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Graphic publisher SelfMadeHero has launched an anthology mentoring programme to discover, develop, publish and promote emerging comic book artists from Black, Asian, Arab, mixed-race, Romani/Traveller and non-white Latinx backgrounds from across the UK.
Working in partnership with writer development agency Spread the Word, SelfMadeHero will identify eight exceptional emerging artists and give them the tools to become publishable creators as part of the Graphic Anthology Programme (GAP). Submissions for the free scheme will be open until 26th March.
Beginning in May, participants will embark on a 12-week online mentoring programme led by five established graphic novelists: Asia Alfasi, Catherine Anyango Grünewald, Sonia Leong, Mustashrik Mahbub and Woodrow Phoenix. With the mentors’ support, each participant will create a graphic short story, which will then be included in an anthology to be published by SelfMadeHero in October 2021.
During the 12-week programme, participants will work to improve every aspect of their creative practice, from plotting and pacing to language and layout. They will learn how to successfully plan a project, work to deadlines and develop the resilience and skills that a career in graphic novels requires.
Alongside weekly mentoring sessions, the programme will provide participants with an introduction to the comic book industry, eight masterclasses from industry professionals and first-hand experience of working with a publisher. At the end of the programme, participants’ graphic short stories will be published in an anthology by SelfMadeHero that will be launched at the 2021 Lakes International Comic Art Festival (LICAF).
The core publishing, editorial and design/production team is made up of SelfMadeHero’s m.d. Emma Hayley, designer Txabi Jones and editor and artist Ayoola Solarin. Spread the Word, London’s writer development agency, is an advisor to the programme and will support participants’ writing development. Arts Council England has provided funding for the scheme.
SelfMadeHero m.d. Emma Hayley said: "The UK comics scene is young, vibrant and culturally progressive, yet there remains a lack of ethnic diversity among published artists and writers. A 2020 survey commissioned by UK Comics Laureate Hannah Berry found that Black and minority ethnic artists were less likely to be published by traditional print publishers than their white counterparts. The launch of our Graphic Anthology Programme marks an important step in acknowledging, addressing and reducing this disparity.”
“The lack of professional provision and access for non-white comics creators is very real," said GAP mentor Woodrow Phoenix. “It’s great to see a very necessary correction from SelfMadeHero with this new initiative.”
Fellow GAP mentor Catherine Anyango Grünewald added: “I hope that the Graphic Anthology Programme platform can empower its readers to enrich and expand their world view, and empower the artists involved to trust in the importance of their stories and the beauty of their expression.”
For more information, visit selfmadehero.com/graphic-anthology-programme.