We asked Mariko Tamaki about Surely Books, her new line of graphic novels with Abrams ComicArts. The fall 2021 Surely Books titles are previewed in LJ’s April 2021 graphic novels preview. Here’s the scoop!

What inspired you to create this new line?
Credit goes to my partner, Heather Gold, who told me I should create an LGBTQIA+ imprint. I love comics and LGBTQIA+ creators; I loved the idea of supporting more LGBTQIA+ creators. I brought the idea to Andrew Smith at Abrams, and fortunately he thought it was a good one.

How has your prolific career and rich life experience influenced the titles you select for publication?
I suppose my career has shown me the breadth of comic stories out there (fantasy, fiction, memoir, trade, and independent comics, to name just a few). I’m lucky that working as a comic book writer has put me in touch with so many inspiring creators and stories. Charlotte Greenbaum and I have tried to do a combination of both looking for the books we would like to see out there in the world and being open to what comes to us. Even as we’re just getting started, already the books we’re publishing contain a variety of genres and styles that are connected by the fact that they’re all very heart-full stories. There’s a richness to all of these books because they’re written and illustrated by such astonishing people.

What are you most excited for, regarding this line of books?
These books! I love these books! They’re so smart and funny and unique and queer. I love how queer they all are and how different each of these books are in their queerness. These books dispel any singular concept of a queer comic.

Can we expect to see new Own Voices titles with a focus on intersectionality in the LGBTQ+ community?
It is our goal and we are working hard to publish a diversity of stories by a diversity of creators. We also want to give creators a space to explore an expanse of detail and connections in their stories. I’m incredibly proud of the intersectionality represented in the stories we have.

Is there anything else readers should know about Surely Books?
There is such an amazing team working on this project: myself and my fellow editor Charlotte Greenbaum, our assistant editor Jazmine Joyner, everyone at Abrams. It’s been such an incredible opportunity to get to work with everyone involved in making these books. Stay tuned.