Hello? Hello? Is this thing on?

In which Bill, a technojinx of renown, tries to figure out what he’s doing, and attempts to overcome the programming template that wants oh so very much to do things it’s way.

My name is Bill Willingham. For the past sixty years or so I’ve been telling lies and spinning tall tales. For the past forty years I’ve found ways to get paid for it, saving an already beleaguered world from attempts (lacking all real skills) to contribute to the commonweal in a more substantial way.

I write and draw stories.

You might have read some of them. I suppose I’m best known for writing the long running comic book series called FABLES, which was published by DC/Vertigo (until Vertigo was recently interred) and is now published by DC/Black Label. I’ve written many other comic books, drawn a few, and written a paltry few prose novels and stories. We’ll talk about those later.

Since I’m informed by people much smarter than me that this is a real and reliable platform for storytelling, I’m going to give this place a try. Yes, this is a trial run.

Notoriously short of perseverance, and easy to become discouraged when technology that works for everyone else won’t work for me (I know… you don’t believe me, but it’s been tested under controlled conditions), I don’t know if I’ll keep up with it. So, until such time as I’m certain I’ll keep doing this, this will be an entirely free newsletter.

What might you be able to find here?

Old art and stories, meaning previously published.

New art and stories, never before published.

History and insider knowledge, mostly about the comics and publishing industries, but also about folklore and related legendaria.

Bad jokes.

What won’t you find here?

Lessons on writing, drawing, and how to make it in the comic book industry. Not because I don’t know about such things — after forty years I hope I do — but because I’m a terrible teacher. I have no organization and simply lack the knack. Luckily there are better teachers available, some of whom are here on Substack. Head over to Scott Snyder’s site. Judging by the quality of students he’s produced (James Tynion the Fourth seems a fine example), he’s an excellent teacher of the craft and business of comics writing. However, from time to time I will drop an anecdote or pro tip about past lessons hard-learned that may be of some help to you. That’s the best I can offer on the teaching front.

That’s it for now. More stuff as I think of it.

Look for one of these newsletters no less often than weekly, and sometimes more frequently.

The Substack folks want me to remind you every other paragraph that you should subscribe. I’m not good at begging, nor general hucksterism, so I’ll just ask you to do so, if you don’t mind. And do please recall it’s free for now.

Thank you.

Bill