The editor - What? Who? How? Why? Options

[Tim Tilley]

Bill Nichols' Comic Book Q & A: The Editor

Why not? Danny Fingeroth does it all the time in
his magazine "Write Now".

I would love to see something like this. You know Sketch needs a seperate section, or spin-off magazine for writers. If Danny had Draw, and Write Now, Bline line need's a Write Away magazine. I'd subscribe to it.


My questions are simple.

1. When do you chose to publish a piece, or article by
a pro, compared to that of a newcomer?

2. What do you do when someone misses a deadline/.
Is there safety net within the set schedule? As in do you set a deadline knowing there is still time "just in case"?

[Gonzogoose_merge...]

This is an old thread, but since I'm new here, and have done some editing, I figured I'd chime in for what it's worth.

Granted, I'm not nearly on the level of the guys you questioned, but I do have some experience. I was EIC for two failed comic studios, and I was EIC for www.silverbulletcomics.com for a year and a half. I also do freelance lettering for Rogue Wolf Entertainment and Nifty Comics currently.

That said, the role of a comic editor varies from company to company, I'm sure, but thinking of Marvel and DC, continuity is definitely a concern. So one of my questions would be concerning keeping that in check and monitoring it throughout a number of titles.

I'd also ask how many hats an editor actually wears, and how they divide their time up between their various functions.

I'd ask about dealing with creators, keeping them on schedule and so forth.

I'd ask what their criteria are for works they publish, and I'd ask how a newbie writer, artist, etc. could break in or get noticed by them, aside from the obvious convention portfolio reviews.

I'm sure you've already printed your article, but maybe these could come into play in a future follow up?