Graphic novels (aka, really fancy comic books) are one of the hottest trends in publishing. How can authors, artists, and book packagers get in the game? And how do you actually make these highly illustrated books? Hear from two experienced ABPA book producers at this informative Lunchtime Learning event as they share the unique way that these products are created and how you can make them part of your world.

Join Jim Buckley from the Shoreline Publishing Group and Steffie Davis and Steve Osgoode from The Story Division as they discuss:

  • How graphic novels are made. It’s more than just hiring an artist! Learn the differences between traditional novels and picture books and graphic novel processes, from writing, drawing, and lettering to how best to work with publishers on approvals.
  • Why you should make graphic novels and nonfiction, and how hot the market is.
  • Where to start: how you can add graphic novels to your offerings, including tips on finding artists, resources, and more.

WHAT: Lunchtime Learning: Graphic Novels 101 (and nonfiction too)
WHEN:  Thursday, November 30 at 2 pm ET/11 am PT
WHERE: Online via Zoom videoconferencing
COST: Free for ABPA members; $15 for nonmembers
RSVP: Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpf-6uqDMiHdVj2q1ODaDU7Xuax6pAG_mr

After registering, you will receive an email with information about joining the meeting. We’ll send an invoice to nonmembers for payment, which must be received before the event. We accept payment via Zelle to office@ABPAonline.org or by credit card with a PayPal invoice.

The Speakers

The Story Division is a full-service creative studio and licensing agency working with top writers, artists, audio producers, and designers to develop and package premium products. Sequential storytelling is a specialty of The Story Division team, and they bring together top comic talent from around the world to craft hand-drawn stories and characters across an extensive range of styles, including European, North American, manga, and more. From thumbnails to lettering, The Story Division studio takes care of every aspect of the comic creation, and our comic book editors manage the process seamlessly. Whether crafted from original art or from movie stills, the end result is books that fans love. The Story Division team has made comics in collaboration with Disney, Dreamworks, Nickelodeon, Paramount, LucasFilm, and more. Recent graphic novel clients include Andrews McMeel, Little Brown, Abrams, Welbeck, and Simon & Schuster.

The Shoreline Publishing Group LLC has created more than 50 graphic nonfiction titles, including partnering with Oomf Inc. on the 19-book “Show Me History” series from Portable Press and creating six series of graphic nonfiction titles for Bearport. Jim Buckley is the author of many of those titles and will speak about how the manuscripts are created and how authors, packagers, and artists work together on these unique projects. Shoreline has created more than 800 nonfiction books for kids in just about every format you can think of, working with Scholastic, DK, Penguin, Lerner, Aladdin Books, Quarto, and a host of others.

ABPA Happy Hour

Members, check your email for event details.

Email office@abpaonline.org to learn about membership options or to register.