Since 1997, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (ALA) Conference has announced the upcoming slates, signatures and panels of the 2025 American Conference of Library (ALA) guests, signatures, panels, in anticipation of meetings held by multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning publishers of groundbreaking comic and graphic novels. It will be held from Friday, June 27th to Monday, June 30th, with signatures from Creators Brian Gonsal (Dracula’s Brunch Club), Matt Heagherty (Indoor Kid), Ben Khan (Mr. Muffins: Star Defender), Maia Kobabe (Gender Queer: Memoa), Meredith McCullen (Meat Eater), Joey Way Epper (Meat Ether), Razor (Meat), Veyer Ata. The first 100 librarians at the booth from Friday to Sunday will receive an arc, bookmarks, badge ribbons and a free queer oni prestote bag starting on Sunday! *
Ahead of ALA, Oni Press released a trailer focused on the entirely new ALA for Dracula’s Brunch Club. This is a hilarious new graphic novel by debut authors Brian Gonsar (Twisted Tales of Scary Stories: Warewolves) and Keenan Gaybba. Brian Gonser, co-creator of Dracula’s Branch Club, will be holding a Donut Brunch in Ara on Sunday, June 29th at booth #418. You want to miss it.
Next, joining Oni’s respected talent, we will talk about the comics and creative process with Meredith McClallen (Meat Eaters) at the Philadelphia Marriott, Franklin 11 on Saturday, June 28th at 10:30am on the Philadelphia Marriott, Franklin 11, on panels such as Scary Sisters: A Library to Support Female Creators in Horror Comics. “Booklist Graphic Novel Panel, Part II” featuring Matt Hagerty (Indoor Kid) at 1:30pm on Saturday, June 28th at 1:30pm on the graphic novel and game stage. “Power up your pages with epic supernatural and superhuman graphic novels” with Brian Gonzal (Dracula’s Branch Club), Matt Heagerty (Indoor Kid), Meredith McClellen (Meat Eaters), Ben Kahn (Mr. Muffins: Star Defender), Joey Weiser (June 11th and June 29th Graph at at at at at at at at at the Retrest Fighter). On Sunday, June 29th, at 12:30pm, on the stage of Chapter 1, he joined Brian Gonder (Dracula’s Brunch Club) to “The Art of Building a Bridge between a Debut Middle Grade and Young Adult Writer.”
And Oni’s special guest, genderqueer creator Maia Kobabe, said, “GNCRT Friday Forum: Why Graphic Novels?” Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 118 AB Defending Graphic Novels at 2pm at 2pm? “Freedom to read the Foundation President’s Program: Fight for the Right to Read Freely” on Saturday, June 28th at 1pm at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Then, on Saturday, June 28th, at 2:30pm, he was on the actual Page Turner Stage, “It’s prohibited together.
Check out the Oni Press ‘Full ALA 2025 schedule!
Friday, June 27th
2pm – 3pm: GNCRT Friday Forum: Why graphic novels? The Value of Graphic Novel Advocacy at Schools in the Era of Censorship Featured by Maia Kobabe (Gender Queer: Memoirs)
Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 118 AB
Saturday, June 28th
9am – 10am: Sign Ark at Oni Press booth #418 to meet Brian Gonzaru (Dracula’s Brunch Club)
10:30am – 11:20am: Meet Maia Kobabe (Genderqueer: Memoirs) oni Press Booth #418
10:30am – 11:30am Panel: Scary Sisters: A Library to Support Female Creators with Horror Comics
Location: Philadelphia Marriott, Franklin 11
Horror often tackles “other.” “Other people” are those that evoke fear and disgust and are perceived as different, foreign, or monsters compared to the standard. This panel explains how female comic creators, such as writers, artists, and editors, can use horror as a lens/mirror to reflect and criticize social issues regarding gender, race, sexuality and other topics. Why do women make horror comics? Why do women read horror comics?
The role of libraries in collecting horror comics helps to highlight the influence of female creators in horror comics. By displaying their work, libraries help these creators contribute to the horror genre and support how they challenge and redefine the genre. Libraries can also support independent publishers or self-published creators of women-created horror comics.
Featuring Meredith McClallen (Flesh Eater), Jasmine Wall, Faith Erin Hicks, Sandy King and Tilly Walden
Lizzy Walker, Associate Professor of Metadata & Digital Initiative, Wichita State University Library
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Meet Ben Khan (Mr. Muffins: Star Defender) Signed copy at Oni Press Booth #418
1pm – 3pm: Join Ala Gncrt Magical Tea and hear from Dracula’s brunch club writer Brian Gonzaru!
Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, 202 AB
1pm – 2pm: Freedom to read the Foundation President’s Program: Fight for the Right to Read Freely
Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 107
Since its founding in 1969, the Freedom To Read Foundation (FTRF) has had a significant impact on the rights of free people to read freely. First Amendment litigation is the primary action to achieve results in the fight against censorship, and that is our expertise. FTRF President Sofia Sotille joins a panel of prominent guests, including author Maia Kobabe, to discuss their rights to the First Amendment, how they appear different in different sectors, and how our staff, members and colleagues deal with the challenges of intellectual freedom. The program will gain each other’s support and foundation support and expertise, leave knowledge of how to move forward and tackle these issues. Whether you’re a longtime member or being featured in the FTRF for the first time, our mission is clear.
1:30pm – 2:30pm: See Joey Weiser (The Littlest Fighter) at ONI Press Booth #418 Signed Copy
1:30pm – 2:20pm: Booklist Graphic Novel Panel, Part II
Location: Graphic Novel/Game Stage (Booth #2062)
Join BookList on the #ReadGraphic panel featuring creators of your favorite publishers at the ALA annual meeting in Philadelphia, ET on Saturday, June 28th at 1:30pm. Booklist books for youth and graphic novel editor Sarah Hunter lead a conversation with creator Matt Hayjati (Indoor Kid at ONI Press). Colleen Af Venable (Junie B. Jones: a graphic novel from the Random House Children’s Book); Brian “Smitty” Smith (Transformers: The Worst Bot of All Time – Meet a Ballpoint Pen from Skybound Entertainment). Scott Campbell (Tundra Books Cabin Head and Treehead). Stay tuned for the free books you sign right after the panel!
2:30pm – 3:20pm PM banned together: protecting diverse stories in an age of censorship
Location: Actual Page Turner Stage (Booth #2435)
Join editor Ashley Hope Perez and contributors Nicky Grimes, Kelly Jensen and Maia Kobabe to have a banned, insightful conversation together. The collection brings together the voices of 15 legendary YA authors and illustrators, each of which explores high stakes questions about what is lost when the book is protected from its teens. With strong reflections on the importance of personal narratives, clever comebacks to censorship and access to diverse narratives, the program underscores the urgency of advocating for intellectual freedom. Don’t miss this important discussion about the battle for empowering and freedom to read and empowering young readers.
Moderated by Sally Morgridge, editor of Banned Together (Holiday House, Executive Editor)
3pm – 4pm: Meet Matt Heagherty (Indoor Kid) Singing the Chapbook at oni Press Booth #418
4:00pm – 5:00pm: Meet Meredith McLaren (Meat Eaters) Signature Copy oni Press Booth #418
Sunday, June 29th:
9am – 11:00am: Join the Donut Brunch at ONI booth #418 and meet author Brian Gonzal to meet Dracula’s Brunch Club pre-copy
*Donuts while supply lasts long
Meet Maia Kobabe signing a genderqueer copy from 11:30am to 12:30pm: Hoopra Booth’s Memoir #939
11:30am to 12:20pm: Panel: Power up your pages with epic supernatural and superhuman graphic novels!
Location: Graphic Novel and Game Stage (Booth #2062)
Have you ever wondered what gives a vampire the energy to live forever? (Hint, it’s a sweet treat!) Or how can sports skills that go beyond your life can change your life? (Spoilers, slam dunk ahead!) Or what happens if I wake up as an undead member? (These answers aren’t left buried.) What if your pet corgi were cosmically driven? (Walking tail to rescue!). Or what happens if your small stature hides a large combat energy? (Fight in the store!) Find all of this, including Brian Gonzaru (Dracula’s Branch Club), Matt Heagherty (Indoor Kid), Meredith McClalen (Meat Eaters), Ben Karn (Mr. Muffins: Star Defender), Joey Weiser (Litterest Fighter) and more, including Experts such as Exporation.
Moderated by Grace Scheipeter, senior editor at ONI Press.
12:30pm – 1:30pm, page panelist power to sign at the Oni Plins booth #418 Matt Hagerty (Indoor Kid), Meredith McClarren (Meat Ethers), Ben Khan (Mr. Muffins: Star Defender), Joey Weiser (Little Strike Fighter) and Oni Plins Booth #418
12:30pm – 1:20pm Panel: The Art of Bridge Construction with Debut Middle Grade and Young Adult Writers
Location: Chapter 1 Stage (Booth #112)
There are many challenges as well as the opportunities new authors face when connecting with their readers and the literary community. Join Brian Gonzal (Dracula’s Branch Club), Stan Yang (Many of Eugenia Wang’s misfortunes), Jess Currans (In between), and Shana Talgos (Underwild) to share insights into creating authentic, diverse narratives, building supportive networks, and connecting people in a constant, enlightening world.
Toronto Comic Arts Festival, Executive Director and Amy Wright hosted
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Genderqueer Copy Signed by MEINA KOBABE: Memoirs of ONI Press Booth #418
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