Celebrate the release of The Friendship Paradox - a graphic novel about a science communicator trying to use physics to navigate life - with a workshop that dives into the weird and brilliant science behind comics.

Why do comics hit differently to plain text? How can a few lines and shapes carry emotion, movement, even entire ideas? And what happens when you throw actual science into the mix?

Whether you love to draw, write, read comics, or just want to try something new, this workshop will meet you where you’re at. We’ll crack open how comics work, then use simple techniques and visual tricks to build your own short comic stories, with maximum reader impact.

Expect quick pen-and-paper experiments, big laughs, and some very scribbly drawing (the best kind).

No art skills needed.

Come because you’re curious. Stay for the chaos. Leave with a comic and a million ideas.

This workshop is ideal for 12 - 21 year olds.

About the facilitator:

Aśka (pronounced ‘Ash-ka’), she/they, is an award-winning cartoonist, energetic visual storyteller, an ex-quantum physicist and a big fan of the little doovalacky above the ‘s’ in her name (which you pronounce ‘Ash-ka’).

A hugely engaging and popular presenter, Aśka is passionate about visual literacy education. In addition to a catalogue of self-published comics they have traditionally published more than a dozen books and graphic novels. Their recent titles include the Stonewall Award Notable YA graphic novel “Stars in Their Eyes” (with Jessica Walton), which was also nominated for the 2022 Comic Arts Awards of Australia and the CBCA Council of Australia Notable Books.

Aśka’s latest physics-meets-road-trip YA graphic novel is “The Friendship Paradox” (Allen & Unwin).

When they’re not creating children’s books, Aśka is travelling across Australia teaching eager students of all ages how to write with pictures. https://askastorytelling.com