Short Story Magazine Seeks Comic Artists

Okay, that heading sounds a lot like the opening line of a 'Personals' advert in the newspaper - but if you're an aspiring comic strip artist, or commercial illustrator, based in Australia, then this could be a "perfect match" for you.

Roger Stitson, apart from being a prolific and dilligent freelance writer in his own right, is also something of a 'pop culture vulture' in his spare time. How else do you explain the years of dedication he poured into his pet project, Vintage Australian Comics on CD-ROM?

(Oh, and if you haven't seen this particular disc yet, or don't own your own copy, then I urge you to check it out - this is hands-down the cheapest and best way you'll get to own a fistful of classic Australian comics from the 1940s and 50s!)

But Roger isn't a man content to rest on his laurels. His next project involves nothing less than launching his very own short story magazine, designed to showcase the best new writing by Australian writers, beautifully illustrated by equally talented Australian artists.

Being the man of discernment and taste that he is, Roger also wants to make this new magazine open to aspiring Australian comic strip artists, as well. What kind of comic strips is he looking for? Well, here's what the man himself had to say to me in a recent email:

"What I'm hoping and looking for is not kids' stuff, nor cartoony stuff, but decent story lines in more-or-less realistic mode, not ultra-experimental stuff, that even adults wouldn't mind reading."

Sadly, Roger doesn't share the same deep pockets available to Australia's media moguls, but he does promise that contributors to the planned first issue of his magazine will receive a modest payment for their work (Being a freelance writer himself, Roger appreciates the importance of creative folk getting paid something - hell, anything! - for their work)

So, if you think there might be a place for your work, as either a writer, illustrator or comic strip artist (or all three, if you're diabolically multi-talented!), in this exciting new venture, then check out all the details here.