[Servalan]

Auf der Londoner Buchmesse im April wird in einem Seminar, das Paul Gravett leiten wird, ausgiebig über Sinn und Unsinn des Graphic-Novel-Marketings gesprochen werden. Aus der Ankündigung der Veranstaltung:

Why the Graphic Novel?: What Comics Can Do That Other Forms Can’t
15 Apr 2015, 16:00 - 17:00, Club Room National Hall Gallery, Language: English
As the UK graphic novel market continues to grow, comics are increasingly being recognised as a medium that embraces all genres. Comics are no longer synonymous with science fiction and superheroes. Graphic novels, now, can be aboutanything, from the adventures of caped vigilantes to the history of economics. The triumph of Dotter of Her Father’s Eyes by Bryan and Mary Talbot at the Costa Book Awards was something of a breakthrough moment, highlighting the graphic novel’s ability to compete with – even exceed – the achievements of the prose book. Last summer, the British Library’s “Comics Unmasked” exhibition also shone a spotlight on the range and versatility of the graphic novel.

Now, with the publication of an increasing number of graphic novels in translation, as well as work from British creators, UK publishers are developing a market that puts sophisticated graphic novels – books that embrace art, history, politics and much more – centre stage. What’s more, these books are being marketed to comic book fans and general readers alike. But what’s the reason for the increasing popularity of fiction and non-fiction in graphic novel form? What can comics do that prose can’t? In other words: why the graphic novel and not just a “normal” book.

Anmerkung: Das Ehepaar Talbot erhielt den Costa Book Award 2012, der im Januar 2013 verliehen wurde, in der Kategorie Biographie - Seite an Seite mit Hilary Mantel. Aus der Einladung zur Gala:

Husband and wife team Mary and Bryan Talbot, who jointly win the Costa Biography Award for Dotter of Her Father’s Eyes, an interweaving of two father-daughter relationships (that of James Joyce with his daughter Lucia, and that of the author with her father, a James Joyce scholar) and the first graphic work ever to win a Costa Award.