Comics Journalism Writing and Editing
I specialize in writing and editing non-fiction comics about history, politics, and identity. Comics are a great way to make thorny and complicated topics accessible to a wide audience. To create a nonfiction comic, I typically do research and interviews, then adapt that reporting into a comic script. I either illustrate the comic or work with an artist to create a collaborative comic. In 2014, I talked with the Nieman Lab about how comics can bring new audiences to narrative nonfiction. Since 2017, I’ve worked as a contributing editor for The Nib, writing and editing reported comics.
This page includes selected clips. Read many nonfiction comics I’ve written and drawn over at The Nib.
“what’s in a name?”
the nib - Published november 2023
In this personal comic, I share my process of coming to identify as nonbinary and reflect on the creation of gender roles in U.S. culture. This comic was shortlisted for 2023 Cartoonist Studio Prize.
“My uterus always felt like a burden. Then I found out it might need to be removed.”
The Washington Post - Published March 2022
I wrote and drew this memoir comic after being diagnosed with a genetic disorder that leaves me at higher risk for uterine cancer. Grappling with the diagnosis and the prospect of getting a hysterectomy, I reflected on the relationship many people have with their uteruses.
“Pandemic Pets Got Us Through - Now They Need Our Help”
NPR - Published june 2021
I talked to animal shelter workers, therapists, scientists, and dog parents about the pandemic pet boom, the hidden network of animal relocation around the country, and how new dog-owners can reduce stress.
“INVULNERABLE: INEQUITY AMID THE PANDEMIC”
REVEAL - PUBLISHED JUNE - AUGUST 2020
With the team at Reveal, I helped write and edit this series of nonfiction comics based on interviews with people across the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States at a moment when the wealth divide was at record levels: millions of people living paycheck to paycheck, uninsured and unhoused, in a country that is home to the most billionaires in the world. Illustrated by Thi Bui, In/Vulnerable is a comics series that captures both the shared experience of the pandemic and the ways it has laid bare the stark disparities that shape our lives. This series won the 2021 RFK Human Rights Journalism Award in the Cartoon category.
"Grocery WORKERS ARE ESSENTIAL - AND FEELING THE STRAIN”
NPR - PUBLISHED APRIL 2020
As During the COVID-19 pandemic, I surveyed more than 30 grocery workers about their experiences on the job. While grocery workers are seen as essential, they’re paid an average of $11.50 an hour and many don’t have paid sick leave. The comic was published by NPR.
“Haunted by Unwanted Clothes”
Patagonia - Published August 2020
During the pandemic, I cleaned out my closet and realized there weren’t many options for ethically getting rid of clothes. This is an environmental issue—textiles make up about seven percent of the trash in the country, which means 16 million tons of textiles wind up in landfills every year. Patagonia’s The Cleanest Line site asked me to report on the problem through my own experience.
"what does wonder woman actually represent?"
THE NIB - PUBLISHED MAY 2017
As a story editor at graphic journalism outlet The Nib, I recruit artists, edit their scripts, and also research and write original nonfiction comics myself. This comic, illustrated by Lucy Bellwood, delved into the history of Wonder Woman and what she has represented as an icon over her decades on the page and screen. The challenge with this comic was to present Wonder Woman in a fresh way—she's such a well-known character, my job as a writer was to highlight perspectives on her history that would be interesting to Wonder Woman newbies and hardcore fans alike.
"declassified: the secret lives of guantanamo's women"
Symbolia Magazine • Narratively • PEN America
This comic started with a coffee date. A veteran named Laura asked to meet up to talk about her time working at the Guantanamo naval base. She felt very conflicted and confused about the months she spent living at the U.S.'s most internationally infamous prison and wanted to use art to tell her story. Together, we created the script for this comic sharing the experiences of her and another veteran. Originally created for Symbolia magazine, it was republished by PEN America in 2017. A print copy of the comic is in the Object Stories collection of the Portland Art Museum.
"THE invention of monogamy"
the nib, november 2017
Americans tend to think of monogamy as part of human nature—but actually it's a rather recent invention! Based on the research of numerous anthropologists and historians, This comic illustrated by Isabella Rotman lays out how social and economic factors led to the creation of monogamy as a norm for married women. It quickly became the most popular piece I've ever written.