THE ADULT GRAPHIC NOVEL: YOUR NEXT BIG SECTION
A GUIDE FOR INDIE BOOKSELLERS FROM 23RD STREET BOOKS
MYTH-BUSTING:
❌ MYTH: Comics is a genre ☑ TRUTH: Comics is a medium.
Just like prose, it contains every genre—memoir, historical fiction, science fiction, romance, literary fiction, biography, social commentary.
❌ MYTH: It’s a guy thing ☑ TRUTH: The manga explosion changed everything.
In addition to manga, the thriving middle-grade graphic novel category cemented a major audience transformation.
GN readership increased for women from the 1990s through the 2020s: http://bit.ly/49WEztO
❌ MYTH: It’s mainly superheroes ☑ TRUTH: Literary comics are booming.
There’s high demand for author-driven, critically acclaimed, awardwinning graphic narratives outside of the superhero genre.
❌ MYTH: A GN isn’t a “real book” ☑ TRUTH: These are books!
They win major literary awards from the Pulitzer to the Printz, National Book Award, Newberry, Caldecott, and more, get reviewed in the New York Times, and belong in every book lover’s hands.
❌ MYTH: It’s just for comics fans ☑ TRUTH: New GN readers every day.
Prose readers discover graphic novels through word of mouth, handselling, staff picks, and smart shelving.
ISBN 978-1250367402
VISUAL MERCHANDISING MATTERS
Story and art are inseparable—alternate face-out with spine-out for maximum impact. Discoverability works differently than prose. Covers sell these books. Beautiful faceout displays stop browsers in their tracks.
SHELF TALKERS ARE YOUR SECRET WEAPON
Hand-selling in absentia! A great shelf talker does the work when you can’t be on the floor.
SMART SUBSECTIONS GUIDE READERS
Good curation helps readers find their next obsession:
FICTION: Sort by author/series (just like prose)
MEMOIR & BIOGRAPHY: Personal narratives
HISTORICAL: Bringing the past to graphic life
CONTEMPORARY LIFE: Stories of now
SCIENCE & NATURE: Visual exploration
ISBN 978-1250364371
ISBN 978-1250347800
For instance:
INTEGRATE FICTION STRATEGICALLY
Depending on your bookstore and your community, it might be wise to feature a title outside the GN section, for readers who don’t necessarily read comics.
Of Swamp & Sea (ISBN 978-1250386960): Romance/Fantasy
Ruined (ISBN 978-1250769350): with steamy Regency Romance
The Harrowing Game (ISBN 978-1250248329): Horror
THB (ISBN 978-1596434059): Science Fiction
The Adventure Zone (ISBN 978-1250367402): Favorite Podcasts
INTEGRATE NON-FICTION STRATEGICALLY
Not everything belongs in the GN section!
Consider where subject matter creates discovery:
Homicide (ISBN 978-1250624628): True Crime/Thrillers
Now Let Me Fly (ISBN 9781626728523): Biography section Dictatorship: It’s Easier Than You Think (ISBN 978-1250781000): Politics/Democracy
Accidental Czar (ISBN 978-1250781000): Russia/History endcap
Electric Life (ISBN 978-1250781000): “Staff Recommends” table w/ The Hidden Life of Trees + Michael Pollan
For
some bookstores,
the best adult
graphic novel
section is . . . to not have one!
The above bookstore photos are from the beloved Transom Bookshop, in Tarrytown, New York. Like other indie booksellers, they have Graphic Novel sections for Young Readers and for Young Adults—but instead of an Adult GN Section, they disseminate a very well curated GN list within regular book categories!
ISBN 978-1250365361
Have no fear
THESE ARE BOOKS. TREAT THEM LIKE BOOKS.
TRY THIS:
☑ Put them front of store. Watch what happens.
☑ Create a Staff Recommends display. Your enthusiasm is contagious.
☑ Sprinkle them in with prose when the subject matter calls for it.
☑ Talk about them the way you talk about any great book you’ve read.
Graphic novels create connection, spark conversation, and build loyalty.
Events that pack the house
⭐ Graphic novelists often make great event speakers
⭐ Artists signings involve art as well as autographs
⭐ Great inside stories on creative process
⭐ They attract diverse, enthusiastic audiences across ages
⭐ Graphic novels photograph beautifully for social media—covers and interiors
Want to host a 23rd Street Books author? Please use the seasonal Event Request Grid in Edelweiss to request a visit.
“A
Revealed unseen communication in nature Big ideas made legible to everyone
Rigorous science + spiritual curiosity Graphic nonfiction that broke out of its category
Worldview-shifter
Who It Reaches
• Nature lovers & environmental readers
• Science-curious, spiritually open readers
• Fans of public radio & documentaries
• Readers who don’t read graphic novels… until this one
For lovers of shows and podcasts that blend science and wonder about our living universe
Why It Breaks Out
• Bridges biology, physics, ecology, and philosophy
• Makes cutting-edge science visible, intuitive, and human
• Perfect for readers curious about where science meets mystery
23rd Street is a Macmillan Publisher, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271
23rdstbooks.com • firstsecondbooks.com
For all translation rights inquiries, please email Kaitlin.Loss@macmillan.com
Our books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact your local bookseller or the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at (800) 221-7945 ext. 5442 or by email at MacmillanSpecialMarkets@macmillan.com
Comics retailer friends, all questions: comicretailers@macmillan.com
For School & Library friends, all questions: kidsschoolandlibrary@macmillanusa.com
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