As we reported back in October, the Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT), a membership group of librarians within the American Library Association, will be curating a list of the best graphic novels for adults. Similar to the well-established Best Graphic Novels for Teens list sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), this list will feature recommended titles in both fiction and non-fiction.

The inaugural list will be announced at the 2021 Mid-Winter conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Here’s what you need to know, if you want to nominate a title:

  • Eligible graphic novels for the 2020 Best Graphic Novels for Adults will include all fiction and non-fiction titles published between September 1, 2019 – December 31, 2020 that would appeal to adults age 19 or older.
  • Nominations can be made by committee members, members of the wider library and education community and members of the public through an online form.
  • The nomination form is open now until September 15, 2020.
  • List selection will be determined by a committee of GNCRT members with a background in graphic novel selection and use for adults.
  • Publishers may submit review copies to the committee. Details are available in the official press release.

While this isn’t a major award like the Newbery or Caldecott medals, these type of lists are used as selection and recommendation tools by librarians who might be new to the category, and they spotlight many titles which might otherwise go unnoticed.

While the format of the adult list has not been described, it will probably follow that of YALSA’s: a Top 10 list of the best titles, with about 300 titles on the long list. (The final number depends on the number of titles submitted, the number which qualify, and those which are recommended.) YALSA’s list is very diverse; comics publishers are represented alongside traditional book publishers, a variety of genres and subjects are represented, and smaller presses can be found in the longlist.

To view past Great Graphic Novel for Teens lists, click here.

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