Pesto Comics - Audio Edition

Hey guys, happy Wednesday. My name’s Adriano, I’m here from Pesto Comics, and this week I want to talk about what I’ve been up to over the past few weeks. I did an off-schedule post last week to reintroduce myself to folks who’ve been waiting a while for a new post, and to anyone who just joined the newsletter or podcast. Now I’m getting back into the rhythm of things. I don’t have a big year-end...

Hey everyone, My name’s Adriano. I’m here from Pesto Comics. I’m the publisher, writer, fulfiller, whiner, complainer, cause of all the delays that you’ve been getting in getting your comics recently. And it’s actually why I haven’t been doing the newsletter for the past little while. And, you may notice if you’re looking for a video, there’s no video this time out. I’m going audio only, and there...

Last weekend, I hosted a workshop about getting your book into readers' hands through crowdfunding and comic shops. We cover the different paths to get there, the pros and cons of each path - all while revealing some harsh truths. 00:00 Pre-Intro 01:13 Panel Introduction 01:55 Who Am I? 03:15 What is Pesto Comics? 03:48 Three Different Ways to Get Into Comics 04:03 Getting Hired at a Publisher 07:...

We're going to slow things down with long-form videos and newsletters so we can go all-in on comics, novellas and more! 00:00 Introduction 00:23 Falling Behind 01:36 Looking Ahead to 2027 02:21 Campaigns Galore 03:26 Newsletter Schedule Change 04:31 Quality Over Quantity 06:27 Hiring Help 07:27 Upcoming Appearances 08:25 Closing Thoughts == See everything Pesto Comics has to offer at https://pesto...

I did something that, as a writer, you’re never supposed to do. I read the reviews for my book From Parts Unknown . And I have to say -- some of those reviews were right. So let’s get into it. My name’s Adriano. I’m a writer here at Pesto Comics, and the publisher, and we get all kinds of books out there into the world. One of the series that is ending very soon in the direct market is From Parts...

Let's take a quick look at how the 13th Pesto Comics campaign went! 00:01 Intro 00:52 Postmortem Plans 01:44 Three Key Observations 02:02 Returning Backers 02:46 New Backer Challenges 04:47 New Backer Pledge Power 05:14 Campaign Assessment 06:10 Biggest Takeaway 06:37 SNIP Campaign Strategy 06:56 Kickstarter Exclusivity & Accessibility 07:35 Conclusion & Thanks == See everything Pesto Comics has t...

I've been focus on the business for the past few months. I'm happy with the results, but it's time to get back to writing - and that's proving to be difficult. 00:00 Introduction 01:06 Writing is Paramount 02:25 Working in Seasons 04:14 Blocking Time & Writing Space 05:23 Making Space for Writing 06:19 Current Writing Workload 07:23 In Summary == See everything Pesto Comics has to offer at https:/...

In a perfect world, you could just ask Scott Snyder to put you on his latest Absolute comic series because you seem like a nice person. The reality is a little different. 00:00 Intro 00:52 Asking for Help 02:38 The Line 03:41 Writers Asking to Be Published 05:11 Doing It the Right Way 07:50 Thanks, Buddy == See everything Pesto Comics has to offer at https://pestocomics.com == Check out all the co...

As I struggle to talk through the con crud, let's discuss whether San Diego Comic-Con is worth it. 00:00 San Diego Intro 00:24 Why San Diego Is Worth It 00:51 The Central Meeting Place 02:10 Feeling the Pressure on the Floor 03:05 Keeping Perspective 04:57 Keep Going 05:18 What's Coming from Pesto Comics == See everything Pesto Comics has to offer at https://pestocomics.com == Check out all the co...

Live from San Diego, I have some quick reflections after a short preview night experience at SDCC. 00:00 Intro00:35 San Diego as a Meeting Place01:34 Don't Quit Your Day Job03:04 San Diego as a Respite03:50 Wrap-Up == See everything Pesto Comics has to offer at https://pestocomics.com == Check out all the comics and books coming from Adriano and Pesto Comics! In Comic Shops:-----------------------...

No one understands you, but I do... 00:00 Introduction 00:21 San Diego Comic-Con 02:27 Whiplash 05:22 The Comics Community Sphere 06:28 Thanks == See everything Pesto Comics has to offer at https://pestocomics.com == Check out all the comics and books coming from Adriano and Pesto Comics! In Comic Shops: ----------------------------------- FROM PARTS UNKNOWN #1-3 (of 5) In Stores NOW! FROM PARTS U...

A mid-year review of Pesto Comics covering three business pillars: direct market, crowdfunding, and books, plus plans for the back half of 2026. 00:00 Introduction 01:15 Pillar 1: Direct Market 04:29 Pillar 2: Crowdfunding 08:34 Pillar 3: Books 10:02 The Lesson of the first half of 2026 12:05 Looking Ahead: Second Half of 2026 16:37 Digital Strategy 17:29 Outside Comics 18:39 Wrap-Up == See everyt...

Naked Kaiju Woman is finally live on Kickstarter as a Kickstarter-exclusive series, with issue #3 kicking off a new direction that expands the kaiju lore as Sally and Claire’s island vacation goes off the rails. 00:00 Introduction 00:27 The Story Behind Naked Kaiju Woman 01:43 Future Plans & Expanding the Universe 02:53 The Story So Far 04:26 Variant Covers 06:07 Shipping & Fulfillment 07:22 Digit...

Do you want the latest on Pesto Comics without listening to me ramble? https://pestocomics.kit.com Sign up now and get a special secret reward for NKW#3 00:00 Pesto Comics: Behind the Pages and Reach 00:51 What I'm Most Proud Of: The Website 01:31 Getting Out There: In-Person Events 02:17 The Pesto Comics Roadshow 03:11 Free Comic Book Day & The Silver Snail 03:57 Local Comic Shop Day & SNIP #1 05...

Hello and welcome to Pesto Comics . My name’s Adriano -- I’m the writer, publisher, producer, and the guy who pulls these teams together to make sure you get awesome comics on your shelves and in your mailbox as frequently as I can possibly make happen. We’re just about to launch our latest campaign with Naked Kaiju Woman #3, which will be our 13th Kickstarter campaign. Beginner vs. Intermediate:...

One of the biggest communal experiences in the world is here starting today. What can comics do to replicate the same level of hype and excitement? 00:00 What Could've Been 01:08 Ticket Prices Are Untouchable 01:53 Watching at Fan Fest 02:18 What's the World Cup of Comics? 02:42 San Diego Comic-Con as the Closest Equivalent 03:49 Fragmented Conventions 04:34 Fandom Is Fandom 05:13 Go Canada Go ==...

Trying to grow while the headwinds push you back. 00:00 Introduction 00:40 The Direct Market Pipeline 01:32 Financing & Paying Artists 02:12 Seeking a Government Loan 03:04 Naked Kaiju Woman Flagged as Explicit 04:46 Kickstarter Policy Changes 05:19 Commitment to NKW & Future Plans == Check out all the comics and books coming from Adriano and Pesto Comics! Direct Market Comics: -------------------...

I'm back from vacation and turning 40 had me thinking a lot about showing up even when you don't feel like it - at the gym, at the desk, and everywhere else. I've got a lot on the go right now: From Parts Unknown #2 hits shelves June 3rd, SNIP fulfillment is wrapping up, and I'm working through a Big Smoke Pulp misprint. Plus - Naked Kaiju Woman #3 and Crimson Frontier are closer than ever. == Che...

It's my 40th birthday, and I'm feeling reflective. I talk about what this milestone means for a creative career, why starting later in life isn't a setback, and what's coming next from Pesto Comics - including From Parts Unknown, Snip, Naked Kaiju Woman, Crimson Frontier, and a few things I can't quite announce yet. 00:00 It's My 40th Birthday 00:44 What's Happening With Pesto Comics 01:51 What Tu...

I’m feeling great about comics right now and want to focus on what’s working rather than using negativity for clicks. 00:00 Positivity and the Algorithm 01:09 Something for Everyone 02:14 Diversity of Stories 04:22 A New Renaissance Period 05:43 Loving Comics Out Loud 07:18 Join the Conversation == Check out all the comics and books coming from Adriano and Pesto Comics! Direct Market Comics: -----...

Recapping my Free Comic Book Day signing at The Silver Snail and a break down why Free Comic Book Day is a misnomer that puts costs and risk on retailers. 00:00 Free Comic Book Day at The Silver Snail 00:45 A Shop That Means a Ton 01:35 The Problem with “Free” Comic Books 02:30 The Retailer’s Burden 03:39 The 2026 Distributor Split 04:38 Freebie Seekers vs. Customers 05:44 Navigating the Ecosystem...

It's the next day - and it's still surreal! From Parts Unknown #1 is available at your favorite comic book shop as of yesterday - and I'm so grateful. 00:00 The Day After 00:40 Release Day Road Show 04:23 The Oscar Speech 05:08 The Team 07:37 The Retailers 09:31 The Foundation 12:13 The Fans 13:46 Back to Reality == Check out all the comics and books coming from Adriano and Pesto Comics! Direct Ma...

I have three distinct tracks that I need to manage - and try not to fall off one onto the other. 00:00 Yet Another Productivity Hack from Me... 00:54 Track 1: Crowdfunding 02:33 Track 2: Direct Market 04:33 Track 3: Novellas 05:47 The 2027 Gap 11:55 Momentum is Everything 14:44 Send me a letter to publish in From Parts Unknown! == Check out all the comics and books coming from Adriano and Pesto Co...

Why Small Podcasts Matter: Build Your Creative Community One Listener at a Time 00:00 Toronto Indie Author Conference 00:30 The Value of Small Podcasts 03:11 The Process Over the Numbers 05:17 Finding the Path 07:01 Building Community == Check out all the comics and books coming from Adriano and Pesto Comics! Direct Market Comics: ----------------------------------- FROM PARTS UNKNOWN #1 In Stores...

Professionalism means getting things done - regardless of whether you're feeling up to it. 00:00 Intro: Riding the High 00:08 Where Pesto Comics Stands in 2026 01:14 Planning 2027: Crimson Frontier & Unfinished Scripts 02:28 Procrastination & Plates Spinning 02:44 Shiny Object Syndrome (and Why It's Both a Trap and a Gift) 03:26 Professional vs. Hobbyist: On Finishing What You Start 05:37 Start Sm...