Dirty Old Ladies: The Podcast

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Today's episode is about making and selling merchandise, specifically with conventions in mind. Mentioned in this episode: Amanda's list of digital/print-on-demand printers Kel's current Kickstarter! Some behind-the-scenes for this episode: Spike was late to recording, so when we started, Amanda was high. That's why they are both fired. We had a good run! ... but for real, see y'all in 2016 with more episodes!

Come, friends, listen to us informally shoot the shit about scripting comics, featuring special guest host: Amanda's barely-audible but no-less-distracting cat, Meato.

In a special live-from-Kel's-living-room episode, we spoke with frequent collaborator and friend Rhiannon about the nitty gritty of PREPRESS. Scared about getting your comic print-ready? Don't worry, Rhi is here to help! Interested in learning more about and/or hiring Rhiannon? Visit their website: http://rhiannonrs.com/

In this episode recorded around October, we discuss DISTRIBUTION, from shipping inventory out of your bedroom to getting a graphic novel into major bookstores. 

After a short hiatus, we're back! In this self indulgent update we talk about what we're working on, what we want to work on in the future, and even take a break for Spike to explain a special kink called "pedal pumping." Amanda also apologizes for her cat yelling. She tries to edit that out.

In this week's episode we break down this "MY BRRAAANNDDDDD" thing we're always croaking about, what it means and how we apply it practically.

Each of the hosts has a webcomic, so why not talk about 'em? Join us for a very loose history lesson about slapping comics on the internet and making money off them.

In this casual episode we talk about fatigue as a comicker, and how it's pretty much inevitable at some point. We discuss our lowest points, grumpy convention stories, and the highlights that make it worth it.

We're answering listener mail! Our rambling spans across commissions, Chinese New Year, Kickstarter fulfillment companies, our gross desks and how Spike tortures us with recipes.

Get ready for salt, the ladies have opinions about characters and writing them. Apologies in advance. Spike goes on a roll.

Prepare to hear us gurgle-hiss the phrase "MY BRAND" multiple times like withered little comic witches as we discuss selling at conventions Mentioned in this episode: Baggywrinkles: A Lubber's Guide to Life at Sea by Lucy Bellwood (Kickstarter) Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping Further listening: If you're interested in the perspective of organizing conventions, and a large publisher's convention experience, check out the episode of Inkstuds called "The Butcher, The Brothers and The Brandon."

Spike and Kel, both seasoned SDCC exhibitors, elaborate on their experiences to Amanda, who refuses to ever go. Mentioned in this episode: "Here's Why Comic Con 2014 Was Actually Great For Comics" by David Brothers "ONE ARTIST GOT FED UP WITH COMIC-CON, SO HE CREATED HIS OWN CONVENTION IN A BAR" via iO9 "Watch Simon Hanselmann marry comics" - The Beat

Gather 'round the campfire with Amanda, kids, cuz Gramma Spike and Aunt Kel are gonna tell us horror stories of (web) comic publishing, and maybe even how to avoid reliving the nightmare yourself. Mentioned in this episode: "Monstrous Discrepencies" Subnormality #161 "Tokyopop: Hey, Dude, Totally Bad Contract!" - The (Comics) Beat "Some Thoughts on Tokyopop and the Comic Business in General" - Alex de Campi You can now subscribe to the show in iTunes!

In this episode, we discuss our creative process! From editing to burning out to solutions for those little scraps of ideas you don't know what to do with... we discuss it all. And Sims 4. Disclaimer: In terms of recording time, this is one of the earliest episodes we recorded, even though it's the 4th episode uploaded. Consequently there were some problems that do not exist in recent episodes, like Spike's volume came in extremely quiet , and attempts to raise volume resulted in amplification of weird artifacts and background noise. So sorry for the weird quality of this one, we have a much better setup now and editing knowledge.

In this episode, we talk about our varied experiences in art education, the lessons we learned and how we've applied that to our careers. Also the ending's editing is a bit raw to keep in tact that chaos that recording with Spike can be. Links/sources for this episode: "Don't Go to Art School: The $10k Ultimate Art Education"

Today we utilitize our varied Kickstarter experience levels to give helpful advice and tell some crowdfunding horror stories -- boo! Links/sources for this episode: Erika Moen's Kickstarter Financial Records "The Doom That Came to Atlantic City" Spike's "Let's Kickstart a Comic!" PDF Amanda, the editor, also apologizes for odd noises. She takes notes during the episodes and ususally mutes herself, but goofed up a few times. We're learning!

The soft reboot to Dirty Old ladies is live! Get reacquainted with C. Spike Trotman, Kel McDonald and Amanda Lafrenais, along with what they've been up to that's been SO DANG IMPORTANT that they neglected Dirty Old Ladies!