Jamila Rowser

Jamila Rowser is an award-winning Queer, disabled, Afro-Latina comics writer, editor, and publisher. She is known for her critically acclaimed debut graphic novel Wash Day Diaries, co-created with artist Robyn Smith and published by Chronicle Books. The graphic novel won an LA Times Book Prize, Alex Award, and Ignatz Award, was nominated for an Eisner Award, and was featured on several “best of” lists.

Jamila has written comics published by Disney-Hyperion for the upcoming Almost There: A Twisted Tale Graphic Novel, Jordan Brand (Nike), Shortbox, Radiator Comics, Power & Magic Press, Black Josei Press, and Versal. Black Josei Press is an award-winning indie comic book publisher company founded and run by Jamila. It’s focused on celebrating comics by and for people of color from marginalized genders and sexualities. The indie publishing company has published several award-winning comics such as Wash Day (expanded into the graphic novel Wash Day Diaries), co-created with Robyn Smith, Gordita: Built Like This by Daisy Ruiz, The Saddest Angriest Black Girl In Town by Robyn Smith, Ode to Keisha by Jamila Rowser and Trinidad Escobar. As well as the award-nominated Arrive In My Hands by Trinidad Escobar, and The Gift by Jamila Rowser and Sam Wade.
Black Josei Press is proud to have Wash Day and Gordita: Built Like This translated into Spanish and Wash Day and The Saddest Angriest Black Girl translated into Japanese and distributed in Japan by Twin Palace Press.

Jamila has also edited Gordita: Built Like, Arrive in My Hands, Hairology: A Celebration of Hair, Sun and Sand Comic Anthology co-created and edited by Radiator Comics, the editor-in-chief of Gladiolus Magazine funded by a grant won from Oolite Arts, and the upcoming graphic novel UM Volume One by buttercup co-edited with Steenz.

Jamila lives in North Carolina but will always rep The Bronx. You can find her reading comics, listening to audiobooks, watching horror movies, wearing an ice pack for her chronic migraines, and doting on her two cats, Sage and Sapphire.

All guests will appear at our comic convention on 16 & 17 November 2024.