Taking Their Stories From Concept to ComicCon

‘Put Yourself Out There Even If You Don’t Think You’re Ready for It’

Emma Patchin, from Champion, Ohio, said that she learned about creating comics, but also about what it means to be an artist. “That includes what professional artists’ deadlines look like, the complexity of the sequential art process, and how ideas can change shape between the start and end of a project.

Patchin also learned to overcome self-doubt. “If you had asked me if I could write, illustrate and color a 12-page story completely from scratch, I would have told you ‘No. My drawing skills aren’t developed enough. I’m a terrible writer. I don’t think I’ll ever have a published work,” she said. “However, I now own a book with my work in it, and it’s sitting on my shelf with all of the other illustrated books and graphic novels that inspired me to be an artist in the first place,” said Patchin. “My biggest recommendation would be to put yourself out there, even if you don’t think you’re ready for it.”

Her goals after graduation are to work as a graphic designer while also doing freelance illustration with the end goal of a full-time illustration job. She also plans to continue taking courses online and at a university to sharpen her existing skills and add new ones. 

‘Put What You Think is Cool into Your Story’

Stephanie Gilton, from Dublin, OH, had some experience telling stories visually before working her “Revolutionary Love” story (chapter one of three) for “Flash Fiction.” “I was nine years old when I announced to my family, I was going to make a comic and for the past 17 years, I’ve been building up my skills, majorly as an artist and minorly as a writer,” she said.

She advises other creators to “Find a way to do what they want; do the research, do all the hard work that goes into making it.” Then, she said that if they can’t find a studio to work with, there are webnovel sites, like Webtoons, or to just post their art online on sites like Patreon and DeviantArt, to “get your name out there.” “And lastly, and I think the most important thing, is to always put what you think is cool into your story,” Gilton said. “Write for yourself, too, not just your audience.”

Insights from The Panel – Akron ComicCon 2025

Route Eight Studios had a table at the Akron ComicCon at Emidio’s Party Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Nov. 7-8. Gorman and a few of his studio partners attended the event, along with eight of the Kent State students who contributed to “Flash Fiction.” The first copies of the book were available for sale at the con, with more to be printed later for distribution to fill Kickstarter orders and for sale in local comic book shops.

One of the highlights on Saturday was a panel discussion by the students titled “Becoming a Comic Book Creator.” Amy Johnson, Autumn Johnson’s mother, served as moderator, asking questions about their experiences creating “Flash Fiction.” Johnson described herself as “the studio mom,” supporting and encouraging the artists at Route Eight Studios, including Gorman and his partners.

The panel described some of their challenges while creating their stories, like learning new technology, drawing consistently uniform characters, expressing emotions in their illustrations and drawing clothing – “particularly Hermes’ shoes.” The students expressed gratitude for the guidance and advice offered by Gorman and the other artists at the studio. A few quotes from Gorman that stuck with them included “When you hit page four, it’s going to be terrible,” in speaking about reaching a halfway point after already finishing a lot of difficult work, knowing there’s an equal or greater amount still to be done. Gorman also advised them, “It’s not your job to worry about what people think of your work – it’s your job to finish it.”

Pieces of advice offered by the students were “A bad start is a start,” “Don’t be afraid of a blank canvas,” “Sleep on it: I get great ideas when I wake up,” and “Just do it; get it down on paper as fast as possible.”

The students described their dream jobs: illustration, character design, video game design, animation, storyboard art, and, of course, comic books and graphic novels. They agreed that the best part of their experience in creating “Flash Fiction” was seeing everyone else’s finished work after working alongside them as they created it.

After “Flash Fiction," What's Next? 

After spending their entire summer writing and illustrating their stories for the anthology, Gorman said that “they learned how difficult it was.” “But the thing I’m most proud of is that all 12 got the project done,” he said. “There wasn’t a single one that didn’t get the project done. A couple of them will never do it again; they’ve satisfied their comic book itch. But a couple of them can’t wait to do the next one. And then you have some people who are feeling kind of in-between.” 

There’s plenty of work for the students to pitch in on around the studio, assisting creators with coloring, lettering, inking and other tasks. “As the projects roll in, I’m offering them to the students to get them published globally with distributed work on shelves in comic book stores.”

Gorman’s goal is to give the students the experience of working as professionals on a professional project and what the expectations are versus their experiences in their classes. Because the difference, he says was a shock to his system after he graduated from art school. “And I had to adjust quick[ly] if I was going to survive,” Gorman said. “So, what I’m trying to do is to give the students an opportunity to learn from being in a real-world experience without any negative aspects of a real-world experience.”

“Getting their feet wet and cutting their learning curve down: I want their learning curve to be half of what mine was,” he said.

“Flash Fiction” is available for purchase at local comic book shops: Johnny Scott Comics in Kent, Magic City Comics in Barberton, Comics Are Go in Sheffield, Bill's Books and More in Canton and Adam's Action Figures and Comics in Edinburgh and also at Route Eight Studios in Stow. You can order a copy online by following this link to starpowerpromos.com.

Special thanks to Daniel Gorman, Amy Johnson and all the student creators for their assistance in preparing this story.