Jamila Rowser is an award-winning writer, editor, and publisher (Black Josei Press). She's best known for her critically-acclaimed debut graphic novel, Wash Day Diaries (Chronicle Books), illustrated by Robyn Smith. She was featured in Adweek’s Creative 100 in 2021 as an Author to Follow. Jamila loves writing comics about and for Black and brown women, especially slice-of-life comics. She lives in Miami, but reps The Bronx.
Website: https://www.jamilarowser.com/
Shop: https://www.blackjoseipress.com/
Twitter: @JamilaRowser
Instagram: jamilarowser
WASH DAY DIARIES - author
(Chronicle Books, July 2022)
2023 LA Times Book Prize finalist (GNs)
Autostraddle’s “Best Queer Books of 2022”
GoodReads Choice Awards, 2022, #6 of 20 (GNs)
NYPL's “Best Books of 2022”
Polygon’s “The 10 Best Comics of 2022”
PW’s “2022 Graphic Novel Critics Poll” #3
The Mary Sue’s “Best Comics of 2022”
Rights: subrights@chroniclebooks.com
Wash Day Diaries follows four best friends—Kim, Tanisha, Davene, and Cookie—through the ups and downs of their daily lives in the Bronx, celebrating Black sisterhood through portraits of shared, yet deeply personal experiences of Black hair care.
At times touching, quiet, triumphant, and laugh-out-loud funny, the stories of Wash Day Diaries pay a loving tribute to Black joy and the resilience of Black women.
Real Realm - author
(Radiator Comics, 2022)
The story of messy gods trying and failing to reform their image in the eyes of mortals. Illustrated by buttercup.
Ode to Keisha - author
(Black Josei Press, 2021)
2022 Ignatz Award nominee, Best Comic
2021 Broken Frontier Award, Best Writer
The Nerdist’s “The Very Best Comics of 2021”
Ode to Keisha is an autobiographical comic about friendship, racism, and identity. In this 18-page comic, Jamila recounts her kindergarten friendship with Keisha, and why this bond was fundamental in shaping her concept of sisterhood. Trinidad Escobar’s beautiful black-and-white illustrations tenderly convey how racism and shared culture impacted the budding friendship between these two 5-year-old Black girls living in The Netherlands.
Mañana: Latinx Comics From the 25th Century
“A Little Esperanza” - author
(Power & Magic Press, 2021)
Maritza goes on a scavenger hunt with her faithful robot coquí to uncover an unbelievable birthday surprise! Illustrated by Maddi Gonzalez.
Marisole - author, editor
(Jordan Brand, 2021)
A slice-of-life webcomic about Marisol Garcia, a 16-year-old Afro-Dominican sneakerhead from Washington Heights. Written for Jordan Brand, featured in the SNKRS app.
WASH DAY - author
(Black Josei Press, 2018)
2019 DINKy Award for Best Floppy Comic
The Comics Journal’s “The Best Comics of 2018”
Wash Day is a slice-of-life comic that pays tribute to the beauty and endurance of Black women and their hair. The story follows Kimana, a 26-year-old woman living in the Bronx, as she cares for her long, thick hair. As Kim goes through her Sunday morning rituals, we see the highs and lows of her day—fresh coffee, rising rent, girl talk and catcalls.
WOBBLEDY 3000 - author
(Black Josei Press, 2018)
The comic book Wobbledy 3000 reminds us that twerkin’ ain’t easy. The story takes place on Earth 3000 and follows LaToya and her best friends Alma and Aonia as they head to the club. LaToya plans to twerk the night away with other humans, androids and aliens, but soon realizes that she is in over her head.
THE REAL FOLK BLUES:
A Cowboy Bebop Fanbook
“Ragtime Blues” - co-writer
(Shortbox, 2018)
When a mysterious masked man steals Ein from the Bebop crew, Spike finds himself fighting his most difficult foe yet.