My Life in Print

Fans of the Jay's Days series of autobiographical books by series creator Jason Marcy will find the same heartfelt humor that they've come to love in the first two books. Those who haven't read his previous works are sure to find a good place to jump in at this third volume. And if you like this one you will definitely want to pick up his other two books. Breaking from the usual format of multiple short stories this volume centers around two running themes; Jay's guilt over his perverted attraction to teenage girls, and Jays world spinning out of control when he and wife Kris discover they are going to have a baby.

Trust me folks it doesn't get more manic than this! Some deep and emotional stuff. Jay's work is always a roller coaster ride of emotion. I honestly thought this would be his first autobio books that I could read through without crying, but about 3/4 of the way through the book there was a real life heart wrenching scene that coaxed a few tears out of this reader. For all the heart wrenching points in this book there are a lot of high points and hilarious situations. This kind of emotional joyride is nothing new in the series of Jay's Days book and in this third volume Mr. Marcy keeps up the tradition and doesn't disappoint

Author: Jason Marcy
Publisher: Landwaster Media
ISBN: 1-929684-21-5
Binding: Trade Paper
156 pages

Posted by: lightning at 18:19 | link | comments (1)

Hey folks, remeber the Friday blog that disappeared, so was to be added to today's blog? Well now that's all been moved over to tommorow so that I can continue a rather interesting "Chain Blog" sent to me by Alan David Doane, care of Andrew the Man Foster. I encourage any readers out there to continue the list on thier own blogs. Rules etc. are explained below.

Remeber, if you're goping to continue this list that you have to bold all the books that you have read, so you're going to have to read the list. Your three that you add should always be bolded, unless you are adding books you never read, which would be weird.

Posted by: lightning at 10:14 | link | comments

What the %$#@, I wrote whole weblog yesterday and now it's gone! Dammit! I'll have to re-write it on Monday.

We've been having a pretty lazy one. Thanks to being sick all week, Eating way too much sugar yesterday, and being up late ont he side of the highway due to van troubles both Pam and I were pretty exhausted today. I kept getting up periodically to check e-mails but didn't really get up out of bed until about 3 pm.

I check my e-mail too much & and am a selfish weenie for doing so especially when Pam (the most perfect person) IS AROUND!

That was Pam again, since you can see where this is headed, I'm going to forget what I was going to write here and add it to my Monday weblog so keep an eye out for that on Monday!

Posted by: lightning at 16:10 | link | comments

Well, I'm slowly but surely giving our merchandise and clothing page a much needed face lift. You can check out the work in mid-progress at the current url of: www.cafepress.com/smashcomics

Aside from the great reaction to my new book Monkeys and Midgets (illustrated by Nelson Danielson) there's even more new book news. My self-help book "How To Get Published The Open Book Press Way" has just been released. Also we'll soon have "Rock Starz" an epic our space rock saga created and illustrated by my Monkeys and Midgets partner in crime Nelson Danielson. Plus we have a hardcover novel coming down the pipeline called "The Jewel of Scotland", a detective thriller written by new novelist Lynda Janzen! For more info hit on over to www.openbookpress.com

In case you didn't notice another one of our press releases in all over the web. You can check it out at;

Posted by: lightning at 17:20 | link | comments

Still feeling like shit. Super stupid busy with work and trying to get together 2 books we're goign to publish. Not much time to write today, but I get out of work early trommorow so I'll make it up.

Posted by: lightning at 18:07 | link | comments

Sick as a dog. My work times been screwed this week. Monday I got some stuff done after work, but then we had to go to Pam's parents to get the van fixed. Then yesterday I was feeling shitty all day and then after work ended up puking all night until I had to go to sleep.

Posted by: lightning at 06:35 | link | comments

Many thanks to Alan David Doane of www.comicbookgalaxy.com for his "15 Ways to Make Comics Better" which inspired this column.

1. Publishers/Writers - Keep Characters dead. Some very moving and well written stories are created which involve the death of a major character. When someone comes along later and "ressurects" them it not only seems cheesy, but it leaves long time readers with the feeling that the stories that they remember fondly are now moot and pointless, with no overall effect on the characters. It also seems egotistical to come along and undo the work of another writer who worked on the series before you. There is no reaseon that characters like Cyclops or Colossus need to be alive in todays comics.

2. Would be creators - Educate yourselves. Really put the effort forth. Learn all that you can about the industry so that you know HOW to behave in a professional manner when trying to get work with a publisher. Having a superior attitude right from the get-go will not get you any work. Have a realistic idea about what you should be getting paid, and never forget that even though you are a freelancer, the publisher is still your boss, not the other way around.

3. Educators - Whether is be at the Kubert School of Art or at a local high school. Educators need to fit at least a small portion of career study into their art curriculum. Future artists should be learning from an early age how to actually produce art that they can get paid for and make a living from as well as the traditional technical studies. We do it for every other profession, why not teach some practical skills on how to work in the art field.

4. Readers - We know that you have loved Spider-Man and Nightwing since you were a wee kid, but don't keep buying those books month in and month out just because of nostalgia. If you find yourself repeatedly saying this story/writer stinks, then quite buying it until that writer is gone, that's the only real way to get your message across to the big dog comic publishers. While you're taking a break from your monthly favorites try something new, a new comic, something you never heard of, or something small press. You'll be helping to ensure that comics in the future meet your standards and helping the career of an unknown today who may be your next favorite Spider-Man writer tommorow.

5. Would be creators - Submit your work to as many publishers as possible not just the big guys. The most important part is do not submit work that is not your best, and do not send a submission that does not meet the guidelines of the company. If a company is looking for a 10 page back-up humor comic, don't send your 4 issue horror mini-series. DO your research with each company and know what to expect.

6. Editors/Publishers - Don't accept or approve limp stories that are sub-par just to keep a monthly schedule going. The industry needs to change. Be more picky and only take the best stories, if that means not being able to produce a monthly Thor comic so be it. Wait for good ideas and produce them as they come. If you want to keep up with the industry we need more mini-series, one-shots, and graphic novels.

7. Distributors - Get some new blood into your comapny with a fresh perspective on a regular basis. Your view of the industry may be a few years outdated and not reflect the current opinions of readers. The people who really lose out here are the slew of small publishers. Readers do like indy comics and they do sell, but the reason they don't move large numbers is because the distributors won't carry them so it's harder for stores to get them.

8. Publishers - realize that no one wants your new original character that's like Superman, but not. Quite trying to publish rip-offs and rehashes of prominent characters. The ideas are tired, they've been done. So have mainstream super-hero comics. If you are going to make a spandex and tights book be original and put a new flavor and twist on it that makes readers and critics talk.

9. Writers - Don't try to turn every piece of writing you do into the next Crisis on infinite earths. Instead of trying to pull in readers by making everything a monumental epic, try doing stories that evoke even more emotion by delving into the characters feelings, personalities and emotions and how they interact and conflict with the emotions and actions of other characters.Make the stories character driven not hype driven and create a story that develops and evolves a character and leaves a lasting impression. Do that and you will soon find yourself with a growing fan following.

10. Store Owners - Try ordering in at least a few unknown comics every month. Heck if you can even try having one rack dedicated to small press indy stuff, even if it's a small one. You might be surprised at how many people pick it up, even some of your regulars who are into mainstream. Just order a couple copies of each book, if they don't sell out try another book in their place next time. You might be surprised how many people come in looking for that book/creator/publisher on a month to month basis after discovering it in your store.

Well that's my humble attempt at ten things that would improve comics off the top of my head. I'd never write this to think I could write a better one than the guy who inspired it, it's just my two cents and it's somehting I was thinking about for awhile before I read Alan's column. Let me know what you guys think, whether you agree or disagree, I welcome all comments. Hopefully I haven't been to self-serving or heavy handed to any side of this industry, although I am a publisher myself I did try to stay impartial when writing this.

Posted by: lightning at 16:28 | link | comments

Again thanks to work my blog idea must be delayed. Luckily I don't have to work tommorow so my 10 ways to improve comics will be up then.

Posted by: lightning at 19:49 | link | comments

Sorry folks, my 10 ways to improve comics has got to be postponed until tommorow. The rat fucks at my work are screwing with my schedule at the last minute again so I have ot go into work now.

Posted by: lightning at 09:24 | link | comments

Now there's no doubt that Mr. Doane knows his comics, and I do agree with him on many points, but there are several points where I think Mr. Doane is way off. So i've decided to come up with a friendly good natures response to Alan's points.

For everyone's sake I hope you didn't go read that right away because I'm just going to paste it here followed by my comments.

15 Ways to Make Comics Better

There's a lot of people who want to make comics better. Here are some ways I believe that could actually be accomplished.

1. Creators: Create, always, human stories with a strong narrative voice, a clear point of view, and a reason for existing. Anything less insults the reader and devalues you as a creator.

I Agree

2. Creators and publishers: Ensure high-quality reproduction at every step of the process from the creation of the artwork to the final print job. Poor reproduction removes the reader from the story. You are the ultimate advocate for the work, and for the reader. Fail them and they will flee from you.

I Agree

3. Publishers: Allow corporate-owned characters who have become creatively bankrupt through mis-handling to lay fallow for a few years. There's no reason at all why Green Lantern, Iron Man, Thor, or most other second-tier characters must be published month-in and month-out. Wait until a creator or creators have solid, original ideas with which to stage a true revival rather than a lame renumbering. If you must publish these characters for trademark purposes, issue affordable, monthly reprints of landmark runs until such a time that a worthwhile new take on the character can be published.

I completely agree, further more, I think every company, especially Marvel would see sales and profits increase if they cancelled the ongoing monthly stinkers, and only published mini-series of these characters when a creator comes along with a good idea. Something that develops the character. Reprints of classic stories are a great idea too, it used ot work in the 60's & 70's. Hell re-prints kept characters like the X-Men alive long enough to become what they are today. No editor should be accepting sub-standard stories just to keep the monthly schedule going.

4. Publishers: Publish complex, riveting titles like The Invisibles, Sleeper and Promethea as original graphic novels, a complete storyline published in HC every six months, with the SC to follow six months after initial HC release. If you cannot find an economic model in which to make this work, you have no business being in publishing. If you don't want to put your hands in the toilet and fix things, you shouldn't be a plumber.

I agree with this point, it is definately the way to go, and is definately being put into practice in my business for future books.

5. Would-Be Publishers: Realize that no new comics company can be expected to make any money whatsoever within the first five years of its existence. If you do not have the capital shored up to protect against that fact, and do not have the confidence that your books will be of such high-quality as to ensure a large readership that builds over the first three years, then do not start your new comics company until you can meet those marketplace realities. Wishing will not make it so, and if you build it, history has shown that they will not come.

This is somewhat true, the fact and reality is that it is a hard market. But this point is a little harsh and norrow mindedly focused on people who want to compete with Marvel and DC. I'd encourage anyone who is willing to do this stuff for their love of it to start small, self-publishing mini-comics and web comics and work your way up. Don't expect to get rich any time soon, and if that's your motivation there are a lot better opportunities than comics.

6. Publishers: No one wants your new superhero universe, American-created Manga, or fifth-week event. No one.

True to a point. If you are dead set and have to do a super hero type comic, bring something new to the table. Create something so original it gets people exited about the genre again and about your work. No more generic Superman rip offs please.

7. Publishers: If you cannot give away 200,000 copies for free or for a quarter, you cannot sell 10,000 for $2.95.

This point is way off and I feel a little misguided. To say a publisher who can't give away a ton of comics or sell 'em cheap has no business in the market is a way of inadvertently dismissing everything produced by several good companies. This statement dismisses companies such as Landwaster Books, AdHouse Books, Drawn & Quarterly, Oni, Top Shelf, Pantheon, NBM, and more. I could even include Open Book Press here if I didn't know for a fact that we are planning on doing a cheap priced primer in the future. For me it's not the cover price of a book that determines its value, its the content.

8. Publishers: Because you like a writer or artist, that does not mean that readers will like their work. The worst thing an editor or publisher can do is be buddies with the talent they publish. If your judgment is thus compromised, you owe it to yourself, your creators and your readers to seek out blunt, critical analysis of the quality of the work and its liklihood of success before publishing it.

Very True.

9. Would-Be Publishers: If you must publish comics and are not already an established company with a well-known line and a reliable slate of books, then start your new company with one bulletproof book that is so well done and wildly entertaining that it can serve as the foundation of a steadily-growing company over the course of the next five years.

Again this is really the only way to go with monthly comics, Graphic novels are a little different, but yes valid point.

10. Creators: At all stages of the creative process, seek out the opinions and evaluations of people whose tastes and critical faculties you trust implicitly. Ask them to be brutally honest in judging your work, and accept that there is at least a grain of truth in everything they tell you, and likely a lot more than a grain.

I agree

11. Readers: Do not continue to buy and support comics that do anything less than dazzle you with their ingenuity, their quality storytelling, and their elegance of purpose and design. The only reason any publisher can continue to produce bad comics is because people buy them. Just stop.

VERY VERY TRUE

12. Readers: Find critics whose tastes clearly intersect with your own, and follow their recommendations into places you might previously have avoided. If Critic A's explanation of why they like a book you like makes sense to you, then find a book they recommend that you haven't read, and try that one. Watch the magic happen.

Good point, or just try buying something you've never read instead of that tired crappy bad written mainstream comic.

13. Do not ever buy a comic book with the expectation that you will sell it at a profit later on. 99 percent of every comic book you ever will buy over the course of your life will be worth 12 cents or less within a month after you buy it. Selah.

True, this is no longer a collector's market. Thank God!

14. Publishers: If you cannot afford a full-time publicity department that is dedicated to getting your books the maximum exposure possible, then you cannot afford to be a publisher. Hiring the talent and printing the books is no more than 50 percent of the equation that results in a successful book.

True but slightly harsh. Publicity is a huge issue, and you either have to have the staff to do it, time to do it yourself, or the money to hire a company that can. If you want to make sales you need publicity. Never underestimate the importance of press releases.

15. Readers: Go through your collection regularly, and pluck out any comics you haven't felt the need to re-read for a year or more. Set them aside, and evaluate whether you really want to spend a portion of your rent money providing space for comics you no longer want or need. Throw them out, trade them, give them away, or sell them on eBay. Make room for better comics in your home, and in your life. Make careful note of the creators and publishers who tend to create books that you are not still excited about months after you first read them. Reconsider investing your money in their books in the future. Would you return time and again to a restaurant that served you bad food? There's so much more out there, waiting to be discovered.

This is true and a very good point except for one thing; NEVER THROW OUT YOUR COMICS! If you don't want to trade, give away or sell them, donate them to a worthwhile charity such as www.comics4kids.org or www.operationcomixrelief.freeservers.com If you absolutely don't even want to donate them then give them to me and I'll find them a good home!

Well that's all form me for today, but come back tommorow for MY list of 10 Ways to make comics better! (I know it's not 15 points, but I just don't have that kind of time)

UNtill next time...

FWOOSH....

Mike

Posted by: lightning at 13:14 | link | comments

Hey All! As of today there are reviews posted for two of Open Book Press's new books on www.comicbookgalaxy.com

P.S> I know I was gone for awhile, but if anyone is still reading this blog please fgeel free to post comments!

Posted by: lightning at 09:49 | link | comments

Well as you can see our new site at www.openbookpress.com is functional. You can go there and check out the info and the scoop on all our happenings. We'll continue to update the content as well as add new features gradually as we go along. Soon we'll also have a sister site at www.openbookpress.info active as well.

Books that are out; If you've read the previous entries you know that we have got 3 books out. Those would be: Dreams in Texture, Grafenveer Vol.1, and Monkeys and Midgets. All three of those are available on www.amazon.com, www.alibris.com, www.booksurge.com, and www.openbookpress.com. Book retailers can order at www.booksurgedirect.com Those books will also be made available at book stores, book chains, and libraries within the next couple of months. As well all three books have been submitted for distribution to: Diamond, FM International, Bud Plant, Last Gasp, Cold Cut, and more. We are still working on the ditribution to main stream book distributors.

Merchandise; the pot is simmering on some new merchandise developments. The stuff will be ready soon. It's too soon to drop any info but it will involve our continued, but beefed up merchandise sold through our site with cafepress.com We'll also be developing several t-shirts NOT available through Cafe' Press.

Shows shows shows. We are tentatively scheduled for the Toronto Comic Con Fan Appreciation Day on August 24th as well As the Canadian Comic Expo on August 26-28 both in Toronto at the Metro Convention Centre. We are also booked for MoCCA Comic Art Festival June 11-12, and The Big Apple Con June 17-18 both in New York. The list of talent from Open Book Press attending those shows will be confirmed soon. As well Open Book Press will have sales representation and promotion present at: Los Angeles Times Festival of Books April 23-24 in L.A., Book Expo America June 3-5 in New York, and the American Library Association Summer June 25-28 in Chicago. Talent may attend those shows as well and will be confirmed at a later date.

We're going to plan two of our own events soon too. The first is a book launch party. It will be held in Kincardine and will celebrate the launch of our first 4 books. If it goes well multiple launch parties will be planned in the future. The other event is a small press book fair to be held in Tiverton Ontario. Dates and times have yet to be determined.

Coming Soon; Our next book will be out in a couple of weeks. It's working title was "Working with Open Book Press", but has now been officially changed to "How To Get Published The Open Book Press Way". Our fifth book will be titled "Rock Starz" and will be a 200+ page space epic both written and drawn by Nelson Danielson. Rock Stars follows the adventures of a desperate intergalactic rock band who spend more time getting into trouble than they do playing music.

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