We are incredibly excited to announce that Scribe will next year publish its first graphic novel, Two-Week Wait, co-written by Luke C. Jackson and Kelly Jackson, with artwork by Mara Wild.
Two-Week Wait takes its protagonists, Conrad and Joanne, on a difficult, expensive, and emotional journey through the world of IVF. They’re joined by a cast of friends, family, co-workers, and expert medical practitioners — experiencing the highs and the lows, the tears and the laughter, in this sensitive but unflinching portrayal of the hope and heartbreak offered to so many by modern medicine.
Senior editor David Golding says, ‘The creators are so talented, and have been wonderful to work with. Luke and Kelly take us intimately into the lives of their characters in a way that only fiction can, while Mara renders the story in expressive, dynamic art that’s reminiscent of Alison Bechdel. IVF touches the lives of so many today — in fact, one in 20 babies in Australia are now born through IVF.’
Scribe has also acquired two further book-length comics: a second graphic novel by the Jacksons, with comics artist Maya Graham; and a work of graphic nonfiction by Sam Wallman.
On Scribe’s move into book-length graphic works, Golding says, ‘These titles have been acquired from connections and opportunities that have arisen organically, but I think the timing does reflect the vitality of the Australian comics scene, as well as a greater interest in comics from readers in Australia and around the world. I am passionate about comics, and believe the combination of words and pictures is a powerful one, with infinite possibilities to produce books that matter.’
Two-Week Wait will be published in Australia in May 2021, and in the United States and in Britain in August 2021.