Getting into the Daily Mirror

[Malc]

The title of this thread would have got people thinking "hang on, is he getting into the Mirror, or is he bemoaning the fact that he can't?

Well neither, actually. I just couldn't think of a title for a Mirror-related thread.

I've just been speaking to Ken Layson at the Mirror Group (Trinity Mirror, I believe they are now) and I phone him about twice/thrice a year on average to see whether they are interested in featuring some of my work.
He seems a thoroughly nice fella, and I intend paying him a visit to buy him a pint when I get down there on hols.
I have no idea whether the personal touch works generally, I don't tend to employ it, but I doubt if buying Ken a pint will advance my cause one iota, as he tells me he's been knocking at locked doors for a long time as far as getting cartoons into the Sundays in particular. The pint (or three or four) will be a genuine thank you for taking the time to remember my strips and stick them under the noses of disinterested editors on occasion.

[Roger Kettle]

Ken's a really nice guy, Malc, and has tried hard over the years to raise the profile of cartoons at the Mirror Group. I'm obviously a bit biased as he helped me a lot---not least by offering me the chance to write Andy Capp. He's great company and you'll really enjoy a pint with him but beware.....he's a mental Millwall supporter.

[Diane CBPFC]

Why don't you put a link to your website under your name here - that way if there be cartoonist headhunters trawling these waters they would know that you too are a cartoonist and take a peek, then put you in their newspapers - assuming of course that you could refrain from correcting their spelling and grammar.

This site gets visits from all sorts of places from Canada to India - and looking at my birthday book I notice that it is Devika's birthday coming up on the 15th. Happy early birthday Devika if you are still reading.

[Malc]

that way if there be cartoonist headhunters trawling these waters they would know that you too are a cartoonist and take a peek, then put you in their newspapers

Oh Diane, I wish that's how it worked. Anyway, I did add my URL to the sidebar, but believe me there are no cartoonist headhunters trawling. The best you can hope for is an occasional client who loves what you do and is prepared to pay big bucks for a commission.
Speaking personally, those are outweighed ten to one by former school chums or workmates who happened to type your name into Google to see where you got to.