Ask a Question: IDW's TMNT Editor Thread

Bobby Curnow · 04-08-2023, 04:39 PM

Hi G, thanks for the kind words!

I took a quick look at your other post-- am I correct in assuming you're not an artist? I think that would be the quickest "in" for something official. It's easier to get a variant or retailer exclusive cover than another form of contribution, I think. A couple years of learning and work might get you to a place where you could contribute as a colorist or letterer to something. But let's assume you're a fan with no real "artistic" talent. (I think everyone has some artistic talent, but I'm inferring you're like me: not much of that artistic talent!)

If that's the case, it will be a difficult goal to contribute something. I hired a couple writers without much writing experience based on their enthusiasm or quality of writing, but even those folks I know had been practicing their craft for at least a couple years. So if you don't have any of that experience it's going to be extra difficult. The best option might just to be to ask an existing writer like Tom if you see him at a convention. But that would probably be putting him or someone like him in an awkward spot.

Is the TMNT ongoing still running Ninja Notes? If so it might be worthwhile to write to the current editorial team-- maybe they'd be up for you contributing the name of a restaurant in the background? I know I wouldn't have wanted to open the door to that sort of thing when I was editor, then I might have hundreds of people writing to contribute. But maybe you'll get lucky if you ask nice?

If money isn't an issue, then find a comics retailer who you could bankroll an exclusive retailer cover for. Then you'd be calling the shots of what would be on the cover, provided it's nothing too extreme.

Sorry, not too much help. It's not an easy goal, but not impossible! Good luck!

04-08-2023, 04:39 PM	#29
Bobby Curnow Official TMNT Staff/Cast Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 1,518	Hi G, thanks for the kind words! I took a quick look at your other post-- am I correct in assuming you're not an artist? I think that would be the quickest "in" for something official. It's easier to get a variant or retailer exclusive cover than another form of contribution, I think. A couple years of learning and work might get you to a place where you could contribute as a colorist or letterer to something. But let's assume you're a fan with no real "artistic" talent. (I think everyone has some artistic talent, but I'm inferring you're like me: not much of that artistic talent!) If that's the case, it will be a difficult goal to contribute something. I hired a couple writers without much writing experience based on their enthusiasm or quality of writing, but even those folks I know had been practicing their craft for at least a couple years. So if you don't have any of that experience it's going to be extra difficult. The best option might just to be to ask an existing writer like Tom if you see him at a convention. But that would probably be putting him or someone like him in an awkward spot. Is the TMNT ongoing still running Ninja Notes? If so it might be worthwhile to write to the current editorial team-- maybe they'd be up for you contributing the name of a restaurant in the background? I know I wouldn't have wanted to open the door to that sort of thing when I was editor, then I might have hundreds of people writing to contribute. But maybe you'll get lucky if you ask nice? If money isn't an issue, then find a comics retailer who you could bankroll an exclusive retailer cover for. Then you'd be calling the shots of what would be on the cover, provided it's nothing too extreme. Sorry, not too much help. It's not an easy goal, but not impossible! Good luck!