The New York Center For Independent Publishing Launches SPLAT! A Graphic Novel Symposium, Saturday March 15th

SPLAT! A Graphic Novel Symposium will take place on Saturday, March 15 at the New York Center of Independent Publishing (NYCIP) in Manhattan, with keynote speaker Scott McCloud . The NYCIP is a non-profit educational program (part of the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen) dedicated to promoting and supporting independent publishers across the United States.

Graphic novels are becoming increasingly popular, creating a groundswell of excitement and interest. Addressing the graphic novel's considerable impact on the public consciousness, the SPLAT! Symposium, organized by the NYCIP, will provide an intensive educational forum for the publishing community, educators, librarians, and people eager to find out more about the comics universe. It will also supply prospective creators with a unique opportunity to learn what it takes to be a graphic novelist.

The conference will feature a number of movers and shakers from the graphic novel world, including: Scott McCloud (one of the most influential and highly regarded cartoonists in the country, who will be the Symposium’s keynote speaker); Jim Killen (Barnes and Noble); David Saylor (Scholastic), Raina Telgemeier (The Baby-Sitters Club), Ted Rall (Attitude), CB Cebulski (Marvel Comics); Bob Mecoy (Bob Mecoy Literary Agency); R. Sikoryak (The Seduction of Mike); Nick Bertozzi (The Salon);and Charles Brownstein (CBLDF).

SPLAT will consist of three different tracks of panels, seminars and workshops designed for the publishing industry, would-be creators, and librarians, to be followed by the SPLAT Gala Reception. The first track will feature panels, including "Who Reads Graphic Novels?" and "How to Get Published;" the second trackwill consist of hands-on workshops such as "Storytelling" and "Where to Start with Art;" and the final library-oriented track will include seminars on "Using Anime & Manga to Light the Fire in Your Young Adult Collection" and "Defending Your Graphic Novel Collections from Challenges and Censorship."

The cost of the day-long Symposium will be $125; this will include lunch and the Gala Reception with the keynote speaker, Scott McCloud. SPLAT will take place at the NYCIP, The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, 20 West 44th Street, New York City. For more information regarding the Symposium and registration, contact the NYCIP at 212-764-7021, visit www.nycip.org or email Karin Taylor at nycip@nycip.org.

The New York Center for Independent Publishing was established in 1984 to help independent publishers reach a wider audience for their books, and to provide information and draw public awareness to the offerings of these presses. The Center encourages excellence and free expression in publishing and writing through workshops, lectures, book fairs, exhibits, conferences and special programs.