Two Upcoming Workshops of Note

Hasbrouck Heights Comic Con and SCBWI NJ Conference at Montclair University

A short post to spread the word about two upcoming comics-making workshops that may be of interest to some readers.

I will be at the Hasbrouck Heights Free Public Library Comic Con this coming Saturday, May 3rd, conducting my Cartooning Lessons workshop, free for attendees. The convention runs from 12-4PM, my portion of the event will take place from 1-2PM. This workshop is primarily aimed at kids ages 8-12, but it’s really not an issue if someone a little bit younger or a little bit older wishes to take part. I am not sure what to expect in terms of turnout, hopefully there will be enough table space for all interested aspiring cartoonists to join in!

Then, on June 14th, I will be presenting a special 90-minute workshop aimed at grown-up participants, at the New Jersey Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Summer Conference entitled, A Step Beyond: Dare… Dream… Deliver.

Here is the description of my workshop:

A hands-on comics making workshop. Participants will learn the nuts and bolts of making comics, and gain a deeper understanding of what separates cartooning from just drawing or writing, and have an opportunity to tell their own stories using the language of the art-form. The workshop bounces back and forth between an engaging and entertaining slideshow, to a series of comics making activities featured in a workbook specially designed for this event. Attendees will warm up with doodles, create a cartoon avatar, practice controlling the reader's eye as it moves across the page, and write a four-panel cartoon inspired by their own experiences. At the end, attendees will design a cover based on the stories they have told and leave having created their own comic book to take with them.

The Conference takes place at Montclair University, and looks to feature a lot of very cool programming. I am excited to get out and mingle with some fellow KidLit authors!

A Part, Apart

I’ve also announced my May ‘Zine of the Month, over at my Mike Dawson’s Monthly ‘Zine Club Patreon, A Part, Apart, subtitled The Hidden Dominion of Geordie James Companion ‘Zine #1. This will be either 16 or 20 pages, full color, digest sized, and will be the first of at least two ‘zines that I’m putting together as “companions” to the new middle-grade graphic novel I’m currently completing. It will feature new diary comics, an original cartoon essay, as well as a piece I created in 2015 which was really the genesis of the new work.

The Hidden Dominion of Geordie James is scheduled to be published almost exactly one year from now, in May of 2026, so this is a nice time to start sharing some material related to it.

Thanks as always for reading along!
Mike