Gia, I have two problems with talent contests. One is that they make it seem like talent trumps everything else, and if you have enough of it, you can dispense with training, experience, etc. Of course, it doesn’t really work that way—a lot of the Zuda competitors are pros, and you can usually tell the difference. The talent contest makes it seem like anyone can win, but that’s not really the case.

The other problem I have with talent contests is that only one person can win. There are months when I want to read two or three of the comics, and months when I don’t want to read any.

I think all those cheesy model/chef/designer talent competitions have made everything worse. I just assume anyone who would go on those shows is a loser; otherwise, they would be working their way up in the usual way.

Looks great and good luck!

I don’t know diddly about Zuda’s setup, but it is interesting that such tactics in the past tend to get looked down on in the US, like TOKYOPOP’s Rising Stars of Manga thing (though admittedly it did turn out some pretty “meh” works along with some great ones). Is it just a mindset that contests are for amateurs and a grueling submissions process is for pros?

…Which is not intended to lay any commentary about your feelings on Zuda, of course, since again I don’t know much about their setup, but just a general mindset I’ve seen around.