John Shableski

Background

About John Shableski

The best way to describe what I do is Critical Path Market Development. Every book, author, business, or product has a place in the market. Defining where that is and how to get there is what I do. There are no easy 'tricks' to create success nor is 'word of mouth' a good strategy. But if you understand where the real point of entry is, you then can see where the most effective use of your energy-and money can be focused. I have worked in nearly every aspect of publishing, from distribution to marketing and from editorial to convention development-all of which leads me to a place where I've developed a pretty comprehensive understanding on how the machine can really work to your advantage. Along with my time in the Books Division at Brodart where I helped launch our Graphic Novel Newsletter for the library market, I have also worked with the Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation and the American Library Association to launch the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grant program. I am also the architect of The Excellence in Graphic Literature Awards for Pop Culture Classroom. I have served as a consultant for a wide range of organizations, publishers and events: The Norman Rockwell Museum, Fordham University’s Teacher’s College, The New England Comic Arts in Education Conference, Reading With Pictures at Northwestern, Archie Comics, Heavy Metal Magazine, Zuiker Press, and the Texas Library Association Texas Maverick’s committee. I developed 40 hours of programming for the launch of the Graphic Novel Pavilion at the American Library Association’s Annual Conference in 2008. I have also produced award shows and conventions such as the Wildcat Comic Con for PCT/Penn State. I have served as an advisory board member for Book Expo America, as a jury member for Comic Con International’s Eisner Awards, Penn State University’s Lyn Ward Graphic Novel prize and the Children's Jury for the 2021 Excellence in Graphic Literature Award. In all I have created over 500 hours of professional development programs for educators, librarians, retailers, publishers and author/creators at industry trade shows, conferences, and conventions across North America including New York Comic Con, Comic-Con International(San Diego) and Miami Book Fair International.