Verified as of 30 October 2026. Publisher protocols are subject to change; the date indicated is that of the consultation. Should any details have changed, please notify me and I shall update the entry with the date of the amendment.
A comic project may reach a publisher through various channels: a direct proposal, a competition with a contract, or a portfolio review. This guide gathers what I have been able to verify regarding how Spanish publishers receive projects, proposes a dossier based on the only publicly available information, and explains what to look for if one responds to you. It is intended for individuals aged 18 to 30. This is information, not legal advice.
What the search found
I have searched the official websites of fourteen comic and manga publishers for a project submission page: Planeta Cómic, Norma, Panini España, Astiberri, Dolmen, Diábolo, Ponent Mon, Arechi, Milky Way, Babylon, Ivrea, La Cúpula, Salamandra Graphic, and Reservoir Books. Only Norma publishes a protocol that I have been able to verify. I have not located an official submission page for the other thirteen. This does not imply that they do not accept projects; it signifies that they do not provide instructions on a page I have been able to access. If you wish to submit to one of them, write to them beforehand to enquire about their preferred submission method.
The Norma Editorial protocol
Norma accepts illustration portfolios and specific comic projects via its art submission page.
- Illustration. A cover letter, your professional history, and approximately ten images.
- Comic. The creative team; a half-page presentation detailing the project's length and status; a one- or two-page synopsis; the characters; and between five and ten completed pages.
- Submission. A PDF sent via email, or a download link, to the new projects address provided on their page.
- Response. Norma only makes contact if interested and does not guarantee a response.
- Originals. They state that they do not accept the delivery of original artwork, and that copies are not returned.
I have not established whether this submission process is open to minors. If you are a minor, please consult Selling your drawings as a minor.
Preparing the dossier
This structure is my own and is based on Norma's requirements. It is not an industry standard.
- Project presentation. Half a page: what it is, who it is for, and its current status.
- Team. Who writes, draws, colours, and letters, and what each person has published. If there are multiple contributors, ensure the agreement between them is clear before submission; this is explained in Creating a comic or fanzine with multiple contributors.
- Synopsis. One or two pages, including the conclusion.
- Characters. Who they are and what their motivations are.
- Completed pages. Between five and ten, selected to convey the tone and pacing, rather than merely to showcase technique.
- Length and status. How many pages the work will comprise and what portion is currently completed.
- Relevant biography. Publications, awards, and training pertinent to this project.
- Contact. Name, email address, and a link to your portfolio.
A lightweight PDF will open without issue on any device. If Norma requests a link, ensure it is a stable download link.
Researching the publisher before writing
Before submitting, examine their catalogue: which collections they hold, what formats and lengths they publish, whether they publish Spanish authors, and whether your work aligns with their existing output. This is my advice, not a requirement from any publisher. Submitting a project that does not fit their editorial line is generally an unproductive effort.
Legal status of the work
Before submitting, verify:
- That the work is your own or that all co-authors are in agreement.
- That it does not include third-party characters, images, or references without permission; consult Using visual references for drawing and Fanart: what you can do with third-party characters.
- That it has not already been published, if the publisher requires unpublished work. Some calls for entries, such as the Norma Manga Competition, do not permit works published on online reading platforms.
Submission and follow-up
- Retain the date and content of your submission.
- Norma states that they only contact if interested, therefore a lack of response should not be interpreted according to any rule I am aware of. Waiting a few months before enquiring is your own decision, not a standard practice.
- Do not submit the same project multiple times in succession. In their competitions, Norma prohibits the repeated and mass resubmission of projects.
Alternative pathways
- Competitions with a contract. The Norma Manga Competition offers a publishing contract with a gross advance of 4,500 euros, with no age limit. The 2026 edition closed on 28 September.
- Portfolio review. The KADOKAWA review at Manga Barcelona allows an editor to view your work. Both are listed in Manga competitions and portfolio reviews in Spain.
If you receive an offer
Do not sign a contract without reading it in its entirety. The Intellectual Property Act requires that it be in writing and that it specifies, among other points, the number of copies and the remuneration. Comic publishing contract explains what it should contain and in which cases you may terminate it.
Points requiring clarification
- The project submission protocols of thirteen of the fourteen publishers consulted.
- The conditions for the KADOKAWA MOCHIKOMI online submission: age, language, format, rights, and response.
- Whether Norma's submission process admits minors.
- The date of the Norma page.
Itineraries
I am going to sell or exhibit
If your project already has completed pages, prepare the dossier and write to the publisher that best aligns with it. If not, a competition or a portfolio review is a suitable first step.
An open conversation
This guide contains the only protocol I have been able to verify. If you work at a publishing house and can provide details on how you receive projects, or if you have submitted one, you may write to me.