Graphic Novel and Comic Book Writing and Illustrating Conference

Here's a cool opportunity for any comics writers and illustrators - or those who'd like to be - living in the Twin Cities area. It's the Graphic Novel and Comic Book Writing and Illustrating Conference on Saturday, June 19, from 10a.m. – 7 p.m. It'll be held at Open Book/Loft Literary Center (1011 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis), but is sponsored by both the Loft Literary Center and the Hennepin County Library.

Admission is FREE, but you do need to register to attend. Just go to the Hennepin County Library website and search for "graphic novel" where it says, "Search for events by word or phrase." Or you can just call 952-847-8529.

Gene Luen Yang (American Born Chinese, Prime Baby) will be the keynote speaker, but there are also breakout sessions that include:

• "Writing for Comic Books and Graphic Novels
• "Introduction to Caricature"
• "Self-Publishing a Graphic Novel (in 8 Hard Steps)"
• "Poem as Comic Strip"
• "Web Comics for Beginners"
• "Cartooning for Beginners."

I've registered and am signed up for the sessions on writing (taught by Zander Cannon) and web comics (by Barb Schultz). There's also a closing session on next steps for both writers and illustrators. Sounds like a really fun day.