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A Brief Bio or Personal Summary
Colleen Frakes has been making comics since 2001. She was a member of the inaugural class of the Center for Cartoon Studies, and was awarded a Xeric Grant to publisher her book "Tragic Relief" in the fall of 2007. In 2009, her second graphic novel "Woman King" won the Ignatz award for Promising New Talent. In 2009 she also invented the "National Graphic Novel Writing Month Challenge" (based on NaNoWriMo) and completed a 100 page graphic novel within 30 days both in 2009 and 2010. In 2011 her comic "Island Brat" was published with help from Koyama Press. Clients include Mirage Studios (Tales of the TMNT), Dark Horse Presents, Seven Stories Press and Retrofit Comics. In her free time she works in a library.
Personal Facebook URL
www.facebook.com/colleen.frakes
Publishing History
Yes, by a publishing company
Influences & Inspirations
My favorite cartoonists are Lynda Barry and Linda Medley. Mentors have included author Bill Ransom and cartoonist Stephen Bisette. Organizations I have worked with or admire include The Center for Cartoon Studies, Alice Blue, Oily Comics, Secret Acres, Koyama Press, Retrofit Comics, Paper Rocket. I owe a lot of my comics research to the Seattle Public Library, McNeil Island Historical Society and Washington State Archives.
What are you currently working on?
I'm currently working on a collection of my short comics and anthology pieces that I plan to self-publish later this spring. Also finishing up two graphic novels, "Basket Ogress" an all-ages story based on Pacific Northwest folklore, and "Island Brat" about my experiences growing up in McNeil Island WA, home to America's last island prison.
Why should people vote for you?
While I have been published by companies, my work has been largely self-published since 2001 and I remain dedicated to the small press movement. I have proven in that time that I can create consistent, complete and award-winning comics content on a variety of subjects. I am determined to continue self-publishing without the help of crowdfunding sites, and voting for me would help that cause.
Colleen Frakes
