Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! The guys welcome Mr. Inktober himself — Jake Parker. Jake talks about why he recently turned down a publishing contract... at the considerable risk of being labeled an "artisanal success." THEN, they go into publishing with a company verse self publishing. NEXT the guys share their thoughts on going to conventions. AFTER THAT, Jake Parker shares his plans for Patreon. BUT FIRST, Brad becomes angered over his son's forgetfulness...
May 01, 2019•2 hr 33 min•Ep 70•Transcript available on Metacast Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! Dave talks about his new Kickstarter for Sheldon! We hear about need-to-know features when it comes to the cover design of your graphic novel. FOLLOWING this, Brad and Dave go into their thoughts about buying ads as a way to boost interest in your work. BUT FIRST, the guys bust their guts over birds, squirrels, and Brad’s Honeymoon. Show notes 00:00 — Birds, Squirrels, and Vacations 08:12 — Dave’s Kickstarter 101 18:20 — Guidance with co...
Apr 24, 2019•1 hr•Ep 69•Transcript available on Metacast This week, the guys talk about a LIVE ComicLab session! NEXT we hear about the upcoming ‘Ringo awards and AFTERWARDS, the guys go into how much direction and detail they give to a colorists. THEN they grapple with a question about a Kickstarter for commissions. NEXT, Dave shares his experience selling work on eBay. FINALLY the guys talk about how you can get the most out of your Comic Con weekend. BUT FIRST, Brad tells us about his recent trip to Mexico. 00:00 — Brad’s trip to Mexico! 14:06 — LI...
Apr 17, 2019•1 hr 17 min•Ep 68•Transcript available on Metacast Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! On this week’s ComicLab the fellas talk about writing yourself into a corner. NEXT a question-asker asks "is my Patreon reward tier too high?" And FINALLY, they grapple with this — if they could time-travel back to the early 90s with their current skills, would they have been able to make it as syndicated cartoonists? BUT FIRST, Brad bends over to pick up a 12-pack of soda and throws out his back in the process. Getting old suc...
Apr 10, 2019•1 hr 20 min•Ep 67•Transcript available on Metacast Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! On this week’s ComicLab we have an interview with Tony Cliff, creator of delilahdirk.com Brad has a failed attempt of a formal introduction. DURING the interview with Tony, the guys all answer the question on what they choose as their career titles. THEN discussing their routines when it’s time for deadline crunch. ENDING with the most sophisticated outro Brad and Dave are capable of. BUT FIRST, Dave shares some fond memories of wooing h...
Apr 03, 2019•57 min•Ep 66•Transcript available on Metacast Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! Dave dives in on his full experience at ECCC this year, including some wonderful critters he met and his interaction with a rep from Nickelodeon. Dave answers the burning question — Did he do well enough to justify going back next year? Following this, Brad shares his thoughts on the recent success of Nathan "Strange Planet" Pyle. Next, the guys answer the questions on options in going digital. BUT FIRST, Dave tells us about hi...
Mar 27, 2019•1 hr 22 min•Ep 65•Transcript available on Metacast Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! Going back to the discussion of publishers vs crowdfunding: What really brings you success? THEN, selling Patreon rewards on different platforms. ALSO, answering questions about background and comic structure WHILE bringing up the more modern characters seen in comics today compared to years ago. FINALLY, figuring out when it is beneficial to hold on to old domains or cut loose. BUT FIRST, "f--- Voltron!" Show notes ** • 00:00 ...
Mar 20, 2019•1 hr 8 min•Ep 64•Transcript available on Metacast Webcomics pros Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking comics! In this episode, they discuss the secrets of Instagram tagging. THEN ... if a backer asks you to add a crowdfunding platform to Patreon, should you? ALSO... what's the danger of waiting too long for success? AND FINALLY... Rob Salkowitz from Forbes drops by to discuss the changing comics industry. BUT FIRST... Dave tells Brad about the time he ate his whole wedding cake. Show Notes 00:00 — The time Dave ate his whole wedding cake 04...
Mar 13, 2019•1 hr 26 min•Ep 63•Transcript available on Metacast Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett are talkin' comics! In this episode, each cartoonist offers a step-by-step guide to their creative process — from the idea stage to posting the finished comic. Then, they take a moment to talk about how real-life struggles can often interfere with our goals as creators — and that's OK. Finally, a Patreon backer asks how soo is TOO soon to launch a new Kickstarter after their current crowdfunder closes. BUT FIRST, Dave fondly remembers Screwgie, perhaps the only syndi...
Mar 06, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep 62•Transcript available on Metacast Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! They discuss what percentage of your readership you can expect to become Patreon backers. That leads into a fascinating trip down Memory Lane as they recall a disgruntled "How To Make Webcomics" reader. Then, they make suggestions on how many tiers a first-time Kickstarter campaign should have. And finally, they make suggestions on Kickstarter stretch goals and add-ons. BUT FIRST, was a part of Stan Lee's success based on his i...
Feb 27, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Ep 61•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Cartoonists Dave and Brad are talking shop. They share which pieces of original art they would most like to have. Then, it's on to tips and tricks for selling prints. Next, Brad revisits the "social media/ fool's gold" discussion. Then, as Brad approached fifty, the lads talk about preparing for old age. That takes a wild turn as Brad shares an AMAZING fact he learned about teaching business to art-school students. And finally, despite Brad's gain being turned up waaaa...
Feb 20, 2019•1 hr 19 min•Ep 60•Transcript available on Metacast Webcomics pros Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking comics! In this episode, the guys talk about the cartoonist from history that they would have most appreciated a chance to be tutored by. Then, Dave delivers an update on how Backerkit has been working out for him. After that, Dave points out that Brad keeps saying "Time is a continuum," but... what does that actually MEAN? Next, Brad references a recent social-media post by Joe Rogan that glorifies success — at all costs. Brad an...
Feb 13, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep 59•Transcript available on Metacast Webcomics pros Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking comics! In this episode, they point out that the Eisner Awards have changed their submission guidelines — and that's great news for short-form webcartoonists! THEN they discuss a tweet by Nate Powell that has everyone talking. This Eisner-winning cartoonist claims his income breaks down to about $455 a month! NEXT, it's all about joke theft — what do do when you're accused of it, and what to do when it happens to you! THEN, Dave and Brad do...
Feb 06, 2019•1 hr 18 min•Ep 58•Transcript available on Metacast Webcomics pros Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking comics! In this episode, they discuss what you should do when you realize you've lost longtime readers. Then, where should you work, when you work from home? What kind of day job should you have? And finally... how do some cartoonists produce those amazing sketchbooks? But first... Dave's going to Alaska Robotics' Comics Camp ! SHOW NOTES 00:00 — Comics Camp 06:10 — Why do longtime readers fall away from your comic, and how can you address ...
Jan 30, 2019•1 hr 7 min•Ep 57•Transcript available on Metacast Webcomics pros Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking comics! In this episode, Brad makes another lasting contribution to webcomics: Guigar's Law — The first person to comment that they'd buy a certain type of merchandise is the first person to disappear when the merch is offered! BUT FIRST, Brad and Dave fondly remember comic-convention cosplay. Show Notes 00:00 — Spotting the batawang at a comic convention 06:35 — Dave clarifies his production schedule 07:54 — Guigar's Law: The first person ...
Jan 23, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Ep 56•Transcript available on Metacast Webcomics pros Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking comics! In this episode, they discuss best practices for sound effects and promoting longform comics on social media. NEXT, they discuss "Chapter Zero" — what it is, and whether it's right for you. THEN it's strategies for coping with the Q1 slowdown. AND FINALLY, they take a handful of questions from 2018 and drill through them in a Lightning Round! BUT FIRST, as Dave prepared to receive a shipment of books for his latest Kicksta...
Jan 16, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Ep 55•Transcript available on Metacast Dave and Brad are planning 2019 — PLUS, Steve McGarry from the National Cartoonist Society drops in to talk about NCSFest in Huntington Beach, Calif, May 17-19, 2019. But FIRST... Brad's teenagers give Dave a look at what's in store for his kids in the future — and it includes sleeping in till noon. Show Notes 00:00 — Teenagers 06:06 — Brad's plan for 2019: Hiring an assistant 20:22 — Dave's plan for 2019: Five personal appearances 22:55 — Dave's plan for 2019: Publishing schedule to include an ...
Jan 09, 2019•1 hr 18 min•Ep 54•Transcript available on Metacast Webcomics pros Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar talk social-media strategy with Kevin McShane of Buzzfeed, the Lusty Horde , and more ! BUT FIRST, Dave marvels over the exercise craze of the belt vibrator . And that leads to this little-known story about the true-life origin of Marvel supervillain, the Shocker. Show notes 00:00 — The belt vibrator 08:10 — Understanding "sharing statements" in social media 27:05 — Sharing on Instagram 47:50 — We use the passing of Stan Lee to get Kevin to d...
Jan 02, 2019•1 hr 12 min•Ep 53•Transcript available on Metacast Webcomics pros Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar look back over another year in webcomics and discuss what worked really well — and what didn't. BUT FIRST, Dave marvels over the British idiom, " hard cheese ," and that leads to a discussion of British humor in general. Show notes 00:00 — "Hard cheese, old chap." 05:00 — 52 ComicLab episodes in 52 weeks — thanks to our Patreon backers! 08:00 — Dave and Brad disagree on buffers 11:45 — "Webcomics is constantly evolving... so we...
Dec 26, 2018•1 hr 2 min•Ep 52•Transcript available on Metacast Webcomics pros Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar discuss the Patreon Special Offer — and why comics artists should be using it — RIGHT NOW. Plus... running concurrent campaigns on Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Is it a little skeevy, or super skeevy? And then, the burning question for the ages... What's it like being the most handsome host of ComicLab? BUT FIRST, Brad finally wins the artificial-Christmas-tree argument at his house. And he's miserable about it. Show notes 00:00 — Brad's artificial Christ...
Dec 20, 2018•1 hr 18 min•Ep 51•Transcript available on Metacast Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! Still reeling from an action-packed weekend at PatreCon, the guys are talking Patreon! For example — should you hide your Patreon numbers or display proudly how much you're earning? And what do you do when a backer expects more than you're offering? And how soon is too soon to launch your Patreon? Also — can a story-driven comic strip like "Bloom County" survive on the Web today? And the guys discuss which of their many project...
Dec 13, 2018•1 hr 6 min•Ep 50•Transcript available on Metacast Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! Redbubble has killed off its support for print-on-demand calendars. Should you be doing the same? ALSO, how to prepare for a portfolio review. THEN, building a digital press kit and approaching comics-media outlets. FINALLY, when a cartoonist has 1.1 million Instagram followers and only about 400 Patreon backers, is something amiss? BUT FIRST, Brad builds a podcasting fort with a heavy blanket to combat the echo in his studio… and it wor...
Dec 06, 2018•1 hr 4 min•Ep 49•Transcript available on Metacast Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! Brad flew out to Los Angeles to attend PatreCon with his podcastin' pal Dave. Today, they talk about what they thought of the conference in general, what they learned, and most importantly how their approach to Patreon is going to change in the immediate future. BUT FIRST... Brad took delivery of the print run of his new book , and everything went wrong. Show notes 00:00 — Brad took delivery of his new book, and everything went wrong 12:...
Nov 29, 2018•1 hr 12 min•Ep 48•Transcript available on Metacast Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are joined by the wonderful Alex Heberling to talk shop! They talk about handling discouragement and burn-out, staying motivated, and taking time for self-care. Then Alex shares the harrowing story of the trepidatious phone call Brad made when he approached her to work on Evil Inc After Dark. BUT FIRST… Brad questions his own judgement when get gets into a Twitter fight over typography. Show notes 00:00 — Brad gets into a Twitter fight over typography 07:...
Nov 22, 2018•1 hr 4 min•Ep 47•Transcript available on Metacast Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! When a Patreon backer asks for tips on hustling and networking, Brad gets uncomfortable. Then, the guys struggle to make sense of demographic data. And finally, they help a fellow cartoonist navigate book distribution. BUT FIRST, Dave asks... if you could see one statistic floating over people's heads, what would it be? Show notes 13:17 — Game show themes for fun and profit 15:27 — Brad thought Graham Chapman did the Monty Python animati...
Nov 15, 2018•1 hr 18 min•Ep 46•Transcript available on Metacast Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! This week, they’re talking about avoiding boredom, and they take a deep dive on grappling with self-doubt. THEN they talk about how they adapt their writing processes to address those issues. NEXT, they talk about the dangers of sharing your self-doubt on social media. AND finally, a crucial question for today’s independent creators: What level of Patreon support denotes success? Show notes 00:00 — The “hi-five retweet” 06:10 — Since you...
Nov 08, 2018•52 min•Ep 45•Transcript available on Metacast Webcomics weirdos Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking comics with Ngozi Ukazu , creator of “ Check, Please .” She talks sports comics, art school, self-publishing, and a wide range of creative challenges. BUT FIRST, Raina Telgemeier’s new book, “Guts,” receives a million-book print order, and we’re stoked! Show notes 00:00 — Raina Telgemeier’s new book, “Guts,” receives a million-book print order 02:34 — Introducing Ngozi Ukazu , creator of “ Check, Please .” 03:12 — The comics scene in Aus...
Nov 01, 2018•1 hr 16 min•Ep 44•Transcript available on Metacast Webcomics weirdos Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking comics! When a Patreon backer hits the viral jackpot, they wonder if it wasn’t fool’s gold. This turns into a discussion of smart online marketing, how publishing religious content is like posting NSFW comics, and one overarching theme — social media isn’t about generating Buzz so much as it’s about building Community. Then, the boys talk about getting a publisher excited about comics, and finally, those sentimental things we hold onto t...
Oct 25, 2018•1 hr 15 min•Ep 43•Transcript available on Metacast Webcomics watchmen Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking Inktober with Jake Parker , the founder of Inktober. They discuss Inktober, how it started, and where it’s going. BUT FIRST, Dave’s niece sums up his fashion sense with brutal accuracy. Show notes 00:00 — Dave’s fashion sense is “Costco New Balance shoes and a single-color polo.” 03:06 — Introducing Jake Parker, founder of Inktober 03:38 — A look inside the Inktober inbox 07:26 — What is Inktober? 10:22 — Inktober is one of many, many e...
Oct 18, 2018•1 hr 5 min•Ep 42•Transcript available on Metacast Webcomics wranglers Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop with Lex Fajardo. He's an Eisner Award winner, Senior Editor of Charles Schulz Studios, and the creator of his own comic series Kid Beowulf . When he asks if Patreon is right for him, he gets an earful... and a top-down restructuring of his entire approach (whether he wanted it or not)! BUT FIRST, Brad refuses to give that lady at SmartCuts his phone number. Show notes 00:00 — Brad refuses to give SmartCuts his phone number 04:40 ...
Oct 11, 2018•1 hr 21 min•Ep 41•Transcript available on Metacast 
