Image Brings Panels And Signings To ALA Annual 2018

It seems the past month has been big for the celebration of books. Our very own executive editor, Hannah Means-Shannon covered Book Expo earlier this month. Now the world’s largest and oldest library association, the American Library Association, will be having their annual conference, ALA Annual, from June 21 – 26, in my old stomping grounds of New Orleans, Louisiana. The show attracts librarians, authors, publishers, educators, and anyone who is passionate about books and libraries.
For a conference focused on books, you can imagine that comics will be represented. Image has recently released their schedule for the show and they will include panels and signings. You can check out the details below. The publisher will also be exhibiting and can be found at Booth 549.  If you stop by the booth, you can receive review copies, samples, tote bags, and sneak peeks at upcoming releases.
ALA    ANNUAL    2018 – IMAGE    COMICS    EVENTS    SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, JUNE 22ND
Panel – Friday Forum: Building and Justifying Adult Graphic Novel Collections in Public and Academic Libraries (Graphic Novel MIG)
Location – Morial Convention Center – Room 353-355
Date/Time – Friday, June 22nd 11:00am-12:15pm
Image Speakers – Eric Shanower
Other Speakers – Ezra Daniels, Amanda Melilli
Despite all the progress we have made putting comics in libraries, there is still work to be done. The substantial audience for adult comics remains too often hidden and underserved. Our creators and professionals will discuss the demand for adult comics, how that audience is best engaged, and why a visible and eclectic adult collection shouldn’t be an afterthought. Library professionals will dig in to developing adult public and academic graphic novel collections, justifying those collections, and creating specialized collections. We will also cover advocating for institutional support, the best sources for reviews (including credible non-library-journal reviews), and how to get indie and crowdfunded titles into your library. Moderator – Andrew Woodrow-Butcher
Eventscribe Link – https://tinyurl.com/ydc9z3yr
Panel – Friday Forum: Don’t Hide Your Adult Comics (Graphic Novel MIG)
Location – Morial Convention Center – Room 353-355
Date/Time – Friday, June 22nd 12:20pm-1:35pm
Image Speakers – Chloe Ramos-Peterson
Other Speakers – Allison Bailund, Julia Pohl-Miranda, Julie Rocheleau
You’ve carefully curated your adult graphic novel collection, but it’s just not circulating. Find out how you can fix that problem in this “best practices” session. Library staff will discuss book lists and displays, readalikes, cataloguing, and call numbers. Everyone will weigh in on how and why patrons search for comics in libraries, how design and format affect how readers identify and locate titles, and how important placement and location is for visibility and circulation. A ‘Best Practices’ session. Moderator – Lindsay Gibb
Eventscribe Link – https://tinyurl.com/ydc9z3yr
Panel – Friday Forum: What Makes A Book Adult? (Graphic Novel MIG)
Location – Morial Convention Center – Room 353-355
Date/Time – Friday, June 22nd 1:40pm-2:55pm
Image Speakers – Tee Franklin, Jason Latour
Other Speakers – Mariko Tamaki, Jean Paciulli
Figuring out whether a book belongs in a public library’s adult, teen, or children’s collection, or if a book is suitable for an academic library can be tricky. This session will discuss things you should look out for, what publisher ratings mean, and how to consider the differences in comics from countries outside your own with different cultural references and expectations. Our panelists will discuss fanservice, nudity, violence, language, themes, LGBTQIA content, sophistication versus content, and teaching your community and staff about visual media. Moderator – Christopher Butcher
Eventscribe Link – https://tinyurl.com/ydc9z3yr
SATURDAY, JUNE 23RD
Panel – Graphic Novel Authors Talk Adaptations: Myths, Fairytales, History, and Urban Legends
Location – Morial Convention Center, Meeting Rm 209
Date/Time – Saturday, June 23rd 9:00am-10:00am
Image Speakers – Johnnie Christmas, Kit Seaton, Eric Shanower
Creators who have adapted myths, legends, fairytales, and folklore into the graphic medium discuss how graphic novels are continuing age-old traditions of mythologizing the human experience and how these titles relate to the non-graphic media already housed in libraries. Topics include core collection classics and upcoming titles, how graphic adaptations can be best utilized on their own and as an aid to promote circulation of non-graphic fiction or non-fiction, using comics in programming and education, and the process involved in the books’ creation. Moderator – Chloe Ramos-Peterson
Eventscribe Link – https://tinyurl.com/ycxrzhub
Signing – Kit Seaton
Location – Exhibit Hall – Booth #549
Date/Time – Saturday, June 23rd 10:10am-11:10am
Speakers – Kit Seaton
Come meet your favorite creators at the Image Comics Booth for 1 hour. Get things signed or just stop by to chat!
Panel – When I See Myself in Comics
Location – Morial Convention Center, Meeting Rm 297
Date/Time – Saturday, June 23rd 10:30am-11:30am
Image Speakers – Johnnie Christmas
Other Speakers – Ezra Daniels, Julia Kaye, Erin Nations, Raina Telgemeier
As the graphic novel market continues to grow, it is creating greater opportunities for stories that explore ideas, subjects and themes that help readers discover what their own identity can mean. Graphic novels have the power to immediately connect readers with stories that reflect how they feel regarding race, gender identity, nationality, or body image. Join these panelists as they talk about moments of revelation in their careers as storytellers. Moderator – Casey Giley
Eventscribe Link – https://tinyurl.com/yawo63mz
Signing – Johnnie Christmas
Location – Exhibit Hall – Booth #549
Date/Time – Saturday, June 23rd 11:40am-12:40pm
Speakers – Johnnie Christmas
Come meet your favorite creators at the Image Comics Booth for 1 hour. Get things signed or just stop by to chat!
Signing – Kickliy
Location – Exhibit Hall – Booth #549
Date/Time – Saturday, June 23rd 1:00pm-2:00pm
Speakers – Kickliy
Come meet your favorite creators at the Image Comics Booth for 1 hour. Get things signed or just stop by to chat!
Signing – Gregg Schigiel
Location – Exhibit Hall – Booth #549
Date/Time – Saturday, June 23rd 2:00pm-2:50pm
Speakers – Gregg Schigiel
Come meet your favorite creators at the Image Comics Booth for 1 hour. Get things signed or just stop by to chat!
Signing – Shae Beagle & Grace Ellis
Location – Exhibit Hall – Booth #549
Date/Time – Saturday, June 23rd 2:50pm-3:00pm
Speakers – Shae Beagle, Grace Ellis
Come meet your favorite creators at the Image Comics Booth for 1 hour. Get things signed or just stop by to chat!
Panel – Fall In Love With Romance Comics
Location – Morial Convention Center, Meeting Rm 278
Date/Time – Saturday, June 23rd 4:00pm-5:00pm
Speakers – Shae Beagle, Grace Ellis, Tee Franklin, Kit Seaton
Fall in love again… with comics! From puppy love to senior sweethearts, Image Comics is bringing readers a romance comics renaissance. Join authors and artists as they discuss the history of romance comics, their work in the genre, and share previews of new and upcoming titles. Session includes an audience Q&A and a chance to win a set of featured titles! Moderator – Chloe Ramos-Peterson
Eventscribe Link – https://tinyurl.com/yboa6q33
Program – ALA Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants For Libraries Reception
Location – Hilton Riverside, Meeting Rm Chart AB
Date/Time – Saturday, June 23rd 6:30pm-8:30pm
Speakers – Shae Beagle, Grace Ellis, Tee Franklin, Kit Seaton
This annual reception, co-sponsored by Image Comics and with a number of surprise creator guests, is a celebration of graphic novels and the official presentation of the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Growth Grant and the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Innovation Grant to the two winning library systems. The event provides graphic novel librarians the opportunity to network with other librarians, creators, authors, publishers, and industry professionals. This is a closed event. For an invitation, email info@willeisner.com.
Eventscribe Link – https://tinyurl.com/y9qkusfj
SUNDAY, JUNE 24TH
Program – YALSA’s YA Author Coffee Klatch
Location – Hilton Riverside, Meeting Rm Camp Room
Time – Sunday, June 24th 8:30am-10:00am
Speakers – Grace Ellis, Eric Shanower
Enjoy coffee and meet with YALSA’s award winning authors! This informal coffee klatch will give you an opportunity to meet authors who have appeared on one of YALSA’s six annual selected lists or have received one of YALSA’s five literary awards. Librarians will sit at a table and every 3 or 4 minutes, a new author will arrive at your table to talk about their upcoming book! This is a closed event. For information about tickets, please visit this link.
Eventscribe Link – https://tinyurl.com/yceyjv24
Signing – Eric Shanower
Location – Exhibit Hall – Booth #549
Date/Time – Sunday, June 24th 10:30am-11:30am
Speakers – Eric Shanower
Come meet your favorite creators at the Image Comics Booth for 1 hour. Get things signed or just stop by to chat!
Panel – Strong Female Protagonists: From Girl Power To Grown Women
Location – Exhibit Hall – Graphic Novel/Gaming Stage
Date/Time – Sunday, June 24th 12:30pm-1:20pm
Image Speakers – Tee Franklin
Other Speakers – Lucy Lareu, Liz Lareu, Aurélie Neyret, Julie Rocheleau
What do we want? Strong, diverse female protagonists in comics! When do we want it? Now–and now’s the time to meet these diverse creators of graphic novels, with books represented for readers young and old and young at heart. Including stories of adventure, romance, life transitions and challenges, and positive educational role models. Comics can take on all topics and from Smile to Ms. Marvel we see how women at the center of stories draws in readers. Moderator – Meg Lemke
Eventscribe Link – https://tinyurl.com/y8ypy646
Signing – Tee Franklin
Location – Exhibit Hall – Booth #549
Date/Time – Sunday, June 24th 1:20pm-2:20pm
Speakers – Tee Franklin
Come meet your favorite creators at the Image Comics Booth for 1 hour. Get things signed or just stop by to chat!
Signing – Chris Brunner & Jason Latour
Location – Exhibit Hall – Booth #549
Date/Time – Sunday, June 24th 2:20pm-3:20pm
Speakers – Chris Brunner, Tee Franklin, Jason Latour
Come meet your favorite creators at the Image Comics Booth for 1 hour. Get things signed or just stop by to chat!
Panel – Image Comics: Southern Gothic
Location – Exhibit Hall – Graphic Novel/Gaming Stage
Date/Time – Sunday, June 24th 3:30pm-4:20pm
Speakers – Chris Brunner, Tee Franklin, Jason Latour
If the Spanish Moss is swinging in the night’s breeze; if the insects are buzzing balefully in the sultry heat of summer; if that book you’re reading puts you in mind of a mint julep, then it must be Southern Gothic. Image Comics presents a discussion with genre luminaries Chris Brunner and Jason Latour of SOUTHERN BASTARDS and Tee Franklin of JOOK JOINT. Join us as we examine how comics approaches the American South. Moderator – Chloe Ramos-Peterson
Eventscribe Link – https://tinyurl.com/yan8met9