| about dayfree press |
Dayfree Press was formed in 1994 by Neil g. Gustavson and Richard Stevens III, as an umbrella for publishing minicomics. In the late ninties, Dayfree Press switched from minicomics to webcomics. RStevens, creator of “Diesel Sweeties,” found his new home amongst Dumbrella, Neil g to build a new identity for the future of Dayfree Press on the net. After founding Domination T-Shirts as an income source, and building a modest name as the author of the webcomic “Robot Stories,” it was time for Dayfree Press to reawaken. In 2003, Neil g scoured the net for the most promising new webcomics talents, and the “Power In Numbers” webcomics Network was founded, beginning with a strong core group of ten members. The ten founding members were as follows:
- Butternutsquash by Ramon Perez and Rob Coughler
- Coffee Brain by Rob Laughter
- Comet 7 by David Tekiela
- Ctrl+Alt+Del by Tim Buckley
- Instant Classic by Brian Carroll
- Orneryboy by Michael Lalonde
- Robot Stories by Neil g
- Sam and Fuzzy by Sam Logan
- Theater Hopper by Tom Brazelton
- White Ninja by Kent Earle and Scott Bevan
MISSION
To create a small, quality group of webcomics that will be stronger and happier together than apart. We have achieved this modest goal through promotion, community, reputation, and respect.
PROMOTION
Every new webcartoonist needs a good link to get their fanbases jumpstarted. Dayfree Press skips the middle man by running randomized banners on each member’s website, allowing each member to promote, and be promoted, by the entire network of members. There’s nothing like a permanent visual link running on 10-15 popular webcomics. In addition, Dayfree Press releases news items to popular webcomics news sites like Comixpedia, as well as posting ongoing news and information on the main site.
COMMUNITY
Every member of Dayfree has access to our private member’s forum, the best part of being in the group. Questions about the industry, advice, information, requests for guest strips, collaborative efforts, and general discussion resulting in genuine friendships… it’s all there. The public forums have also provided a place some of our members and friends to run their own forums, sharing common readers between messageboards.
REPUTATION
It’s all about promoting the name, and being associated with a body of strong creators attached to that name. Dayfree Press’s reputation began with Domination T-shirts, which has helped such clients as Diesel Sweeties, Explodingdog, Goats, and Mac Hall make a noteable income off their webcomics through merchadising. With the launch of the “Power In Numbers” Network on this website, the name of Dayfree Press truly came into its own, on the brilliant reputations of the hard-working creators involved in the network, who regularly produce free webcomics on the net.
RESPECT
Dayfree Press is not here to compete with other popular webcomics groups, such as Keenspot or Dumbrella. In fact, several Dayfree members also hold memberships in other groups. The goal is to show respect to each other, as well as others in the webcomics community. Dayfree Press continues to show respect for its members by offering an open forum for ideas and new memberships… and above all, Dayfree makes only two requests of its members: Run the group banners on their sites, and respect each other. No other commitments or changes are imposed or requested of the members.
THE BUSINESS MODEL
Some webcomics groups choose to charge for subscription access to archives, while others rely primarily on advertising. While Dayfree Press makes no requirements of a business model, most members choose to offer the comics for free while raising money though merchandise. Being strongly connected to Domination T-Shirts, members have that road as just one more option. Almost a year after the network’s creation, some founding members have found themselves making good money on the side as a result of their merchadising efforts. Hosting for Dayfree Press itself paid for by Neil g.
BEING A PART OF DAYFREE PRESS
All comics strips involved in the “Power in Numbers” project will have the full promotional benefits of the Dayfree Press website, which includes forums, news and interviews, detailed creator profiles w/ links, as well as an inclusion in the member website listing, and an open door for merchandising through Domination Distribution. And of course, a heavy dose of identity, community, and networking. Remember, this is not a webring, this is an organization. Those that are interested are urged to watch the front page for open slots, which will be announced occasionally. If a submission is accepted by Neil g, members discuss it for a week or so before any moves are made. The membership is intentionally made up of people from varied backgrounds and tastes… the result is interesting, to say the least.
LONG-TERM GOALS
Dayfree Press has decided on a comfortable membership level of 15 comic strips, with a possible long-term goal of 20. As the convention season advances, it is expected to see the network members sharing tables at conventions. Group projects and products have been discussed… keep your eyes open.
|
|
