The Hidden Dominion of Geordie James

+ Fellowship Grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts

Mike, look out!!

The Hidden Dominion of Geordie James

I start this update off with some Huge News, my next book, a middle-grade graphic novel entitled The Hidden Dominion of Geordie James was announced this past week at Publishers Weekly. It will be published by Union Square Kids in Spring 2026. I am so excited about this project.

I have been sitting on this news for a while, long enough in fact, that I have already written multiple drafts of the script. There will be many occasions over the next two years for me to share more about the project, but for now I will just say that I think this book is going to be very special, and will surely be enjoyed by anybody who appreciated the cartoon essay I wrote for The Nib, Longstreet Farm.

State Arts Council Grants Nearly $2 Million to New Jersey Artists

To add to an already exciting and very eventful past month, I also learned that I was awarded a Fellowship grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, in partnership with Mid-Atlantic Arts. I can’t put into words what a big deal this is to me and how grateful I am for the recognition. This award will undoubtedly help me in a real meaningful way over the next year, as I put all of my efforts into creating the best work I’m capable of making. My thanks again to all the members of the council!

Read Across America Week

Read Across America is an extremely busy time of year for children’s book authors, filled with incredible opportunities to visit schools and engage with young readers. I am so grateful to the school librarians, educators, and PTA volunteers who work hard to make events like this possible, and truly make authors feel welcome, and reading feel celebrated!

Learn more about my visiting author and cartooning workshop programs here.

This home-made Lori Block jersey that this student made and wore on the day of my visit was amazing!

I have always loved to think about how art and writing are ways we can connect with one another, that an artist can make an idea real and it becomes something that means something to someone else. It’s incredible, I feel blessed.

Thankyou as always for reading along!

Mike