[sohmer]

Never does a day pass when Lar and I don’t realize how fortunate we are for the careers that we have. The fact that we are able to spend 12 hours a day doing something that we love, and that it sustains us and our families, never ceases to amaze.

I have always been vocal about my beliefs regarding a career in webcomics. It takes a great deal of work and dedication, a greater deal of luck and a myriad of other ingredients to make it work, but it CAN work. A career in this field is a viable option. Like anything else however, an education would provide a huge leg up.

Because of that, and our desire to help others break through, we have decided to create The Rayne Summers Webcomic Scholarship, at The Center for Cartoon Studies in Vermont.

The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) offers a two-year course of study that centers on the creation and dissemination of comics, graphic novels and other manifestations of the visual narrative. Experienced and internationally recognized cartoonists, writers, and designers teach classes. The school is located in historic downtown village of White River Junction, Vermont, in the old Colodny Surprise Department Store.

Beginning in the fall of ’10, we will be covering the full tuition for the selected applicant. The applicant who, I might add, is working towards a career in webcomics. Over the course of the next 5 years, we plan on adding 1 student per year, thus by 2015, the Scholarship will be putting 5 students through the program per year.

This scholarship will be managed by Blind Ferret, though there will be heavy involvement from others in our field, in the form of a board of Directors and a selection committee.

More information will be forthcoming in the next couple of weeks, including fund raising events, application rules and deadlines and more. Keep an eye on this space.

All in all, this is something we’re all very excited to be offering.

- Because I can.

Quote of the Day

“Chances are when said and done
Who'll be the lucky ones
Who make it all the way?
Though you say I could be your answer
Nothing lasts forever
No matter how it feels today”
-Chances, by Five For Fighting

[linuxelf]

Very cool, Sohmer.

[Masterwabbit]

Woo! That's awesome! I certainly approve of this.

[Redvex]

This is a perticularly awesome thing to be doing. Allowing people who want to learn and go to school thru scholarships, has to be one of the best ideas and nicest things I have seen in a very long time.

[Hero_of_Time]

I have to say Sohmer, the thing that most impresses me is your employment of philosophy in what you do. Most writers make webcomics seem like a casual thing that people do to be entertaining on the internet like any meme youtube video. You on the other hand, have made it a viable business and treated it such, creating the only truly professional webcomic that I'm familiar with. Some people are starting to get it, but you've gotten it all along.

[Brahma]

"Leadership must be based on goodwill. Goodwill does not mean posturing and, least of all, pandering to the mob. It means obvious and wholehearted commitment to helping followers. We are tired of leaders we fear, tired of leaders we love, and of tired of leaders who let us take liberties with them. What we need for leaders are men of the heart who are so helpful that they, in effect, do away with the need of their jobs. But leaders like that are never out of a job, never out of followers. Strange as it sounds, great leaders gain authority by giving it away."

— Admiral James B. Stockdale

[FireDrakeK]

alright ryan. tell me here and now. as a blossoming web comic-er myself, with a website that's barely functional. (that is www.madinkpress.com) how do i get involved and lend my support. What do i need to do to be on board?

~kalman

[Cerridwen]

You guys all ROCK!!!

[The Phantom Fly]

I'm not joking, this made me tear up a little.

You guys are so amazing. I don't even know how to express what I think of you.

It's beautiful to see successful people helping newbies along.

I can't...

You rock.

Implement this in Australia, k?
Maybe then I could get into Uni. XD

[Marcus]

wow, i applaud you guys and your initiative to help other striving cartoonists. thats something else. amazing.

[Gunslinger19]

The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) offers a two-year course of study that centers on the creation and dissemination of comics, graphic novels and other manifestations of the visual narrative. Experienced and internationally recognized cartoonists, writers, and designers teach classes. The school is located in historic downtown village of White River Junction, Vermont, in the old Colodny Surprise Department Store.

Graphic novels, you say? As an aspiring writer/artist myself, I will DEFINITELY need to look into this.

Patiently awaiting more news.

[Greg Bulmash]

Domain name: $9 a year
Leased Server: $279 a month

Literally putting your money where your mouth is: Priceless

The money paying for the scholarship is money you could be spending on chainsaws, inflatable sheep, or any other number of amusements. But you've decided the best use of this money, instead of spending it on yourself, is to give a leg up to others. That's not a buck in the bell-ringing Santa's pot at Christmas or sponsoring 100 turkey dinners at the rescue mission, it's a serious committment.

Never been prouder to read this comic than I am today.

[bnorth117]

Thats fantastic, the best part for me was I was not even aware the school existed and I live very very nearby WRJ VT. Small world eh? You guys should come and give a guest lecture, and invite me to sit in and listen.

[MagicBandAid]

Hate to break it to you, but your math is off.

If you start in 2010 and add 1 more each year, you'll have 6 in 2015.

[Diamond]

"One of the ironies of leadership is that you become a better leader by sharing whatever power you have, not by saving it all for yourself. You're meant to be a river, not a reservoir. If you use your power to empower others, your leadership will extend far beyond your grasp." ~ John Maxwell

You and Lar truly fit this. I'm proud to be an avid reader!

Diamond

[Volsar]

I can come up with amazing ideas, but i cant draw to save my life...mayeb i should find a lovable henchman to do it.

[Gunslinger19]

I can come up with amazing ideas, but i cant draw to save my life...mayeb i should find a lovable henchman to do it.

A month ago, I thought exactly the same as you. Drawing isn't easy until you have experience with it. All I can say is, practice, practice, practice.

As for the loveable henchman idea, unless you're doing it for free, keep in mind that they may want a cut. So if you intend to make a living off of it, do as much of it as you can yourself.

[Volsar]

Mhm. I want to learn, and i plan to pratice when i can. I still see that being a while off though.

[Arkhanno]

I must say that this is one of the greatest things you guys could ever do. Awesome job, guys.

[Gunslinger19]

I must say, the admission requirements do seem rather excessive, though... I mean, I never heard of a curriculum vitae until today... and a letter of recommendation? Where am I gonna get that? I'm a complete amateur...