Running past each other...(hasty in decision...talk away),

...all in the name of unity.

I'm not sure - but I'm getting the general feeling that everybody here is kind of running around as individuals trying to get their stuff out there, and here we're promoting it to each other - but are we really the audience we want to be reaching?

We all seem to be running past each other. "Look at my book, look at my book..." but then nothing seems to happen...some of us go...that's nice, but don't promote, or pick up the wallet to buy...what are we missing here? Anyone else feel like this?

Are we having issues with:

delivery?
Not understanding what our publishing options are?
Unclear as to how to publish? Where to publish?
Cost factors?
Not sure what book is targeted at what age group?
Funding?
Creating comics...?
How to put a book together?
Packaging? (Logo's, layout, design...)
Unsure of expectations? From ourselves? From each other? From God?
Stuck in the "Christian Ghetto"?
Are we embarrassed of each others work?
Clashing Christian ideologies?

I feel like there's more than a few of us out there that feel like lone wolves, lost on the arctic planes, and I know for a fact that there are some of you with fantastic books/art/products but you're not getting the traction that you want/need...

Is the mentor-ship side of this website working? Anybody have some testimonials regarding how CCAS has helped?

Is it just a matter of we all have busy lives and for the most part have other duties and creating comics is very secondary and we expend what energy we have on it when we find the time?

How can I - or anyone else encourage or help? Is it just a matter of prayer? Or am I missing something and everyone is peachy keen - and if so...give us a testimony. (Now that I think of it Mel Todd - I truly appreciate your newsletter.)

No whining or backbiting should you choose to comment - I'm attempting to understand what kind of resources or information people might be looking for and why.

...all in the name of unity. I'm not sure - but I'm getting the general feeling that everybody here is kind of running around as individuals trying…

Ok...

Luis - here is the proposal: The idea is to create a free collective - we need to come up with a name. I am willing to set up the site, the logo etc.

Here is how it will initially work:

You can come and go as you please
It will be a promotional thing mostly (with possibility to grow in other ways)
The name we come up with will need to touch on our Faith roots - but needs to be open enough that it doesn't immediately deter people.
People will still be responsible for their products - fulfilling orders, and getting their things out there - this will be more of a zone to direct traffic. Go get "Samson the Nazarite" here go get "Serenity here" with blurbs and perhaps interviews with authors and illustrators.
Perhaps some sort of editorial services could be provided...we'll have to stew on it.
I may provide space for people to have online comics - but this would be done in a very controlled manner.

If we frame it as these are comics that are alternatives to what's out there, with a message of hope - rather than blatantly saying "these are Christian comics" - would anyone be opposed to that? I refuse to diminish the gospel or the message of Christ - but I think for the most part the contents of peoples books will speak for themselves.

There is a secondary aspect to this - right now other countries are clamping down on Christians - so if we can fly under the radar with the name, then we can also reach more people. Or do we go blatantly overt? However, we won't do a name this something and it means something else.

Comments suggestions feedback?

Replies

Dan Lawlis January 21, 2012 at 9:57pm

Please let me know if I can help in anyway.

Martin Murtonen said:

Dan, from my view this needs to step outside of the CCAS space - and the CCI space - since these are all inter-related - but different focuses.

CCAS is like the internal space where we come and talk to each other inside.

CCI/Comix35 is the the international "History and Learning" channel.

We would then make this third spot the hub for the "distribution/advertising/promotions" space hopefully directing traffic to the proper sources so people can find what they are looking for easily and effectively.

Luis and I are hammering some stuff out here.

I'm curious about certain things, but I will probably be contacting people individually to ascertain things a little better.

Martin

Running past each other...(hasty in decision...talk away),

...all in the name of unity. I'm not sure - but I'm getting the general feeling that everybody here is kind of running around as individuals trying…
Martin Murtonen January 21, 2012 at 10:39am

Dan, from my view this needs to step outside of the CCAS space - and the CCI space - since these are all inter-related - but different focuses.

CCAS is like the internal space where we come and talk to each other inside.

CCI/Comix35 is the the international "History and Learning" channel.

We would then make this third spot the hub for the "distribution/advertising/promotions" space hopefully directing traffic to the proper sources so people can find what they are looking for easily and effectively.

Luis and I are hammering some stuff out here.

I'm curious about certain things, but I will probably be contacting people individually to ascertain things a little better.

Martin
Dan Lawlis January 21, 2012 at 10:10am

Martin, you've got me thinking now. I believe you may have a gem of idea, a single site that bands together all the online Christian comics and links to those that have hard copies for sale. I don't think there's s site like that out there.Maybe even CCAS would consider doing that here.
Martin Murtonen January 20, 2012 at 10:05pm

Just realized wow...this is much bigger than I thought...and now realize why this topic goes around and then peters out and then comes back again...lot's of complexities...need to really pray it through.

We shall keep it simple. And pray. More when awake and more thought has been put in.

Martin
Martin Murtonen January 20, 2012 at 9:54pm

No problem Matt,

What you have said is exactly what I expected - as it is for you it is for me, and probably a majority of us. We do this for the passion of it.

What I've been musing on for a long time is trying to help people - from having too much on their plate as it were. Too many are going it alone - and if I can provide a little bit to help I'd like to try.

@Luis, So far I haven't come up with a name - some of the ideas I've Googled and those names were taken. Something about roots or grass roots - but said another way...hope? life? These are sort of the thematic ideas that are floating around.
Matt Yocum January 20, 2012 at 6:51pm

Martin, when you ask why people are on here, for me it's not one specific thing. I belong to no other social media sites - not Facebook or anything - so this is the one social media site that I've joined specifically to read, share, and get to know others who are Christians creating comics. And so I'm sharing, reading, and learning, and that's what I'd hoped for.

For me, time is my most valuable resource because I get so little free time. My day job in the military keeps me enormously busy, and as I approach retirement in a few years, I've drastically ramped up my personal writing projects - 4 different independent projects in various stages of development, some stuff I've pitched to Marvel, a nonfiction book, and a screenplay I'm trying to clean up and do something with. That in conjunction with family time leaves me extremely little time other than to share, read, and learn through this site.

I personally hesitate to add more to my plate or go too many steps farther because I find it then keeps me from writing and managing all the projects I'm trying to handle.

So for me, this site has been exactly what I'd hoped for. I do love the passion and drive everyone has, both for comics and for Christ. Maybe one thing we could commit to first, above all else, is to pray for each other's works, that God would use them as seeds planted in the ground that would be watered and grow in rich soil. Unfortunately, that may be all I can offer other than my thoughts, but fortunately, prayer is the most powerful thing I can offer.

Sorry for the random, rather incoherent thoughts. It's been a long day.

Matt
Luis Serrano January 20, 2012 at 5:44pm

Let's hear what you got Martin - too bad there's not a chat option on here.
Martin Murtonen January 20, 2012 at 5:38pm

Awesome...let's name it and claim it...LOL.
Luis Serrano January 20, 2012 at 5:31pm

I like it. I'm also in agreement in regards to the name, the books will speak for themselves.

It will be important to emphasize that though we're united each creator is ultimately responsible for their material- I'm speaking specifically in regards to content.

Also was thinking that it may be good to have a few initial charter members who will help make decisions and help get this off the ground? Thoughts?

Finally wanted to make mention of your previous post about being unsure in giving advice on other's artwork. Proverbs tells us that a wise man becomes wiser from instruction. You'll never know how anyone will take your counsel, but it's the same with the gospel. Share and if some spurn you, so be it. But others will be blessed by it. I know you've helped me.

I'm very glad to hear about the radio interviews, and looking forward to more such opportunities. I'm actually supposed to finish up a mass email that's going out for Samson, and will include information about our community and what we're trying to do.
Martin Murtonen January 20, 2012 at 3:36pm
Ok...

Luis - here is the proposal: The idea is to create a free collective - we need to come up with a name. I am willing to set up the site, the logo etc.

Here is how it will initially work:
1. You can come and go as you please
2. It will be a promotional thing mostly (with possibility to grow in other ways)
3. The name we come up with will need to touch on our Faith roots - but needs to be open enough that it doesn't immediately deter people.
4. People will still be responsible for their products - fulfilling orders, and getting their things out there - this will be more of a zone to direct traffic. Go get "Samson the Nazarite" here go get "Serenity here" with blurbs and perhaps interviews with authors and illustrators.
5. Perhaps some sort of editorial services could be provided...we'll have to stew on it.
6. I may provide space for people to have online comics - but this would be done in a very controlled manner.
If we frame it as these are comics that are alternatives to what's out there, with a message of hope - rather than blatantly saying "these are Christian comics" - would anyone be opposed to that? I refuse to diminish the gospel or the message of Christ - but I think for the most part the contents of peoples books will speak for themselves.

There is a secondary aspect to this - right now other countries are clamping down on Christians - so if we can fly under the radar with the name, then we can also reach more people. Or do we go blatantly overt? However, we won't do a name this something and it means something else.

Comments suggestions feedback?

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