Author Archives: Dave Howard

Fiona Smyth at York University Visiting Cartoonist Lecture Series Wed March 26, 6:30 pm

Two things: Fiona Smyth! She is amazing – encouraging, thoughtful, suppotive. Go see her! And …What? York University has a Visiting Cartoonist Lecture Series! Wow! It is organized by amazing Toronto cartoonist, Jessica Campbell. All talks will take place in Rm 106 Accolade West, 89 York Boulevard.  Sponsored by YUFA and presented by the Visual ArtsContinueContinue reading “Fiona Smyth at York University Visiting Cartoonist Lecture Series Wed March 26, 6:30 pm”

Michael VanCalbergh Reviews Michael Deforge’s ‘Holy Lacrimony’ for The Comics Beat

From The Comics Journal’s This Week In Links is this great review from The Comics Beat. Some reviews are difficult because the material is difficult to explain. Holy Lacrimony is a bit difficult to explain and experiencing it is probably best, but this isn’t why I’m having difficulty. Some reviews are harder to situate inContinueContinue reading “Michael VanCalbergh Reviews Michael Deforge’s ‘Holy Lacrimony’ for The Comics Beat”

APTN News: Cree author David A. Robertson now leading Indigenous children’s book publishing

Cierra Bettens interviews David A. Robertson on his exciting new imprint with Penguin Random House Canada! He’s published more than 30 books – and now, David A. Robertson is on a mission to help other Indigenous writers and illustrators dip their toes into the publishing world.After releasing a young adult fantasy series called The MisewaContinueContinue reading “APTN News: Cree author David A. Robertson now leading Indigenous children’s book publishing”

Book Riot: Graphic Novel Boom is Great News for Kids’ Literacy

Some really positive news worth sharing: there is a real boom in graphic novels going on these days mostly due to young readers, and studies show kids who read books and graphic novels are much more likely to read as adults. The takeaway? Now is the perfect time to write your YA novel, confident youContinueContinue reading “Book Riot: Graphic Novel Boom is Great News for Kids’ Literacy”

Quill & Quire Interviews ‘The New Girl’ Creator Cassandra Calin on fulfilling a lifelong dream

Intrtjit Deogun interviews Cassandra Calin on her bestselling YA book “The New Girl”: Cassandra Calin, best known for her semi-autobiographical web-comic series Cassandra Comics, made her graphic novel debut in June 2024 with The New Girl. Published by Scholastic imprint Graphix, the title returned to the bestsellers list this year. It follows Lia, who hasContinueContinue reading “Quill & Quire Interviews ‘The New Girl’ Creator Cassandra Calin on fulfilling a lifelong dream”

TONIGHT! James Spencer Hosts Another Cold Cat Comix Lab, Tuesday March 18, 8pm

One third of the very popular Read More Comix trio, cartoonist James Spencer hosts another Cold Cat Comix Lab a fun, free night of experimental comic making in Parkdale. I speak from experience when I say it’s a totally fun night where you meet and draw with other cartoonists around Toronto in a relaxed butContinueContinue reading “TONIGHT! James Spencer Hosts Another Cold Cat Comix Lab, Tuesday March 18, 8pm”

The Walrus: Book Banning in Canada Is Quiet, Systemic, and More Effective than Ever

The Walrus’ Ira Wells writes of the alarming trend of book banning that is happening in communities all across Canada: My job now involves teaching novels and short stories to enthusiastic university students, many of whom are budding bibliophiles; at home, I’ve read aloud to my own children almost every night for more than aContinueContinue reading “The Walrus: Book Banning in Canada Is Quiet, Systemic, and More Effective than Ever”