We recently connected with Bailey Lopata and have shared our conversation below.

Bailey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Often the greatest growth and the biggest wins come right after a defeat. ther times the failure serves as a lesson that’s helpful later in your journey. We’d appreciate if you could open up about a time you’ve failed.

One of my most memorable failures was the first time that I tried to edit a comic. I wanted to gain some editorial experience, so I started up a little anthology with my friends. We were all very excited about it and wanted to make something we could add to our resumes and portfolios.

Sadly, since it was my first time being an editor, I didn’t quite know what I was doing. More than anything, I didn’t treat my artists right. I thought it was my job to tell them what they did wrong and how to improve their comic. I was there to make the story the best it could be… Part of that is true. As an editor, I am here to help improve the comic, however, it’s not MY comic. Yes, I am here to point out where things can be improved, but I also need to point out what my artists did well. I’m their editor, but I am also their cheerleader. I am the first one, if not the only one, giving them feedback on their work. If I am only battering them with negativity, their drive and morale to complete the project is going to plummet. Surprise, surprise, that’s exactly what happened.

I gave a lot of negative feedback to my artists/team members and quickly saw their wish to complete the project drop. We did eventually complete the anthology, but only after one member ghosted for us for 2 months, and another was dragged to the finish line. I am not proud of how harsh I was with my friends, but it did teach me a very valuable lesson: The artist/editor relationship is VERY important in a successful project. Now, one of my number one goals for my career is to create positive, long-lasting relationships with the people I work with. I ask how I can support them and make sure to point out all the successes in their comic. At the end of the day, it’s their comic, and it’s my job to help them in the best way that I can.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My first exposure to comics was through my grandpa! He loved the Sunday funnies, so I was well accustomed to Garfield and Calvin and Hobbes. Around late middle school, I became obsessed with webcomics through the WEBTOON platform. Even today, I always make sure to read the latest updates before bed. At the time, though, I didn’t see webcomics as a career goal; it was simply my favorite hobby.

Fast forward to college and my first year at SCAD. I didn’t know what I wanted to do in the art industry, but I did know that I wanted to be a part of the storytelling process. It wasn’t until I went to a majors and minors fair that I officially decided to join the Sequential Arts department. In hindsight, the writing was on the wall. I wanted to be a part of the STORYTELLING process, so of course I would be a SEQA student. However, at the time, it was a big decision, and I didn’t know the right answer until I talked to a couple of the professors in the program.

Fast forward again, I am in my Introduction to Sequential Art class. I had never drawn a comic before, so I didn’t really know what I was doing there. I did, however, love WEBTOON, so I thought that could be a nice icebreaker to meet some new friends. My professor, Hunter Clark, then pointed out that WEBTOON was a growing section of the comics industry and that I could look into making that my career. I was flabbergasted! Me? Scroll Comics?! But it was just a hobby… Again, looking back, the writing was on the freaking wall. Alas, I was still learning how I would fit into the comics world.

A couple of class critiques later and Hunter realized that I ALWAYS had some feedback to give to my peers. So, he suggested I look into the editorial side of comics. From that moment on, I was hooked! I was going to be an editor, and I’d do everything I could to get there. I created my own anthology, I joined Level Ground Comics (LGC), I became an editor for Friendship House Books, I edited for my friends’ webcomics, and SO much more. Even now, I am always on the search to be as active in the community as I can.

One of my proudest accomplishments has been running the Scroll Comics Jam at SCAD. The Scroll Comics Jam is an event that challenges students to create a 1 -2 episode story surrounding that year’s theme. The students had a month to complete their story, and then the finished comics were put into a collective anthology. I am (and was) the Webcomics Committee Head at Level Ground Comics, so I was in charge of the LGC side of the Jam. A lot of the work entailed organizing the event, collaborators, submission files, and students. Thankfully, I had a lot of help from a lot of people at SCAD and WEBTOON (Thank you, Hunter, Kirsten, and Kailey). I learned a lot during the event and had the pleasure of reading so many wonderful stories. I’d love to run next year’s Scroll Comics Jam as well (because I had so much fun), but I’ll be stepping back and watching a new LGC member make some lasting memories like I have.

Now, I am an Editorial Intern at my dream company: WEBTOON. I’m learning a lot through my mentors and fellow interns (all of whom are the nicest people you’ll meet). I am also silently fangirling over the editorial team. They were the reason so many of my most cherished WEBTOONS even exist. I am so grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to see what the next steps of my career journey entail.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

This one is a little tricky because I am still at the beginning stages of my career. However, I think my connection to scroll comics is prevalent because of my enthusiasm. Not only am I very excited about all the scroll comic projects that I am a part of, but I am also excited about other people’s scroll comic projects. At this point, I feel like I have been trained like a dog. If I hear someone say “WEBTOON” or “Webcomic” within earshot, you better be prepared to talk to me because I’m walking over. I want to know all about your project and goals. What are your thoughts on the different scroll platforms? Is there any way I could help you, or any place I could go and support your work? I can’t help but get excited with other people who want to be in this part of the comics industry. I think (and hope) that excitement has been noticed by others.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I LOVE collaberating. Being a part of a team that is just as excited and driven as I am is easily the most rewarding part of the job. Quickly, work becomes productive play, and stories begin to burst to life. Then, before you know it, you have this beautiful world that you’re holding in the palm of your hands. A place that just a month ago didn’t exist. But now, you have these characters and their lives unfolding before you. Why? Because you had such wonderful people to work with, who always made the process enjoyable.

Now, this is most definitely a rose-colored version of collaboration. I’ve had my fair share of “head-butting” when it comes to team projects. But this is how collaboration feels for me 80% of the time. Being with my friends and brainstorming such exciting things has always been very energizing to me. Then we get to take everyone’s strengths and make the best version of the comic we can. And let me tell you, it always turns out so amazing to me. Holding your creation, a physical copy of it, and seeing everything that everyone accomplished always brings a calm sense of awe to me. It’s hard to find your people, but when you do, the creativity just flows.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://baileylopata.wixsite.com/comic-editor
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boolo_here/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bailey-lopata-boolo60/
• Other: https://levelgroundcomics.wixsite.com/mysite

  https://www.friendshiphousebooks.com/

Image Credits

Avery DiGesualdo and Kayla-Ann McKamie – Cherry twins, a cat, and a dog.