James Powell Information

Comic Writer
Fort Collins, CO

Biography:
I've always been interested in stories. Books, comics, movies, TV shows¦doesn't matter. If it's a good story, count me in.

When I was a kid, I'd spend entire days reading Edgar Rice Burroughs novels in my mom's oversize and incredibly uncomfortable living room chair.

When I wasn't reading, I'd use my Star Wars and G.I. Joe action figures to act out my imagination, or I'd create my own comics on notebook paper.

As I got older, I starting writing more and more short stories. They were typically blatant rip-offs of Burroughs or the Marvel and DC comics I enjoyed so much, but mimicry is often where creation begins.

As long as I was consuming stories and creating my own, I was a happy kid.

After college, I rediscovered comics. The more I read, the more I wanted to be a part of the community. So I began writing reviews for various sites, which led to interviewing creators.

Not long after, I began offering my editing services to the writers I had developed friendships with.

In 2007, I helped Robert Tinnell and Todd Livingston edit The Wicked West II: Abomination and Other Tales for Image Comics. I was hooked. With comics, I had found a home where I could not only tell my own stories, but also help others tell the stories that mean so much to them.

Meanwhile, I continued to edit novels, novellas, and short stories for friends I was meeting online. I learned quickly how energized I felt when sharing my expertise and helping writers improve their stories. Not only that, but I learned that I was good at it, too.

I've been writing and editing professionally for over 30 years, having written and edited comics, fiction, memoirs, news reports, corporate documentation, and even obituaries.

Perhaps I'm most well known for House of Fear, a series that introduces kids to the thrills of scary comics. I used Kickstarter to fund several issues, and in 2019, Dark Horse collected five of the stories. Not doubt about it, House of Fear is my passion project.

In addition to providing editorial feedback to writers, I've also learned that I like to share insight into overcoming emotional hurdles that creators deal with. Creating art can be difficult, and I want to show that creators aren't alone when dealing with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and other mental roadblocks.

My favorite part of all of this is working closely with writers and other artists to help them improve their skills. Storytelling is my life, and helping others is my passion. I consider myself lucky to be a part of the creative community.