Submissions
I would like to submit my idea for a column to you. What should I do?
I would like to submit my comic strip idea. What should I do?
I would like to submit my idea for an editorial cartoon, puzzle, or nontraditional feature. What should I do?
How much do cartoonists make?
I've written a comic strip, but I'm not an artist. Can I still submit my work?
I have an idea for one cartoon that I'd like you to buy. Can I send it to you?
The answer to my question is not here, what do I do?
I would like to submit my idea for a column to you. What should I do?
1. Column proposals should be targeted toward a minimum of weekly frequency.
2. We do not buy one-shot articles or series articles.
3. If you are proposing a column, we would like to see 4 to 6 samples -- no more than that in the first submission.
4. Preference is given to established writers and to those who already have a client list through self-syndication.
5. If your material is already published, legible PDFs of tearsheets are acceptable.
6. Column length, as a rule, should be between 500 and 600 words.
7. Our syndication agreement generally calls for an equal split of net cash proceeds from sales of a feature.
8. If we are interested in a feature for one of our "package" services, we may negotiate a per-column flat fee payment.
9. Please send your submission to us by e-mail, at submissions@unitedmedia.com. A PDF format for your samples is preferred, as it makes it easier for our editors to review.
Good luck. We look forward to hearing from you.
I would like to submit my comic strip idea. What should I do?
We are always interested in new comic ideas, especially if they come from you. To submit comic features to us for possible syndication, please follow these guidelines.
Sending Your Submission:
We would like to see 18-24 PDF samples of your work, both black-and-white and color, so that we can judge its consistency. Six strips to a page for dailies is ideal. As a syndicated cartoonist, you’ll be expected to file electronically, so this is good practice!
Please include a short note about yourself and your work. Please don’t include lengthy character descriptions, licensing prototypes or large presentations.
It can often take several months to review a submission. If you send a hard copy submission, please note that we cannot promise to review or return it.
The following tips may help you in the submission process:
Work in whatever size you feel most comfortable. However, if you are interested mainly in print syndication, please take the time to measure the kind of feature you are submitting in your local newspaper and work in the same proportion. Your art needs to be clean and legible enough to reduce to newspaper size.
Please send your submission to us by e-mail, at submissions@unitedmedia.com.
Good luck. We look forward to hearing from you.
I would like to submit my idea for an editorial cartoon, puzzle, or nontraditional feature. What should I do?
Editorial cartoons: Please send a PDF of at least 12 samples, no more than 6 to a page. Black-and-white is ok, but we’d prefer to see some in color, as well.
Puzzles: Please send a PDF of at least 8 samples with clear, concise instructions on how to play.
Interactive or animated features: Please send links to view samples, along with a clear description of what the feature is about and whatever technical requirements or components are involved.
For all types of submissions:
Please include a short note about yourself and your work.
It can often take several months to review a submission. If you send a hard copy submission, please note that we cannot promise to review or return it.
Please send your submission to us by e-mail, at submissions@unitedmedia.com.
How much do cartoonists make?
We pay our cartoonists using the standard syndication royalty split.
I've written a comic strip, but I'm not an artist. Can I still submit my work?
Please find an artist interested in your idea and work together to submit it. Although many strips are collaborative efforts, we do not find artists for writers or vice versa.
I have an idea for one cartoon that I'd like you to buy. Can I send it to you?
We do not buy "one-shots." We suggest you check "artist market" type books for publications that do.
The answer to my question is not here, what do I do?
If your question has not yet been answered then please feel free to e-mail us at submissions@unitedmedia.com and we will answer it as soon as possible.
