“I had wanted to take Andy's Intro to Comic Writing class for years, but New York City was just too far away. So, I jumped into the first online version of the class with both feet--and it exceeded even my high expectations. Imagine getting six weeks of live lectures and advice from an experienced Editor and Writer like Andy, while meeting, critiquing, and getting reviewed by fellow writers from all over the country. It's motivating, inspiring, and just plain fun. And Andy is there every step of the way to guide and encourage you. You will not want the class to end.

“Comics Experience isn't just a bunch of lectures. It's a proven and logical methodology for taking those stories rattling around in your head and turning them into publishable, professional comic book scripts. I left the class not just with a completed script, but also with a group of like-minded friends to keep my momentum going forward. Now we're pursuing self-publishing an anthology right from the classwork. If you have always dreamed of writing comic books, take this class!”

Rob Anderson – online writing student

“Andy Schmidt's Comics Experience class has not just given me the confidence and the skill set to write comics, it has made me a better writer PERIOD. You learn it's more about story and substance than style. He also has the unique ability to make you realize how talented you really are.”

Dan Rivera – online writing student

“Andy's Comics Experience Introduction to Comic Book Writing course was everything I hoped it would be and well worth the money. Andy's enthusiasm for comics and helping writers is honest and infectious. The class helped hone and focus my previous writing skills and background for the comics.

“As someone looking to break into the business, Andy did a wonderful job of pulling back the curtain and showing us the business side of the industry. I now feel much more prepared to assemble a pitch and then present it and myself to
companies and editors.

“After six weeks, I feel sharper as a comic book writer, more prepared for putting pitches together, more educated about the realities (some of them harsh) of the industry and am more upbeat and excited about writing and creating comics. I really don't think you could ask for more than that.”

George O’Connor – online writing student

"When I enrolled in Introduction to Comic Book Writing, I wanted to understand how the comics industry really operated, and develop the skills necessary to tell stories in this medium like a professional.  Thanks to Andy, I now have a better appreciation for what it's like on the inside, and I know the secret do's and don'ts that separate a real writer from an amateur one, in the eyes of editors. On top of that I made some new friends with people who love comics as much as I do. I can't recommend this course highly enough to people who are serious about writing for comics."

Fred Kim – Online writing student

“…This week I was in New Orleans with my movie at a horror film festival. After the fest, I had an opportunity to pitch one of the major production companies in that area (third largest film market in the U.S.). After last week's (Comics Experience online writing) class, I completely based my pitch package on what we learned in class. I reapplied some of the principals from comics to film. But long story short, it worked my film pitch was accepted; I'm now ‘in development.’

“Thanks for the mentoring!”

J.D. Oliva – online writing student

“As an aspiring comics writer, I first became aware of Comics Experience when they offered panels on relevant topics, such as pitching, story structure and how to break into comics. Over the next several months, I kept hearing very good things about the Comics Experience writing courses, which were held in New York City. Unfortunately, I don't live in New York City; I live outside of Washington, DC. Consequently, although I wanted to attend these classes, doing so would have been highly impracticable for me.

“Earlier this year, an on-line version of the writing class was offered and I immediately signed up. I must admit, I had some concerns about how well the class would translate into an on-line format. From what I had heard, one of the main advantages of the classroom setting was the sense of community that developed among the students through in-class activities and critiques. My fear was that these relationships would be lost in the cold impersonal world of computing. Moreover, I was afraid that the some of instructional nuances and personality would be lost without face-to-face interaction.

“These concerns were alleviated by the end of the first class. The Webex system utilized provides face to face interaction with the instructor, Andy Schmidt, who utilized a web cam. Most students had microphones so that we could ask questions or make comments (some had web cams as well). As an added feature, there was also a chat function that allowed for questions and comments that did not interrupt the flow of the lesson plan. After each class, students would communicate through email and an online google community to give each other comments and criticisms on their work-in-progress.

“Through this communication, I really got to know my fellow classmates. Some were established writers and artists who have worked for big name companies. Some, like me, were just starting out in the industry, while others had never written a word before taking the class. Because we all had different genres and writing styles, I found it incredibly helpful to see how each of their stories developed into publishable comic scripts. Now that the class has ended, I am still friends with many of them and we are planning a group project for the upcoming comic convention season.

“The class itself is great. Each lesson is focused on a different aspect of comic writing (e.g., story structure, panel layout, and dialogue). In addition, there are specific topics of interest to new writers like pitching and breaking in. Although I had read numerous books and taken courses on creative writing, I still learned a lot in the class about writing comics.

“I found Andy Schmidt's teaching style to be highly entertaining and engaging. He mixes academic knowledge with real world experiences and draws examples (both good and bad) from everything from classic literature to comics to movies. We also had an opportunity to peek 'behind the curtain' to see works in progress of upcoming projects and talk with comic legends like Chuck Dixon (who wrote one of my favorite books: Nightwing). In addition to providing great fanboy moments, we were also able to see how the knowledge we were gaining in the class was being applied in the industry. In short, the Comics Experience writing class was the highlight of my week and I am sorry that it is over.

“What have I gained now that the class has ended? Can I expect DC, Marvel or Image to scoop me up now that this is on my resume? I doubt it. Has my writing improved? Absolutely. I think the class has helped me become a better storyteller. And, at the end of the day, that's all that any writer can ask for.            

“I highly recommend this class.”

Joe Sergi – online writing student

Dear Mr. Schmidt,

"We’ve never met, but your response to the anthology was the highlight of the our making this anthology! Everyone’s confidence quadrupled just knowing you had read—and enjoyed—our stories.

"New Years Day, 2009, I had made a promise to myself that I would become a professional writer/artist in the industry, and that every bump in the road would only be received that it might take me a little longer than I thought, and I’d have to work a little harder at it, but I would always keep moving forward. Always.

"This past February, I submitted my artwork at the DC Talent Search. The following day, I went to the convention, confident I’d be on the list for a one-on-one session... After all, I had spent months working on those three pages!

"My not seeing my name on the board was a life changing moment. The 'rejection' wasn’t even the hardest part. It was the not knowing why my pages weren’t good enough. Books help; I’d already read plenty of them. But there are thousands of factors specific to a writer and artist that play into their work.

"Enter Comics Experience. There’s a huge gap between the guy who’s drawing his favorite heroes in his favorite poses and the guy who’s submitting stuff that meets the standard of the industry. Your classes proved to be the perfect step to closing that gap.

"Nick Lowe, somehow, magically, managed to get us writers to know when we were putting too much into something better left simple, and when were making things too obvious/direct when complexity could heighten the quality of the story.

"I loved Mike Siglain’s approach to art, because he values how much emotion a drawing communicated just as much as its technical components like anatomy and perspective. Desperate not to lose the connection with my classmates, I did everything possible to get everyone on board for the anthology.

"Little did I know how many more lessons we were about to learn.

"A good inker isn’t automatically good at “coloring” a black and white story.

"Someone being excited to work on your project can be very good for the ego, but, unfortunately, it’s no indication of how qualified they are to do it

"The word deadline means something different to every single person. For some, it doesn’t mean anything.

"The most never-thought-this-would-be-so-hard thing for new artists and writers alike is lettering.

"People vanish. In a world of voicemails, texts and emails, some people choose not to communicate if they’re running late, need help or no longer want to be on the project. They just vanish, only to reappear much later with finished pages. I hear people do this even when they’re getting paid. At this point, I’m inclined to believe it.

"Most important, for me, was realizing I had foolishly adopted my fellow comic book friends’ definition of success: a paying gig with a comic book company. I’ve realized that creating work and putting it out there is all it takes to be in the industry. Incidentally, I now know this is also one of the best ways to get that gig.

"Now that the anthology is done, we’ve taken it to the next level and created Prontocomics.com, where new talent can connect with each other, showcase their work, and support to each other.

"The excitement of seeing our scripts come to life, seeing our art in print, and finally seeing our stories in the hands of strangers… we all of this to your Comic Experience Courses.
The best way to thank is to do everything I can to encourage people to take the classes. Rest assured, Pronto Comics will be plugging you every chance we get.
If you ever a need a testimonial for your class, I’m your guy."

Achilles Yeldell