Team Work Makes the Dream Work Part 1

These days, it seems that most comics publishers and literary agents in America are looking only to work with author-illustrators, aka creators who can do it all, from writing a great story to illustrating the entire book from thumbnail to design to color to lettering, etc. This new work model feels antithetical to the olden days of comics-making when various experts contributed their talent to making the final product. What are the motivations behind this shift and what are the advantages and challenges of working collaboratively vs. solo?

KidLitGN is excited to speak with two teams of comics collaborators to get their thoughts!

This interview features Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma, created by Melanie Lee and Arif Rafhan, an award-winning, middle-grade, action-packed, funny, and heartwarming comic book trilogy that celebrates family and acceptance, while introducing children to concepts of ageing and dementia.

How did you guys come to work together? What is the latest project you collaborated on?

Melanie: Arif and I had previously worked on an illustrated short story collection titled Imaginary Friends and found we both “got” each other’s ideas quickly. Such creative “clicking” is too rare and precious! As such, when I had the idea to write the Amazing Ash and Superhero Ah Ma series, he was the first illustrator I approached.

What is your collaborative process? 

Arif: My responsibility starts with understanding and dissecting Melanie’s script and coming up with layout sketches & pagination; something like a storyboard. When we found the right flow and a strong approach, I’d then start with the penciling, inking and so forth. Of course, changes will be made as we go through the pages with our editors who are there to ensure that the story is told in the best way possible.

Melanie: Yes, it’s pretty much like a relay race at the beginning where I do the writing first, and then Arif continues by working on the artwork. The final part is where we’re both trotting together (along with our editor), making adjustments to make sure everyone’s on the same page within every page!

What are the advantages and challenges of working collaboratively vs. solo?

Arif: For us, it has become a comfortable collaboration as this is not our first rodeo. We understand each other’s strength and this allows us space for improvisations and to add a personal touch. For a wholesome family story such as Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma, two minds are better than one as we’re both also parents and it helps to bounce ideas around and make sure that the story is also well-received by our own children.

Melanie: For me, creating a comic book is only possible with a collaboration given my illustration skills are minimal. I’m actually very amazed that most of Arif’s panels are often how I “see” the story in my head while writing it. 

Was there an incident when you guys had a creative difference, and how did you overcome it together?

Arif: I don’t remember any fights, that’s for sure! Of course we had different perspectives for some scenes, but we would usually have a discussion and come to a decision about what is best for the story. 

Melanie: I can’t remember a particular one either. There were some instances where I could have been clearer in the directions while writing the manuscript, but I also really liked seeing how Arif would sometimes add his own visual touches to the scenes which brought out even more emotional depth or humour to the story.

You two have collaborated on several books. Did your collaborative process change overtime? If yes, how?  

Arif: I realized that we could work faster and read each other’s minds better. There would sometimes be some nuances that we would include on our own, and they would turn out to be a perfect fit as they strengthened the vision that both Melanie and I have in terms of the story’s universe and visual delivery respectively.

Melanie: This was especially the case with the Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma trilogy. By the end of Book 1 we had “stabilised” the characters and voice, so it was a much smoother process working on Book 2 and 3 and I really enjoyed this creative synergy. 

Where do you get your inspiration?

Arif: I draw my influence heavily from Peyo, the creator of The Smurfs. His strokes emulate innocence and I try to capture that essence for this book series.

Melanie: For the Amazing Ash and Superhero Ah Ma series, my sources of inspiration were Sophie from Howl’s Moving Castle and the Landlady from Kung Fu Hustle.

What advice do you have for creators who want to work in teams?

Arif: Make sure all collaborators share the same vision, objectives, and hope for the project. When you are in sync, the workflow becomes smoother and more fun!

Melanie: Give space to your collaborator to do their “own thing” in certain aspects, even as you’re also working together towards a particular creative vision.

If you want to learn more about the creators and their work, please go to:

Melanie Lee (@melanderings)

https://melanielee.sg/

Arif Rafhan (@arifrafhan)

https://arifrafhan.wordpress.com/

Find the Amazing Ash and Superhero Ah Ma series here:

https://differenceengine.sg/comics/amazing-ash-superhero-ah-ma-bundle/

 

FIRST ANNUAL SOUTH JERSEY CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL

A Smashing Success!
One for the books!

On April 13, 2024, in the historical borough of Haddonfield, New Jersey, one bookstore owner, one professor of creative writing, two children’s book authors, and one screenwriter (me) organized the first-ever South Jersey Children’s Book Festival to showcase the great variety of works for children by South Jersey and Philadelphia area authors and illustrators. The theme was CELEBRATING FREADOM!

15 awesome authors accepted the invitation to attend! Cece Bell, Liz Montague, Jamar
Nicholas, Donna Gephart, Amy Tan, Megan Atwood, I.W. Gregorio, Matt Phelan, and more are in our all-star literary lineup.


45 tireless volunteers from Rowan University, Haddonfield Memorial High School, Bellmar School, etc. generously donated their time and energy to make the event a reality. 


Over 500 attendees came and celebrated!

 
The amazing CeCe Bell delivered the keynote speech and spoke about how her life has changed since winning Newbery Honor for EL DEAFO and what her experience was like having her work adapted to an animated original series! (Victoria Jamieson was in the audience! Happy surprise!) 


Three illustrators gave drawing demonstrations. A room full of excited kids and grownups drew with them.

A panel of diverse authors discussed the effects of book banning on readers, authors, and society! They spoke passionately about why the freedom to read is so important to young people and how book banning has affected their personal lives and careers.


Megan Atwood, an associate professor in the Ric Edelman College of Communication & Creative Arts (Edelman CCCA) and the author of nearly 70 books for young readers, said the festival was created to highlight and celebrate the awesome diversity of books for young people. “We talk about how reading can provide windows and mirrors. In mirrors, kids can see themselves in works of art as heroes. In windows, they can see how other people walk in the world.”


The festival emphasized the important and varied voices in children’s literature at a time when access to books in some parts of the U.S. has been challenged. In 2022 alone, the ALA reports, “Censors targeted a record 2,571 unique titles, a 38% increase from the 1,858 unique titles targeted for censorship in 2021.”

The authors advised that in addition to buying challenged books and attending book festivals, readers can help protect their access to books by participating in local government, attending school board and municipal meetings, and voting.