https://www.dccomicstalentworkshop.com/writers-workshop/
Applications are open until May 31st!
I'm working on mine. I don't have the highest expectations since I'm sure they'll be getting a lot, but since I am a writer who loves DC and I happen to somewhat fit the qualifications (even if my portfolio isn't huge), I figured it can't hurt to try. Even getting into the video workshop would be really cool.
Anybody else? Any remarks, hopes, trepidations, tips?
Didn't know about it till now, but I might go in for it.
Got plenty of published prose fiction, but no comics, so might be a hard sell getting in.
>>82444436
They are accepting everything, as long as it was published work
>Published Writing Samples
>Applicants may submit up to two published writing samples. Comic book work is preferred, but we will also accept any published fiction writing that will highlight your skills as a possible DC writer. DC does not accept unsolicited submissions using our characters. Proposals for comics using DC characters MUST NOT BE SUBMITTED, AND WILL NOT BE READ OR ACCEPTED.
>>82444483
>What constitutes published work?
>We will accept material printed in a book, comic book, magazine, professional journal or newspaper, or an online publication INCLUDING self-published works of fiction. This DOES NOT INCLUDE any DC character fan fiction. You must upload a legible PDF less than 60 MB. If you are submitting a published comic, it must be the final PDF — we will not accept scripts or word docs. If you are submitting a screen or theater play, please provide proof of production (although distribution is not necessary). You can also upload a link to a video file as well.
>>82444436
Good luck! And I think having published prose is not bad, especially if you have some material to choose from. I do have a short comic published, but it's only the one so I don't have many options, lol. But at least it's one I like.
>>82444231
I was really excited about this, being a writer and a huge DC fan, but I have nothing published, so it rules me out.
>>82444559
If it goes well, they might do one again, so keep writing! I think it's pretty cool they're doing something like this.
>>82444534
Do you think this also includes works you posted on your own blog, or does it have to be something that has been submitted and vetted somewhere?
>>82444664
I guess this
>something that has been submitted and vetted somewhere
>>82444750
Yeah, that makes sense.
>>82444231
>>82444436
Good luck to you both, tell us if you make it!
Some young anon with hopes to be a cape writer someday:
Those of you filling applications, where do you come from? Are you just writers with a passion? Professionals looking for new challenges? Have you studied anything that directly influenced your writing?
I think I am just tossing random questions.
>>82444231
Already sent in my submission. It's an Animal Man/Aquaman thing. It's probably the best work I've ever done, so I'm hopeful.
>>82445098
You should have read the guidelines closer: anything using DC characters will be immediately discarded.
>>82445098
Dude, you sould've submitted a published work, see
>>82444534
You fucked up
>>82445120
You should've read the guidelines closer. I submitted to the artist talent search last month, and they explicitly wanted DC characters.
Not a writer but I entered the Artist's Workshop with a Black Canary / Hellblazer piece.
Best of luck writeanons!
>>82445098
>>82445293
Good luck to you drawanons, too!
>>82445293
I'm no art expert, but I like this! Especially Canary's face.
>>82444551
Any published comic will most likely go a long way. It's something to show in the directly applicable field, you know?
>>82445293
I like the JRJR vibe I get from this.
>>82445042
>Germany
>I guess I'm a small-time pro. I have a writing degree, but paid work is pretty hard to come by, especially starting out, so I've mainly written copy and done some low-budget Youtube stuff. And some comics work.
>I studied writing because I always wanted to become a writer, especially scripts and screenplays. Making a living with it is still the dream, obviously!
>>82445548
>>82445582
Cheers guys!
>>82445684
Hah, never heard that comparison before!
>>82445293
Looks great, you can see the smug exuding from John. My only problem is that Canary face in the last panel. Looks a little mannish.
>>82445162
Post it here. We want to see it too.
want to do this but have no resume
what do?
>>82445999
see
>>82444483
>>82444534
Anything counts, except fan.fiction
>>82445999
Write one, dude. Every job you apply for, write an original resume for THAT specific job.
Highlight what you want, leave out the rest.
>>82446014
>>82446017
I have a resume I meant have no published work to show off
>>82446076
Then make your personal composition really good, basically. Tell them WHY you deserve a chance even though you have no published work.
Why the hell would any of you want to work for DC? Especially with all of horror stories about working there.
>>82446120
They produce great comics, they're a little more open minded than the competition, the money's fantastic and it's a way into comics as a whole. The "horror stories" all come out of the editorial/legal side, and no company is without them.
>implying i'm published
>>82446120
Tell me some horror stories, anon.
>>82446120
A single book with your name on it from DC and your chances of walking into a job at Image, Dark Horse, etc etc
>>82446120
There will be awful stories about working at any company, especially creative based. DC actually has a better working reputation than Marvel, but what are you gonna do? You can't want to be involved in comics and NOT go for a job at one of those two if you get the smallest chance.
>>82446114
Thank you for the help
might add some stuff I wrote back in college
>>82446781
Especially if you say it was for a college publication (very hard to confirm, so they likely won't bother)
>>82446821
lol I'll keep this in mind and good luck to everyone
maybe /co/ can write a comic together one day
I really, really hope I make it in. Good luck, everyone.
>>82446851
there are a couple of issues of that Pulp anthology
If you've ever made fun of DC on your social media, go through and delete it now.
Companies WILL go to your social pages and search their company names.
>>82446989
tell that to Zod's snapped neck
>>82447005
Recently had a friend lose his job at DC after he made a comment about Eddie Berganza, so be careful.
>>82446989
What about NSFW fanfiction of their characters? I won't submit it, obviously, but it's probably findeable via my social media. If they find it, you think they'd frown on it?
>>82447028
That's terrible to hear. I can't believe this runs so deep they'd still fire people over that prick.
>>82447028
bummer bro
hope Marvel gives your buddy a job
>>82447033
Only if you tagged it DC.
Most companies run a quick check by searching their name through your twitter/facebook, but aren't going to sit and read text, let alone a story. They probably have a hundred to get through. If they see a bunch of 'Man, DC is Fuckin' up' tweets, then you're done for, but they aren't going to have the time to read fiction.
So who fucked who in your story, huh?
>>82447058
That is EXACTLY where he's going next actually!
>/co/ usually whines about creator rights
>one of the Big two looks for talent? OMG I WANT TO WORK FOR THEM!
>>82447148
We ain't stupid, anon.
>>82444231
I saw this and was really excited about applying until I got to the published work section. Writing comic books is basically my last ditch "Job I could do that I wouldn't hate" hail mary and the thought of getting anything at all published is one that I have no idea on how to even approach. My only plan at the moment is to go to an upcoming con where some professionals are and ask them directly how the fuck I get into this industry, I'd feel a lot worse and self conscious but I read some of the abject garbage that gets printed these days and get some hope back, I know I can write better than these people.
>>82446989
>>82447028
>>82447065
See? Hating DC is never a good idea.
>>82447084
>Marvel being a dump for ex-DC creators again
>>82446167
>the money's fantastic
Is it fantastic fantastic or "good for a writer" fantastic?
>>82447317
$90-110 page rate. That's about what you start with at the Big Two, anyway.
It's fantastic for a complete noob.
/co/, before you submit the stories remember that pandering to 4chan is a no-no at DC.
>>82447415
Tell that to Tom Taylor.
>>82447442
He's a hack.
>>82447291
It's the same as music. You get in by doing it for free and being good at it. There is no "breaking in". There's only seeping in.
Mark Waid once said that getting into comics is like breaking out of jail: once someone does it one way, that way becomes closed to you. If you want it more than anything, you'll find a way.
>>82447291
You get into the industry by applying to jobs in the industry, and making an effort.
Being one of the ten thousand people who goes up to a writer at a con and says 'Lol i want to write comics' isn't going to get you a job.
>>82447485
The worst part is reading all the schlock in comics today and thinking about how easy it would be to make Whor or something better but having no real way to act on that. Is it a sad state of affairs that the primary motivator in me wanting to write comics is because I can't stand how shit some of them are anymore?
>>82447291
If you write short stories, look for websites or zines that accept submissions. Some of them pay, and it's a good way to get a few publications on your resume. Enter writing competitions if you can, too.
And no offense, but a writing career, comics or otherwise, is nothing to be treated as last-ditch, since you have to work insanely hard at it.
>>82447534
>the primary motivator in me wanting to write comics is because I can't stand how shit some of them are anymore
And the problem is...?
>>82447531
If I knew where to send my shit to get my big toe in the door, I would have. Every creative writing option I've found says "entry level" and then requires a pre-requisite number of published works.
>>82447534
Not at all. Stephen King calls it the 'Goddamn Awful' effect or something like that. Big motivator in his early days was how much trash was on bookstore shelves.
The only published work I have are my old articles from my university newspaper
I dunno if this is gonna work
>>82447725
>What if my professional work is nonfiction?
It’s highly unlikely that we’d be able to judge your ability to write comic books based on nonfiction work.
Sorry nigga. Not too late to self-publish something!
>>82447716
>Stephen King
But he ended up writing the same kind of trash...
>>82447725
Well, maybe you could try Twomorrows?
>>82447763
He knows, he's just embraced it.
I guess when you get that old you just hope you have the same effect on some talented young whippersnapper.
>>82447654
I'm afraid that even if I sent something into a zine and got paid for it, they'd take one look at it and say "You just wrote about the X-men and changed some names, didn't you?" Most of the ideas I have gnawing at the back of my head right now are focused on comic book characters.
>>82447065
Oh anon, who HASN'T fucked in my DC fanfic. And some of it is mentor/sideckick-centric, if you catch my drift, which some people consider dodge, so I'm not too keen on them finding it. But under these circumstances, I'm not too worried.
>>82447821
That's not necessarily a problem. Writing about existing characters and filing off the serial numbers isn't too uncommon. Tom King wrote his first novel about thinly veiled superheroes, Twilight and 50SoG started out as fanfic, it still counts as published work. I know what you mean, though.
(Apologies for citing TK in the same sentence as Twilight and 50SoG.)
>>82447930
Putting my autistic ramblings into prose isn't my big worry, it's that by removing the backstory and context behind these character interactions by filing off the serial numbers, the whole thing falls apart.
I'm not going to apply because I don't have published work, and I don't think DC is likely to take someone with a fairly unexceptional background like me without it.
It's made me decide that I have to try and submit some work to be published before the end of this year. This may open again, and you get nowhere by standing still in any case. At the same time I don't think I'd thrive in the writer's video workshops and it's entirely plausible that this will be a one off that ends up seeding talent for several years.
>>82447994
Then work on that! Start it out as an X-Men story, then specifically work at replacing the canon stuff with things that are similar but not too similar. It's good writing practice, too. These are skills you'll need anyway if you want to write professionally one day.
>>82448073
It's an annual thing. Scott Snyder is signed to do three years of it.
I started where you and have all kinds of writing out there now. "Get something published by the end of the year" is fantastic, because if you work hard you can get three or four publications.
>>82448073
Yeah, that's a good resolution to have! One step before the next, and even if it sounds like a platitude, that's how writers start out. The only reason I have something to submit is because I put my stuff out there before.
What are some good, newbie friendly publications to submit to?
>>82447680
Anthologies and writing competitions.
Weird Tales.
Asimov's Sci Fi and Fantasy Magazine
All these are free to submit, to get a short story published.
You know they mention former DC writers who haven't written anything in the last year can apply but I can't help but see them get slaughtered by PR if they actually pick one.
Gotta go remove pictures of my OC from my twitter because she's nude
>>82448720
But why tho?. I don't think they would care, most artist in DC publish NSFW art anyway
>>82444231
wait do i need to have something published to apply?
>>82448819
Yep , see
>>82444483
>>82444534
>>82448793
Eh, my latest OC is a full frontal nude ass kicking Muslim chick. Not really DC material.
>>82448845
damn, i should publish ny TRASH
>>82448865
Well, you could pull the diversity card and stuff like that, but eh I guess it's better be safe
>>82448819
Stop being an idiot and read the instrucions
>>82448845does stuff on fictionpress count?
>>82448892
If I was Muslim i'd try it, but I'm a basic white guy.
>>82448998
Read the instructions
Should I even bother with zero published works?
>>82448998
Depends if it counts as fan-fiction or normal fiction
>>82449051
If you have to ask, then no.
>>82449031
yeah i did, idk what Fictionpress would count as
>>82448998
>>82449079
According to Wikipedia:
>FanFiction.net's sister site, FictionPress.com, contains over 1 million original stories, poems, and plays. The site has a similar format and rules to FanFiction.net, except that no fan fiction is allowed. Currently, there are more poems than stories
So yeah, I guess you could apply
>>82449079
>>We will accept material printed in a book, comic book, magazine, professional journal or newspaper, or an online publication INCLUDING self-published works of fiction. This DOES NOT INCLUDE any DC character fan fiction. You must upload a legible PDF less than 60 MB. If you are submitting a published comic, it must be the final PDF — we will not accept scripts or word docs. If you are submitting a screen or theater play, please provide proof of production (although distribution is not necessary). You can also upload a link to a video file as well.
>or an online publication INCLUDING self-published works of fiction.
Stop overthinking it, just do it. Worst that'll happen is that you'll be rejected
>>82449174
>>82449183
ALRIGHT IMA DO IT
i have a super-hero story on there so might as well ;)
>been planning to write a book series for a few years
>recently thought up a new concept and spent days brainstorming it with multiple friends and family, I now know 80% of the first book
>never actually written anything, even in high school I avoided/ignored writing assignments because I wasn't confident
Ha ha haaa
TO ALL WHO WANTS TO APPLY REMEMBER:
If Harley Quinn could publish a book, then so can you. Have confidence
>>82444231
Working on a flash pitch.If i get published, I'll put a fucking meme on the inside. Gimme something senpaitachi.
>Fast forward to 2017.
>DC offers you a job.
"What characters or book would you most like to work on Anon?"
>>82449461
Just get it done and put CIA in it. Just kill that meme
>>82449504
"Let me kill the fucking Joker you twats."
>>82449504
Plastic-Man
>>82449527
You're fired.
>>82449504
Obscure faves that will never sell and kill my career after the first series, thank you.It was worth it.
>>82449504
No contest bruh
>>82449504
What I want to say is "I want to fix Lobo."
But i'm worried he might be too broke to fix.
>>82449710
That lack of self-esteem is career poison, anon.
>>82449742
There's a point where even though he's a favorite of mine, I think we've kinda had enough you know?
I'd rather create an entirely new character, or play with someone who never had their day, you know?
I'd bring back the Mighty Endowed.
I have about three solid ideas for entire books with Marvel, but none for DC, I'd have to do some thinking.
>>82449504
Barry Allen or The Question.
>>82449999
Same boat here, Anon.
>>82450363
So what's your ideas bro? Who would you work with?
Or would you create new characters?
Personally, I'd love to work on Guardians after the movie craze dies down. Bendis will move on and the thing'll be wide open to someone who can actually tell a story.
>>82450445
Fix Thor, a book about Doctor Doom, if I were feeling daring I'd love to tackle Punisher.
>tfw never published
DC being qt
>>82450567
Fix Thor as in return the hammer to blondie? That'll happen anyway. 'Fixing' a character doesn't mean erasing other writers planned plotlines.
What happened with Doctor Doom after secret wars? We just see molecule man is his outfit.
>>82450744
>>82450760
>using comics
As logical as lovely.
I wonder how far the industry letter of recommendation will help.
I could pester Gerry Duggan or Marc Andreyko at my comic shop.
>>82444231
So is this the Scott Snyder thing?
>>82450764
>Fix Thor as in return the hammer to blondie?
Fix Thor as in stop his entire mythos from being ruined by a walking tumor just because Jason Aaron can't write a girl character without turning everyone into raving lunatics of pure angels.
And as for Doom, just any story that features him and Latveria heavily, my desire was to have a C or D lister move to Latveria and get involved with Doom's regime to put the entire country and way of life in the spotlight.
>>82451015
>Gerry Duggan
Doesn't do DC.
>>82451024
Yes.
>>82451083
Doesn't matter, it says someone who has worked in comics IIRC, not that many people know a DC writer specifically
>>82451015
>Gerry Duggan or Marc Andreyko at my comic shop
Proceed...
>>82451015
Honestly, this is a people business. If you can get one from someone who works for DC and they want to keep good relations with, it'll probably help a lot.
>>82451015
Good luck, I'm currently trying to work up the courage to ask one of the two comic pros I know, too...
>>82451015
>I could pester Gerry Duggan or Marc Andreyko at my comic shop.
Do you actually know them/are they familiar with your work?
Asking as someone who already got a reference. Chances are they will have been asked already btw
>>82451428
I know them both very close, both are regulars as I am, and Gerry even used to work there before his success with Deadpool. Chat to both of them at least once a week. Marc is just a cynical motherfucker though, has nothing but shit to talk about working for Marvel, DC, or almost anyone else to be honest.
>>82451083
Actually wrote a Batman mini for them and worked with Scott Snyder on a Batman one shot during Eternal.
>>82451666
Ah fair nuff then, sounds good. Nice trips btw
>>82450744
>they specifically say don't submit fanfiction
those comics are a pretty cute idea
>>82451083
He wrote Arkham Manor last year
>>82451779
Duggan is also a really friendly guy, always has a moment to chat about your work and what you're into and what you write, and so one, wheras most professional writers get testy they moment you suggest you're an aspiring writer too.
>>82451818
He even had a new character last year named the same as a character in my comic, and apologized that he snagged it first. Seeing as there's about 4 good character names left in the world.
>>82451015
DC say not to pester creators unfamiliar with your work. It's likely they'll know and it will reflect badly on you (according to the site).
>>82444231
Well, I would be all for it, but I have absolutely nothing to my name. Is it even possible to write some stuff, get it published and submit to them in less than 20 days?
>>82452480
You could get something okayed, but no way you could get it published in that time. Most anthologies/short fiction publications select everything 6-8 months ahead of time.
>>82452673
Well there went that pipe dream. Nonetheless, I probably should start writing anyways; I've always wanted to write a comic since there's been a shitload of ideas stuck in my head for some of Marvel/DC's more obscure characters. Getting short stories published seems like a way to get my name out there. Any good publications you would recommend someone to start out with?
>>82452480
You could do what I'm doing, and spend the next year focusing on publishing short fiction so that when the next class opens up, you'll be ready.
>>82453262
>>82453262
As I put further up the article
Anthologies and writing competitions.
Weird Tales.
Asimov's Sci Fi and Fantasy Magazine
All take open submissions at various points in the year, and you don't have to have anything but the story.
>>82453262
Also, this is a three year initiative from DC.
So get something published by this time next year, and try again, set yourself a goal.
>>82454969
Nice, thanks anon.
I know at least two people with Hiveworks webcomics (so at least tens of thousands of readers) and letters of recommendation are going out for this. Given that they specifically ask for what your "unique viewpoint" will be though I think they want transsexuals and gays specifically.
I'm going for it. I mean, I have a better chance of getting struck by lightning trying to catch snowflakes in my tongue on a sunny summer day, but it's not like I got much to lose. Really wish I could find someone to get me a letter of recommendation though.
>>82456369
At least you were published in fancomics for not-DC stuff
>>82456176
I've got a Hiveworks comic and I don't think it means too much one way or the other. But of course I've got one of the lesser-known comics. So that make all the difference between me and them.
I'm still going out for this though. I'm excited about it. I don't even care if I get in or not. The opportunity alone is enough for me. I'm glad there's stuff like this out there.
>>82456408
True, true. Man, I'd laugh my ass off if those got me into DC before they got me into 2000AD proper...
>>82457352
It's just a workshop, at best they'll teach you how to apply to DC later on
![[KUNG FU INTENSIFIES].jpg](https://i.imgur.com/ySNRtlo.jpg "[KUNG FU INTENSIFIES].jpg")
>>82457412
Yep, the idea is that those who do well get a chance to travel to Burbank for some one on one classes, and if those go well, you get to graduate and do a comic.
>mfw DC asks "But what would you like to do? What's the DC comic you've been dying to write?"
>>82446989
So what if I don't have a social page at all? Don't really care for things like Facebook, I like to keep my thoughts private.
Fuck that.
Hey let us glean your story ideas, change a few details and then screw you out of your IP.
Got suckered in a Comic-Con one year. Never again.
BE the competition. Let them fail.
>>82444231
>DC Talent Development Workshop: Be The Next Scott Snyder orJames Tynion IVEdition
>>82457929
Are you okay with an pat on the ass by Berganza?
>>82445999
Don't bother the whole thing is probably a PR stunt about diversity or whatever else we're supposed to care about this week. They probably already have a black midget tranny picked out for the inspiring documentary they're going to publish.
>>82458885
alan moore pls go
>>82458885
What was your story idea then? You can't just say shit like that and not back it up.
>>82444231
Where can i get an artist to draw for me? And where do I get a publisher to post my stuff? Will uploads in certain fansites work?
>>82464513
>Millarworld, DeciantArt, 2000AD forums, etc. In person at cons and signings. Be willing to pay.
>self-publish to blogs or seek out small press anthologies.
>I don't see why not, as long as there are no DC characters involved
>>82464513
Just pose models in SFM, that worked for me.
>>82449550
Patrician taste
/co/ is probably the most supportive board in this shitpile
>>82444231
I will never not dislike the current DC logo.
