Celebrate Banned Books Week by joining us for a dynamic evening of conversation with playwright and author Grace Ellis (Explicit Content for Teens, Flung Out of Space) and Dan Gearino, Columbus-based journalist and writer. Grace has had her work banned and has written about the effects of censorship on creators, educators, and readers. How can we, as a community, stand against censorship and advocate for freedom of expression? What tangible actions can we take to protect the diversity of ideas in our literary landscape? Don't miss this opportunity to join in on this timely conversation, challenge the status quo, and become part of the solution.

For more information, please visit the Bexley Public Library website.

Join me at Cartoon Crossroads Columbus at the Laughing Ogre table! I’ll be signing pretty much everything!

The Ohio State Black Box Series presents a FREE staged reading of the new play "Explicit Content for Teens." Dive into the heart of a high school drama club's battle against censorship as they grapple with what's "appropriate" for their age, especially with possible gay subtext at play. In a world where artistic expression bumps up against social issues, you, the audience, hold the power to shape the ending. Will the show go on or will it be silenced forever? Your vote decides! Stay afterward for a thought-provoking talkback session about the nuances of censorship.

To register to attend (or participate!), please visit the OSU Black Box Series website.

Come celebrate Flung Out of Space’s Eisner Award at this signing!

Meeting Room 2B

This panel is a part of the Columbus Book Festival.

Don’t put these books in a box - they defy easy labels! Try a magical vengeance Brazilian thriller, a cat-centered sci-fi short story collection or a mostly true graphic novel about a lesbian crime writer.

Featuring Tori Eldridge (Dance Among the Flames), Grace Ellis (Flung Out of Space), and Mary Turzillo (Cosmic Cats & Fantastic Furballs)

Meeting Room 2A

This panel is a part of the Columbus Book Festival.

Small groups spend 5 minutes with each author to hear all about their book before moving to another author’s table. Find your perfect literary match!

Featuring Neely Tubati Alexander, Sara Brunsvold, Grace Ellis, Courtney Kae, Kaija Langley & Rasheed Newson

One night only! A full production of a new play about censorship. Admission is free, no tickets required. The show will be in the Little Theatre.

While it is my hope that this play has a life beyond this production, this particular production is special. The cast and crew working on this production were close collaborators in the writing of the show itself; many moments of dialog were lifted verbatim from my many conversations with them. This is going to be a very special and unique evening of theater.

“Explicit Content for Teens” is rated PG-13 for strong language.

A panel about graphic novels with artist Bryan Moss! Flung Out of Space will be available to purchase from a local bookseller, and I’ll be on hand to sign them as well.

This is a small, quirky festival, so be sure to check out the other fun activities they have planned!

This is a pre-recorded Zoom panel about noir graphic novels. The panel is actually already recorded, and it’s a good one! A great, smart group of people, some very fun stories, definitely worth checking out.

Click here for more information about NoirCon.

Join me for an adult writing workshop at the Thurber House! Click here for registration and additional information.

Are you working on a graphic novel or comic? Ever wanted to give it a try? Join us for this refreshing twist on our popular Go Rogue workshops! New this season: based on your feedback, we have extended our Go Rogue workshops to 1.5 hours.

Graphic novels like Maus, Watchmen, and Heartstopper, combined with the ever-expanding comics universes, have pushed a once-marginalized media to the forefront of popular literature. Are you curious about what goes into writing a graphic novel script? Have you ever seen a graphic novel or comic book and thought, "I could do that!"? In this class, NYT bestselling graphic novel author Grace Ellis assures you that yes, you can do that! Grace will introduce graphic novels and comics, how to identify which stories are made for the medium, and the basics of constructing a graphic novel or comic script.

3:30-4:30p: Talking Graphic Novels and Comics (teen event): Join New York Times Bestselling author and co-creator of the middle grade graphic novel series, LUMBERJANES, Grace Ellis, in a special youth-only event as she shares about the creative process, writing comics and graphic novels, what the industry is like, and answers any of your questions.

7-8p: The Hidden History of Patricia Highsmith: Join New York Times Bestselling author, Grace Ellis, for a discussion about her latest book, FLUNG OUT OF SPACE, a based-on-a-true-story graphic novel about infamous noir suspense writer Patricia Highsmith. Highsmith was a problematic literary figure with a complicated legacy of her positive impact on LGBTQ+ and American literature as well as her harmful bigotry and prejudice. FLUNG OUT OF SPACE critically examines Highsmith's struggles and prejudices while tracking her journey from anonymous comics author to literary icon.

Questions and book signing to follow discussion.

3:30p - 4p: signing

4p Historical Biography in Comics panel: This panel features acclaimed creators who have all taken on the challenges and responsibilities involved in telling the life stories of historical figures. Join Grace Ellis (Flung Out of Space, Lumberjanes, Moonstruck), Nate Powell (March, Run, Two Dead, Save It for Later), and Scott Chantler (Two Generals, Northwest Passage, and Bix), along with moderator Andrew Kunka (Autobiographical Comics, The Life and Comics of Howard Cruse).

Join Grace Ellis (Lumberjanes, Moonstruck, Flung Out of Space) for a fun and educational presentation about writing scripts for comics. Grace will talk about story structure, collaborating with artists as a writer, and how to tell a story using the unique strengths of the comics medium, among other topics.

This talk is a part of Cartoon Crossroads Columbus 2022. For more information, click here.

10:00a-11a Image Booth #1915: Moonstruck book signing

4:00p, Room: 29AB – Abrams ComicArts: Surely Books

Join bestselling author Mariko Tamaki as she introduces Surely Books, a newly launched line of graphic novels from Abrams ComicArts dedicated to expanding the presence of LGBTQIA creators and content in the comics world. Tamaki will share the creative process and vision behind the line, highlight recent releases, and give a sneak preview of what’s coming up. Joining the panel are Surely authors Grace Ellis (Flung Out of Space), Talia Dutton (M Is for Monster), and Josh Trujillo (Washington’s Gay General) and Abrams ComicArts Senior Editor Charlotte Greenbaum.

5:30p-6:30p, Abrams Booth #1217: Flung Out of Space book signing

Check back for more details!

This will be our first time really talking about the book together, so it’s sure to be a good time. Registration and more info available on the event here.

The event host, Bluestockings, is a worker-owned bookshop and cafe in New York. (This event is virtual.)

I’ll be talking about all aspects of Flung Out of Space!

For more information, visit the event’s Eventbrite page here.

I’ll be meeting and greeting and signing copies of Flung Out of Space.

For more information, visit the event’s Eventbrite page here.

I’ll be meeting and greeting and signing copies of Flung Out of Space.

Lumberjanes co-creator Shannon Watters and I will be talking about working together and about our upcoming projects, including Flung Out of Space.

This event will be livestreamed on the Inklusion Comics Instagram page and will be available for viewing afterward.

The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents’s annual workshop presents this virtual panel called “Two Ways of Knowing Texts (Writing & Directing Imprints).” I’ll be there alongside Dhonielle Clayton (The Mirror: Shattered Midnight) and Nicola Yoon (Instructions for Dancing).

Join bestselling author Mariko Tamaki in celebrating the debut list from Surely Books, a new line of graphic novels from Abrams ComicArts dedicated to expanding the presence of LGBTQIA creators and content in the comics world. Tamaki will discuss the process of bringing Surely Books to life, and offer sneak previews of the exciting, queer stories readers can look forward to. Joining the panel are forthcoming Surely authors Terry Blas and Claudia Aguirre (Lifetime Passes), and Grace Ellis and Hannah Templer (Flung Out of Space).

For more information, please visit the Flame Con website.

I’ll be talking about the creative process of writing and producing a comic book as well as answering questions from the audience! This is one of my favorite libraries, so I hope you’ll virtually join us!

Visit the Bexley Public Library website for more information and to register for the event.

VIRTUAL EVENT

Join me and the Orange County Public Library as we talk about my books and about making comics in general! This event is part of the library’s monthlong, virtual celebration of graphic novels.

For more information or to register for this event, please visit the OCPL website.

Note: This event is at 1pm PDT, 4pm EDT.

A virtual, 30-minute chat at the Image Comics booth to talk about Moonstruck and answer audience Q&A!

To register, check out the Library Journal website.

How do we learn about people’s lives we’ve never met? Books have introduced every generation to unfamiliar cultures and experiences, expanding our understanding and appreciation of the diverse world we live in. At their best, the people we meet and places we visit in books can help us develop empathy for ourselves and others by providing immersive perspectives of other experiences.

The 60-minute presentation will be moderated by LibraryPass’ Chief Ambassador, John Shableski, and include a Q&A segment where our panelists will answer attendees’ questions submitted via the registration form and during the live session.

Click here for registration and more information!

As a part of the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum’s Ladies First exhibit, the Moonstruck team and I will be doing a live reading from Moonstruck! So exciting! We’ll also be selling and signing books afterward, but make sure you check out the real star of the show: The museum!

For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.