'Nuff Said: American Graphic Media

I'll admit it, here in cyberspace.....I'm a little frustrated. You know that Thomas Donaldson, William Svitavaky and I have pulled together a collection of essay based on a both a conference panel presentation and a targeted call for papers. The collection, dubbed Ages of Heroes, Eras of Men is less lit crit in approach than much of what is written about comics, but more interdisciplinary than a standard history. The latest feedback from prospective publisher talk about how much they like it, but it was really the lit crit approach they favor. Other publishers have talked about the market not being right for a "collection" versus single author manuscript. Of course, there also have been statement that basically equal out to, "You didn't write what I would have written...." The problem here is that any day of the week I can walk into a bookstore or turn on the news and see something about a new book that looks stupid . Wow, that felt good...yes stup...

Don't worry if the title doesn't make sense, give it a minute. Ages of Heroes, Eras of Men is coming along. Our contributors are finishing up the last touches and the editors are making our list and checking it twice. As I have mentioned in the past, the book's contributors offer a complex and interesting look at comics and comic culture in the United States. Nonetheless, sealing the deal in regards to this book is keeping me working during my summer "vacation." I'm starting to miss the regular grind of grading papers and hearing student complain (I'm kidding...mostly). Anyway, I think the key to this process is to stay focus and work the process. The book exists, it just not in its final form. As it always the process, there are some people sending things in late, but most people have the their submissions done. We are a little concerned about length (the problems of a down economy, everything is more expensive--shaving a few pages from each subm...