Mood: Sleepy.

Well, I never thought I'd ever be able to get one of my mangas published for the simple reason that, at the time I gave up on wanting to have one published, I was lacking the skills, talent and means to ever have a shot at it. That aside, when I was younger, there was no market for American/Canadian manga, because there was next to no one willing to publish that sort of thing.

To make a long story short, time passes, things change. I have the means, the skill and Tokyopop has actually been publishing original manga by artists everywhere.

Now, slow down, they're not actually publishing my comic! I don't want to hear one congratulations, because even if i submit my proposal, odds that they'll reply to me are very slim, and that is mostly because they get hundreds of submissions, and many of them are and will be much better than mine.

I just thought it would be fun to see if they'd consider; I'm past the point in my life where I'm pissing around in school, trying to see what I wanna do. Anyone who knows me well can tell you that more than a job, more than money, more than art, I live for love, which is the singlemest important thing on my list right now. I *have* a good paying job, I have the free time to do a submission, and it'd be an added bonus if RANSOM actually were published. If it isn't, then no big deal, because I'll still have my job, I'll still have Cory, and I'll have the answer to that ever-niggling question, 'I wonder if I was ever good enough to be published?'

Also, if not, I'll be going back to school in the next few years for business management, and when I graduate, I'm going to open a *gasp* pornography shop. Yeah, don't act so shocked. I'm probably the most desensitised person on earth, and on top of that I'm smart enough to know that sex ALWAYS sells--it never goes out of season, and it never goes out of style. People will ALWAYS want to buy dirty magazines, joke presents to their mortified friends on their 18th, 19th and 20th birthdays, and scary exotic toys and oils and videos and costumes, because people will always have sex. But I veer wildly off topic...

So just for fun, here is my Tokyopop checklist:

<sub>[ ] Print and sign Submissions Release Agreement.

[ ] Complete and choose four to six pages of finished sequential art (inked, toned and lettered) from any part of the story.

[ ] Write one synopsis page selling the series concept. This should include a two-sentence "log line" summary, a story arc suitable for three volumes plus a summary of the main character's journey and the antagonist's motivation.

[ ] Write one to three pages giving them an idea of how the concept would break down into three 160-page graphic novels. Keep in mind that each volume should be self-contained.

[ ] Write one page giving some information on the main characters (name, background, role and personality, as well as how they will develop throughout the story arc, what path they will take and why).

[ ] Draw one to three pages with finished character designs (inked and toned) of your three most important characters.

[ ] Five or so bullet points about the target audience appeal, competing stories from other manga-ka or in other media and reasons why Tokyopop should consider publishing this series.

[ ] Mail it all out.</sub>


Who knows, mayble I'll get lucky?

Mood: Sleepy.

Just a reminder that the contest is over July 30th, 2005, 11:55pm!

That aside, I'll hopefully be updating tonight with another preview, so as to show off the effects of the toning program =lacuna-purify bought and installed on my computer. BEST PHOTOSHOP 7 PLUGIN EVER. The comic bo0ok is coming along great, and with this new program, everything is going much faster. I can't wait till the contest is over and I release the first install ment, (which may be longer than I intended), and I can't wait to see the feedback, and announce contest winners. Anyhow, back to work!

Mood: Sleepy.



The contest's due date will now be announced! I took a lot of things into consideration when deciding this. The two most important were how long I thought it would take me to finish the 20 pages, give or take because I want to finish chapter one, and the fact that a lot of you have finals right now, leaving not much time for anything else.

And so, without further delay, the due date is:

July 30th, 2005, 11:55pm

This should give everyone, myself included, plenty of time I look forward to seeing your entries, and good luck with your exams!

Mood: Sleepy.

Indeed, so as I recieve contest entries, I'm gonna put thumbnails up in this journal post. Surprisingly enough, I've already had two entries, which is absolutely awesome! This will be updated when necessary!

++entires submitted before due date announcement++

I also intend to favourite each entry just in case! Good luck, everyone!

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RANSOM CONTEST#1: Meet the cast of RANSOM!
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UPDATE: Some people requested that I give a tiny bit more info on the characters, and so I have. Down by the picture refrences in this post, are tiny descriptions on each character. I hope this helps.

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As a kick off for the first 20 page release of my comic to the internet world, I've decided to hold a contest. While I'm sure some of you are already thinking 'blatant attempt to get some fanart', which is sort of is (not so much fanart, as a bit of publicity), I also want to use this contest as a means to showcase the art, comics and characters of my fellow artists here on deviant art. That said, let's get moving.

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Due Date: To be announced at the end of May. Don't panic, it won't be for a month or pore after the end of may, you'll have plenty of time.

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What you need to Enter

A completed piece of art. It can be coloured, it can be black and white, it can be CG, it can be traditional, as long as it is apparent that it is completed.

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Rules

The theme of the contest is 'meet the cast of ransom', and so the art you submit must reflect that; the picture must contain at least one of the choosable ransom characters, and at least one of your own original characters. They can be meeting, the can just be in the same picture, etc., it's up to you.

It has to be your own character, from your own original comic or rpg (keep in mind, this doesn't mean draw a fan character from naruto for this entry). Please don't draw syndicated characters, or characters belonging to other artists; doing that would defeat the purpose of small parts of every prize I give out.

In the description of your deviation, please state that you intend to enter it in the contest, and also explain your characters--what are they from, who are they, why did you draw them interacting with a ransom character the way you did? It's nice for me to know, and makes judging more fun than if you've made a one-to-three word description like 'marker' or 'for a contest'.

Send a note to =ransomlove with a link to your submission. I will not accept any links sent to my =augest account. Title your note 'ransom contest' or something along that line.

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PRIZES

1st place A year's subscription, a feature interview and plug on my main page, and a free commission, full colour and mailed right to you (note, if you don't wanna give me your irl address, we'll work something out in a note).

2nd place Three month's subscription and a free comission, full colour and mailed right to you.

3rd place A month's subscription and a free comission, full colour, mailed right to you.

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Judging

Now, because there are so many different skill levels and styles here on deviant art, it would be unfair (and also insane) for me to just randomly pick winners, so you will get extra points, along with ratings from judges of all different skill levels (I'm still in the process of recruiting judges, they will be announced when the due date is announced). I'll tell you now, and give you refrences for things that might get you extra points, though I won't say how many extra points.

Basic Refrence Pictures

Pictures of (Poet) Poe is your average annoying, angsty teenager. He is in his second last year of highschool (grade 12), and hates sports, hate extracarricular activities and prefers that all the creepy people in his town who seem to worship him would leave him alone.

Pictures of (Sana) Sana is a cranky but nice grade 13 student. He moved to Poe's town after his parents died in a car accident, to a house with his closest living relative (who is perpetually out of the country). Before moving, he was depressed; upon meeting Poe, he's lightened up a bit. He likes loud music, art, sports, writing, etc.

Pictures of (Bellamie) Bellamie transfers to the school in Poe's town and poses as a student to get to the bottom of a supernatural mystery. She's an older woman, despite her girly looks, and enjoys ballroom dancing, drinking tea and romance novels.

Pictures of (Lon) Ceylon is a loud, ill-mannered, bossy shaman in training. It is rumored that she has necromantic powers, and she enjoys spending most of her time corrupting poe and setting a bad example with swearing, drinking and smoking. She doesn't know much about modern technology, and treats poe like a little brother, despite the fact that she's a year younger than him.

Pictures of (Hart) Hart is a jerk, there's no way around it. He hates pretty much everyone, and avoids his family like the plague. He's an excellent student, and spends most of his time reading and collecting spells. He takes an interest in Sana, despite his hermit-like ways.

Pictures of (Edgar) Edgar is a nice guy, well mannered, polite and sweet--and all this despite the fact that his main goal in life is to kill Poe! Sana knows very little about modern technology, and is a white necromancer.

Pictures of (the assassins) The assassins are a secretive, secretive bunch. Outside of killing people, they're pretty bland, and enjoy the lazy life. Their leader is 'Gold', their brains is 'Red', and their muscle is 'Blue'.

Bonus Points

If you include a background.

If it is done with traditional media.

If it is done before the due date is announced.

If you included (Dracula)

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Remember, be creative as possible! Even if you aren't as good as some of the other artists out there, or you think your art is crappy, you still have as good a chance as any other artist submitting to this contest. I look forward to recieving any entries, questions, concerns, etc. in note form. Don't be shy, ask away!

Good luck, and have fun!