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 January 20, 2026
Weekly Meetings: Mondays 7-9 pm Eastern [edit]
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!
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!
Graphic Medicine Deep Dive
In Detail
During our weekly sessions:
We will discuss assigned Graphic Medicine texts to build a strong sense of context and to explore specific topics and approaches within the genre.
We will engage in productive group discussions to address your specific questions and interests.
You will have the option to create a 32-page comic over the course of our three months together, and we will workshop your comic in progress in a supportive, generative environment.
Towards the end of our deep dive, we’ll take a little time to talk about self- publishing options
We will discuss approaching agents and publishers, with two special sessions where we address writing professional query letters and book proposals.
Pricing
Popular!
Option 1
$1,199.00
Pay in full
Limited Enrollment
Option 2
$399
for 3 months
3 Monthly Payments
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 FiesGM that deals with post-trauma:
Letting It Go, Miriam KatinGM that deals with gender & race:
Becoming Unbecoming, Una
American Born Chinese, Gene Luen YangGM that deals with aging:
Can’t We Talk about Something More Pleasant, Roz Chast
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
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![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.