I get asked all the time how you can submit work to publishers. Here’s a handy page of publishers and submission guidelines.
How Do I Submit Writing Work to Comic Publishers?
Another list! This time here’s a guide to all the places you need to go if you want to get into the comics industry through a publisher. Of course, you can always go self-published and small press (in fact, it’s almost ALWAYS an advantage if you’ve already had work published, proving that you have the ability to get something to print by yourself) - but how do you send work to the bigger companies?
Here’s a list of the various companies, and their current submission policies!
2000AD
The most open submissions policy in comics belongs to 2000AD. If you want to send work to them, it has to be in the form of a ‘FutureShocks’ story. This is a complete four-page story which features a twist ending. The thinking is that if you can handle a four page story (no small task), then you’ve got things sorted.
Find more at http://www.2000adonline.com/submissions/
Action Lab
Action Lab will accept submissions - as long as you have a complete creative team already in place. They ask for a synopsis, 5-6 pages of the script, and 5-6 pages of completed artwork from the book.
Find more at http://www.actionlabcomics.com/faq/
Avatar
Avatar aren’t looking for writers.
http://www.avatarpress.com/avatar-press-submission-guidelines/
Boom!
Boom Studios aren’t accepting writing submissions.
http://blog.boom-studios.com/submissions/
Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse are accepting writing submissions, as long as they’re put together in the correct fashion. They first need you to sign an agreement for them - so they’re covered legally - along with a synopsis of the story. Follow that up with the actual script for the first issue, and you’re off to the races. This mirrors the submissions process used by most literary agencies, so take a look at their guidelines carefully to make sure you hit all their targets here.
Find more - http://www.darkhorse.com/Company/Submissions#writers
DC Comics
Have you had work published by Image, IDW, or any other publishers? No? Then go do that.
DC don’t accept writing samples - http://www.dccomics.com/submissions
Dynamite
No unsolicited samples accepted. If you want to work for Dynamite, you have to write to them detailing your experience, past works, and why you want to work with them.
Find more at http://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/editor.html
Fantagraphics
Fantagraphics are really only looking at submissions for graphic novels - complete, long-form stories. They won’t look at digital submissions, so you should send them a synopsis of the concept and length of your story, backed with at least five pages of high-res artwork. As with any publisher in this list, DO NOT send original art - send scans.
Find more at http://www.fantagraphics.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=56&Itemid=127
IDW
Not accepting any unsolicited writing submissions at this time.
Head here for proof - http://www.idwpublishing.com/page/2198/
Image Comics
Image won’t accept writing samples. They will, however, look at proposals for stories. This means they want a synopsis of the story, along with already drawn pages - Image aren’t here to pair you up with a creative team, you’ll need to already have one in place.
Find more at http://www.imagecomics.com/about/submissions
Markosia
They will accept writing submissions, but only if accompanied by completed artwork from the story. They’re looking for a synopsis attached to five or so pages of art from the story.
Find more at http://www.markosia.com/faqs/
Marvel
Marvel won’t accept script submissions. However! They will take your published work and look at it. If you’ve had a comic published, send it to them as proof that you can get something made, and they’ll review it themselves. The definition of ‘published work’, as defined by CB Cebulski on Twitter, means ANYTHING you’ve had put into print or digital, in long form. If you self-published it or had it published as small press or a webcomic - it counts.
Find more at http://marvel.com/help/category/14/topic/30
NoBrow
I believe that if you’re pitching to NoBrow, you’ve also drawn your comic. They ask for submissions to be emailed across to them.
Find more here - http://www.nobrow.net/submissions
Oni Press
Oni Press do not take unsolicited writing submissions. They’ll destroy anything they’re sent without opening it.
If you want work published through them, you’ll have to network instead http://www.onipress.com/contact
Top Shelf
Will not look at a writing submission unless it is accompanied by at least ten pages of completed artwork. If you have around 10-20 completed pages of art, attach a synopsis/script to the work, and send it across.
Find more here - http://www.topshelfcomix.com/contact/submissions
Valiant
Valiant follow the same system as Marvel - if you’ve previously had work published, you can send that work to them and they’ll read it. They won’t read pitches or unsolicited submissions - just completed comics.
Find more at http://valiantuniverse.com/about-us/
http://www.comicsvanguard.com/2013/11/how-do-i-submit-writing-work-to-comic.html
