Titan Comics is a large publisher, most famous for works suck as Tank Girl and Doctor Who, among many more. When looking into their terms of submissions, I was pleasantly surprised to find exactly what we are after. Although not as perfect as Image, this is a close second on our list, and we will be making a pitch to them as soon as university is over. Below, you can have a quick read of their guidelines, and I have added a link for further reading - http://titancomics-wanted.tumblr.com/guidelines
GUIDELINES FOR NEW PITCHES
The chances of us picking up your title are vastly improved if you are approaching us as a writer/artist team, or if you are an artist writing your own title.
While many titles on our publishing schedule are the result of Titan matchmaking between a writer and artist, having a project that is ready to go - or that we can see promise in and wish to help shape into a great series – is more likely to see your submission given the green light.
We are still open to writer-only pitches, and do read all submitted plots, so an electrifying concept will still make it through, but please bear in mind that it’s more difficult to make a quick judgment on plot/script-only submissions and calibrate your expectations accordingly.
WHAT SHOULD I INCLUDE IN MY PITCH?
Titan Comics has the highest regard for creators and for the ownership of original properties, and this agreement should in no way be misconstrued as license for Titan Comics to appropriate your creations.
This agreement protects Titan Comics, and you, from any liabilities involving coincidental similarities to works-in-progress or other submissions.
It is only required for original pitches, stories, scripts, series proposals and characters. You do not have to sign it if you are only sending art samples or previously published script samples.
Story proposals or scripts arriving without a signed agreement will be deleted or destroyed without review. You can download a copy of the agreement here.
A new agreement must be submitted with each new idea, proposal, script, etc., and must be signed by ALL involved creators and copyright holders.
Please note that Titan Comics does not review unsolicited scripts, story ideas, or proposals pertaining to licensed properties currently published by Titan Comics, or any property not owned by the submitter. Such material will be deleted or destroyed without review.
2. COMPLETE SYNOPSIS
Titan’s preferred format for new and original series is for stories to be told in four or five issues, each of around 20-22 pages in length.
We are happy to receive pitches for ongoing series, but please bear in mind that the first four/five issues should be a story arc that is satisfying and complete in and of itself, while leaving open the potential for more. If you have an idea for a 100-issue series, that’s absolutely fantastic, but please bear in mind we are unlikely to greenlight more than the first volume to start with.
A synopsis for such a story should be between two to five pages in length, indicating issue breaks / cliffhangers where appropriate.
Tell us exactly what happens in the course of the story, and how, noting plot and character specifics, while omitting unnecessary detail. Most importantly, tell us how the story ends.
Please write the synopsis clearly, and spoil the story thoroughly – unlike solicitation copy, we don’t need to be tantalized with questions and mysteries. We want to know all the details, and that you’ve thought through every aspect of your plot.
Paragraph-long biographies of your principal and recurring characters are also useful. How do they begin the story, what are their central conflicts, and how are they changed by the story’s conclusion?
Keep your synopsis as straightforward as possible, as this is the part of any pitch that will grab and hold our interest.
Please ensure that your synopsis (and every page of your pitch), has your name, the name of your project, and appropriate contact details (email, phone) in the header or footer.
3. FULL SCRIPT
If you are pitching a limited series, please send us a minimum of eight pages of script from the first issue (a full issue script is always appreciated).
Alternatively, if you are a previously published professional, samples of your previously published work will do just fine.
If the work is already completed, or your first issue is well on the way to completion, please feel free to submit lettered art instead.
If you’re new to comics, or looking for useful resources, you can download our Script Format Guideshere, here and here.
Every comics writer tackles their scripts slightly differently, but these suggestions make for great guideposts to finding your own preferred style.
When putting your pitch together, consider the following questions: is the plot clear and easy to follow? Are the characters consistent to themselves, and their actions believeable?
Does the script communicate everything clearly to the artist – would somebody you don’t already know be able to pick up the script and draw it to your satisfaction?
Does it take advantage of the comics form, and tell a visually-driven story, rather than one that relies on captions or extensive prose?
Does enough happen in the first issue – to establish the lead characters, themes and conflicts of your story, and with a strong enough ending or cliffhanger to bring the readers back for more? While we love stories that slowly reveal their mysteries and provide plenty of twists along the way, please make sure that your #1 has enough incident and meat on its bones to satisfy and tantalize in its own right, rather than just being a teaser, prologue or atmospheric overture for the story as a whole.
4. SAMPLE ART PAGES / CHARACTER TURNAROUNDS
If you have an artist on board, seeing art samples is essential. Similarly, if you already have a colorist and/or letterer as part of your team, seeing samples of their work, and how they will work together as a team, is paramount.
Titan prides itself on providing editorial support to every creator-owned title. Some books may require only a little design assistance and typo-spotting, other creators may work more in depth with an editor in order to shape the project into the very best version it can be.
We work alongside creative teams to bring our extensive experience in cover design to bear on every issue, and to maximise each title’s exposure through Previews, and to retailers in the comics market and wider book trade.
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