Package from The Blake Society, 2013

Related Posts: Package from The Blake Society and G. E. Gallas Invited to Speak to The Blake Society!

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Photos of The Blake Society’s Calendar of Events for 2013!

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Copyright 2013 by G. E. Gallas

First Zine Progress and Contest: Round Two!!

Related Posts: First Zine and Future Shop and First Zine Progress and Contest!!

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A few weeks ago, I finished the pen work for my first zine. I’ve been very busy recently, but hope that sometime soon I’ll be able to get this zine scanned, printed, and watercolored. Then, once The Flea plush toy is ready, I’m planning on opening my online store!

Here are a few closeups of some pen work for the zine:

As I mentioned before, my first zine is an illustrated Pre-Raphaelite poem. The poem will remain a secret until closer to the zine’s release. But I’ll give one free copy to the first person who can correctly guess which poem it is.

I’ve realized that I made this contest a little bit too hard. Thusly, I added a few more hints (#4 and #5). Also, be sure to check the comments of my post First Zine Progress and Contest!! for even more hints. I will be shocked if no one produces the correct answer this time!

Hint #1: The Seven Deadly Sins.

Hint #2: The poem is not “Goblin Market” by Christina Rossetti.

Hint #3: More specifically than Hint #1 — The Seven Princes of Hell.

Hint #4: More specifically than Hint #3 — Mammon.

Hint #5: The poem was written by ONE of the three original Pre-Raphaelites — either William Holman Hunt, John Everett Millais, or Dante Gabriel Rossetti.

For a chance to win, either leave a comment below or (if you’d like to keep your guess secret from other contestants) shoot me an e-mail at gegallas@hotmail.com — subject “First Zine Contest.”

Best of luck!!

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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

First Zine Progress and Contest!!

Related Post: First Zine and Future Shop

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For the past month or so, in between working on Elias & the City of Cats and The First Reich, I’ve been sneaking in progress on my first zine.

Here are a few closeups of some pencil work for the zine:

As I mentioned before, my first zine is an illustrated Pre-Raphaelite poem. The poem will remain a secret until closer to the zine’s release. But I’ll give one free copy to the first person who can correctly guess which poem it is.

Hint #1: The Seven Deadly Sins.

Hint #2: The poem is not “Goblin Market” by Christina Rossetti.

Hint #3: More specifically than Hint #1 — The Seven Princes of Hell.

For a chance to win, either leave a comment below or (if you’d like to keep your guess secret from other contestants) shoot me an e-mail at gegallas@hotmail.com — subject “First Zine Contest.”

Best of luck!!

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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

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.

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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. (◕‿◕✿) 

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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!!

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Copyright 2012 by G. E. Gallas

I’m Going To Cannes!!!

Disclaimer: I do not own this image!!

I first heard about The American Pavilion Cannes Film Program during my freshman year of college. The program was mentioned by the professor of an “Adaptation” course I was taking (we would read a short story or novel, then watch the movie adaptation of it). Over the years, I’ve thought of applying to the program and this year I finally did.

I really didn’t know my chances of getting into this program. But, as my motto has been for the past year or so, you never know until you apply.

Wednesday (December 19th), I had a phone interview with The American Pavilion. After the phone call, I really wasn’t sure how it went. I just tried my best to answer every question as honestly and enthusiastically as possible. I especially wasn’t sure since my answer for “the most recent film you’ve watched” was the 2009 British dark comedy In The Loop. Furthermore, I was shocked to hear that I would be notified by Friday the same week whether I got in or not!

Well, today is Friday and I received the e-mail… I’ve been accepted into The American Pavilion 2013 Cannes Film Program!!!!!!!!!

The program begins on May 12 and ends of May 27. I have no idea what to expect, but I hope I’m not too star-struck. According to the interviewer, the program is what you make of it, so that means I’m packing all my business cards, postcards, and copies of my screenplays.

After filling out a bunch of forms for The Pavilion, I guess I need to figure out what to pack as well as brush up on some French?

Wish me luck! Or “bonne chance”?

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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

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, December 12th

1. Second day of cat sitting!
2. E-mails, e-mails, e-mails…!
3. Helped my mom, the abstract artist, with developing her blog (irenezweig.wordpress.com).
4. “Correspondence with The Blake Society.”

Thursday, December 13th

1. Third day of cat sitting!
2. E-mails, e-mails, e-mails…!
3. Worked on The Flea script.

Friday, December 14th

1. Fourth day of cat sitting!
2. Sent out some more fellowship/internship/job applications.
3. Worked on The Flea script.

Saturday, December 15th

1. Last day of cat sitting!
2. E-mails, e-mails, e-mails…!
3. Worked on The Flea script.

Sunday, December 16th

1. Went to see The Hobbit with Wes and the folks! I was a major fan of The Lord of the Rings films when they first came out (and still am), so of course I was (and still am) super excited for The Hobbit. Even my dad, who was skeptical and didn’t really want to come, loved the movie (and even shed tears at the bromance between Bilbo and Thorin, I kid you not). (^-^) I know this is bizarre, but I think my favorite part was when the Great Goblin’s secretary cackled as he ziplined through the air!
2. Wes is so sweet and got me a Rose Vampire figurine from Super7 – IT’S SO CUTE!

Monday, December 17th

1. Signed up with Behance.net: www.behance.net/gegallas.
2. Worked on The Flea script.

Tuesday, December 18th

• Worked on The Flea script.

Wednesday, December 19th

1. As usual, great meeting with Gabe. Working out the next few steps for Elias & The City of Cats and thinking about our future projects.
   
2. 2:30 p.m.: Phone interview with The American Pavilion for the Cannes Film Program. I think it went pretty well. I’ll be hearing from them this Friday. Wish me luck!
3. Came up with a really cool idea for The Blanks screenplay collaboration. Wrote an e-mail to Gabe and waiting to hear what he thinks!

Thursday, December 20th

1. E-mails, e-mails, e-mails…!
2. Applied to the Creative World Awards (a screenwriting competition). For more information, click here.
3. Worked on The Flea script.
4. Did some more research on fellowships/internships/jobs.

Etcetera

• The Poet and the Flea: 60 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.

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.
• Sign up with Top Web Comics: Comic Rankings.
• Sign up with OnlineComics.net.

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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

Brief Update

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

★ “The Poet and the Flea 100 Day Countdown to the Premiere” is underway!! Join us on Tumblr, Twitter, and Facebook!

Thursday, November 15th

1. Worked on The First Reich.
2. Helped my mom, the abstract painter, set up her new WordPress blog: irenezweig.wordpress.com.
3. Signed up with Scribd.com.
4. Signed up with DoodlersAnonymous.com.

Friday, November 16th

• E-mails, e-mails, e-mails…!

Saturday, November 17th

1. Thoroughly enjoyed Seven Psychopaths. Very clever with brilliant characters, but actually extremely heartbreaking.
2. Working on The Flea script.

Sunday, November 18th

• Date night with Wes! (´ε｀ )♡

Monday, November 19th

1. Applied to a few more fellowships/internships.
2. Worked on color samples for Elias & The City of Cats.
3. Today, was hired for a 4-day cat sitting job by our sweet neighbors Paula and Gabie. They want me to be with the cats as much as possible, so I figure I can earn a little extra cash while having a window of opportunity to do some work. I’m hoping to use the time to make some major headway on The Flea script — like a little writing marathon. Wish me luck!

Tuesday, November 20th

1. Another wonderful meeting with Gabe! Showed him color samples for Elias and he seemed rather surprised at how colorful they are, but delighted! Now, I just have to finish up the second draft and then scan and send it all to Gabe so he can tinker around with the text some more.
2. Worked on some upcoming blog posts.

Wednesday, November 21st

1. Ran some last minute errands.
2. Worked on some special illustration birthday/holiday presents with watercolor and pen!

Thursday, November 22nd

1. Happy Turkey Day!!
2. Worked on The First Reich.

Friday, November 23rd

• Recovering from Thanksgiving…!

Saturday, November 24th

• Family Bonding Day…!

Sunday, November 25th

1. Date night with Wes! (´ε｀ )♡
2. See additional post here.

Etcetera

• The Poet and the Flea: 52 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 1-6 pages of illustrated work in progress.

To Do:

• December 8: The East Bay Alternative Book and Zine Fest
• 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.
• Schedule next meeting with Gabe.
• Sign up with Top Web Comics: Comic Rankings.
• Sign up with OnlineComics.net.

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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

Experience of APE

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

Brief Update

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

★ Please vote for The Poet and the Flea at the UnHate Unemployee of the Year contest!!

★ Send G.E. to the U.K.: http://www.indiegogo.com/send-GE-to-UK

★ “The Poet and the Flea 100 Day Countdown to the Premiere” is underway!! Join us on Tumblr, Twitter, and Facebook!

Friday, October 5th

1. E-mails, e-mails, e-mails…!
2. Launched my IndieGoGo campaign! For more information, please visit http://www.indiegogo.com/send-GE-to-UK and/or http://gegallas.wordpress.com/2012/10/05/indiegogo-campaign-send-g-e-to-the-u-k/.
3. Entered The Poet and the Flea into the UnHate Unemployee of the Year contest!

Saturday, October 6th

• The Poet and the Flea was approved by the judges on the UnHate Unemployee of the Year website. Now all you have to do is vote!
• Busy promoting my IndieGoGo campaign.
• Went to see Frankenweenie and LOVED IT!!! (｡♥‿♥｡)

Sunday, October 7th

• Went with Wes to Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park. It was quite a culture shock! But I had a wonderful time. (^-^)

Monday, October 8th

1. Working on character designs for Gabe’s children’s book. Looking forward to further discussion with Gabe on Friday.
2. On Craigslist, responded to a post — a production company interested in short screenplays. Wish me luck!
3. Continuing to promote my IndieGoGo campaign.

Tuesday, October 9th

1. The wonderful Infernal Reviewer wants to make a post about my blog and The Poet and the Flea. I’m so excited!!! (ﾉﾟ▽ﾟ)ﾉ
2. ComicKick, “…a community dedicated to promoting comic book and graphic novel projects on Kickstarter, IndieGoGo, and other crowd funding sites,” has promoted my IndieGoGo campaign! Thank you so much!!
3. Continuing to promote my IndieGoGo campaign.

Wednesday, October 10th

1. E-mails, e-mails, e-mails…!
2. Drafting ideas for The First Reich last-minute DIY postcards for APE.
3. Working on some upcoming blog posts and project ideas.
4. Interested in eventually creating a “zine” — brainstorming ideas!
5. The Infernal Reviewer published his post about me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Etcetera

• The Poet and the Flea: 47 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.

To Do:

• Add blog content to The First Reich.
• Begin sketching out first few pages of The First Reich.
• Continue to work on character sketches for Gabe.
• Meet with Gabe at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 12.
• Attend APE (Alternative Press Expo), October 13 – 14.
• October 19 – 23: I will be out of town!
• Sign up with Top Web Comics: Comic Rankings.
• Sign up with OnlineComics.net.

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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

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