The definitive guide to writing, drawing, and publishing nonfiction comics from award-winning creators Shay Mirk and Eleri Harris. Artist Nate Powell says it’s "absolutely essential reading.”
Making Nonfiction Comics is an accessible guide to nonfiction comics perfect for graphic novel readers, writers, and of course, aspiring comics artists. This new classic is a must-have for readers of Scott McCloud’s Understanding Comics and Lynda Barry’s Making Comics.
Sarah Shay Mirk and Eleri Mai Harris, award-winning graphic journalists and longtime editors of the critically acclaimed graphic journalism site the Nib, have compiled the perfect field guide to graphic journalism while showcasing valuable skills and practices for creating nonfiction comics.
Mixing comics, prose, infographics, illustrations, and interviews with some of the world’s most influential nonfiction comics creators, Harris and Mirk introduce readers to nonfiction visual stories while also articulating the standards and ethics around blending traditional journalism with the visual language of comics.
The book debuts in November 2025 and I’m open to doing talks and workshops anywhere that wants to host an event about making nonfiction comics! Get in touch: mirkdrop@gmail.com.
Book Tour 2025 - West Coast and East Coast
✑ October 27 - Online talk - Drawing Resistance: Graphic Rage and Making Nonfiction Comics with Aubrey Hirsch • 4-5pm PST/7-8pm EST, free or by donation
✑ November 1 - Seattle - Short Run Comix Festival, Seattle Design Center, 11am-6pm, free
✑ November 2 - Seattle - Event at Charlie’s Queer Books, 1-2pm
✑ November 6 - Portland - 🎉 🎉 Book launch and party at Literary Arts, 6:30-8pm, ASL interpreter attending, free
✑ November 8 - Portland - Panel on nonfiction comics at the Portland Book Festival, $18 ($5 if you’re on SNAP)
✑ November 9 - Portland - Portland Zine Symposium!, PSU Smith Ballroom, 11am-5pm, free
✑ November 11 - New York - Event at Everyone Comics (41-26 27th St, Long Island City) 7pm
✑ November 12 - Philly - Event at Partners and Son with guest friend Steve Teare, 7pm, free
✑ November 14 - Boston - Event at Porter Square Books (Seaport location!!) with Sanika Phawde and in partnership with BCAF, 7pm, free
✑ November 15 - Burlington - Nonfiction Comics Fest, Fletcher Library, 11am-6pm, free
✑ November 17 - St. Johnsbury, VT - Event at Tunnel Books, 6pm, free
✑ November 21 - New Paltz, NY - Zine workshop at Little Loaf, 6:30-8pm, free
✑ December 6-7 - Boston - MICE, 11am-6pm, free
✑ December 11 - San Francisco - Event at Silver Sprocket, 7pm, free
✑ December 16 - Ojai, CA - Event at Bart’s Books with Lucy Bellwood, 6pm, free