Self-Publishing with Lars Martinson: Part 1 of 8
Categories: Features
How to Self-Publish a Graphic Novel in 8 Hard Steps / Part 1 from Sarah Morean on Vimeo.
Last weekend I attended the Graphic Novel Writing & Illustrating Conference sponsored by the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis, MN. This was a day-long event featuring Gene Yang as the keynote speaker and two break-out sessions where attendees could learn anything from caricature drawing to poetry as comics to the basics of webcomics and writing for comics.
The first session I attended was aptly titled “How to Self-Publish a Graphic Novel in 8 Hard Steps” delivered by Lars Martinson.
I first discovered Martinson’s work when I was just getting into comics. His mini-comic Young Men of a Certain Mind was beautifully executed and among the first nice-looking self-published books I had ever seen. I believe it even inspired some fan mail.
Later, in 2008, Martinson self-published a book called Tōnoharu Part 1 using a large sum of money he acquired from the Xeric Foundation. He wrote this presentation based on his experience as a self-publisher, and it was hands-down the most useful and realistic discussion of the pros and cons of self-publishing that I have ever heard.
I recorded audio during the presentation and Lars supplied the open office document. I have blended the two for your edification and enjoyment and will post all eight parts as individual films in the coming weeks. Today, I give you Step 1: Draw Comics for 10 Years.
- Sarah Morean
