Comics/Graphic Novels Portfolio

[Jozef]

In response to publishing trends and the needs of its members, as well as the comics community, the Australian Society of Authors (incorporating the Society of Book Illustrators) recently formed the “Comics/Graphic Novels Portfolio”—a special interest group that aims to provide industry support to Australian artists and writers currently working in the comics medium and, in particular, the graphic novel format.

The major objectives of this new portfolio will be to:
(1) Protect and promote the professional interests of comics creators (both writers and artists);
(2) Form a professional community of active members who operate in this specialist discipline; and
(3) Liaise and cross-pollinate ideas with like-minded Australian and overseas organisations whose focus is on the promotion of the comics art form.

The proposed activities for this portfolio include: developing minimum page rates for comics artists and writers; preparing ‘how to’ papers; preparing minimum terms agreements for creator-owned properties, as well as work-for-hire properties; showcasing comic artists’ work on the SOBI Style File (www.thestylefile.com); preparing a contact list of ASA/SOBI members who are specialised comics professionals to be made available to mainstream publishers searching for talent; establishing a forum on comics industry matters to be run on the ASA website; establishing a printing cooperative for comics creators/self-publishers to secure economic printing deals; organising professional development opportunities such as a mentorship scheme and workshops on the business of comics/graphic novels; and other activities as they arise in response to the needs of our members.

If you would like membership information, please contact the ASA on 02 9318 0877, or email Emma Dallas, Membership Officer, on emma@asauthors.org

The ASA Comics/Graphic Novels Portfolio was instigated and is headed by Julie Ditrich and Jozef Szekeres of Black Mermaid Productions.

[mike nason]

[Ian T]

Jozef, this sounds like a good initiative.

As far as page rates go, one of the major problems professional comics artists in this country face is that we're trying to compete with subsidised overseas comics, ie: commercial companies generally pay to place their strips in magazines, making them a source of revenue for the publishers. That's an impossibly low rate for any of us to compete against in the long term.

Cheers,

Ian T.

[Daniel McKeown]

Recommended page rates from ABWAC. I don't know how realistic they are?

[Daren White]

[Jozef]

Hi Mike, Ian, Daniel, and Darren.

Thanks for checking out what we have written here, seeing what the intentions of this group will be. I hope you guys will be attending Supanova, for if so , it would be great if you can come to the meeting there we'll be holding at 6pm on the Saturday night. Your suggestions and your imput is what we're after. The stronger we are in numbers will make a difference.

[Jozef]

ASA Comics/Graphic Novels Portfolio Meeting at Supanova

Supanova has kindly sponsored a meeting of the newly created Australian Society of Authors Comics/Graphic Novels Portfolio this coming weekend and we are inviting comics creators to attend.

What is the Australian Society of Authors?

The Australian Society of Authors (ASA) [www.asauthors.org] which incorporates the Society of Book Illustrators (SOBI) is the professional association for Australia's literary creators. The ASA was formed in 1963 to promote and protect the rights of Australia's writers and illustrators, and now has over 3000 members across Australia. The ASA was instrumental in setting up the Copyright Agency Limited and the Australian Copyright Council, and successfully campaigned for Public Lending Right in 1975 and Educational Lending Right in 2000. The ASA sets minimum rates for pay and conditions for authors and illustrators, and publishes books, papers and lists for emerging and established writers. Members receive the ASA journal, Australian Author, and regular newsletters throughout the year. The ASA also provides a contract advisory service for members, run mentorships for new and emerging writers and offers advice about writing, copyright and publishing. Membership fees are tax-deductible expenses for professional writers and artists.

Who should attend this comics industry meeting?

Established and beginning writers, artists, pencillers, inkers, colourists and letterers working in the comics medium and its various formats (comics periodicals, graphic novels, zines, webcomics etc).

Why is it important to attend?

This is an opportunity to set the agenda for a new advocacy group looking after the professional interests and the rights of comics creators, and to find out the benefits of joining the ASA.

Who are the presenters?

The dual portfolio holders are Jozef Szekeres (representing artists) and Julie Ditrich (representing writers).

When is it being held?

Date: Saturday 13 October 2007
Time: 6.00-6.45pm
Venue: Supanova, Adult Swim Seminars Room, The Dome, Sydney Olympic Park (ground floor near entrance—see program map for location)
Special Instructions; Please note that the Expo shuts at 6.00pm and special arrangements have been made to accommodate this meeting. Creators wishing to attend are requested to go directly to the Adult Swim Seminars Room and then to leave the venue promptly after the meeting has finished. No exhibitors will be allowed back into the Hall after 6.00pm.

Hope you can make it!

Hope to see you all there!

[mike nason]

[Jozef]

[Bullseye]

[Jozef]

[Julie]

A quick update for those of you who are interested in the ASA Comics/Graphic Novels Portfolio.

Jozef and I did a presentation at the Australian Cartoonists' Association Stanley Awards Conference on Saturday 3 November, which was held in Wollongong. There were lots of questions from the floor so we spent a considerable amount of time covering issues such as publishing trends in the US and Australia. We also had the opportunity to talk after the event to some professional artists, as well as the CEO of VISCOPY, Chryssy Tintner, who provided some useful information for artists on how they could protect their rights. Here is what the organisation does:

VISCOPY licenses the copyright in artistic works and pays the artist or copyright owner a royalty for the reproduction.

VISCOPY represents its artist members for the full range of rights, reproduction, publication and communication, thereby providing copyright users with authorised access to thousands of artistic works for commercial, non-commercial and educational purposes.

Copyright collecting agencies and societies such as VISCOPY provide the most efficient and effective way for visual artists and rights owners to administer their copyrights on a national and international basis. Through reciprocal agreements, these agencies and societies agree to administer each other's repertoire in their respective territories for specific or non-specific rights. The agencies are traditionally non-profit, non-government, and directed by their members.

VISCOPY is the only dedicated visual artists’ copyright agency in the Australia Pacific region representing over 5,000 regional artists, and over 200,000 artists internationally for the Australasian territory. Membership is free, and there are no annual fees.

VISCOPY can license specific artistic works, or works for specific uses - clients range from individuals and small business to multinational organisations and all levels of government. In all cases, the fee charged to the client for the reproduction is returned to the artist or copyright holder less VISCOPY’s administration costs.

We STRONGLY recommend that comics artists join this organisation! The phone number is: (02) 9368 0933. Fax: (02) 9368 0899. Website: www.viscopy.com

[Julie]

On a separate matter, Jozef and I will be giving a presentation on the ASA Comics/Graphic Novels Portfolio at the panel session on 'Graphic Novels' at the NSW Writers' Centre's 9th Australian Publishers and Authors Bookshow. Matt Godden of Surfing the Deathline fame will also be on the same panel.

Date: Saturday 17 November 2007 (please note the bookshow runs all weekend)
Time: 1pm to 2pm
Venue: Leichhardt Town Hall, cnr Marion and Norton Stst, Leichhardt
Cost: Entry to the Bookshow is gratis but tickets for the Talks Program are
- For both days (Sat & Sun) NSWWC Members $30/$20 conc; Non-Members $40
- For one day only (Sat or Sun) NSWWC Members $20/$15 conc; Non-Members $25.

Hope you can join us!

[Julie]

More updates on Portfolio Business.

Jozef and I met with ASA representatives Emma Dallas and Tim Sinclair yesterday to plan activities for next year. Here is a summary of what we discussed:

Contracts/Rates – The timeline for getting Minimum Approved Contracts and the Recommended Rates sheet is the end of June 2008.

The Society of Book Illustrators (SOBI) Style File – see www.thestylefile.com) SOBI opens up its next in the new year. The administrators are looking forward to including oomics artists' work up on the web.

Inaugural Portfolio Members' Meeting – We will wait until we have more members until we hold a formal meeting. We anticipate that this will be about a year down the track.

Survey of Portfolio Members' Needs – Our target is 50 members, at which time we will send out a survey to determine what your needs are and how we can respond.

Mentorship Scheme – the ASA Mentorship Scheme will be looking to include comics artists and writers in the 2008 round. The applcation process begins in Jan/Feb 2008 and decisions are made by the end of April. Mentors are paid for their mentoring work.

Other matters on the agenda were defered to the next meeting. We'll keep you posted on these activities as they arise and as more information becomes concrete.

[antains]

Hi Julie and Jozef,
I am curious about VISCOPY.
Pulpfaction is a playground for some writers, too. The Copyright Agency Limited (CAL), as you would know, is an established collection agency that works with publishers, the Australian Publishers Association and, also, the Australia Society of Authors (ASA), which Jozef directed us to.
Would you be able to give me (and us) a background on VISCOPY?
I ask, because it seems counter productive to have multiple collection agencies chasing funds for creators. This may be why the ASA is raising awareness of the reduction in royalties and fees finding their way back to authors. And CAL does not make a distinction between visual creators and writers - they just represent "creators."
I haven't checked all my facts, but it also seems counter productive when the publishers would probably still be in the middle of both arrangements.

Cheers,
Ant.

Edit: Given that VISCOPY's membership is free, I'm not trying to dissuade anyone.