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May 14th

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    Posted this here instead of on my comic page because this is more for other cartoonists than it is for readers. We're currently revamping our comments section, and it got me to thinking about all of the things I see people doing wrong when it comes to putting author comments on comics.

    Please DO NOT do the following:

    1) If you're working as a team, but only one of you is posting author comments, don't say things that readers could interpret as you complaining about your creative partner. Example--don't make fun of something the writer has written, don't imply your artist is lazy. Don't complain that the other person never posts author comments. No one wants to visit your site and be pulled into what they think is a negative experience.

    2) Don't go on and on about what you're doing instead of making more comics unless the things that you're doing instead of making more comics are important. Examples: Talking about how you're moving (which involves a lot of packing, time taken, lack of internet connection) = good. Talking about how you spent 12 hours playing WoW = bad.

    This won't always be the case, and how much you can get away with is directly related to your schedule and content; someone who runs a gaming comic or updates five days a week is in the clear--no one is questioning whether or not they could be spending their free time better because the content of their author comments is relevant to the content of their comic, or they update constantly and consistently regardless of what they do with their free time.

    3) Avoid writing author comments about nothing, or in a tone that suggests that you don't really feel particularly strongly about the content of your website. If you can't look interested in your own website, or worse, write like you're being forced to write something, then you may be better off leaving the author comment off.

    4) Don't reiterate the content of your current comic page or explain what's going on in the page; if you're putting the effort in, it should be plenty clear what is physically happening on the page, and if it IS clear what's happening and you're still explaining, you're still doing something wrong.

    5) Don't call attention to what you feel are shortcomings in your page. If you feel the anatomy is off in a panel, that's good--it means that you're learning and getting better. But your audience doesn't need to know that.

    Most non-artists either won't see your mistakes, or have already made peace with the fact that you are a free comic on the internet and your work is a work in progress. They know you'll get better as you go on, and listening to you talk about how disappointed in a page or panel you are just makes you look moody and unreliable.

    If someone calls you out on poor anatomy, that's a different situation and a different article. There are plenty of ways to handle that, from politely agreeing and promising that you're learning from your mistakes, to deleting the comment outright. Don't be the first person to point it out.

    6) Don't waste your author comments patting yourself on the back, unless you want people to treat you like the next Tim Buckley.

    7) Don't talk about weird mundane things--why do your readers care if you bought some new towels for your bathroom or are eating a bag of Doritos while you type? Unless this is pertinant to the comic page, process or part of a hilarious anecdote that will sell you to your audience, don't bother mentioning it.

    8) Don't make fun of, critique (unsolicited) or talk crap about other authors. If you do, there will be a point where readers stop coming to your site for your comic and start coming to keep tabs on the latest drama. Would you rather be known for your hard work and dedication to your craft? Or for your ability to sling mud?

    Please DO the following things:

    1) If you're working as a team, try and work out a schedule where you trade up author comment duty, or both contribute. Bring out the best in each other by playing to each other's strengths.

    2) Talk about all the work you're doing on the comic, or things related to the comic. Talk about things you'd like to do with the comic in the future. Look and act industrious, even if you're still going to play WoW instead of make comics next Saturday. Let your audience know about the work you are doing, and not the work you're avoiding.

    3) Write about something interesting. Your webcomic isn't just you trying to sell a story or a joke--if you feel like you have nothing to say about a particular page, either say nothing, or dip into that well of interesting things that make you unique and sell yourself as a brand. Talk about that exciting thing you're doing, share some of the webcomics you like to read on a daily basis, talk about movies that have similar themes to your joke or theme. Be interesting--give people something to talk about.

    And that's about all I can think of off the top of my head. Discussion? Please.
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    The first Mort Monday WITHOUT Mort! Perhaps this badge thing has gone too far...
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    JH SoundsMon 9:40 am | JH Sounds Presents CRACKTON
    This week's CRACKTON arc involves awkward moments and obscure continuity references.
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    Doug SavageMon 12:28 am | Savage Chickens
    Seeing live theatre is great. Hearing it also helps...
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May 13th

May 12th

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    Jonathan RosenbergSat 10:43 pm | Scenes From A Multiverse
    Friday's SFAM is up! On Sunday. It's not about punctuality.
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    I took my boys to see the Avengers yesterday, it was magical. They were watching their Star Wars. I was having as much fun watching them as I was watching the movie (for a second time).

    My favorite side effect? My youngest will tell you, confidently, that the Avenger who uses a bow and arrow to deal justice is called HULK-GUY

    Not to be confused with The Hulk.
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    Anise ShawSat 2:51 pm | Even in Arcadia
    These people have been up since 8PM last night doing a endurance fundraiser for their new anthology. Now is the time to get them to do hilarious things for money.

    Insane comic artists. Come chat with us! http://www.justin.tv/cloudscapecomics
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May 11th

May 10th

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    Special Requests from the Comic Shop Wilmington Delaware
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    JkunMay 10, 2012 | Crazy Sunshine
    Today's comic, rule breaker!
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    So after a work related break from G+, I'm wading back in. I haven't been in the swing of things for a while - what's happening, folks? What are you work ing on? What's your favorite thing today?
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    Tom BrazeltonMay 10, 2012 | Theater Hopper
    I'm not gonna lie. This was a hell of a lot of fun to draw!
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    Jonathan RosenbergMay 10, 2012 | Scenes From A Multiverse
    It's Mouthbreathers Vs Nosebreathers in today's SFAM! Whose side are you on?
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    Doug SavageMay 10, 2012 | Savage Chickens
    I'd watch it...
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May 9th

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    This week's Mort Monday is all warm and toasty. But not in a comforting way...
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    Jonathan RosenbergMay 09, 2012 | Scenes From A Multiverse
    Today's SFAM is overly defensive.
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    Tales of a Checkered Man by Denver Brubaker

    I don't know if you are aware of this comic or not - if you are - huzzah! there's a great new page today.

    If you aren't - take a few moments to check it out. Tales of a Checkered Man is among the best on the web in every possible way - art, writing, humor - I can't love this comic enough. Denver Brubaker is going places, check out Checkered Man and let him know if (when) you agree!
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