Being a freelance artists (writer, illustrator, dancer, etc.) can be a hard road to travel. It’s not just about the quality of your craft. It’s also about the level of your business skills, and the ethics of the business world. In this episode Alex and Chris reflect on that and the hard times many comic artists have faced over the past 80 years.
The financial worth of comics have grown from five cent newspapers fillers, to multi-billion dollar intellectual properties. Where did and do the creators fit in that whirl-wind of wealth?
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Alex Simmons, Alex Simmons, writer/speaker, consultant with his InkPot Award.
Chris Ryan,
Author of mysteries, children’s books, screenplays and novels
About Alex Simmons Says
Alex Simmons is an award-winning freelance writer, comic book creator, playwright, teaching artist, and educational consultant. He’s written for Disney Books, Penguin Press, Simon and Schuster, Marvel, DC, and Archie Comics. Simmons is the creator of the acclaimed adventure comic book series, Blackjack. As a teaching artist, Simmons has created and taught creative arts workshops for students and educators in the US, Europe, West Indies, and Africa.
Simmons has served on panels and delivered lectures on children’s entertainment mediums, as well as empowering young people through the arts. Simmons founded the annual family event, Kids Comic Con, as well as three comic arts exhibits, which have traveled abroad. He is currently developing a comics and creative arts program for children all over the world.
During the past 35 years, Simmons has participated as a member of arts and education boards for several New York State nonprofit organizations, as well as one in Nigeria.
As a teaching artist Simmons has worked with youth through the Bronx Community College, the Christopher Barron Live Life Foundation, Apollo Theater In-School Arts Program, Henkel McCoy, Upward Bound, New York Council on the Arts, Children’s Art Carnival, Wings Academy, and NYU Creative Arts Team, to name a few.
He has been a panelist at many literacy and arts events, and he has been a guest speaker at numerous colleges and educational institutions here and abroad.
Being a freelance artists (writer, illustrator, dancer, etc.) can be a hard road to travel. It’s not just about the quality of your craft. It’s also about the level of your business skills, and the ethics of the business world. In this episode Alex and Chris reflect on that and the hard times many comic artists have faced over the past 80 years.
SimmonsHereAndNow 