Although Myriad Editions does not age band its publications, or publish graphic novels directly aimed at children, much of its graphic non-fiction is suitable for readers over 12 years old, while some of the graphic fiction titles are ideal for young adults.
Darryl Cunningham is the nearest thing to an investigative journalist using the comics medium. He tackles serious subjects in an entertaining and informative way that is easily digestible for most readers above 12 years old. Darryl’s book of graphic essays, Science Tales, seeks to destroy the myths created by the media when reporting on popular science.
Woodrow Phoenix’s Rumble Strip is a deeply personal and haunting graphic novel about the human costs of car travel that raises our awareness of the risks taken every day on our roads – a great book for teenagers, especially those intending to learn to drive. And Hannah Eaton’s Naming Monsters is a much-praised fictional depiction of teenage life.
The Publisher
Corinne Pearlman, creative director at Myriad Editions, says she looks forward to the day when graphic novels are shelved in bookshops and libraries by their main subject category, such as fiction, biography, DIY, or self-help, rather than being gathered together according to their format. Quoting the author Woodrow Phoenix, she says that too often we mistake the medium for the message: the form is as capable as prose literature for carrying a wide range of subjects, styles and genres. |
| Creative Director of Myriad Editions, Corinne Pearlman. |
Corinne has responsibility for the design and production needs of the company. She also commissions and edits the three graphic novels they publish a year. She advises that aspiring graphic novelists should get out and about, attend the groups or shows that they’re interested in and to get self-publishing, however modest. She is a founding member and coordinator of Cartoon County – the association of Sussex Cartoonists and Comic Strip Artists. Cartoon County holds monthly meetings in Brighton that visitors from Sussex and elsewhere are welcome to attend. Another group she highly recommends is LaydeezDoComics - their meetings are open to all and organized by Sarah Lightman and Nicola Streeten, both Myriad authors.
Submissions reach Corinne in a variety of ways: self-published zines she may pick up at a small press fair, or read online; direct submissions from the author, or from their agent; particular creators are asked for ideas; and every two years a new graphic novelist will be discovered in their biennial First Graphic Novel Competition. In fact the strength of the inaugural 2012 competition was such that Myriad is publishing both the winner and three shortlisted authors.
When asked how long it takes to put a graphic novel together Corinne says that it is extremely variable. Many graphic novelists have a day job and the style they use may be labour intensive: Gareth Brookes, winner of the inaugural First Graphic Novel Competition, worked on the widely acclaimed The Black Project for four and a half years using a combination of embroidery and lino cut to create his artwork, and handwriting the words.
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| Gareth Brookes at a recent Comica Comiket. |
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| The Black Project by Gareth Brookes |
...the possibilities of this wonderful medium, to encourage people to take up their brush, their needle or their camera, and surprise us with what we haven’t seen before.
There are still plenty of people who associate comics exclusively with Disney and Marvel: it’s up to us to spread the art, as well as the word, about the possibilities of this wonderful medium, to encourage people to take up their brush, their needle or their camera, and surprise us with what we haven’t seen before.
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| Corinne Pearlman at the Myriad Editions table at the Lakes International Comics Art Festival |
To find out about other events visit the Myriad Editions website.
