Hello, all! So, firstly this is my last day as the Graphic Novel Selector for Brodart. It’s been a good position for the past 2.5 years and the extra money has been nice, but it’s time to shift my focus on creative projects. Plus, I can better support independent creators and small presses through volunteer work, and this means I’ll have more time for that.

Last month was my third San Diego Comic-Con, and it was a blast. It was also quite tiring. After lots of line-standing and failed attempts, I managed to get Todd MacFarlane’s signature on my copy of Amazing Spider-Man #300! More importantly, I was on 5.5 panels this time. Yes, 5.5. You see, a panelist on the “The Good, the Bad, and the Gray Areas” had a panelist leave halfway through the program, so I was asked by the moderator, Moni Barrette, to step up. It was weird and fun. Two of the panels I moderated; “Keep Bans off Our Books!” and “Comics As Community Service.”

It was another great opportunity to network and spread the good word about libraries, comics, and defend the right to read by raising awareness about book bans. Plus, my husband came with me this time and we had lots of good food and strong drinks. Big thanks to Paul Christensen, Creators Assemble!, the Children’s Book Council, the San Diego Public Library, and Comic-Con International.