Join Award Winning Graphic Memoirist Maureen Burdock

At A Glance

When: Starting November 4, 2024

Weekly meetings: dates and time will be Mondays 7-9 pm Eastern

Where: Online via Zoom and in the SAW Mighty Network

Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Class size: Maximum 18

Cost: $1,199

Materials: A recommended materials list will be made available before the start of class.

A robust online, asynchronous sharing space will be established in the SAW network for the course as well.

Maureen Burdock

Healthcare and Comics

Graphic Medicine is at the confluence of two rivers: healthcare and comics. If you’re a fan (or already a creator) of comics that address mental, physical, or public health topics, then you know how powerful this genre can be!


In these twelve weeks, the members of this intimate class (limit of sixteen students) will explore the processes of creating graphic medicine. 


I’ve designed this course to inspire you; to give you a solid sense of community and sharper knowledge of context for your Graphic Medicine project; to untangle any snags you might encounter regarding content, form, and technicalities; and to help empower you to get that short comic or longform work out into the world, where it can do some good!


Graphic Medicine Deep Dive
In Detail

  • Do you want to raise public awareness about a disease, disability, or harmful societal practice?
  • Have you wondered if the process of creating a work of graphic medicine might open paths for healing yourself and/or readers?
  • Are you already crafting a comic or long-form work of this nature, but feel lost in the woods or a bit isolated?
  • Do you have questions about some of the technical aspects of creating printer- ready files?
  • Do you want to know how to self-publish your work of Graphic Medicine, and/or how to write a professional query letter and book proposal that will get your work noticed by an agent or publisher?


Did you say yes to (m)any of these questions?

Then this course is for you!

Before we begin, I will supply a reading list of some Graphic Medicine favorites.

During our weekly sessions:

  • We will discuss assigned Graphic Medicine texts to build a strong sense of context and to explore specific topics and approaches within the genre.
  • We will engage in productive group discussions to address your specific questions and interests.
  • You will have the option to create a 32-page comic over the course of our three months together, and we will workshop your comic in progress in a supportive, generative environment.
  • Towards the end of our deep dive, we’ll take a little time to talk about self- publishing options
  • We will discuss approaching agents and publishers, with two special sessions where we address writing professional query letters and book proposals.


Maureen's Reading List

Maureen will be speaking about these books, among others.

  • GM Scholarship:
    Graphic Medicine Manifesto, Introduction. A digital version will be supplied

  • GM books that deal with physical & mental illness:
    Stitches, David Small
    Hyperbole and a Half, Allie Brosh
    Mom's Cancer by Brian Fies

  • GM that deals with post-trauma:
    Letting It Go, Miriam Katin

  • GM that deals with gender & race:
    Becoming Unbecoming, Una
    American Born Chinese, Gene Luen Yang

  • GM that deals with aging:
    Can’t We Talk about Something More Pleasant, Roz Chast

Limited Enrollment

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Instructor

Instructor Bio:

Maureen Burdock, MFA, PhD, is the creator of 'Queen of Snails: A Graphic Memoir' (Graphic Mundi, 2022) and 'Feminist Fables for the Twenty-First Century' (McFarland, 2015). She is also the maker of numerous shorter comics contained in anthologies, including the opening piece in Eisner-Award-winning 'Menopause: A Comic Treatment'. Burdock has published a number of essays on comics, trauma, and memory. She was born in the Black Forest, Germany, and grew up on a steady diet of fairy tales and children's books. She moved to the Chicago area with her mother after first grade. She learned English quickly by challenging herself to read all of the children's books on the shelves of her local public library. Burdock won her first prize for an illustrated short story about two hot dogs who bravely escape from a frying pan…only to be carried off by a stray dog! The award included a personal meeting with a published children’s book author. Burdock knew then that her destiny was to become a writer and illustrator. She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with her wife and boxer dog.

Maureen Burdock

Instructor

FAQ

  • Is this course good for beginners?

    We don't recommend this program for people who consider themselves beginners in comics. Some understanding of comics and confidence in drawing is recommended to get the most out of this course.

  • Do I need to have an existing Graphic Memoir project?

    The short answer is no. In this course Maureen covers the basic principles of Graphic Medicine, which can be applied to new or existing projects. She will set exercises week to week to practice new skills, and provide opportunities for workshopping to give feedback on work in development.

  • Why is this class priced higher than the 4 week short courses?

    Graphic Medicine Deep Dive is uniquely designed to have maximum support from Maureen and course peers over 12 weeks. The price reflects not just the quality of the material and regular live calls, but the opportunity to expand your understanding and practice of Graphic Memoir in new ways. A 20% discount is available for existing SAW members (including members of the FLOW + PUBLISH group, the Graphic Memoir + Medicine group, and the Alumni Circle). Haven't seen the code in the network? Reach out to [email protected]