Tag Archives: northwest press

What a Difference a Year Makes: Apple Welcomes Gay Comics Publisher

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Brett

Official Press Release

What a Difference a Year Makes: Apple Welcomes Gay Comics Publisher

All Full-length Northwest Press Titles Available on iBooks

Last year, there were numerous reports of comics with gay subject matter—most without even any

nudity—being rejected by Apple for inclusion in its App Store, and many had concerns that selling comics for the iPad would not be an option for independent lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender comics creators. That appears to be a thing of the past; last month, Apple approved all three full-length graphic novels from Northwest Press, an LGBT comics publisher, for sale on its iBooks store. One of them is even a steamy adaptation of a classic erotic gay novel.

“Anyone trying to start a publishing business in this day and age needs to factor digital distribution into their business plan,” says Northwest Press publisher Charles “Zan” Christensen. “When it looked like we wouldn’t have one of the biggest marketplaces for digital comics open to us, it was a major concern. We explored a lot of alternatives but found nothing else that matched the experience readers have viewing books on the iPad. We’re relieved that we’re able to finally bring our books to iBooks.”

The iBooks versions of Northwest Press books feature easy browsing of chapters and pages, elegant page turn animations, and zooming to view detail. Each books is optimized for display on the iPad screen, but can also be viewed in pan and zoom on the iPhone.

The approval process for Teleny and Camille, Glamazonia: The Uncanny Super-Tranny, and Rainy Day Recess: The Complete Steven’s Comics started in early July, and was still underway as Northwest Press exhibited with LGBT comics nonprofit Prism Comics at Comic-Con in San Diego. By the end of the show, all three books were available for purchase through iBooks in the US, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Australia.

Many decisions to reject gay content by Apple have been reversed over the course of the past year. For example, Tom Bouden’s adaptation of The Importance of Being Earnest—rejected multiple times and only ultimately approved after censoring images most readers would find tame—is now for sale in its uncensored form. Christensen credits the change in Apple’s stance to the public pressure on the issue and Apple’s improvement in balancing free speech with concerns over adult material.

“Plus, I think the Lambda nominations and awards helped,” says Christensen, referring to the Lambda Literary Award nominations for its first two books, Glamazonia and Teleny, and its win for the latter. “Steve Jobs has said that he wants the iPad and iPhone to be ‘free from porn’, but it’s a pretty good defense to point to a literary honor to remind people that an explicit book still has artistic merit.”

In addition to continuing to release digital versions of its printed books—such as Rick Worley’s A Waste of Time, due in October—Northwest Press will soon be releasing digital editions of popular LGBT titles like Tim Fish’s Cavalcade of Boys and Tommy Roddy’s Pride High.

# # #

Web Links:

“iPad Publishing No Savior for Small Press, LGBT Comics Creators” on PrismComics.org: http://prismcomics.org/display.php?id=1858

Northwest Press: http://northwestpress.com

Apple’s iBooks: http://www.apple.com/ipad/built-in-apps/ibooks.html

Lambda Award-Winning Publisher and Author to Meet Seattle Gay and Lesbian Book Club

Posted on August 9, 2011 by Brett

Official Press Release

Lambda Award-Winning Publisher and Author
to Meet Seattle Gay and Lesbian Book Club

Club Has Chosen Teleny and Camille as August Selection

On Wednesday, August 31, the Seattle Gay and Lesbian Book Club will meet for the fifth and final discussion of their August selection: Jon Macy’s graphic novel Teleny and Camille, winner of the 2010 Lambda Literary Award for Gay Erotica. They will be joined by the author via teleconference as well as by Northwest Press publisher Charles “Zan” Christensen in person.

Teleny and Camille was adapted from the anonymous Victorian novel Teleny: Or the Reverse of the Medal, first published in 1893 and widely attributed to Oscar Wilde and his circle of writers and poets. Macy spent eight years adapting the novel as a graphic novel, completing the project in 2010. The graphic novel has been widely praised by critics for its lush art style and frank exploration of a pivotal period in gay history.

“It’s got a gloriously over-the-top gay love story that would be perfect for an opera,” says Nick DiMartino, creator and facilitator of the Seattle Gay and Lesbian Book Club, “but here instead of grand music, the reader is treated to lushly imaginative graphics, a visual symphony for the eyes.”

“There is an agenda here, and it is not simply the visual re-telling of a well-known novel,” wrote John McCrea on Oscholars.com, a site devoted to exploring the literature and arts of the Victorian period. “It is a celebration of that novel and a celebration of what that novel deeply wants to assert. It is an artistic and aesthetic triumph.”

Seattle Gay and Lesbian Book Club meets every Wednesday from 6pm to 7:15pm at SASG (formerly Dunshee House), at 303 17th Avenue East in Seattle on Capitol Hill, near Group Health Hospital. SASG can be reached by phone at (206) 322-2437.

Copies of Teleny and Camille are available in comics specialty shops, direct from northwestpress.com or digitally through iBooks and Google Books, and previews of the book are available at all digital outlets. You can find a comic shop near you by calling 1-888-COMIC-BOOK or visiting comicshoplocator.com.

Seattle-based Northwest Press is dedicated to publishing the best lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender comics collections and graphic novels. Teleny and Camille was its first project, published in 2010, and has been followed by Justin Hall’s Glamazonia: The Uncanny Super-Tranny and David Kelly’s Rainy Day Recess: The Complete Steven’s Comics.

# # #

Web links:
SASG: http://sasgcc.org/
Northwest Press: http://northwestpress.com
Seattle Gay and Lesbian Book Club: http://faculty.washington.edu/swittet/SGLBookClub

Prism Comics Unfurls Ambitious Comic-Con 2011 Schedule

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Brett

Official Press Release

Prism Comics Unfurls Ambitious Comic-Con 2011 Schedule

Includes Buffy and X-Men Panels, Superhero Party, Fan Mixer and Silent Auction Featuring Original Artwork By Alex Ross and Dan Parent

SAN DIEGO, CA — Prism Comics, the premier nonprofit supporting LGBT comics, creators, and readers, has unleashed its schedule for Comic-Con International 2011 in San Diego, taking place Wednesday, July 20th through Sunday, July 24th. The Con will not only feature an unprecedented four Prism-sponsored panels—with LGBT takes on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the X-Men plus two LGBT publishing panels—but also Andy Mangels’ 24th annual “Gays in Comics” panel, a fan mixer with silent auction, a Superhero Party, and portfolio reviews and creator signings all weekend.

“Queer themes in comics have come a long way since Prism began exhibiting many years ago,” says Ted Abenheim, Prism’s Events Chair, “and we’re proud to be representing a wide range of LGBT comics and creators who have been part of that change. The Prism Comics booth—now exapnded to three spaces, has become ‘LGBT Central’ at Comic-Con for fans, professionals and retailers. We’re grateful to Comic-Con for providing this opportunity for diversity. Most of all we’re looking forward to having fun and sharing what we all have in common: a love of comics.”

The Prism Comics Booth

Gail Simone

The Prism Comics booth (#2144) boasts the largest and most comprehensive collection of LGBT comics for sale anywhere, and will be the site for creator signings and portfolio review by top professionals from both the indies and majors including Phil Jimenez, Gail Simone (pictured), Bob Schreck, Eric Shanower, Michael Troy, Iceman Blue, and more. The booth is also acting as a de facto LGBT small press pavilion for top LGBT creators, including Brian Andersen, Dave Davenport, J.D. Glass, Jeff Krell, Ed Luce, Steve MacIsaac, Brad Rader, and Sean-Z, plus LGBT publishers Northwest Press and Poseur Ink, LGBT fan site Fanboys of the Universe, and Paige Braddock’s “Jane’s World”.

New LGBT comics debuting at Comic-Con include the anti-bullying comic The Power Within from Northwest Press, Brian Andersen’s Friend of Dorothy #2 and Adam Fair‘s This Gay Existence #3, Ed Luce’s Wuvable Oaf #3 in regular and special editions, Megan Gedris’s YU+ME: dream books 5 & 6, Tab Kimpton’s Khaos Komix Book 2, Mike Schmidt’s Material Girl, and Jeff Krell’s Jayson Comics #1 – Convention Exclusive.

For those applying for the Prism Comics Queer Press Grant, which was established by Prism in 2005 to encourage the publication of new LGBT comics, Prism is offering portfolio review from Noon to 2:00pm, Thursday through Sunday. Reviewers this year include J.D. Glass, Jon Macy, Justin Hall, Bob Schreck, Phil Jimenez and Gail Simone. Check the website or the booth for the latest schedule. Before arriving at the Con, applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the submissions guidelines at prismcomics.org/grant.

Four Panel Discussions, plus “Gays in Comics”

Prism is proud to present four official panels at this year’s Comic-Con. Buffy and X-Men fans can rejoice with Prism’s queer look at these two cultural phenomenons, while its publishing and Bent Comix panels explore the worlds of DIY and small press. Prism Comics is also proud to support Andy Mangels’ legendary “Gays In Comics” panel, which will present comics superstars Robert Kirkman, Chip Kidd, Greg Pak, Jon Macy and more. Descriptions of each panel follow:

Buffy the Vampire Slayer and LGBT Comics Fandom: Thursday, July 21, 5:00-6:00pm. LGBT fans hailed the revelation in the long-running television hit that one of its main characters, Willow, had fallen in love with another female character, Tara. This groundbreaking depiction of queer love in the TV show has been built upon in the Buffy comic books published by Dark Horse Comics, and Buffy remains one of the most queer-friendly properties in pop culture. Moderator Charles “Zan” Christensen (Prism Comics president) discusses the special relationship between the Buffyverse and LGBT comic book fans with Buffy creators and actors, including Scott Allie, Andrew Chambliss, Jane Espenson, Drew Greenberg, Tom Lenk (pictured), and Sierra Hahn, plus you never know if a special guest will appear! Room 32AB

LGBTX: The X-Men’s Queer Characters, Themes, and Fans: Thursday, July 21, 6:00-7:00pm. The X-Men and their universe have always been popular with LGBT comics fans. The idea of mutants is seen as an allegory for the reality of difference and persecution, as well as community and power, experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. The X-Men have also included compelling queer characters in their roster, including the first gay superhero, Northstar. How have these themes and characters been handled? What are the plans for the future? Moderator Chance Whitmire (Fanboys of the Universe) tries to make sense of it all with panelists Peter David (X-Factor, pictured), Phil Jimenez (Astonishing X-Men), Chuck Kim (Age of X), Marjorie Liu (Daken: Dark Wolverine), Scott Lobdell (Uncanny X-Men), and Zack Stentz (X-Men: First Class). Room 32AB

Publishing Queer: Producing LGBT Comics and Graphic Novels: Friday, July 22, from 1:00-2:00pm. Queer-themed comics, once solely the domain of the gay press, are breaking into the mainstream. What are the challenges and rewards of producing this work and getting it in front of an audience hungry for the material? How can it be marketed and publicized, both to an LGBT readership and beyond? Should queer cartoonists self-publish or look to established publishers? Moderator Justin Hall (Glamazonia: The Uncanny Super-Tranny, Prism Comics Talent Chair) leads a spirited conversation with a diverse panel of publishing pros: Brian Andersen (self-publisher, So Super Duper), Charles “Zan” Christensen (publisher, Northwest Press), Jacquelene Cohen (publicist, Fantagraphics), Shannon O’Leary (comics editor and journalist), Bob Schreck (editor-in-chief, Legendary Pictures), and Tony Valenzuela (executive director, Lambda Literary Foundation). Room 9

Bent Comix: The Next Wave of Gay Cartooning: Saturday, July 23, 4:00-5:00. A small band of independent gay cartoonists joined forces in 2008 to create Bent Comix. Initially intended as a distribution cooperative, Bent has morphed into something much more dynamic: a true creative community. Last year they created Bent Con, the world’s first queer comics show. Now they’re expanding the convention, their membership, and their mission. In a world where the queer media are disintegrating and publishing is a risky venture, Bent Comix shines a light. Moderator J. D. Glass (Core, Prism Comics Secretary) grills the panelists about their part in creating the future of gay comics. They include Dave Davenport (Hard to Swallow), Jeff Krell (Jayson), Steve MacIsaac (Shirtlifter), Brad Rader (Harry and Dickless Tom), Jody Wheeler (DoorQ.com), and Sean-Z (Myth). Room 4

Gays in Comics: Year 24!: Saturday, July 23, 5:30-7:00pm. Comic-Con International’s longest-running panel, now in its 24th year, boasts an incredible lineup of guests from DC, Marvel, Image, Archie, and the world of independents, making this year’s panel a must-attend event. Founding moderator Andy Mangels, the USA Today best-selling author of Star Trek novels and Iron Man: Beneath The Armor as well as numerous comic books, welcomes a top-level panel of LGBT and straight creators, who will give amazing insights and glimpses of surprises to come. This year’s guests include Robert Kirkman, writer of The Walking Dead and Invincible and head of Image Comics’ Skybound imprint; Chip Kidd, award-winning author, editor and designer of books such as Bat-Manga, Rough Justice, and Jack Cole and Plastic Man; Dan Parent, writer and artist for Archie and Betty & Veronica, and creator of Archie’s new gay character and series, Kevin Keller; Jon Macy, writer and artist of 2010 Lambda Literary Award-winning Teleny and Camille and Prism Comics Queer Press grant recipient for Fearful Hunter; Paul Cornell, writer for TV’s Doctor Who and DC Comics’ upcoming Stormwatch and Demon Knights series; Greg Pak, writer of Incredible Hulks and co-writer of Alpha Flight and Herc; plus, a special video appearance by J.H. Williams III, co-writer and artist of DC’s Batwoman series! Plus, there’s always a surprise or two… Room 6A

The Prism Comics Mixer and Silent Auction

After the “Gays in Comics” panel, stick around for the hour-long gay mixer/social where comics fans and creators can mingle, enter the special drawing for a “Comics Gift Basket”, and bid in the silent auction for must-have items including original art by Alex Ross, Dan Parent (artwork pictured), Phil Jimenez, Carla Speed McNeil, Stephen Sadowski, and much much more, all to benefit Prism Comics and to raise funds for the Queer Press Grant.

The Annual Superhero Party at Rich’s San Diego

Join Prism at the annual Superhero Party scheduled for Friday, July 23, 9:30pm-2:00am at Rich’s Dance Club San Diego, located in San Diego’s Hillcrest district at 1051 University Avenue. There will be a costume contest, drink specials, surprise guests and more!

For the latest details on Prism’s activities, go to prismcomics.org or drop by the Prism booth to pick up The Gay Agenda, Prism’s guide to everything LGBT at the Con. San Diego Comic-Con International is located at the San Diego Convention Center at 111 W. Harbor Drive. For more information, go to comic-con.org/cci.

Prism Comics is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that promotes LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) creators, characters, themes and readers in the comic book field. Along with convention appearances, Prism awards an annual Queer Press Grant, and maintains a website (prismcomics.org) with LGBT creator listings and features on all that’s queer in comics.

Macy’s “Teleny and Camille” Wins Lambda Literary Award

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Brett

Official Press Release

Macy’s “Teleny and Camille” Wins Lambda Literary Award for Gay Erotica

May 27, 2010 – Jon Macy has won the 2010 Lambda Literary Award for Gay Erotica for his graphic novel, Teleny and Camille. The book is an adaptation of the 1893 anonymous erotic novel, Teleny, attributed to Oscar Wilde and his circle of writers and poets. Another Northwest Press title, Glamazonia: The Uncanny Super-Tranny, by Justin Hall, was also a finalist, for Transgender Fiction.

Macy started work on Teleny and Camille in 1996 and completed several chapters before taking a break from the project. He returned to it in 2003 and devoted the next seven years to completing it, releasing it in a limited print run in the spring of 2010. The book was remastered and published by Northwest Press later that year, making its debut at Comic-Con International in San Diego in July.

Although the book seems, to the casual reader of the source material, to be a faithful recreation of the novel in a graphic format, Macy made significant changes to the story and settings to enhance the core love story and to translate the importance of the style and political movement of the time for modern readers.

Macy changed the name of the book to Teleny and Camille to focus on the love story between the two leads, and omitted large portions of the book that strayed from that core. Aesthetic changes were made to furnishings and attire to cement the avant-garde status of the main characters and ensure that they would translate for modern readers.

Some changes were made to restore the intent of the authors. For instance, the book, as originally written, takes place in London but when the book was published by a French publisher in the 1950s, the setting was changed to Paris. Macy returned the story to its English roots.

In addition, Macy honors the spirit of the “round robin” origin of the novel, which was passed from author to author and written in turn. He laments the ever-present tragedy in gay fiction that lingers to this day which prevents gay relationships from being successful and celebrated, and adds his own alternate ending in which the doomed lovers cheat death and triumph over society’s condemnation of their love.

“There are two things that this award brings that I’m especially grateful for,” says Macy. “The first is the recognition of the book’s success as an erotic work. Unlike comedy or drama, which can evoke laughter or tears and be more easily identified as successful efforts, erotica is much trickier. Having the book named as the best gay erotica in 2010 is truly an honor.”

“Secondly,” Macy continues, “I truly hope that this award brings more attention to the original prose novel, which is largely unknown in the U.S. The Aesthetes formed gay identity for us; almost every cliché and stereotype about gay men originated with these pioneers. This novel was written by them and about them, so it is a powerful historical document for the gay community.”

“These are the first two books that Northwest Press produced,” says publisher Charles “Zan” Christensen, “and to have them both nominated for a Lambda is truly humbling. Winning the Lambda Award has the potential to open doors for Teleny and Camille; it is currently not available through our main distributor to the U.K. and Europe due to worries over customs issues. This award reinforces the artistic merit of the project, and will hopefully convince distributors and retailers to help us make it more widely available.”

This is the first Lambda Literary Award nomination and win for Macy, and the first nomination for Hall.

The Lambda Literary Awards ceremony was held at the School of Visual Arts Theater in Chelsea and hosted by Lea DeLaria, and attended by such literary figures as Edward Albee, Terence McNally, Val McDermid, and Samuel Delany. Mad Men star Bryan Batt was among the attendees, nominated for a Lambda Literary Award for Gay Memoir/Biography for his book She Ain’t Heavy, She’s My Mother.

Northwest Press was one of the sponsors of the awards, which are produced annually by the nonprofit Lambda Literary Foundation.

About Jon Macy:

Jon Macy was part of the early nineties black and white comics boom with the series Tropo. It was followed by the erotic/horror comic series Nefarismo from Eros/Fantagraphics. Since then, he has created strips for gay skin magazines such as Steam, Wilde, Bunkhouse and International Leatherman as well as the anthologies Gay Comics, Negative Burn, Meatmen and Boy Trouble. He lives in the San Francisco bay area.

About Northwest Press:

Northwest Press is a book publisher founded in 2010 dedicated to publishing the best lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender comics collections and graphic novels. To date, it has released three graphic novels, one comic book, and a variety of minicomics

http://northwestpress.com

Gail Simone Urges Support of Anti-Bullying Comic Book

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Brett

Official Press Release

Comics Writer Gail Simone Calls for Support of Anti-Bullying Comic Book;

Deadline is This Friday at 4pm

May 19, 2011 — Gail Simone, a comics writer who’s worked on Wonder Woman, Birds of Prey and Secret Six for DC Comics, recorded a video today urging support of the forthcoming anti-bullying comic book from Northwest Press, a publisher of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender graphic novels and comics. Northwest is raising funds on the website Kickstarter to produce its anti-bullying comic book The Power Within to distribute to youth and teachers’ groups, and its fundraising deadline is this Friday, May 20th at 4:00pm Pacific time.

The project is written by Charles “Zan” Christensen and drawn by Mark Brill, and features bonus material by Simone, as well as Dan Parent (creator of Archie Comics’ first openly gay character, Kevin Keller), Phil Jimenez (Wonder Woman, New X-Men), Greg Rucka (52, Detective Comics featuring Batwoman), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Andy Mangels (Gay Comics) and Donna Barr (The Desert Peach).

For more information about The Power Within, visit the project’s Kickstarter page.

# # #

About Gail Simone:

Gail Simone is a writer who’s worked on the comics series Deadpool, Secret Six, Wonder Woman, and Birds of Prey, and many others. She’s also written for the TV show Justice League Unlimited and plotted the 2009 animated Wonder Woman animated feature. She lives in Oregon.

About Northwest Press:

http://northwestpress.com

About Mark Brill:

Mark Brill is a comics illustrator living in Tacoma, Washington. He co-created the erotic thriller The Mark of Aeacus-co-published by Class Comics and Northwest Press-with writer Charles “Zan” Christensen.

http://markbrill.com

About Charles “Zan” Christensen:

Charles “Zan” Christensen is a writer of comics and prose living in Seattle, Washington. He founded the LGBT comics nonprofit Prism Comics in 2003, and is the organization’s current President. He founded Northwest Press in 2010.

About Kickstarter:

Kickstarter is a website that facilitates funding of creative projects through grassroots fundraising. The site is designed with an “all-or-nothing” funding method, where projects must be fully funded or no money changes hands.

http://kickstarter.com

Two Northwest Press Books are Finalists for Lambda Literary Award

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Brett

Official Press Release

Two Northwest Press Books are Finalists for 2010 Lambda Literary Award

SEATTLE, WA (3/16/11)—The Lambda Literary Foundation revealed their finalists for the 23rd Annual Lambda Literary Awards today, and two Northwest Press books were among them. Jon Macy’s Teleny and Camille is a finalist for Gay Erotica and Justin Hall’s Glamazonia: The Uncanny Super-Tranny is a finalist for Transgender Fiction. The Awards celebrate annual achievement in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) writing.

“I’m so proud of Jon and Justin for having their work recognized in such a major way,” said Northwest Press publisher Charles “Zan” Christensen. “For a small publisher who’s happy enough just to be doing something he loves, to have these books honored as finalists for a Lammy is so encouraging and gratifying.”

“I’m thrilled with this nomination!” said Hall. “A tremendous amount of work went into creating the Glamazonia book, and it’s wonderful when that pays off in a big way. I’d also like to thank the other comics creators who contributed to this project, including Diego Gomez, Jon Macy, Fred Noland, and Zan Christensen. I feel blessed to be part of an amazing community of LGBT cartoonists and fans, and hope to keep on making entertaining and challenging comics for as long as I can.”

“I’m just really honored and pleased that a graphic novel could be nominated for such a prestigious award,” said Macy. “It makes all the hard work worth it. I also have to say that Northwest Press is the best publisher in the world, keeping the dream alive for LGBT comics creators.”

This year, the Lambda Awards surpassed 2009’s record for number of books nominated and number of publishers participating; the 2010 finalists were selected from more than 520 titles from about 230 publishers. More than 90 booksellers, book reviewers, librarians, authors, previous winners and finalists, and other book professionals participated in selecting the finalists in 24 categories.

“Some of the increase in nominations stems from the growth in recent years of self-published books,” says Lambda Awards Administrator Richard Labonté, “reflecting an expanding reliance on ever-more-accessible publish-on-demand technology by talented LGBT authors with worthwhile stories to tell—a do-it-yourself approach that hearkens back to the late 1970s and 1980s, when lesbians and gay men established their own presses and launched the queer book boom. The books came, and the Lammys soon followed.”

“These record-breaking numbers are occurring at a time when the publishing industry is under siege and we hear report after report on the death of books,” said Lambda Literary Foundation Board Co-Chair, Dr. Judith Markowitz, “What’s even more heartening is that the quality of those nominations is extremely high. All of this bodes well for the future of LGBT literature and for the Foundation’s continued role in advocating on behalf of that literature.”

Winners of the 23rd Annual Lambda Literary Awards will be announced at a May 26 ceremony in New York at the School of Visual Arts Theater (333 West 23rd Street).

Teleny and Camille and Glamazonia: The Uncanny Super-Tranny are the first two graphic novel releases from Northwest Press, which was founded in 2010 by publisher Charles “Zan” Christensen. The next Northwest Press book, David Kelly’s Rainy Day Recess: The Complete Steven’s Comics will be on store shelves at the end of March, and features a foreword by It Gets Better Project founder Dan Savage.

Northwest Press will be attending the C2E2 comic book convention in Chicago, March 18th-20th, as a guest of Prism Comics, where it will debut Rainy Day Recess and Christensen will appear on a panel discussion about LGBT comics.

About Northwest Press
Northwest Press is a publisher founded in 2010 that is dedicated to publishing the best lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) graphic novels and comics collections. Northwest Press has a mission to find and publish the best quality LGBT comics work in a polished, professional format, and bring it to as wide an audience as possible.

“It Gets Better Project” Founder Writes Foreword for New Northwest Press Book

Posted on January 28, 2011 by Brett

Official Press Release

“It Gets Better Project” Founder Dan Savage Writes Foreword for New Northwest Press Book

SEATTLE, WA (1/27/11)—Northwest Press announced today that their forthcoming collection—David Kelly’s Rainy Day Recess: The Complete Steven’s Comics—will feature a foreword written by It Gets Better Project founder Dan Savage, and that Northwest Press will be making a donation to the organization for each copy of the book sold. The book, available in March, collects the entire Xeric-award-winning series that ran in alternative and LGBT newspapers from 1995 to 1998, as well as rarely-seen additional artwork and 16 new pages of Steven stories.

“Since there’s been so much focus lately on bullying and teen suicide among LGBT youth,” says publisher Charles “Zan” Christensen, “I thought this would be the perfect time to bring ‘Steven’s Comics’ to a wider audience. Steven is an innocent, optimistic and resilient kid who’s coming to terms with the things that make him different, and determined to live his life without apology. This series is so heartfelt and genuine that I think it could be a great resource to help people better understand what it’s like to be a queer kid.”

Rainy Day Recess looks at growing up “different” from a kid’s point of view, and handles topics like bullying, divorce, and first loves with sensitivity and restraint. While previous Northwest Press releases have been aimed only at older teens and adults, this book is appropriate for young adult and adult readers alike.

“I am excited to have all of my Steven’s Comics strips collected in this new book,” said Kelly. “While it’s been several years since I’ve drawn any new strips, coming back to the Steven character was like seeing an old friend at summer camp. He may have grown up a bit and experienced so many things, but he’s still the same.”

“Steven’s Comics” counts among its fans some high-profile names in the comics industry.

“David Kelly captures the solitude and magic of queer childhood with an eerie realness,” says Alison Bechdel, author of the the New York Times bestseller Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic.

“I’m thrilled that Northwest Press is publishing this,” says Kris Dresen, creator of Grace, Max and Lily and Manya. “Steven’s Comics is a fantastic comic.”

“I was charmed right from the start,” says London comics writer and editor Paul Gravett, “by David Kelly’s understanding of the inner life of a lonely, anxious boy, growing up living with his grandma. I sense the influence here of the great Lynda Barry in these strips’ bold, expressive art and generous texts. It’s great to have them all compiled in this smart kids-book style landscape package.”

Rainy Day Recess: The Complete Steven’s Comics is now available for pre-order through several online retailers, and for wholesale order by retailers to arrive on store shelves in March. The book is black-and-white with a color cover, and has a cover price of $14.99 US.

Charles “Zan” Christensen and David Kelly will both be attending the Emerald City ComiCon in Seattle, March 4th-6th, where they will appear on a panel of LGBT comics creators.

About David Kelly
David Kelly is a comics artist living in Seattle. In addition to “Steven’s Comics”, he has published and co-edited the anthology series Boy Trouble since 1995 with founder Robert Kirby. David’s comics have appeared in The Stranger, Gay Comics, Stereoscomic, and in numerous ‘zines and weekly newspapers.

About Northwest Press
Northwest Press is a publisher founded in 2010 that is dedicated to publishing the best lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) graphic novels and comics collections. Its first two books were Jon Macy’s Teleny and Camille and Justin Hall’s Glamazonia: The Uncanny Super-Tranny. Northwest Press has a mission to find and publish the best quality LGBT comics work in a polished, professional format, and bring it to as wide an audience as possible.

About Dan Savage
Dan Savage writes the syndicated “Savage Love” sex-advice column and is the editorial director of The Stranger newspaper in Seattle. He started the It Gets Better Project in 2010 to combat gay teen suicide and bullying.

New “Steven’s Comics” Collection to Include Foreword by Dan Savage

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Brett

Official Press Release

New “Steven’s Comics” Collection to Include Foreword by Dan Savage of the “It Gets Better Project”

SEATTLE, WA (1/24/11)—Northwest Press announced today that their forthcoming collection—David Kelly’s Rainy Day Recess: The Complete Steven’s Comics—will feature a foreword written by It Gets Better Project founder Dan Savage, and that Northwest Press will be making a donation to the organization for each copy of the book sold. The book collects the entire Xeric-award-winning series that ran in alternative and LGBT newspapers from 1995 to 1998, as well as rarely-seen additional artwork and 16 new pages of Steven stories.

“Steven’s Comics” counts among its fans some high-profile names in the comics industry.

“David Kelly captures the solitude and magic of queer childhood with an eerie realness,” says Alison Bechdel, author of the the New York Times bestseller Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic.

“I’m thrilled that Northwest Press is publishing this,” says Kris Dresen, creator of Grace, Max and Lily and Manya. “Steven’s Comics is a fantastic comic.”

Charles “Zan” Christensen and David Kelly will both be attending the Emerald City ComiCon in Seattle, March 4th-6th, where they will appear on a panel of LGBT comics creators.

About Northwest Press
Northwest Press is a publisher founded in 2010 that is dedicated to publishing the best lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) graphic novels and comics collections. Its first two books were Jon Macy’s Teleny and Camille and Justin Hall’s Glamazonia: The Uncanny Super-Tranny. Northwest Press has a mission to find and publish the best quality LGBT comics work in a polished, professional format, and bring it to as wide an audience as possible.

Happy Holidays from Northwest Press

Posted on December 24, 2010 by Brett

Official Press Release