Interested in creating graphic novels for kids and teens? Find support for your efforts through these online communities, courses, and events for graphic novel writers, artists, and those who do both.
Categories on this page:
- Graphic Novel & Comics Creator Communities
- Upcoming online courses and events
- Illustrator Challenges, Contests, and Awards
- Asynchronous and on-demand courses and resources
- Random Resources
Graphic Novel & Comics Creator Communities
Kids Comics Unite (free and paid)
Kids Comics Unite (KCU) offers both paid and free resources, courses, membership programs, and networking opportunities to creators of kids comics and graphic novels. Website link leads to community hosted on Mighty Networks. Register for 2024 here. Founded by agent Janna Morishima.
KidLitGN (free)
This Facebook group is a place where those interested in creating graphic novels for Middle Grade or younger age groups can come to share knowledge and exchange ideas. KidLitGN hosts an annual pitch event the first Wednesday in October, designed to get GN creators’ projects in front of agents and editors.
Might Could (free)
Tired of social media, but still want a space to share your art and be inspired? Meet artist friends and grow your art practice in this Substack chat hosted by artist Christine Nishiyama.
#kidlitart (free)
Weekly chat on BlueSkySocial for children’s book illustrators & friends every Thursday, 9pm Eastern Time (2am UTC). Focus is picture books, but many discussions are relevant to all artists.
Comics Advocacy Group
Nonprofit dedicated to making careers in comics more accessible and sustainable through mini-grants, resources, mentorships, and more.
Upcoming online courses and events
Kids Comics Unite! Monthly Events ($ and free)
Each month, Kids Comics Unite! hosts a different webinar with an industry professional. Topics include a variety of subjects of interest to illustrators, writers, and writer/illustrators.
Illustrator Challenges, Contests, and Awards
These challenges may or may not be specific to comic / graphic novel / sequential art.
Narrative Art Award (*see note)
Given annually to an illustrator who can tell a visual story, through sequential images, with great clarity and nuance. See link for this year’s prompt and submission requirements. The prize is an all-expense-paid trip to the SCBWI New York Winter Conference, where winning illustrations will be displayed during the New York Portfolio Showcase. Submissions usually open in September. *Free to submit for dues-paying member of SCBWI. Sponsored by SCBWI.
SCBWI Draw This! Challenge (See note*)
Monthly challenge for illustrators with a new theme each month. Submit by the date listed on the website for the next month’s gallery. *Must be an active member of SCBWI.
Inktober (free)
Challenge to draw 31 illustrations in ink, in 31 days. Hosted by illustrator Jake Parker. Happens in October.
Inktober 52 (free)
A weekly drawing challenge for the entire year: one prompt a week, 52 weeks in the year, 52 drawings. Hosted by illustrator Jake Parker.
Asynchronous and on-demand courses
Courses that are completed without regularly-scheduled meetings. Timelines, interaction, feedback, and levels of support vary, check details at links.
Society of Visual Storytelling ($)
Online courses for illustrators. Hosted by illustrators Will Terry, Lee White, and Jake Parker.
Random Resources
Comic Book FX – The Comic Book Sound Effect Database
Spotlighting the “Sock! Pow! Zok!” that give comics a voice, celebrating the onomatopoeia. The database contains 2,568 sound effects from 290 comics. (I discovered this while Googling how to write the sound of a loud whistle that’s intended to get someone’s attention. “FWEEET!”)
The Creator’s Guide to Comics Devices (free)
A rich library of visual-narrative devices that are specific to the medium of comics, furnished with definitions and examples by contributors. Curated and edited by cartoonist Reimena Yee.
Know a good kidlit graphic novel resource or event that should be on this list? Is it available mainly online (not an in-person conference or event)? Please send a message through the Contact Form on the About Us page. Thanks!
WRITERS' RUMPUS 