Summary (1/28/2025)

🖋️IN SHORT: Brooklyn Indie Comics Showcase applications have closed. Otakon application closes TONIGHT. Cartoonist Coop award submissions close Jan 31. Brainstorm new ideas for new JAM anthology. Juniper Village Art Gala might still be taking submissions. Some JAM members are already in, so stop by and hang out. GFS Pokemon Go Community Day is also coming up for any gamers.

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2️⃣JAM Anthology… 2!

While we start to wrap up the first anthology, please start thinking up some ideas for the second, not just theme, but also dimensions, orientation, or anything else about the format. We will compile and share your suggestions Feb 11; the vote will be Feb 18. Unfortunately, no last-minute suggestions will be accepted this time…

For Anthology #2, the page max will be 4 instead of 8, and we will hopefully have a much tighter turnaround time. The planned deadline for final art submission is Jun 24. The sign-up period ends Feb 25, giving contributors 18 weeks to work.

UPCOMING APPLICATIONS

Otakon

Deadline: TONIGHT, Jan 29, midnight
What: Long-running anime convention
To apply: Submit form. Also read the rules; if you are selected, you will need to provide payment and additional info within 7 days, so be prepared
Contact: [email protected]
When/Where: Jul 31-Aug 2; Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW, Washington, DC 20001

Juniper Village at Hamilton

Deadline: ASAP
What: 2-3 works of painting, drawing, photography, or mixed media. Must be ready to display. Include brief artist statement. Click here for original call for art
To apply: Email work and artist statement to Jazz Correa (email below)
Contact: [email protected]
When/Where: Jan 31 at 4:30; Juniper Village at Hamilton

Montclair Zine Fest

Deadline: ASAP/rolling
What: Small local zine fest
To apply: Submit form
Contact: [email protected]
When/Where: Mar 28-29; Fletcher Hall 67 Church St Montclair, NJ

New Jersey Punk Rock Flea Market

Deadline: ASAP/rolling
What: Market with DIY and punk focus
To apply: Read terms/conditions and submit form
Contact: [email protected]
When/Where: Apr 11-12; NJ Expo Center, 97 Sunfield Ave, Edison, NJ

Super Jersey Comic Expo

Deadline: Unclear, rolling
What: Comics convention with strong focus on Western/Superhero comics
To apply: Submit personal/business info here
Contact: [email protected]
When/Where: Apr 18-19; Iron Peak Sports and Events, 137 Mountain View Rd, Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844

Cartoonist Coop Minicomic Awards

Deadline: Sunday, Jan 31, midnight
What: "Virtual showcase that spotlights unique, challenging, and under-recognized short form comics." No fees, accepts vertical scrolling comics. Read the FAQ. 
To apply: Make an account, then click "submit" while logged in
Contact: [email protected]
When/Where: Award ceremony May 30, 7:00 pm EST

Silent Manga Audition (SMA)

Deadline: Sunday, May 10, midnight
What: Contest hosted by COAMIX Inc (manga publisher) that helps its winners make professional manga debuts. Judges are established, respected mangaka. Comics must be silent (no dialogue, but SFX are ok). 2026 theme is "letters" (ie. mail).  Read rules here. 
To apply: Create account on website and upload thru the portal. Details are on the rules page. 
Contact: All contact info at this link
When/Where: Results announced July 31

YOUR PROJECTS

🪐Luke and Chris are in the Juniper Village Art Gala

Luke and Chris will be displaying some of their work at the Juniper Village (at Hamilton) Art Gala on Jan 31, 4:30-6:30. Say hi and meet some seniors!

🧢GFS Pokemon Go Community Day

Grounds For Sculpture, an outdoor museum/garden in Hamilton, will be offering a number of Pokemon/Pokemon Go themed activities on Sunday, Feb 1. These activities are complementary with admission, which is $15 baseline, $12 for students, and free for kids 5 and younger. A few of us work there, so you may run into familiar faces. Be dressed for the outdoors!

Old Stuff

Email and Discord links

Click here to access the backlog of all our email blasts.

And as always, here is the Discord invite link.