Skybound Announces Author Programming with The New York Public Library This Summer

Tillie Walden, Faith Erin Hicks, Matt Braley & Ainsworth Lin, Sarah Graley & Stef Purenins, Brian “Smitty” Smith & Marz Jr. to Host Author Talks

Acclaimed Skybound talent Tillie Walden (writer/artist, Clementine Book Three), Faith Erin Hicks (writer/artist, Universal Monsters: The Mummy), Matt Braly (writer, Family Force V), Ainsworth Lin (artist, Family Force V),Sarah Graley (writer/artist, Pizza Witch), Stef Purenins (writer/artist, Pizza Witch), Brian “Smitty” Smith (writer, TRANSFORMERS: Worst Bot Ever – Meet Ballpoint!), and Marz Jr. (artist, TRANSFORMERS: Worst Bot Ever – Meet Ballpoint!) will be on hand to speak about their new and upcoming work published through Skybound and Skybound Comet, an imprint of Skybound aimed at Young Adult (Ages 12+) and Middle Grade (Ages 8-12) audiences, but sure to captivate readers of all ages.

“We’re very excited to team up with the NYPL to spotlight the incredible creators behind everything from zombie survival and pizza magic to monster mysteries and ambitious bots,” said Alex Hargett, Director of Brand, Editorial at Skybound. “These talks offer a fun and engaging way for readers everywhere to connect with the talent bringing these unforgettable stories to life. We’re so proud to support libraries as essential spaces for discovery, imagination, and community.”

“We are excited to host these author talks with Skybound to highlight not only the up and coming comics our patrons will surely be excited to get their hands on, but also all of the comics that our patrons, both young and old, can access for free with their Library card,” said Tabrizia Jones, Young Adult Senior Librarian for The New York Public Library.

Copies of the Clementine trilogy, Family Force V, Pizza Witch, TRANSFORMERS: Worst Bot Ever – Meet Ballpoint! and Universal Monsters: The Mummy will be available via the NYPL with a valid library card.

The full slate of author talks is below.

AUTHOR TALKS FEATURING SKYBOUND TALENT:

• NYPL Author Talk with Matt Braly and Ainsworth Lin (Tuesday, May 27)
• Time of Event: 3:30 PM ET/12:30 PM PT – 4:30 PM ET/1:30 PM PT
• Location: Online via Google Meet
• Description/Content: Join for a discussion with the creative team of writer Matt Braly (creator of Disney’s Amphibia) and illustrator, Aisworth Lin, as they talk about their debut graphic novel Family Force V!
• Event Page: https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2025/05/27/author-talk-matt-braly-ainsworth-lin

• NYPL Author Talk with Tillie Walden (Wednesday, June 4)
• Time: 4:00 PM ET/1:00 PM PT – 5:00 PM ET/2:00 PM PT
• Location: Online via Google Meet
• Description: Join for a discussion with award-winning cartoonist Tillie Walden, author of books On a Sunbeam and Are You Listening?! Topics for discussion include her career in the comic book industry and her upcoming graphic novelClementine Book Three, the epic conclusion to the Clementine trilogy!
• Link to Event Page: https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2025/06/04/author-talk-tillie-walden

• NYPL Author Talk with Sarah Graley and Stef Purenins (Tuesday, July 8)
• Time: 3:00 PM ET/12:00 PM PT – 4:00 PM ET/1:00 PM PT
• Location: Online via Google Meet
• Description: Join for a discussion with comic creator duo Sarah Graley and Stef Purenins, as they talk about their comic book career and their upcoming graphic novel Pizza Witch!
• Link to Event Page: https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2025/07/08/author-talk-sarah-graley-stef-purenins

• NYPL Author Talk with Brian “Smitty” Smith and Marz Jr. (Friday, July 11)
• Time: 3:00 PM ET/12:00 PM PT – 4:00 PM ET/1:00 PM PT
• Location: Online via Google Meet
• Description: Join for a discussion with writer Brian “Smitty” Smith and Marz Jr. as they talk about their comic book careers and their upcoming graphic novel TRANSFORMERS: Worst Bot Ever – Meet Ballpoint!
• Link to Event Page: https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2024/05/10/author-talk-mac-smith

• NYPL Author Talk with Faith Erin Hicks (Thursday, October 2)
• Time: 3:30 PM ET/12:30 PM PT – 4:30 PM ET/1:30 PM PT
• Location: Online via Google Meet
• Description: Join for a discussion with award-winning and New York Times bestselling comics creator Faith Erin Hicks about her comic book career and her limited series Universal Monsters: The Mummy.
• Link to Event Page: https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2025/10/02/author-talk-faith-erin-hicks

Matt Braly

Ainsworth Lin

Tillie Walden

Sarah Graley

Stef Purenins

Brian “Smitty” Smith

Marz Jr.

Faith Erin Hicks