Flyer design by ATTABOY

"Make art happen or DIY trying"
An Independent Artist How to Workshop Series

Spanganga Gallery* 3376 19th Street - (19th Street and Mission), San Francisco
February 27 - To Self Publish or not Self Publish - Here is the answer

Speakers
Attaboy! - I Hate Cartoons
Keith Knight - K Chronicles
V. Vale - RE/Search
Moderator - Michael Vavricek - Popcorn Anti Theater/ Porno Clown Posse & Burning Man

The evening was great about 35 to 40 people showed up, and was moderated very well by the always funny Michael Vavricek who keep the flow going and recap funny and important points well. A good time was had by all.

We started with a funny ,informative, high energy presentation by poet, cartoonist, performer - extraordinary Attaboy! -. He talked about how self publishing has effected the way he had decorated his home; this including ways to use boxes of books as furniture and how to create a home office including a accounting, shipping, and production department. He talked about the DIFY - the concept of "do it for yourself" and making sure what you produce is something that you can look at again and again and again - forever, as good work ethics. He used a roll of toilet paper to demonstrate why it is important to actually sell your books for money. He also talked about the importance of surrounding yourself with verbs and ended with reading the intro from his book -"I Hate Cartoons".

Next up was the cartooning, music making great, who who survived and shined through time, - Keith Knight, who talked about his history as a cartoonist. He also talked about various promotion techniques - such as wearing sandwich boards, putting cartoons above the urinals, and selling books at events Dolres Park. Basically, extolling the virtue of getting out there with your work and getting noticed. He talked about dealing with publishers and distributors. He explained how to copyright your work. He shared a great story of the strange reason some cartoons didn't get published everywhere, which included a story of a London film crew and Chris Issac. He also shared stories about his new German in-laws and whacky tales about Lil Mike (our camera operator).

Last but not least was the DIY -long time- San Francisco- trend documenting guru - V. Vale , who talked about his early days at City Lights Books stories and how his beatnik relatives got him that job. He explained how punk rock saved his life and the beginning of "Search and Destroy". He discussed how he made the transition to making books, and what motivated him to make the change. He talked about some of his favorite books that he published and which ones were the best sellers. He talked about how important it is to have cheap rent when you are a self publisher. He discussed his plans to work on a book on civil liberates. He talked about censorship and how to deal with it. Also, he explained who are some of the more friendlier and easier to access distributors.

Thanks to all the above speakers and moderator and
Sean Kelly
Lil Mike Martzke
Owen Grace

Thanks for introducing me to the speakers:
Sister Kitty Catalyst
Hernan Cortez
Michael Dean
Pagan Pride Day
Julie Generic
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