You’ve done the hard part. you’ve meticulously outlined your comic, written the story, and put the finishing touches on your artwork. now is the time to take the plunge: publish your comic and put it in the hands of your readers.
In this post, we’ll talk about launching the first issue of your comic and getting fans excited for the next one in the series. here is a 6 step process to publish a comic:
You are reading: How to publish comic books
1. finalize your comic format
For the publishing process to begin, you need to know exactly how you’ll be bringing your comic to the world, whether it’s digital, print, or both. You may have had this planned throughout your writing process, but if not, now is the time to commit!
There are pros and cons to both formats. You may have your heart set on a print comic due to the nostalgic reading experience, and the fact that they’re, well, cool. But there is a growing audience for digital comics — and it’s wise to at least consider an ebook option for your work. Going digital-only, you’ll also be slicing your production costs significantly. If you’re wanting to turn your comic into a money-making venture, then digital is the way to go.
Ultimately, whether you choose to digitize, print, or take a hybrid approach depends on your personal publishing goals. We’ll discuss the technical requirements for each option later, but for now, you just need to choose a publishing path so your research on retail options can begin in earnest.
2. choose a desktop publishing platform for publishing
There are many platforms where self-published comics authors can publish and sell their work, and it’s worth taking some time to decide which one is best for you.
The right platform will give the right readers the best chance of finding your work. fans of certain types of comics don’t want to look too far to find new indie authors, so your best starting point is to look up indie comics like yours and find out where they sell.
if you are going to digitize…
If you’re looking for a digital comics retailer with a large customer base, comixology is a good place to start. With over 50,000 titles on the site, Comixology offers a wide range of comics, where you are likely to find titles similar to yours. Independent authors can submit their work through Amazon KDP (Comixology recently moved to an Amazon store) and sell alongside blockbusters like Marvel and DC Comics.
If your work has a specific audience, a specialized platform may allow you to better reach your target readers. for example, webtoon is a very popular site where artists can upload and monetize their work, known specifically for its mobile-friendly vertical scrolling format. webtoon features comics of different styles, but is best known for its collection of manhwa, a South Korean style of comics or graphic novels. When looking at these sites, look for ones that host titles similar in style or genre to yours, as that’s where your target audience will look.
If you want to offer print copies…
If you want to offer print copies of your comic to readers, you’ll probably have to handle the retail yourself. Without a reasonably priced direct-to-consumer print-on-demand service for stitched comics, many independent artists have opted to do it the old-fashioned way.
A common course of action is to print out a limited run of your comic and handle the selling of your comics yourself, through your author website or via another storefront. Don’t forget to stick your head into local comic stores and introduce yourself to their fine proprietors. Indie comic stores love supporting local writers and artists, so ask their buyers what they need in order to stock your book.
The biggest drawback to printing and selling your own comic is that you won’t have easy access to a global audience, so you’ll need to get serious about your marketing efforts to avoid paying for a lot of stock you don’t want. change. Along those lines, once you have a solid retail plan in place and you’re confident that your readers will be able to find your work, you can begin the next phase in your publishing plan: reaching those readers.
3. attract attention on social media
It’s never too early to start marketing your comic. in fact, if you wait until its release to start promoting your title, you’ve left it too late. here are some ways to engage readers early on and set yourself up for a successful launch.
leverage the power of social networks
While the stereotype of the sarcastic, judgmental online comics fan is alive and well in some corners of the internet, in reality, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more passionate community of readers who support new and exciting work.
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As someone who is interested in comics, you should aspire to be a supportive voice in these online spaces. Share the new titles you love, support other comic creators, and always be nice. don’t be the person who parachutes into a forum, group, or subreddit just to post their own work.
Being a friendly and approachable voice in the comics space, you can build a community of fans looking to support independent titles like yours. And when it’s time to post, they’ll be the first to say it, because they’ll be there to amplify your message, buy your comic, and leave lots of reviews.
Of course, feel free to showcase some of your work, especially on image-based platforms like instagram, where countless comic artists have found their fan base.
fran krause’s deep dark fears instagram account (above) features a creator finding an audience through social media, as well as other aspiring artists participating in the community.
In the run-up to publishing your comic, share snippets of your work and keep followers in the loop on what you’re up to. a countdown to launch day will also help keep your work fresh in the minds of your followers.
crowdfund your comic 💰
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You’ve probably seen other comic book creators raising money and sharing their stories on sites like kickstarter and patreon. Publishing a print comic can be expensive, especially if you want to enlist the help of experts such as colorists or sign makers, or if you need specialized printing to realize your vision.
A good crowdfunding campaign can also help build anticipation before launch day, as your backers form a group of “super fans” who are literally committed to the success of your comic. They will naturally be inclined to help you scale your release, share your work, and leave feedback. however, like convincing any investor, you will need to make a strong case for your project to win it over. (Studying successful crowdfunding campaigns is a good starting point!)
You won’t get something for nothing: to drum up support, you’ll want to give your potential fans an idea of what they’ve got in store. Share quality concept art, teasers, and give incentives for your patrons or investors, such as:
- exclusive merchandising;
- early access to the comic at a discounted pre-order price;
- a special backer edition of the comic, containing exclusive art;
- bound editions;
- original envelope art when you submit your copy;
- a custom commissioned artwork for top-tier sponsors.
For more ideas on what you could offer your backers, check out some existing comic campaigns on kickstarter for inspiration. just make sure you don’t over-promise and under-deliver on this front. it is better to provide an overly cautious timeline for launch than to delay in executing your plans, and any promises of benefits must be realistic.
Check out this post by graphic novelist ben galley where he talks about raising money for his project on kickstarter. Want to learn even more about crowdfunding? Take our full course on the subject here!
4. publish your comic
Once you’ve got your distribution figured out and your launch campaign planned, it’s time to get your comic ready for action. Depending on the format you’ve chosen, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the technical requirements of your e-book printer or retailer.
choose your print on demand service
These are some companies that offer offset and on-demand printing for comics:
- blurb (starts at $3.99/copy for a 20 page glossy edition);
- ka-blam (starts at $2.46/copy for a 20 page newsprint edition);
- printninja (starts at $4.60/copy for a minimum order of 250 copies).
When shortlisting potential services to use, pay special attention to whether that service handles color and images well, and whether they offer the types of finishes you’re looking for.
note: if you choose to distribute digital versions of your comic via comixology or amazon, both inevitably push you towards kdp print. while convenient, the per unit cost of kdp’s “perfect binding” books can be hard to swallow, especially if you opt for full color books.
make sure your printouts will fit
Comic printing is quite variable, and one of the benefits of going independent is that you can get creative with your dimensions. however, if you’re looking to get your comic sold in physical stores, you’ll want to keep its size fairly standardized, so it fits comfortably on the shelves. the standard size of a comic book is generally considered to be 6.625” x 10.25”.
order a test copy
No matter which service you choose, be sure to review a proof before you send your comic out into the world. colors may not display properly, the process of resizing your artwork or printing may cause readability issues, or you may catch minor formatting errors. These kinds of mistakes can affect your comic’s reading experience, so make sure the final product you publish is one you’re completely happy with.
check the compatibility of your digital files
To distribute your comic as an e-book, you’ll need to format and upload it to the store(s) of your choice. Each digital comics retailer or platform will have their own specifications and preferences in terms of format (comicbookzip, pdf, epub, etc.), file size, and quality. Be sure to check your host platform’s requirements and follow them to the letter before your upload.
For this step, you may want to invest in advanced comics software such as clip studio paint ex, or find a layout designer who has formatted comics before. if you’re collaborating with a veteran comic book illustrator, they may be able to help with formatting as well (although you’ll need to pay extra for this service).
Alternatively, you can make your comic available for download on your website. in this case, the format does not have to conform to the typical dimensions of electronic books; you can throw everything in a pdf. (Technically, you can also upload a pdf to digital retailers, but that’s not recommended; the process of converting documents to the retailer’s preferred format can distort the final product.)
Technically, you can also do this when uploading your comic to retailers, but we strongly advise against doing this as the pdf conversion process on some platforms can distort the final product. if you’re publishing and selling your comic as an ebook, you’ll want to get it formatted properly.
Ultimately, how you format your comic eBook will largely depend on the specifications of the platform or retailer you choose, so remember to read their requirements carefully before uploading.
configure guided navigation
As we mentioned earlier, webtoon offers a panel-by-panel view through vertical scrolling. but this does not mean that you cannot achieve the same reading experience on other hosting sites. If your comic has a more traditional layout, but you still want panel-by-panel viewing, consider using a platform like Comixology and Amazon, both of which support guided navigation.
Through the Kindle Comic Creator, you gain access to the Kindle Dashboard View, a guided navigation tool that allows the author to control how the Dashboard views the comic. with this, you can decide the order in which the panels are displayed to the viewer when reading on a mobile device. You’ll also be able to choose whether entire pages are viewed as facing pages, meaning a spread of two pages, or individual pages.
By taking control of these factors, you can shape the reading experience and make sure your comic is easily digestible and navigable for readers. A mobile-friendly view is more important than ever nowadays, so a platform with guided navigation can be of great use to you.
5. promote the story to readers
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your comic is in the world, congratulations! now it’s time to read your work.
brush up on your marketing skills
You might think your launch campaign is enough to generate excitement. Actually, marketing books is an ongoing process, both before and after publication. your efforts should continue after release, especially if you are going to publish subsequent issues of your comic.
Your options are endless, from posting ads to navigating Amazon’s algorithm to increase your comic’s visibility. You can check out our guide to book marketing to find out where to start and find more resources and reading recommendations.
For a more detailed action plan, you can download your free copy of Ricardo Fayet’s Marketing Bible, How to Market a Book. You might also consider hiring the services of a professional marketer, who can show you how to get the most out of your comic. it’s a worthwhile investment if you’re serious about the success of your comic.
For a couple of tips on thinking about this very important part of the publishing process, check out the marketing tactics below.
get editorial reviews
Nothing helps sell your book better, especially in the long run, than recommendations from enthusiastic readers. To build the testimonial footprint of your comic, you should always encourage your readers to leave comments on any online store. however, you may need to do more than just request the kind of reviews you need to bolster your book’s reputation.
We have a full guide on how to get book reviews, but these are the headlines. In addition to star ratings and reviews from your general readers, you’ll always want to secure some editorial reviews for your work. These are longer, more in-depth, reader-focused reviews, usually done by a reviewer with some kind of credentials that make their opinion carry weight. These will not only bring exposure to your work but are also a valuable marketing tool; Excerpts from editorial reviews can be included on your Amazon product page or displayed in advertisements to show potential readers that your comic is well regarded.
You can contact bloggers and influencers to offer them a copy of your comic for their review. Another way to get an editorial review is to use a service like reedsy discovery, which connects authors with experienced reviewers who will provide an honest, unbiased, and detailed review of their work.
consider it to be available on unlimited services
To get as many eyeballs as possible on your new title, consider submitting it to Comixology Unlimited, a program that, like Kindle Unlimited, gives readers unlimited access to a vast library of titles for a fee. fixed subscription.
While signing up for an unlimited reading scheme means you get less compensation for the time someone picks up your book than direct sales, it’s an effective way to increase exposure and therefore reviews for your comic . Most digital retailers also have systems that rank and promote best sellers (ie amazon algorithms) so the more your comic is downloaded, the more visibility you get. In other words, popularity breeds popularity, and the loss of compensation caused by the inclusion of your first number in an unlimited service can be offset by your next issues, which will be released to a wide audience already familiar with your name.
make sure your investors get something extra
Don’t forget the people who got you where you are! moving forward with sponsor benefits is extremely important.
Send in your promised rewards and share with them how the launch went and how their support made a difference to your publishing experience. These kinds of dedicated fans are what make the comic book world tick, so it’s important to keep them happy and excited for any subsequent releases.
6. engage with fans and other comic book creators
Now that your comic is being read, it’s time to reap the rewards, including interacting with a host of new fans.
stay in touch with your readers
You don’t want to leave it off the map – keep the momentum going by staying active on social channels. Let people know how your following is going, announce any promotional offers, and share other jobs that your readers might be interested in.
You can also answer their questions and interact with fan art or theories: Andrew Hussie, the creator of the webcomic Homestuck, regularly took fan feedback into account and incorporated their suggestions into his artwork . It was that kind of interaction that made Homestuck a cult hit with a multitude of dedicated fans.
attend comic book conventions
Comics are a great opportunity to meet existing readers in person and introduce yourself to potential new readers. Sign up for local conventions, offer to speak on panels, and consider renting a booth to set up shop. don’t forget to bring copies to sign and sell. exclusive merchandising, gifts and business cards are also not a bad idea.
work with other comic writers
By collaborating with other writers on shared projects, you can cross-pollinate your audiences and learn from each other’s experience. it’s a win-win, and a natural next step once you have a couple of problems of your own under your belt.
Conventions are a great way to network with other writers and artists, but you can also do so on social media. If you find an artist whose work you love, contact them and let them know. support his efforts where you can and interact in a friendly and professional manner. these types of connections may turn into collaborations in the future – you never know unless you try!
That said, be patient to build this network and find potential collaborators. Featured writers and artists are likely to be wary of smaller artists reaching out with unsolicited collaboration requests, so take some time to build your name before submitting specific proposals or collaboration requests. If you’re determined to work with another artist or writer as soon as possible, focus your efforts on artists of a comparable audience size for the best chance of success.
remember, the first issue is just the first step in a long career of flourishing art. If you’re interested in your future as a comic book writer, these steps on how to publish a comic should get you off to a good start.
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