Richmond Comic Lab
The basic idea behind it is this: a writer submits a short story between 200 and 500 words. We take that story (however funny or morbid or grossly out of line) and give it to an artist who then draws it in comic form. The writer and artist do not speak to each other; it is complete creative interpretation. Once this gets of the ground, we will publish the first issue of Richmond Comic Lab this summer. The comic will include a full color comic section, followed by transcripts of the authors’ original stories. The purpose: 1) to produce something that is Richmond through and through; 2) to explore the creative process in a medium that is accessible to pretty much everyone; 3) to give authors and artists a chance to explore their creativity and get excited about the Richmond fine arts community.
Artist Guidelines
Artists will be given a story to illustrate and a set number of pages they are to use. The waiver below must be read and completed before your work can be used. Work must be completed on 11×17″ bristol (cut 3″ off of 14×17″ bristol) and ruled as specified (see illustration). Panel layout within measured guidelines is completely free. Innovation is greatly encouraged. Should you choose to color; please also submit a pre-color B+W version. Electronic submissions should be sent via email to richmondcomiclab@gmail.com in TIF format. Hard copy submissions should be mailed to or dropped off at:
Richmond Comic Lab
416 W Marshall St.
Richmond, VA
23220
Author Guideliens
All writing submissions must be between 200 and 500 words. The submissions may be on any topic, in any tone or voice, with whatever texture, action, and dialogue you like. We ask that you keep in mind that you are writing for a comic, but you are not writing a comic. This idea should not greatly steer you in your writing, but should slightly affect your content and form.
General Rights Agreement for Artists and Authors
A major goal behind creating Richmond Comic Lab is to provide artists with a public venue. Richmond Comic Lab has the potential to reach a wide and varied audience. However, in order to provide this service to artists, writers, and readers, we must be given some rights to your work. We do not want you to have to sacrifice your own rights to your work, so this is the way we are working things:
It is our intention that we as Richmond Comic Lab/ Patchwork Collective would share all rights to said work with you the artist. Therefore we are authorized to reprint, sell, and lightly modify your work for fit/ layout, including promotional material, website use, and eventual publication in the comic itself. We also reserve the right to choose not to use your work, however we agree to notify you if this is the case. Your work must fit inside the proper guidelines for writer and artist submissions, respectively, excepting permission from a member of the board of Richmond Comic Lab.
You as the artist also retain full rights to reprint, sell, or modify your own artwork. We also encourage you to let us know if you are doing so.