I am a fan of First Second, a publishing house of graphic novels for all ages like Bake Sale, Friends With Boys,and Sailor Twain.

I happily took the opportunity to ask a few questions of the editors Calista Brill and Mark Siegel. The excitement about what they do, and the passion for their writers is clear. I asked them about introducing graphic novels to novices, and what's coming up next. Read on!

GeekMom: I was at a book discussion for Radioactive, and when I mentioned it was a good comic book, someone there said it couldn't be a comic because it wasn't funny. I tried to explain that comic books or graphic novels are just stories that combine art with words, but they weren't having it. How do you explain about the books you publish to a non-geeky audience? Do you think there is a difference between the words "comic book" and "graphic novel"?

Calista: My standard line here is that a graphic novel is a long comic book – a comic book with a spine. I've never gotten the "how can it be a comic book if it isn't funny?" line, but we did once get someone sending us a prose novel for publication, and when we explained that we only published graphic novels, he said, "No problem! My book has some sex scenes in it!"

Mark: Some people feel strongly about using various terms, but the way things have settled out, "Graphic Novel" is now an accepted publishing category which encompasses fiction and non-fiction and every genre therein—as such, it makes a distinction from pamphlet comics or Manga series. For anyone who hasn't come across a graphic novel, two questions: 1) where have you been the last seven years? And 2) nowadays, some of the most inspired authors and interesting new voices are working in graphic novels; a well-rounded reading diet would have to include some of them.

GM: I assume you are in dialogue with other publishing houses. Has the respect for your market grown since First Second began? Or not...

Mark: The major publishing houses all publish graphic novels, and have realized this is a lasting trend, with an ever-expanding readership. Many A-list prose fiction authors are eagerly turning their talents to writing graphic novel scripts. Add to that prestigious awards like the Pulitzer, the librarians' Printz, a National Book Award nomination, and more accolades every year going to comics—and clearly there has been a sea-change in America when it comes to respecting the form. More and more people know at least a few great works that are graphic novels, like Persepolis, or Maus , or Fun Home, or American Born Chinese... Just ask any librarian in the country what circulates most. And it's no longer just a geek pleasure; it's happening with people of all ages, and now even more women readers than men. It's all changing. For the better.

GM: Is there a trend you are seeing in the submissions? Is there a trend in what you publish? What trends would you like to see?

Mark: At First Second, we publish in all age categories, for children, teens and adult. The beauty of comics today is that there isn't just one trend, there are many. One is ambitious literary projects; another is humor, especially young; romance and historical fiction, and plenty more. Also a number of interesting talents cut their teeth online, in webcomics—sometimes gathering big followings before going to print, like the great Faith Erin Hicks, who's art you can savor in "Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong". I'm interested in most any genre, if it's skillful, sincere, and inspired. And submissions do come in fast and furious; a few years ago it was a steady stream of them, now it's a recurring avalanche.

Calista: I love love love really young, fun, goofy comics for kids. I've been actively asking people to pitch me that kind of project for a while, and it's starting to yield results!

GM: Some of the women in my bookclub (not the one from the first question) are curious about graphic novels and have asked for suggestions. I said Sailor Twain because it's easy on the eyes and an adult theme. What books published or soon to be published, would you recommend for those who do not regularly read graphic novels?

Calista: They should check out Lucy Knisley’s memoir RELISH, which is coming out this spring! It's a beautiful food memoir, and it's book-club-worthy!

Mark: Thanks for recommending Sailor Twain! Yes, Lucy Knisley's Relish is quite a treat awaiting them… Some titles which I know have won over many a Book Club: The Professor's Daughter by Sfar and Guibert for sheer offbeat romantic fun;Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol, a delightful teen yarn and a pleasure to look at; American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang, because it's a watershed moment in American comics, hilarious and profound; and Zahra's Paradise by Amir and Khalil, for some weighty world affairs and Middle-East politics… The list could go on for a full page. In fact, that's a page we ought to post somewhere!

GM: How do you stay passionate about what you do?

Calista: I can't speak for Mark, but I have the opposite problem – I get excited and re-excited about First Second and comics all the time. :) It helps that everyone working at First Second just loves comics. We were all comics readers, writers, and artists before we came to this line of work, so we're really coming from a place of love.

Mark: Yes, that's right. Plus it helps we are in daily contact with incredibly passionate authors and artists. All that is highly contagious. Just take a look at the line-up of talents in one of our youngest offerings this year: Fairy Tale Comics. These are among the greatest cartoonists alive today, delivering some of the best bedtime-reading your toddler could dream of. And just think, our little ones are getting this at age four. . . Next, they'll grow up to be tomorrow's discerning graphic novel readers. And they will look back at this time, now, and see a creative explosion, a golden age of the graphic novel, a comics renaissance. And we get to play some part in that. How can we not be passionate?

GM:Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts!