Ape Entertainment is constantly on the lookout for fresh new talents and projects. Before submitting to us, though, please look over these submissions guidelines and prepare your samples accordingly. The easier you make it for us to evaluate your work, the easier it is for us to give your work the appraisal it deserves.

Ape Entertainment receives dozens of submission a month from individual writers, pencilers, inkers and colorists, as well as complete pitches with entire creative teams already selected.

In order to simplify this process, and in order for you to maximize the chances of your submissions getting serious consideration from us, we ask you to please consider the following list before sending work our way:

1. Be certain that your work is of the quality we are looking for: Look at our existing line of work, and decide whether or not yours is comparable. We understand that there are many different styles and many different tastes—but quality is universal. Seek second opinions on your work before submitting.

2. Read our Submissions Guidelines carefully. We expect professionalism from all of our creative teams. Following our instructions for submissions is the first way that you can show this to us. Failure to follow our guidelines can result in your submission being discarded without review or response.

3. Be patient. As mentioned, we go through dozens of submissions a month. As a result, it can take us a while to go through all of them. We will usually respond to your submissions and inquiries within two weeks. However, it can take longer sometimes, especially with non-electronic items and during convention season.

By following these three simple steps, it makes our jobs easier, which means, in turn, that we can respond more quickly.

WHAT IS APE LOOKING FOR?
Ape Entertainment employs freelance talent from all over the world. We are always on the lookout for pencilers for our in-house comic book projects. Although we don’t hire as many inkers or colorists as we do pencilers, we do occasionally hire for those positions. All artistic styles are welcome; Ape Entertainment’s comics are a varied lot, so we’re not hooked on one style of art or color.

Ape’s primary interest, however, is in creator-owned properties. We publish a number of properties that come to us from outside sources. We are definitely in the market for one-shot comics, mini-series, and graphic novels. All genres are considered, from “all-ages” to “mature readers” and all points in-between.

BUT WHAT ABOUT WRITERS?
Although we wish we could provide opportunities for all creators, we are NOT currently hiring writers who haven’t already assembled a creative team of their own. Why not? For one thing, we don’t have a large enough editorial staff to assemble, cultivate, and monitor new creative teams in the hopes that such teams will “gel” and be able to produce. Secondly, Ape’s entire catalog is generated from in-house and creator-owned sources, so there are no openings for writers on our existing books. Don’t give up hope, though: writers interested in bringing their work to Ape are encouraged to find artists and produce project pitches of their own (see below).

WHAT ABOUT THAT ANTHOLOGY I HEARD ABOUT?
We are no longer publishing our Ape OMNIBUS anthology, so we have no more need for short-story material. We may explore the anthology format again someday, but for now we’re looking for freelance talent and pitches for stand-alone projects.

HOW DO I SEND IN A SUBMISSION?
All submissions should be sent to Ape Entertainment’s managing editor, Kevin Freeman. We will accept submissions in one of four formats:

1. Via Weblink. This is our preferred method of submission. Host your art and/or pitch on a website, and send us the URL, along with a short message introducing yourself and your work to us. Send weblink submissions to KFreeman@ape-entertainment.com.

2. Via Email. We can accept moderately sized file attachments. Ape has limited email space, and simply cannot handle 20 MB pitches. If you send a submission this way, particularly if it contains large attachments (say, over 5 MB), please do us the courtesy of sending us an email telling us that a submission is on the way, then await confirmation to send the file. Kevin checks the Ape mail multiple times a day; thus the wait should be short. Send email submissions to Submissions@ape-entertainment.com.

3. Via Snail Mail. If you prefer, you can send your submission via snail mail. Do NOT send original art or materials you cannot replace, samples will not be returned. These can be sent to

4. At conventions. We also accept submissions and pitches at the Ape Entertainment convention booth. Check the Convention Appearances section of our message board to find out when we’re coming to a convention center near you! Please make sure you have an appropriate submission packet ready to leave with us so that we can review your work at later times, as well.

WHAT SHOULD BE IN MY SUBMISSION?
Regardless of the kind of work you are looking for, and regardless of how it is sent, there are a few things that should be included in all submissions sent to Ape. These include a cover letter introducing us to you and your work, appropriate contact information, and preferably copies of your work on disc or CD (as well as hard copies).

Pencilers: We are not looking for pinup artists; we’re looking for people that can draw comics. This means that any penciler looking for work with Ape Entertainment must provide samples of sequential art. We want at least four pages of sequential pencils to assess your skills as a storyteller and artist. Try to show as much versatility as possible in your samples--four pages of spandex-clad men beating on each other won’t tell us much about your artistic range. Remember, we publish all kinds of stuff, so don’t limit yourself!

Inkers: Inking samples should consist of no fewer than four pages; we’ll need to see the pencil art as well as the finished pages. We have no requirements regarding the types of tools our inkers use; all we’re interested in is the finished result. Thus, digital inking samples are as welcome as inks produced via traditional means.

Colorists: Show us at least four pieces (including at least two pages of sequential art) that demonstrate your skills. If you have a repertoire of several coloring styles, show us all of them! It doesn’t get much simpler than that, does it?

Project Pitches: So you’ve got a book you want us to publish, eh? Well, send us your pitch! All pitches should include the following…

1. At least six pages of sequential art (pages in continuity are preferred)

2. Comprehensive character designs and descriptions, including model sheets for each of your primary protagonists.

3. A detailed project overview that lets us know what the project is about and what makes it special.

4. A completed script. Do not send scripts for your entire series—one issue (or chapter, in the case of an OGN) is sufficient.

You can send your pitch via any of the methods mentioned above. You don’t have to find a letterer before pitching to us, as we have staff on hand who can attend to your editing and lettering needs. We’re interested in pitches for graphic novels, one-shots, and mini-series; we are not, however, looking for any monthly ongoing series.

Failure to abide by these rules can result in your submission being discarded without response. We expect professionalism in submissions, and this is one way to show it.

WHAT ABOUT RPGs? In addition to comics projects, we do consider completed role-playing games for publication. We are not currently looking for contributors to any of the role-playing products we have in development, though this could change in the future.

WHAT DOES APE LOOK FOR IN A SUBMISSION?
Like most comic book companies, Ape Entertainment receives a lot of submissions. What sets the cream of the crop apart from the rest? There are a number of things, really, but the “big three” are quality, professionalism, and enthusiasm.

Quality: We judge submissions on talent, vision, and craft. We judge pitches on the strength of the writing and the art; the prettiest pictures in the world can’t carry a third-rate script, and the best script can’t save shoddy art. Why bother creating a comic if it’s not going to be the highest-quality comic possible?

Professionalism: Don’t take that to mean that we only want established people to submit to us—we work with new people all the time (you don’t have to be a pro to behave professionally). Are you able to put your ego aside and take editorial guidance? Can you hit a deadline? Are you ready and willing to do some research to get your pages right? That’s the kind of professionalism we’re looking for.

Enthusiasm: A genuine passion for comics is vital to success in this industry. You have to love comics to make good comics. You have to be motivated and energetic. If you’re excited about what you do, it will show in the finished product.

If you and your work demonstrate these three key ingredients, we just might have a place for you at Ape Entertainment.

Should you have any further questions about submitting to Ape Entertainment, contact Kevin at KFreeman@Ape-Entertainment.com. Make sure you’ve read these guidelines carefully before sending submissions or pitches of any kind.