Graphic Novels at SJPL

The Graphic Novel Making Contest is an annual San José tradition, paired with Summer Learning. In 2020, the first Winter contest began.

The San José Public Library encourages you to create comics, attend related programs and skill-building workshops, and connect with like-minded community members and comic creators.

Featured Program

2023 Marks Our 15th Annual Graphic Novel Making Contest - Learn How to Enter!

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.

View Past Entries: All eligible entries are available online through Biblioboard and winning comics are collected in a printed booklet available in our library collections.

Check out past Awards Ceremony announcements on the San José Public Library YouTube Channel.

Interested in short web-style comics? See the entries from the 2021 Winter Comic Making Contest.