By Christopher Baggett
Publisher Random House has announced its plans for San Diego Comic-Con, including a number of panels and activations for fans to attend.
The weekend schedule is peppered with numerous signing events taking place at Mysterious Galaxy booth #1119. There’s also a variety of panels, including Fables & Fairy Tales, discussing how mythology relates to current fiction and Growing and Becoming, which focuses on coming-of-age storytelling and novels.
ATTENDING AUTHORS & ILLUSTRATORS
Alexandra Bracken / Silver in the Bone
Amanda Linsmeier / Starlings
Delilah S. Dawson / Camp Scare
Erin A. Craig / House of Roots and Ruin
Gina Chen / Violet Made of Thorns
Jeffrey Brown / A Total-Waste of Space Time!
John Gallagher / Max Meow Book 4: Taco Time Machine
Jose Pimienta / Twin Cities
Lincoln Peirce / The Tower of Time (Max & The Midknights Book 3)
Lucas Turnbloom / Steve L. McEvil and the Second Wind
Margaret Owen / The Grimoire of Grave Fates
Misa Sugiura / Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind
Rachel Ignotofsky / What’s Inside a Flower?
Sarah Sax / Picture Day
LITERARY PROGRAMMING & SIGNING SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 19
PRE-SDCC PUBLIC LIBRARY EVENTS
WRITER’S TALK FEATURING CHILDREN’S AND YOUNG ADULT AUTHOR MISA SUGIURA
Wednesday, July 19 | 5:00 – 6:00 PM | Mission Valley Library (2123 Fenton Parkway, San Diego)
Description: Come meet author Misa Sugiura, who will be reading and signing her latest middle-grade fantasy book Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind. This book is perfect for young fans of the Aru Shah and Fablehaven series. This special event is presented by the Library Shop and is part of Comic-Con @ San Diego Public Library programming. FREE and open to all.
YA SUPERSTAR ERIN A. CRAIG & DEBUT AUTHOR AMANDA LINSMEIER AT THE MISSION HILLS-HILLCREST/KNOX BRANCH LIBRARY
SAN DIEGO PUBLIC LIBRARY EVENT: ERIN A. CRAIG AND AMANDA LINSMEIER
Wednesday, July 19 | 7:00 – 8:00 PM | Mission Hills/Hillcrest Knox Library (215 W. Washington St., San Diego)
Description: Blockbuster YA fantasy author Erin A. Craig (Sisters of the Salt series) & debut YA fantasy author Amanda Linsmeier share the stage at the Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Knox Branch Library for a free in-conversation event & book signing. This is a free event open to the public. The Library Shop SD will be on hand to sell copies of both books.
THURSDAY, JULY 20
MISA SUGIURA BOOK SIGNING
Thursday, July 20 | 10:30 – 11:00 AM | Mysterious Galaxy Booth #1119
FABLES AND FAIRY TALES: NEW SPINS ON OLD STORIES
Thursday, July 20 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Room 23ABC
Description: In the age of Percy Jackson, stories rooted in mythology, folklore, legends, and fairy tales have never been more popular, but these tales as old as time often need some refreshing to remain relevant to today’s readers. Join authors Alexandra Bracken (Silver in the Bone; Lore), Erin A. Craig (House of Roots and Ruin), Misa Sugiura (Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind), and Amanda Linsmeier (Starlings) as they discuss adapting beloved and familiar stories and into captivating novels for a modern audience. Moderated by Gina Chen (Violet Made of Thorns).
POST-PANEL SIGNING: 1:30 – 2:30 PM | AA09
GINA CHEN BOOK SIGNING
Thursday, July 20 | 3:00 – 3:30 PM | Mysterious Galaxy Booth #1119
ALEXANDRA BRACKEN BOOK GIVEAWAY & SIGNING
Thursday, July 20 | 3:30 – 4:30 PM | Book World Booth #1515, Table #1
Meet the author and receive a signed copy of Silver in the Bone while supplies last!
ALEXANDRA BRACKEN BOOK SIGNING
Thursday, July 20 | 4:45 – 5:30 PM | Mysterious Galaxy Booth #1119
FRIDAY, JULY 21
FANTASTIC ADVENTURES
Friday, July 21 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Public Library
Description: STE(A)M teacher Nichole Santangelo, Franco Aureliani (Fae and the Moon), Odunze Oguguo, aka Whyt Manga (Apple Black), Lucas Turnbloom (Steve L. McEvil and the Second Wind), Gabriel Valentin (Digital Lizards of Doom) and F.C. Yee (Chronicles of the Avatar) explore exercising imaginations and engaging passions with graphic novels with Middle School Teacher Lisa Harrison.
POST-PANEL SIGNING: 12:00 – 12:30 PM | San Diego Public Library, Terrace
ADVENTURES FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
Friday, July 21 | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Room 24ABC
Description: Inspiring the next generation is a huge responsibility! Join Alexandra Bracken (Silver in the Bone), Jim Di Bartolo (Billie Blaster and the Robot Army from Outer Space), Shannon Messenger (The Keeper of the lost Cities Series), Laini Taylor (Billie Blaster and the Robot Army from Outer Space), Margaret Owen (The Grimoire of Grave Fates), and Comic Con Special Guest Mariko Tamaki (I am Not Starfire) as they discuss the power and joy that goes into crafting strong heroines for future generations. Moderated by Librarian Judy Prince-Neeb.
POST-PANEL SIGNING: 1:00 – 2:00 PM | AA09
ERIN A. CRAIG BOOK SIGNING
Friday, July 21 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Mysterious Galaxy Booth #1119
GROWING AND BECOMING
Friday, July 21 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Public Library
Description: Protagonists’ coming-of-age experiences include grappling with family dynamics, identity and mental health, border community life, tween and teen milestone moments, and body image, offering readers opportunities to see themselves or gain insights into others’ experiences. Tina Lerno (Digital Content Librarian and Comics Specialist, Los Angeles Public Library) and creators Deb JJ Lee (In Limbo), Jose Pimienta (Twin Cities), Dan Santat (A First Time for Everything), and Victoria Ying (Hungry Ghost) share these tales of growing and becoming.
POST-PANEL SIGNING: 1:00 – 1:30 PM | San Diego Public Library, Terrace
ERIN A. CRAIG BUY-ONE-GET-ONE BOOK SIGNING
Friday, July 21 | 3:00 – 4:00 PM | Book World Booth #1515, Table #2
Purchase an early on-sale exclusive copy of House of Roots and Ruin and receive a free paperback of House of Salt and Sorrows while supplies last!
ALL TOGETHER NOW: FIND YOUR VOICE!
Friday, July 21 | 3:00 – 4:00 PM | Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Public Library
Description: Whether it’s community stories centered around kindness, friendship, and unity or exploring the way voices have power to share stories, express individuality, and spark change, graphic novels offer stories to connect and inspire. Christina Taylor (Youth Services Consultant, Texas State Library and Archives Commission) shares how these themes resonate in the works of Samuel Sattin (Buzzing), Sarah Sax (Picture Day), and Special Guest Steenz (Lost and Found (Book #2 of Heart of the City)) and more.
POST-PANEL SIGNING: 4:00 – 4:30 PM | San Diego Public Library, Terrace
MARGARET OWEN BOOK SIGNING
Friday, July 21 | 4:30 – 5:30 PM | Mysterious Galaxy Booth #1119
SATURDAY, JULY 22
RELUCTANT READERS: HOW TO ENCOURAGE YOUR KIDS TO READ
Saturday, July 22 | 10:00 – 11:00 AM | Room 25ABC
Description: Do you have a reluctant reader at home? Are you searching for ways to encourage your kids to read more? Join authors Max Brooks (Minecraft: The Island), Delilah S. Dawson (Camp Scare), Lincoln Peirce (Max and the Midknights), Sarah Sax (Picture Day), and Evelyn Skye (Princess Private Eye), as they talk about both the joys and challenges of raising a reader and how to best connect with your family through reading.
BOOK NERD CHALLENGE: AN AUDIOBOOK GAME SHOW
Saturday, July 22 | 10:00 – 11:00 AM | San Diego Central Library, Neil Morgan Auditorium
Description: Calling all book nerds! Join your host Marc Thompson (legendary Star Wars audiobook narrator) in an interactive game show where contestants compete with each other to buzz in first and name. that. audiobook. Featuring Penguin Random House authors Wesley Chu (The Art of Prophecy, The Art of Destiny), Erin A. Craig (House of Salt and Sorrows, House of Roots and Ruin), Genevieve Gornichec (The Witch’s Heart, The Weaver and the Witch Queen), and Margaret Owen (The Merciful Crow, The Grimoire of Grave Fates).
A SCARE IS BORN
Saturday, July 22 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Room 7AB
Description: Erin A. Craig (House of Roots and Ruin), Johnny Compton (The Spite House), Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Silver Nitrate), Chuck Tingle (Camp Damascus), Catriona Ward (Looking Glass Sound, Little Eve) and Comic Con Special Guest Junji Ito (Junji Ito’s Cat Diary, Tomie) are creepin’ it real as they discuss all that goes bump in the night and all the tricks and treats of writing horror. Moderated by Librarian Judy Prince-Neeb. Make sure to handle with scare!
POST-PANEL SIGNING: 1:30 – 2:30 PM | AA09
WRITING AND PUBLISHING GRAPHIC NOVELS
Saturday, July 22 | 12:30 – 1:30 PM | Room 10
Description: Calling all aspiring authors and illustrators! Join graphic novelists Sarah Sax (Picture Day), Jose Pimienta (Twin Cities), Lincoln Peirce (Max and the Midknights), Max Brallier (The Last Comics on Earth), and John Gallagher (Max Meow) for an in-depth look at the graphic novel writing and publishing process, from initial concept and outline to finding an agent and working with an editor. If you’ve ever thought about writing or publishing your own graphic novel, or if you’ve ever wondered about what goes into the process, this is not a panel to miss! Moderated by Lucas Turnbloom (Steve L. McEvil and the Second Wind).
POST-PANEL SIGNING: 2:00 – 3:00 PM | AA07
LINCOLN PEIRCE BOOK GIVEAWAY & SIGNING
Saturday, July 22 | 5:00 – 6:00 PM | Book World Booth #1515, Table #1
Meet the author and receive a signed copy of The Tower of Time (Max & The Midknights Book 3) while supplies last!
SARAH SAX & JOHN GALLAGHER BOOK GIVEAWAY & SIGNING
Saturday, July 22 | 6:00 – 7:00 PM | Book World Booth #1515, Table #2
Meet the authors and receive signed copies of their middle grade graphic novels Max Meow: Cat Crusader and Picture Day while supplies last!
THE BUZZY BOOKS OF 2023
Saturday, July 22 | 7:00 – 8:00 PM | Room 9
Description: The penguins are in the house and they have the perfect new book rec for you! Join Penguin Random House staff Brittanie Black (Publicist, PRH Audio), Andrew Taets (Marketer, Penguin Publishing Group), Matthew Sciarappa (Marketer, Knopf Doubleday), Vedika Khanna (Senior Editor, Ten Speed Press), Jordan Pace (Senior Publicist, Del Rey), and Lili Feinberg (Publicity Manager, Random House Children’s Books) as they preview the buzziest books of the year! Moderated by Marc Thompson.
SUNDAY, JULY 23
KIDS DRAW SUPERHEROES!
Sunday, July 23 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Room 11
Description: A panel of amazing artists from comics, graphic novels, and animation will each work with kids from the audience one on one to design an original superhero (or villain) in just five minutes, based on random superpowers chosen from a list! It’s fast and furious, and as many kids as we can squeeze in will go home with an original piece of art! And everyone in the audience will be encouraged to draw along and show off their skills! With Lucas Turnbloom (Steve L. McEvil), Justin Thompson (Peanuts), Jeff Ranjo (Head of Story, Netflix Animation), Frank Jordan (Company Man Comic), Marty Davis (Animator & Illustrator), and more!
GET YOUR KNIVES OUT: THRILLERS AND MYSTERIES
Sunday, July 23 | 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM | Room 5AB
Description: Grab your magnifying glass and ready yourself for a twisted web of lies, espionage, and high-stakes suspense. In this program, Angeline Boulley (Warrior Girl Unearthed), Marie Lu (Stars and Smoke), Meriam Metoui (A Guide to the Dark), and Margaret Owen (The Grimoire of Grave Fates) discuss their secret to penning complex and compelling mysteries and thrillers that will leave you guessing to the very last page. This program will be moderated by Katy Rose Pool (Garden of the Cursed).
POST-PANEL SIGNING: 12:45 – 1:45 PM | AA09
MYSTERIOUS GALAXY BOOTH SIGNING: JOHN GALLAGHER BOOK SIGNING
Sunday, July 23 | 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM | Mysterious Galaxy Booth #1119
Miss any of our earlier SDCC ’23 coverage? Find it all here!
