So, you’ve read the UK Comics Creator Survey Report co-ordinated by Comics Laureate Hannah Berry. As a comic creator, you’ve laughed, you’ve cried, you’ve kicked an inanimate object. But what does it all mean? What does that data tell us about the comics scene, exactly?

What are the implications of the findings, and how can they be applied? And why did Hannah and the Survey Team ask the questions they did, anyway?

Every year, in the countdown to the Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October, this year running as the virtual LICAF LIVE, we bring you a series of interviews with both guests and participants in the Comics Clock Tower (This year, also virtual).

The Lakes International Comic Art Festival is rolling out more details of its Little LICAF programme that’s part of its virtual Festival, LICAF LIVE, this October. With events aimed squarely at younger comic readers and art lovers, the LITTLE LICAF team have just announced they will be joined in their work promoting comics and art by the smashing Sarah McIntyre, co-creator of Oliver and the Seawigs, with Philip Reeve, and so much more.

We're delighted to announce that DC Thomson Media's BEANO comic is lending its support to the Festival in October for its virtual comics weekend.

Based in Dundee, the editorial team behind the best-selling news stand comic will be providing a special video promoting the comic's work with schools, and have already shared plenty of goodies - books, notebooks and more - for youngsters completing their Arts Award in conjunction with LICAF.  

The results of the UK Comics Creators Survey initiated by Comics Laureate and comic creator Hannah Berry have just been published. While many findings were positive, it has exposed low levels of income – and the impact the Coronavirus Pandemic has had on creators, many suddenly finding themselves without work and seeking other income sources, perhaps leaving the industry altogether.

After discussion, noting the recent lockdown and that many creators’ focus will have been elsewhere in response to the global Pandemic, the Lakes International Comic Art Festival has decided to extend the deadline of its “Race into Space” Challenge to create a new space-inspired comic strip story until Tuesday 8th September 2020.

It’s comics chat all the way on the latest episode of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast.

Although, of course, how could we not begrudge hosts Nikki Bates and Ian Loxam some air time to discuss their recent engagement, which happened recently on the top of Kendal Castle?

Our congratulations to this hard-working pair!

Heads up folks - literally! There's some online comics fun ahead for all, of Luke "Sad Chewie" McGarry to take part in this weekend, in partnership with the Lakes International Comic Art Festival - way ahead of this year's massive virtual LICAF in October!