Instructor Stories: Ken Lamug

I’m excited to announce that Ken Lamug will be teaching a full-length course on graphic novels for Storyteller Academy starting in August. This course will cover both writing and illustrating a graphic novel from beginning to end. 

This won’t be Ken’s first time teaching for us. Ken taught a Making Comics mini-class last year that has already pointed many of our students in the right direction. He also taught a Building an Author Website mini-class in 2019 that has been one of our most popular mini-classes ever. (Holler in the comments for an extra book giveaway entry if Ken helped you build your website.)

I just hosted an online book launch for the first graphic novel in Ken’s new Mischief and Mayhem series: Born to Be Bad! If you’d like to hear Ken’s story about how he turned a picture book dummy into a graphic novel, you can watch his book launch here. 

Ken's Recent Books

If you watched the book launch video, then you heard Ken talk his books. You can also read his Student Success Story, which is packed with great information on things like book cover design. He has self-published and traditionally published books. In addition to graphic novels, he’s illustrated adult novelty picture books and children’s picture books. Some of his books have won awards. Nevada’s Featured Title at the National Book Festival for 2020 was Ken’s wordless graphic novel, Petro and the Flea King. I’m just going to highlight some of his more recent children’s books in this post.

You can read a lot about Born to Be Bad in this cover reveal post. Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, just published it last week. My copy just came in the mail yesterday, and it is everything I’d hoped it would be.

Versify published The Whole Hole Story, written by Vivian McIerny, in January, and here’s what trade reviewers have said about it.

“Lamug’s innovative and zany colorful illustrations, created with ‘pencil, paper and some computer magic,’ exude joy and endless possibilities, portraying Zia in perpetual motion . . . A trip you won’t want to miss with a kid who can take you anywhere.” ~Horn Book

“Engaging illustrations set bright, cartoon characters against largely pastel backgrounds. The self-made adventure is reminiscent of Harold and the Purple Crayon with its unpredictable, child-controlled narrative in which imagination takes one around the world and back home again . . . An adventure worth sharing.” ~Kirkus

Albert Whitman published Ghastly Ghosts, written by Teresa Bateman, in 2019, which also got excellent trade reviews for the illustrations and rhyming story.

Another one of my favorites is Ken’s wordless Petro and the Flea King graphic novel. This is an example of self-publishing done well.

Book Giveaway

I’m giving away a copy of one of the four books featured above. The winner can choose. Just comment on this blog post to enter. 

For additional entries, you can share the post on social media and post a link to where you’ve shared in the comments (preferably as a comment to your original comment so that all of your entries are grouped together). If you’ve taken one of Ken’s classes with us, let me know in the comments, and I will add another entry. You can also have an entry for attending or watching Ken’s book launch.

I’ll close the contest at midnight, Pacific Time, on July 2. Thanks for reading and sharing!

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Myrna Foster

Myrna Foster writes and edits content for Storyteller Academy and the WriteRiders Newsletter for SCBWI Nevada. She has spent a lot of time teaching and coaching children, including five years as a preschool teacher. She's also worked as a journalist, and Highlights High Five has published six of her poems.

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23 thoughts on “Instructor Stories: Ken Lamug”

  8. Kalee Gwarjanski

    I am so excited for the graphic novel course! I hope it helps writers only too. (Not just writer/illustrators).

    Reply
  9. Denise Seidman

    Congratulations Ken, I am so happy for you! Looking forward to the Graphic Novel. I think my bee 🐝 story can be GN

    Reply
  10. Amanda Shapiro

    Oh wow, he has achieved such a variety of successes in his publications! Congrats to him! I hope to win. ☺️

    Reply
  11. Erin Grocki

    These books are so amazing and inspiring! I’m really interested in graphics novels for kids! Thanks for offering the upcoming class, I hope I win one of his books!

    Reply
  14. Kristi

    Hello Ken, congratulations! I look forward to seeing more information on your full length course on graphic novels in August. It sounds so exciting.

    Reply
  17. Kate Anderson

    What wonderful things you’re doing, Ken! Thanks for passing on knowledge.
    Abd many congrats on your new book!

    Reply
  18. Cindy Leopold-Ritsko

    Here’s my holler out…

    Yes, Ken’s class helped build my website, Ken’s critiques helped build my manuscripts, artwork, and a few of my published articles and poem. Ken’s enthusiam helps build my courage and our community. Thank you, Ken, and thanks for asking, Myrna.

    Reply
  20. Karan Greene

    I enjoyed learning about Ken’s process in the book launch. I also took Ken’s class on building a website. I watched and then went back and rewatched and paused at the tricky parts as I built my website. I don’t think I could have done it without that guidance. It was very helpful!! Thank you!

    Reply

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