Read part 1 here, read part 2 here, or read on to find out how I used the feedback I collected from beta readers and used reader suggestions to improve my all-ages graphic novel. Getting Feedback From Readers I started getting reader feedback on the same day I sent out the link to the rough…
Author: Jess Smart Smiley
Jess Smart Smiley makes rad pictures with his bare hands. He has created 18 books for young readers, including "Let's Make Comics" (#1 on Amazon in 4 categories), 3 all-ages graphic novels, a series of picture books, a hidden object book, and more.
Jess has created work for DisneyPixar, Penguin RandomHouse, Cartoon Network, BOOM Studios, Deseret Book, Provo City, and more.
Jess has helped thousands of children, teens, and adults to create their first comics, and he regularly visits schools, libraries, and bookstores, as well as book festivals, comic conventions, writing and literacy symposiums, and other story- and craft-focused events.
Jess is currently working on several new comics and graphic novels, as well as games, illustrations, activities, and some non-fiction writing.
Making & Revising My Graphic Novel (2/3)
Read part 1 here or keep reading to learn how I found and reached out to beta readers, and shared my all-ages graphic novel before it was published. Finding Beta Readers It might be somewhat easy to find people online who want to read a book for free, but I figured I would need to…
Making & Revising My Graphic Novel (1/3)
Read on to learn more about: Creating my 224-page rough draft in 3 weeks while stuck in bed Finding beta readers to proofread my graphic novel Setting up surveys and forms to gather feedback from beta readers Using reader feedback to revise my graphic novel Hi! My name is Jess Smart Smiley. I’m an author/illustrator…
New Comics Magazine from PEOW
Over the last 4 or 5 years, PEOW has quickly become one of my favorite indie comics publishers. Founded by Elliot Alfredius, Olle Forsslöf and Patrick Crotty, in Stockholm, Sweden, PEOW publishes a unique brand of beautifully-produced risograph comics from around the world. While the heavy shipping costs to the US have been cost-prohibitive for…
Make & Keep Your Goals with My Instagram Story Templates
Excited for the new year, but nervous about keeping the goals you’ve made? Maybe this will help… I’ve created a set of free templates for you to use in your Instagram Stories and help you achieve your goals! Download the full set here and start sharing with friends and family today. Jess Smart Smiley
A Christmas Song for You
Merry Christmas! Here is an old Christmas spiritual I discovered and recorded a couple of weeks ago. Jess Smart Smiley
Free Winter Wallpaper | Hot Dogs in Winter
Really, is there any better way to celebrate the winter season than with my free winter wallpaper download “Hot Dogs in Winter”? I don’t think so! Click here to download “Hot Dogs in Winter” for your phone / computer by Jess Smart Smiley. Enjoy! Jess Smart Smiley
Some Thoughts on Stick Figures and Teaching Comics Workshops
I teach comics workshops to children, teens, and adults. Most of my students are new to writing and/or drawing, and come with equal parts excitement and anxiety. I feel like my role is to make the creation process fun and accessible, while allowing the students to pursue whichever styles/genres/approaches interest them most. Week-long comics workshops…
Book Report: 2019
The Good News: being stuck in bed with constant, debilitating pain for the past 14+ months afforded me more reading time than I usually get. The Bad News: much of my reading time and enjoyment was cut short by the effects of medicine (headaches, brain fog, memory and concentration issues). That being said… 2019 was…
$1 Investments with Fractional Shares
I’ve only been using the Robinhood investment app for 2 weeks, but I’ve already seen a $5 increase on my $222.29 in free stocks and $11.06 in paid investments. I’ve already recuperated almost half of what I spent! In my post titled Micro Investing (Part 2: Robinhood App Basics), I walked through my experience in…
