Author Archives: Ashley Kronsberg

The Color of Always: An LGBTQIA+ Love Anthology

THE COLOR OF ALWAYS: AN LGBTQIA+ ANTHOLOGY

Published by A Wave Blue World

Written by: Various
Illustrated by: Various
ISBN: 9781949518245
Price: $19.99 USD, $26.50 CAD, £17.99 GBP
Ages: 16 and up
Genre(s): Comics & Graphic Novels / LGBTQ+ / Romance / Anthologies
Page Count: 144 pages
Format: Paperback 

On Sale: October 18, 2022

WHEREVER YOU ARE, THERE IS HOME.

The flutter of first dates, the thrill of a text-back, the heart-stopping seconds before coming out, and the rush when finally discovering who you truly are – all of these life-changing moments across the full spectrum of LGBTQIA+ experience are ready to explore in this bright and inspiring comics anthology! The Color of Always is a collection of personal stories, testimonies, heirlooms, evocations, and evangelisms for queer creators and readers that celebrates feeling good about who you are, and coming into your own at last.

Featuring stories and art from BRENT FISHER, MARIO CANDELARIA, PRIYA SAXENA, MICHELE ABOUNADER, JAZZLYN STONE, ELISA ROMBOLI, LAURA HELSBY, RACHEL DISTLER, KATIE HICKS, LIANA KANGAS, and many more!

CREATOR BIO(s)

Michele Abounader spent most of her early life reading and writing poetry while wandering around rural upstate New York. Now she’s made the move into creating comics as a way to bring her stories to life. Leaning into the editing side of comics creating, she loves to find ways to encourage other creators in telling their stories authentically, and to help them find their voice. In addition to The Color of Always, she is currently editing/curating Sharp Wit & the Company of WomenEverything is Different Now with Justin Richards, and Etheres with Anas Abdulhak and Dennis Menheere.

Brent Fisher is a published comics writer and editor. Their passion lies in using storytelling as a vehicle of empathy to bring disparate groups closer together. Their writing can be found in many comic anthologies including Project Big Hype, Femme Fatale, Off Into the Sunset, Amongst the Stars, From the Static, Containment Breach Vol. 3, and Color of Always. Their most recent work, “The Unseen,” was created in collaboration with artist Rachel Distler and is part of Dandy Presents Penny Dreadfuls, published by Source Point Press. Brent is also part of the Phoenix Comics Collective, a group of indie comics makers who share resources, advice, and encouragement to boost each other’s work and contribute to the independent comics-making scene.

FULL CREATOR LISTING: Michele Abounader, Susan Bridges, Tilly Bridges, Mario Candelaria, Rachel Distler, Brent Fisher, Jenny Fleming, Brittany “Briggsy” Gonzalez, Christa Harader, Laura Helsby, Katie Hicks, Lillian Hochwender, , Liana Kangas, Kaj E Kunstmann, Nathan Long, Elizabeth Malette, Gabe Martini, Julia Paiewonsky, Christie Porter, Alex Putprush, Elisa Romboli, Priya Saxena, Jazzlyn Stone, Tench, Alina Wahab

KEY SELLING POINTS

  • HOPEFUL & INSPIRING: While tackling some of life’s weighty and dramatic moments, the personal stories in COLOR OF ALWAYS are bright and light, authentically exploring the LGBTQIA+ experience in a way that makes you feel great about who you are.

  • MEANT FOR SHARING: Romantic but not explicit or erotic, THE COLOR OF ALWAYS is highly giftable and perfect for sharing with anyone on a journey of discovering their identity (or who loves someone who is!).

  • SLICE-OF-LIFE ROMANCE: While largely drawing on romantic themes, THE COLOR OF ALWAYS focuses on the slice-of-life aspects of first dates, meet-cutes, and waiting for that special person to text back, making an intriguing sub-genre of its own for romance readers interested in a new approach.

  • ENGAGED CREATIVE TEAM: Michelle and Brent are experienced anthology editors who are actively engaged in the LGBTQ comics community. Their crowdfund campaign for THE COLOR OF ALWAYS was fully funded in one week and doubled its goal. The book’s contributors collectively reach more than 100K fans across platforms.

 

ERIC GLICKMAN TALKS CAMP POCK-A-WOCKNEE

Combining the nostalgic mood of The Wonder Years, the raucousness of Superbad, and the adolescent angst of Pen15, this 300-page graphic novel juxtaposes classic, black and white, comic strip art with stories that capture the tension created when the innocence of childhood crashes into the messiness of adolescence.

Eric Glickman is part of his family’s three generations that all went to the same Jewish sleepaway camp. Following in his parents’ footsteps, Eric spent 10 summers there as a camper, waiter, and counselor. Later, his three children also went there for many summers. In this interview, Glickman discusses CAMP POCK-A-WOCKNEE AND THE DYNOMITE SUMMER OF ’77.

DIAMOND: What is CAMP POCK-A-WOCKNEE AND THE DYNOMITE SUMMER OF ’77?

ERIC GLICKMAN: Camp Pock-a-Wocknee and the DYN-O-MITE Summer of ’77 is a 300-page coming-of-age graphic novel a celebrating all of the magic, memories, and mishegas that make up summers at Jewish sleepaway camp. Mashing up a nostalgic mood similar to The Wonder Years with the teenage rambunctiousness of a SuperbadCamp Pock-a-Wocknee combines cute, black & white, comic strip-style art with an R-rated story to capture the tension created when the innocence of childhood crashes into the messiness of adolescence. 

How did this graphic novel come about as a project?

I am one of three generations that all went to the same Jewish sleepaway camp in Pennsylvania – my parents met there, my brothers and I went there, and all three of my kids went there. I went to camp for ten summers (5 as a camper, 2 as a waiter, and 3 as a counselor) and like many Jewish kids, I had some of the most memorable times of my life there. I really wanted to create a story based on those amazing memories. I worked for 8 years, writing, drawing, rewriting, redrawing and eventually inking the story of a dorky 15-year-old boy who wants to hang out with his best friends, and find a girlfriend, fall in love, and maybe, finally get to 2nd base. Andrew Benteau at Black Panel Press loved my art and my story… and the rest is history!

Tell us about Jewish sleepaway camp. Why set the story there?

Jewish sleepaway camp has all so many fantastic elements for a coming-of-age story: living in a cabin with your best friends, the ever-present possibility of a summer romance, quirky adult characters, time-honored traditions, myths & legends, and tons of activities. When I went to camp, the 8 weeks always felt like it had this great dramatic arc to them – almost like we were in a movie. And because Jewish sleepawy camp is this unique, insular world, I felt like I could share a story that was nostalgic and timeless at the same time.

Is this the first creator-owned book for you?

Yes.

Is this a kids book?

Well, I put a little burst on the cover that says “WARNING! This is NOT a book for kids”

Looking forward, what can readers expect from CAMP POCK-A-WOCKNEE AND THE DYNOMITE SUMMER OF ’77?

Right now, I just want to share this story with as many people as possible. But who knows, maybe I’ll create a sequel –  Camp Pock-a-Wocknee: The Waiter Years

In terms of audience, who is this book for?

Obviously, it is for anyone who ever went to Jewish sleepaway camp. But honestly, I think this book is for anyone who loves coming-of-age stories, the 70s, needs a good laugh, or was ever 15-years-old.         

RODNEY BARNES TALKS BLACULA: RETURN OF THE KING

Los Angeles – the City of Angels. Two souls. One is looking for vengeance and one is looking for the truth. They have one thing in common: they are both searching for the legendary vampire Blacula. But Blacula is also on a mission…

In this interview, wrtier RODNEY BARNES discusses the first book coming from Zombie Love Studios Blacula: Return of the King.

DIAMOND: For those who aren’t familiar, can you tell us about Zombie Love Studios (ZLOS)? What are the goals and direction of your company?

RODNEY BARNES: As I started to venture more into creator-owned work, I found myself looking for the right home. Image has been terrific, but I didn’t think that they—or any publisher for that matter—would be open to publishing the sheer volume of stories I had in my head. As well, certain titles—say Blacula for instance, were so nuanced that I couldn’t figure out a pitch that would speak to all of my goals. So I decided to create my own studio where I could develop horror, mystery, and science fiction books that embodied the tone I was bringing to Blacula.

 

Tell us about embarking on your publishing journey. What led to the decision to launch a publishing house?

Well, it’s a lot tougher than I imagined lol. A lot more moving parts, and every day I’m educated on some new facet of the business. Let’s just say I’m a lot more empathetic to publishers these days. In regards to the decision, it was really about wanting the freedom to come up with an idea and immediately breathe life into it. Stories that some larger and more established publishers may not see as viable, but speak directly to my style of storytelling. That kind of freedom was what I was seeking. But freedom, as they say, costs.

 

Can you give us some insight into your upcoming title Blacula: Return of the King?

I loved the movie Blacula when I saw it way back when. As I got older and returned to it, I saw places where it was problematic. So I longed for the opportunity to not only fill those gaps, but to bring that character into the 21st century with the same elegance that Dracula and other classic monsters have been given. And in regard to the art, I can say with all honesty that Jason Shawn Alexander knocked the look of the character out of the park. And I’m pretty pleased with the story, so hopefully fans will feel the same.

 

What was it like working with the other creators on this title?

It was an honor. Jason is like a brother at this point. Our collaboration on Killadelphia and Nita Hawes Nightmare Blog has tied us together for life. He serves as creative director at Zombie Love, so when new artists and designers come through the door, I know they’re going to be great.

 

If readers could take one thing from Blacula: Return of the King, what would it be?

That stories grounded in themes of race, culture, and societal issues can be fun. Blacula: Return of the King is a labor of love. It’s brought to life by folks passionate about horror. As such, that spirit permeates every panel. This volume, Return of the King, is the first part of a trilogy, so readers will have the opportunity to become immersed in not only Prince Mamuwalde, but other monsters making their mark on a new world.

 

What other titles can we expect from ZLOS in the future?

ZLOS will be publishing:

Crownsville: A Ghost Story, set in an abandoned mental hospital.

The Butcher of Black Bottom – a mystery set in 1920s Detroit where a serial killer has set upon a small town.

Florence & Normandie – an alien attack extravaganza ignited on the infamous corner associated with the Rodney King riots.

 

All books are being published in both soft and hardcover trade editions.

WE ARE THE POP-CULTURE EXPERTS

Founded in 2002, we are masters of our craft with over 20 years of experience in distributing pop culture-related books, comics, games, and toys. We are your focused partner in distribution. While other distributions houses spread their efforts across their own publishing lines, DBD is dedicated to providing you with the best in distribution services for your pop-culture products.

Our dedicated team of experts have been in the pop culture business collectively for over 130 years. With this experience, you’ll be working with our team one-on-one with regular publisher calls, direct communication with Sales Managers, and life-cycle marketing planned provided for your titles. 

We pride ourselves on ensuring each publisher has an excellent book market experience.

With consistent and collaborative communication, digital webinars aimed at enhancing publisher knowledge, and real-time inventory and rate of sale analytics, we provide a service you can trust.

WE PROVIDE STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY

With over 1.1 million square feet of warehouse space, our facilities in Olive Branch MS, Plattsburgh NY, Baltimore MD, Visalia CA, and Manchester England distribute over 110 million units and 8,000 new SKUs annually.

We have a vendor services site that allows publishers to track real-time inventory and rate of sale. During our regular call with publishers, we breakdown the numbers to look at point-of-sale reporting, sales trends, and marketing ROI to determine the best way to position your titles in the market.

WE ARE TRUE PARTNERS

Along with our dedication to our partnerships with publishers, we work closely with retailers in the United States and internationally, making us the largest international distributor of English-language graphic novels and manga.

We are a member of the American Booksellers Association and the American Library Association to ensure we are always at the forefront of the independent bookstore and library market.

Our dedicated Sales Managers have devoted relationships with their respective major retailer accounts. We work with all major retailers  and wholesalers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Walmart, Costco, Indigo, Books-A-Million, Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Bookazine, Follett, Brodart, and more.

WE NEVER STOP TALKING ABOUT YOUR BOOKS

We know our publishers’ products are amazing, and we make sure everyone else does too!

We have a team of marketers ready to curate, advise, and facilitate extensive marketing programs through the life-cycle of your product. While we focus on B2B relations, we work with several consumer-facing outlets, reviewers, and news sites to ensure your product is in front of the retailers shelving it and the consumers interested in buying it.

Our extensive and active email marketing list targets bookstores, librarians, and educators, allowing us to be sure all your major products are in the spotlight. 

These marketing efforts are followed up with marketing analytics on all programs implemented. We work together to understand the trends and establish proven tactics from book announcement to sell through.

We also publish a library and educator magazine dedicated to promotion and education of graphic novels and manga within the library market. Diamond BookShelf Magazine has over 10K dedicated readers and is distributed online as well as at key trade shows.

We are present at all major domestic and international trade shows

WE ARE TRUSTED BY THE BEST

Over 40 pop-culture publishers trust us with their business because we deliver

From major pop-culture titans including The Walking DeadSagaThe Boys, and Pathfinder to elegant prose continuations and adaptations including Brandon Sanderson’s White SandJim ButcherShakespeare, and more, we are home to the best because we are the best.

We proudly distribute pop-culture products internationally from Image Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, Udon Entertainment, VIZ Media, Yen Press, and more.

October 2022 Digital Review Copies Live Now!

The Golem of Venice Beach: Vol. 1

THE GOLEM OF VENICE BEACH VOLUME 1

Published by Clover Press

Written by: Chanan Beizer
Illustrated by: Vanessa Cardinali, Bill Sienkiewicz, Jae Lee, Steve Bissette, Nick Pitarra, Michael Allred, Paul Pope, Laura Allred
ISBN: 9781951038601
Price: $40.00 USD, $53.00 CAD, £35.99 GBP
Ages: 16 and up
Genre(s): Comics & Graphic Novels / Horror 
Page Count: 152 pages
Format: Harcover

On Sale: November 15, 2022

Eisner-award winning artists Michael Allred, Stephen R. Bissette, Jae Lee, Paul Pope, and Bill Sienkiewicz, artist Nick Pitarra (co-creator of The Manhattan Projects), artist Vanessa Cardinali (Image Comics’ Slumber), letterer Clem Robins (Hellboy) and debut comic book writer Chanan Beizer have teamed up to create an all-new graphic novel, The Golem of Venice Beach. This 152-page epic about the adventures of a 400-year-old Golem spans from 16th century Europe to the horrors of World War II to modern day Venice Beach, where the Golem becomes entangled in a war between a gang and the police. The Golem of Venice Beach is both a riveting narrative and a celebration of Southern California.

The Golem of Venice Beach features a wrap-around cover and a seven-page prologue by artist Bill Sienkiewicz (Moon Knight) that showcases the Golem’s creation in the year 1580.

Jae Lee (The Inhumans) and colorist June Chung provide a ten-page flashback sequence that depicts how the Golem was resurrected during World War Two.

Award-winning artists Michael Allred and Laura Allred (Madman) have designed a visual map of Venice Beach that captures everything weird and wonderful about the bohemian spirit that permeates the neighborhood.

Paul Pope, Nick Pitarra, and (returning to comics!) Stephen R. Bissette provide amazing additional pages of art to round out this amazing hardcover from Clover Press.

KEY SELLING POINTS

  • AUTHENTIC VOICE. Story written by a Jewish writer well versed in Jewish history and literature.
  • DIVERSIFIES SHELVES. Broadens the typcial mythology found on shelves beyond the typical super-hero and horror fare.
  • QUALITY FORMAT. The book is printed on high grade paper in a durable hardcover format.
  • LEGENDARY ART TEAM. Bill Sienkiewicz, Nick Pitarra, Michael Allred, Stephen Bissette, Jae Lee, Paul Pope, Vanessa Cardinali — some of the most well known and popular artists in the comics industry!
 

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS

Published by AfterShock

Written by: Ted Anderson
Illustrated by: Tara O’Connor
ISBN: 9781956731088
Price: $17.99 USD, $23.99 CAD, £15.99 GBP
Ages: 13 and up
Genre(s): Comics & Graphic Novels / Young Adult Fiction / Science Fiction / Coming Of Age / LGBTQ+
Page Count: 112 pages
Format: Paperback 

On Sale: October 18, 2022

HANNAH DOESN’T WANT TO BE A HERO. SHE JUST WANTS TO BE WELL.

It’s Hannah’s first year away at college – the first time she’s been away from home, without a support network. Within the first month, the combination of classes and socializing and adjusting to college life sends her into a full-on breakdown. Fortunately, her roommate finds her, Hannah goes to campus mental health, and they prescribe her therapy and meds – though with every new medication, you’ve got to watch out for unexpected side effects.

Every new medication Hannah tries comes with a new power and side effect. One makes her super-tough, and also makes her gain thirty pounds. Another gives her telepathy, while also completely screwing up her sleep schedule. Yet another gives her super-strength, as well as terrible constipation.

Nothing balances, but the powers are handy; Hannah even manages to save a few of her friends from mortal peril, or at least minor annoyances. And with the growing confidence from her powers and her therapy, Hannah even manages to ask out the cute girl she’s been eyeing!

Hannah doesn’t want to be a hero – she just wants to be well. But what does “well” even look like? What does it mean to be “healthy,” mentally speaking? How do you fix your brain when you’re living inside it? And can you really help other people if you can’t even help yourself?

CREATOR BIO(s)

Ted Anderson is a librarian, educator, and comics writer from Minnesota. He has written licensed and creator-owned comics for multiple publishers, including BOOM! Studios, IDW Publishing, and Aftershock Comics. He lives in Minneapolis with several plants and zero regrets. To the best of his knowledge, he is not an internationally renowned spy.

Tara O’Connor is comic maker and illustrator currently residing in Belfast. She was born in the year of the Highlander. When she’s not drawing comics or teaching comics, she’s probably working on an illustration of some sort.

KEY SELLING POINTS

  • FAMILIAR TONE: This story is a mix of Giant Days and Ben 10 and is similarly a slice of life dramedy with light magical realism.
  • MENTAL HEALTH: This story tackles mental health, medication, and therapy in a positive and supportive way and shows how someone’s life is improved by the medication they take.
  • RELATABLE: This story will be relatable to contemporary young adults.

August 2022 Digital Review Copies Live Now!

Every month, Diamond Book Distributors offers exclusive digital review copies (DRCs) on Edelweiss+ and NetGalley for our most anticipated titles. For a list of available downloadable DRCs for this month by publisher, keep scrolling!

To jump to a publishers, click one of the links below.

IMAGE COMICS

LIVING THE LINE

Hakim’s Odyssey Trilogy

A Remarkable Recounting of a Human Journey Through an Inhumane World

“[A] stupendous testimony of survival.”

                     ―starred review, Booklist

“An incredible story about maintaining hope despite facing overwhelming odds.”

                     ―starred review, Foreword Reviews

“This work powerfully brings home for readers the horrors of this global crisis and the impossible choices migrants must make.”

                     ―starred review, Publishers Weekly

Captivating and deeply moving, Hakim’s Odyssey is the critically acclaimed true story of one Syrian refugee’s flight from that war-torn country to what should be a new life in Europe. It lays bare the realities of war and the tremendous effects that the policies of wealthy nations and the attitudes of their people have on the lives of the displaced and dispossessed.

Alternately heart-warming and heart-wrenching, Hakim’s Odyssey is necessary reading for our times.

Make Hakim’s Odyssey Part of Your Collection Today!

HAKIM'S ODYSSEY TRILOGY

Published by GRAPHIC MUNDI

Written by: Fabien Toulme, Hanna Chute (translator)
Illustrated by: Fabien Toulme
ISBN: 9781637790311 / 9781637790083 / 9781637790007
Price: $29.95 USD, $39.99 CAD, £25.95 GBP, €30.95 EUR
Ages: 16 and up
Genre(s): Comics & Graphic Novels / Nonfiction / Biography & Memoir / Social Science / Emigration & Immigration
Page Count: 272 / 264 / 256 pages
Format: Hardcover

Volume 1 – 3 Available Now!

Creator Bio(s)

Fabien Toulmé (born 1980 in Orléans) is a French comic book writer and illustrator.

Originally trained as an engineer, he became known to the wider public for his autobiographical graphic novel, Ce n’est pas toi que j’attendais (“It’s not you I was waiting for”), in which he describes his personal struggle with his second daughter being born with Down Syndrome.

He is also know for his work Les Deux Vies de Baudouin and has published the Hakim’s Odyssey trilogy, translations of which are forthcoming from Graphic Mundi.

You can read Foreword Reviews interview with Fabien HERE.

TORONTO COMIC ARTS FESTIVAL: Family Ties -- Personal and Global Conflicts in Comics

Whether it’s a deeply personal issue like facing an eating disorder, or a global issue like war or immigration, it will affect not only you but also your family. How do personal and global conflicts impact our own identities and our family relationships? Join Maggie Edkins Willis (Smaller Sister), Fabien Toulmé (Hakim’s Odyssey), and Dave Ortega (Días de Consuelo) as they explore family relationships and identity in comics.

Preview Pages

July 2022 Digital Review Copies Live Now!

Every month, Diamond Book Distributors offers exclusive digital review copies (DRCs) on Edelweiss+ and NetGalley for our most anticipated titles. For a list of available downloadable DRCs for this month by publisher, keep scrolling!

To jump to a publishers, click one of the links below.

IMAGE COMICS

LIVING THE LINE

VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT