Or something very much less hick in better humor.  Sorry for the lack of articles, again. I’ve been very, very busy with grad school as well as multiple creative projects of my own. I’ve been sitting on that review of the CMS istrip, as well as a shout out to the TWCL awards (Go! Nominate!) . I am so behind. I suck.

The rest of this week ought to be absurdly busy for me, so I’m putting this up a day early. SpiderForest, that awesome community of webcomic artists and writers, accepts new members only twice annually, in June and December! For the first three weeks of December, we will be taking applications and we’re all excited to see who would like to join. SpiderForest isn’t elitist, but it is focused, and we don’t let in new members all the time because EACH MEMBER here votes on new additions. That’s a lot of work for all of us, and we want more members who are really interested in maintaining a quality comic–not to mention, being an ACTIVE member of the community. So, twice yearly, we open the doors and see who wants in.

I have been a member of SF for a couple years now. I miraculously got in, still don’t know how, but it’s a move I am still ecstatic as to have made! I came from ComicGenesis (a free host who, for what’s offered, got high marks in my review!), but I wanted a smaller group of more focused people. I wasn’t that good at making comics (still am not), but I had a drive to do better, all the time. A small group like this is very encouraging, you get more notice, there are no mandatory ads, but there is mandatory cross-promotion with our rotating header. Collectives increase your audience, and the QUALITY of your audience. It’s a great place to grow, and if you’ve been independant from the get-go, hosting yourself, going it alone, you might find VERY fast that being a member of a collective has a lot more opportunities for you without taking away from your freedoms.

Here is a list of current members and their comics. Feel free to contact any member to ask them about their experience. Clicking the text area will bring up a longer summary and their email addresses.

We have few requirements for those applying:

• The ability to tell a good story or joke, with a fitting style of art (check current comics hosted if this is too ambiguous).
• You must CURRENTLY be actively updating your comic at least once a week, or expect to return to schedule from hiatus upon acceptance.  Exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis (quality of the update is a determining factor).
• You must have at least 15 pages of your comic complete. NO EXCEPTIONS!
• You must show the desire to continue your comic, and the diligence to update it to schedule.

What SF offers you (taken from the apply page):

SpiderForest is a free, quality host that does not require you to place ads on your site. You are allowed to put up your own ads, and may keep all revenue. Many members use Project Wonderful.

SpiderForest grants you FTP access. This means you have direct and immediate control of your site, and may update images or webpages as you please.

You may use whichever archiving system you like. Most members use SF’s own ProPanda, a simple, easy-to-use PHP code that allows news posts, dropdowns, and commenting. Other members also use wordpress/comicpress and comicCMS.

You will receive tech assistance whenever necessary, even to the extent of building your site for you. HOWEVER! Having a webcomic means you should not only know how to make a comic, but also how to distribute it over the web yourself. Members will help you set up, but we will expect you to learn to code HTML in time, to be able to handle the majority of your site’s updating.

All new members will have a spiderforest.com address of their choice. If you have your own URL, you keep it, and any spiderforest.com address will forward to your site.

All members are required to have on their site, above the fold, a rotating banner of SpiderForest links. You will have immediate and free advertising on all SpiderForest sites, and an audience ready to read your work.

If you already have your own hosting and would like to be a member, you do not have to up and move to the SF server. Please note in your application if you would like to be a self-hosted member. You must be independently self-hosted and not a member of another comic collective or host.

What SF requires of members:

• Your main responsibility once accepted will be to simply update your comic with quality material in a consistent manner.  As your audience grows, you will expose all of them to all the other comics hosted here, and help everyone gain new readers.  Of course, we all realize life happens, hiatuses occur, and you get busy. That’s ok!  We just expect you to take care of your comic when you can!
• Your secondary responsibilities include being an active participant in the collective by voting on new member additions, submitting any banners or advertising material necessary for any changes to the SF front page or header, and checking the forum occasionally for updates.
• You are required to display above the fold the rotating header for other comics on the network. This header is customizeable, holding a banner that is 600×29px.
• SF greatly appreciates any donations to help with network upkeep, but it is NOT REQUIRED.

What we DON’T offer you:

• SF admins will not upkeep your site past the initial transfer. We will help you set it up, help you build and design it even, but will not upload your pages for you, or write your news. We expect you to learn the basics of HTML. You’re making a webcomic; that requires some knowledge of the WEB. Tech assistance is of course available for necessary changes, but the day-to-day stuff is your responsibility!
• We don’t pay you for your work. SF is not a publisher, it is a host.  This means it is an OPPORTUNITY for you to gain a larger audience through cross-advertising at no cost to you.
• We do not buy you software. For example, choosing your FTP client is up to you.  We definitely recommend one of the many free ones, like FireFTP for FireFox.

Intellectual Property Rights (after getting lambasted on another forum who thought the deal was too good to be true, we added this just to make sure idiots didn’t take a header):

• SpiderForest claims ABSOLUTELY NO RIGHTS on your work. It belongs to you, period. SF is a collective, not a business.   SF is here to provide a good, solid home for your comic and others like it, not to make money.  Members support each other to help all the comics here grow and succeed. If you doubt this, or think it is too good to be true, we suggest contacting members hosted here and asking them about their experiences.

To apply (starting DECEMBER 1, not today!), email “sfapp (AT) spiderforest.com” with the following:

• Webcomic Title: The name of your webcomic.
• Creator(s) Name(s): Everyone who works on your webcomic(writers/artists).
• Contact: Your e-mail address only. If a team is applying, please designate a leader. 
• Website URL: (DA art galleries not desired! Webcomics are meant to be read in order, and we do not like to search through your gallery to find the next page.  You will also need to be able to handle a SITE, not a gallery, though of course, we will help you! Try DrunkDuck, ComicGenesis or SmackJeeves to see if a website is something that you want. They do the majority of coding for you)
• 5-page Sample: Links to 5-pages of your webcomic. This does not need to be sequential but should be representative of your BEST work.
• Synopsis: In 250 words or less, tell us about your comic.  Do not send an essay or a manuscript.
• Referral: How did you learn about SF applications being open? Has a member asked you to apply?
• Why this comic would make a good addition to SF: Please tell us what you’ll bring to SF.

POOR QUALITY APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. We expect correct grammar and spell-checked applications. Be as brief as possible while still doing your work justice. Longer applications are rarely better.

That last bit up there sounds somewhat snobby, I admit, but guys, really, would YOU accept anyone into a collective who spent an obvious 30 seconds putting this together? No. We all put too much time into what we do to put up with sloppy applications and abject laziness. :( So spell check dammit!

And that’s the end. Please spread the news if you have a news site!

Our apply page has all of the necessary info, though please feel free to ask questions here! We’ll get a press release out there soon to make it all legit.

My own experience with SF has been nothing but positive. We have a great PHP-based publishing system that’s easy to use and customize in a webpage, FTP access, cross-advertising, and the ability to grow unconstrained by mandatory ads (you can show ‘em if you want, but here, it’s up to you!) or horrible admin areas (*coughDRUNKDUCKcough*) or juvenile comrades (SmackJeeves, I’m looking at you).

I know a lot of people are iffy about places that make you “apply.” I see that “WTF! Why should I have to PROVE myself to you horrible people?! What if I don’t get in I’ll look like a loser and OMG I just won’t try it because rejection hurrrtsss” look on your faces! The fact is, SF is not a free host like Comicgenesis.  Not anyone can saunter on in and set up camp. People here are dedicated and experienced, and we want more of the same.  We build each other up, based on on what we publish here.  And maybe, we’re looking for YOU.

If you’re wondering if you would be a good fit, check out the other comics here. Are you in any of the same niches? No? Well that might be just what we’re looking for as well! If you are writing up your application, find something PERTINENT and INTELLIGENT to say in “why you would make a good addition to SF” field. Don’t bullshit that. Be honest. Maybe it’s “my readership is in the same vein as _______, so I would bring all my readers here to SF, and all the ones you already have would enjoy my comic as well.”  Maybe it’s “I notice that you don’t have any horror/macabre/historical fiction/etc comics! I would be the perfect addition to make SF a well-rounded place, instead of just catering to the fantasy/sci-fi crowd!” Maybe it’s, “I realize my comic isn’t perfect, but I’m very dedicated to improving my craft and cultivating my audience. In the long haul, not only would my comic be a great addition, I would be a great addition myself. I’m gung-ho, and interested in taking a big role in your community!”

While I’m in the advice-giving mood, re-read the apply page 3 times before you send yours in. Make sure you include all that we are asking for. For the love of sweet, sweet marshmellows, spell check it. I swear, you may have the most awesome comic in the world, but if I catch a really stupid typo when we as a group read your applications (and yes, EVERY member here reads your application, and casts their vote) I’M VOTING AGAINST YOU.  Fair frickin’ warning. (ok, no, I don’t really mean that. I WILL gripe about it very loudly though.)

Treat it like an application to get into a really great school! Would you have a typo on that? NO! Their/they’re/there/thier? Your/you’re/ur? Lol/lolz/lawls? Think about what that makes think about YOU. And don’t give me any “I’m an artist not an edumication writer-person” crap. GET A FRIEND TO READ IT.

Wow, my “advice” session turned into a bit of rant there. Some final things:

No, I will not read your application before you send it in. And any SF member reading this, I recommend you don’t as well.  It would be an unfair advantage.

Being a friend of any member here does NOT guarantee you a spot here. Don’t think that it does.

Put you best foot forward, chip-up, and be CONFIDENT.  Few things are worse than reading through a self-deprecating, “oh, I know this page isn’t the best, the colors are kind of off and the perspective is confusing, but I want you to know I see that and I’ll do better next time I promise please let me iiiinnnnn!” Your comic can speak for itself, so don’t try to talk over it.

And lastly, if you don’t get in, it’s not the end of the world! Not only are applications kept private, sometimes we get a really great application, and the comic simply doesn’t fit well with what we have. Not getting in is NOT a judgment on your ability, or your comic’s content, or you as a person, or your mum, or your pet rock.  Everyone will be notified of their acceptance or decline by June 30/July1. Depends on where you live.

——–

So! Spread the news, tell your friends, come and try out! Sorry if I sound like a total tyrant here. I’m the bluntly honest sort when it comes to things like this, since I’ve gone through so much bullshit myself when it comes to school applications. Good luck!

Our apply page has all of the necessary info, though please feel free to ask questions here! We’ll get a press release out there soon to make it all legit.

My own experience with SF has been nothing but positive. We have a great PHP-based publishing system that’s easy to use and customize in a webpage, FTP access, cross-advertising, and the ability to grow unconstrained by mandatory ads (you can show ‘em if you want, but here, it’s up to you!) or horrible admin areas (*coughDRUNKDUCKcough*) or juvenile comrades (SmackJeeves, I’m looking at you).

I know a lot of people are iffy about places that make you “apply.” I see that “WTF! Why should I have to PROVE myself to you horrible people?! What if I don’t get in I’ll look like a loser and OMG I just won’t try it because rejection hurrrtsss” look on your faces! The fact is, SF is not a free host like Comicgenesis.  Not anyone can saunter on in and set up camp. People here are dedicated and experienced, and we want more of the same.  We build each other up, based on on what we publish here.  And maybe, we’re looking for YOU.

If you’re wondering if you would be a good fit, check out the other comics here. Are you in any of the same niches? No? Well that might be just what we’re looking for as well! If you are writing up your application, find something PERTINENT and INTELLIGENT to say in “why you would make a good addition to SF” field. Don’t bullshit that. Be honest. Maybe it’s “my readership is in the same vein as _______, so I would bring all my readers here to SF, and all the ones you already have would enjoy my comic as well.”  Maybe it’s “I notice that you don’t have any horror/macabre/historical fiction/etc comics! I would be the perfect addition to make SF a well-rounded place, instead of just catering to the fantasy/sci-fi crowd!” Maybe it’s, “I realize my comic isn’t perfect, but I’m very dedicated to improving my craft and cultivating my audience. In the long haul, not only would my comic be a great addition, I would be a great addition myself. I’m gung-ho, and interested in taking a big role in your community!”

While I’m in the advice-giving mood, re-read the apply page 3 times before you send yours in. Make sure you include all that we are asking for. For the love of sweet, sweet marshmellows, spell check it. I swear, you may have the most awesome comic in the world, but if I catch a really stupid typo when we as a group read your applications (and yes, EVERY member here reads your application, and casts their vote) I’M VOTING AGAINST YOU.  Fair frickin’ warning. (ok, no, I don’t really mean that. I WILL gripe about it very loudly though.)

Treat it like an application to get into a really great school! Would you have a typo on that? NO! Their/they’re/there/thier? Your/you’re/ur? Lol/lolz/lawls? Think about what that makes think about YOU. And don’t give me any “I’m an artist not an edumication writer-person” crap. GET A FRIEND TO READ IT.

Wow, my “advice” session turned into a bit of rant there. Some final things:

No, I will not read your application before you send it in. And any SF member reading this, I recommend you don’t as well.  It would be an unfair advantage.

Being a friend of any member here does NOT guarantee you a spot here. Don’t think that it does.

Put you best foot forward, chip-up, and be CONFIDENT.  Few things are worse than reading through a self-deprecating, “oh, I know this page isn’t the best, the colors are kind of off and the perspective is confusing, but I want you to know I see that and I’ll do better next time I promise please let me iiiinnnnn!” Your comic can speak for itself, so don’t try to talk over it.

And lastly, if you don’t get in, it’s not the end of the world! Not only are applications kept private, sometimes we get a really great application, and the comic simply doesn’t fit well with what we have. Not getting in is NOT a judgment on your ability, or your comic’s content, or you as a person, or your mum, or your pet rock.  Everyone will be notified of their acceptance or decline by June 30/July1. Depends on where you live.

——–

So! Spread the news, tell your friends, come and try out! Sorry if I sound like a total tyrant here. I’m the bluntly honest sort when it comes to things like this, since I’ve gone through so much bullshit myself when it comes to school applications. Good luck!

SpiderForest is both a collective and host that offers freedoms in website administration not available on free, public webcomic hosts such as Comic Genesis, Drunk Duck or Smack Jeeves. It also offers notoriety upon acceptance simply by requiring an admission process, multiple choices in comic archival systems, website building and administration assistance, a subdomain at [domain].spiderforest.com (and/or hosting for an already-purchased domain name), and an instance audience via the mandatory rotating banner at the top of every site.  Founded in 2004 as the sister sites “Spider Forest” and “Spider Spawn,” which catered to fantasy/science fiction and humor comics, respectively, earlier in 2008 the networks merged into a single, unified entity simply called “SpiderForest.”  Current members include such long-running comics as CAT LEGEND, by Katrina “Kat” Santoro, EMERGENCY EXIT by NJ Huff, NAHAST: LANDS OF STRIFE by Alejandro “Al-X” Melchor, REQUIEM by James Roden, SPECIAL SCHOOL by Andy Mason, and THE WAR OF WINDS by Karen “KEZ” Howard.

SpiderForest currently hosts 16 active comics, 3 complete comics and 10 inactive or on hiatus comics. An unspecified number of spots are open for new members, and not all applicants will be accepted. To request more information on the application process, or to pose questions to current SpiderForest members, please visit the SF forum or directly email members via information found on the About SpiderForest page.  More detailed information about the benefits of acceptance may also be found on the Apply page.

The next round of admissions to the network starts June 2009. Good luck to all applicants!