Storycomic Presents: Interviews with Amazing Storytellers and Artists

storycomic
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This is your home for stories about comics or comic-based stories. We curate news and talk with storytellers and artists. We focus on children’s books, graphic novels, illustrations, and the people behind these works that bring joy and inquiry.

  1. 5d ago

    (Ep: 520) The Darkly Funny Book Where Gossip Outlives You

    #EdithForbes #TheLawnmowerLady #RootstockPublishing #VermontFiction #NorwichVermont #SmallTownFiction #DarkComedy #LiteraryFiction #HumorousFiction #GreenBurial #AfterlifeStory #BookInterview #AuthorInterview #IndiePublishing #Storycomic On this episode, I’m joined by Edith Forbes, a Norwich, Vermont novelist whose work mixes sharp humor with real emotional weight — the kind of storytelling that can make you laugh and then immediately feel a little called out. (rootstockpublishing.com) We’re talking about her novel The Lawnmower Lady (Rootstock Publishing), which opens with the death of Fay Kirkwood — a self-professed grouch living on a north-country farm, raising pigs and fixing lawnmowers. The twist is that Fay doesn’t exactly leave. Her consciousness lingers, and she winds up watching the ripple effects of what she said, what she did, and what she meant… through the lives of the people she left behind. (kirkusreviews.com) The book turns a wild premise into something surprisingly human: a comedy about death, regret, and consequences — plus the small-town decisions that can land people “in the soup,” long after you thought the moment had passed. (mountaintimes.info) If you like Vermont-set stories with bite, heart, and a little mischief, this conversation is for you.   The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.  See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/     Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano  See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/     Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started:  https://www.podbean.com/storycomic     Follow us:  Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com  www.patreon.com/storycomic  www.facebook.com/storycomic1  https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/  For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com     Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devlin, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at:  https://marekbennett.com/  https://www.hexapus-ink.com/  https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/  https://www.vonallan.com/  https://higgins802.com/  https://shewstone.com/  https://www.simkikuznick.com/  https://www.dieboldcomics.com/  https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/  https://benjaminhunting.com/  https://www.rootstockpublishing.com/    Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

    33 min

  2. Jun 18

    (Ep: 519) The Picture Book That Explains Honor Flights in a Way Kids Understand

    #JeffGottesfeld #HonorFlight #CandlewickPress #MattTavares #ChildrensBooks #PictureBooks #KidsLit #Veterans #HonorFlightNetwork #WashingtonDC #HistoryForKids #ReadAloud #LibraryBooks #BookInterview #Storycomic On this episode, I’m joined by award-winning children’s author Jeff Gottesfeld to talk about Honor Flight: Celebrating America’s Veterans, illustrated by Matt Tavares and published by Candlewick Press. The book releases March 3, 2026. The story introduces young readers to the real-life Honor Flight program (organized by the Honor Flight Network), which brings aging U.S. veterans to Washington, D.C. on an all-expenses-paid trip to visit the memorials built in their honor—and to receive the kind of homecoming many never got. Jeff brings a personal connection: he served as a Guardian on an Honor Flight in 2023, and Matt Tavares also participated as a Guardian. We talk about how you turn a powerful real-world experience into a kid-accessible picture book, what it means to write about service and memory without turning it into a lecture, and how illustration can carry emotional weight with restraint and dignity. The book also includes back matter for curious readers.   The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.  See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/     Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano  See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/     Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started:  https://www.podbean.com/storycomic     Follow us:  Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com  www.patreon.com/storycomic  www.facebook.com/storycomic1  https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/  For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com     Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devlin, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at:  https://marekbennett.com/  https://www.hexapus-ink.com/  https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/  https://www.vonallan.com/  https://higgins802.com/  https://shewstone.com/  https://www.simkikuznick.com/  https://www.dieboldcomics.com/  https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/  https://benjaminhunting.com/  https://www.rootstockpublishing.com/    Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

    24 min

  3. Jun 18

    (Ep 518): How Ursula Nordstrom Helped Build the Children’s Book Canon

    #NancyHudgins #BooksGoodEnoughForYou #UrsulaNordstrom #MiddleGradeBooks #ChildrensBooks #KidsLit #AbramsBooks #BookBiography #PublishingHistory #EditorsMatter #GoodnightMoon #CharlottesWeb #WhereTheWildThingsAre #HarrietTheSpy #Storycomic#NancyHudgins #BooksGoodEnoughForYou #UrsulaNordstrom #MiddleGradeBooks #ChildrensBooks #KidsLit #AbramsBooks #BookBiography #PublishingHistory #EditorsMatter #GoodnightMoon #CharlottesWeb #WhereTheWildThingsAre #HarrietTheSpy #Storycomic On this episode, I’m joined by debut author Nancy Hudgins to talk about Books Good Enough for You, a middle-grade biography of Ursula Nordstrom—the legendary children’s editor at Harper & Bros. who helped shape what “classic” kids’ books even means. The book publishes March 24, 2026 with Abrams Books for Young Readers. What makes this biography such a fun angle is the structure: Nancy doesn’t just tell Ursula’s life story—she shows what editors do by building chapters around the creation of iconic books Ursula championed, including Goodnight Moon, Charlotte’s Web, Where the Wild Things Are, Harriet the Spy, Stuart Little, In the Night Kitchen, and more. We talk about Ursula’s editorial superpowers—taste, nerve, and a fierce belief that kids deserve books with real honesty—and we dig into how Nancy uses Ursula’s own words so young readers can hear her voice on the page. Kirkus calls the biography a strong match for its “brave, funny” subject. If you love children’s lit, publishing history, or you’ve ever wondered how a great editor changes the world from behind the scenes, this conversation is for you. Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/   Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started: https://www.podbean.com/storycomic   Follow us: Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com www.patreon.com/storycomic www.facebook.com/storycomic1 https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/ For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com   Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devlin, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at: https://marekbennett.com/ https://www.hexapus-ink.com/ https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/ https://www.vonallan.com/ https://higgins802.com/ https://shewstone.com/ https://www.simkikuznick.com/ https://www.dieboldcomics.com/ https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/ https://benjaminhunting.com/ Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

    23 min

  4. Jun 11

    (Ep: 517) Editing Dissent: Sharon Darrow on Curating Voices Without Smoothing the Edges

    #SharonDarrow #RootstockPublishing #TheCountryInTheMirror #PoemsOfProtestAndWitness #Poetry #PoetryCommunity #ProtestPoetry #PoetryOfWitness #VermontPoetry #PSOV #SmallPressBooks #IndiePublishing #EditorLife #AuthorInterview #BookTalk #Storycomic   On this episode, I’m joined by Sharon Darrow — poet, educator, and award-winning author — to talk about her work and her newest Rootstock role as editor of The Country in the Mirror: Poems of Protest & Witness (Rootstock Publishing, April 21, 2026). Sharon has written widely for young readers and beyond, with acclaimed titles including Through the Tempests Dark and Wild (about Mary Shelley), The Painters of Lexieville, and TRASH, along with other award-recognized books and honors noted by Rootstock. We dig into what it means to edit an anthology that brings together nearly ninety poets in a time that demands attention, honesty, and craft. We also talk about poetry as witness, how writers decide what belongs on the page, and what Sharon hopes readers do with a book like this after they finish it. The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid. See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/   Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/   Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started: https://www.podbean.com/storycomic   Follow us: Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com www.patreon.com/storycomic www.facebook.com/storycomic1 https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/ For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com   Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devlin, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at: https://marekbennett.com/ https://www.hexapus-ink.com/ https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/ https://www.vonallan.com/ https://higgins802.com/ https://shewstone.com/ https://www.simkikuznick.com/ https://www.dieboldcomics.com/ https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/   Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

    28 min

  5. Jun 11

    (Ep: 516) Cryptic Signals, Paranoia, and the D-TALq Question

    #BenjaminHunting #DeadAirComic #DeadAir #IndieComics #ComicKickstarter #CrowdfundedComics #SciFiHorror #HorrorComics #SciFiComics #CollegeRadio #TimeSplitStory #MysteryComics #ComicCreator #IndieCreator #Storycomic Benjamin Hunting is back on the show to talk about Dead Air, his sci-fi/horror comic built around a killer idea: a ’90s university radio crew starts picking up something they can’t explain… and years later, their adult counterparts (in 2011) are still dealing with the fallout. The mystery is linked across time, and tied to the D-TALq technology that shaped their future. Issue #1 sets the stage with that split timeline and the central question: what exactly is reaching out through the static? Issue #2 deepens the paranoia as the crew follows cryptic signals that bring mortal peril and bigger questions—warnings, threats, or something stranger. Now Benjamin’s running a new crowdfunding push: the Kickstarter campaign for Dead Air #1–3 is live, with the campaign link routed through deadaircomic.com. We talk about building a long-form mystery with music at its core, how he structures “then vs. now” character arcs, and what it takes to keep an indie series moving while keeping new readers welcomed in. The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid. See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/   Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/   Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started: https://www.podbean.com/storycomic   Follow us: Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com www.patreon.com/storycomic www.facebook.com/storycomic1 https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/ For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com   Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devlin, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at: https://marekbennett.com/ https://www.hexapus-ink.com/ https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/ https://www.vonallan.com/ https://higgins802.com/ https://shewstone.com/ https://www.simkikuznick.com/ https://www.dieboldcomics.com/ https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/   Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

    27 min

  6. Jun 4

    (Ep: 515) A Forty-Year Story Where the Past Refuses to Stay Quiet

    #DonLesser #CrystalSprings #RootstockPublishing #LiteraryFiction #DebutNovel #FoundFamily #LoveOfPlace #FriendshipStories #PioneerValley #WesternMassachusetts #BookInterview #AuthorInterview #IndiePublishing #SmallPressBooks #Storycomic On this episode, I’m joined by author Don Lesser to talk about his debut novel, Crystal Springs — a work of literary fiction set in Western Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley, and driven by the love of place, found family, and friendships that last longer than we expect. At the center is Steven Bennett, an everyman trying to find his footing across a decades-long journey—while the past keeps pulling at his sleeve. As one early praise note puts it, “peril simmers beneath the surface,” and the book explores how a single decision can change a life’s trajectory in ways that don’t reveal themselves all at once. We talk about building a novel that spans time without losing emotional focus, how the Pioneer Valley shapes the characters, and what it means to write about the long game of memory, regret, and loyalty. Crystal Springs is published by Rootstock Publishing and is scheduled for May 5, 2026, with a launch event listed for May 13, 2026 at the North Amherst Library in Amherst, Massachusetts.   The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid. See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/   Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/   Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started: https://www.podbean.com/storycomic   Follow us: Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com www.patreon.com/storycomic www.facebook.com/storycomic1 https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/ For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com   Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devlin, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at: https://marekbennett.com/ https://www.hexapus-ink.com/ https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/ https://www.vonallan.com/ https://higgins802.com/ https://shewstone.com/ https://www.simkikuznick.com/ https://www.dieboldcomics.com/ https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/   Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

    29 min

  7. Jun 4

    (Ep: 514) John Holland Just Put 800+ Pages of Comics on Zoop (Here’s Why)

    #JohnHolland #DieBoldComics #Zoop #ZoopComics #DigitalComics #IndieComics #ComicBooks #ComicsPodcast #ComicCreator #ComicsCommunity #SupportIndieComics #PDFComics #CrowdfundedComics #Backlist #Storycomic John Holland is back on the show — and this time he’s doing something that’s both practical and pretty smart for readers: he’s launched The Die Bold Comics Digital Library on Zoop, a fundraising campaign that makes a big chunk of his catalog available as digital PDFs. The campaign offers 13 comics + 3 trades (over 800 pages) spanning horror, science fiction, crime, fantasy, superhero, slice-of-life, comedy, and drama. Single issues are priced at $5, trades at $10, with bundles and a “tip jar” option if you want to toss in a little extra support. We talk about why John chose Zoop for this run, how the digital-library approach changes the way readers can discover an indie creator’s backlist, and what it means to make comics that are already finished and ready to deliver as soon as the campaign ends. If you’ve ever wanted a low-barrier way to explore a creator’s work — this is it.   The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid. See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/   Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/   Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started: https://www.podbean.com/storycomic   Follow us: Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com www.patreon.com/storycomic www.facebook.com/storycomic1 https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/ For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com   Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at: https://marekbennett.com/ https://www.hexapus-ink.com/ https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/ https://www.vonallan.com/ https://higgins802.com/ https://shewstone.com/ https://www.simkikuznick.com/ https://www.dieboldcomics.com/ Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

    28 min

  8. May 28

    (Ep: 513) “Top Gun for Kids” With Real Emotional Stakes: Meet Jett Cooper

    #MelanieHill #JettCooper #MiddleGradeBooks #KidsLit #ActionAdventure #AviationBooks #FlyingStories #STEMReads #GriefInKidsBooks #ResilienceForKids #ComingOfAge #BookInterview #AuthorInterview #IndieBooks #Storycomic On this episode, I’m joined by author Melanie Hill to talk about her high-octane middle-grade novel Jett Cooper — an aviation adventure that puts you right in the cockpit, but still makes room for the heavy stuff: grief, fear, family pressure, and what it means to chase a dream when the adults around you are trying to keep you safe. The story follows Jett Cooper, a kid who lives to fly. After his father’s accident, his grieving mother bans “everything flying,” right as the Blue Wolf Junior Air Competition and a scholarship opportunity come into view. Jett’s determined to compete anyway — which means facing rivals (including a former best friend), earning the respect of a tough team lead, and learning fast that gravity always wins and mistakes in the air come with real consequences. Melanie also brings real authenticity to the conversation: she’s spent years around aviation, and she’s talked about the challenge of writing flying scenes so they stay fast and exciting without getting buried in technical detail. The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid. See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/   Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/   Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started: https://www.podbean.com/storycomic   Follow us: Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com www.patreon.com/storycomic www.facebook.com/storycomic1 https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/ For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com   Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at: https://marekbennett.com/ https://www.hexapus-ink.com/ https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/ https://www.vonallan.com/ https://higgins802.com/ https://shewstone.com/ https://www.simkikuznick.com/ https://www.dieboldcomics.com/ Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

    24 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

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This is your home for stories about comics or comic-based stories. We curate news and talk with storytellers and artists. We focus on children’s books, graphic novels, illustrations, and the people behind these works that bring joy and inquiry.

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