Dear Graphic Novel Publishers,

Library Journal will be presenting a feature previewing summer and fall 2018 graphic novels in the June 15, 2018, issue. LJ graphic novels reviewer Jody Osicki will be focusing on the following topics:

• Debut creators and series
• New imprints and presses expanding in new directions

• What new themes are emerging in the world of traditional superhero comics? Are creators and/or readers showing superhero fatigue owing to ubiquitous superhero content in movies, TV, and online media?
• How are today’s polarized politics and hot-button social issues, including racial tension, police brutality and closer scrutiny of police conduct, and the “postfact” world impacting new story lines?
• Is the collective response of women’s and activist movements reflected in upcoming graphic novels (e.g., strong female protagonists, characters who survived sexual abuse)?
• What historical periods or locales are popular right now?
• Genre blends were huge last year; is this trend continuing, beginning to wane, or staying the same?
• Considering the call for more diversity in the field (both in characters and creators), are readers going to see more works featuring diverse protagonists, themes, and situations?

• Is the approach to publishing graphic novels changing? Are you seeing more creators balancing their work between indie and traditional markets, digital and print? Are you acquiring more e-original content or originally self-published titles?
• What new technologies or special content incentives have been added to new titles? Do you envision comics that interact with digital platforms (e.g., Google Home, Amazon Echo)? Do these exist already?
• What’s happening on the international scene? What areas of the world are attracting attention from North American comics publishers? Are there new English translations and up-and-coming international creators to watch out for?
• How are you tailoring your marketing efforts to libraries (besides professional conferences and BookExpo) to connect with librarians and their patrons?

If you have any suggestions for authors/artists, editors, or publishers who would be available for an interview or a possible Q&A, please let us know. We’d love to hear from you on any or all of these topics.

We also will be highlighting your lead titles for the coming seasons (pubbing May through December 2018), to be discussed within the feature and included in a companion list.

Please send the following information for your top releases: author, title, ISBN, page count, price, marketing plans, formats available (print, audio [these do exist], ebook), and a brief description—catalog copy will suffice—along with any relevant quotes from editors or publishers to Jody Osicki at josicki@gmail.com and be sure to cc me at apesek@mediasourceinc.com.

The deadline is Friday, April 13.

Sincerely,

Annalisa

Annalisa Pešek
Assistant Managing Editor
Library Journal
123 William St., Suite 802
New York, NY 10038