James Powell
@thefictioncoach.bsky.social
Comics editor & coach. I help writers master craft, build confidence, and finish strong. Creator of House of Fear (Dark Horse).
📝 https://jamespowellediting.substack.com/
📝 https://jamespowellediting.substack.com/
Pinned
James Powell
@thefictioncoach.bsky.social
· Nov 14
Hi, I'm James. I'm new here. I edit genre fiction and help writers find more success by improving their craft, mindsets, and routines. I've written a few things, and I enjoy talking about anything to do with storytelling. I watch lots of movies, too.
I edit a fun, D&D-inspired comic series called Wurst & Mayhem. But this time around, I also wrote a little something.
If you like humor and adventure mixed with magic and a few curse words, this is the comic for you.
#Kickstarter #indiecomics #makecomics
If you like humor and adventure mixed with magic and a few curse words, this is the comic for you.
#Kickstarter #indiecomics #makecomics
Wurst & Mayhem #1-3.5-A medieval caustic D&D style adventure
Behind the Veil lurks truth and lies, can our duo navigate this realm of surprise without meeting their untimely demise?!
www.kickstarter.com
August 28, 2026 at 3:17 PM
I edit a fun, D&D-inspired comic series called Wurst & Mayhem. But this time around, I also wrote a little something.
If you like humor and adventure mixed with magic and a few curse words, this is the comic for you.
#Kickstarter #indiecomics #makecomics
If you like humor and adventure mixed with magic and a few curse words, this is the comic for you.
#Kickstarter #indiecomics #makecomics
Now on #Kickstarter! I'm loving the art by @aliceleclert.bsky.social in this one. Okay, I always like her art, but she's added a few new tricks with this one.
#indiecomics #makecomics
#indiecomics #makecomics
Crossover Division #'s 1-8: The Woman
Agents Hank and Hector encounter Sherlock Holmes as chaos and violence follow rogue agent Betsy Kellis...will they survive the fall?
www.kickstarter.com
August 24, 2026 at 12:21 PM
Now on #Kickstarter! I'm loving the art by @aliceleclert.bsky.social in this one. Okay, I always like her art, but she's added a few new tricks with this one.
#indiecomics #makecomics
#indiecomics #makecomics
Super late, with 10 minutes to go, but don't miss @thefictioncoach.bsky.social Book. I may order two of these.
@kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/jpo...
@kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/jpo...
Self-Editing for Comic Book Writers
A practical guide for fixing the storytelling problems that keep good scripts from becoming great comics.
www.kickstarter.com
August 20, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Hey all, if you ever listened to or were a guest on the Long Box Conversations, Chris is back with an all-new podcast. The first episode with @thefictioncoach.bsky.social is great.
Learn more about crafting your stories, challenges that comic creators have writing and what an editor does in my interview with James Powell.
#comics #indiecomics #storytelling @thefictioncoach.bsky.social
youtu.be/zpkUcfp9i00
#comics #indiecomics #storytelling @thefictioncoach.bsky.social
youtu.be/zpkUcfp9i00
August 20, 2026 at 8:55 PM
After a few podcasts, I recognized two things about myself:
I say “absolutely” way more often than I should.
And I look up when I’m thinking. Which makes for some humorous video thumbnails and screenshots.
#makecomics #indiecomics @blakesbuzz.bsky.social
I say “absolutely” way more often than I should.
And I look up when I’m thinking. Which makes for some humorous video thumbnails and screenshots.
#makecomics #indiecomics @blakesbuzz.bsky.social
August 19, 2026 at 6:41 PM
After a few podcasts, I recognized two things about myself:
I say “absolutely” way more often than I should.
And I look up when I’m thinking. Which makes for some humorous video thumbnails and screenshots.
#makecomics #indiecomics @blakesbuzz.bsky.social
I say “absolutely” way more often than I should.
And I look up when I’m thinking. Which makes for some humorous video thumbnails and screenshots.
#makecomics #indiecomics @blakesbuzz.bsky.social
Chris Rundt is such a damn good host, and he loves comics as much as you do. Subscribe to his podcast and thank me later.
#indiecomics #makecomics
#indiecomics #makecomics
Learn more about crafting your stories, challenges that comic creators have writing and what an editor does in my interview with James Powell.
#comics #indiecomics #storytelling @thefictioncoach.bsky.social
youtu.be/zpkUcfp9i00
#comics #indiecomics #storytelling @thefictioncoach.bsky.social
youtu.be/zpkUcfp9i00
The Art of Storytelling & Editing Your Comic Book Script With James Powell
YouTube video by Longbox Conversations
youtu.be
August 19, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Chris Rundt is such a damn good host, and he loves comics as much as you do. Subscribe to his podcast and thank me later.
#indiecomics #makecomics
#indiecomics #makecomics
Reposted by James Powell
whaaaAt ?!
Here we go !
Crossover Division #8 is live on #kickstarter !
Written by Will @wallred.bsky.social Allred, lettered by Brant @brantfowler.bsky.social Fowler, edited by James @thefictioncoach.bsky.social Powel, with art by me :)
Join us at www.kickstarter.com/projects/wal...
Here we go !
Crossover Division #8 is live on #kickstarter !
Written by Will @wallred.bsky.social Allred, lettered by Brant @brantfowler.bsky.social Fowler, edited by James @thefictioncoach.bsky.social Powel, with art by me :)
Join us at www.kickstarter.com/projects/wal...
August 18, 2026 at 9:57 PM
whaaaAt ?!
Here we go !
Crossover Division #8 is live on #kickstarter !
Written by Will @wallred.bsky.social Allred, lettered by Brant @brantfowler.bsky.social Fowler, edited by James @thefictioncoach.bsky.social Powel, with art by me :)
Join us at www.kickstarter.com/projects/wal...
Here we go !
Crossover Division #8 is live on #kickstarter !
Written by Will @wallred.bsky.social Allred, lettered by Brant @brantfowler.bsky.social Fowler, edited by James @thefictioncoach.bsky.social Powel, with art by me :)
Join us at www.kickstarter.com/projects/wal...
48 hours left! The #Kickstarter for Self-Editing for Comic Book Writers wraps soon, and we're just 11 backers away from the next stretch goal. (New chapter about discovering what your story is really about.)
If you've been thinking about backing it, now's the time.
#indiecomics #makecomics
If you've been thinking about backing it, now's the time.
#indiecomics #makecomics
Self-Editing for Comic Book Writers
A practical guide for fixing the storytelling problems that keep good scripts from becoming great comics.
www.kickstarter.com
August 18, 2026 at 3:28 PM
48 hours left! The #Kickstarter for Self-Editing for Comic Book Writers wraps soon, and we're just 11 backers away from the next stretch goal. (New chapter about discovering what your story is really about.)
If you've been thinking about backing it, now's the time.
#indiecomics #makecomics
If you've been thinking about backing it, now's the time.
#indiecomics #makecomics
Woo hoo. I caught air at the bike park for the first time today. Granted, you could barely fit a single issue comic under each tire, but that’s still air.
#notdeadyet
#notdeadyet
August 16, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Woo hoo. I caught air at the bike park for the first time today. Granted, you could barely fit a single issue comic under each tire, but that’s still air.
#notdeadyet
#notdeadyet
We're closing in on our 3rd stretch goal: a bonus chapter!
Writers I've shared this topic with told me it helped them tell a stronger, more cohesive story, and it also motivated them to sit down and write. Only 5 days left.
#indiecomics #kidscomics #kickstarter #amwriting
Writers I've shared this topic with told me it helped them tell a stronger, more cohesive story, and it also motivated them to sit down and write. Only 5 days left.
#indiecomics #kidscomics #kickstarter #amwriting
Self-Editing for Comic Book Writers
A practical guide for fixing the storytelling problems that keep good scripts from becoming great comics.
www.kickstarter.com
August 14, 2026 at 8:58 PM
We're closing in on our 3rd stretch goal: a bonus chapter!
Writers I've shared this topic with told me it helped them tell a stronger, more cohesive story, and it also motivated them to sit down and write. Only 5 days left.
#indiecomics #kidscomics #kickstarter #amwriting
Writers I've shared this topic with told me it helped them tell a stronger, more cohesive story, and it also motivated them to sit down and write. Only 5 days left.
#indiecomics #kidscomics #kickstarter #amwriting
Pachinko features the only title sequence I watch with every episode.
It’s pure joy.
It’s pure joy.
August 3, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Pachinko features the only title sequence I watch with every episode.
It’s pure joy.
It’s pure joy.
Janna Morishima, literary agent and founder of Kids Comics Unite, recently interviewed me about my upcoming book, Self-Editing for Comic Book Writers.
I can’t bring myself to watch the replay, but hopefully you won’t have that problem.
#makingcomics #indiecomics #kidscomics
I can’t bring myself to watch the replay, but hopefully you won’t have that problem.
#makingcomics #indiecomics #kidscomics
Tell a Stronger Story
YouTube video by Kids Comics Unite
www.youtube.com
August 1, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Janna Morishima, literary agent and founder of Kids Comics Unite, recently interviewed me about my upcoming book, Self-Editing for Comic Book Writers.
I can’t bring myself to watch the replay, but hopefully you won’t have that problem.
#makingcomics #indiecomics #kidscomics
I can’t bring myself to watch the replay, but hopefully you won’t have that problem.
#makingcomics #indiecomics #kidscomics
I'm proud of how this book turned out. It gives you the tools to spot what's not working in your own scripts and then fix it before your readers ever see it. I think it'll help a lot of indie comic writers. Now on Kickstarter!
#makecomics #indiecomics #kickstarter
#makecomics #indiecomics #kickstarter
Self-Editing for Comic Book Writers
A practical guide for fixing the storytelling problems that keep good scripts from becoming great comics.
www.kickstarter.com
July 28, 2026 at 4:49 PM
I'm proud of how this book turned out. It gives you the tools to spot what's not working in your own scripts and then fix it before your readers ever see it. I think it'll help a lot of indie comic writers. Now on Kickstarter!
#makecomics #indiecomics #kickstarter
#makecomics #indiecomics #kickstarter
I can't wait to share this. If you're looking to improve your comic scripts, this is the book for you. Launching July 28.
#makecomics #indiecomics
#makecomics #indiecomics
Coming soon: Self-Editing for Comic Book Writers
A practical guide for fixing the storytelling problems that keep good scripts from becoming great comics.
www.kickstarter.com
July 27, 2026 at 5:16 PM
I can't wait to share this. If you're looking to improve your comic scripts, this is the book for you. Launching July 28.
#makecomics #indiecomics
#makecomics #indiecomics
Just finished proofreading my book, and my head’s spinning.
It’s a damn good book, but I hope I never read it again. 😅
#indiecomics #makecomics
It’s a damn good book, but I hope I never read it again. 😅
#indiecomics #makecomics
Coming soon: Self-Editing for Comic Book Writers
A practical guide for fixing the storytelling problems that keep good scripts from becoming great comics.
www.kickstarter.com
July 14, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Just finished proofreading my book, and my head’s spinning.
It’s a damn good book, but I hope I never read it again. 😅
#indiecomics #makecomics
It’s a damn good book, but I hope I never read it again. 😅
#indiecomics #makecomics
Any Affinity Layout/Publisher gurus in here? I’m proofreading my book, and every page with a graphic element (an icon, a gray background) looks faded. The entire page looks like it’s set to 80% opacity.
I've examined my files. They're fine. But maybe it's in my PDF settings? Rasterization maybe?
I've examined my files. They're fine. But maybe it's in my PDF settings? Rasterization maybe?
July 13, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Any Affinity Layout/Publisher gurus in here? I’m proofreading my book, and every page with a graphic element (an icon, a gray background) looks faded. The entire page looks like it’s set to 80% opacity.
I've examined my files. They're fine. But maybe it's in my PDF settings? Rasterization maybe?
I've examined my files. They're fine. But maybe it's in my PDF settings? Rasterization maybe?
July 9, 2026 at 11:33 PM
Your comic can have great art, a cool premise, and characters you love, and still fail to connect with readers.
Self-Editing for Comic Book Writers is about finding hidden story problems before your comic goes to print.
Coming soon.
#makingcomics #indiecomics
Self-Editing for Comic Book Writers is about finding hidden story problems before your comic goes to print.
Coming soon.
#makingcomics #indiecomics
Coming soon: Self-Editing for Comic Book Writers
A practical guide for fixing the storytelling problems that keep good scripts from becoming great comics.
www.kickstarter.com
June 25, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Your comic can have great art, a cool premise, and characters you love, and still fail to connect with readers.
Self-Editing for Comic Book Writers is about finding hidden story problems before your comic goes to print.
Coming soon.
#makingcomics #indiecomics
Self-Editing for Comic Book Writers is about finding hidden story problems before your comic goes to print.
Coming soon.
#makingcomics #indiecomics
After a decade of asking indie comic book readers this one question, the most common answer continued to puzzle me.
Here's what it taught me… and what I did about it.
#indiecomics #comicscripts #makecomics
jamespowellediting.substack.com/p/the-25-pro...
Here's what it taught me… and what I did about it.
#indiecomics #comicscripts #makecomics
jamespowellediting.substack.com/p/the-25-pro...
The 25% Problem
Why Readers Aren't Coming Back for Issue Two
jamespowellediting.substack.com
June 18, 2026 at 8:35 PM
After a decade of asking indie comic book readers this one question, the most common answer continued to puzzle me.
Here's what it taught me… and what I did about it.
#indiecomics #comicscripts #makecomics
jamespowellediting.substack.com/p/the-25-pro...
Here's what it taught me… and what I did about it.
#indiecomics #comicscripts #makecomics
jamespowellediting.substack.com/p/the-25-pro...
Finished Widow’s Bay. What a delightful show. I was laughing out loud in one scene and sort of terrified the next. The perfect balance between humor and horror.
Oh, and the drug episode. I haven’t laughed that loud at a show in a loooong time.
Oh, and the drug episode. I haven’t laughed that loud at a show in a loooong time.
June 14, 2026 at 10:49 PM
Finished Widow’s Bay. What a delightful show. I was laughing out loud in one scene and sort of terrified the next. The perfect balance between humor and horror.
Oh, and the drug episode. I haven’t laughed that loud at a show in a loooong time.
Oh, and the drug episode. I haven’t laughed that loud at a show in a loooong time.
Publishing a comic or graphic novel? Check out Janna Morishima’s free class on June 20.
I hype Janna from time to time because she’s got incredible insight into the world of comic book publishing.
Yes, this is a sort of promo for her course, but it’s well worth your time to attend. #makecomics
I hype Janna from time to time because she’s got incredible insight into the world of comic book publishing.
Yes, this is a sort of promo for her course, but it’s well worth your time to attend. #makecomics
How to Launch Your Graphic Novel - Free Masterclass - Kids Comics Unite
A free masterclass taught by Janna Morishima, designed for creators launching graphic novels and illustrated books for kids and teens—whether you’re working with a traditional publisher, self-publishi...
kidscomicsunite.com
June 10, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Publishing a comic or graphic novel? Check out Janna Morishima’s free class on June 20.
I hype Janna from time to time because she’s got incredible insight into the world of comic book publishing.
Yes, this is a sort of promo for her course, but it’s well worth your time to attend. #makecomics
I hype Janna from time to time because she’s got incredible insight into the world of comic book publishing.
Yes, this is a sort of promo for her course, but it’s well worth your time to attend. #makecomics
Can’t seem to stop thinking about Backrooms. So many ideas about what’s happening there.
June 5, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Can’t seem to stop thinking about Backrooms. So many ideas about what’s happening there.
If you’re a comic creator with a book coming out in the next year or two, I highly recommend checking out the upcoming course by Janna Morishima and Kids Comics Unite.
Janna is the absolute best, and her courses are some of the best.
#makecomics #indiecomics
Janna is the absolute best, and her courses are some of the best.
#makecomics #indiecomics
How to Launch Your Graphic Novel 2026 - Kids Comics Unite
A 6 week hands-on course for graphic novelists who want their book to reach readers, gain momentum, and grow a long-term audience, taught by literary agent Janna Morishima!
kidscomicsunite.com
June 3, 2026 at 10:35 PM
If you’re a comic creator with a book coming out in the next year or two, I highly recommend checking out the upcoming course by Janna Morishima and Kids Comics Unite.
Janna is the absolute best, and her courses are some of the best.
#makecomics #indiecomics
Janna is the absolute best, and her courses are some of the best.
#makecomics #indiecomics
One episode into Widow’s Bay and I’m already hooked.
Humor + horror tropes + great characters = me trying not to binge the entire series in one night.
Humor + horror tropes + great characters = me trying not to binge the entire series in one night.
June 3, 2026 at 2:47 PM
One episode into Widow’s Bay and I’m already hooked.
Humor + horror tropes + great characters = me trying not to binge the entire series in one night.
Humor + horror tropes + great characters = me trying not to binge the entire series in one night.
Proud to have played a small role in this comic’s creation. And maybe more than a small part in the next one. Wink wink.
Wurst and Mayhem by John Edingfield II and Ryan Kroboth.
#indiecomics #makecomics #ieditcomics
Wurst and Mayhem by John Edingfield II and Ryan Kroboth.
#indiecomics #makecomics #ieditcomics
May 28, 2026 at 1:06 AM
Proud to have played a small role in this comic’s creation. And maybe more than a small part in the next one. Wink wink.
Wurst and Mayhem by John Edingfield II and Ryan Kroboth.
#indiecomics #makecomics #ieditcomics
Wurst and Mayhem by John Edingfield II and Ryan Kroboth.
#indiecomics #makecomics #ieditcomics