Jillian and Mariko Tamaki, the critically acclaimed and Caldecott Medal-winning graphic novelists, are turning their hand to a new story with Roaming, which Gabby Rivera explained, “made me wanna be 17 all over again.” This literary, elegantly illustrated work from Drawn & Quarterly shares the consequences of a trip with three friends to New York, including an unexpected fling that blossoms between casual acquaintances and throws a long-term friendship off-balance. For graphic novel fans, or readers who are just exploring the genre after falling in love with Ducks, this promises to be a future classic. The authors will discuss why they’re now making a foray into adult fiction, the growth of graphic novels… and why they chose the Big Apple for such a rich, layered work. Moderated by Sarah Leavitt.
Presented in partnership with SFU’s Master of Publishing Program.
Event Participants:
SARAH LEAVITT is a cartoonist and educator. She's developed and taught comics classes at the UBC School of Creative Writing since 2012. Her books include Tangles: A Story About Alzheimer's, My Mother and Me; Agnes, Murderess; and Something, Not Nothing, forthcoming in fall 2024.
JILLIAN TAMAKI is a cartoonist, illustrator, and educator raised in Calgary, Alberta. She is the author of the Eisner Award-winning graphic novels SuperMutant Magic Academy and Boundless, and the author-illustrator of two picture books, including most recently Our Little Kitchen. With her cousin Mariko Tamaki, she is the co-creator of the young adult graphic novels SKIM and This One Summer, which won a Governor General’s Award and Caldecott Honor. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.
MARIKO TAMAKI is a Canadian writer living in California. She is the co-creator of the graphic novels Skim and This One Summer with Jillian Tamaki, and Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me with Rosemary Valero-O’Connell. She writes superhero comics for DC Comics, Darkhorse and Marvel. Mariko was the recipient of the Eisner for Best Writer in 2020. Collectively, her works have received Printz Honors, Eisner, Ignatz, Ringo and Prism awards. She is the curator of the Abrams LGBTQ imprint, Surely Books.
