Hi there, I'm a comics writer, and editor at a comics publisher. I frequently hire artists, and get hired, through Twitter.

Here's a quick thread on what having larger followings helps with (and what it doesn't help with). First, the Good.

Having a following means you (usually) get a bigger reach for your projects.

More eyeballs means more people, more people means more folks who enjoy your work. The larger the pool, the likelier it is that somebody with money to spare wants to work with you.

A lot of people in comics have trouble finding freelance editors who are available for commissions, or may be available in the future. So, I'm making a thread of a couple I know if.

Please feel free to add yourself, or folks you wanna see included! ^^ Steenz (@oheysteenz ), is one of the original popular freelance editors, teaches cartooning professionally and particularly helps up-and-comers with pitch editing.

She was doing amazing stuff when I was starting in comics, so definitely check her out!

I think it's high time I double down and bring you up to speed on your rights as a freelance creator.

So here's a small thread on what you Should be getting, and what companies might try to make you Settle for.

Feel free to shout out your own tips in the replies. Let's start with the obvious: If you believe your work will be extensive, get a written contract.

I've taken smaller clients on their word when we agree to payment terms. Companies should never be those clients, especially because your work will go through dozens of employees.

Since some requested it, and after briefly seeking counsel from other creators, here's a basic checklist of what your creator-owned contracts should have:

-Firstly, unless you're getting some serious money, you should be keeping the copyright to your work. -Your average publisher wants the right to distribute your work. Many may request that it be exclusive, some (Digital selling platforms like Comixology) do not.

Regardless, this distribution right should be temporary, usually though a given time period. (5 years, for example)

Once you, as a creator, take in commissions, you're exposing what's most likely your weakest link: Marketing and business, something that's almost never taught in any creative school.

In 2016, I got 1 creative commission. I average about 30 a year now. Here's a thread on how: -Assume you will not be rewarded for making good content, but for getting any of your decent work in front of eyes that might be interested.

Forums, Social Media, anything that's free, doesn't mentally drain you and Isn't Intrusive can help you get folk's attention.

One advice writer's give that we consistently explain poorly is "make every character have a unique voice."

The way we refuse to go too in-depth with it often makes it sound like characters should either be Regular, Cowboy or Yoda.

So, here, a small guide on writing voices. #1 rhythm.

Possibly the hardest to define, every person and every character has a rhythm to how they speak. Sentence length, patterns in how we structure our speech, etc.

As a reader, it's often hard to pick up on, but as a listener, it becomes a lot easier to understand.