Comic Genesis Forums

Hi there! We’re starting up this year’s Small Press Idol…and wanted to invite everyone to the grand unveiling of this year’s Guidelines. At this time, individuals and teams have a little over a month to get things together and be ready to post their Round 1 entries. Round 1 will last till March 25th. It’s a solid window to get a project together and qualified for Round 2 past our judge panel. If you are interested in being a contestant, this is fair warning to get a project going!
If you are a news outlet or resource of any sort, we invite you to help spread the word about Small Press Idol, and get on the official Sponsors and Supporters list on the Idol Main Page. Traditionally, the page has gotten hundreds of thousands of hits a month for the 5 months the contest runs. All we ask in return for the link placement on our prominently placed list, is a link back in some way that is fairly prominent, and that you indeed cover the contest if you are a news site. You can contact us about that right from the guidelines page.
Just want to watch the show? That’s great! Now is time to sign up at the site so you can VOTE in the rounds to come, and post comments about your favorites! We’re expecting hundreds of contestants this year. It should be a lot of fun!

http://www.dimestoreproductions.com/Sma ... index.html

Hope this message reaches you in the spirit it was intended, you are welcome to ask questions, and otherwise make sure this is for real. This is the fourth year for the SPI. Last year’s contest pages are still online. So that’s what this is about, hope it interests you!

I found this post, and the contest information, to be really poorly worded, so here's my fun summary:

Round 1- Submit a rough of a comic cover (just pencils, no inks/colors) and a brief description of the comic's concept. The selected entries go to round 2.

Round 2- Submit complete concept drawings of up to 5 characters, along with descriptions of the characters are a logo for the comic. The selected entries go to round 3 and will have their 12-page comic printed in some book.

Round 3- Submit 3 finished pages in B&W or grayscale. Selected entries go to the 4th and final round.

Round 4- Submit the whole finished 12-page B&W or grayscale story with a colored cover page. People vote for the best one by BUYING the one they like best (which is the main part I don't like). But, the winner gets sponsored to be made into a new comic serial.

So, I guess it's pretty reasonable, although I don't like how people have to pay money to vote in the last round. But, seems pretty reasonable in terms of what they require for submissions, so eh.

Thanks, LibertyCabbage. That was helpful.

Question to the contest folks, for I am an easily confused artiste and need things spelled out in clear and well-formatted terms:

In Round 4, when readers vote by their willingness to buy the #0 comic, do the creators of the comic receive any percentage of the proceeds from their sales? Are the #0 comics priced at break-even cost for Dimestore--which would make it easier for voters/buyers? (Dimestore of course can make lots of profit from this round if they want--it's their contest, their rules.)

What sort of contract does the final winner get (that is to say, what do you mean by sponsoring--just paying for the printing)? What sort of compensation is involved? Are these details available anywhere on the site?

I guess I'd better go post this on their message forum.

Dimestore sells the #0 issues as they do any other Imprint title from other studios that work with us. That means, 90% of the profit generated by the book, goes to the creators. Dimestore takes 10%. That will be in writing for anyone that makes it to Round 3.

We've been refining and rewording the guidelines page for 4 years now...the simplified version by Liberty, while perhaps easier to understand initially, does not cover some of the questions and problems we've had over the years. So, sorry if it's worded in less than conversational speech...we try our best to be as up front and answer as many questions before you have to ask them with it.

I'll be here to answer any more!