Upstander Comic/Graphic Narrative Award

ENTRY CALL FOR COMIC/GRAPHIC NARRATIVES

INCORPORATING LINDA STEIN’S 4Bs: Bully, Bullied, Bystander, Brave Upstanders

ANNUAL APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 1, 11:59 PM EST

WINNING ENTRY RECEIVES: $500 AWARD AND PUBLICATION

WINNER ANNOUNCED ANNUALLY ON MARCH 1

Entry Guidelines:

  • Comic/graphic narrative is titled Bee, the Brave Upstander. Bee must be the Upstander in your comic.
  • Comic/graphic narrative incorporates the idea of Linda Stein’s 4Bs: Bully, Bullied, Bystander, Brave Upstander
  • Each comic/graphic narrative includes at least one of Stein’s artworks as part of the visual and text storyline. Stein’s work should inspire an epiphany or change in a character. (To request hi-res images of Stein art for use in your comic, contact: studiomanager@lindastein.com)
  • Entries are geared toward ages 7-10 year old readers, created by a collaborative team or individual.
  • Comic/graphic narrative should be original work (not previously published).
  • Comic/graphic narrative should address becoming an upstander against ableism, sexism, racism, transphobia, homophobia, ageism, classism, colonialism, among other forms of oppression and discriminatory practices. The topic you choose should be based on your own lived experience.
  • Your story should show how impactful and hurtful bullying is on the main character and how Bee comes to be the protector leading to resolution.

Past Winners:

Bee the Upstander, comic book issue #1 was created by two college students: Mary McGing and Emma Walker.

Bee the Upstander, comic book issue # 2 was created by three college students: Sawyer Ames, Isabelle D’Amico and Abigail Joyce. HAWT and Linda Stein helped with its publication in Passage Magazine, October 2020.

Bee the Upstander, comic book issue # 3 was created by college student, Claire Boty.

Bee the Upstander, comic book issue # 4  was created by college student, Connor Imes.

Technical Entry Requirements:Page size: 8.5 x 11 inches

  • Include a Front Cover illustration with no text. (HAWT will add text later)
  • Include a Cast of Characters page.
  • Make sure your text is editable (NO HANDWRITING, NOT RASTERIZED/FLATTENED). You will be asked to note what type of font you used. If you used an unusual font, you will be asked to provide a link to the font so we may download it.
  • ONLY your storyline pages should be numbered 1 – __.
  • Consider your page composition and be sure to vary your cell sizes.
  • You should submit the pages as double-page spreads. Each individual page should be 8.5” x 11”, and double-page spreads should be 17” x 11”. HAWT may crop 1/8” edges of pages.
  • All images/pages should be 300 dpi.
  • Characters should be clearly distinguished. Their names should be written on their shirts.
  • Provide a three-sentence summary of your story.
  • CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT

Submit Here

Expectations:

  • Judges will include national scholars and comic book experts.
  • HAWT retains the right to edit, add explanatory pages, choose who will write each introduction, publish and promote the comic entry.
  • Comic book creator should have first-hand experience with the chosen theme, so that the Words from the Artist will connect the artist to the theme. See pp. 19-20 in Issue #4.

Questions? Contact HAWT@HaveArtWillTravel.org

Storyline Possibilities:

  • An experience that incites in Bee the courage to take action, to be an upstander.
  • Bee has an experience that brings self-awareness to ways racism, ableism, sexism, classism, and/or other discriminatory practices operate in the everyday.
  • Bee proudly identifies and empathizes with a queer crip (or another marginalized person).
  • Bee grapples with someone facing misgendering every day.
  • Bee invites someone to come to Stein Studio. This person engages in Body-Swapping by wearing one of Stein’s armor-like sculptures, and feels transformed and empowered to stand up to a bully for a previous hurt. Bee is supportive and encouraging.
  • The HAWT Team hopes that future issues of these comic books will focus more specifically on such themes as ableism, trans/homophobia, racism, sexism and beyond, so as to inspire readers to think about being kind to, and to stick up for, both themselves and anyone else being harassed and oppressed.

Comic Making Apps & Resources:

If you’ve never Body-Swapped in person at a Stein event, please spend time with these additional links, so you feel as if you actually wore a Stein avatar yourself: