This year's Special Edition: NYC has seen a real evolution of the show, as the con has now moved into a new venue (Pier 94), and will feature more creators, more exhibitors and more programming than last year's show.
There is a full slate of panels happening both Saturday and Sunday at Special Edition: NYC. In addition to panels from Marvel, DC, Archie, Dark Horse and Image, there are a handful of panels aimed at helping current and aspiring comic creators get their work out there. Below we've highlighted three panels from Saturday that are aimed at creators.
Let's Talk About Checks: The Business of Professional Comics (1-2--Theater 1)
Everything you wanted to know about being a comics pro but were afraid to ask! What's a fair page rate? What contract clauses should you avoid? How are some Work For Hire deals better than others? Should you self-publish? How do you break in? Joe Illidge (former DC/Milestone Editor; currently writing for First Second), Chris Sotomayor (Colorist on all the things), Ulises Farinas (Artist and Writer), Alex de Campi (Image/Dark Horse Writer), Vera Greentea (Writer, Self-publisher, multiple successful Kickstarter) and Fernando Ruiz (Archie Penciller; Kubert School instructor) dish the details! No names will be named, but truth will be spoken.
Writer's Unite: Pitching Creator-Owned Comics (3:30-4:30--Theater 1)
Creator-owned comics have grabbed the imagination of the comic-reading community all over again and publishers are looking for fresh ideas from a new generation of talent. Listen closely as Charles Soule (Letter 44, Death of Wolverine), Greg Pak (Action Comics, The Princess Who Saved Herself), Marguerite Bennett (Butterfly) and Jim Zub (Wayward, Samurai Jack) discuss pitching their comic series to publishers and offer advice on how to traverse the treacherous submission mountain, along with comic writing techniques and amusing anecdotes.
Creator Connection: Comic Book School (5-6:30--Theater 2)
Meet your next creative partner in this fun, interactive networking session. Bring business cards, a notebook and samples of your work. This is the Panel that has literally helped complete strangers form creative teams and publish comic books. The original and best Creator Connection. Be there and launch your career!
For a full listing of all the panels that are happening this weekend, and to grab tickets for the show, head over to www.specialeditionnyc.com.