three days.

1. The Tate possesses an impressive collection of Blake’s works, but I believe many pieces just returned from Madrid and are not currently on display. I’m hoping that by May this will change. My #1 dream is to see The Ghost of a Flea in person — so I guess I’ll try contacting the Tate and ask them for more information. Naomi pointed out that there are a number of “view by appointment” Blake works at the Tate’s Print Room and that I could make an appointment to see them. I’ll have to browse their online catalogue.
2. The British Museum has some Blake works in their Print Room as well and they are accessible without an appointment.
3. According to Naomi, The Victoria and Albert Museum has four of Blake’s “fresco” paintings on permanent display and a collection of Blake’s watercolors in their Print Room, accessible without an appointment.
4. Naomi also recommended a really amazing page on the Tate’s website detailing Blake historical sites (http://www2.tate.org.uk/williamblake/lambeth/london_intro.html). All these sites seem like they’re in a pretty concentrated area, so I think I’ll be able to see a lot of them!!

From here, I’d like to further explore the museum websites/online resources and figure out how much I can see and what I want to see the most in the few days I’m in London!

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Updates

January 28th

Today, finalized my travel arrangements! On the way from San Francisco to Nice, will be stopping over in Frankfurt. And on the way to London, will be stopping over in Belgium. Will be staying in London for three full days, staying at a decent hotel not far from all the museums and Blake historic sites. Can’t believe this is really happening!!!

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For more updates, don’t forget to follow me on tumblr and/or twitter.

***

Copyright 2013 by G. E. Gallas

Brief Update

★ Don’t forget to check out my graphic novel, The Poet and the Flea!

A new page every Wednesday!

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Here is a brief update on my current creative projects and endeavors…!

Wednesday, January 9th

1. E-mails, e-mails, e-mails…!
2. Worked on Elias & the City of Cats.
   
3. Worked on first zine!
4. Received my fourth nomination for The Beautiful Blogger Award!

Thursday, January 10th

1. E-mails, e-mails, e-mails…!
2. Worked on Elias & the City of Cats.
   
3. Continued work on first zine.

Friday, January 11th

1. E-mails, e-mails, e-mails…!
   
2. Worked on Elias & the City of Cats.
3. Continued work on first zine.
4. Today, set up an interview for a potential internship at a local publishing company! The interview’s Wednesday afternoon, so I have some time to prepare and de-stress beforehand.

Saturday, January 12th

1. Was going to go see Gangster Squad this weekend with Wes. But I’m definitely coming down with something. Hope I get better before the interview on Wednesday! ヽ(￣д￣;)ノ
2. I’m sure you’ve all heard about and seen the amazing giant squid footage recently captured by Japanese scientists. Well, I made a giant squid discovery of my own (see photograph below)! P. S. I love the Japanese word for giant squid – 大王烏賊 daiouika, which uses the characters for “big,” “king,” “crow/raven” (perhaps because squids have beaks), and “rebel/thief/bandit.” Yes, giant squid are awesome!!

Resident Squid at Woodhouse Fish Co.

Sunday, January 13th

1. Under the weather!
2. I just had to share something amazing with all of you. Recently, I’ve started watching a very strange show called Noel Fielding’s Luxury Comedy. The only way to describe it is Monty Python meets a live-action version of Yellow Submarine plus an unverified amount of crack. You might want to watch the whole episode if you’ve never seen it before to understand the humor. But I wanted to point you all in the direction of a skit about William Blake and The Ghost of a Flea (like The Poet and the Flea, but not)! Watch from 7:50 for The Flea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fvx4QLHGUCs

Monday, January 14th

1. Worked on Elias & the City of Cats.
2. Continued work on first zine.
3. Prepared a bit for interview on Wednesday!

Tuesday, January 15th

1. Worked on Elias & the City of Cats.
2. Continued work on first zine.
3. Worked on preliminary design for  The Flea plush toy!!

Wednesday, January 16th

• Successful interview at Zest Books — will be starting internship at the end of the month!!!

Thursday, January 17th

1. Discovered this amazing review of The Poet and the Flea by Sarah Goode at University College Oxford on the British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies’s website!
2. Correspondence with The Blake Society.

Friday, January 18th

1. Brief but great meeting with Gabe! He seemed to really love what I’ve done so far on the final illustrations for Elias & the City of Cats. He didn’t make any changes other than adding a handwritten title to the cover and adding a second page for the part we call “cat craziness.” Plus, I sent Gabe a list of children’s book publishers I’ve compiled and he’ll look over it in the coming days. It’s wonderful to think that, once I’ve finished the final illustrations, Gabe will start working on submitting Elias to publishers!!! 
2. Began reading Wes’s screenplay!!

Saturday, January 19th

• Continued reading Wes’s screenplay!!

Sunday, January 20th

1. Received some amazing news — more details to come!
2. Saw Gangster Squad with Wes! Both of us agree that it wasn’t as bad as the 33% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Monday, January 21st

1. E-mails, e-mails, e-mails…!
2. Finished reading Wes’s screenplay!! Going to meet on Wednesday to go over it with him. (^-^)
3. Nominated for The Liebster Award for a second time!

Tuesday, January 22nd

1. E-mails, e-mails, e-mails…!
2. Worked on Elias & the City of Cats.
3. Submitted The Poet and the Flea to The Belfry WebComics Index.
4. Nominated for The Versatile Blogger Award!

Wednesday, January 23rd

1. Discussed screenplay with Wes today! I think he has a really strong screenplay (especially for a first draft) and already knows which elements need to be further developed. (︶ω︶)
2. Received Amazon order — William Blake’s Divine Comedy Illustrations and Charles Burns’s Black Hole!

Thursday, January 24th

• Worked on Elias & the City of Cats.

Friday, January 25th

1. Worked on Elias & the City of Cats.
2. Worked on preliminary design for  The Flea plush toy!!

Saturday, January 26th

1. Helped my mom, the abstract artist Irene Zweig, deliver her paintings to Gallerie Citi in Burlingame where she will be featured in a show sometime this Spring. You can visit Gallerie Citi’s homepage to learn more and even visit my mom’s profile on their page.
2. Had dinner with a lovely relative from out of town.

Sunday, January 27th

1. Had brunch with our lovely cousins.
2. Date night with Wes!

Etcetera

• The Poet and the Flea: 63 pages of written script (1 page of script = 4-6 illustrated pages), and about 36 pages (1-24, 27-30 completed, and 25-26, 31-36 in progress) of illustrated work.
• The First Reich: about 1-10 pages of illustrated work in progress.
• First Zine: about 6-8 pages of illustrated work in progress.

To Do:

• Add more information to my Behance.net profile.
• Add more information to my Coroflot.com profile.
• Continue adding blog content to The First Reich.
• Continue to work on The First Reich.
• Continue to work on Elias & The City of Cats.
• Complete script for The Poet and the Flea.

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For more updates, don’t forget to follow me on tumblr and/or twitter.

***

Copyright 2013 by G. E. Gallas

Internship at Zest Books!

Disclaimer: I do not own this image!!

Only January, and I can already check #10 off my New Year’s resolutions list (New Year’s Resolutions, Anyone?). I have finally gotten an official internship in a field of my interest.

At the end of the month, I will start working at Zest Books, a publishing company focused on readers in their teens and early twenties!

Last week, I had an interview with Ann (Marketing and Editorial Associate) and was hired for the internship on the spot. It’s a small office in a really cool building/neighborhood and, on first impression, extremely friendly staff.

For this internship, I really feel like I’ll be able to utilize a number of my skills (writing, editing, social media, Japanese language & culture, etc.). I might also have an opportunity to do some freelance illustration work for them as well, which would be absolutely amazing! Plus, the internship is only a couple days a week, so I’ll still have ample time to continue my independent projects like The Poet and the Flea. Most of all, I’m excited to learn everything I possibly can about the business side of publishing!!

One really cool aspect of Zest Books is their Teen Advisory Board. They have a number of teen readers who work as interns and help the publishers figure out what kind of books teens would like to read/see published. According to Ann, the current Teen Advisory Board is really into anime/manga and Doctor Who — so I think I’ll get along with these kids just fine!

Zest focuses on non-fiction titles, from memoirs to how-to books. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been really looking into their titles and have found a number of books that pique my interest. I’ve complied a list of my favorites below, so check them out!

1. Super Pop
2. Dear Teen Me
3. Dead Strange
4. The End
5. The Look Book
6. Reel Culture
7. The Dictionary of High School B.S.
8. Uncool
9. Indie Girl
10. Crap

Anyway, I’m really looking forward to starting this internship and will share my learning experience with all of you. Wish me luck!!

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For more Zest Books…

• Homepage: zestbooks.net
• Facebook: facebook.com/BooksWithATwist?ref=ts
• Twitter: twitter.com/zestbooks
• Pinterest: pinterest.com/zestbooks
• YouTube: youtube.com/zestbooks

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For more updates, don’t forget to follow me on tumblr and/or twitter.

***

Copyright 2013 by G. E. Gallas

The One Lovely Blog Award + The Very Inspiring Blogger Award!

Another award!!! I’d like to thank T. Jay Santa Ana (artbyanto.com) very very very much for nominating me for The One Lovely Blog Award + The Very Inspiring Blogger Award! Be sure to check out T. Jay’s awesome graphic design and illustration work.

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Rules

1. Thank the person who nominated you.
2. Add The One Lovely Blog Award + The Very Inspiring Blogger Award to your post.
3. Share 7 things about yourself.
4. Pass the award on to 10 nominees.
5. Include this set of rules.
6. Inform your nominees by posting a comment on their blogs.

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Facts

Check out these other posts for more than seven facts about me!

1. A Bit More About Me
2. Very Inspiring Blogger Award
3. Reader Appreciation Award
4. Liebster Award
5. The Beautiful Blogger Award

Instead of writing another “7 things about yourself” list, I thought I’d share my 7 top favorite obscure films list (in no particular order)!

I’d be interested to know how obscure these films really are (as in if any of my followers/readers have ever seen these).

P. S. I’m afraid a number of them might possibly star Laurence Harvey, aha ha ha. Threw in a few Japanese titles as well.

1. I Am a Camera (1955)
2. The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001)
3. The Cat’s Meow (2001)
4. Life at the Top (1965)
5. The Clone Returns Home/Kurôn wa Kokyô wo Mezasu (2008)
6. Confessions/Kokuhaku (2010)
7. The Ceremony (1963)

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Nominations

So much talent on WordPress!

1. parametricdrawing.com
2. thecumulusfactory.wordpress.com
3. illustratedmustache.wordpress.com
4. streethearts.net
5. gehennagate.wordpress.com
6. caseprint.co.uk
7. magneticcrow.com
8. blakebradyartwork.com
9. desultorydigest.wordpress.com
10. greenhornphotos.com

***

For more updates, don’t forget to follow me on tumblr and/or twitter.

***

Copyright 2013 by G. E. Gallas

New Year’s Resolutions, Anyone?

2012, My First Year in San Francisco!

I don’t usually do this “New Year’s resolution” thing. But I have so many short-term and long-term goals, I thought this would be a good way to organize my brain.

I’m not sure exactly how long it will take to complete this goal list, but I’m hoping to accomplish a good chunk within the coming months.

But, before that, I’d also like to make a list of my recent accomplishments. Often, I feel like nothing is moving forward, so hopefully this list will remind me that my hard work is paying off.

***

Achievements of 2012

1. Have been working incredibly hard on my new online graphic novel The Poet and the Flea.
2. Have taken part in some wonderful collaborations and look forward to continuing/completing them: The First Reich and Elias & The City of Cats.
3. Entered several screenplays into a variety of competitions and have received a great deal of positive feedback (see résumé).
4. Nominated for a number of blog awards — Reader Appreciation Award, Very Inspiring Blogger Award (twice), Blog of the Year 2012 Award, Liebster Award, and Beautiful Blogger Award.
5. Accepted into The American Pavilion 2013 Cannes Film Program!!!
6. Plus, I now have an awesome boyfriend. (◕‿◕✿) 

***

Goals for 2013

1. Complete materials for Elias & The City of Cats (hopefully before the end of January) and send out to publishers.
2. Finish first 10 pages of The First Reich and get them up online.
3. Begin working with Masa and Gabe on full-length screenplay collaboration The Blanks (working title), to be finished before June 2013.
4. Send out inquiry letters about my completed full-length screenplays to production companies.
5. Finish the script for The Poet and the Flea, hopefully somewhere between 60 – 75 pages.
6. Work on my first zine (possibly a tie in with The Flea) and self-print it.
7. Open up a Storenvy account to sell zines and other merchandise (prints, t-shirts, etc.).
8. Work on the next 10 illustrated pages of The Poet and the Flea. Then the next 10, and so on and so forth!!
9. Find a reliable and talented director and/or producer to turn one of my short scripts into a short film. Then enter the short film into a number of festivals.
10. Finally get an official internship, fellowship, and/or job in a field of interest.

Wish me luck!!

***

For more updates, don’t forget to follow me on tumblr and/or twitter.

***

Copyright 2012 by G. E. Gallas

Experience of APE

Related post: Plans for APE

***

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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Copyright 2012 by G. E. Gallas

Plans for APE

I feel as though the APE (Alternative Press Expo) has snuck up on me from out of the blue!

I’m hoping that this event will be very informative, and help me take my graphic novel projects to the next level. Not only is this the perfect networking opportunity, but also a rare chance to talk with publishers I am interested in and get a better idea of what they’re looking for in a graphic novel.

Saturday (October 13th), I’ll be attending with Shannon, my collaborator on The First Reich. I think Wes, who is also a graphic novelist and screenwriter, will be attending both Saturday and Sunday. My mom will be checking out the expo too, so maybe she’ll cover ground I won’t be able to.

As a supplement to my business card, I’ve ordered postcards (see above) from Vistaprint advertising The Poet and the Flea and showcasing some of my illustrations. I’ll also bring my iPad loaded with scans of The Flea so I don’t have to shlep around my ginormous (and heavy) portfolio.

Furthermore, in preparation, I’ve been compiling a list of exhibitors/tables I’m interested in visiting.

(This is just a rough list for my personal use. In no particular order!)

1. 4th Dimension Entertainment
2. A Raven Above Press
3. Drawn & Quarterly
4. Fantagraphics Books
5. Last Gasp Books
6. Yam Books
7. Uncivilized Books
8. Tomorrow John Press
9. Top Shelf Productions
10. Tugboat Press
11. Sparkplug Comic Books
12. Puna Press
13. Pernicious Press Magazine
14. Perfect Day Publishing
15. Never Press
16. NBM Publishing Inc.

You can expect a future blog post about my experiences at APE 2012. Depending on how everything goes, perhaps I’ll plan on getting my own table (half-table?) at next year’s expo.

Please wish me luck!

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Update: Check out the last-minute DIY postcard for The First Reich. Now I just need to find a paper cutter…

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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