DSP-SPM80-PDF Jan. 2015 | Page 34

MW: The internet is really changing every aspect of life and entertainment is no exception. There are no platinum-selling albums in 2014—this may be a first. Recorded music is basically free. Or worthless, depending on how you view it. Tech companies, like Apple, Pandora, Spotify, etc have basically destroyed the royalty model. Movies are downloaded and streamed for free. Bookstores are increasingly rare. On Maui, you can’t get a new hardcover book unless you go to Costco or Lahaina. As for comics and graphic novels, I think that the art looks great on an iPad, but then again, I like to be able to hold something analog in my hands. Smart phones have taken over what free space we had in our minds. Ultimately, I don’t see this going to a good place. But we’ll see. SP!: Do you think the internet has made it easier for independent publishers to publish, and distribute themselves? MW: Both easier and harder. Easier in that everyone can do it. Harder for the same reason. It’s so hard to break through the clutter. There are no gatekeepers anymore. No quality control. SP!: HOW DO YOU MARKET YOUR COMICS? MW: I’m hoping you’ll help! SP!: WILL YOU BE ATTENDING ANY UPCOMING CONVENTIONS? MW: I hope to! SP!: DO YOU THINK THE NUMBER OF SELF-PUBLISHED COMICS, PRINT-ON-DEMAND COMICS, DIGITAL COMICS AND WEBCOMICS MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR INDIVIDUAL CREATORS AND INDEPENDENT PUBLISHERS TO PROMOTE AND MARKET THEIR WORK? , which could be called a hobby, but it is actually in preparation MW: There is definitely more to choose from. Marketing is really for the end of the world! I shoot and edit video . same amount of money is spent on promotion and marketing Weblinks: as for the actual production. It’s hard, even for them. SP!: DO YOU ACCEPT SUBMISSIONS FROM CREATORS? https://www.facebook.com/DogEatersComic MW: At the moment, I’m not in the position to publish anyone http://dogeaters-manga.com/ besides myself. If, by “creators,” you mean artists, I have comhttp://vimeo.com/user10956870 missioned ink work from artists for screen-prints and t-shirts. SP!: WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES? http://sealionbooks.com/titles/dogeaters MW: I write and record music . I blow glass once a week . I am doing aquaponics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJXb_YJeTI0 34  SELF PUBLISHER MAGAZINE 2015