The world just keeps changing in so many little ways. To say my own profession isn’t exempt would be an understatement. Back in the day, an aspiring cartoonist had three outlets: showing cartoons to family and friends, cajoling the student paper or a local church bulletin into publishing one cartoon a month, and stuffing work into an envelope to be mailed to a newspaper syndicate on the extremely remote chance the syndicate might offer the aspirant a contract. The internet, specifically the Web, changed all that years ago. Now, anyone can upload comics which can be seen by anyone in the world with an internet connection. This was big, but it’s old news. We were talking about small changes. Are you familiar with “Comics Sherpa?”

I don’t know why they call it Comics Sherpa, but it’s a feature at GoComics.com, where you go online to see the new A&J comic strip and many more syndicated features. At Comics Sherpa, anyone can upload their comic art, making it visible on a genuine professional Big Time Syndicate Web site. You might want to check it out, but I warn you: many of the efforts aren’t yet ready for prime time. However, it’s a wonderful platform for learning the ropes, like open-mike night at the comedy club. Oh, there is one little wrinkle for you aspiring cartoonists. You have to pay to appear in Comics Sherpa. The money keeps the lights on, pays the rent and, I’m assuming, eventually trickles down to the old pros. Not all change is bad.