Master the Art of Publishing Graphic Novels

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Graphic novels and comics is one of the fastest growing sectors of publishing. Driven in part by Japanese manga and anime, they are becoming more mainstream and can represent a significant growth opportunity for companies. For children, young adults and adult readers, they can include TV and film tie-ins, as well as original works.

With the success of Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper series and many titles being listed for or awarded literary prizes, graphic novels are gaining new audiences. Globally, the comic book and graphic-novel market was estimated to be worth over $520 million in 2024.

This one-day course covers all aspects of producing graphic novels, from ideas and concepts through quality control and sensitivity reads.

Who is it for?

Anyone who is considering launching a graphic novel list or who wants to publish a graphic novel. This includes:

Artists
Business development executives
Commissioning editors
Designers
Editorial assistants, assistant editors, editors
Freelancers
Production staff
Publishers
Publishing directors
Writers

What will you achieve?

On completing this course you’ll be able to:

Think about what you need to set up and start a graphic-novels list
Be able to argue for starting or taking on graphic novels within your organisation
Understand all the steps involved in creating a graphic novel, from start to finish

Programme

Day one

Introduction & background

History of comics and graphic novels
Developments and trends in the UK now

The Editor’s role

Different roles
Acquiring and commissioning
Business strategy

Editorial processes

Big publishers versus small indies
Working with creatives
Digital versus traditional methods
Genres
Planning and scheduling

Day two

Hands-on/in practice

Practical examples of editing pages
In-depth analysis of artwork
Works in translation
Sound effects
Quality control and sensitivity reads

Sales, Press and Marketing

Comic cons and literary festivals
Successful campaigns
Social media

How the course is delivered

The course consists of four sessions, each a mixture of delivery and interaction using Zoom breakout rooms and other online tools. There will be 15-minute breaks between sessions with the opportunity to do exercises and take a break. The course will run on the same day across two weeks, split into two half-day sessions in the morning from 9am to 12.30pm.

You will need to activate a free Zoom account to join the course. This takes two minutes and does not require any payment. It is purely for administrative purposes.

Any information to be completed beforehand will be sent via email.

Accessibility

Please contact us at with any accessibility or special requirements, for example having in-session captions or the learning materials sent to you in advance.

If you have any concerns about technical requirements or access please contact us on or telephone (+44) 020 8874 2718.

In-house training

This course is also available for in-company training, either virtually or in person at your office. Course content is tailored to suit your requirements. Group sizes range from five to twelve attendees. To find out more, email or telephone +44 (0)20 8874 2718.

What is included?

Certificate

Upon successfully completing the course you will receive a completion certificate from PTC.

About the tutor

emma hayley

Emma Hayley is Founder and Managing Director of SelfMadeHero. Established in 2007, the publishing house specialises in graphic novels. Emma has won several awards, including a Nibbie for UK Young Publishing Entrepreneur of the Year and Tripwire magazine’s UK Indie Press of the Year. In 2025, she was inducted into Broken Frontier’s Hall of Fame. Before publishing, she worked in journalism and film PR.

Session 1: 20 November 2025 | Session 2: 27 November 2025 (mornings only)

Dates

Thursday, 20 November 2025

£360+VAT

Date information for future sessions

November 2025

Dates: 20 & 27 November
Times: 9.00am to 12.30pm

Course format

Virtual course
9am to 12.30pm
Four x 1.5-hour sessions plus breaks, comprising two half-day sessions on two days, one week apart.

A number of discounts are available

Enrol on this course

What you will need

To join the course, you will need access to a computer, tablet or laptop with a camera and microphone. You will need to activate a free Zoom account to join the course. This takes two minutes and does not require any payment. It is purely for administrative purposes.

Enrol on this course

If you would like more information about this course please contact us at .

Please only complete this form if you want to book a training place.

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