Graphic Novel Making Contest 2023

Submit your graphic novel to the 15th annual Graphic Novel Making Contest!

June 1 - July 31, 2023

Calling all comics and manga fans, artists, and storytellers: You are invited to enter San José Public Library’s 15th Annual Graphic Novel Making Contest for all ages as part of our 2023 Summer Learning Challenge.

Create and submit your own short comic or graphic novel! Entries can be up to 8 pages long, black & white on single-sided 8.5"x11" pages. The contest is open to amateur creators of all ages! All participants will receive a participation prize and winners will receive a prize bundle. Cultivate your creativity and improve your skills by attending some of our virtual or in-person comic creation programs to learn about character creation, illustration, storytelling, and more!

Be sure to follow the contest rules:

Review the Contest Guidelines (available in Español and Tiếng Việt)
Check out the FAQ for answers to frequently asked questions
Refer to this How To Submit Guide for a walkthrough of the submission process

*The Graphic Novel Making Contest has updated the Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) documents to include that any artificial intelligence (AI) created comics will not be eligible for an award. We respect the talent and skill of our participants and want them to be recognized for the time, patience, and energy they put into their entries into this contest every year. Any questions, comments, concerns, or curiosities on this matter can be sent to graphicnovels@sjlibrary.org.*

SUBMIT YOUR COMIC!

Judging

Entries will be judged using a rubric scale covering the following: overall story, originality, creativity, and illustrations. Review the judging criteria and rubric (available in Español and Tiếng Việt) to understand how your comic will be scored.

Prizes & Age Categories

A participation prize is awarded to each individual who submits an entry to the Graphic Novel Making Contest. If an entry is co-authored, each contributor will receive a participation prize!

First, second and third place winners in every age category (0-7, 8-9, 10-12, 13-17, 18+) will be awarded a prize; up to two additional honorable mentions may be in awarded in each category. All cash prizes will be awarded as gift cards.

Winners will be announced at the Graphic Novel Making Contest Awards Ceremony at the Seven Trees Community Center on Saturday September 9, 2023. All participants are invited to the Awards Ceremony to celebrate you achievement and pick up prizes. Participants will be able to pick up their prize at the Awards Ceremony or the SJPL location of their choice.

Previous Entries

Explore previous entries, winners, and highlights on Biblioboard!

Comic Creation Resources

If you're looking to build your comic and drawing skills, check out these staff-curated recommendations to help you learn from the experts!

Programs and More!

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 our Graphic Novel Making Programs! Virtual and in-person programs are available, and we will be adding more engaging classes and programs throughout the summer, remember to check back!

Grab and Go Sketchbook and Bookmark Kits

Pick up a Sketchbook or Bookmark Kit at your local SJPL Branch (subject to availability). Each Sketchbook kit comes with a notebook, adhesive sheet, comics pages, and instructions. Check out this instructional video and follow along. Contact your local branch for availability.

SJPL Cosplay on Display

Calling all cosplayers! Cosplay on Display celebrates the creative ingenuity that is costume play, or cosplay, in our community. The 2023 Cosplay on Display is open to all California residents and participants of all ages. Eligible entries will be featured on BiblioBoard as a creative showcase of talent. Check out the Cosplay on Display blog announcement for more information about the program!

Questions?

Please check the Graphic Novel Making Contest FAQ for answers to frequently asked questions about the Contest.

If you have any questions regarding the 2023 Graphic Novel Making Contest, please feel free to leave a comment in your preferred language at the bottom of this blog post or send an email to graphicnovels@sjlibrary.org. A member of the Graphic Novel Making Contest Committee will work with a staff translator to respond as quickly as we can. Thank you for your interest!

Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre el Concurso de Creación de Novelas Gráficas 2023, no dude en dejar un comentario en su idioma preferido en la parte inferior de este blog o enviar un correo electrónico a graphicnovels@sjlibrary.org. Un miembro del Comité del Concurso de Novelas Gráficas trabajará con un traductor de personal de la biblioteca para responder lo más rápido posible. ¡Gracias por su interés!

Nếu quý vị có bất kỳ câu hỏi nào liên quan đến Cuộc Thi Vẽ Truyện Tranh năm 2023, xin vui lòng để lại câu hỏi của bạn bằng ngôn ngữ bạn thích ở cuối bài viết này hoặc gửi email tới địa chỉ graphicnovels@sjlibrary.org. Thành viên của Ủy ban Cuộc Thi Vẽ Truyện Tranh sẽ làm việc với một nhân viên biên dịch để phản hồi nhanh nhất có thể. Cám ơn sự quan tâm của quý vị!

Disclaimer

San José Public Library staff members are not eligible to participate.

San José Public Library reserves the right to refuse submissions that are not appropriate for a general audience. This contest is open to all California residents.