Graphic Medicine History

A Twelve Week Deep-Dive with Maureen Burdock

Graphic Medicine is at the confluence of two rivers: healthcare and comics. If you’re a fan (or already a creator) of comics that address mental, physical, or public health topics, then you know how powerful this genre can be!

Join Award Winning Graphic Memoirist Maureen Burdock

At A Glance

When: Starting November 4, 2024

Weekly meetings: dates and time will be Mondays 7-9 pm Eastern

Where: Online via Zoom and in the SAW Mighty Network

Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Class size: Maximum 18

Cost: $1,199

Materials: A recommended materials list will be made available before the start of class.

A robust online, asynchronous sharing space will be established in the SAW network for the course as well.

Healthcare and Comics

In these twelve weeks, the members of this intimate class (limit of sixteen students) will explore the processes of creating graphic medicine. 

I’ve designed this course to inspire you; to give you a solid sense of community and sharper knowledge of context for your Graphic Medicine project; to untangle any snags you might encounter regarding content, form, and technicalities; and to help empower you to get that short comic or long-form work out into the world, where it can do some good!

queen of snails by maureen burdock book cover

Graphic Medicine Deep Dive
In Detail

  • Do you want to raise public awareness about a disease, disability, or harmful societal practice?

  • Have you wondered if the process of creating a work of graphic medicine might open paths for healing yourself and/or readers?

  • Are you already crafting a comic or long-form work of this nature, but feel lost in the woods or a bit isolated?

  • Do you have questions about some of the technical aspects of creating printer- ready files?

  • Do you want to know how to self-publish your work of Graphic Medicine, and/or how to write a professional query letter and book proposal that will get your work noticed by an agent or publisher?

Do you want to raise public awareness about a disease, disability, or harmful societal practice?

Have you wondered if the process of creating a work of graphic medicine might open paths for healing yourself and/or readers?

Are you already crafting a comic or long-form work of this nature, but feel lost in the woods or a bit isolated?

Do you have questions about some of the technical aspects of creating printer- ready files?

Do you want to know how to self-publish your work of Graphic Medicine, and/or how to write a professional query letter and book proposal that will get your work noticed by an agent or publisher?

If you said yes to (m)any of these Questions, Then this course is for you!

Maureen's Reading List

Maureen will be speaking about these books, among others.

  • GM Scholarship:
    Graphic Medicine Manifesto, Introduction.

    A digital version will be supplied

  • GM books that deal with physical & mental illness:
    Stitches, David Small
    Hyperbole and a Half, Allie Brosh
    Mom's Cancer by Brian Fies

  • GM that deals with post-trauma:
    Letting It Go, Miriam Katin

  • GM that deals with gender & race:
    Becoming Unbecoming, Una
    American Born Chinese, Gene Luen Yang

  • GM that deals with aging:
    Can’t We Talk about Something More Pleasant, Roz Chast

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

  • Maureen Burdock

    Maureen Burdock

    Maureen Burdock was born in the Black Forest, Germany, and grew up on a steady diet of fairy tales and classic children's literature. She moved to the Chicago area with her mother after first grade.

    Burdock won her first prize for an illustrated short story about two hot dogs who bravely escape from a frying pan…only to be carried off by a stray dog! The award included a personal meeting with a published children’s book author. Burdock knew then that her destiny was to become a writer and illustrator.

    Her work has been exhibited and published widely, and she has taught writing, comics, and humanities courses in academic settings and beyond. Graphic Mundi Press published her graphic memoir, Queen of Snails, in November of 2022.

    Her third graphic novel, Sleepless Planet: A Graphic Guide to Healing from Insomnia, is available for pre-order and will be released in November 2025.

    Burdock lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with her wife and boxer dog.