Graphic Novel Making Contest Awards Ceremony 2023

Graphic Novel Making Contest logo, the words Awards Ceremony Saturday Sept 9 2:00pm-4:00pm, Seven Trees Community Center, along with photos of guest speakers with book covers.

Come celebrate the creative efforts of everyone who has participated in the 2023 Graphic Novel Making Contest! At this awards ceremony, contest winners will be announced for all age groups. All are welcome to attend even if you did not submit an entry to the Graphic Novel Making Contest or Cosplay on Display program.

Guest speakers from the comics industry will provide inspirational and insightful speeches for all participants and attendees! Illusive Comics will be selling graphic novels by our guest speakers and guest speakers will available to sign books after the ceremony. Participants in the Cosplay on Display program will also be featured during the ceremony. Show up early to hang out with Cosplay with Pride (Instagram & Facebook)!

All eligible participants in the Graphic Novel Making Contest and Cosplay on Display program will be able to claim their participation gift during the Awards Ceremony.

Guest Speakers

Photo of Guest Speaker Judd Winick
Judd Winick

Judd Winick is a cartoonist and creator of the award-winning, New York Times bestselling Hilo series. Judd has written and produced animation for television and film, created the Cartoon Network series Juniper Lee; has written superhero comics, including BatmanGreen Lantern, and Green Arrow; and, along with his wife Pam, was a cast member of MTV’s The Real World: San Francisco. Judd is also the author of the highly acclaimed graphic novel Pedro and Me, about his Real World roommate and friend, AIDS activist Pedro Zamora.


Photo of Guest Speaker Laura Gao
Laura Gao

Laura Gao is a queer artist, author, bread lover, and everything in between. Originally from Wuhan, China, Gao immigrated to Texas where their art career began, and has since blossomed to be featured on NPR and the Museum of Chinese in America.

After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, Gao published the viral webcomic, "The Wuhan I Know", in response to anti-Asian racism during COVID-19. This inspired their graphic memoir, MESSY ROOTS, which debuted on the 2022 Indies Bestsellers List and has been shortlisted for numerous awards.


Photo of Guest Speaker Maggie Tokuda-Hall
Maggie Tokuda-Hall

Maggie Tokuda-Hall is the author of Also an Octopus, illustrated by Benji Davies, The Mermaid, The Witch and The Sea, Squad, illustrated by Lisa Sterle, and Love in the Library illustrated by Yas Imamura with more books forthcoming.

She has a BA in Studio Art from Scripps College, and an MFA in Writing from University of San Francisco. She lives in Oakland, California with her husband, son, and objectively perfect dog.


Map of parking options at Seven Trees Community Center
Parking Options

There are two parking lots near Seven Trees Community Center on Cas Drive and Los Arboles Avenue, as well as residential street parking in the neighborhood.

To request an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act for library-sponsored events, please call 408-808-2355 or email Accessibility@sjlibrary.org at least three business days prior to the event.

This program supports Summer Learning and the Graphic Novel Making Contest.


collage of sponsor logos
Thank you to our 2023 Sponsors!