Do you have an enthralling story to tell? Are you ready to captivate hearts and minds with your deliciously original graphic novel idea?
Then look no further!
In this article, we will walk you through the process of creating your own graphic novel from start to finish. We’ll give you tips on writing a compelling story, designing striking illustrations, and putting it all together in a beautiful, finished product that captivates the world!
Creating a graphic novel can be a fun, lucrative, and rewarding experience, and it’s not as difficult as you may think. So get ready to bring your ideas to life!
I’m Full Of Ideas. My Brain Is Going To Explode! What Do I Do?
You’ve made it this far so that means you’re ready to hit the ground running with your graphic novel idea!
#1 Consider Hiring A Team Of Freelancers To Produce A Few High Quality Pages
There are many benefits to hiring a team of freelancers to help you create your graphic novel.
For one, collaboration and delegation help boost efficiency and creativity.
Second, it will help you create a higher-quality product, in a shorter amount of time.
#2 Pitch Your Graphic Novel to Publishers
If you’re not interested in hiring a team of freelancers, that’s okay. You can always present your graphic novel concept pitch directly to publishers.
This option can be a bit more challenging, but it’s definitely doable if you’re prepared.
First, you’ll need to put together a professional pitch package. This will include a synopsis of your story, character profiles, sample artwork, and anything else you think might help sell your book.
Then, you’ll need to do your research and find the right publishers to target. You want to make sure you’re submitting to companies that publish graphic novels similar to what you’ve got in mind.
Once you have a list of potential publishers, it’s time to start sending out your pitches! This is where the real work begins. You’ll need to be persistent and follow up with each publisher until you get a response. Make them remember your name but don’t be a pest!
With the right professional pitch package crafted, you’ll boost your chances of landing a deal, see your graphic novel on shelves, and even possibly adapted into the next big series or movie franchise!
You’re New To The Game. Let Us Show You Around!
When it comes to actually executing your graphic novel vision, there are a lot of moving pieces you need to consider. From the story and artwork to the printing and marketing, it can be a lot to handle on your own.
We know you don’t have all the time in the world, so how do you mitigate a lack of knowledge in an instant? Make the right kind of friends!
Knowledge Is Power… Where Can You Get Some?
Just the idea of seeing your ideas come to life is thrilling, overwhelming even! Fortunately, when you have a team, you can lean on them for everything you need. Be honest with yourself, what is your current knowledge base when it comes to the graphic novel industry?
Even if you feel as though you’re a master, being supported by talent with a variety of skill sets will help to ensure all bases are covered and no stone goes unturned. If you’re interested in pursuing option two, we’ve got all the information you need to create a team built for success!
The Talent You Need Is Right Under Your Nose
Recruiting the right talent to help you create your graphic novel isn’t as complicated as it might seem. Who better to learn how to make a graphic novel from than the pros?
If you aren’t a charmer who has connections anywhere and everywhere, finding skilled illustrators, writers and layout artists, who can appreciate your vision may seem like an exhausting feat. With our advice, no late nights or coffee IVs needed!
Find Skilled Freelancers
Fiverr is a trustworthy platform where freelancers from numerous different industries sell their services and share their skills with people in need. In this case, the graphic novel category should be your safe haven.
The search is on!
Connect With The Community
You know those Facebook groups, forums, and Reddit groups you joined ever since you decided to make a graphic novel? Use your fellow enthusiasts to find out who has “been there, done that” when it comes to creating a graphic novel that consumers want to read.
Yes, you’re the visionary behind the masterpiece but let’s be honest, you’ve never done this before! Share your ideas with the community and see what they think. You may even be able to find freelancers within these groups who are looking to help newbies like you make a name for themselves in the graphic novel industry.
Even if you don’t have a bottomless bank account, they may be willing to work for free so they can add your creative idea to their portfolio of work. Just test the waters and thank us later!
Building out a team of highly skilled workers who find a deep-rooted passion in your project is easier to find than you may think. If they want to work for free or agree to the promise of future gains, you may just have yourself a lucrative opportunity!
Just think about how much time you’ll save by having a dedicated team by your side, supporting you every step of the way.
The graphic novel life chose you, so use the family it gave you!
What Do Ya Know? Money Can Buy Happiness!
Quick, what do you do when you need instant funds?
Ask for some!
Do you like the idea of hiring freelancers and building out a team? If this seems up your alley, you may want to start crowdsourcing on a site like Kickstarter. This is a great way to grab quick funds without trying to do a magic trick and pull overwhelming funds out of your empty wallet.
On the other hand, the thought of building out a team could send you running for the hills! For some, that stress isn’t worth the reward… no judgment here. Luckily, we have another option for you that won’t require crowdsourcing or team building.
All you need is one killer pitch to be a lone wolf with stacks to spend!
Learn How To Pitch Your Graphic Novel The Right Way
What would it feel like to get paid for the thrilling thoughts circling inside your mind?
Pitching your graphic novel to companies with deep pockets is a free way to let your vision be known. Don’t be hesitant when it comes to pitching to major graphic novel agents as well as ones who are looking for their first big break. Sound familiar?
Trust your instincts and feel free to dip your toes into more ponds than just one. With enough bait in the sea, you have a better chance of getting a big fish to bite!
In this industry, plenty of graphic novel agencies are eager to connect and partner with aspiring creatives like yourself. All you have to do is follow their guidelines so you can get your foot in the door. Then, a killer pitch deck will do all the talking for you!
From simple submission forms to complex requirements, all companies are different. Here is an example of a submission form you could run into when you start searching for a company that vibes with your vision.
Start by charming the room of decision-makers, then you can ensure your idea captivates the world.
Tips On Creating A Captivating Pitch Deck That Sells
The perfect graphic novel pitch deck includes a variety of elements such as a synopsis of your story, character bios, and illustrations from your book. This example of a high end Feature Film pitch deck, effortlessly displays the high-value essence every winning pitch deck needs!
You want to make sure you have all your bases covered so the person you’re pitching to knows exactly what they’re getting themselves into. After all, first impressions are key!
If you don’t have art to go along with your story just yet, don’t sweat it. Many companies are happy to work with you on that front once they know they have a potential bestseller on their hands.
The key is to create a pitch that captivates and sells. If you can do that, then you’re well on your way to becoming a published graphic novel author.
Here are some additional tips that will help make your graphic novel pitch a success:
#1. Do Extensive Market Research
Before you start pitching your graphic novel, it’s important to do your homework and understand the market you’re entering. This will help you determine which companies are the best fit for your project.
Not all graphic novel agencies are created equal!
Some may specialize in a certain genre while others only work with established authors. It’s important to know the difference so you can save yourself time and energy in the long run.
The best way to do this is by scouring the internet, reading industry publications, and talking to other authors who have been in your shoes. This research will help you create a targeted list of companies to pitch, which brings us to our next tip…
#2. It’s A Graphic Novel. Visuals Are Everything.
As the saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”
This couldn’t be more true when it comes to pitching a graphic novel. Your pitch deck should be filled with beautiful visuals that help bring your story to life. This could include character sketches, scene designs, or even sample pages from your book.
If you don’t have any artwork to show just yet, that’s okay! Many companies are happy to work with you on that front once they know they have a clearly articulated idea.
#3. An Elevator Pitch Or Logline Is The Key To Success
In the world of pitching, an elevator pitch or logline is a brief summary of your story that hooked potential readers from the very beginning.
This is what you’ll use to sell your graphic novel in a matter of seconds. So it’s important to make sure it’s something that will leave a lasting impression. Your elevator pitch should be no more than two sentences long.
And it should include the following elements:
- The main character’s name
- The conflict they’re facing
- The stakes of the story (what’s at stake if they fail?)
Now it’s your turn!
Get creative and come up with an elevator pitch that will leave your potential publisher wanting more. Once you have your logline down, it’s time to move on to the next step…
#4. Become A Pro Before Giving Your Pitch
The last thing you want to do is walk into a meeting unprepared. Not only will this make you look bad, but it could also cost you the deal.
Before you start pitching your graphic novel, take some time to brush up on your presentation skills. This means practicing your pitch, preparing for questions, and having all of your materials ready to go.
You should also make sure you have a strong understanding of the market and your competition. This way, you can position your book in a way that makes it stand out from the rest.
And last but not least, don’t forget to do your homework on the company you’re pitching to. Nothing shows how much you care about making a deal more than taking the time to learn about their business.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to giving a pitch that shakes the industry! And who knows, maybe one day you’ll see your graphic novel on store shelves…but only if you take that first step and start pitching it today.
#5. Connect On Your Love Of Comics And Graphic Novels
You don’t have to act like one of them if you are one of them! The company you’re pitching the idea to is made up of graphic novel enthusiasts just like you. Use that to your advantage by creating a pitch centered around relatable industry lingo and the love of the craft!
This graphic novel idea is your baby. Make sure they see that too. Every person in that room will be a creator at heart. Don’t be afraid to geek out with them on the latest graphic novels you’re reading, even if published by competitors.
#6. Let’s Be Real. Boring Pitches Don’t Sell!
Your pitch is the first impression you make on a potential publisher, so it’s important to make sure it’s a good one. Unfortunately, most pitches are dry, boring, and full of industry jargon that does nothing to sell the story.
If you want your graphic novel to stand out from the rest, you need to make sure your pitch is anything but ordinary. This means being creative, engaging, and most importantly, entertaining.
Remember, publishers receive thousands of pitches every year. So it’s up to you to make yours stand out from the crowd.
Follow these tips and you’ll give a pitch they can’t resist!
Spark A Successful Career With A Killer Graphic Novel Template
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel!
If you’re looking for a little help getting started, we’ve got just the thing. Our very own graphic novel pitch deck is designed to sell your vision and get you one step closer to seeing your dream become a reality. To check it out, click here!
Our template is the simple solution you need to start putting your plan into action.
When you find the template that resonates with you, expect:
- A flexible, ready-to-go presentation blueprint that will help you quickly put together your pitch
- A centralized place to begin collaboratively building out your pitch with your team
- A way to successfully pitch your game-changing graphic novel!
Selling your graphic novel doesn’t have to be difficult. Just follow these simple tips and you’ll be well on your way to success. There’s no better way to turn heads and leave your audience wanting more than with the kind of presentation our graphic novel templates display.
With the right template, you will leave the room feeling as though they’ve experienced art that must be shared with the world. And who knows, maybe one day you’ll see your name in print!
Choose the template that speaks to you and start making moves in the industry you love!