No Money to Create your Comic Book or Graphic Novel?

How can you get your comic book or graphic novel started with no money?

If you don’t have money to pay talent, then exchange services.

First, we have to again recognize that there are more writers looking for artists, than artists looking for writers. Here's what usually happens right or wrong:

1. Writer pays artist their rate and keeps ownership of their creation.
2. Writer pays artist and other talent below their rate and keeps ownership of their creation.
3. Writer pays artist and other talent below their rate and and shares ownership of the creation.
4. Writer pays nothing to artist and other talent and keeps ownership of their creation.
5. Writer pays nothing to artist and other talent and shares ownership of the creation.

Here's my idea to break the logjam. I haven't seen this offered. (Just because I haven't seen it offered doesn't mean it hasn't been offered. I haven't been on every forum.)

How about an exchange of services? You work on my project and I'll work on yours.

So now we get a new set of options:

1. Writer pays artist and other talent below their rate and keeps ownership of their creation and in exchange works for a similar reduced rate on talent's project on which talent retain ownership.
2. Writer pays nothing to artist and other talent and keeps ownership of their creation and in exchange works on talent's project on which talent retains ownership.
3. Writer pays nothing to artist and other talent and shares ownership of their creation and in exchange works on talent's project on which ownership is also shared.

So instead of placing an ad first, a writer or artist can approach someone they think would be a good fit for their project and offer to exchange services. 

(If I've missed a scenario, please let me know and I'll edit this.) 

to be continued…

read next - Work For Hire - Good or Bad?
previous - Comic Book Cog in the Wheel

Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Are the explanations clear and complete? Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.

You can support this blog when you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

copyright 2014 H. Simpson