ShortBox digital comics fair 2022: applications now open

Applications for the 2022 ShortBox digital comics fair are now open! Applications will run from December 1st, closing on December 31st. 

ShortBox 2021 fair poster by Jean Wei

What is it?

ShortBox Comics Fair is a digital comics fair that takes place annually in October. The fair runs for a month and is online only, meaning anyone from anywhere in the world can apply to exhibit from the comfort of their homes (no travelling with a suitcase full of books, no shipping hassle, no con crud!). That accessibility also applies to attendees.

What sets the fair apart is that it is a comics-focused platform: showcasing only *new* digital comics from a myriad assembly of artists. Every exhibiting artist involved debuts a new, original comic, and all these comics are then released simultaneously in one place. The month running-length of the fair gives people ample time to browse, buy, and to come back again. This is what makes the fair innovative: people have a real, exciting reason to mark it in their calendar knowing each artist will be debuting a comic they've never seen before. We want the event to both be a creative instigating factor for artists and, of course, to create a unique event for comic readers and creators alike!

How it works:

All participating exhibitors are required to 'table' with 1 new, debuting comic. Details as follows:

• Comics must be new work: not published elsewhere previously, whether digitally or in print
• Comics must be a minimum of 16 pages (comic pages, i.e. not including covers, etc) in length
• All rights to the comic are fully owned by the creator/s
• 100% of sales/profits go to artists/creators (minus Gumroad/payment processing fees).  Each artist receives a breakdown of sales and fees along with payment.
• Once the fair is over, artists are completely free to do whatever they wish with their comic; for the duration of the fair, the comic should be available via the fair only
• Participating exhibitors MUST have a Paypal account
• Exhibiting fee of £40 (invoiced via Paypal). 

Applicants will receive further information on creating/submitting their comic, deadlines, layout, set-up, etc., upon acceptance. A guideline date for submission of a final, completed comic is 25th August.

We are offering 10 free exhibitor slots for BIPOC artists, if you wish to be considered, please indicate  in the 'comments' section on your application.

Where does the exhibiting fee money go?

Currently, the fair is run by one person: the table-fee money goes towards paying for all the time and work involved in putting the fair together, towards commissioning a fair poster and graphics, running promotion, and so forth. Should there be any remaining funds after these costs, they will go directly into our ShortBox grant program.

Apply for the fair here (and a direct link to the application form, if you prefer):

If you have any questions, please email info@shortbox.co.uk