Today we’d like to introduce you to Laurie Foster
Hi Laurie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Believe it or not, I originally went to school for biochemistry and applied zoology – but after my father passed away, I took a hiatus from my education and threw myself into art! I started out as a freelance comic book inker, writer, and illustrator doing one-off work whenever I could. I eventually worked more closely with independent comic book publishers on their books, then helping with their Kickstarter campaigns, and then very quickly became interested in publishing material for women and diverse creators! Fast forward to today – I write, ink, AND work with creators and artists from all over the world to produce and publish top-tier comics, merch, apparel, and other books.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely been a challenge. As a woman-run publisher and female writer/artist in a VERY predominantly male industry, it has been a work in progress to be taken seriously, but over time I feel that the community has come to realize that I’m here to stay. Despite being told at the very beginning that no one would read anything that wasn’t SOLELY tailored to straight, white men, we have pushed on, and it has paid off in dividends.
We want to make books for everyone, by everyone, that the Big Three publishers might not have taken a glance at, and we have been pretty lucky to work with some absolutely fantastic creators who have exactly the same goals as we do. We hope to add more of them to the roster as we go!
We’ve been impressed with Laguna Studios, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Laguna Studios is a comic book and TTRPG publishing company who also provides fulfillment services to fellow creators. We are known for publishing top-tier comics featuring heroes and heroines of all shapes, sizes, and colors who might not fit inside a predetermined societal box. We make a point of hiring women and minority creators and artists, because it’s simply a fact that it’s life-changing to see YOURSELF reflected in media. We are one of very few female-owned comic book publishers in the United States and we’re proud of it!
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of my favorite childhood memories is watching the original Star Wars trilogy on VHS with my dad. I believe he helped shape my love for geek culture, fantasy, and science fiction. He got me addicted to Asimov’s books, as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lagunastudios.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagunastudioscomics
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lagunastudioscomics
