Graphic Novels, Calloo, Callay!
Do you like symposiums? Who doesn’t? And do you like graphic novels? Of course you do. So what about a graphic novel symposium? Can you dig it? Sure you can. Particularly when you’re a librarian or a teacher and you get a 30% discount.
Yet when I got an e-mail about SPLAT! A Graphic Novel Symposium I was wary. I get a lot of junk in my e-mail in-box and I’m particularly leery when people send me stuff without saying, "Hello, Elizabeth!" or "Howdy Fuse #8!" But I took a gander at what the deal was here and I have to admit that I liked what I saw. Here is what I was sent:
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You are invited to Splat! A Graphic Novel Symposium
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Comics are the most exciting medium today for teachers who want to grab their students’ attention without sacrificing depth, and for librarians who are intrigued by this artform and its possibilities for encouraging new readers. We welcome writers, artists, librarians and educators alike to learn more about the fastest growing movement in publishing – and meet some of the best creators working in the medium today!
Here are only a few of the programs available for educators and librarians at Splat! Symposium:
Defending your Library from Challenges:
This panel, featuring Charles Brownstein of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, and Nick Bertozzi, author of the controversial work The Salon, will highlight some of the unique needs of a graphic novel collection.
Why Anime and Manga belong in Your Collection:
Manga is the most popular genre in graphic novels – which is already the fastest growing segment of the publishing world – learn more about the books your readers are asking for!
Graphic Novels for the Classroom:
As students work to meet rising standards in schools, graphic novels become increasingly important. This panel will help teachers find ways to tailor lesson plans for challenged to advanced students by using this unique medium.
Visit http://www.nycip.org/graphicnovelsymposium/about.php to find out more and to register for this exciting learning opportunity.
I was still not at ease. Seems to me that anyone could get a bunch o’ folks together and call it a symposium. But my mind was put at ease when I read the website’s take on the matter:
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SPLAT! A Graphic Novel Symposium will take place on Saturday, March 15 at the New York Center of Independent Publishing (NYCIP) in Manhattan, with keynote speaker Scott McCloud . The NYCIP is a non-profit educational program (part of the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen) dedicated to promoting and supporting independent publishers across the United States.
Graphic novels are becoming increasingly popular, creating a groundswell of excitement and interest. Addressing the graphic novel’s considerable impact on the public consciousness, the SPLAT! Symposium, organized by the NYCIP, will provide an intensive educational forum for the publishing community, educators, librarians, and people eager to find out more about the comics universe. It will also supply prospective creators with a unique opportunity to learn what it takes to be a graphic novelist.
The conference will feature a number of movers and shakers from the graphic novel world, including: Scott McCloud (one of the most influential and highly regarded cartoonists in the country, who will be the Symposium’s keynote speaker); Jim Killen (Barnes and Noble); David Saylor (Scholastic), Raina Telgemeier (The Baby-Sitters Club), Ted Rall (Attitude), CB Cebulski (Marvel Comics); Bob Mecoy (Bob Mecoy Literary Agency); R. Sikoryak (The Seduction of Mike); Nick Bertozzi (The Salon);and Charles Brownstein (CBLDF).
If you’re interested, I say go for it. I like a lot of these names (and this is just a smattering of them) and there’s probably a lot to see. And hey! Colleen Venable! How the heck do you get to be a "Webcomics Guru"? Can I be one?
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About Betsy Bird
Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.
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