Kick off the Short Run Comix & Arts Festival two weeks early with a much-anticipated event at The Seattle Public Library.

From 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18, award-winning graphic novelists Jillian and Mariko Tamaki will discuss their new novel “Roaming” with Seattle arts writer Jas Keimig at the Central Library. Registration is not required, but RSVPs are requested. All Library events are free and open to the public.

“Roaming” captures three young adults – long-term friends Dani and Zoe and newcomer Fiona, who throws everything off-kilter – as they embark on a much-anticipated trip to New York City.

With “pitch perfect dialogue” (The Guardian”) and “gloriously rendered images” of the city’s visual wonders (The New York Times), “Roaming” is moody, atmospheric, and teeming with life, capturing a spontaneous queer romance in all of its fledgling glory. 

“Roaming” is the third collaboration from the Tamaki cousins, the critically acclaimed team behind "Skim" and Governor General’s Literary Award winner "This One Summer."

The event is presented in partnership with publishing company Drawn & Quarterly, Third Place Books, and the Short Run Comix & Arts Festival, which will be held Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 at Seattle Center.

“Roaming” is coming to The Seattle Public Library’s Peak Picks collection later this month, which means patrons will be able to borrow the graphic novel with no wait, for two weeks. 

Note to press: High-resolution images from “Roaming,” and of the authors, are available at this link.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Jillian Tamaki is a cartoonist, illustrator, and educator raised in Calgary, Alberta. She is the author of the Eisner Award-winning graphic novels "SuperMutant Magic Academy" and "Boundless," and the author-illustrator of two picture books, including most recently "Our Little Kitchen." With her cousin Mariko Tamaki, she is the co-creator of the young adult graphic novels "Skim" and "This One Summer," which won a Governor General’s Award and Caldecott Honor. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Mariko Tamaki is a Canadian writer living in California. She is the co-creator of the graphic novels "Skim" and "This One Summer" with Jillian Tamaki, and "Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me" with Rosemary Valero-O’Connell. She writes superhero comics for DC Comics, Darkhorse and Marvel. Mariko was the recipient of the Eisner for Best Writer in 2020. Collectively, her works have received Printz Honors, Eisner, Ignatz, Ringo and Prism awards. She is the curator of the Abrams LGBTQ imprint, Surely Books.

Jas Keimig is a writer in Seattle. They previously worked at The Stranger, covering visual art, film, music, and other stuff. Their work has also appeared in i-D, Netflix’s YouTube channel, Feast Portland and The Ticket. With Chase Burns, they co-write Unstreamable for Scarecrow Video, a column highlighting films you can’t find on streaming services.

MORE INFORMATION 

The Library believes that the power of knowledge improves people's lives. We promote literacy and a love of reading as we bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and build community. Find more events at www.spl.org/Calendar.

Contact the Library’s Ask Us service by phone at 206-386-4636 or by email or chat at www.spl.org/Ask. Staff are ready to answer questions and direct you to helpful resources and information.