A listener seeks writing advice. How can you motivate readers to engage with a story that has an unhappy ending? Additionally, Dave's new DogKickstarter.com, tips for responding to inquiries from "civilians," and the importance of personal branding when posting on social media. Today's Show How to write an unhappy ending UPDATE: DogKickstarter.com Questions from civilians Posting politics on social media Summary In this conversation, Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar explore the importance of charact...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep 377•Transcript available on Metacast What are independent comic creators' most reliable revenue streams — and which are the worst? Brad ranks them from top to bottom, and Dave shares his own experiences with each. Also, the guys share the strategy that's making Patreon's "Collections" feature a solid income generator. Today's show Webcomics Revenue Streams Ranked Best to Worst UPDATE: USPS Ground Advantage UPDATE: Patreon Collections Should you include credits for digital fontmakers in books? Summary Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Br...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep 376•Transcript available on Metacast Brad Guigar has categorized the information shared by creative individuals into three groups. Dave Kellett has a couple of his own to contribute. Of the five, only one is useful. Identifying the others can help you avoid making some significant mistakes. Today's show Types of information creative people share UPDATE: Brad Guigar celebrates 25 years in comics Story pacing Summary In this episode, Brad and Dave discuss the information shared among creative individuals, categorizing them into facts...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr•Ep 375•Transcript available on Metacast This week's episode is sponsored by Hogan's Alley magazine! We'll discuss those moments in our careers when we said, "F*** me! That actually worked!" Also, a listener writes in to say that they want to take our advice and make the jump to Bluesky, but it causes too much anxiety. Sponsor Hogan's Alley magazine sponsors this week's episode! In the next issue, they'll cover the Tijuana Bibles and much more! Get your copy now ! Today's Show Hogan's Alley magazine "F*** me! That actually worked!" UPD...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep 374•Transcript available on Metacast We're heading into a year promising significant upheaval — in business, social media, publishing, and more. But, after twenty-five years of self-publishing, cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar have learned an important lesson: Discomfort is crucial in growing as an artist — and as a businessperson. Today's show Embrace discomfort Listifications on Bluesky — https://bsky.app/profile/listifications.app Summary In this conversation, cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar explore the importan...
Feb 06, 2025•58 min•Ep 373•Transcript available on Metacast Start your webcomic using the latest platforms, monetization methods, and social media strategies. If you're launching a new comic in 2025, this episode has all the information you'll need to get it off the ground! How to start a webcomic in 2025 Don’t try to “game” your readership. Write about what YOU like Building readership takes time and consistency. Creating for love is essential in the early years. Focus on writing as the core of comic creation. Focus on creating comics for the love of th...
Jan 30, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep 372•Transcript available on Metacast Cartoonists Brad Guigar, Dave Kellett and Kevin McShane are teaming up on a new show — The Wrong Way ! We'll teach you how to draw your favorite cartoon characters without getting sued over copyright theft! Along the way, we'll share tips, tell stories, and roast each other mercilessly. Pay attention and you might learn how to draw The Wrong Way! Today's Show Wrong way Clever vs funny Summary In this episode, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett introduce fellow cartoonist Kevin McShane, announce their ...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep 371•Transcript available on Metacast A ComicLab member complained about following too many people on Bluesky. It was too difficult for them to cultivate a feed that suited their interests! This brought up a topic that has Dave and Brad divided: Are you on social media for business or pleasure? Today's Show You're not on social media to read UPDATE: Spice Rack Comics webring (NSFW) — special thanks to Matt Sowers at RCSI Publishing UPDATE: Dave and Brad's transposed faces Started too soon on Patreon Summary In this engaging conversa...
Jan 16, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep 370•Transcript available on Metacast As we begin a new year, cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar make their predictions for 2025 and share their goals for the next twelve months. Predictions DAVE: Business planning anxiety BRAD: Because of Dave’s prediction, the winners will be people who help address that anxiety. (That’s us!) Be the distraction/escape people need; they won’t forget you. DAVE: Bluesky at 50M by the end of the year BRAD: Substack gains prominence — rises to Kickstarter/Patreon levels DAVE: we’ll all be playing...
Jan 09, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep 369•Transcript available on Metacast At the beginning of the year, Dave and Brad made a series of predictions and set some personal goals for the year. The year is over, and it's time to see how they fared. Predictions for 2024 BRAD: Twitter will crash in 2023 2024 DAVE: Social media will remain distributed over five or six platforms BRAD: Web users will begin to pivot away from social media DAVE: Patreon will move closer to an IPO BRAD: Kickstarter will remain #1 by continuing to avoid mentioning blockchain DAVE: SDCC will return ...
Jan 02, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep 368•Transcript available on Metacast A father is concerned that comics no longer reach kids, suggesting that video games are the better value measured by engagement time. What can we do to reverse this trend? On today's show How can comics reach kids? UPDATE: Buffer (see addendum below) How can I avoid Trump's tariffs? (see other addendum below) Addendum One day after we recorded the drop that explained that Buffer did not support video uploads, they made an announcement. You guessed it — they've added that functionality. They stil...
Dec 26, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep 367•Transcript available on Metacast Writing humor takes a lot of time and patience. We'll discuss ways to persevere. Summary In this episode, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett share insights on the creative process of writing humor, emphasizing that humor can be both an inherited trait and a learned skill. The conversation highlights the necessity of trial and error in developing a comedic voice and the various factors influencing one's ability to be funny. In this conversation, the hosts discuss the journey of mastering humor and come...
Dec 19, 2024•57 min•Ep 365•Transcript available on Metacast What happens when your story gets too big for you to handle? Are you the right person for the job? (And if not you, then who??) On Today's Show: In over your head UPDATE: It was FCS all along Crossbar i technicality Advice to your older self Summary In this episode, the hosts discuss the challenges creators face, particularly when tackling complex themes such as systemic injustice in long-term comic projects. The hosts emphasize the importance of pushing through creative doubts and the value of ...
Dec 12, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep 364•Transcript available on Metacast Does an aspiring comics artist/writer need a college degree? And, if so, which degree is best? Next, a listener asks why Brad publishes his weekly comics page in half-page increments. What schools do we recommend ? Why does Brad publish twice a week? Substack and Bluesky Summary In this episode of ComicLab, hosts Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett explore the importance of higher education for aspiring cartoonists, debating the merits of specialized degrees versus a broader liberal arts education. The...
Dec 05, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep 366•Transcript available on Metacast How do you explain to someone that you're a professional cartoonist? More importantly — should you even try?! Also, Dave and Brad share details about the software they use, and Brad extolls the virtues of a Patreon content exchange. On Today's Show... How do you explain to people that you're a professional cartoonist? What software is best for comics? Take a break this holiday Patreon content exchange Summary In this conversation, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett discuss the challenges of explaining...
Nov 28, 2024•1 hr•Ep 363•Transcript available on Metacast When comic creators try to market their comics, they often confuse what their comic is about with who it's for. Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar offer some guidance on making compelling promotions that work. In the show's second half, the boys have a devil of a time talking about angel investing. Summary In this episode, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett explore how comic creators can broaden their audience beyond niche markets, emphasizing the significance of themes and relationships in stor...
Nov 21, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep 362•Transcript available on Metacast When a listener asks about Kickstarter strategy, the ComicLab guys are divided! Dave favors the traditional webcomics approach. Build your audience by posting the comic online, then monetize that engagement with a Kickstarter. Brad likes this, but he could also see using Kickstarter's strengths in Discovery to build the audience through a series of smaller campaigns that lead to a big one. Summary In this conversation, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett explore various aspects of creating and promotin...
Nov 14, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep 361•Transcript available on Metacast After years of listening to Brad and Dave extoll the virtues of self-publishing, a ComicLab listener signed with a corporate publisher. Poor sales and paltry marketing left them dissatisfied, so of course, they wrote in with one burning question: Who should I sign with next? Also, should you ever explain a joke? Topics The first publisher was a disappointment... and we want to try it again illustrated novels UPDATE: The USPTO has canceled Marvel and DC‘s trademark filing for superhero Should you...
Nov 07, 2024•58 min•Ep 360•Transcript available on Metacast BlueSky is beginning to feel like Twitter did ten years ago! Engagement is up, conversations are happening, and follower counts are rising — with actual people! Is it too good to be true? Also, encouraging your readers to take a hand in writing your comic may be good community building... but is it good writing? On today's show UPDATE: Is BlueSky IT? Collaborative storytelling — letting your readers become writers Is word-of-mouth better than social media? Patreon or Substack? Business advice Su...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep 359•Transcript available on Metacast Cartoonists Dave and Brad share some thoughts with a young humor writer trying to find their Funny. Also: Is BlueSky pulling ahead in the social-media race? Today's show: Writing jokes faster UPDATE: Patreon opens recommendations for NSFW creators UPDATE: TikTok court case moves forward Putting social media into perspective Making drawing fun again Summary In this conversation, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett explore the challenges of writing comedy and the importance of developing a personal edito...
Oct 24, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep 358•Transcript available on Metacast Having wrapped up his 16th Kickstarter, cartoonist Dave Kellett shares some insights about setting realistic expectations, avoiding paid advertising, and the death of social media. Also: recent innovations by both Kickstarter and Patreon show considerable promise for the crowdfunding platforms. Summary In this conversation, the hosts discuss the emotional rollercoaster of running a Kickstarter campaign, and the ineffectiveness of online advertising. In this part of the conversation, Brad and Dav...
Oct 17, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep 357•Transcript available on Metacast Attending this year's National Cartoonists Society conference and Reuben Awards has changed Dave's bucket list. He wants one of those danged trophies! (And so does Brad.) Also, after Dave looks at the analytics from his recent Kickstarter, he decides to leave Twitter and Instagram once and for all. On Today's Show UPDATE: ComicLab stingers Dave's new Bucket List UPDATE: Dave's Kickstarter convinces him to leave both Twitter and Instagram UPDATE: Patreon's Autopilot Too many different comics? Pen...
Oct 10, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep 356•Transcript available on Metacast In the final installment of a three-part series on the National Cartoonists Society conference and Reuben Awards celebration, cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar sit down over a couple of tasty adult beverages and share stories and reflections on this year's event. You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon $2 — Early access to episodes $5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards. If you'd l...
Oct 03, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep 355•Transcript available on Metacast Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar take their podcast on the road, recording this episode live at the Comic-Con Museum in San Diego as part of the National Cartoonists Society conference and Reuben Awards celebration! They were joined on stage by Danesh Mohiuddin , Hilary B. Price , and Tauhid Bondia to discuss the pressing issues facing cartoonists in the years to come. On today's show: How are you addressing artificial intelligence? What's working on social media? What are your plans for the next fi...
Sep 26, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep 354•Transcript available on Metacast Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar take their podcast on the road, recording this episode live at the Comic-Con Museum in San Diego as part of the National Cartoonists Society conference and Reuben Awards celebration! They were joined on stage by Maria Scrivan , Hector Cantu , and Dana Simpson to discuss the pressing issues facing cartoonists in the years to come. On today's show: How are you addressing artificial intelligence? What's working on social media? What are your plans for the next five year...
Sep 19, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep 353•Transcript available on Metacast Dave Kellett discusses the three phases of art. First, you're just trying to make it work. Then, you try to make it right. And after you've mastered those, you can begin to make it fast. On today's show: Make it work, make it right, make it fast UPDATE: Danielle Corsetto's lettering tips UPDATE: Substack Notes advice UPDATE: KDP and Global Comix Summary The hosts discuss the stages of artistic development in comics, starting with making it work, then making it right, and finally making it fast. ...
Sep 12, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep 352•Transcript available on Metacast Apple has initiated a plan to take 30% of all transactions made through the Patreon iOS app. That has caused creators to panic, spreading misinformation and making poorly thought-out claims. Many people trying to explain the situation to their backers got their facts wrong, hurting their own revenue. Dave and Brad sit down and sort out the facts from the friction. On today's show: Dave's Comic-Con report: 5% drop in sales after a 38% rise in the previous year Patreon and the iOS app UPDATE: Kang...
Sep 05, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep 351•Transcript available on Metacast Brad and Dave discuss using rewards and add-ons in a Kickstarter campaign. Then, they tackle the problem of whether your dialogue should feature proper English or your character's "natural" speech. Today's show Kickstarter mistake — confusing rewards with add-ons Check out Dave's Kickstarter at Newdrivebook.com Should you write in proper English? UPDATE: Reuben Awards — two live ComicLab shows on Thursday, Aug. 22 How to start at the very beginning Summary In this conversation, Brad and Dave dis...
Aug 29, 2024•57 min•Ep 350•Transcript available on Metacast As Brad Guigar travels to Bad Axe, Michigan, to spend a fun-filled week with his family, Kevin McShane steps in to talk comics with Dave Kellett. In this conversation, David and Kevin discuss various topics related to comics, including their experiences with "Love Is" comics at their weddings, the potential future advancements in comic-making technology, and different marketing strategies for sharing comics. They explore the idea of using VR technology to create a more immersive drawing experien...
Aug 22, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep 349•Transcript available on Metacast Show note: Unfortunately, we had some daunting technical difficulties during this recording session, so we had to switch to Zoom to record half of the show. As Dave Kellett recovers from a successful San Diego Comic-Con, Scott Kurtz steps in to help Brad talk about making a graphic novel. In the second half, the two spill some tea over early webcomic history. THIS WEEK How to make a graphic novel Webcomic history "Table Titans Club" is available at Target stores nationwide , along with Amazon , ...
Aug 15, 2024•46 min•Ep 348•Transcript available on Metacast 
