Women in Comics Month: Interview with Jamie Lee Rotante

In honor of Women in Comics Month this March, PREVIEWSworld talks with writer Jamie Lee Rotante!

************

PREVIEWSworld: Who is your current comics employer?

Jamie Lee Rotante: Archie Comic Publications, Inc.

PREVIEWSworld: What is your primary job title? In a quick phrase or two, could you define your job’s key responsibility?

Jamie Lee Rotante: I’m an Assistant Editor and Writer.  I’m the writer of Betty and Veronica: Vixens and I work in Editorial at Archie handling script reviews, communicating with freelancers, managing production schedules, writing up the solicitation info and crafting any copy needed for the comics (i.e. recaps, back copy, etc.) and proofreading.

PREVIEWSworld: Could you please explain how your work helps make comics a reality? (Connect the dots for us. Where are you in the flow of getting a book into reader hands?)

Jamie Lee Rotante: For my day-to-day, I handle working directly with freelancers in regards to deadlines for script and art — basically all stages of production of a comic from inception to print. I read scripts when they’re first submitted and review along with the editorial team, keep track of the progress of the pencils, inks, colors and letters. I also proofread the comics before they go to print.

PREVIEWSworld: What’s the part of your job you enjoy the most?

Jamie Lee Rotante: Getting the opportunity to work on the comics I loved reading the most growing up—and having my hands in all aspects of production. Also, being able to write for two characters I’ve loved and admired for most of my life — plus getting to turn them into badass biker babes!

PREVIEWSworld: What comic titles have you worked on?

Jamie Lee Rotante: I write Betty & Veronica: Vixens. I also serve as Co-Editor on Jughead: the Hunger and The Archies and I’m an Assistant Editor on Archie, Cosmo and Mighty Crusaders.

PREVIEWSworld: While there are loads of professionals in the comics industry, there are only so many folks who get to do what you do! How did you get started? How did you learn all the skills you needed for your position?

Jamie Lee Rotante: I’ve been working at Archie for almost seven years. I actually started out right out of college as an intern where I began to do some proofreading. After a while, I was promoted to full-time proofreader. From there, I moved from proofing to editing. I also have dabbled in writing throughout my tenure, be it features for our previous Life With Archie magazine to back copy and more — so I’ve done a little bit of everything over the years (minus anything artistic — art’s not my strong suit, that’s best for my highly talented co-workers and freelancers!) and it’s all helped shape who I am today and my knowledge of the craft from all ends of production.

PREVIEWSworld: Please tell us about the coolest experience you’ve ever had thanks to your job.

Jamie Lee Rotante: I’ve worked the booth at New York Comic Con a few times during my time at Archie, but NYCC ’17 was the first time I was not only signing, but also on the Archie Comics panel.  I was so nervous from the moment I found out it would be happening right up to the event itself! But it was such an amazing experience, especially the young women that spoke to me after the panel about how thankful they were for what I, and Archie as a company, was doing with the characters and how important it is to have strong female influences in their lives. It was a truly humbling experience!  

PREVIEWSworld: Do you have an online presence we can link to and share with our readers?

Twitter: @Jamitha
Instagram: @JamieLeeRotante
Website: www.JamieLeeRotante.net