HOW I PUBLISHED A GRAPHIC NOVEL
AS AN AUTHOR
—AND HOW YOU CAN TOO

A GUEST POST BY LYDIA LUKIDIS

 

 

THE INSIDE SCOOP:

If you’re an author dreaming of publishing a graphic novel but you’re “just” the writer, I’ve been there—and I’m here to say it can be done, though it may be challenging. My graphic novel Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog (book 1- Pancake Panic) hit shelves on July 15^th, and it’s the culmination of a journey that began way back in grade five when I was editor of my elementary school newspaper, Pizzazz. Inspired by Garfield comics, I created a grouchy comic strip character who—believe it or not—started as a dog named Squeak. Years (and many revisions) later, he evolved into Groucho, the grumpy groundhog crime-fighter of Critter Creek.

 

 

 

The road to publication wasn’t quick. It took about three years to fully develop Groucho’s character before I even began scripting the book. For this book, character came before plot—I had to know exactly who Groucho was before telling his story. The manuscript itself took about a year to write, and the second volume came a bit quicker at eight months.

 

As a writer only, submitting a graphic novel can be tricky. Publishers often prefer to work with author-illustrator packages, since GNs are labor-intensive. After receiving a helpful rejection from a major publisher, I decided to take that feedback and apply it to my work. Then I decided to team up with an illustrator. I already knew and admired Tara—she’d illustrated a previous book of mine, No Bears Allowed—and when I pitched Groucho, she jumped onboard and created character sketches and sample pages. That collaboration was key. Keep in mind, she did all that for free so she had to feel passion for the project. She took a chance, as did I. Anytime we submit our work, we’re taking a chance. That’s part of the journey.

 

 

 

Tara and I both have agents, and they submitted the project together. We included a thorough proposal: character sketches, a synopsis, a chapter breakdown, and sample spreads. After some rejections and radio silence, we got an offer from Andrews McMeel Publishing six months later. It was a two-book deal. I found out while sitting at my daughter’s swim meet at 9 pm—proof that publishing news rarely arrives at a glamorous moment!

 

Here’s the truth: being the author-only of a graphic novel means your advance may be smaller than the illustrator’s. That’s fair—illustrators spend months, even years, creating visuals. But I was thrilled just to bring Groucho to life. The revision process, which included input from critique partners, agents, and editors, was extensive and collaborative. And though I obsessed over formatting (there’s no one “right” way), clarity and consistency are key when writing a GN script.

 

 

 

So, if you’re writing a graphic novel without illustrating it, don’t give up. Find a creative partner, lean into feedback, be patient, and keep submitting. It took me about five years from seriously diving into graphic novels to selling my first one. And remember that rejection isn’t failure—it’s redirection. Every “no” sharpens your “yes.” Keep going!

 

 

BIOGRAPHY:

Lydia Lukidis is an award-winning author of 60+ trade and educational books for children. Her titles include UP, UP HIGH: The Secret Poetry of Earth’s Atmosphere (Capstone, 2025), DANCING THROUGH SPACE: Dr. Mae Jemison Soars to New Heights (Albert Whitman, 2024), and DEEP, DEEP, DOWN: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench (Capstone, 2023) which was a Crystal Kite winner for the Canada and North America division, Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express Honor, a Cybils Award nominee, and winner of the Dogwood Readers Award.

 

A science enthusiast from a young age, Lydia now incorporates her studies in science and her everlasting curiosity into her books. Another passion of hers is fostering a love for children’s literacy through the writing workshops she regularly offers in elementary schools across Quebec with the Culture in the Schools program. Lydia is represented by literary agent Miranda Paul from Aevitas Creative Management.

 

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BUY THE BOOK:

Here’s a link for U.S. purchases.

https://bookshop.org/p/books/groucho-the-grouchy-groundhog-volume-1-lydia-lukidis/21883985?ean=9781524898397&next=t&affiliate=1688

Here’s a link to Lydia’s fave bookstore for Canadians:

https://livresbabarbooks.com/item/pTAB62uRFDrUgOXAvK0QEQe

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Website: http://www.lydialukidis.com/

Blog: https://lydialukidis.wordpress.com/

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Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lydialukidis.bsky.social