A graphic novel is a creative work created by two people. I have been fortunate to work with amazing illustrators, colorists, and letterers, not to mention incredible editors who have labored with me on both comics scripts and prose books.

How does it compare with the process of writing alone? All writing involves collaboration. A lot of things I write start off as a test of myself and then turn into a full-on obsession.Ĭollaboration is a big part of creating graphic novels and comics. After a few years of writing superhero comics and working on the “ticking clock” in that medium, I thought it would be interesting to do that in a novel. What drew you to writing your first murder mystery? I’ve always loved reading mysteries, but the element of suspense wasn’t something I had ever focused on in prose. Your new book, Cold, is about two teenagers: the ghost of a boy and a girl who wants to solve his murder. Tamaki took some time after her session at January’s LibLearnX conference to talk with American Libraries about her latest book Cold (Roaring Brook Press, February), her new comics imprint Surely Books, and what it’s like having her works contested. Her unflinching approach to telling these stories has also landed her books on challenge lists. Printz Award and a Caldecott Honor for This One Summer (illustrated by Jillian Tamaki) and Eisner Awards for Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me (illustrated by Rosemary Valero-O’Connell). Mariko Tamaki’s skill at portraying the queer teenage experience has earned her many awards, including the Michael L.

Mariko and jillian tamaki