Time to Celebrate at the Award Ceremony!
We've had another successful year with over 200 participants. Join us at the Graphic Novel Making Contest Awards Ceremony on September 19th at 1 PM to find out the winners.
Costumes and cosplay are encouraged!
All are welcome to attend, even if you didn't submit an entry.
Guest Speakers
Briana Loewinsohn
Briana began making zines when she was in college in the late 90s/early 2000s. Briana mostly sold them on consignment at bay area bookstores, often making about $1.50 per book for many years. In that time, she also began teaching high school art (in 2006) and had two great kids. It wasn’t until the pandemic that Briana found her voice and confidence as a cartoonist to write a full graphic novel. The book is called Ephemera, which was published in 2023. Finishing Ephemera was so exhilarating that she immediately started writing Raised By Ghosts. Raised By Ghosts won the Harvey Award and the ALA YA Non-Fiction Graphic Novel of the year. It was also nominated for an Eisner. Briana is currently working on a third graphic novel for Fantagraphics.
Thien Pham
Thien Pham is a graphic novelist and educator based in Oakland, CA. He is the author and illustrator of the graphic novel Sumo and the illustrator for the middle-grade graphic novel Level Up, written by Gene Luen Yang. His graphic novel, Family Style, a memoir about his family's immigration to America told through the lens of food, has been on numerous best-of lists, was a finalist for the ALA YALSA Excellence in Non-Fiction, and won an Eisner Award for Best Memoir Graphic Novel. Pham is also the illustrator for the recurring food article on KQED “Midnight Diners”. His Latest book, which he illustrated, is Mind vs. Machine, written by Steve Sheinkin and Maurice Ashley, and will be released September 9th. Currently, Pham is working on his next graphic novel, teaching, and eating. A lot. Follow Thien on Instagram @thiendog
About the Contest
The Graphic Novel Making Contest (GNMC) was developed in 2008 as a teen program at a single branch library in recognition of growing interest in graphic novels and graphic arts. Inspired by participants’ enthusiasm and the quality of art, the contest grew into a system-wide annual tradition, open to participants of all ages and all California residents.
The contest concludes with an awards ceremony to celebrate the creative efforts of all participants, announce the contest winners, and offer inspirational messages from guest speakers in the comics industry.
Comic Creation Resources
Creating Comics: Books for Teens & Adults
Creating Comics: Books for Kids
Access Comics and Graphic Novels Online with our eResources!
SJPL Staff Recommended Graphic Novels
"This was an amazing experience for our family. Our two kids participated, and they were so proud of their contributions... Thank you for making it an unforgettable first time experience."
-2025 Program Participant
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
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San José Public Library 2026 Graphic Novel Making Contest Guidelines
Available in Español and Tiếng Việt
When is the Contest: June 1 - July 31, 2026.
Submission Deadlines: Entries and registration forms must be submitted by July 31, 2026.
Who Can Enter:
- All Ages: Submissions will be categorized into 5 different age groups: 0-7, 8-9, 10-12, 13-17, 18+.
- Located in California: This contest is only open to California Residents.
- Amateur Authors/Illustrators Only: Contest is limited to amateur authors and illustrators only.
How to Enter:
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Submitting Your Work:
- Paper Entries: Submit at a SJPL location, no later than end of business day on July 31, 2026.
- Digital Entries: Submit on our website or email to graphicnovels@sjlibrary.org as a PNG, JPG, or PDF attachment. Please see our website for more details.
- Doublecheck Your Entry: Check all names, graphic novel titles, contact info, grammar, and spelling!
- Limit 1 Entry: There is a limit of one entry per contestant or co-authored group.
Content Requirements:
- Original Work Only: Each submission must be the creative and original work of the submitting author/illustrator.
- Maximum Length: 8 pages, including cover page.
- Black and White: Must have black-and-white or gray scale drawings.
- Paper Size & Binding: Use letter-size paper (8.5x11”). Please paper clip paper entries together.
- Multiple Authors or Illustrators: Any submissions with more than one author/illustrator will be considered a single entry judged under the age category of the oldest author/illustrator listed and share awarded prizes.
- No AI or Copyrighted Material: Artificial intelligence (AI) content will not be considered. Use of computer-generated images (via A.I. tools or clip art) or copyrighted material will be deemed ineligible.
- Digital Artwork: Digital Illustrations are allowed as long as they are original artwork.
- World Languages Accepted: Other languages are accepted, please see our FAQ for more information.
- Audience Level: We will not accept entries with explicit language or mature content.
- Limited Assistance: Assistance should be limited to critiquing, feedback, proofreading, and spell checking.
- Photocopy Recommended: Consider submitting a photocopy or digital scan that is an accurate reflection of the original work. SJPL cannot guarantee the return of paper submissions.
How Scoring Works: Entries will be judged using a rubric scale. The detailed judging criteria and rubric used for this contest is available on our website.
Contest Prizes and Winners:
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1st, 2nd, 3rd: Prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third place winners for each age category.
- Honorable Mentions: Honorable mentions may be selected in each age group.
Winner Notification & Announcements:
- Attend the Award Ceremony: Winners will be announced during an In-Person Award Ceremony.
- Where to Pick Up Prizes: Prizes will be available for pickup at the In-Person Award Ceremony.
Publication:
- Publishing Winners: All eligible works will made available in SJPL’s teen collection.
- Reproduction & Reuse: San José Public Library reserves the right to reproduce your work. You can reuse all your work after the contest.
For more information, including FAQ’s and the judging criteria, please visit http://www.sjpl.org/graphicnovels.
SJPL staff may not enter submissions for the General Public contest.
Related Pages: Graphic Novel Making Contest
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The Graphic Novel Making Contest Awards Ceremony is our way of thanking you for all of the hard work you put into creating an entry. We invite you, your family, and friends to attend with you!
Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 1 PM.
All are welcome to attend, even if you didn't submit an entry.
Here is a timeline for the Awards Ceremony:
- The Ceremony venue will open one hour before the start of the ceremony.
- The Ceremony is from 2 - 4 PM.
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When you arrive, we encourage you to check-in by picking up your participation envelope.
- All eligible participants will receive an envelope including their participation certificate and added goodies.
- Eligible participants will be encouraged to pick out a graphic novel from the Giveaway Table.
- We regularly have fun activities from 1-2PM as well as snacks, meet & greet with professional cosplayers, and more. You are also welcome to find a seat in the main room.
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At 2PM, the Ceremony will begin with introductions from our emcee.
- Each age group will be announced starting from Adult and ending with our 0-7 age group.
- Between age group announcements will be presentations by our featured guest speakers.
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As each winner is announced, they will be encouraged to come on stage to receive their winner certificate, take a photo with our emcee, and then receive their prizes off stage.
- The authors of a winning co-authored entry should come up to the stage together if present.
- At the end of the Ceremony, there may be announcements about future graphic novel activities happening through San José Public Library.
- From 4 - 4:30 PM, the area will be open for guest speakers to sign copies of their work, do meet and greet, and final pictures.
- At 4:30 PM, we ask participants to start leaving the area so staff can clean up.
Related Pages: Graphic Novel Making Contest, Graphic Novel Making Contest Guidelines
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Who Can Enter:
- All Ages: Submissions will be categorized into 5 different age groups: 0-7, 8-9, 10-12, 13-17, 18+
- Located in California: This contest is only open to California Residents.
- Amateur Authors/Illustrators Only: Contest is limited to amateur authors and illustrators only.
- Audience Level: We will not accept entries with explicit language or mature content.
SJPL staff may not enter submissions for the General Public contest.
Related Pages: Graphic Novel Making Contest, Graphic Novel Making Contest Guidelines
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Graphic Novel Length:
- Maximum Length: 8 pages, including cover page.
- Black and White: Must have black-and-white or gray scale drawings.
- Single-Sided: Library staff will scan your entry on your behalf and images can bleed through. To ensure the quality of your submission, do not use both sides of paper to create your comic or graphic novel.
- Paper Size & Binding: Use letter-size paper (8.5x11”). Please paper clip paper entries together.
- Cover Page: A cover page counts towards your 8 pages. The rest of your comic or graphic novel can be only 7 additional pages.
- Back Page: A back page counts towards your 8 pages. The rest of your comic or graphic novel can be only 7 additional pages.
Related Pages: Graphic Novel Making Contest, Graphic Novel Making Contest Guidelines
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Yes!
You can use up to 8 pages to tell the story you need to tell. Lots of comics and graphic novels have received high praise from judges at fewer than 8 pages.
Related Pages: Graphic Novel Making Contest, Graphic Novel Making Contest Guidelines
Bay Area Comics and Comix Exhibition
Monday, June 1st to Wednesday, September 30, 2026
The California Room’s exhibit “Bay Area Comics and Comix” presents the history of American comic books, highlighting the participation of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Sponsors and Partners
Thanks to these wonderful organizations. They have partnered with the Graphic Novel Making Contest to provide prizes and gifts for our participants.
