10 Things to Do When You Get Laid Off From a Comics Publisher
Must read if you've been laid off and for those of you that haven't yet...
*I walk into the frame, spin the chair backward, and take a seat like a teacher trying to be cool.*
So, you’ve got laid off from your job at a major comic book publisher.
For those of you that didn’t know, I was laid off in July. I’m not here to spill the tea on what happened to me or speculate on what’s going on elsewhere. I’d like to provide some words of wisdom that you should consider after you’ve been given the pink slip through a virtual meeting.
1. Don’t bottle up your emotions.
Look, this isn’t your fault. OK. Maybe it is. But so what! It’s alright to be emotional. Don’t bottle it up inside. Talk to a friend, family member, or some stranger about how you’re feeling. As I mentioned before, hundreds of thousands of people have lost their jobs this year. You’re in good company. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is open 24/7.
2. There is no need to explain anything to anyone.
You’re going to get messages from people probing you to spill your guts so they can run off and play a game of telephone with your experience. Keep it to yourself. You don’t owe an explanation to anyone about what happened. Your financial situation and livelihood isn’t public knowledge, and you can’t trust that former colleagues will have your best interest in mind.
3. Negotiate for a better severance package.
Counter for more money; especially, if they want you to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Will you get more money? Maybe. But there’s no harm in asking questions. Remember: NDAs* are only enforceable if they’re bulletproof. But they don’t think you know that.
*Note that this or anything on this post and page is not meant to be taken as legal counsel. You should have your lawyer review any documents before signing them. I would consider seeking help from someone like Gamal Hennessy or Creator Resource.
4. Move forward.
What happened, happened. There’s nothing you can do to change the situation. This is a learning opportunity. But there are lots of jobs out there. I haven’t seen an email this letter since February, but, I would suggest subscribing to Buddy Scalera’s Comic Book School Newsletter. He’s always posting comic book publishing job listings.
5. File for unemployment now.
I know. It’s not fun. But don’t screw yourself out of money that you can be collecting until you are gainfully employed. There’s no shame in taking a hand up. I would also consider signing up for EBT aka food stamps. Go to your nearest library if you need assistance and they will be able to point you in the right direction or check out their website first. LAPL has a lot of resources.
6. Celebrate!
There are a lot of things to celebrate. It’s not easy to break into the comic book industry. For a lot of reasons, the odds were stacked against you! You did it! You can do it again. Experience is worth its weight in gold, and you have that now. You have value as a prospective hire. This is the beginning of a new you.
7. Sleep.
Comic book publishers will run you into the ground faster than a racing greyhound on Taco Tuesdays. Oftentimes there is no health care, paid time off, sick leave, maternity leave, or empathy. Everyone is doing more than they were hired for because you should “feel grateful that you’re even in this business.” This is your chance to get some much-needed shut-eye before you’re back on that grind.
8. Touch grass.
Look, get some fresh air. Obviously, I don’t want to be ableist and say you should go on a long walk and go for a hike. I am lucky that I get to go for long distance bike rides with my friends and tune out. My hands are on the bars and my phone is away from my face. Cycling has done me wonders. But it’s good to get out of your environment if your schedule allows.
9. Sell your comps!
You can make some money at your local comic shop or bookstore. Even record shops buy graphic novels. If that doesn’t feel right, donate them to your library or a school library. Clear some space on those shelves and mind from your ex-employer.
10. Don’t be afraid.
The only thing to fear is letting this define you and your career. You are a one-thousand-piece puzzle but your cat jumped on the table and the pieces are everywhere. It’s time to rebuild. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, I tell you. Trust me. This is just the beginning. To quote Smashmouth’s Allstar:
Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play
Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid
And all that glitters is gold
Only shooting stars break the mold
P.S. I totally forgot that the official All-Star music video has the actors from the movie adaptation of Bob Burden’s Original Mysterymen in it. Bonkers.