* * * Countdown to BookExpo * * * BEA to Feature Graphic Novel Saturday

Graphic novels have emerged as one of the book industry's hottest formats, and BookExpo America (May 28 - June 1, in Los Angeles) has designated May 31 as Graphic Novel Saturday at the show. Related events will include educational and author-related sessions. In addition, new for 2003, BEA will also host a Graphic Novel Pavilion on the show floor.

Doug TenNapel

Marjane Satrapi

Joe Sacco

Saturday's graphic novel events begin with "Shelving & Selling Graphic Novels: A Treasure Map for Booksellers" from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. This session will help booksellers assess, buy, and merchandise graphic novels. Calvin Reid, news editor at Publishers Weekly, will moderate the panel featuring Paul Constant of Elliott Bay Books; Chris Oliveros, publisher of Drawn & Quarterly, and Rory Root, proprietor of Comic Relief.

Publishers and distributors of graphic novels and manga will share their thoughts, tips, and successes at the session "The Graphic Novel Youth Seen: What Works," from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Kuo-Yu Liang, vice president of sales and marketing at Diamond Book Distributors, will moderate the panel featuring Rich Johnson, director of book trade sales for DC Comics; Stu Levy, founder and CEO of TokyoPop; and Larry Price, vice president of Ingram Library Services.

From 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Calvin Reid will host "Understanding the Adult Literary Graphic Novel Milieu," featuring Dan Frank, publisher of Pantheon; Gary Groth, publisher of Fantagraphics; Terry Nantier, publisher of NBM; and Chris Oliveros, publisher of Drawn & Quarterly. This panel will explore the various sub-genres of literary graphic novels, subject headings, in-store merchandising, consumer profiles, what's hot, and what's on tap for the future.

BEA attendees will have the opportunity to hear from some of the hottest new author/illustrators at "BEA's Afternoon With Graphic Novelists," from 3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Participants will include Doug TenNapel, author of Creature Tech (Top Shelf Productions); Marjane Satrapi, author of Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood (Pantheon); and Joe Sacco, author of The Fixer (Drawn & Quarterly).

Neil Gaiman

"From Comic Book Writer to New York Times Bestseller" will feature Neil Gaiman, graphic novelist, finalist for the 2003 Book Sense Book of the Year Award for Children's Literature for Coraline (HarperCollins), and winner of a 2002 Hugo Award for American Gods (HarperCollins). His upcoming works include the first new Sandman book in seven years, The Sandman: Endless Nights (DC Comics) and, with artist Dave McKean, a graphic novel for all ages, The Wolves in the Walls (HarperCollins Children's Books). Gaiman will talk about his writing experiences and will read The Wolves in the Walls, accompanied by a slide show. A Q&A will follow. This session will run from 4:30 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

For more information about BEA programming and registration information, click here.