Jeremy Nguyen–The Cartoon Life Talk


In January, I attended a Comic Artist Workshop meetup featuring Jeremy Nguyen.

 From Jeremy's website: I am a New Yorker cartoonist, illustrator, humor writer, and co-producer of a reading series called Panels to the People. I currently live in Brooklyn, New York. 

 Here are some things I learned:
  • When starting to contribute cartoons to the The New Yorker, it's best to go in person
  • Helpful to go in with someone who can vouch for you
  • When he first submitted, he came up with 100 ideas (10 ideas submitted over 10 weeks)
  • When starting, send as many as possible. The magazine wants regulars, wants readers to establish a relationship with regularly appearing cartoonists.
  • If no magazine purchases the cartoons he submits, he uploads them to Instagram
  • He didn't sell any from his first batch
  • He sold his first after three weeks
  • You don't know when your purchased cartoon is going to be printed
  • The New Yorker buys about 20 cartoons per week. They have hundreds available that they've bought.
  • He draws each cartoon in  an hour
  • His goal is to sell one cartoon per month
  • He also get some royalties from Cartoon Bank
  • In order to become a New Yorker magazine staff cartoonist, you need to sell 25 cartoons per year
  • He spends two days per week exclusively on New Yorker cartoons. He does 5-6 in that period. He writes all day for one day then spends the next day editing.
  • The New Yorker accepts collaborations
  • He feels that the new cartoon editor likes surrealism, surprise, and subjects that are topical or are about New York City
  • Lots of the cartoonists aren't artist, they're comedians
  • Many people struggle with creating single panel cartoons
  • Illustrating for board games pay well. It's a significant industry. Board games make up the majority of Kickstarter campaigns.
  • Draw all the time, even if the drawings are bad. Constantly make observations.
  • The New Yorker wants to buy a voice, a different perspective.
  • Think about what you're angry about to inspire your cartoons
  • The New Yorker has first printing rights for 90 days for a purchased cartoon, then you can sell your cartoon elsewhere
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