| Crawford Coutts from Insomnia Publications will talk about major changes to the UK comic-book industry on Sunday, as part of the festival’s ‘Comics Day’.
Crawford, who is Insomnia’s managing director, said graphic novels had moved beyond the traditional superhero genre and now tackled more sophisticated themes.
“People are starting to change their minds about their preconceived views of comics,” he said.
“We have a forthcoming title on the Edinburgh grave robbers Burke and Hare, which is a research-based historical novel. ”
Crawford started Insomnia from a Dundee flat in 2006 at “hobby level”, before moving to Edinburgh, where the company is now based, the following year.
Insomnia, which employs around 150 freelance writers, has 35 titles planned over the next three years.
The publisher will also have a stall at the Dundee Literary Festival previewing their forthcoming titles, including “MILK” by former Beano and Dandy artist, Stephen White.
The company’s expansion led to a recent invitation to be part of Scottish Enterprise’s Growth Pipeline, which Crawford believes is an important step forward.
He said, “When we began our first venture no-one in the business world really knew what a comic book or graphic novel was.
“Comic publishing as a proper business wasn’t taken seriously.”
Crawford said he hoped the Dundee Literary Festival, which is now in its third year, would “develop and grow”.
He said, “It’s amazing to see the public get back into books especially in Dundee with its strong publishing roots.”
The festival runs from Thursday to Sunday at the University of Dundee’s Dalhousie Building in Old Hawkhill. |
