Graphic novelist Nate Powell to speak in Fayetteville

“Come Again” by Nate Powell

New York Times bestselling graphic novelist and National Book Award winner Nate Powell will speak at the Fayetteville Public Library on Friday, Aug. 3 at 1 p.m. in the library’s Walker Community Room. Powell’s discussion will focus on his latest book, “Come Again,” named one of Publisher Weekly’s Top Ten graphic novels of Spring 2018 and set in a fictional hippie village in the Ozarks in 1979. A book signing will follow the discussion and books will be available to purchase.

In addition to the public talk, Powell will also lead a graphic novel writing workshop at 2:30 p.m. and will appear at Nightbird Books (205 W. Dickson St.) for a reading at 7 p.m.

All events are free and open to the public, but registration is required for the workshop.

Powell is the first cartoonist ever to win the National Book Award. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1978, he began self-publishing at age 14 and graduated from School of Visual Arts in 2000.

His work includes “March,” the graphic memoir trilogy of civil rights icon John Lewis; “You Don’t Say,” “Any Empire,” “Swallow Me Whole,” “The Silence of Our Friends,” “The Year of the Beasts,” and Rick Riordan’s “The Lost Hero.” Powell’s work has received a Robert F. Kennedy Book Award, three Eisner Awards, two Ignatz Awards, two Harvey Awards, the Michael L. Printz Award, a Coretta Scott King Author Award, four YALSA Great Graphic Novels For Teens selections, the Walter Dean Myers Award, and has been a two-time finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize.

Powell has discussed his work at the United Nations, as well as on MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show and CNN. His books have been placed on school curriculum in over 40 states, and his animated illustrations in the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Selma: The Bridge To The Ballot documentary will reach roughly one million students in 50,000 schools across the nation.

From 1999 to 2009, Powell worked full-time providing support for adults with developmental disabilities alongside his cartooning efforts. He managed underground record label Harlan Records for 16 years, and performed in punk bands Soophie Nun Squad and Universe. He lives in Bloomington, Indiana.

For more information, call 479-856-7207.