Get an inside look at the creative process behind writing and illustrating a graphic novel from Seth Martel, author of The Mare. Seth will take aspiring authors through how The Mare came to be, from conception to pitch to publisher. Steeped in the nostalgia of lazy summers and mixtapes, concert tickets and coffee, The Mare is a YA graphic novel about friends, family, and finding one’s way―with a touch of the supernatural and a powerful, surprising twist.

Seth's debut graphic novel was published in 2023 by Graphic Mundi, an imprint of Penn State Press. Here's what Publisher's Weekly said about this spooky coming-of-age story: "Centering conflicts both fantastical and mundane, Martel delivers a tale redolent in suspense and earned plot twists." 

Copies of the graphic novel will be available for purchase and signing thanks to Megabrain Comics. 

About The Mare: 

While she battles her own demons during the day, Indigo’s nights are haunted by something much darker. Everyone else may be enjoying the summer, but Indigo’s life isn’t going so well. Her dad’s marriage just ended in a very public divorce, and now he’s drinking again. Indy barely graduated from high school, she just lost her job, and she doesn’t know what to do with her life. The stress is causing her nightmarish sleep paralysis―or so she thinks.

Steeped in the nostalgia of lazy summers and mixtapes, concert tickets and coffee, The Mare is a story about friends, family, and finding one’s way―with a touch of the supernatural and a powerful, surprising twist.

About the Author:

Born and raised in the Hudson Valley, Seth has his BFA in Graphic Design from SUNY New Paltz. He's been working in design and illustration for over 20 years. From crisp and clean layouts to Halloween haunted house set painting, Seth loves collaborative, diverse, and creative projects. Visit his website: https://sethchristianmartel.com/