Buzz, Balls & Hype

The Graphic Novels Guy

                        

Book Expo America and Kids Who Shriek With Delight Over Books

What a week it was for graphic novels creators at Book Expo this year.  As the book publishing industry invaded the Los Angeles convention center a new force began to make itself felt: the graphic novel.   We had a great day of programming featuring some of the best known talent. 

The American Bookseller's Association opened the door on Thursday with a panel discussion on the selection and buying of graphic novels for the independent bookstores.   Lisa Winn from ABA was an excellent moderator and she invited me along with author/creator Scott McCloud and Jessica Stockton-Bagnulo, the graphic novel buyer for McNally Robinson in NYC to participate in this panel.   The discussion went pretty well and the audience had great questions regarding where to shelve and how to buy manga.  Some folks will be confused about manga for quite sometime and Scott pointed out that, because many of the characters have such child-like features doesn't mean the subject matter is.   There are methods for deciphering manga but the best thing for any bookseller to do is find and hire a person who really understands the format well. 

Saturday morning dawned with a moment I hope will last me a life time.  The Graphic Novel Authors Breakfast featured some of the best living talent in our world.  Jeff Smith, the author of the Bone series was the moderator for a panel that held Pulitzer Prize-winning author Art Spiegleman.  Next to Art sat the creator of the Hellboy series, Mike Mignola, and with them is the man behind the smash TV series: Heroes-Jeph Loeb.   Each has made an indelible mark on the history of comics and graphic novel publishing.  The discussion ran the gamut of influences and early works to current trends and the movie industry.   One of my favorite moments was when Jeff Smith brought out his own camera to take a picture of the other panel members.

The New Voices
In the Emerging Voices & Artists: The Graphic Novel Edition which was presented by Gene Yang of American Born Chinese, there was Kazu Kibuishi of Amulet from Scholastic, Danica Novgorodoff of Slow Storm from First Second, Neil Babra with Hamlet from Sparknotes and Lars Brown with North Book from Oni Press.   Each described their creative process and the time spent on creating each page.  This was a direct contrast to the years that the likes of Jeff Smith, Art Spiegelman, Mike Mignola and Jeph Loeb spent on their projects.   The 'new kids' had an entirely different perspective on the development of their books and were more than likely to use a computer program or include it in their creative process. 

There was an interesting line of dialog that developed as one of the authors described a discussion that had taken place with editors who were determined to ensure the book in development was targeted for the YA or Teen reader.   The author was being steered toward pulling the more adult language from the copy.   Normally, I would endorse an editor who was providing direction on issues of language or nudity if it was something gratuitous or unnecessary.   What worries me is when an editor or publisher tries to force changes to meet a specifically targeted market.  I know we see this in virtually every form of media, I just hope that the author is strong enough in his or her convictions to write the story as it is meant to be told. 

Sex and Graphic Novels!
I really enjoyed sitting in on this panel.  Milton Griepp of ICV2.com was our moderator and, as the man who has been keeping track of our industry since the arrival of the format, he has been watching the discussion about the application of age ranges unfold.  On our panel were Nick Smith, a librarian technician and trade reviewer from Pasadena Public Library, Chris Staros of Top Shelf, myself, Matt Gagnon, Editor, Boom Studios and a former buyer for Meltdown Comics, Kasia Pierkarz, Marketing and Merchandising Manager for TOKYOPOP and Wendi Pini of Elfquest fame and who is now doing Masque of The Red Death for GO! Comi.   The gist of the conversation was is it now time for publishers to begin applying age ratings to the format.  In many cases, the graphic novel publishers are already doing this.  Wendy Pini, who has created some very adult stories, was in favor of some sort of system.   The TOKYOPOP representative was happy to announce that they already had a very detailed program in place.   

While it's great to see TOKYOPOP working with a great librarian like Michele Gorman to develop a solid ratings program, it leads one to believe that they would like to have all publishers use the TOKYOPOP guidelines.  The problem with this has its roots back in the days when the Comics Code Authority was created.  In addition to that, the TPOP program could put other publishers at risk of legal action.  If a librarian or store owner gets called on the carpet for an issue with a particular book, what's to say the opposing council in court doesnt hold the TPOP system up as the industry standard?  I know that may sound extreme but it's entirely possible.   As the graphic novel format draws more attention it will also face certain challenges from many different corners.

Ostensibly the code was created as a tool for the publishers to police themselves, what it did was drive EC Comics into the ground.  The code forbade the use of all manner of ghoulish behavior and that was the bread and butter of EC, it was also the hottest selling genre in the comic industry at the time.  So, not only are the publishers unwilling to use a system developed by a competitor there is an inherent feeling of censorship when it comes to a ratings system.

The Times They Are A-Changing.
When you look at the other media who use ratings systems you can see it didn’t really do anything negative to the overall business.  In fact, one could argue that it makes perfectly good business sense.   Movie ratings have adjusted over time.  The Last Tango in Paris was given an X rating when I was a kid and now it would probably get an R.   E.T. is a classic case of the fear of a G rating.  There is a great story about Spielberg adding the word penis to the script in order to get a P.G. rating because he or the producers were afraid that a G rated movie wouldn't sell tickets.   In the music industry we can thank Tipper Gore for the PMRC label for explicit lyrics on rap songs.   Because of Tipper and her group of friends, 2 Live Crew sold a million or more really crappy rap records to kids across the country.  The PMRC sticker made sure that kids were gonna buy as much as they could.   

The most recent application of age ratings comes with the video game industry.  Sure the industry and gamers railed against the system but in the end more games were sold.   Parents still let kids play Halo and Grand Theft Auto.   Parents still let kids buy or download music and parents still take their kids to see PG, PG 13 and R rated movies.  The rating allows them a choice in the matter.   They still chose to buy what ever it is but they get that right to choose according to the information provided.   

I guess it really is all about money anyway isn’t it?   If the ratings system is developed by a trusted source-such as a group of librarians, then there is credibility.  If the ratings are applied after the book is published, then that isn’t censorship is it?  If the parent is allowed to make an informed purchase based on the information you have placed on the jacket then that's a good thing.  Parents don't really care for surprises and are normally quite ok with PG and R rated stuff-as long as they know it's in the book.   It's those parents who are waiting to play the 'gotchya game' you need to look out for.   They need to see the ratings as well.  If you do it for one audience then you have done it for all audiences. 

This way, the librarian, the store owner and the parent all come out winners.  Eventually, the kid is gonna read the book.

New York City Department of Education and Students Shrieking With Joy-over a BOOK!
On the day before my flight out to Los Angeles I did another presentation for the NYC DOE and this event was in Brooklyn for the Middle School and High School librarians.   The audience was very attentive and many of them were already familiar with manga and graphic novels.   What struck me as quite funny was a question from one librarian who seemed almost angry that students would want 'these things'.   As the usual Q&A progressed this flustered gentleman gave what I can only describe as a very agitated presentation of a question.   "Why are they so hysterical?"   I said "I'm sorry, I don't understand."  He replied "They get so hysterical when I open the box to bring out the new book-they literally shriek!  What do I do about this?"   He truly seemed irritated.

I replied "Ummmmm...You buy more books?"   

Seriously, can you ever recall kids shrieking with joy over the arrival of a new book?   Harry Potter probably drew that kind of response.   Oh wait, in the eyes of this particular librarian, Harry represents a 'real book'.   If a book of any kind, can elicit screams of delight...make that shrieks of joy-and it bothers you?   You may need to reconsider your current outlook on life in general.   Kids who read graphic novels have discovered that they can enjoy reading.   The joy of reading really is what we are all about anyway isn’t it?

Next on The Graphic Novels Guy:  Literature and Art Merge in An Educational Setting

John Shableski works for Diamond Book Distributors as a sales manager with a focus on the independent bookstore market, public and school libraries.  He's been a panelist at Book Expo, a moderator for library panels at the New York Comic Con, a guest speaker at library events, regional book shows and a symposium coordinator. He is currently collaborating on several graphic novel symposiums across the country.  He can be reached via email at [email protected]

The Graphic Novels Guy

The Billion Dollar Summer, Notes From NYCC and ALL AGES
More cool things about graphic novels and the Comics Code Authority

Just Write The Story!
During the New York Comic Con I sat in on a panel on self-publishing which was moderated by Jimmy Gownley who writes the Amelia Rules!  series.  Along with us were Harold Bucholtz of Renaissance Press and Scott Sava the creator of a series called The Dreamland Chronicles, during the Q&A session, Jimmy caught on to a trend with the questions which began to run the line of "How do I protect my idea?"   It's funny to think that there is so much riding on the creation of a story.   If the story is a hit then you have all kinds of things to consider: additional print runs, movie rights, video game properties, toys, board games, McDonald Happy Meals....the possibilities can drive a person crazy.  Out of all this I can still hear Jimmy tell the audience this one thing "You have to write the story first!  Dont worry about all that other stuff now-write the story!"   

Block Buster Summer
When you look at the summer line up of potential blockbuster movies, that all seem to be based on a graphic novel, you can sort of understand how it can mess with the mind of any graphic novel creator.  Iron Man basically launched the summer season with an amazing weekend(Robert Downey ROCKS the role of Tony Stark), Speed Racer was off to only a 20 million dollar start but has potential(attention critics: the movie is made for 12 year-olds not 40 plus film geeks). The Hulk is coming as is Hellboy, a new Indiana Jones movie is coming (Dark Horse has some great I. J. books).  This summer has the potential to deliver over a billion dollars from movies based on graphic novels.   If you are beginning to wonder when it will end?   It's only just begun.

Tipping Point-Thy Name Shall Be Age-Ranges
I think I have finally nailed what the tipping point will be for the graphic novel publishing industry and it comes down to the applications of age ranges.   During my recent meetings with some independent bookstore owners it dawned on me that I was hearing exactly the same questions that the public library folks were asking just a few years ago:
How do I buy this stuff?
Where do I (rack)shelve it?
Can I at least see a catalog that is set up with age ranges?   
Can you tell me what is for kids and what is for adults?

All they want is a simple easy-to-follow method for selecting the books that they can trust.   Just like the librarians did.

All Ages and the Comics Code Authority
There is a real reason why comic’s publishers and graphic novels publishers get agitated when the discussion of age ranges raises it's sometimes nasty little head.   The Comics Code was an attempt by the comics industry to show the rest of the world it had standards and was a well behaved group of publishing professionals (and to keep the govt officials off their backs).  It wound up being seen as a censorship tool.   You can certainly understand that when you read some of the rules of the Comics Code.  For instance: (and this is my favorite): 3. Policemen, judges, government officials, and respected institutions shall never be presented in such a way as to create disrespect for established authority.

There are quite a few more details involved in the Comics Code but needless to say, the repercussions have carried on for quite some time.  It was the Code that really had a chilling impact on the sales of comic books for decades.   It still surprises me to read about the book burnings that took place in the heyday of the comics industry.   Book burnings are a sad sad thing anyway.

A Time and Financial Reason for Change
Now that the interest and heat are intensifying for the graphic novel industry, the need to revisit the idea of applying age ranges is certainly quite strong.  One Comics Code tag that is no longer relevant is the use of ALL AGES as a rating for a book.   It is seriously outdated.  I understand the origins of the All Ages lable but it has  become a blanket approach for anything that isn’t overly violent or sexual in nature.  Just because you dont see a gun in the images, doesnt mean that the topic is something a ten-year-old will comprehend. 

The approach really needs to be looked at from the perspective of the novice retailer, librarian and educator.   They want a simple process by which they can select and buy the books.  Age ranges aren’t a deterrent for these people; they are a guideline or a means to determine exactly where the books belong in the store and or library.  With age ranges that run from Children or Juvenile, Teen or Young Adult and Adult or Mature, this allows the buyer a way to determine what they will purchase. The proper application of age ranges would need to focus on the level of comprehension associated with the subject matter of the story.

By doing this we can actually accelerate the buying process.    I know that publishers would love it if every single book published were actually read by the person who buys the books for the library or store.  The fact of the matter is they dont.   There are so many books coming out that this is impossible.   Age ranges, reviews from trade publications, and peer or customer recommendations are what really greases the wheels of the buying process.  When this happens, then we will really see how fast this rocket can fly.

Next time on The Graphic Novels Guy: Heading to BEA, The Miami Book Fair and The NYC Department of Education Graphic Novel Program

John Shableski works for Diamond Book Distributors as a sales manager with a focus on the independent bookstore market, public and school libraries.  He's been a panelist at Book Expo, a moderator for library panels at the New York Comic Con, a guest speaker at library events, regional book shows and a symposium coordinator. He is currently collaborating on several graphic novel symposiums across the country.  He can be reached via email at [email protected]

NYCC,NYC DOE, BEA, ALA, SDCC and when do we sleep?

It's Starting to Feel Like a Marathon!

I'm not quite sure I have really recovered from the New York Comic Con. The event was three times larger than the first one which happened only three years ago.  I dont know if the final tally is in yet but I hear attendance was between 60,000 to 70,000 people.  There were some grumblings that it was happening so close to Passover but we also had the Pope come to town for a gig at Yankees stadium.  NYC and pandemonium, can it really get any better?

Congratulations to Lance Fensterman, Jay Williams and Mark Dressler for their efforts.  Passover weekend was really the only slot available for the Javits to hold an event of that scale and the guys from Reed did a pretty good job.  Sure there were a few burps in programming but when you run something on that scale and it's really only in it's infancy, there are bound to be growing pains.   

Kudos also go out to Janna Morishima and the other folks behind the panel programming.  There were a great deal more programs aimed at professional development than we had last year.  There were plenty of fan programs and publisher panel events.  To me, it seemed like just about every base was covered.   

The highlight for me had to be the Comics in The Classroom panel.  Alex Simmons, Peter Gutierrez,Lisa von Drasek, librarian at Bank Street School, and Kent Worcester, professor at Marymount Manhattan College all did a fantastic job of describing the value of using comics and graphic novels in any educational setting.  Alex spoke to how he could use Iron Man to teach kids about science (retro rockets, cooling agents etc..) and sociology.  He nailed it with a perfect 5 minute summary.

THE best thing any publisher, author or editor can do at one of these conventions is to sit in on a program to hear just exactly how teachers and librarians use your books.   It is seriously mind altering.  If you want to make better books or sell more books-do not miss out on any presentation that is run by these folks.

Giving Good Panel
Ok, I dont know if anyone has ever addressed this before but, should you find your self invited to moderate a panel, please do your home work and ask good questions!  We have all sat in on a program where you could actually hear the paint peeling from the wallls.  This is because the moderator just wasnt prepared.  So, moderator person-talk with your panelists.  Prime them.  Ask them what kind of questions they would like to hear as well.  It will help you give good panel.  So good that people will want to....well light one up and celebrate.

That Comics in the Classroom panel was seriously good panel.

NJLA, BEA, ALA and The NYC Dept of Education!

Have you ever been to Long Branch, New Jersey?  What a place!  I was there with Bill Barnes of www.Unshelved.com doing a presentation on selecting Anime and Manga for the New Jersey Public Library Association.   It's great to see that the rooms continue to fill with even more people in the audience.  Thanks again to Sophie Brookover of www.popgoesthelibrary.com and the folks at the NJLA for inviting me to come speak. 

Now, Book Expo is only a week or two away and the trip to the west coast is looming.  After NYCC I feel like I need to get out of the water and take a nap before the next major surf contest starts.  Book Expo has announced a day of graphic novel programming and that is pretty exciting news.  We get some ten panels and workshops on the subject.  It all kicks off with the Graphic Novel Authors Breakfast featuring some fantastic talent.  Jeff Smith who created Bone will moderate.  Art Speigelman, the Pulitzer Prize winning creator of Maus will be on the panel as well as Jeph Loeb, a comic creator and creative force behind the hit television series Heroes will join in as will Mike Mignola.  Mignola is the genius behind the Hellboy graphic novel series and movies.  Seating is very limited so click here to register to http://www.bookexpoamerica.com/en-us/registernow.cfm.

After Book Expo there is the American Library Association show which will take place in Anaheim.  The summer show is usually a pretty good time with plenty of panels and a lot more foot traffic on the show floor than what we see during the Mid-winter event.   

NYC Department of Education and Graphic Novels. 

Yesterday was a moment that I will mark as a high point for the graphic novel movement in education.  The people at the New York City Department of Education have invited me and my counterpart, Janna Morishima to do in-service presentations to public school librarians in the five boroughs.  My first gig was in Harlem and it was just amazing.   This was an opportunity to provide these librarians with an historical perspective of the format and an understanding of how we reached this moment.

This will culminate with a great day of programming for all of the librarians in the NYC schools in the fall.   This is, as far as I am aware, the first time a city and school system of this size, has formally embraced graphic novels as valuable reading tools.  Such a great moment.

Teachers can rock like the librarians.
I got a note from Kai-Ming Cha(Library Journal) on my last column where she says "Real acceptance may begin when the average classroom teacher doesn't scold a child for reading a graphic novel or comic book. This day will come."  Yes, it will.  In deed it will come very soon!

Ok, there's a lot more to tell you about but that will have to wait for the next posting: Miami Beach, Jimmy Gownley and one really damned good reason for graphic novel publishers to apply age ranges to their books.

John Shableski works for Diamond Book Distributors as a sales manager with a focus on the independent bookstore market, public and school libraries.  He's been a panelist at Book Expo, a moderator for library panels at the New York Comic Con, a guest speaker at library events, regional book shows and a symposium coordinator. He is currently collaborating on several graphic novel symposiums across the country.  He can be reached via email at [email protected]

The Graphic Novels Guy

 

Bicycle Moto-Cross, The Olympics and what it means to Publishing
See how I can use videos to tie it all together with this one....

The other day as I was listening to NPR, they ran a story about the entry of bicycle moto-cross or BMX racing into the Summer Olympic Games.  It dawned on me that it really was just a natural part of the evolutionary process for sports.  The Olympic Committee has been somewhat progressive in bringing new sports into the competition, white water kayaking was a bit of a surprise to me but hey, that's a cool and progressive sport.  To hear the athletes discussing the 'insane launch' for the track that is set up for the games in China was pretty much the same as an interview during a surf contest.

The story reminded me of a conversation that I had with my step-dad one day as I was heading out the door with my surfboard tucked under one arm and my car keys in hand.  "Do you think you can pay the bills with that surfing?" he shouted out at me.  He had lived a pretty hard life and hard work was all he ever knew.  He was a heavy equipment welder which wasn’t without its hazards.   

I stopped for a moment and then replied "Never really thought about it.  I just like surfing."  I'm sure the look on my face must have betrayed my amazement that he would ever ask such a question.

That was the same summer that Surfing Magazine had touted Tommy Curren's successes on the World Tour.  Tommy was winning money into the million dollar range.  The other guys, Mark Richards from Australia and Shaun Thomson of South Africa were also making pretty good money. 

Money drew attention to the sport.  Money drew a lot more people to the sport as well.   The OP Pro contest at Huntington Beach in California was drawing hundreds of thousands of fans and spectators.   Politics had even entered the surf dialog.  Should the South Africans be allowed to compete in light of the Apartied issue back home?   Yeah, surfers were talking finance and human rights...surprising eh?

About that time skateboarding was starting to change.  The boards were getting better and the competition was moving from drainage ditches to half-pipes and professionally constructed skate parks.  Skateboarding also introduced us to a kid named Tony Hawk. 

Skateboarding was just beginning to evolve while the surf world began to see major money and sponsors for tour events. Out of the sunshine state came a world champion many times over.  Florida, the place where waves were always much much smaller, created an 8 time world champ named Kelly Slater.  Kelly had endorsement deals, television gigs and roles in movies, and millions of dollars.  Yup, you can actually surf AND pay the bills.  Whoda thunk it?

Meanwhile Tony Hawk has continued to ride his skate. A week or so back, USA Today ran a story about Tony and his skateboarding empire.  He has video games, merchandising and yes, skateboards with his name on them.   He lives in the San Diego area where surfers, skaters and snowboarders get just as much media coverage as do NFL running backs and Hall-of-Fame baseball players.

Even snowboarding is getting its due at the winter Olympics.   I hate to say it but I do remember guys with the earliest versions of Burton snowboards getting chased off of Big Bear Mountain-they were scum!  How dare these punks show up on sacred slopes with a snow board?  Now, because of guys like Shaun White, they are stuff of Olympic and X-game legends.  Guys and girls who make a living having fun, what else can you ask for?

Now, we have the same free spirits earning a living creating graphic novels.  Just like the Olympics embracing new sports, the traditional publishing world is really beginning to embrace graphic novels.

Dont kid yourself, the Olympic Committee isn’t just about finding cutting edge sports- they need to keep growing the audience by bringing in sports that appeal to a younger demographic.   The publishing industry is on the same track.  There is a younger audience that wants the next new thing.  Sure it's worth a lot of money, but it's also pretty cool too.

I would be remiss if I neglected to say something about National Libraries Week.  Librarians are the ones who led the way in bringing graphic novels to American readers.  Like Tony Hawk for skateboarding or Gregg Noll for surfing(definitely watch the Greg Noll video), librarians knew they were onto something good with this format long before the rest of the industry began to understand it.   Remember to thank your librarian for leading the way.

By the way I still have my surfboard.  Maybe, just maybe the Olympic Committee will add surfing for the next summer games.  I wouldn't mind paddling out for that. 

Next time on The Graphic Novels Guy: Recovering from the New York Comic Con just in time to prep for ALA and Book Expo West Coast Style!

John Shableski works for Diamond Book Distributors as a sales manager with a focus on the independent bookstore market, public and school libraries.  He's been a panelist at Book Expo, a moderator for library panels at the New York Comic Con, a guest speaker at library events, regional book shows and a symposium coordinator. He is currently collaborating on several graphic novel symposiums across the country.  He can be reached via email at [email protected]

The Graphic Novels Guy

Graphic Novels Debut at The Spring Book Show

It was nice to be the pretty girl at the dance...

Ok, so I have finally recovered from the Spring Book Show in Atlanta.   SBS is the annual remainders show that Larry May and his group put on for the independent retailers, wholesalers and distribution types.  If you've never attended a remainders show, it's not big and sexy like Book Expo or even the regional independent shows, but it's probably just as effective.  Due to the arrival of a tornado, this year's event had to be relocated in less than a week from the Georgia World Congress Center to the Hilton Atlanta.   I think this was probably the same as moving 40 weddings to 40 different locations in a single day.   From all outward appearances, it went really quite well.   

This was the first show where Diamond Book Distributors had displayed a major selection of graphic novels for the remainder market.   I have seen some representation in the past from a few publishers, but we had some 50,000 books to sell and the interest was definitely high.  In fact, I think I now know what it means to be the best looking girl at the dance.   There were store owners who wanted to know more about the graphic novel format and there were remainder agents who were looking to get as much of the inventory as possible.  In fact, most of my inventory was sold within the first few hours of the show.  It must have been the new perfume I was wearing.

We were introducing a great new category, in a cost effective way, to an audience who were ready to hear the information.   It was really quite cool.   I also enjoyed some really great conversations with the attendees.   Two in particular really stood out.  Noel Griese from the Southern Review talked about the comics he read as a kid.  He also has some great ideas for stories he would love to pursue as graphic novels.   Helen Garfield of the Metropolitain Museum of Art in New York City was excited to talk about their new exhibit called Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy.  Helen read comics as a young girl and still finds the format amazing.   It's great to see that more and more voices are joining the choir. 

Graphic novels at the big shows
If you missed the news, the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books has announced they will be promoting graphic novels with panels, workshops and a venue called The Comix Strip during this year's event.   

Book Expo America has also announced the Saturday portion of the show will be dedicated to graphic novels.  It will open with the Graphic Novel Author Breakfast and include ten panels and workshops.   This is quite a significant increase in programming across our universe.   Past BEA's have allowed a panel or two. The Day of Dialog (sponsored by Library Journal) will sometimes have a panel on graphic novels, but for the most part, it's taken a while for the format to get any traction.  This lag time in recognition hasn't deterred the librarians though.  Librarians have done so much for the progress of graphic novels.  The publishers really owe them a great deal for the success they currently enjoy.

With all the programming being created for the book shows, library events and educational markets, it's really only a matter of time before we reach critical mass.  When that happens, you will see shelf space for graphic novels in all the big retail joints from Starbucks to Target.   At this very moment, it's a major opportunity for the independent retailer.  And to you, Ms. or Mr. Independent Store owner the best thing you can do is go take a look at your local library.  You need to ask the young adult services librarian what sort of graphic novels are circulating for them.   That is the stuff you should be putting on your shelves.

The perfect storm is really starting to take shape.

Next time: Bicycle Moto-Cross debut at the Summer Games in China: What it means for publishing.

John Shableski works for Diamond Book Distributors as a sales manager with a focus on the independent bookstore market, public and school libraries.  He's been a panelist at Book Expo, a moderator for library panels at the New York Comic Con, a guest speaker at library events, regional book shows and a symposium coordinator.  He is currently collaborating on several graphic novel symposiums across the country.  He can be reached via email at [email protected]

The Graphic Novels Guy

My Pitch to JK Rowling
Let’s invite Oprah to the party.

I keep thinking back to one of the conversations during the SPLAT 2008 Graphic Novel Symposium a couple weeks back.  One of the questions posed to our panel: Who is Reading Graphic Novels, was about finding a big cross-over graphic novel that would appeal to everyone.  I was originally hoping the Stephen King effort with Marvel, Dark Tower: A Gunslinger Born was going to be that book.  The book sold really well (over 100,000 copies and still counting) and there will be a follow up in the prequel series.

While King’s efforts have pushed the doors even wider and brought greater recognition to the format, there is yet to be that one biiiiiig event. The one that gets corporate America talking about graphic novels like they did with Harry Potter, The Da Vinci Code, cell phones and Pac Man.  It has to be a moment that makes the CEO’s start throwing around the term ‘graphic novels’, as if they have been selling them their entire careers.

Here is my publishing dream come true:  JK Rowling announces on the Oprah Winfrey show that she has decided to continue the story of Harry Potter, but in a graphic novel format.   “And”, says Ms. Rowling, in my dream, ”I have decided to tell the stories of Harry’s parents and the origins of Snape and Dumbledore in this exciting format.”

If anyone reading this article has Ms. Rowling’s contact information, please do forward this to her.  I am really not ashamed to beg for your help on this. 

Now to you Ms. Rowling, I understand that the superhero guys have already asked you to consider adapting the Harry Potter series as a graphic novel.  At the time, it may have just been too soon to consider it.  May I suggest you take a look at what King and the gang at Marvel did with Dark Tower?  Artemis Fowl came out quite nicely as a graphic novel too. 

Think of how many more readers would read and enjoy the stories as a graphic novel.  With the new format, the size of the book would certainly be less intimidating.  Sure, millions of people bought the Potter books, but that’s only a fraction of the population.

I know you don’t need the money.  It’s not about that.  My plea to you is that you allow more kids to see how fantastic Harry’s world is in the full-color setting of a graphic novel.

Ms. Rowling, the American publishing world is waiting breathlessly for Dan Brown’s next book.  I think they would go absolutely insane over a graphic novel telling of Harry Potter.  When the Oprah Winfrey show sends out the news release promoting your new graphic novel project, CEO’s around the U.S., the U.K. and probably the planet, will finally understand why kids (and adults) love reading graphic novels.

It would be like the Beatles coming to America-again.

This weekend brings the Spring Book Show in Atlanta.  I highly recommend attending the program. Larry May and his family really have a good thing going there.  If you want to learn more go to www.springbookshow.com

Next time:  Graphic Novels Invade BOOK EXPO?

John Shableski works for Diamond Book Distributors as a sales manager with a focus on the independent bookstore market, public and school libraries.  He's been a panelist at Book Expo, a moderator for library panels at the New York Comic Con, a guest speaker at library events, regional book shows and a symposium coordinator.  He is currently collaborating on several graphic novel symposiums across the country.  He can be reached via email at [email protected]

The Graphic Novels Guy

Cheap Trick, the Spartans and SPLAT 2008

And the obvious target demographic.

So, the ADD is kicking in pretty heavy this week, but if you follow along closely, you will see how I can pull this whole column together. On my drive to the airport the other day, I decided to create a list of songs that, should you get pulled over for speeding, would instantly absolve you of the ticket.

Here are some of those songs (add your own, but wimpy songs don’t count):

Roll with the Changes, REO Speed wagon

Kick It Out, Heart

Steve McQueen, Sheryl Crow

AM Radio, Everclear

Paradise by the Dashboard Light, Meatloaf

Each of those songs has something about them that makes you want to 'open 'er up to get your car flying. In my world, if you get pulled over the first thing you must say to the police officer is the following: “I'm sorry sir/ma’am, but I was jamming to this song from (put your song here)”. If the song is on the approved list of speeding songs then he/she will simply tell you to 'have a nice day'. They should understand this, because you know they have their own speeding songs.

Cheap Trick and the Spartans

One of my favorite Cheap Trick 'flying' songs of all time is their version of Ain’t That a Shame. The band actually introduced me to Hank Williams by way of that song. One afternoon I was reading the liner notes on the album cover and discovered that they were covering an old country song! Oh, my God! Could this be true? So, I sought out Hank’s version and was surprised to find out that I really liked it. I have to say that his version is better heard on a Sunday morning after a 'forgettable' Saturday night.

I vaguely remember my teacher talking about the Spartans waaaay back in junior high school. At that age, I really could have cared less about some guys who wore loin cloths and lived to fight wars. When I picked up the graphic novel 300 from Frank Miller, it was if a whole new world had come to life. Yes, I am quite certain that my teacher would have been rather disappointed that I hadn’t paid closer attention to his lessons. Miller just found a better way of bringing the Spartans to life for me. It's funny what you can learn from an artist’s influences... I mean, actually learn from them.

Graphic Novels in the Classroom

Just recently there was a teacher  who wrote about her experiences of teaching with the graphic novel format in the classroom (they still want to call it a genre in this particular story, it's a format). She seemed to be very surprised at how well the students enjoyed the books and that they retained the information.

What I found interesting about her article was the responses it drew from some of the readers. Quite a few had to do a complete bashing of graphic novels and you can bet they haven’t read one yet. As with anything new, there are the armchair critics or, elitist snobs, who have never read the book, seen the movie or done whatever it is necessary to have a complete understanding of the craft, but feel the need to offer an opinion anyway.

More Than Meets the Eye

Creating a graphic novel actually involves two disciplines. An artist has to create the images and actions to match the dialog. The dialog has to follow a story line. What creates a challenge for the linear or non-graphic novel reader is they are forced to slow down and absorb all the information from the page in front of them. Linear readers have taught themselves to skim along as they read a prose novel. They pick out the key words and phrases and then move on.

With a graphic novel, the reader is forced to slow down. They need to view the images and match it to the dialog. The artist has created the environment and the action while the writer has created the voices. It may seem as if it is taking forever to read the book; when they are actually absorbing information at a much higher rate. You, as the reader don’t have to guess what sort of sky is overhead, what kind of trees are in the background or how wrinkled grandpa's weary brow is, you see all that quickly. It’s just like watching a movie; these images allow you to focus more on the dialog.

For those critics who look down their noses at-dare I say it? COMICS! Pick one up and read it, before you declare an end to civilization. Look back some 50 years ago and there were a lot of critics who thought rock and roll was the end of music as we know it. Well, they are now dead and long forgotten while Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones continue to stick out their tongues. My suggestion to you is this, read one or two before you make such high minded statements, otherwise you will doom yourself and become an icon of things long forgotten.

Circulation Equals Turns

In one of my earlier rants, I mentioned the value of circulation numbers in the library world. How do they translate into the retailer world? They are the same as turns. When a book is circulating at a very high rate, it is the same as a book or item that is a hot seller. So, when you have an entire category that is dominating your circulation as a librarian, you re-evaluate your entire collection and perform a task called weeding.

Weeding allows you to pull titles from the collection/inventory that haven’t circulated/turned in say....two years.

As a retailer, you should probably look at the numbers in a cold, cold light. You will see there are some categories or titles in your store that, as much as you love them, they just aren’t selling. You have a choice to make: weed out those titles that aren’t selling or lose the sales potential of that valuable shelf space.

Of course, I would have to suggest you try shelving graphic novels. Oh, and be sure to promote them. If you don’t promote or advertise your business you are destined to close. Also, buy a computer and don’t be afraid to use it. I am still surprised to meet store owners who don’t own a computer! On second thought, if you don’t own a computer then you probably aren’t reading this article.

The Spring Book Show

At the moment, I am prepping for the Spring Book Show for the remainder’s market in Atlanta with my fingers crossed. If you have been following the news, you will have heard that a tornado brushed the downtown area of  Atlanta last week. At the moment, the show organizers are trying to determine if the show can still take place or if it needs to relocate.

SPLAT 2008

Saturday turned out to be a great day for the graphic novel symposium known as SPLAT 2008. The folks at the Center for Independent Publishing in NYC put together a great day of programming with educational tracks for creators, publishers, teachers and librarians. I ended up on the first panel of the morning called “Who Reads Graphic Novels?” and one of the topics we covered had to do with that “break-out” book that would get more adults to read graphic novels.

 

I wish it would have occurred to me to ask why hasn’t anyone noticed the target demographic that is standing right in front of them? If manga is selling more than 200 million dollars (out of the 330 million in sales) then you go where the business is. Who is buying manga? The answer is kids and young adults from age 12 to late 20s. Yes, there are older people who are buying cool books like 300 or Watchmen, but like the birth of rock and roll, this is a market for kids. It's not rocket science.

The Game Changer

All the points listed above could easily be changed with the arrival of a Harry Potter graphic novel then, all bets are off. Adults would see it as a cool opportunity to pick up a great book that ‘everyone else is reading’. A Harry Potter type of book would really open some doors and then the adult audience would realize how many other great books are available. Hmmm…..maybe I can get word to JK Rowling about some ideas.

Next week: My pitch to JK Rowling.

John Shableski works for Diamond Book Distributors as a sales manager with a focus on the independent bookstore market, public and school libraries.  He's been a panelist at Book Expo, a moderator for library panels at the New York Comic Con, a guest speaker at library events, regional book shows and a symposium coordinator.  He is currently collaborating on several graphic novel symposiums across the country.  He can be reached via emal at [email protected]

The Graphic Novels Guy

Gene Yang, Graphic Novels and NCTE
Graphic novels are finding a place in the NYC classroom and, SPLAT 2008.

Imagine my surprise as I discovered some brilliant graphic novel programming when I attended the National Council of Teachers of English convention at the Javit's in NYC this past November. 

Now wait, that may have not come out sounding the way it should have.  I should start out by mentioning that I discovered James Bucky Carter's name listed on the programming and figured it would be pretty cool to find out what he was going to talk about in the way of graphic novels for the classroom.   Carter has a great book called Building Literacy Connections with Graphic Novels: Page by Page, Panel by Panel and delivers a really great workshop.

Among hundreds of programs you would have also found Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colón the two creators of The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation.  These two men have been creating comics together for over four decades and to hear their perspective on the state of the industry and what inspired them to recreate the 9/11 Commission Report as a graphic novel, is worth every minute. 

These weren't programs where graphic novels were mentioned as an afterthought, graphic novels were discussed in matter-of-fact terms as books to be used for reading.   The presenters know and appreciate the fact that graphic novels can be used to educate and entertain readers of all skills.  And these people really really know the stuff!  I had anticipated finding people who were excited about the format and maybe had just begun to explore using graphic novels in the classroom.  I was really underestimating the market. 

Even more encouraging was the number of people sitting in on the sessions.  Each room was packed or nearly full.  The teachers were in their zone and the audience was completely engaged.  This is fertile ground for a revolution.   Maybe there is more to teaching kids the art of enjoying reading.  It was great to see these teachers using graphic novels to reach out and connect with readers of all skill levels.

The attendance for the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) convention in New York was only 8,000 teachers.  Only 8,000 teachers?  How many students does that represent and, from how many parts of the country?  If you thought teachers dont care about reaching students, you need to sit in on one of these sessions at NCTE.  It will definitely change the way you look at teachers.  We make it difficult for them to do their jobs every year with tax cuts and budget 'restrictions' and yet they come back year after year.   

Across the country, in the San Francisco area is a teacher and an author who figured out that teaching with graphic novels can help you instantly connect with your students.  Gene Luen Yang has been writing comics and graphic novels around his family time and teaching duties and wound up creating American Born Chinese which went on to win the Printz award and was also the first graphic novel to be nominated for a National Book Award. 

Yes, I have mentioned Gene here before and you may start to recognize a pattern here.  There are graphic novel creators like Gene who will continue to resurface on a regular basis as this format continues to grow.  The latest appearance for Gene, in my world, arrived with the NCTE magazine.  In the newest issue, Gene was given the chance to write an article for NCTE in a graphic novel format.  It was so cool to see how he discovered the benefits of using graphic novels as a tool for connecting with students in the classroom.  This was in the magazine for the National Council of Teachers of English.  IF they can see the benefits of using graphic novels, much as Gene does, it wont be long for the word to spread.

That brings me to the New York City Department of Education who recently contacted my counterpart, Janna Morishima and me to discuss creating a graphic novel symposium for the librarians who serve the schools in the five New York City boroughs.  These people understand that graphic novels are something that need to be included in the educational programming. And, much like librarians a few years ago, they want to learn how to bring them into the school system.   The program is for some 800-900 public and private school librarians.  As one of the people in our meeting put it "We need to teach kids with new tools.  Why would anyone try to teach 21st century students with 19th century methods? We need to use the things these kids understand."

Truer words were never spoken.  Kids are moving at light speed and teachers are doing everything they can to keep up.  Every day there are more and more great graphic novel titles getting published.  Talking with the folks from the NYC Department of Education about using graphic novels reminded me of something my junior high school music teacher said when we asked him why he was playing The Who for us in class.  He said "There is some amazing structure in this music. One of these days you will talk about Pete Townshend the way my teacher spoke about Mozart."  He knew exactly how to reach us.

So the revolution continues to spread and in the most natural of places-the class room and the library.

Hey, I would be remiss in my duties if I didnt tell you about another graphic novel moment in New York City.  The Center for Independent Publishing will be hosting its first major graphic novel symposium on March 15th.  SPLAT 2008 will feature some great creators and a guy who knows a lot about the art of graphic novels, Scott McCloud.  There will also be some great folks from the educational world, Karen Green from Columbia University, Peter Guitierrez, a curriculum development consultant, Margaux Del Guidice and Michael Lizardi, School Media Specialists, and Christian Zabriskie, Senior Librarian YA Services from Queens Public Library .  It's a great day of programs and you will learn some pretty cool stuff.   Click here for more....http://www.nycip.org/graphicnovelsymposium/panel.php

Viva La Revolución!

Next time on The Graphic Novels Guy: Remainders, Graphic Novels and The Spring Book Show

John Shableski works for Diamond Book Distributors as a sales manager with a focus on the independent bookstore market, public and school libraries. He's been a panelist at BEA, a moderator for graphic novel panels at the New York Comic Con, a guest speaker at library events, regional book shows and a symposium coordinator. He's currently collaborating on several graphic novel symposiums across the country. For general questions you can send an email to [email protected]

The Graphic Novels Guy

The Launch of TOON Books
And one of my Geek Moments

Does everyone have a 'geek moment'?   I'm pretty sure we all do.   I have defined a 'geek moment' as an event that will remain in a person's memory as one of life's highlights.  I now have six of them (family stuff is in a different category altogether).

Two of these events happened in my radio broadcasting days.  The first one occurred when Bun E. Carlos, the drummer for the band Cheap Trick, came to our radio station for a clinic on drumming for one of the local music stores.   I've never been the kind of person who had posters of a favorite band on my walls (that space was reserved for surf posters).   What Bun E. Carlos represented to me was some great moments from my days in high school.  Live at Budokan was the album that launched his band and also destroyed a pair of speakers in my 1961 Mercedes.  Cheap Trick was a part of the soundtrack of my life.  I just wanted to thank him for the music without appearing to be some sort of spaz.

The next event was meeting Bill Cosby.  I had the great opportunity to introduce him when he took the stage for the first time in our local arts center.  Instead of sitting in my front row seat, I chose to stand just offstage and watch this man, a great storyteller like Mark Twain, talk about stories from his childhood.   Cosby, through his records, taught me that city kids were a lot like me and my friends growing up.  I had the chance to thank him for giving me that gift.

Another geek moment arrived years later in the form of a voice mail.  Judy Shaw from the Norman Rockwell Museum called me to ask if I could meet with the folks from the museum. They wanted to discuss a graphic novels exhibit they were developing called LitGraphic.   I couldn't get to the musuem in Stockbridge, Massachusetts fast enough.  To me, Norman Rockwell is the master illustrator and storyteller.   While I was standing in the room where the paintings for the Four Freedoms are on display, I caught my self whispering 'thank you' to Mr. Rockwell. He had taught me to take a much closer look at the smallest of details and to enjoy them.

The most recent geek moment occurred during the ALA Mid-winter convention in Philadelphia.  I had been working with my counterpart, Janna Morishima to host a launch party for a new publisher called TOON Books.  This is a project Francoise Mouly has been working to create with her husband Art Spiegelman. 

I had yet to meet either one of them, but from the moment I saw them approaching our booth, I knew exactly who they were.   For me, Francoise represents The New Yorker.  My favorite magazine period.   Her husband Art won the Pulitzer for his graphic novel Maus and is a legend for his creative genius and impact on this graphic novel format.

My dilemma at that moment, was how do I look casual?  Calm?  Cool?  Here comes The New Yorker and THEE Pulitzer Prize!  Can I talk with them without stuttering?  In only a few moments, Francoise and Art made me feel right at home and we dove immediately into a discussion of how TOON Books came to be and what their approach was in creating comics for emerging readers.   

Francoise was actually responding to an earlier email I had sent her asking why she had decided to publish books for the graphic novel market.   I, and the librarians who would be attending that evening's launch party wanted to know what her approach was going to be, and why she chose to create these books for such a young group of readers.

Keep in mind, there is a lot of 'me too' that takes place in any industry, so it was interesting to hear that she wasn't copying anyone else's efforts.  She is indeed creating a new category.   I became even more convinced of this as she explained to me how many years she spent researching the stories and how children perceive words and images.   She had grown up with comics herself and already understood a great deal about the reading and learning process.

What really sealed the deal for me was the moment she described the approach for each of the first three books in her project.  Silly Lilly is the awareness of self.  Otto's Orange Day is the awareness of imagination and Benny & Penny is the awareness of the world around us.  This was the first time I had met a graphic novel creator or publisher, who knew the specific impact and benefits, as well as the audience for their books.  As her husband Art would point out, "This isn't supposed to be medicinal. Reading is supposed to be fun for kids.  Give them something they enjoy."

I had found myself in the presence of two incredibly smart people who are creating a brand new category in the publishing industry. 

My bonus geek moment is that I get to work with them to help introduce their books to the American audience.   Will they become a reading staple for years to come?   I really do hope so.  I think they are worth every ounce of energy that Francoise, Art and the rest of the team from TOON Books has put into them.  I'm sure you will like them too.

Oh, and my other geek moment?   It came the winter of 1991, the second time I paddled out into 30 foot waves. Unlike my first attempt at the age of 16, when I wasn't sure I would make it back to the beach alive.  I realized that this time I was going to really live it up and ride each wave like it would be my last. 

Next time:  Gene Yang, Graphic Novels and the National Council of Teachers of English

The Graphic Novels Guy

Here’s To Looking at 45

And rediscovering Amelia Rules!

After my last posting on this site, I received a funny note from a friend who inquired if 45 meant the old record singles from my radio days.  I guess that could be a natural assumption since I do like to use music analogies as they help me illustrate the progress of the graphic novel format.   

The reality is that I am turning 45.  This is the week that I get to celebrate another year of life on this planet.  I know my mom was thrilled when I made to the age of 18 still intact.  If you had ever met any of the people I grew up with, or ran with, then you would understand my mom’s perspective.

This year is turning out to be much more fun for me than I think most guys my age are having.   Instead of asking: What have I accomplished?  I get to ask: How big is this graphic novel thing going to be?  I know what the guys at Atlantic, Sun Records, Stax and Motown must have felt when they first started working in rock and roll.  There is so much great stuff out there and so much more on the way.   Oh sure, there have been some excellent graphic novels published over the past couple of decades, but now the traditional publishing houses are jumping into the mix.  This may be to the chagrin of the folks who have been at it for a while, but it certainly validates all their efforts over the years.   Competition also means better books.

This new challenge forces the creators and gn publishers to think about ways to promote their books more effectively.   Promotion is certainly something that many publishers could do better.   Just the other day I received an emailed press release from a publisher promoting a future graphic novel title from an author who wants to do something ‘edgy’ about the ‘dark underbelly’…blah, blah, blah.   I caught my self acting like a snob.   My first impression when I saw the news release was “So?  Do we really need another stinkin’ book about the dark underbelly?  Who cares? “

I was looking for the press release to tell me that this major house had invested in doing something mainstream that will sell millions.   I had missed the biggest point of the press release: This publisher has actually begun to ‘work the book’.  They are prepping the trades for the advance reader copy of the book.  If they can drum up some excitement, and anticipation, then someone will actually read the book when it hits their desk and talk about it.   THIS is where the gn publishers really need to improve their game.  They need to send out press releases to every single news outlet, magazine and blog possible, create excitement and deliver the book on time.  This is a formula you can steal from the traditional publishing houses and it helps to sell a lot of books.

There are a few creators and publishers who actually do ‘work the book’.   A great example of this is the Amelia Rules! series by Jimmy Gownley.  He and his wife, Karen, set up workshops and appearances to support this series and it is paying off.  If you haven’t yet read Amelia Rules!, I really suggest you pick up a copy.  The fourth in the series, When the Past is a Present, is due out soon.   

Amelia is a ten-year-old who lives with her divorced mom and her retired rock star aunt. Amelia is just a cool girl who keeps her group of friends together. One that you wish your kids had as a friend or would like them to emulate. 

Why, you may ask is this guy raving about a kid’s book?  As a dad, I love this series.  During a few quiet moments at the Renaissance Learning Convention in Orlando, I re-read the Amelia books.  One of the cool things about reading graphic novels is that you discover more on the second and third pass.  It’s like staring into a Norman Rockwell picture, there is so much more to see. 

There is this one particular scene where Amelia’s mom gives her a cloverleaf pendant.  She tells Amelia that when her husband gave it to her, he said it symbolized their family.  You could see, even though this is a story for kids, how significant this moment was for the mom as well. 

I caught myself getting a little choked up. I know…maybe I am getting sentimental in my old age.   I am allowed to get sappy now.  When I read that scene, I could see how Jimmy had mastered the perspectives for both characters.  It was a pretty cool moment for me.   

Jimmy also touches on a pretty tough subject that is a fairly universal theme here in the U.S.: War.   One of Amelia’s friends has to deal with his father being deployed for action overseas.  I know more than a few people who are experiencing this very thing, and you probably do too.  Jimmy does an amazing job of weaving this part of life’s realities into his stories.

So, I made it to 45.  I’m pretty lucky to be here.  I have a wonderful family and a great wife, who has somehow survived me.   I get to see a great new format explode in American pop culture and I get sappy over a good book now and again. 

How cool is that?

Next Time: The Arrival of TOON

John Shableski works for Diamond Book Distributors as a sales manager with a focus on the independent bookstore market, public and school libraries. He's been a panelist at BEA, a moderator for graphic novel panels at the New York Comic Con, a guest speaker at library events, regional book shows and a symposium coordinator. He's currently collaborating on several graphic novel symposiums across the country. For general questions you can send an email to [email protected]