Mariel-Ayen

Mariel-Ayen is the author of “Anak.” She was 16 years old when she wrote her comic. Mariel is from DC and her family is from the Philippines. She loves to draw – making designs for characters, creatures, vehicles, environments, and more! This project was not Mariel’s first story or comic, but will be the first one available to the public. Her favorite part of the writing process was thinking about how she can make a story that people can relate to, having characters that reflect both Mariel’s personal life, and the personal lives of others too. Mariel made “Anak” because it represents the personal struggles of trying to express yourself when you grew up in a different culture than your parents.

AAPI Youth Comics Zine

During the summer of 2023, ten young people from AALEAD came together to create this zine centering Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) stories. In collaboration with Shout Mouse Press story coaches and professional comics artists, they drew and wrote comics centering AAPI identities in diverse, authentic, accessible ways that affirm other AAPI young people, increase understanding, and foster an inclusive next generation.

Free download! Add to cart and checkout to download and print the zine. Educators are encouraged to print and share with your students!

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The Light Looks Like Me

By the young writers of Shout Mouse Press

“…a balm for loneliness and validation amid an increasingly hostile political climate for LGBTQ+ Americans…” —Booklife

“The Light Looks Like Me is meaningful, moving, and often surprising as it explores different experiences of queer love.”—IndieReader

“Powerful, affirming, and important reading for young people and the adults in their lives.”—Kirkus Reviews

Amidst an increasingly fraught regime where assaults on queer and trans rights are leveraged for conservative political clout, the voices of queer youth are more important than ever. In this anthology, 28 DC-area writers aged 13-24 share their thoughts, feelings and vulnerability through poems, stories, comics, and art exploring love in all its forms. Running the gamut from self-love, to romance, and the love they show to their family, friends, and community, their work will resonate with readers of all ages. With authors representing varied sexualities and gender identities, as well as diverse ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds, this tender anthology offers hope and validation to queer young people and cultivates greater understanding in supportive allies. Foreword by award-winning YA author Malinda Lo.

This project was created in partnership with The DC Center for the LGBT Community, Sasha Bruce Youthwork, SMYAL, and Split This Rock.