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Making Nonfiction Comics: A Guide for Graphic Narrative
The definitive guide to writing, drawing, and publishing nonfiction comics from award-winning creators Shay Mirk and Eleri Harris
Making Nonfiction Comics is an accessible guide to nonfiction comics perfect for graphic novel readers, writers, and of course, aspiring comics artists. This new classic is a must-have for readers of Scott McCloud’s Understanding Comics and Lynda Barry’s Making Comics.
Sarah Shay Mirk and Eleri Mai Harris, award-winning graphic journalists and longtime editors of the critically acclaimed graphic journalism site the Nib, have compiled the perfect field guide to graphic journalism while showcasing valuable skills and practices for creating nonfiction comics.
Mixing comics, prose, infographics, illustrations, and interviews with some of the world’s most influential nonfiction comics creators, Harris and Mirk introduce readers to nonfiction visual stories while also articulating the standards and ethics around blending traditional journalism with the visual language of comics. Featuring contributions from Derf Backderf, Box Brown, Thi Bui, Nicole Georges, Malaka Gharib, Nate Powell, Kristen Radtke, Victoria Ying, and more.
Making Nonfiction Comics is an accessible guide to nonfiction comics perfect for graphic novel readers, writers, and of course, aspiring comics artists. This new classic is a must-have for readers of Scott McCloud’s Understanding Comics and Lynda Barry’s Making Comics.
Sarah Shay Mirk and Eleri Mai Harris, award-winning graphic journalists and longtime editors of the critically acclaimed graphic journalism site the Nib, have compiled the perfect field guide to graphic journalism while showcasing valuable skills and practices for creating nonfiction comics.
Mixing comics, prose, infographics, illustrations, and interviews with some of the world’s most influential nonfiction comics creators, Harris and Mirk introduce readers to nonfiction visual stories while also articulating the standards and ethics around blending traditional journalism with the visual language of comics. Featuring contributions from Derf Backderf, Box Brown, Thi Bui, Nicole Georges, Malaka Gharib, Nate Powell, Kristen Radtke, Victoria Ying, and more.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published November 11, 2025
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92 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 27, 2025
My thanks to NetGalley and Abrams ComicArts for an advance copy of this graphic novel that serves as both an instructional and inspirational how-to guide in the art of creating, researching and editing nonfiction sequential art projects, with interviews from creators, and lots of down to Earth advice.
I have loved comics, comic strips and graphic novels for well most of my life. And for more of my life I have been let down by the fact that comic companies never really tried to reach their full potential. There were some Fantagraphics being one along with a few other who were willing to try new things. They were always treated as a niche market, one not worth pursuing for the big two Marvel and DC. Nor did the publishing industry care. They would print book versions of comic, comic strip collections, but original books were rare, a Maus here and there. I always felt that comics could do so much more. That it was a medium where complex ideas could be clearly shown, such as science or history, or even the emotional impact, real art with real people. The industry is still far behind but getting better, as this book shows, though written by creators who lost their platform, there is still hope for the idea of nonfiction comics. With the world the way it is, we sure have a need for it. Making Nonfiction Comics: A Guide for Graphic Narrative by Eleri Harris and Shay Sarah Mirk, is a guide to the aspiring graphic artist or writer who has an idea for a nonfiction story, with advice on how to acquire facts, how to tell the story, and strong, real advice from those who have traveled this way, and where it might go.
The book starts with background information from both creators, who did a lot of work on the on-line Political magazine The Nib. From there the book goes into the history or graphic storytelling, the ups and downs in history of this medium, before going into the practical. Both are writers, artists and editors, so the creators have seen this from both sides of the art board. The book is broken down into helpful areas. How to find things to write about, how a small article can become something bigger. Gathering the facts, and more importantly figuring out the way that the story can be best presented. How to collaborate between artist and writer, which can make or break a project. Fact checking, because nothing undermines a story more than mistakes. The process of editing, and finding a publisher or even self publishing. Each section is written and illustrated clearly, showing the power of sequential art in teaching, and giving hope and inspiration to young creators. The dash of reality comes from the interview with creators like Joe Sacco, who talk frankly about the art, the business and what happens next.
The creators worked for an on-line graphic political site, the Nib. Both worked in all forms of production, so the book it helpful in that not only have they walked the walk, they have also talked writers and artists off the ledge. The writing and art is very good, and helpful in many ways. A guide not just for graphic novels, but for any nonfiction writer. I liked the way they tried to inspire, as well as pointing out how hard the market can be. Added to this are some other creators, and their real-life experiences. One can read straight through, or jump around per section, but I found the writing so interesting and filled with things I never thought about in comic, that I learned quite a lot, even when I didn't expect too.
I remember reading Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics and being amazed by the work that went into comics. This is a great companion piece, as there is much about the market today and the technology that is used. Both want to inspire, and they do. I look forward to the many nonfiction graphic novels that will be coming in the next couple of years, many using this book as a road map. A really great book, perfect for the want-to-be-writer, and artist who want their graphic stories to be about more than capes.
I have loved comics, comic strips and graphic novels for well most of my life. And for more of my life I have been let down by the fact that comic companies never really tried to reach their full potential. There were some Fantagraphics being one along with a few other who were willing to try new things. They were always treated as a niche market, one not worth pursuing for the big two Marvel and DC. Nor did the publishing industry care. They would print book versions of comic, comic strip collections, but original books were rare, a Maus here and there. I always felt that comics could do so much more. That it was a medium where complex ideas could be clearly shown, such as science or history, or even the emotional impact, real art with real people. The industry is still far behind but getting better, as this book shows, though written by creators who lost their platform, there is still hope for the idea of nonfiction comics. With the world the way it is, we sure have a need for it. Making Nonfiction Comics: A Guide for Graphic Narrative by Eleri Harris and Shay Sarah Mirk, is a guide to the aspiring graphic artist or writer who has an idea for a nonfiction story, with advice on how to acquire facts, how to tell the story, and strong, real advice from those who have traveled this way, and where it might go.
The book starts with background information from both creators, who did a lot of work on the on-line Political magazine The Nib. From there the book goes into the history or graphic storytelling, the ups and downs in history of this medium, before going into the practical. Both are writers, artists and editors, so the creators have seen this from both sides of the art board. The book is broken down into helpful areas. How to find things to write about, how a small article can become something bigger. Gathering the facts, and more importantly figuring out the way that the story can be best presented. How to collaborate between artist and writer, which can make or break a project. Fact checking, because nothing undermines a story more than mistakes. The process of editing, and finding a publisher or even self publishing. Each section is written and illustrated clearly, showing the power of sequential art in teaching, and giving hope and inspiration to young creators. The dash of reality comes from the interview with creators like Joe Sacco, who talk frankly about the art, the business and what happens next.
The creators worked for an on-line graphic political site, the Nib. Both worked in all forms of production, so the book it helpful in that not only have they walked the walk, they have also talked writers and artists off the ledge. The writing and art is very good, and helpful in many ways. A guide not just for graphic novels, but for any nonfiction writer. I liked the way they tried to inspire, as well as pointing out how hard the market can be. Added to this are some other creators, and their real-life experiences. One can read straight through, or jump around per section, but I found the writing so interesting and filled with things I never thought about in comic, that I learned quite a lot, even when I didn't expect too.
I remember reading Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics and being amazed by the work that went into comics. This is a great companion piece, as there is much about the market today and the technology that is used. Both want to inspire, and they do. I look forward to the many nonfiction graphic novels that will be coming in the next couple of years, many using this book as a road map. A really great book, perfect for the want-to-be-writer, and artist who want their graphic stories to be about more than capes.
November 19, 2025
Advice for those who want to write comics, and for those who don’t know they want to
Don’t say you can’t do this. If you have an idea, you can make a zine or a comic book or a graphic novel. Even if you don’t know how to draw, you can at least make thumbnails. You can find a friend. But there should be nothing to stop you from sharing your ideas on a non-fiction comic book or graphic novel, or zine.
That is the whole point of this book. To teach you that the authors have learned from their many years of putting zines, comics and graphic novels together. There is a lot more than just drawing silly pictures. Here is the research. The thought process, how to scope out what you want to say. Getting feedback. Joining groups or classes. There is a whole world out there that would love to hear your story. There are a lot of authors interviewed for this book, and they all say sometimes it isn’t easy, but if you never write your story, you will never be able to share it.
Highly recommend this book. Easy to read. Well layer out interviews and comments, and ideas of how to start are throughout the book.
Don’t say you can’t do this. If you have an idea, you can make a zine or a comic book or a graphic novel. Even if you don’t know how to draw, you can at least make thumbnails. You can find a friend. But there should be nothing to stop you from sharing your ideas on a non-fiction comic book or graphic novel, or zine.
That is the whole point of this book. To teach you that the authors have learned from their many years of putting zines, comics and graphic novels together. There is a lot more than just drawing silly pictures. Here is the research. The thought process, how to scope out what you want to say. Getting feedback. Joining groups or classes. There is a whole world out there that would love to hear your story. There are a lot of authors interviewed for this book, and they all say sometimes it isn’t easy, but if you never write your story, you will never be able to share it.
Highly recommend this book. Easy to read. Well layer out interviews and comments, and ideas of how to start are throughout the book.
January 11, 2026
Overall this is a good book about the title topic. But be warned: the first half treats “nonfiction” and “journalism” as synonyms. So if your interests lie elsewhere, start reading with the chapter on memoirs. Even if you do want to explore 20th century news styles, you’ll probably need something more in depth than this, especially if you’re new to interviewing. However, when it gets good it really is good. The advice tends to be helpful, and there’s enough variety in the approaches to make it likely that you’ll find something that fits what you want to do and how you want to do it. A lot of the interviewees (and both the authors) are veterans of The Nib, so if you were a fan then this will feel like a reunion.
December 30, 2025
It is what the title says--it's literally all about making non-fiction comics. It was just as advertised and more!
Shay & Eleri did a great job breaking down the comic creation process--I like how they share their professional experiences and asked plenty of familiar faces throughout the industry to share their experiences. All the advice given by Shay, Eleri & other professionals were solid and explained well.
Amazing job with this book, Shay & Eleri! Be proud of this incredibly informative & important book!
Shay & Eleri did a great job breaking down the comic creation process--I like how they share their professional experiences and asked plenty of familiar faces throughout the industry to share their experiences. All the advice given by Shay, Eleri & other professionals were solid and explained well.
Amazing job with this book, Shay & Eleri! Be proud of this incredibly informative & important book!
November 9, 2025
Making Nonfiction Comics is the most informative book for anyone trying to create a comic. The skill share, pro tips, what you need, and articles by creators of nonfiction comics are filled with ideas for budding creators. The graphic narrative format makes it accessible for reluctant readers learning the craft. The step by step instructions plus the modeled examples turn the creation of comics into something that everyone can do. A must have for any creative writing classroom!
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October 2, 2025Booklist review pending
December 31, 2025
I haven’t loved a book about making comics this much since having my mind blown by Scott McCloud. A must for all autobio and graphic journalism creators.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews