Projects That So Far Haven’t Amounted To Much

One thing about trying to become a cartoonist:  The door is going to get slammed in your face many, many times.  And sometimes, if the door isn’t slammed, it’ll be cracked open.  They’ll let you in, and THEN kick you out.  Or, they might let you sit in the waiting room.  Anyhow…

While I have quite a few good things moving right now, I thought I’d share with you projects, jobs, etc. that HAVE NOT amounted to anything, thus far.  (Well, actually, let me rephrase that into most of these are projects that have amounted to something, but not to their full capabilities.)

Keep in mind, a lot of these are things that I haven’t given up on, but so far, nothing much has really come from them.  They’re things that I have worked hard on throughout the years, and a lot of them I’m sure of (at the time) would have amounted to something by now, but haven’t.  It doesn’t mean these are dead, or not-going-to-happen, but as of now – well – nothing has really happened with these to the point where I can say that they’re truly successful in the measures by which I see things.  It doesn’t mean that they haven’t had some success, but just not to where I would have liked them to be.  Get my drift?

Okay, here we go…

Trains Magazine

A couple of years ago, I contacted the editor of Trains.  I’ve always liked trains (yea, it stems from childhood) and found that, amazingly, I could come up with some pretty amusing ‘toons about them.  I submitted countless ideas for the publication.

We stayed in contact for many (me and the editor-in-chief) months, and my ideas made it to the top of the food chain with the magazine, and there was a lot of support for them.  However, in the end (at this point in time), I found out last summer after months of submissions and “maybes”, it wasn’t going to happen.  There just wasn’t a good place for the material in the magazine.

This is a project I’m still somewhat involved in.  There’s now Trains for Kids magazine, and I’ve tossed the idea out of maybe cartooning for that.

As of this moment, I’m still possibly someday going to, but there’s definitely nothing definite.  It’s all still being mulled at.

I am very impressed with how friendly and open the editor was with me, and so, I’m hoping that I might get something in the magazine at some point (since we seemed to get along).  It would be a fun project for me!

Knocking On Heavens Door

This is one of those projects that I’ve been at for over three years with comedian Tommy Blaze.  We are still in close contact, and, believe it or not, still very much involved in this.  We just really haven’t figured out exactly how to sell it quite yet.

Many of you might know, but Knocking On Heavens Door was a comic about the misadventures of six-year-old Spencer and his special friend.

In terms of the actual comic for this, we both kind of decided that the comic itself isn’t cutting it.  We have been in contact with a lot of people (well, mostly Tommy has), and it looks like our next step might be animation.  We have a few things in the works – maybe.  But, this is another lingering project that has had ample amount of promotions (it was featured worldwide on the syndicated Bob and Tom Show) yet still, it’s not exactly a feature of any sort – yet.

But, along with animation, there’s been talk with major companies about possibly graphic novels or other venues.

We’re still taking this a step at a time.  I wouldn’t put anything past Knocking On Heavens Door.  It might have an exciting future, and it’s definitely not “dead”.

Reader’s Digest

Lot’s of my comics were considered – none of them were picked up.  I thought a few made the cut for sure, but it didn’t happen.  So, as of now, no comics are coming out in the publication.  I still submit them though (when I have material that would work, but as of lately, most of my stuff is a little to opposite direction of the pun comics that are often read in RD).

This is one of those publications that I still get a bit confused what exactly is good for them.  The material they did hold and considered, was works that I didn’t think would be good.  The stuff that I think would be good, never makes it.  I dunno.

Creative Loafing

Creative Loafing is a city magazine that is in Florida, and numerous other states and cities.  It’s considered – I guess – the biggest city magazine of its kind.  Several years ago, I had a meeting with the art department and editor about maybe doing a cartoon for the online edition.  It seemed like a “go”, but after many samples and corresponding, the project died.  For some reason, it didn’t work out.

This one really baffled me on why nothing happened from it.  Communication came to a halt, and I never heard what happened to why they never used my ‘toons.

Maximum PC Magazine

I was emailing back and forth with the editor of this magazine for quite awhile.  They had interest in doing a cartoon with me, but as of almost a year later, nothing has come out of it.  My style was an issue, but the humor was good.  So, I’m not sure if anything will happen with this or not.  It’s been a long time, and I haven’t heard anything, so I’m guessing more not.  However, I’d still enjoy doing some work for the magazine if given the opportunity.

St Petersburg Times

I have been trying for quite awhile to get into this newspapers.  I’ve been back-and-forth since June with editors.  There IS quite an interest.  I keep hearing how much they enjoy my work, and last I heard, they were trying to figure out a potential spot for a locally based comic.  But, as of now, nothing.  I’m not sure if this project will ever take off or not.

F My Life

This one totally threw me for a loop.  Well over a year ago, I did an illustration for them (comic), and they wrote back and had me make a few changes – and then said they loved it!  I thought it was in.  Well, I waited months….and more months….and more months.  Nothing.  I wrote several emails to the same editor that initially contacted me.  Nothing.

It was like I ticked them off or something.  They ignored all my emails, and the illustration was never put out there.

F my life.

Well, that’s my main list for now!  Not included on this are the countless submissions to syndicates of different ideas throughout the years (there’s gotta be well over two-dozen or so), other magazine submissions and freelance work.  But, all the failures, uncertainties and so-forth make ANY material of mine that is picked up even that much more rewarding.

I can honestly say I think this is going to be a big year.  But, as with a lot of these projects that I thought might be “big”, I could be wrong.  However, I’m very optimistic, so we’ll see.  At any rate, I’m sure this list will get bigger throughout the years.  But what is that saying?  “For everyone hundred failures, there’s one that isn’t.”  Something like that, or am I thinking of a Dr. Seuss book?  I don’t know.  All I can say is I just keep on keeping on, and eventually I do get something that I worked hard for.  It’s cool when that happens…yes.