For my friends into comics, or Kickstarter/crowdfunding, or just cool success stories, check out Dirk Manning, whose latest Kickstarter went live at Noon today - and screamed past its 13K goal in just over 3 hours!
He's offering the latest hardcover in his "Tales of Mr. Rhee" supernatural horror comic book series, along with enticing "stretch goals" should higher monetary points be passed - and they will be, they're already being exceeded. Check out the kickstarter here if you like: https://www.kickstarter.com/…/tales-of-mr-rhee-volume-4-eve…
Think people are going to notice this - maybe he'll get some media coverage, which would be cool! I wish Dirk all the success in the world. He's been at this for a looong time, and given back and paid forward in huge and generous ways all the while. Thought I'd point him out as a cool example of a creator making his work... work. Before the general media frenzy begins. Ya know.
Got to know Dirk when he was writing his "Write or Wrong" column for Newsarama - a column based on his experiences on how to get into comics (and by the way? You "get in" by making comics). He shared his hard-earned knowledge extensively. It's now in book form, highly recommended if you want to put out comic books of your own. I benefited, learned A LOT! I continue supporting his Kickstarters as my way of sort of paying him back for what I learned from his columns and advice years ago.
Write or Wrong: https://www.amazon.com/Write-Wrong-Writers-Creating-Comi…/…/
As someone trying to put comics books together, I found what he was offering invaluable! It was nuts and bolts stuff for comic book writers - how to write scripts, how to find artists, what to pay them, fair practices, how to go to cons, etc. - what you need to know to actually DO it. I ate it up and took it to heart, and it's helped me put out comic books for the last ten years. Helped make me proud to share my own characters, my visions - instead of focusing on trying to write for Marvel or DC.
But it's not just the sharing of knowledge that has me cheering him on. I've watched this guy work HARD for the success he's getting. There's something like justice happening when someone who's been paying their dues, working hard, and pulling others up as well, sees the fruits of their labor pay off. It's nice to know there's still some justice in today's world!
Dirk's not writing a lot of columns these days, but watching him work is instructive thanks to his transparency of process. The amount of detail he's willing to share as he goes about writing and promoting his comic books and graphic novels is impressive. So is the amount of time we can see him put in - comic conventions, signings, other appearances, online presence... and, oh yeah... making comic books!
We know how much he works because Dirk is a masterful self-promoter! He promotes by sharing what he's doing, his kind of "behind-the-scenes" process, which personally connects him with his audience, promotes his work, and teaches by showing. To do this, he's been an adapter of tech's tools every step of the way, from posting webcomics way back when, to his facebook Live sessions now. Found out about facebook Live because Dirk was doing one... I keep learning things!
If you like horror, supernatural thrillers - read his work. You'll want to learn more about the author after you do. If horror's not your thing, just check out HOW he does his thing. Head over to the Kickstarter page and look at the way he sets up his stretch goals and pledge points - the presentation is impressive whether the subject matter works for you or not. Click over to his Dirk Manning facebook page or the The F(r)iends of Dirk Manning Support Group to see his hands-on interaction with his fans, how he encourages and nurtures support. He's there, interacting with his people.
This is only the latest Kickstarter success for Dirk - his last few books have blown past their goals and stretch goals. Not quite this fast, mind you, but it has been rewarding to back the projects with all the stretch goal booty added to the pledge packs! That success, along with this new victory, make me think media might take notice, even beyond the geeks/comics world. We shall see.
If you're a creative, a maker, an artist, a writer, whatever - you should watch Dirk at work, learn from his approach. He's stuck to his creative "guns" and followed his vision. He gets his work out in front of people, promoting with persistence, not annoyance - a talent all its own. He's now seeing amazing results on his major projects - his fans are responding to his efforts in big ways. You might learn something. At the very least, it's inspiring to see that art, vision, persistence, and hard work sometimes do pay off!
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