Community Day
October 10, 10 AM to 5 PM
RMIT City Campus
Spend a day learning comics craft and industry knowledge with presentations and panels by creators and publishing experts.
In partnership with RMIT University’s non/fiction Lab.
Bookings for individual sessions are available below.
Program
10.00 AM
RMIT Library, Megaflex 10.06.63, Building 8, Level 6, 360 Swanston St
Introduction
10.15 AM to 11.00 AM
RMIT Library, Megaflex 10.06.63, Building 8, Level 4, 360 Swanston St
Melbourne in Comics
Bernard Caleo, Aaron Billings, Mirranda Burton, Laura J. Carroll
Exploring comics that tell stories about, in, set in the present or past around Melbourne and Victoria.
11.15 AM to 12.00 PM
RMIT Library, Megaflex 10.06.63, Building 8, Level 4, 360 Swanston St
Where’s My Agent?
Danielle Binks (Jacinta diMase), Naomi Perry (Gildings), Kelly Bull
Graphic Novels and comics are the hot thing in the world of book publishing and have been for a while. But how do you reach the commissioning editors and publishers with projects when the old-fashioned slush pile doesn’t exist anymore (or rarely opens)? One way is through literary agents, but even they are hard to reach. In this session, two literary agents — Danielle and Naomi — and a comics creator — Kelly—will tell you what you need to know, and how to prepare and polish your work for pitch.
12.15 PM to 1.00 PM
RMIT Library, Megaflex 10.06.63, Building 8, Level 4, 360 Swanston St
Editing Comics
Bruce Mutard, Sophie Splatt (Allen & Unwin), Erica Wagner (Allen & Unwin)
Editing is a crucial part of making any book. But how do you edit a visual medium where the writing is in pictures as well as words? Comic makers are used to doing everything themselves and being their own first editor, but once a publisher is involved there is always much to discuss during the editorial and production process. Graphic novels and comics are complex, labour intensive and idiosyncratic projects which require a flexible approach. This session will give you an insight into what goes on behind the scenes.
1.00 PM to 2.00 PM
Lunch break
2.00 PM to 2.45 PM
RMIT Library, Megaflex 10.06.63, Building 8, Level 4, 360 Swanston St
Print & Webcomics
Ariel Ries, Reimena Yee, Katie Zhang (Gentlecoda)
Times have changed. What’s the best way to publish a comic now? Single issues, trade paperbacks, Kickstarter and in particular, webcomic. This panel will discuss the many different ways to approach publishing in the light of online avenues, especially the use of webcomics as a gateway to traditional publishing.
3.00 PM to 3.45 PM
RMIT Library, Megaflex 10.06.63, Building 8, Level 4, 360 Swanston St
Chronicling Our World
Eleri Harris, Joshua Santospirito, Georgina Chadderton
The 21st Century has seen an explosion in comics exploring and explaining the world through non-fiction comics, be it graphic journalism, graphic memoirs, graphic medicine and graphic recording among others. Three premier exponents of the form will discuss all aspects of this exciting development, how best to do it, what prospects there are and where the future may lie.
4.00 PM to 4.45 PM
RMIT University, Cinema Theatre (Building 80, 435-457 Swanston St)
Home Time Meets Home Town
Shaun Tan, Campbell Whyte
Shaun Tan will discuss his latest graphic novel Home Town with Campbell Whyte, author of Home Time and Luna Express. It will be a wide-ranging discussion on creating comics for younger readers, being published here and overseas and more.
What if I want to attend all of the events?
We have an all-day ticket for you enthusiastic folks!
How do I get to RMIT City Campus?
We are right at the centre of Melbourne CBD! Trains, trams and buses that stop at Melbourne Central, State Library or RMIT City Campus will put you at a few minutes’ walk away. Our ushers on the day will be right outside the building to help you. A video guide is available further down the page.
Getting to Library via Bowen St or Swanston St
Getting to Cinema Theatre
