Published by Andrews and McMeel out of Kansas City, Nordling, a cartoonist, has compiled a comprehensive look at the world of cartooning as a profession with details described by the greats: Charles Schulz, Bill Watterson, Cathy Guisewite, Lynn Johnston…the list goes on and on, including staff of the comics publishing houses.

The great thing about the book, besides the quotes about how to best handle your property, is the collection of appendixes in which you get Syndicate Guidelines and Format Guides for color indication and Sunday strips.

With a discussion about the cartoonists’ role in the syndicate world, whether an independent representative or the newspaper, you learn more about what your position is in the field of cartooning and why the syndicate is your friend, submitting your strips to the newspapers around the world.

You learn about the creative freedom you may, or may not, have with your feature strip, including everything from the process, submission, development, and contract with the syndicate.

To quote the book, “Talent is what you can use, abuse or overcome.” I learned through this in depth look at the world of comic strips the ‘behind the scenes’ that you always wonder about but never knew to ask: Do I need an attorney when I get the contract? Do I own my characters, or the syndicate; what allows me more money? Can I do other features and sell them to the papers through a separate syndicate?

For hardly any money spent, you will finally get the education you need for selling your comic strip. Now, I need to get busy working on my submission package.

You can buy Your Career in the Comics here.  ISBN# 0-8362-0748-3 $9.95

Tags: book, career, comic, comic books, review, strip

The MSCA Dinner Meeting is this Thursday at 7pm at Garibaldi’s Pizza, September 3rd. Lots more information follows below:

BOWERS LIVE AT 9

We got this from Matt Bowers:
Just a quick note. I’m (was) on LIVE @ 9 on Channel 3 WREG (Monday, 8/31) morning at 9am. I’ll be on with Pamela Pitts talking about the comic I did for her several months ago.
Later!
Matt

As a side note, last Sunday’s paper featured the comic book mentioned which has cover art by Adam Shaw! Also, Martheus Wade’s participating in Pam Pitts’ Awakening. He did the new design work on the book as well as her press packets, promotional ideas and contacts. You can count on Wade to get your informaiton out there for sure, eh?

DISNEY TO BUY MARVEL FOR $4 Billion

http://mashable.com/2009/08/31/disney-marvel/

Read about MSCA Pal John Ostrander interview and auctions
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22654

Lin Workman’s Green Arrow painting goes up for Auction to help cover John‘s eye surgery:
http://shop.ebay.com/lynegold/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg

To find out more about the auctions visit:
http://www.comix4sight.com/

THE ART OF THE CAN
What a creative mind can do with the body of a Red Bull can.

Red Bull doesn’t just vitalize the body, it also vitalizes the mind. That’s why we’re looking for the most innovative way of creating a work of art from the body of a Red Bull can. There are no rules, no limitations. Just let your imagination run wild.

Send your entries by September 28, 2009.

The creations will be on display in Miami, FL and be judged by a prominent art jury. They will select their three favorites, bringing fame and honor to their creators.

For more information or to register your art, go to redbullartofcan.com.

SCARECROW DISPLAYS

Ready to scare up a little fun? Lichterman Nature Center, 5992 Quince in East Memphis, is seeking volunteers (individuals or groups) to build a scarecrow for this fall’s Scarecrow Display.

From Sept. 10 through Nov. 13, 40 scarecrows will be lurking outside in demonstration gardens and een sitting in benches around Lichterman Nature Center. Scarecrows will deliver messages ranging from recycling to planting for wildlife that relate to the display area. Prizes will be awarded for “Most Popular,” “Greenest,” “Most Artistic,” Most Scientific” and “Best Literary.”

For more information, contact Andy Williams, manager, Lichterman Nature Center at 767-7322, ext. 102.

ANIME FANS

I found a flier at Spin Street:
ATTENTION OTAKU
New Anime/Manga Club Forming. Explore Anime/Manga and all related subjects. New Artist and Trade People welcome. Enrollment open to ages 16 – up. Location will be at Walls Library. To enroll call Ms. Laura at Walls Library phone # 662-781-3664. Address: 7181 Delta Bluffs Pkwy., Walls, MS. Meeting time set after enrollment.

SCOOP THE MULE!
Muley will appear at this year’s 15^th Annual Ronald McDonald House Big Scoop Ice Cream Festival. This will be at Autozone Park in Downtown Memphis (200 Union Ave.) on Saturday, September 26^th from 11 am – 4 pm. For more information, visit www.rmhmemphis.org where you can also donate! Tickets are available here: http://www.rmhmemphis.org/HouseHighlights/Default.aspx?ArticleId=71

SHARED STORIES

Lin shared this link about a meth ring who used comics to launder cash:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/08/25/meth.ring.arrests/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Greg shared this link for comic strippers:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_84847971_1?ie=UTF8&docId=1000404091&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=browse&pf_rd_r=10TWMHT4YAZ5VJD4KXCA&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=486498231&pf_rd_i=2128878011

Greg sent this film information along as well: Died Young, Stayed Pretty, Saturday September 5th, 2:00pm. $8, $6 for Brooks Members (also the price for 901 Creatives members).
This unique documentary peels back the paper curtain and looks behind the scenes of the underground poster movement, examining the creative spirit that drives these indie graphic artists. The film gives us intimate look at some of the giants of this modern subculture, virtually unknown outside of their circle. These graphic banditos roam the streets, plastering their work to every available surface. Creating their own visual language for describing the spotty underbelly of western civilization, they’ve managed to create posters that are strikingly obscene, unflinchingly blasphemous, and often quite beautiful.
*Director Eileen Yaghoobian will be in attendance
www.diedyoungstayedpretty.com.

PULITZER FOR SPARKY?
My friend from the Charles M. Schulz Museum, Karl Jacque, has been diligently working to get a Pulitzer for Sparky. Please read below and help by sending him a letter to add to the collection:

Hello Everyone,
The Special Award or Citation was not awarded for 2009. I have resubmitted my nomination to professor Sig Gissler and his board for 2010. I am sending professor Gissler’s reply.

In previous years I have had a couple of suggestions from Columbia University. Statements should be sent that specify: Why Sparky over anyone else? Letters from Sparky’s peers, friends and followers listing how Sparky influenced their careers and made a difference in their lives.

I have been requesting that letters be sent to Creative Associates, #1 Snoopy Place, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 to my attention. I suggest we bundle these letters and send them to Professor Gissler in one mailing. I’m not sure about the politics involved. I am open to suggestions. It appears Sparky has been nominated in the past and no action has ever been taken by the board. Possibly a nomination from United Media may be in order. Please go to the Pulitzer Award web-site and look at the winners of past Special Award or Citations. Look at the award for Dr. Seuss. Sparky far exceeds the qualifications given for that award.

Please pass the word requesting letters for our new nomination for 2010.

Professor Gissler’s reply: August 17, 2009

Dear Mr. Jacque:

Thank you for your recent message about a special award for Charles Schulz, the famed cartoonist. While I am not at liberty to discuss the confidential deliberations of the Pulitzer Board, I can say that consideration was given to your previous nomination and, obviously, the Board did not see fit to act. That is not unusual. We receive quite a few nominations — and awards are rarely bestowed.

At this point, the best I can do is to let the appropriate committee know of your continuing hope.

Sincerely,
Sig Gissler
Sincerely,
Karl Jacque

MSCA EXECUTIVE BOARD
There was only one e-mail with nominations and the Executive Board was formed. The Secondary Board has also been filled where it could be, with a new appointed position to Lin Workman (he was already doing the job and deserved the title). Big thanks to everyone for their work, both past and upcoming. And if you haven’t visited the website lately, you really need to! It’s fantastic! Thanks Nicki!

www.midsouthcartoonists.com
MSCA Executive Board:
President: Kevin L. Williams
Vice-President: Martheus Antone Wade
Secretary:
Treasurer: Janet Wade

MSCA Secondary Board:
Webmaster: Nicki Howe
Web Content Manager: Lin Workman
Coordinator of Events and Outreach:
Historian: Janet Wade
Editor-In-Chief:

Tags: adam, antone, association, big, book, bowers, cartoonists, comic, cream, dinner, festival, holiday, house, ice, live, martheus, matt, mcdonald, meeting, midsouth. mid-south, movie, MSCA, mule, muley, outing, pamela, pitts, ronald, scoop, shaw, strip, the, tv, wade

The World Premiere of the Red Mullet Movie is June 12, 2009 in Metropolis, IL at the annual Superman Celebration, but for one night only, we are giving a sneak peak, and recognizing the Memphis cast and crew who made it all possible.

Come out and join us at The Caritas Village (on the corner of Harvard and Merton) on Saturday, May 16 at 6pm. Besides an exclusive viewing of the movie, there will be snacks, door prizes and even a red carpet at the entrance! Bring friends, dress up (or down) if you want, and be ready to party!

Also, if you want to show up earlier to buy a delicious dinner at The Caritas Village feel free! They have great food and super prices.

www.myspace.com/redmulletmovie

INCOMING!!  is a new set of comics by a friend of our’s in the Southeastern Chapter of the National Cartoonists’ Society, and you can read more about it by clicking here.

Tags: andrew, antone, book, cartoon, chandler, chuppe, comic, documentary, fanfilm, jay, kevin, lin, martheus, maw, midsouthcartoonists, movie, muley, mullet, productions, red, strip, wade, williams, workman