![\"\"](\"https:\/\/queersandcomics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Keynotes_Guests.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Keynotes<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Phil Jimenez<\/strong> <\/a><\/span>is an award-winning writer and artist who has worked for DC Entertainment, Marvel Entertainment, and a host of other comic book companies for over 30 years. Best known for his work on TEMPEST, NEW X-MEN, WONDER WOMAN, INFINITE CRISIS, DC:REBIRTH, and his upcoming graphic novel HISTORIA, written by Kelly Sue DeConnick, Jimenez has also worked for film, television, toy companies, design firms, as well as for museums and universities. Jimenez also teaches life drawing and comics art at the School of Visual Arts in NYC.<\/p>\n Paige Braddock<\/strong> <\/a><\/span>is best known for her Eisner-nominated comic strip, JANE\u2019S WORLD, the first gay-themed work to receive online distribution by a national media syndicate in the US. Braddock released an anthology celebrating the comic\u2019s 20th anniversary in August 2018, LOVE LETTERS TO JANE\u2019S WORLD, published by Lion Forge. Braddock published the first novel inspired by the comic series in 2016 with Bold Strokes Books. By day, Braddock is the Chief Creative Officer at Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates. She has illustrated several PEANUTS books, as well as numerous other comics and children\u2019s books.<\/p>\n Featured Guests<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Diane DiMassa<\/strong><\/span><\/a> I am the creator of the foul-mouthed and over-emotional nut job Hothead Paisan, Homicidal Lesbian Terrorist<\/em> which debuted in the early 90’s, and from which I still enjoy a cult of nut job fans. I have contributed to countless zines, anthologies, cartoon jams, art shows, and have done many presentations at colleges and bookstores. I have always found cartooning to be a great medium with flexibility and freedom allowing one to create their own world, and cartoons are immediately accessible and appeal to a wide range of creatures. I have watched the stable of queer cartoonists grow and expand into huge numbers, and am proud to now be an elder. So you better respect me.<\/p>\n Nicole J. Georges <\/strong><\/span><\/a>is a writer, illustrator, podcaster & professor from Portland, OR. Her Lambda Award winning graphic memoir, Calling Dr. Laura,<\/em> was called \u201cengrossing, lovable, smart and ultimately poignant\u201d by Rachel Maddow, and \u201cdisarming and haunting, hip and sweet, all at once\u201d by Alison Bechdel, author of Fun Home.<\/em> Nicole\u2019s latest book, Fetch: How a Bad Dog Brought Me Home,<\/em> is the recipient of 2 Oregon Book Awards, and a Lambda nomination for best Graphic Novel. She does the queer art podcast Sagittarian Matters,<\/em> and teaches at California College of the Arts\u2019 MFA in Comics Program.<\/p>\n Rachel Pollack<\/strong><\/span> <\/a>is a science fiction author, comic book writer, and expert on divinatory Tarot. She is the first openly trans woman to work in the mainstream comics industry, creating the first trans superheroine in the pages of DC Comics’ Doom Patrol<\/em> in 1993. She has won the Arthur C. Clarke Award and the World Fantasy Award and been shortlisted for the Nebula, James Tiptree, Jr., and Lambda Awards for her science fiction books. She has written non-fiction books and essays on such subjects as the Kabbalah, Goddess Worship, and Tarot, as well as created her own Tarot deck with author Neil Gaiman and illustrator Dave McKean. She teaches Creative Writing at Goddard College.<\/p>\n