Published: 03 Nov 2023
Scotland’s growing community of freelance comics creators and graphic novelists can now access free, best practise industry advice and support thanks to the launch of a brand-new online resource.
Featuring clear and concise guides for navigating contracts, ensuring copyright protection, finding the best funding opportunities and sourcing support services, In The Frame responds to calls from freelance creatives for more readily available and easily accessible business support*.
In The Frame has been brought together by Creative Scotland with input from Sarah Burtonand Heather Parry of The Society of Authors; writer Heather Palmer; Art Director & Publisher of BHP Comics Sha Nazir; comics artist and writerWoodrow Phoenix; and graphic novelist Hannah Berry.
Welcoming the new resource, Hannah Berry said: “Where other art specialisms may have formalised training, comics has an unsupervised playground. Where they have accredited services, we have anecdotal wisdom. Both contribute to our weirdly/wonderfully anarchic artform, but the hunt for specific and reliable information can be a hinderance. In The Frame is a trusted resource: vital for comics' growth as an industry and a community; helping individuals to navigate their own careers and kickstarting conversations about what our future could look like.”
Today’s publication follows closely on the heels of Scotland’s newly established annual In The Frame industry event set up to provide comics creators and graphic novelists – at all stages in their careers - with opportunities to connect their work with industry professionals and grow readerships.
The annual gathering continues to add momentum to growing support for the sector. Topics include best practise from The Society of Authors, The UK’s largest trade union for writers, illustrators and literary translators; top intel on the world of comics conventions and festivals from leading event programmers; and discovering different routes to publishing from those working at the centre of the industry. Plus a low-down of the latest available funding pathways from crowdfunding experts, Paved With Gold, and creative development funding opportunities through Creative Scotland.
Creative Scotland’s Dr Alice Tarbuck said: “From Gaelic Comic Cons in the Outer Hebrides to talented graphic novelists like Kate Charlesworth and comics creators like Stephen White, Scotland’s comics sector is forward looking and far reaching. We’re extremely glad to be working hand in hand with those working in the sector and fellow industry bodies to provide support where it’s most needed to help create the conditions for Scotland’s immensely talented creatives to flourish and sustain rewarding and creative careers.”
* A 2022 survey of 60,000 authors commissioned by UK Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) showed that the average income of primary occupation authors, which will include comics creators, fell 33% from £10,497 in 2018/19 to £7,000 in 2022. This supports Comics Laureate Hannah Berry’s 2020 UK Comics Creators research report which credits lack of financial income and support, time to create and contract and copyright understanding as some of the main barriers within the comics landscape.
In The Frame is one of a suite of guides aimed at supporting Fair Work practices for Scotland’s freelance creatives, including The Illustrated Fair Work Guide and The Illustrated Freelancer’s Guide.
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at www.ourcreativevoice.scot
Jacqueline Munro, Media Relations & PR Officer (Interim)
Jacqueline.Munro@creativescotland.com
+44 (0) 7967 822 266
