Making a Graphic Novel
 

So, I've written a screenplay that I think may play out well as a graphic novel. I may have found an artist, but I have a question for anyone who might know.

How do you sell or submit a graphic novel to a publisher? I know in writing you basically create the whole thing before you even send out a query letter. Would we have to create the whole graphic novel before we even start to try selling it, or can we do a few pages or something?

I'd also accept any other advice about the business end of graphic novels if anyone knows. I'll be doing my own research. I just wanted to get some input here.

My first advice is to not use the term "graphic novel". To comic enthusiasts it describes comics that have no belief in the concept of comics, comics that think they have to be something other than comics to be respected as art. If you want to define your work as a graphic novel and not a comic that's certainly your decision as creator, but no one is likely to think better of your work or your character for it.

As to getting published, in paper, I have no idea. Self-publishing has become insanely easy with the Internet, though. There isn't much money in webcomics, but you can get your stuff read.

Well, if its like, gonna be a few hundred pages, then it really isnt a comic, it is a graphic novel.

Sandman is a comic more than two thousand pages long.

I think "graphic novel" is being used, in this case, to refer to a single volume of work. Not like Sandman, which is 70(ish) issues, rather like A Contract With God, which is bound together in one volume having never been published in a broken-up format.

What every publisher wants to see in a pitch is different, but if they're accepting submissions then their website will tell you what they want.

In general you should have ready...

1) a one page introduction letter about you/your team, your project, its place in the industry, and where you see it going.

2) a one page synopsis of the series.

3) four or five sequential pages from one issue (usually, but not necessarily the first).

4) a full script for an issue (usually, but not necessarily the first).

If you're thinking of a single volume, then "trade paperback" or "graphic novel" would be appropriate terms. They are used every day by people working in the industry to describe longer form/non-periodical works like the one it sounds like you'd be doing.

In this case, obviously, you don't have an "issue", but surely you've got the thing divided into chapters or acts. Just for reference, a full issue is generally considered to be at least 22 pages and rarely more than 48.

man, and I thought a regular novel had some intense requirements. I see comic authors don't get it any easier.

I'm surprised you had the patience for it, Brian. Another rejection letter and I might snap...

It's not that bad. We already had the first three issues written, penciled, and inked. It was just a matter of hammering out the synopsis and such over one weekend.

Thank you all much. I appreciate the advice, especially from Kurosen for the specifics.

IQueen, I have looked into self publishing for novels and other such and it just doesn't appeal to me. Sure I could say, "Look, I'm published." But in order to make any money I would have to be a "publisher" and I'd rather just be a writer. I might go that way, but I'll try other routes first. I may try a webcomic just for the exposure, however.

The biggest thing that I was worried about was getting the art done. It's good to know that I can start out with a few pages.