Having written about indie and creator-owned comics in various capacities for over a decade, I’m very pleased to announce that ShelfAbuse is teaming up with Metal and Laydeez do Comics to host the Inkhead Comics Culture LAB this October 1-5^th.

The Inkhead LAB is a weeklong (and paid!) workshop where professional, self-published or aspiring comic creators will spend a week developing a project at Chalkwell Park residency, while enjoying input from several guest speakers (more on those soon) and engaging with the public during several evening events and a Friday night discussion/exhibition.

Laydeez Do Comics probably need no introduction to UK-based comic creators; the high-profile group is responsible for regular events and workshops that predominantly, if not exclusively, promote the work of female comic creators and cartoonists. The workshop will also form part of LDC’s collaborative project with South Indian publisher Kokaachi, so attendees will discover a completely fresh take on comics and work with LDC founder Nicola Streeten, who has helped develop Inkhead from day one.

Metal is an arts organisation with headquarters in Liverpool, Peterborough and my hometown of Southend-on-Sea. The Inkhead Culture LAB will be the first comic-based event they’ve held, and will hopefully allow us to plant the seeds for an ongoing platform that promotes the best local and national comic book talents.

There are nine spaces on the workshop, and all expenses will be paid for, as well as a nominal participation fee of £250 given to each participant. So, if you’re a comic creator who fancies a week in the South East developing your skills, apply now!