Today we’d like to introduce you to Akira Brown.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Akira. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
It all started with an over preparedness to get into journalism as a college major (like planning since middle school type of over-prepared). Except that changed when I took a journalism course my senior year of high school and realized, “Oh boy, I sure don’t like this.” Honestly looking back, I don’t remember why I was so dead set on becoming a journalist.
It took a lot of souls searching; from deciding, I didn’t want to major in English in college (just to be a writer) to realizing why not try for comics even though I wasn’t very skilled in the arts (but that’s what college was for right?) So, I spent a year at UCF (University of Central Florida) only to end up at SCAD for the rest of my college career. Going to art school not only helped me improve my art skill, but I really got to deep dive into the mechanics of comics, what I love about them, and the business of it.
I still definitely draw and create comics, but going to SCAD veered me into a path that I didn’t realize I’d love- which was being an editor. When I learned that editing comics was something I could do for a living, I decided to do both. As a creator myself, I definitely have stories I want to tell, but being able to help other creators make their stories as best as they could/can be so they could get those stories told brings me a lot of joy- especially since I know so many creators that have such good stories to tell.
So, you know there’s some freelance editorial work and an internship with Saturday Am (that I’m still doing) in this process to really get my brand going. And then one day I had the biggest ‘light bulb moment’ and thought: “Why just stop there?? Why not be that stepping stone to get them published too?” So in a frenzy of ideas and excitement, I made an indie publishing company called WildStar Press. It was born from wanting to help diverse creators get their stories told and a little out of spite of my own stories not getting the recognition I wanted. I’ve learned that I have the “If I want anything done, I’ll do it myself” mentality. It’s something that’s followed me through life, I realize.
And it’s important to note that this publishing company isn’t doing anything new with how it’s run. There are other places that are doing the exact thing of trying to push diversity and getting voices heard. WildStar Press is just another company doing exactly that. It’s another to add to that mix because it should be the norm and not something groundbreaking. So, if you don’t get published by the one company there, then you still have another option to try and publish with WildStar Press and vice versa. It’s good to have comfortable options. So, there’s me now: A freelance editor, comic creator, and owner of an indie press. I feel like I’m definitely where I want to be and now it’s all about how I can improve to be even better in all aspects of the work I’m doing.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Oh, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. A lot of my struggle that didn’t have to do with finance was just doubt and anxiety. ‘Am I good enough? Is this a good idea? Who besides my family would ever support this?’
Doubt and Imposter Syndrome can be a shot to the chest that kills motivation. But even though those doubts aren’t completely gone, I know that this is for sure something that makes me happy. No matter what imposter syndrome throws at me, I know at the end of the day, I’m going to come back to this because it’s what I’ve wanted to do. A day job may give me some consistent pay for survival, but doing this freelance work and publishing is, for me, truly living. And if (we’re gunning for when really) I get to do that for a living, I can say that I’m living my best life.
Also to be frank, if some old guy is able to get into big named industries being the bare minimum, then I have every right to do what I do. That’s another reminder I tell myself. Speaking of, that was and sometimes still is a struggle as well. The “face of comics” has always been older white straight guys. LGBTQ+, POC, disabled- those groups always get the short end of the stick or never get the figurative stick at all. This goes for comic characters, artists, editors, publishers, the whole nine yards.
I didn’t see (and still rarely see) many black people in the positions that I wanted to be in so those doubts would circle back. I didn’t see many LGBTQ+ creators and that anxiety of not being accepted would also come back. But to combat those doubts, again, if some old white guy that did the bare minimum can get into the industry, then I can for sure get in as well because I’m putting in my 100% to be the best I can be. And it’s a new era. It’s time for change. Time for new faces to represent the arts. Plus, I have the option to just make my own path. Making my own guarantees that I don’t have to worry about being discriminated against either, so? Yeah, that’s what I’m doing.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with WildStar Press and BluBat – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Well, my personal brand is just “BluBat”- that’s where I file my art and editing services. WildStar Press is my indie publishing company. With editing, I have a wide range of services from project management to basic proofreading (that also includes pitch evaluations). I pride myself on getting others organized and put together so they have a clear view of where they want to go with their stories. I’m that critical eye needed to not simply point out flaws but to give solutions and suggestions.
I don’t necessarily think there’s anything major that sets me apart besides being black and LGBT, but honestly, it’s really about people having more options rather than me trying to outshine the next. This goes for WildStar Press too. It’s a press that will sell short comics made by creators while also having a yearly (yearly may change) anthology. I’m proud of the work that’s being put into it and I’m proud that this will be another company that prides itself on diversity, but I don’t think there’s anything major that sets it apart. But I mean, shout out to being a black-owned business? That’s pretty cool of me. But yeah, WildStar Press is here to give people more publishing options, not to outshine others that are trying to do the same thing.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Oh, boy, the future. Plans for WildStar are currently to open up comic submissions from May to July so people can submit their comic pitches. The current anthology, Tales of the Unknown, will be having its Kickstarter in September, so keep an eye out for that.
Really, the press is just starting to kick it into high gear. For editing? I’m always open to freelance services for comics ad I’ve recently opened services to prose writing too. The biggest goal is being able to do both of these consistently so I don’t need a day job honestly.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wildstarpress.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blubat_/ | https://www.instagram.com/wildstarpress/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BluBat_ | https://twitter.com/Wildstarpress
- Other: https://blubat.wixsite.com/bluart/editorial
Image Credit:
Akira B.
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