How To Mentally & Financially Survive Making Graphic Novels by MK Reed: This is a short, practical guide for anyone who wants to publish a comic. It assumes that you’re already a cartoonist and that you’re already making comics, perhaps even self-publishing them, but that you’re looking to take things one step further. There’s some good advice here about what to look for in a publishing contract, as well as potential red flags. (I’ve never published a graphic novel, so I can’t truly evaluate this advice, but it seems sound to me!) The most interesting parts of the zine, for me, are Reed’s comments on the nature of ideas and how to discover them. I was struck above all by their reminder to make space for ideas to happen: Reed suggests that you need to stop trying to find ways to entertain yourself; allow yourself to stare aimlessly out of windows; and give your brain the capacity to actually make connections and find those “aha moments.” (My words, not theirs.) Finally, Reed really emphasizes that cartoonists trying to break into the industry need to remember what they’re worth. That doesn’t mean expecting the big bucks (everyone knows there’s no money in comics), but it does mean young cartoonists shouldn’t rush into an exploitative situation just for the sake of getting published. As they remind us, the value of art isn’t monetary, but rather “in its ability to connect with … readers.”

• here’s a link to purchase this zine
• here’s MK Reed’s website
• follow them on Bluesky: @mkreed.bsky.social