Graphic Novel Contest for Kids and Teens 2022

Kids and Teens are invited to create their own comic stories and submit them to the Salinas Public Library.  Running from April 4, 2022 – June 18, 2022, the Salinas Public Library’s Graphic Novel Contest is open to kids and teenagers from the Monterey County area. Prizes and art supplies will be awarded to the winners.

Submission Guidelines

• Open to Kids and Teens, 1st – 12th grade.

• Limited to a maximum length of 15­­ pages, including cover page.

• Entries should be submitted as PDF, JPEG, PNG, or physical paper.

• Submissions must be the original work of the submitting author, no copyrighted material.

• Open to all subjects and themes.

• Entries should be library appropriate.

• Salinas Public Library reserves the right to reproduce your work.

• One entry per participant.

• Consider submitting a photocopy as submissions are non-returnable.

• Submission deadline is Saturday, June 18, 2022

• Open to Monterey County residents.

How to Submit Your Graphic Novel (3 Ways to Submit)

1. Complete a Submission Form online (You need a Gmail account to submit it this way).

2. Print an Entry Form (PDF) for in-person submission. Turn it in to one of the library branches along with a copy of your graphic novel entry. 

3. Email Entry Form (PDF) and a copy of your graphic novel entry to Luis.Manzo [at] ci.salinas.ca.us

Judging

Entries will be judged on overall story, originality, creativity, and illustrations by a panel of library and community professionals.

Art Group and Prizes

• 1st – 4th School Grade - Art supplies awarded to 1st, 2nd place, and 3rd place.

• 5th – 8th School Grade - Art supplies awarded to 1st, 2nd place, and 3rd place.

• 9th – 12th School Grade - Art supplies awarded to 1st, 2nd place, and 3rd place.

Winners will be announced on Wednesday, June 22, 2022.

What else is happening at the Library?

Create a Storyboard for Your Graphic Novel, Live Virtual Interview/Workshop
12:00PM, Friday, April 15, 2022 through Zoom.
Library staff will interview Mat Heagerty and Steph Mided, creators of Martian Ghost Centaur, on their process for creating a storyboard for their graphic novel. This interview will be through zoom, participants will be encouraged to ask questions and participate in the interview process.  The target audience for this workshop is K-12 students.
Check out Mat Heagerty's and Steph Mided's Instagram pages.

Character Design, Live Interview/Workshop
4:30PM, Friday, May 13, 2022 through Zoom
Library staff Jax Mendoza, character designer and library marketing specialist, will be presenting on how to create your own characters for your comics.  This interview will be through zoom, participants will be encouraged to ask questions and participate in the interview process.  The target audience for this workshop is K-12 students.
check out Jax Mendoza's Instagram page.

Everything you need to know to create your own graphic novels reading list
Salinas Public Library staff have created a reading list that will help you to create your own graphic novel.  Visit the Salinas Public Library and use your library card to check these books out.
Reading list: Everything you need to know to create your own graphic novels.

For more information contact Luis at Luis.Manzo [at] ci.salinas.ca.us (subject: Graphic%20Novel%20Contest%20for%20Kids%20and%20Teens%2C%202022)