Word Out! 2009

Graphic Novel of the Week for August 17: Emiko Superstar

Emiko Superstar by Mariko Tamaki

I'm a big fan of Mariko Tamaki's books, so I was super excited when she agreed to do a short Q&A with me for the Word Out! Blog about her latest graphic novel Emiko Superstar.  Mariko is also the author of the highly acclaimed graphic novel Skim, illustrated by her cousin Jillian Tamaki.

Margaret (M):  What was your inspiration for Emiko?  Is "the Factory" based on any real life experiences?

Fiction of the Week for August 10: The Mitochondrial Curiosities of Marcels 1 to 19

Okay, here's a book you don't want to miss. The Mitochondrial Curiosities will not only knock your socks off, it'll teach you how to make a "forgiving sock creature" named Marcel in the process...

Dree has trouble with biology (and other subjects), her family, and Edmonton in general. She’s dying to move to Toronto, where she belongs, where the Renegade Craft Fair is taking place, and where, finally, her crafts will be appreciated. Escape is eminent: on her fifteenth birthday, she will get the special fund her father promised and she’ll take take off. But instead, her father has a fatal heart attack, and all she finds are clues leading to the ominous Alberta Psychiatric Hospital where her parents once worked. As Dree tries to unearth a mystery, and still pass science, she keeps searching for the money, and for a way to grieve her father.

Fiction of the Week for August 3: Wake (Surprise Author Visit!)

Wow... Are you guys in for a special treat or what? The Word Out Team managed to have the author of Wake participate in this week's blog! :) Wake won the Battle of the Book back in early July!!!

I was definitely honoured to be the one who got to chat with Lisa a bit. I feel so lucky! 

Without delaying another second, here is what Lisa has to say:

Nonfiction of the Week for July 27: Animation Unleashed (Part 2)

Animation Unleashed by Ellen Besen and Bryce Hallett

Bryce Hallett is an independent Canadian animator who lives and works in Toronto. He is a graduate of Sheridan College classical animation program  and Canadore college's Graphic Communication Program. Bryce has been creating many cartoons with his company Frog Feet Productions since 1999.

He is the illustrator for the nonfiction book "Animation Unleashed" and I had the immense pleasure of interviewing him via email to find out more about the animation process and his influences and career. He was kind enough to provide the library with some images that demonstrate the creative process for an illustrator/animator.

Nonfiction of the Week for July 27: Animation Unleashed (Part 1)

The fantastic book that was my portion of the blog is the animation/illustration guide entitled: Animation Unleashed. This book is the product of two people, the author Ellen Besen and the illustrator Bryce Hallet. Today's blog will focus on my interview with Ellen and later in the week I will blog about my interview with Bryce.

Fiction of the Week for July 13: Pieces of Me (Part 2)

Continuing from our conversation on Monday with Susan Ouriou, translator of Charlotte Gingras' Pieces of Me...

Elsa (E): What other books have you translated?

Fiction of the Week for July 13: Pieces of Me

I am thrilled to have a chance to have a chat with the translator of the book, Pieces of Me, Susan Ouriou. Susan has done an awesome job translating this emotionally-charged book.

Mirabelle is almost 15 and she is friendless. By chance, she meets Catherine, who is carefree, confident, and also a boy-magnet. With Catherine's encouragement, Mirabelle tries to come out of her shell and to fight against dark thoughts which surround her. But she finds that this new-found confidence is something more than she can handle.

Graphic Novel of the Week for July 6th: The Apocalipstix Volume 1

We're starting off our first week with a bang, as the creators of The Apocalipstix (our Graphic Novel of the Week for July 6th, the first official week of Word Out!) give us some exclusive details about the creative process behind a graphic novel and offer to answer your questions...