Monday, March 22, 2010

Hi-Ex 2010


24 Hour Comic Challenge


As is our way, we neglected to mention the EPIC 24 Hour Comic Challenge!

On March 13th and 14th, the PJCC were represented at the P.R.E.S.S. / Learning Revolution 24 Hour Comic Challenge at the Tyneside Cinema by Lily, Martin, Jack, Chris and Paul.

We won.

Photos of the event can be found here and more reliably documentary proof of proceedings can be found on the Paper Jams blog courtesy of Mike Ducket and Martin's photo's here. Thanks to Ian Mayor, Oscillating Brow and Daniel Clifford for showing up with the moral support, sweets, wasabi peas and paracetamol.

The event featured hammers, mountains, fists, a war between leeks and carrots on a Lovecraftian allotment, the entire history and future of Human Evolution, diagrams and marraige, cheating death, really, really good coffee and that, and as the sleep deprived must surely assert:

Tru' Dat Yo.

Friday, March 5, 2010

A Message from P.J.C.C.

Okay, everyone sitting at home wondering how they can get involved in the creativity, here are some important dates for your calendar:

Thursday 11th March 6:30pm onwards at Travelling Man

A Comics Evening there will be, but we're also asking everyone to have a go at sketching out a logo for the collective which should read "Paper Jam Comics Collective" and a logo to use on the front of all of our anthologies which should read "...and that" (drawing skills not required!) We've been in need of both of these for a long time, so it's time to get one sorted and start getting some propaganda on the go!

Thursday 25th March 6:30pm onwards at Travelling Man
Again, a Comics Evening shall be in progress, but this will also be mini-deadline number one for our music themed anthology. If you want to submit a strip, please approach an unsigned band (local or otherwise) and ask if you can use one of their songs as a template/stimulus/inspiration/theme for your comic and if they would be willing to submit the track to a mix CD that we would attach to the comic. As well this, could you also ask if they would be willing to play a short set at an event in the summer for its launch, which isn't necessary but would be awesome. There are a few fiddly bits that they need to know, which shouldn't really be of any concern, but just to avoid any problems, please include this (or your own version of) when asking bands:

"The Paper Jam Comics Collective is a non-profit creative community, so all money made from the anthology and launch event will be put into our next project. For that reason, we can't offer bands any money for the use of their music, or for their live performances. However, the collective will cover the cost of equipment hire and of course the cost of printing the comic and burning the CDs. We're hoping this will be a mutually-beneficial endeavour, and it will generate a lot of exposure for the bands involved as well as the comic book artists. Please verify that you understand and agree with these terms so that everyone is on the same page."

If everyone could have a band on board by this meeting that would be awesome, and don't forget that there are bands within the collective (who probably won't be approaching themselves!), if you're struggling to think of anyone. If you feel like you want to get involved but finding a band is too much hassle, I'll find one for you! One you'll like as well!

The first deadline for our NEW ANTHOLOGY will be announced at this meeting too, here are some details on that:

History... and that
This anthology does exactly what it says on the tin. The theme is history. Any point of it you choose, whether that be Ancient Greece, or the lesson you once had on Ancient Greece at school. Your task is to take that theme and milk its deliciously open-ended teets like a true time-travelling farmer! Y'hear?! The launch event will be awesome, and there's already been talk (amongst me and myself) of a history-themed fancy dress competition. Watch this space!

Mini-Biographies
For the purpose of press releases and for mini-featurettes that we hope to post weekly on the blog, please could anyone willing submit a short biography about yourself, your accomplishments, the things you've had published, self-published or reviewed. The most important nuggets about who you are and why you come down to our meetings, are on the mailing list and/or read this blog basically! Send them through anytime to tmne_smallpress@yahoo.co.uk but please don't exceed 500 words, and if possible try to make it more like 200-300! Talk about blowing your own horn...geez.

And that will be all for now,
-Jack

A Message from P.R.E.S.S.

I will let this epic bout of excitement speak for itself:

Hello all!
We are proud to announce our April event. Details are included below, but please keep an eye on our blog http://pressukinfo.blogspot.com/ , follow us on twitter http://twitter.com/PRESSukinfo or join us on facebook http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#%21/group.php?gid=298397648961 for updates. It would be a huge help if you could pass this on to your mailing lists too or mention us on your blogs and tweets.
P.R.E.S.S. Event
10th April 2010 at:
Arts Centre Washington,
Biddick Lane,
Fatfield, District 7
Washington, Tyne & Wear
NE38 8AB
http://www.artscentrewashington.com
From 10 a.m. - late.

A celebration of small press publishing, showcasing books, poetry, zines , comic books, artists books and prints.

Workshops and talks:
Deirdre Thompson (TBA)
Bookmaking with Theresa Easton
Mobile drawing requests with Derrick Welsh

Readings from:
Val McLane, Asit Maitra - Biscuit publishing
Steve Urwin, James Oates - Red Squirrel Press
Jackie Litherland, Cynthia Fuller and Ellen Phethean - Flambard Press

Special guests:
We are words + pictures http://wearewordsandpictures.com
Joining us from London, with a library of small press gems and some wonderful artists!

Zine trail:
Follow the pages to build up your own zine.

Drink and Draw session:
Relax with a drink and have a doodle!

Stalls include:
http://www.zedsaid.co.uk Zed said – Publishers of children's books.
http://www.biscuitpublishing.com Biscuit publishing – Contemporary poetry and short fiction.
http://www.jasprint.com/home Jasprint – Digital printing specialists.
http://wildwolfpublishing.com/default.aspx Wild wolf publishing – Publishers of dark fiction.
http://www.babaproductions.co.uk Baba productions - Choral music and children’s books.
http://www.redsquirrelpress.com/ Red Squirrel Press – Publishers of novels and poetry.
http://www.flambardpress.co.uk Flambard Press – Publishers of poetry and fiction.
Artists Books – A selection of artists books.
http://paperjamcomics.blogspot.com Paperjam comics – Local small press comic books.
TGT – Rare and vintage small press comics from the UK.

Stalls open from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Workshops and talks from 10.30a.m. - 4.30 p.m Drink and Draw from 5.00 p.m. Onwards.

Directions:
http://www.multimap.com/maps/?zoom=15&countryCode=GB&qs=NE388AB
If you are driving follow signs for District 7 and Fatfield. If you are travelling by public transport catch the M1 or M3 bus from Heworth Interchange or The Galleries, Washington. If you are on the coast to coast bike route you pass by us on the way, so pop in.
Thanks to:
Sunderland City Council and Arts Centre Washington