Comics opportunity newsletter has grown so much over the past few months. It’s been an absolute honor to meet fellow readers and comics artists at all the festivals I’ve attended so far. Thank you all for your support, it means the world.
Reminder that any ongoing ops are removed after a three-month cycle, allowing space for new opportunities.
All links to an opportunity are in its header. To submit an available opportunity fill out this form.
When I haven’t been glued to the screen watching the world cup or playing footy, I’ve been gearing up for an exciting year of events.
Summer started with a visit to the School of Visual Arts to give an artist talk about tabling at comics festivals and a primer on literary agents.
I’ve also started planning my book tour for Song for Medusa’s debut.
If you are a bookseller, school, or university and want me to stop in your city as part of my Song for Medusa book your, please email me at grace.desmarais@yahoo.com.
Heading includes fest name/link, application deadline, and location.
DC Zine Fest – To Be Announced in July – Washington DC
Keep an eye open for DCZF application opening.
Note from Grace: This is a top ten festival for any zinester or cartoonist looking to start their career. The volunteers are fabulous, and their community has built an accessible space for all in the arts. Highly recommend for new to comics and/or young cartoonists looking to begin their tabling journey.
DC Zine Fest – Call for Volunteers – Jul 2 6 – 7 PM
Info session open on Jul 2, from 6 – 7 PM. Volunteers needed for their November zine/comics festival in Washington DC.
Seeking cartoonists for their Oct 3, indie comics festival.
Short Run Comics Expo – Jul 3 – Seattle, WA
Seeking cartoonist who focus on original comics and indie press work for their Nov 7 show.
Note from Grace: This was one of my first ever comics festivals and it made a major impact on me. They prioritize community and ORIGINAL art not fanart. Apply to this show if you are just getting into comics and are excited about DIY community.
IC3 Fest – Open Until Closed – Providence, RI
Seeking cartoonists for their Sept 26, indie comics festival.
MAC Fest – Jul 30 – Madison, WI
Seeking artists, zine makers, and cartoonists for their Dec 12, alternative comics festival.
Paper Jam Zine Fest – Jul 20 – Newmarket, NH
Seeking zinesters and cartoonists for their Nov 7 zine festival.
Seeking zinesters, artists, and cartoonists for their Oct 3 indie comics festival.
Society of Illustrators Holiday Market – Aug 3 – NY, NY
Seeking crafters, makers, and fiber artists for their Dec 5 arts and crafts fair.
Heading includes submission name/link, compensation, and deadline.
GEN Z APPLICANTS ONLY Seeking gen z artists to make comics about being a gen z artist.
Seeking artists to design limited edition bags for their boutique illustration lead brand.
Inservice Comics – Paid – Aug 31
Seeking graphic novel submissions for their independent comics imprint.
Glasgow Zine Library – Paid – Aug 14
DISABLED SCOTTISH APPLICANTS ONLY Seeking disabled zinesters to create an A4 zine, with the opportunity to receive a stipend, printing coverage, and access to the Glasgow Zine Library.
The Living Gallery – Gallery Show – Jul 30
BIPOC APPLICANTS ONLY Seeking interdisciplinary artists for Brooklyn, New York gallery show under the theme: Monsters & Metamorphosis.
Skirt Chasers Magazine – Artist Copy – Ongoing
NEW YORKER APPLICANTS PRIORITIZED Seeking writing, literary criticism, film criticism, music reporting, comics based around the New York City lesbian scene for their monthly magazine.
Pencil Magazine – Artist Copy – Jul 7
MUST BE RENDERED WITH TRADITIONAL PENCIL. Seeking submissions around the theme: ‘how to use.’
The Living Gallery – Gallery Display – Aug 1
BIPOC APPLICANTS ONLY Seeking mixed media and/or fiber artists for gallery show.
Seeking artists and designers to collaborate with a book subscription box for fantasy and romance readers.
Seeking single panel comics, gag cartoons, spot illustrations, and public domain artwork.
Dirty Water Comics – Paid – Ongoing Until Closed
Seeking graphic novel submissions for their small press.
DISABLED APPLICANTS ONLY Seeking comics about chronic illness and/or disability.
Unpublished Picture Book Showcase – Paid – Jul 5
Seeking unpublished or rejected picture books for a juried showcase.
Brown Paper Fox – Paid – Ongoing Until Closed
Seeking picture books for publication with their small imprint.
Desert Island Press – Consignment Opportunity – Open Until Closed
Seeking comics and zines for their store for wholesale and consignment.
NYC Gutter Show – Unpaid – Ongoing
Seeking cartoonists and/or animators for live readings and screenings of their comics.
Note from Grace: This is an amazing event which I have participated in. The format is especially suited to humor cartoonists and for those who are interested in the combination of performance and comics.
Pages and Panels – Press – Ongoing
Seeking writers and journalists to cover comics for this online publication. Email contact@pages-and-panels.com or for more information see this link.
Seeking comics, journalists, reviewers, and artists for their comics lit. magazine
Heading includes opportunity name, deadline, location, and type of compensation.
Penland School of Craft Winter Residency – Jul 30 – Bakersville, NC – Facilities access
Seeking artists working in craft for their winter artist retreat. Penland also offers fully funded fellowships and residencies.
Note from Grace: this has come up before in many, many other newsletters but I’ve never taken a moment to address it. Some opportunities use the term “residency” but what they really mean is “artist retreat.” Fully funded opportunities differ from an opportunity like this where the creator gets access to a studio space, facilities etc. but still must pay to play. To help alleviate this confusion in the newsletter I try to specify in the description with the term “artist retreat” even if the institution uses “residency.”
Mass MoCA – Aug 1 – North Adams, MA – Studio Access.
Seeking interdisciplinary artists for their studio residency.
Thought Bubble Micro-Bursary – Jul 12 – Harrogate, UK – Grant
UK APPLCIANTS ONLY Seeking early career cartoonists for a 400 UK cash grant and the opportunity to table at Thought Bubble Festival in Harrogate, UK.
WNY Book Arts Center – Rolling – Buffalo, NY – Studio Space
Month long studio space residency for printmakers.
Header includes event name and location.
Graphic Lit Book Club – Brooklyn, New York
Located at Taylor & Co Books, cartoonist Diana Schoenbrun hosts the Graphic Lit Book Club once a month. To participate sign up for the mailing list.
Note from Grace: I just signed up so maybe I’ll see you there!
NYC Cartoonist Meet Up – Monthly – Brooklyn, NY
$10 at the door. Community meet-up.
Upcoming Dates: Jul 13, Aug 24., Sept 21
Note from Grace: I co-founded this event, and it is a great way for young artists in New York City to get to know one another.
Cartoonist Club House – Aug 3 – 7 – Portland, ME
Comics camp for ages 8 – 13 led by previously featured artist Isabella Rotman.
Yu & Me Books: Launch for Coming Out Perfect – Jul 8 – NY, NY
Book launch for Richard Mercado’s debut graphic novel, Coming Out Perfect. Cartoonist Richard Mercado will be in conversation with Danielle Chuatico about his new graphic novel.
Comics University – Jun 17 – Jul 29 – Webster Groves, MO
Free teen/youth programing in all things comics. Amazing workshops led by even more dazzling cartoonists and artists.
Astoria Zine Club – Ongoing Events
Community run events for the Queens zine community.
BCAF – Ongoing Programing – Greater Boston Area
Boston Comics Arts Foundation has fabulous ongoing programing in the greater Boston area.
Another Story Book Store – Book Seller
Simon & Schuster – Art Director
In lieu of an artist spotlight this month I wanted to share the New York Working Cartoon Library initiative. Helmed by a group of innovative cartoonists, NYCL hopes to build an interdisciplinary space that will grow access to comics for the broader New York community.
Currently they are looking for a location to serve as the center of that community. The location will offer a space for a public lending library, a non-commercial event space for readings, and workspace for comics making.
They are seeking public funding with the explicit vision of becoming a bigger institution to support a diverse community. Help support them here.
As usual, here are some additional resources available for your own personal research.
I’ve come across these sources on my own time, of which have sponsored me for their shout out.
RatHaus Printing, beautiful and affordable risograph printing. Use code BOOKFAIR for 20% off
P.S. Happy World Cup! Allez Les Blues! 🇫🇷
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