The following is an interview with editor Michele Abounader regarding the recent launch of a Backerkit crowdfunding campaign for the LGBTQIA+ charity anthology, When I Was Young. In this interview, Fanbase Press Contributor Kevin Sharp chats with Abounader about the origin of the anthology and its premise, what readers may take away from the included stories, and more!
Fanbase Press Contributor Kevin Sharp: Talk a bit about the origin story of the project. What was the genesis of the premise? Did you have the anthology format in mind from the beginning or were there other potential paths considered?
Michele Abounader: I think a lot about trying to be the person I needed when I was younger. It’s something that a lot of people in the LGBTQIA+ community think about, to be honest. The need for a role model for people who don’t have anyone to look up to and to trust. With all of the work I’ve already done in comics, for me this was the next step—telling stories that might have helped me when I was younger, when I really needed a trusted voice to tell me that it would be alright. When I started seriously planning this project, I knew it would be a fundraiser in some capacity. A collection like this should be about giving something back.
KS: For readers who may not be familiar, what are the mechanics of getting the ball rolling for a book like this? As project manager, what were your initial steps toward making it a reality?
MA: I approached this a bit differently from my other anthologies. There were no open submissions, this was an invite only project. I got to build out a dream team of people that I respect so much in the comics industry. I feel incredibly fortunate and grateful, and I can’t wait to share these stories with everyone.
KS: As someone who’s been involved behind the scenes in other anthologies, what is your favorite part of this type of project, either before launch or anywhere along the way?
MA: My favorite part is getting to read everyone’s stories and seeing them come together with artwork, colors, and lettering. For this project specifically, I know my favorite part will be people connecting with these stories in the way that I hope they will, and also being able to make that donation and impact at the end of it all.
KS: On the flip side, where do your personal stress points arise?
MA: The most stressful point of any crowdfunding project is always going to be the campaign itself. Gearing up for it, preparing everything, building the campaign page… and then launching and watching. Hoping that people like what you’ve presented enough to want to support you and your project. I’m really proud of this one so far, and I hope everyone else will be too.
KS: How were the creative teams assembled? Did you get involved in lining up “dance partners?”
MA: For the teams involved, I would ask one person then after getting a commitment, I asked them who they wanted to work with on a project like this. It’s all been very collaborative, and it’s resulted in such an incredible team of artists and writers.
KS: How did you decide which contributors to invite? Were they people you’d worked with before, people whose work you admired, some combination or those, or….?
MA: Some people involved I’ve worked with before, others I’ve met at conventions or on social media and wanted to work with. All of them have an impactful portfolio of comics they’ve made, all of their voices are invaluable.
KS: The title of the book reveals its overarching theme, but beyond that did you give any guidance to the contributors as far as how to approach their stories?
MA: The prompt of “a story you needed when you were younger” really carried everyone where they needed to be with this collection. I asked for stories of “advice and triumph” and I was so happy with what was pitched.
KS: Can you give us a sense of what types of stories we’ll see in the book and different approaches that different creators took as far as addressing that prompt?
MA: Here’s a few story blurbs to show the range of what to expect-–many stories are explicitly autobiographical, some are metaphorical or allegorical, all are informed by deep-seated truths from the creators:
In the autobiographical “Blue,” David M. Booher recounts his emotional reaction as a gay teen in 1995 after reading the short story “Am I Blue?” In the story, a bullied teenager’s fairy godfather grants his wish to turn all queer people blue. Booher wonders what might happen in his small town if he made the same wish. Art by Jack Foster.
In “Little Hurt,” comics creator Jadzia Axelrod talks with her younger self about superheroes and secret identities.
“Flint & Sarah” is the incredible true story of Sarah Emma Edmonds, who enlisted in the Union army during the Civil War as a man named Franklin Flint Thompson. By Christopher Cantwell, art by Kei Zama.
All the story summaries and concepts for everything in the book can be found on the campaign page!
KS: All the profits from this comic will be donated to the Trevor Project. How did you choose them specifically as the recipient?
MA: It seemed like an obvious pairing for me, they do so much great work for youth in the LGBTQIA+ community. During the planning process, I had them in mind from the start. I hope that funding will be wildly successful so that we can really make an impact by sharing these stories.
The campaign for When I Was Young runs until March 31, 2024. Find out more and become a backer at wheniwasyoungcomic.com.
