Congratulations to Natalie Norris ‘20 for the release of her debut graphic memoir, DEAR MINI, out now via Fantagraphics! DEAR MINI began as Natalie’s thesis project while at CCS. The second and final volume of the graphic memoir will be printed in 2025.

“I first connected with Eric [at Fantagraphics] back in 2019 when I sent him some minicomics for The Center for Cartoon Studies’ Industry Day. He liked my early work so when I finished my thesis I sent him a physical copy to see if it would be something he’d be interested in. And luckily he was!” said Natalie.

A bittersweet coming-of-age story chronicling Natalie’s teenage experiences with sexual violence, PTSD, and resiliency, DEAR MINI is told in the form of a letter to an old friend. Rather than a cautionary tale, DEAR MINI is an exploration of adolescent agency in the face of trauma, tracing Natalie’s journey to her adult voice after almost a decade of silence.

“DEAR MINI is an admirably―and sometimes painfully―candid memoir, told with a fearlessness and graphic sophistication far beyond Natalie’s years. We are very proud to be publishing it.” ―Eric Reynolds, VP/Associate Publisher of Fantagraphics

“Natalie Norris has transformed a brutal adolescent trauma into an effervescent and irresistible graphic memoir.” ―James Sturm, OFF SEASON

Natalie will be in conversation with Tillie Walden ‘16, two-time Eisner winner, and the current Vermont Cartoonist Laureate, on Tuesday, June 27, from 7:00-9:00 pm at Still North Books & Bar to celebrate the release of DEAR MINI. Natalie will also be signing copies. Grab one while you can!

In addition to being a cartoonist, Natalie is one of the librarians at the CCS Schulz Library. We can’t wait to add a copy of DEAR MINI to our shelves. 

This summer Natalie will be teaching a graphic resiliency workshop that grows out of personal stories about adversity, illness, and survival. Over five days, students will learn a set of drawing and writing techniques to help them tell their story in a way that feels accessible, safe, and trauma-aware.  By the end of the workshop, students will draw their own personal resiliency comic. 

Congratulations, Natalie!

Tags: CCS Alum, Fantagraphics, Graphic Memoir, Graphic Novel, Minicomic, Natalie Norris, Schulz Library, Thesis Project