To write and sell a graphic novel for children - Writer - The 10 most frequently

The latest, most dynamic category in the volatile world of publishing is the childhood emerge Graphic Novel. There is a distinction that some people may still believe that graphic novels, which are printed in comic book form, in essence, all children can be lost. Fortunately, most people these days more enlightened and recognize that graphic novels are, in fact, written for an audience of readers as many ways as traditional books.
The confusion is that "graphic novel" has been used to describe just about any type of product in the comic, other than the Manga comics (Japanese). Unlike other parts of the library as a "Mystery" Science Fiction "or" Romance "," Graphic Novels "is not the name of a genus, but a category. Like" audiobooks ", which can also make a variety of genres," Graphic Novels "are not only one kind of book. In other words, until recently, any kind of comic in only one section has been stacked, regardless of its content.
The good news is that the Children's Graphic Novel of the first to break free from the generic field of graphic novel is. A wise decision on several levels, partly because libraries should be flexible to the parents, in particular the needs of customers who do not accidentally buy materials unsuitable for their children.
While a new section is cut on the shelves of bookstores always crowded, publishers realize the need for smart material to this new demand to fill. And that's where the writers see ambitious start sniffing to see if they can profit from this madness. But what they really need to know if they really want, a Children's Graphic Novel, to sell a publisher? Take a look and answer some of the most frequently asked questions ...
1) Do I have to be an artist?
No, but it does not hurt if you and your proposal must be either the finite Children's Graphic Novel or sample size included. If you are not an artist, you will find one. Comics are obviously a visual medium, even if you're not an artist, it is important to think visually. If you want to keep children's attention during your graphic novel for children, it is important that the graphics so compelling and so exciting as the script. If a story or a work of art seems boring, why a child to read to your graphic novel? To determine the best advice about Will Eisner Comics and Sequential Art, Will Eisner Graphic Storytelling and Visual Narrative and ScottMcCloud Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art
2) How do I find a Children's graphic novel artist?
There are many possibilities. The first is the BD-conferences, particularly in big cities that portfolio valuations to participate. Many professionals or aspiring comic artists at these conventions, hoping to find work, publishers support BD. Simply present these artists, explain that you hope to provide an artist with a Children's Graphic Novel to find work. Do not just feel obliged, with the first artist who is willing to work with you is work. Perhaps you think like, you are the artist for your project search, you must write the work of several artists to find one that fits. Another way to find an artist is, by examining the samples posted on deviantart.com
3) Do I have a contract with the artist?
To be sure, it's probably better to have a written agreement between you and your artist before you start together. For the best legal advice, it is always best to consult a lawyer. But if it is not practical, you should obtain a written agreement between you and the artist, said as much as possible, as accurately as possible. Want to be more correct if the objective of the agreement is made within your expectations and goals, mutual funds and certificates for both parties to be able to leave if it does not work. Regardless, you should be clear that the copyrights to sell your story alone. The copyright on this work may belong to the artists.
4) Is there a software I can format my script?
It can be very good, but you do not need. A script of the cartoon is too similar to play, television and film scripts, except that it in pages, rather than divided scenes. Although the dialogue scenes last pages in the end, especially in games, comics and graphic novels, like the art and dialogue can reasonably limited fit on a physical page. It would be prudent, graphic novels, which like the one you need to do to study to get a clear idea of the number of words in the bubbles and captions hope. Remember, there are no rigid rules. If you do not want a dialogue sequences with at all, if you let the pictures tell the story (as the most exciting sequences in the silent movies of Alfred Hitchcock or in the sequences of the imagination without words by Brian Selznick The Invention of Hugo Cabret be told), it is important that you provide artists with as much information as possible. to leave, unlike most modern film scripts, which given the character and the descriptions, as well as detailed information for each shot, comic scripts should have as many details as possible for the artist.
5) Where can I see a sample script?
Like everything these days, you can probably find many scripts online comic. The basics are pretty simple, as the example shows, short part: Mister Snuggles title [the] children's cartoon Page Five [This fifth page of the comic, not necessarily the script] 5 Page Group One: (Mr. Snuggles is at the door of the apartment, with a teddy bear in his mouth.) [Description of works of art for the first round table.] 18.00 Clock Key 1: It is, and even if Mr. Snuggles can not tell time, he knows somehow when it is due Cortney home. [The text of the first headline.] Group II: (Close-up of Cortney hand is inserted his key into the lock on the door. The key to a key chain with the other function keys and a small figure of the dog, similar to M. Snuggles.) SFX: K-Effect on Sound [.] Group III: (The door opens, and Cortney is pleased to see Mr. Snuggles. Snuggles is clearly happy to see Cortney and she tends to stroke. Mr. Snuggles had lowered his teddy bear to lick the face of it may Cortney.) Caption 2: .. and he is always there to give him a warm welcome ... [Footnote numbering captions and bubbles is the page and not through the Control Panel or through the entire book. While Legend 2 shows that the legend of the second balloon or word on the page.] Cortney 3: Hey, I'm glad to see you, little Feller! SFX sip:!
6) How do I know how to put panels on a page?
It depends on the size of your printed page size is and how much you have in your records. European Graphic Novels tend to be larger than America's graphic novel, and bear more panels per page, but the format is not as popular in the United States demonstrated. Even classics such as Tintin in small books have been reformatted in recent years. Standard American comics that are about 6 ½ "x 10" rather average five fifty-six panels per page, the fewer panels per page than the standard, which is decades ago. Manga or comic business digest less or more panels per page layout will be simplified. But again, there are no rules when a rare height for children graphic novel was a bestseller, it is guaranteed that the other kids publish graphic novel publishers in order to begin this size.
7) What kind of subject is taboo?
It's a tricky question and the answer really depends on the editor. Most major publishers to sell hope, so many books for children Graphic as possible, especially for schools and libraries, and not very careful, the boundaries of what is acceptable and what is not, secure better on the test. Other adventurous independent publishers may be more willing to address controversial issues, a politically correct way to generate publicity and attention. Because the children the books so graphics are visual, they are often even more conservative than many traditional children's books. While some suspect, are words or scenes in such classics as Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer, and Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe, they are buried in the text of the book, so could any kind of controversial scene be easily torn out of context, to cover operating and television sets, shocked that the editors are wrong feeding of our innocent children. Therefore, most people who buy children's books for graphics libraries, schools, libraries or care about anything but not too risky or controversial. The end result is that many children may find the content in some comics for children, is far too tame for them, or juvenile. This is a permanent challenge for the publishers to graphic novels for children who go beyond the overly protective and always entertaining and can provide hip enough for kids today.
8) Do I need an agent?
While many traditional publishers, who insist on exclusively with agents to continue, many comics publishers prepared directly with authors and artists. For this is still like a relatively new phenomenon in the world of traditional publishing, the door remains open for designers, without agents. Also literary agents are not sure how to respond the demands of this new category. Children's Graphic Novels are not quite the same as the children's books. In fact, publishers of the books in most children do not even consider a proposal from Children's book, which comes with an attached artist, while editors write proposals Children Graphic Novel not know how to find you an artist for a Graphic Novel this location.
9) How do I find a publisher?
If you are an agent that would be the work of the agents. Without an agent, you must be willing to do much research. Many writers make the mistake of examining only the current child graphic novel publishers as the only possible publishers. The truth is that many traditional publishers might take into consideration is the publication of a Children's Graphic Novel, if it is something they think they are particularly well placed to publish. For example, a publisher of business books can no interest in the publication of a Children's graphic novel about a cadre of dragon fight against the Pixies, but could interest them in publishing a graphic novel, that the basic concepts trying to explain to businesses how you to run a current account, for example for children. Publications such as Publishers Weekly can provide a good overview of the field of book publishers and can offer valuable information on many publishers. In addition, Self-publishing has become more common as the technology of printing on demand has increased. It is no longer a stigma, which once called the press "vanity" publishing, the authors are increasingly eliminating intermediaries and to publish.
10) my children Graphic Novel in a physical book is published?
No, it could be published as an eBook, especially such as technological advances make it possible for Apple IPAD color, richly illustrated children Graphic Novels for display on a screen as they were designed to look. Of course it is too early, and the question is enough children-how to make this kind of expensive devices to be economically meaningful only in that format? In this stage, it is logical to a digital version available as an additional option, do not have the proprietary format.
If there ever had a chance to Could the editing, creation of a Children's Graphic Novel be. Good luck!