» Swapping Genders with my Ex: We saw our future in each other—one where both of us would change.

» Bras: What Are My Options? A humor writer and a cartoonist try to solve the problem of uncomfortable bras once and for all.

All of our classes are sliding-scale and we have free spots available for people who can’t afford the price—get in touch if you’d like to request a free spot!

• Queer Economies of Care with Gili Rappaport and Joaquin Golez // How do queer folks keep each other alive, fed, housed, and laughing—especially when the system isn’t built for us? This six-week class blends queer theory and comics with creative writing and drawing, transforming stories of queer survival and care into comics and zines. Sundays, Nov. 2 - Dec 7, from 10am-12pm PST/1pm-4pm EST

• Autobio Comics Workshop with Al Benbow // Want to make a comic about your life? Al will go over examples of autobiographical comics, the process of making authobio comics, how to ethically include other real people in your comics, and discuss the self as a character. By the end of the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to create and share a short autobio comic of their own. Thursday, November 13, 4-6pm PST/ 7-9pm EST

• Intro to Digital Drawing with Procreate: Do you have an iPad but feel intimidated by drawing on it? This workshop led by Audra McNamee will support you in learning tips and tricks to illustrate in the app Procreate. Saturday, November 15 from 9-11am PST/12-2pm EST.

• Facing the Blank Page - Creating Comics When You’re Afraid of Drawing: Are you interested in comics but think you could never draw your own? Join the club! This extremely encouraging, low-stakes class starts with drawing blobs to help you face anxiety around drawing. January 24 – March 14, on Saturdays from 10am-12pm PST/1pm-3pm EST.

Aubrey Hirsch got started creating comics about systemic sexism and feminist frustration back at The Nib in 2017. Since then, she’s created illustrated essays on important issues for outlets like Vox and The New York Times and won a National Endowment for the Arts grant, all while also publishing her own work in a very popular newsletter. Now, Aubrey is celebrating the release of her first book, Graphic Rage: Comics on Gender Justice and Life as a Woman in America. This week, Aubrey discussed how the book came together in an online talk Crucial hosted on the topic of “drawing resistance.”  

How are you feeling about the release of your book at this particularly horrible political moment? 

Aubrey: I'd had people asking me for a while, “When are you gonna have a book?” It took me some time to figure out how to do it right. I'm just really pleased with the book. I've been hearing from a lot of people who've said it made them feel more validated in their anger or made them feel empowered with things that they could do in their own lives, which is exactly what I'm trying to do. In these dark times, we really all need to rage out together. This is my contribution to that goal.

Crucial’s publisher Shay Mirk is heading out on book tour in November to celebrate the release of a new book called Making Nonfiction Comics: A Guide to Graphic Narrative. The book, which Shay co-authored with Eleri Harris, details how to create your own nonfiction comics, from journalism to memoir. You can preorder the book through Crucial to support our work!

• Anyone looking to publish a graphic novel: Fieldmouse Press is now open for submissions! This nonprofit comics publisher prints a small selection of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry comic books each year. Submissions open Nov. 1.

• People of Boston who love food! Super rad artists Mariah Rose Marie and Shaina Lu are leading a series of free cooking, comics, and collage workshops on the Boston University campus in November. Eat up this opportunity to make zines about tasty food.

• Are you working on a sci-fi comic? The Otherwise Fellowship offers two $500 grants to support “creators from communities that have been historically underrepresented in the science fiction and fantasy genre and those who are working in media other than traditional fiction.” The deadline to apply is December 15.

• Australian literary magazine Island is looking for pitches for its 2026 graphic narratives issue. The pay rate for eight-page comics is $1600 (nice!). The magazine takes submissions from people in Australia and New Zealand and Australians living abroad. The deadline is November 5.

Crucial Comix is supported by the Sequential Artists Workshop. Thanks friends!

This newsletter is written by Shay Mirk. If you have comics or opportunities you think we should feature, email Shay at [email protected]. 💌