Graphic Novel Making Contest 2020

Thank You!

Thank you for your interest in our annual Graphic Novel Making Contest! Our contest closed on July 31st, 2020 and we announced the winners at our Virtual Awards Ceremony on August 22, 2020. 

Submit your graphic novel to the annual Graphic Novel Making Contest!

June 1 – July 31, 2020

If you have a talent for creating comic/Manga-style illustrated short stories, you are invited to enter San José Public Library’s Graphic Novel Making Contest for all ages as part of our 2020 Summer Learning Challenge.

Submission Guidelines

• Create your own comic book with a maximum length of 8 pages, including the cover page.
• Use letter-size paper (8.5 x 11) with black-and-white drawings on single-sided pages only.
• Each submission must be the creative and original work of the submitting author/illustrator. Any submissions with more than one author/illustrator will be considered a single entry judged under the age category of the oldest author/illustrator listed and will share any prizes possibly awarded.
• The contest is limited to amateur authors/ illustrators only.
• Computer-generated images are acceptable as long as they are your original work (no clip art).
• Consider submitting a photocopy that is an accurate reflection of the original (we cannot guarantee that submissions will be returned).
• San José Public Library reserves the right to reproduce your work. You can reuse all your work after the contest.
• Print and complete the Graphic Novel Making Contest Entry Form and Photo/Creative Works Release Form, opens a new window (en español, opens a new window). Entries turned in without the Photo/Creative Works Release Form will be ineligible. Entries with more than one author/illustrator must each provide a Graphic Novel Making Contest Entry Form and Photo/Creative Works Release Form with their submission.
• Entries are encouraged to be submitted digitally through our BiblioBoard online portal, opens a new window (as a PDF) or via email to graphicnovels@sjlibrary.org (as a PNG, JPEG, or PDF attachment). Digital entries can be submitted no later than 11:59 PM on Friday, July 31, 2020. More information can be found in the "How To" guide below.
• Entries can also be submitted to any operating San José Public Library location no later than the end of the business day on Friday, July 31, 2020.
• There is a limit of one entry per contestant.

How to Submit Your Graphic Novel

Due to COVID-19, we highly recommend submitting your comic digitally as it is the safest, quickest, and most reliable option. Online submissions are completely contactless and are accepted 24/7 until July 31st, 11:59pm. We cannot predict if there will be more restrictive health guidelines later in the summer which may prevent us from accepting paper submissions. If you don't have a scanner, please refer to our Scanning Guide (coming soon) located in the How To: Submit a Graphic Novel Making Contest Entry (see below) for options to digitize your entry. If you are still unable to submit digitally, we will accept paper submissions at operating San José Public Library locations for as long as we are able through the deadline, end of business operation on July 31st. Please plan accordingly.

Check out How To: Submit a Graphic Novel Making Contest Entry, opens a new window for a complete walkthrough of each submission process. 

Judging

Entries will be judged using a rubric scale covering the following: overall story, originality, creativity, and illustrations; by a panel of library staff and community professionals. To understand what the judges will be looking for, you can view the detailed judging criteria and rubric, opens a new window (en español, opens a new window).

Age Groups and Prizes

• Children (0-7): Gift and art supply baskets awarded for first, second, and third place winners.
• Children (8-9): Gift and art supply baskets awarded for first, second, and third place winners.
• Pre-Teens (10-12): Gift and art supply baskets awarded for first, second, and third place winners.
• Teens (13-17): First place $100; second place $75; third place $50
• Adults (18+): First place $100; second place $75; third place $50

All cash prizes will be awarded as gift cards.

Virtual Awards Ceremony

Come celebrate the creative efforts of everyone who has participated in the 2020 Graphic Novel Making Contest! At this virtual awards ceremony, contest winners will be announced. Guest speakers wil provide inspiration messages to contest participants. Our guest speakers this year include Chad Sell, Shannon Wright, Shea Fontana, and Gene Ha. Click the time below for more information about this event and our speakers. 

Saturday, August 22, 2020 at 2:00pm

All participants and family are invited, this event is also open to the public!

Graphic Novel Making Programs

Want to cultivate your comic-making craft, hone your illustration skills, and become a better storyteller? Or maybe you just want to have fun drawing and making comics? Check out and sign up for our Virtual Graphic Novel Making Programs!, opens a new window We will be adding more engaging classes throughout the summer, remember to check back!