New Release: OTHER EVER AFTERS

OTHER EVER AFTERS by Melanie Gillman (RH Graphic, Sept 2022)

Once upon a time . . . happily ever after turned out differently than expected.

In this new, feminist, queer fairy-tale collection, you’ll find the princesses, mermaids, knights, barmaids, children, and wise old women who have been forced to sit on the sidelines in classic stories taking center stage. A gorgeous all-new collection in graphic novel format from a Stonewall Honor-winning author and artist.

What if the giant who abducted you was actually thoughtful and kind? What if you didn’t want to marry your handsome, popular, but cold-inside suitor? What if your one true love has all the responsibilities that come with running a kingdom? Award-winning author Melanie Gillman’s phenomenal colored-pencil art creates another "ever after" for the characters who are most worthy of it.

Select praise for OTHER EVER AFTERS:

  • Booklist review: “A work of fresh twists and many queer happily-ever-afters for all lovers of fairy tales.”

  • Kirkus review: “Fresh and exciting; sure to delight and surprise.”

  • The Bulletin review: “These inspiring, brief stories will especially resonate with readers who have always felt underrepresented or absent entirely in fairy tales, romance novels, or even their own lives.”

New Release: WHO WAS A DARING PIONEER OF THE SKIES? AMELIA EARHART

WHO WAS A DARING PIONEER OF THE SKIES? AMELIA EARHART
written by Melanie Gillman and illustrated by A.C. Esguerra
(Penguin Workshop, August 2022)

Discover the story behind aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart's mysterious and fatal second trip around the world in this captivating graphic novel -- written by Stonewall Award Honoree Melanie Gillman and illustrated by Eighty Days creator A.C. Esguerra.

Explore the story of Amelia Earhart, as she embarks on her second and final journey around the globe. A story of determination, heart, and courage, this graphic novel invites readers to immerse themselves into the daring grit of the aviation pioneer -- brought to life by gripping narrative and vivid full-color illustrations that fly off the page.

Select praise for WHO WAS A DARING PIONEER OF THE SKIES?

  • Kirkus review: “A suspenseful, well-researched story that captures the drama of Earhart’s life and last flight.”

  • School Library Journal review: “A must purchase for libraries, this book (and this series) will certainly be a big hit with middle grade readers.”



New release: STAGE DREAMS

STAGE DREAMS by Melanie Gillman (Lerner Graphic Universe, Sept 2019)

STAGE DREAMS by Melanie Gillman
(Lerner Graphic Universe, Sept 2019)

In this rollicking queer western adventure, acclaimed cartoonist Melanie Gillman puts readers in the saddle alongside Flor and Grace, a Latinx outlaw and a trans runaway, as they team up to thwart a Confederate plot in the New Mexico Territory.

When Flor—also known as the notorious Ghost Hawk—robs the stagecoach that Grace has used to escape her Georgia home, the first thing on her mind is ransom. But when the two get to talking about Flor’s plan to crash a Confederate gala and steal some crucial documents, Grace convinces Flor to let her join the heist.

Select praise for STAGE DREAMS:

  • School Library Journal starred review: “This charming and poignant queer romance set against a Civil War–era backdrop will resonate with readers.”

  • Kirkus review: “An engrossing escapade with a heart-stealing queer romance.”

  • Booklist review: “An illuminating western with a refreshingly matter-of-fact queer romance.”

Awards!

AS THE CROW FLIES by Melanie Gillman won the 2018 EGL Best of Middle Grade Award and is on the shortlist for the 2018 Dwayne McDuffie Award for Kids' Comics.

ELEMENTS: FIRE, edited by Taneka Stotts, won the 2018 Eisner Award for Best Anthology.

MONSTER SCIENCE, illustrated by Phil McAndrew (and written by Helaine Becker), was named a 2018 Forest of Reading Silver Birch Honor book.

O HUMAN STAR by Blue Delliquanti won a 2018 Prism Award in the Webcomics category.

THE CARPET MERCHANT OF KONSTANTINIYYA by Reimena Yee was nominated for a 2018 Eisner Award in the Best Digital Comic category.

THE WITCH BOY by Molly Ostertag won the 2018 EBSCO SEE-IT Award, won a 2018 Prism Award in the Mainstream Comics and Graphic Novels category, and is on the shortlist for the 2018 Dwayne McDuffie Award for Kids' Comics.

 

Awards and Nominations round-up!

AGENTS OF THE REALM by Mildred Louis was nominated for the 2018 Slate Cartoonist Studio Prize for Best Webcomic of the Year.

AS THE CROW FLIES by Melanie Gillman was named a 2018 Stonewall Honor Book, is a 2018 EGL finalist in both the Best of Middle Grade and Mosaic Award categories, and is one of YALSA's 2018 Great Graphic Novels for Teens.

ELEMENTS: FIRE, edited by Taneka Stotts, won a silver medal in the 2018 Independent Publisher Book Awards in the Graphic Novel / Drawn Book category and was nominated for two 2018 DINKy Awards. Shivana Sookdeo's contribution "Breath, Plucked From Heaven" was nominated for the 2018 Slate Cartoonist Studio Prize for Best Print Comic of the Year. 

FULL CIRCLE by Taneka Stotts and Christianne Goudreau was named a 2018 Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity nominee.

THE HAUNTED HOUSE PROJECT by Tricia Clasen is a 2017 Voya Top Shelf Fiction selection for middle grade readers. 

NO BETTER WORDS by Carolyn Nowak was nominated for a 2018 DINKy Award.

O HUMAN STAR by Blue Delliquanti made the 2017 James Tiptree Jr. Award longlist.

POCKETS by Melanie Gillman was nominated for two 2018 DINKy Awards and won in the Best Mini Comic category.

THE PRICE OF ACCEPTANCE by Sarah Searle was nominated for the 2018 Slate Cartoonist Studio Prize for Best Webcomic of the Year.

THE WITCH BOY by Molly Knox Ostertag is a 2018 EGL finalist and one of YALSA's 2018 Great Graphic Novels for Teens.

Deal Announcement: STAGE DREAMS

Melanie Gillman's YA graphic novel STAGE DREAMS, a queer western romance set in New Mexico Territory at the start of the Civil War, following Grace, a young trans girl runaway, who joins forces with a charismatic lesbian stagecoach robber to steal important plans from the invading Confederate army, to Greg Hunter at Graphic Universe, for publication in spring 2019, by Jen Linnan at Linnan Literary Management.

Women Write About Comics: Melanie Gillman's STAGE DREAMS: A Story of Queer Romance and Espionage!

2016 Ignatz Award nominations announced!

HUGE congratulations to all of the nominees, with special shout-outs to clients Melanie Gillman, Sloane Leong, Carolyn Nowak, and Taneka Stotts! 

 

Outstanding Anthology or Collection:
Beyond: The Queer Sci Fi and Fantasy Anthology edited by Sfé R. Monster and Taneka Stotts

Promising New Talent:
Carolyn Nowak for Radishes

Outstanding Comic:
As the Crow Flies by Melanie Gillman

Outstanding Minicomic:
Maps to the Suns by Sloane Leong
Radishes by Carolyn Nowak