STUNNED - my reaction to the Eisner nomination

Yesterday, my literary agent, Rebecca Sherman, called. Being that it wasn't a scheduled call, it meant that it was either something really bad or really good. I braced myself. The nominations for the 2010 Eisner Awards had been posted and Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute had been nominated under the category of "Best Publication for Kids". Huh? I couldn't believe it. With so many great comics for kids being published? An Eisner? But that award is for really good comics. There must be a mistake. But no--it's true. Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute has been nominated for an Eisner Award. I was stunned. I am stunned. I've been on Cloud 10 ever since hearing the news.

For my friends in the children's book world, an Eisner Award is like the Newbery or Caldecott of comics. (Which is an ironic way of describing an award, since the Newbery and Caldecott often need to be explained to non-book people as the Oscars of children's books.)

There are some amazing books up for the award. In the category that LL is nominated, The Secret Science Alliance and the Copycat Crook is also up for an award -- and I love that book. Adore that book. And the comic creator up for the most awards? My former RISD professor, David Mazzucchelli. He was one of the most influential teachers I had. I took his comic book class in my last semester and the lessons that he taught on visual storytelling are implemented in my work on a daily basis. His book Asterios Polyp is brilliant and breathtaking. Perhaps I will get to see these old friends and more at the San Diego Comic Con, when the winners are announced at an awards gala.

To see all of the nominations, click here.

Here is a description of the Eisner Award from Comic Con International:

Named for acclaimed comics creator the Will Eisner, the awards are in their 22nd year of highlighting the best publications and creators in comics and graphic novels. The 2010 judging panel consists of academic Craig Fischer (associate professor of English, Appalachian State University), librarian Francisca Goldsmith (staff development instructor/consultant, Infopeople), reviewer John Hogan (GraphicNovelReporter.com), writer James Hudnall (Harsh Realm, The Psycho), and retailer Wayne Winsett (Time Warp Comics, Boulder, Colorado).

Ballots with this year's nominees will be going out in mid-April to comics creators, editors, publishers, and retailers. A downloadable pdf of the ballot will also be available online, and a special website has been set up for online voting. The results in all categories will be announced in a gala awards ceremony on the evening of Friday, July 23 at Comic-Con International.

Will Eisner was a comic book genius and a trailblazer. It is such an honor to be nominated for an award that is given in his name.