The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing Comics

"Taking Control of Your
Comics-Writing Destiny"

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 4.5 Worms

 

About - From concept to marketing, everything changes when writing and self-publishing. Many books cover the ins and outs but how about for comics? Comfort Love and Adam Withers, wife and husband team having written and self-published their own comic book series, present a guide on self-publishing comics, giving their advise for writers, artists, colorers, and letters on creating their story.  With advise from top members in the industry and step-by-step details on creating a comic, this book delves into all areas of the creating process and marketing and selling process, giving a complete guide to self-publishing your comic.

Authors - Comfort Love and Adam Withers

Publisher - Watson-Guptill; an imprint of Crown Publishing Group
 
Personal Opinion - It doesn't matter where you are in your comic creating process, conceptualizing, crafting, or marketing, or who you are in the team, writer, artist, colorer, or letterer, this book will help. Each chapter not only gives insight into not only each persons area but also so each member of the team knows what is needed and problematic for everyone, preparing all members for the challenge ahead. Reading not only their experiences and advise but also the industry experts really revealed the world and business of creating a comic. Even though this is a non-fiction, how-to book, it was not dry, but used images and side bares that makes comics special within the book to illustrate and expand on their lessons. Some of the chapters go really into detail that isn't needed if you don't do Photoshop or Illustrator but those chapters do provide great insight into what members of the team are going through and expected of them. One thing I wish they had gone more in depth on was setting up the script. As they mentioned, they didn't have the time nor was it the point to give advice on the writing process (other books exist for that) but they did cover on setting up the script's format. Yet, I felt it was really general and could have had more details especially considering the details given in the artist, illustrator, or letterer chapters. Anyone interested in creating comics, even if they are just beginning, would find this book helpful and a great resource.

Video - Okay, so this isn't a trailer but fun, right?

Buy - Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Publisher,

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher through Blogging for Books.

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5 Enchanted Roses

"Rediscover the Enchantment"

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - A rose to mark the enchantment that turned men into beasts and only a woman can free them. The second collection of fairy tale retellings from Rooglewood Press takes the traditional tale of Beauty and the Beast and sets in in various and strange settings. Sailing on the high seas is a pirate ship curse by mermaids. A castle is threatened by the underworld and stone. A ballroom is filled with stone guests while the cursed master and lady-in-waiting must find who did this. Deep within the jungle, a Jaguar watches over one in danger. A Wulver in Scotland is running out of time to break an enchantment done out of jealousy. With each is unique, the collection brings back the story of healing love when all that is seen on the outside is an ugly beast.  

Editor - Anne Elizabeth Stengl

Author - Kaycee Browning
               Savannah Jezowski
               Jenelle Schmidt
               Dorian Tsukioka
               Hayden Wand

Publisher - Rooglewood Press

Age Group - 16 and up
 
Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Almost each story had some jerk trying to attack the main female protagonist. The women were strong in their morals and stance on the situation and stood their ground, loving and, sometimes, forgiving the beastly men who were cursed. Defending the innocent and doing what was right was popular in the stories.

Personal Opinion - A great collection of five retellings of Beauty and the Beast told by some up and coming authors. The range of these stories followed the traditional tale to unusual. My personal favorite was a paranormal take of the tale which surprised me because I usually don't go for that genre. Even though they each told the same story, each was unique in who was a beast, why they were cursed, and how it was broken. They were beautifully brought together and gave new light on the situation and message a traditional fairy tale. A couple of times I felt some content in the story was reflective of Disney's movie more than the original tale. Also, guys were leering (or even came close to attacking) the heroine almost in every novella. That was a bit irritating and unnecessary in my opinion and makes these retellings for an older teens and up. Those are perhaps my biggest dislikes about the collection. Yet, this is a great read especially if you want to read a whole story in a day and read multiple versions of a fairy tale.

Buy - Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Publisher,

Other Reviews Concerning These Anthologies - 5 Glass Slippers

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Lateness

Hey Bookworms,

I can't believe my lack of posting. Personal stuff came up and, before you know it, two months go by with almost no posts. I even didn't get a new release post together for December (then again, I haven't found any books for this month either. Strange). Well, that is going to change. I am getting ready to get back to posting reviews and sharing book information on here so I hope you all get to hear about some great reads soon.

Since I haven't found any book releasing in December and today is the first, I am planning on putting together a list of Christmas books that might be a good read this month for the holidays. I will be trying to get that up either later today or tomorrow.

Also, since I have missed how many Sunday reviews now (don't answer that), I will be working on and posting a review tomorrow. It might be a bit "beastly" but I hope you will also find some "beauty" to it too (get the hints?).

Within the coming weeks, there will also be some reviews of some great non-fiction titles so check back soon and chew on a good book today!

Books Releasing in November

Hey Bookworms,

Getting cold, Halloween is passed and today is all Saints Day. And more good books becoming available. There are at least four books becoming available.


How to Train Your Dragon: How to Fight a Dragon's Fury

Lets begin with my top book because this is the last one! The How to Train Your Dragon book series by Cressida Cowell is coming to an end. I am so sad and, considering how the last few books were, it will probably be a sad book. But, I look forward to seeing how it all comes together.

It will release on the 3rd.










Daniel and the Sun Sword

I can't even remember how I heard about this book (it might have been from a blog that I follow and they were featuring it a few months ago) but it was a beautiful cover and an interesting concept. This is the first book by this author so it will be new in all ways. Looking forward to this fantasy adventure

Releases on the 3rd










Star Wars: Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Shattered Empire

Long name but love Star Wars. This story takes place after the last of the movies and starts to lead up to the new movie coming out later this year (which I am also looking forward to but a bit worried that George Lucas isn't involved). It is also a comic and I have been reading the monthly comics that have been releasing this year so this will be fun. The Force is with it.

Releasing on the 17th.








The Golden Braid

A new fairy tale retelling by Melanie Dickerson. I have reviews of her previous novel retellings which have been good. Just like most of her books, it takes place in the middle ages and has a Christian element and is an engaging read. Those who love fairy tale retellings would enjoy her book.

Releases on the 17th.










Wow, great choices. All of them are either releasing on the 3rd or 17th but I'm sure there are others on different dates. I would like to read all these books but I'm really looking forward to the final How to Train Your Dragon book and the Star Wars comic. The Golden Braid is also going to be fun, especially since I just read a different retelling of the Rapunzel fairy tale.

What about you? Sometimes the best way to here about a good, new book (or comic) is there recommendations from others, which I need as well as anyone else, so please leave a comment with what books you are looking forward to this month. And remember to...

Chew on a good book today!

Bookworm

Back to the Future Day!

Great Scott! Marty McFly, Doc Brown, and Jennifer fly into the future, October 21, 2015, today at precisely 4:29 PM. I have been enjoying the day by sharing stuff on my Facebook account and even found this video of Doc Brown sending out a little message for everyone today.

Isn't that cool. It also sums up the great story that is Back to the Future. Speaking of stories, one you can get today, was just released, is the comic book on how Doc and Marty met and some other great stuff. It is published by IDW publishers and written by Bob Gale, the original writer and creator of the trilogy.

(Picture copied for publishers website)

 

Awesome right? While I'm still waiting on flying cars, self sizing clothes, and trials that take two hours to complete, I don't have to wait for this. If, you are looking for more of a... book... type of read, maybe We Don't Need Roads: The Making of the Back to the Future Trilogy is what you are looking for. A behind the scenes look at the making of the movies. This is heavy.

 

(Picture copied from Amazon)

 

So I suggest making like a tree and getting out'a to your local book, or comic book, store. Or newsstand apparently. Still looking for this one myself.

 

(Picture copied from Entertainment Weekly) 

 

While this does not cover all that is available on the Back to the Future trilogy, it is some good stuff.

Is there something else that has to do with this trilogy? Please share in the comments below. Me and everyone else would love to hear about it.







Winter's Child

"'Once Upon a Time' is Timeless."

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 4.5 Worms

Storyline - Deirdre was just a child when she became the Winter Child, destined to right a wrong not of her own making that would take her across the world. Ky and Grace grew up together as close friends even though Ky is open to possibilities and likes to fix things while Grace focuses on reality and dreams of journeying to the horizon. When these three cross paths, it will take strength, determination, and faithfulness to their task to find love and their place in the world.

Author - Cameron Dokey

Publisher - Simon and Schuster

Age Group - 14 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* A couple of the characters lie to escape dangerous situations. The meaning of love and sacrifice and friendship are tried. The faithfulness to their missions are tested.

Personal Opinion - A fabulous retelling of The Snow Queen while keeping close to the original story yet being different and its own tale. All the characters struggle for what it means to love selflessly and sacrificially. Each is struggling with understanding this and has to live with the consequences of their choices and the choices of others. The author had several character points of view but also used the first person narrative for each person yet was able to keep who was speaking straight with chapter headings similar to those from the original story. Unfortunately, the ending was partially not set up so it felt like it came out of no where, making seem like it was just thrown into the story. This is a unique and beautiful tale of friendship, determination, and love that, while based off the same story as the movie Frozen, is its own story while still keeping close to the original fairy tale.

Buy - Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Publisher, 

Note: This book is difficult to find in paperback for a reasonable price in a good condition. You can find it cheaper for worse condition.

Other Reviews for this Author - Golden - Review
                                                    Wild Orchid - Review
                                                    The Storyteller's Daughter - Review

To read or comment on this and other reviews, stop by Bookworm

 

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Books Releasing in October

Hey Bookworms,

Another month of books releasing and it looks like a good batch. Three of the four I want to highlight are either from authors I've read before or part of a series I like. The only one on here I am not familiar with at all besides reading the summary is still in my usual favorite genre and published by Disney so I will probably like it. So, lets take a look at what is coming out.

DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk Volume 6

This series is fun and the stories are original. They take place during the same time as the TV show of Dragons but are their own stories, not just a retelling of what is aired on the show (Also, has anyone else been watching DreamWorks Dragons: Race to the Edge?) No idea what is happening in this book but will be reading it. If you have been following my reading this year, you will see there have been a lot of Dragons in it.

It is releasing on the 13th.

A Thousand Nights

Here is that Disney book I was talking about earlier. From the title and cover, I have a feeling this is a retelling of Arabian Nights but not sure because I have to read or find (okay, both) a summary for this book. Yet I love the cover and would find this very miss leading if it didn't have something to do with Shahrazad.

It is releasing on the 6th.

War for the Waking World

This is book 3, and the final, in the Dreamtreaders series by Wayne Thomas Batson. This is a great author and book 2, Search for the Shadow Key, was awesome. I might still be in need of reading book 1, which is on my to-read shelf, but I can't wait to see how things come together after reading book 2. And this author is just great. You can read more reviews of his books here on Bookworm by searching his name.

It is releasing on the 27th.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Does this book need any introduction? Okay, so some might be saying, "Um, this book has been out for years," and yes, it has. But not the illustrated edition. Yup, the first Harry Potter book is being re-released with color illustrated images inside. The cover art is amazing and, when I first heard about this edition, I saw some interior art and it is cool. Can't wait to get this and will probably re-read it.

It is releasing on the 6th.







Wow, another great collection. I can't wait to get each book on here. Last months books might have broke the book shelf, but this months might break the bank. Yet, I think books are a good investments (as long as you don't go broke of course). They ignite the imagination and so much more.

Share what you are looking forward to this month book wise in the comments section.

Chew on a good book today!

Bookworm