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WEBSITE: https://gibbssisters.com
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Publishers Weekly vol. 270 no. 43 Oct. 23, 2023, review of Ghost Roast. p. 50.
School Library Journal vol. 70 no. 2 Feb., 2024. Miserendino, Cat. , “GIBBS, Shawnee & Shawnelle Gibbs. Ghost Roast.”. p. 104.
Kirkus Reviews Nov. 1, 2023, , “Gibbs, Shawnee: GHOST ROAST.”. p. NA.
Shawnee´Gibbs (Bio)
Shawnee ́ Gibbs is a writer and producer from Oakland, California, currently living and working in Los Angeles, who specializes in creating content for television, film, and publishing.
She’s produced a wide range of television shows for networks including The Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel and National Geographic Channel. As one half of the Gibbs Sisters writing team, she’s authored the YA comic book series Fashion Forward and the Glyph Award-nominated adventure series, The Invention of E.J. Whitaker. Her YA graphic novel, Ghost Roast, recently received a Starred Review from Publishers Weekly.
Shawnee ́ is a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Women in Animation, The Animation Guild and the Children's Media Association. She's served as a Staff Writer for Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network, and has penned tales for Dreamworks Animation, Mattel Studios and Marvel Comics.
DECEMBER 2, 2020Meet Shawnee and Shawnelle Gibbs (The Gibbs Sisters) of BopSee Books in Downtown LA
Avatar photoLOCAL STORIES
SHARETWEETPIN
Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawnee and Shawnelle Gibbs (The Gibbs Sisters).
Thanks for sharing your story with us Shawnee and Shawnelle (The Gibbs Sisters). So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
SHAWNEE: Shawnelle and I came to Los Angeles from Oakland, California after studying cinema at San Francisco State University. We’d grown up writing, illustrating and telling stories collaboratively since we were little ones, so careers in storytelling were right up our alley. We’d been making our own independent cartoons and animation in the Bay Area and had some early success screening our films at festivals around the country. So, though neither of us knew many people in Los Angeles, we thought we’d make the leap to the city to try our hand at careers in film and television. Through networking and mustering up the courage to talk to people, we both landed jobs in television not too long after we got to town. The funny thing is that some of our early television jobs were working in non-fiction/reality tv, and though it wasn’t what we’d imagined for ourselves when we arrived in LA, it was an invaluable tool for learning how to tell stories for television and sharpening our skills and rising up the ranks as Television Producers to the supervising and executive levels.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
SHAWNEE: The road has definitely been interesting. When you’re navigating uncharted terrain along your career path, I think the road will always have winding curves, some uphill journeys and some unexpected turns. But though my path hasn’t looked AT ALL like what my 22-year old self would have imagined, I’ve enjoyed the ride and am always learning new things along the way. Shawnelle and I have worked in independent comics, the publishing world of graphic novels, in non-fiction television and television animation. Each genre has its own structure, pace and intricacies, but the goal of telling captivating stories in each medium is the same. And I’m always trying to find ways to stretch myself and my storytelling and that keeps the journey fresh for me.
SHAWNELLE: We work in television AND maintain our business, so you might imagine navigating the endless deadlines, hours, and personalities you encounter in the field while making sure your business is thriving and growing. But we are entrepreneurs at heart and BopSee is at the heart of everything that we do. Tenacity is a big part of why we’re standing today.
Please tell us about BopSee Books.
SHAWNEE: At BopSee Books, we specialize in creating timeless adventure stories with compelling narratives for a contemporary and multicultural audience. We make it a practice to hire local and diverse artists for each project that we undertake, whether it’s for comics, graphic novels or animation. We’ve been lucky to give many talented young artists some of their first gigs and have been proud to be an incubator for new artistic talent. At BopSee, we’re currently in production on the next issue of our steampunk comic book series, The Invention of E.J. Whitaker, and are adapting an award-winning children’s book for animation.
SHAWNELLE: In addition to writing books and content for our Independent company BopSee, we also work on assignments for larger publishers such as Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and McFarland Publishing. We are currently writing for kid’s television animation and have written on series for Warner Bros. Animation, Dreamworks Animation, and Mattel. We love that our stories have no boundaries and can be experienced through books, comics, online, and on television. Next, we hope to venture into games. And the current Covid-19 pandemic has made clear that we can achieve all of this from anywhere on the planet, which unleashes us to do so much more from anywhere we choose. Outside of it being a bit scary for the world, it’s a very exciting time for creatives.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
SHAWNEE: On our journey, there have been so many lessons learned but if asked to change anything, I don’t think I could honestly say I would change a moment. Each lesson we’ve learned, whether it was the way we work collaboratively, partner with others or decide on which projects to take, seemed to prepare us for the next phase of our careers. We’ve learned a TON so far and look forward to learning a lot more on the journey.
Contact Info:
Address: 2007 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 806
Los Angeles, CA 90057
Website: https://bopseebooks.com
Email: team@bopseebooks.com
Image Credit:
Annalisa Pešek, Shawnee Gibbs, Shawnelle Gibbs, Catherine and Sarah Satrun, Mark Hernandez, Hasani Mcintosh, Sean Kennedy
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Interview With Shawnee Gibbs & Shawnelle Gibbs Plus artist, Emily Cannon (Ghost Roast)
October 30, 2023No Comments
Written by Connie Reid, Site Manager
Posted in Interviews, News & Updates
Today we are very excited to share an interview with Authors Shawnee Gibbs & Shawnelle Gibbs Plus artist, Emily Cannon (Ghost Roast)!
Meet the Authors: Shawnee Gibbs & Shawnelle Gibbs
The Gibbs Sisters (Shawnee ́Gibbs & Shawnelle Gibbs) are an award-winning writing team with backgrounds in television, animation, and comics. They have served as Staff Writers for Warner Brothers Animation, and have written for Dreamworks Animation, Cartoon Network and Marvel Comics’s “Women of Marvel” anthology. Originally from Oakland, California, the pair currently work, live and play in Los Angeles. They are the authors of the upcoming HarperCollins / Versify YA graphic novel, Ghost Roast.
Website * Shawnee’s Instagram * Shawnelle’s Instagram
Meet the Illustrator: Emily Cannon
Emily’s eye for story and art led to her studying at the Rhode Island School of Design, where she graduated with a BFA in Illustration (’15). You can find her work on the NoSleep Podcast, in Svømmer publishing, and as the illustrator for the upcoming graphic novel Ghost Roast
Website * Instagram
About the Book: Ghost Roast
Ghost Roast delivers a paranormal adventure full of first crushes, lost histories, and the impossible task of fitting in when your dad is a professional ghosthunter. A stand-alone YA graphic novel from authors Shawneé and Shawnelle Gibbs and artist Emily Cannon!
For as long as she can remember, Chelsea Grant has tried everything she can think of to distance herself from the disastrous damage her father does to her social life. It’s not easy to shake her reputation as Ghost Girl when Dad keeps advertising his business as a “paranormal removal expert” in big, bold, loud letters all over New Orleans!
This year, Chelsea’s all grown up, attending one of the most prestigious high schools in the city, and she’s finally made friends with the popular crowd. Things are looking up—until a night on the town backfires spectacularly, landing her in hot water at home. Her punishment? Working for her dad at Paranormal Removal Services. All. Summer.
Worst of all, her new job reveals an unexpected secret she has to keep: While Dad hunts ghosts with his own DIY tech, Chelsea can actually see them. And when she meets Oliver, a friendly spirit, at the fancy mansion her dad is getting a handsome fee to exorcize, she realizes she has to save his after-life, even if it risks everything her father’s worked for.
Amazon * B&N * Indiebound
~Author Chat~
Ghost Roast Interview with authors, Shawnee Gibbs & Shawnelle Gibbs and artist, Emily Cannon.
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
SHAWNEÉ: Shawnelle and I have always been interested in the paranormal. Our maternal grandmother’s generation came to California by way of Texas and Louisiana, and they carried tales of supernatural encounters with them from decades before. So ghost stories were not uncommon around our grandmother’s house growing up…and we spent a lot of time with her.
Back in the day, I was working in paranormal television and spent countless hours watching and transcribing surveillance footage shot. So I would get first-hand insight into paranormal investigations and learn the ins and outs of the job, the gear involved and the kinds of locations that are frequently haunted. On top of that, I worked the night shift so I’d be watching really spooky footage in the wee hours of the night and scaring the crap out of myself if I heard the air conditioner kick on while working (laughs). But I grew to have a fondness and appreciation for what it takes to be a ghost hunter. Along with family stories, and our own brushes with the paranormal, those experiences inspired the idea for Ghost Roast.
YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?
EMILY: Definitely Doug, Chelsea’s dad! Love a guy who isn’t afraid to be dorky and enthusiastic about hunting the paranormal!
SHAWNELLE: Of course Chelsea, because… Chelsea, haha. I really enjoy her honest relationships with her parents and friends. But Russell is one of my favorite characters in the book because even though he’s far from the protagonist, he’s hilarious without trying and such a safe place as a friend for Chelsea. I would love to explore their friendship if we get the opportunity to in future books.
YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
SHAWNELLE: Anything that takes place in the garden is so dreamy to me. Emily is such a masterful illustrator and beasted-out on everything in the book, but the garden scenes and hedge maze are so enchanting and lovely. It’s also the place where Chelsea and Oliver officially meet, which is special. And Aishwarya Tandon (our colorist) took the colors to a heavenly place. I swoon every time the story drifts there.
EMILY: No spoilers, but when I saw the fully colored scene, it took my breath away! When you’re working in a group it’s sometimes difficult to visualize the completed product outside of your individual part, so seeing the finished pages surpass what you imagined is such a wonderful emotional experience.
YABC: What came first, the concept, landscape, characters, or something else?
SHAWNEÉ: The concept came first. From its inception, the story was conceived as a tale about a Paranormal Investigator, his teen daughter, Chelsea, and her journey to discovering that she can communicate with ghosts, and all the conflict that ultimately creates. Then, the other characters began to take shape around their father-daughter relationship. Shawnelle and I also knew that we wanted the story to take place in Louisiana, specifically New Orleans, where our family has deep roots, and there are lots of eerie, centuries-old homes to investigate. We’ve taken trips to New Orleans for research, and the ‘Harrington Manor’ of our story is inspired by an old plantation we visited.
YABC: How do you keep your ‘voice’ true to the age category you are writing within?
SHAWNELLE: Shawnee and I joke that we never grew up, but aside from Chelsea living and breathing somewhere just beneath the surface inside of us both, working with teen girls as volunteer writing coaches help us connect with our intended audience both in our personal lives and in our stories.
YABC: What can readers expect to find in your books?
SHAWNEÉ: People can always expect to find humor, heart and a bit of magic in all of our stories.
YABC: What is your favorite snack when writing?
EMILY: I have a method of drinking tea when I need to be creative/planning sketches, and coffee when I have to do line work/meet a deadline. I’m currently obsessed with getting chai lattes with a shot of apple syrup, as close to fall as I’ll get in Florida.
SHAWNEÉ: Popcorn. White Cheddar, Skinny Pop, to be exact. With extra napkins to protect my keyboard from all the inevitable cheese dust.
YABC: If you were able to meet them, would you be friends with your main character?
SHAWNEÉ: Yes. I’d totally be friends with Chelsea. I’d be the kid trying to convince Chelsea and her dad, Doug, to take me out on a ghost hunting mission… or three.
YABC: What do you do when you procrastinate?
SHAWNELLE: Youtube rabbit holes. It’ll start with a #GetReadyWithMe quick watch and go downhill from there.
EMILY: Usually, I spend the time I’m procrastinating agonizing over the fact I’m procrastinating (It’s a vicious cycle). However, distracting myself by reading my mile-high “To Read” list definitely helps.
YABC: What fandom would you write for if you had time?
EMILY: Not so much a fandom but whatever Guillermo Del Toro is working on I would gladly and enthusiastically hop on board! Or Goosebumps, would love to work on something Goosebumps related!
SHAWNEE: Dr. Who. There are so many episodes that I’d never get a chance to watch them all in this lifetime, but whenever I watch an ep, I’m enthralled. I think attempting to write anything Dr. Who related would be a fun challenge.
SHAWNELLE: Ooh. Fun. Octavia Butler, Anne Rice, Arcane, League of Legends.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
SHAWNEE: We are looking forward to Ghost Roast’s official debut Jan. 2, 2024 and are writing a third book of our comic book series, The Invention of E.J. Whitaker. We’re also working on a new graphic novel that we hope to announce to everyone soon!
YABC: What is your favorite holiday or tradition and why?
SHAWNELLE: I love decorating the porch with monochromatic pumpkins and hay for Halloween. It then bleeds over into a harvest Thanksgiving, because I’m lazy. Haha. It kicks the fall and holiday season off in such a satisfying way.
EMILY: Halloween of course! The horror, the camp, the pizazz, what’s not to love?
Book’s Title: Ghost Roast
Author: Shawnelle Gibbs & Shawnee´ Gibbs
Illustrator: Emily Cannon
Colorist: Aishwarya Tandon
Release Date: Jan. 2, 2024
Publisher: HarperCollins / Versify
Genre: YOUNG ADULT FICTION: Comics & Graphic Novels / Paranormal
Age Range: from 13
Themes of History and Self-Discovery in Ghost Roast, a guest post by Shawneé Gibbs and Shawnelle Gibbs
January 3, 2024 by Amanda MacGregor Leave a Comment
One of the things we’re most proud of with our debut graphic novel Ghost Roast, is that we were able to write a meaningful and fun adventure centering a BIPOC girl that incorporated two themes we’re passionate about: history and self-discovery.
The stunning illustrations by Emily Cannon and colors by Aishwarya Tandon makes Chelsea’s story sing.
When the inspiration came to us to write a ghost story set in New Orleans, we relished the opportunity to explore the city’s rich cultural history, as we were simultaneously researching our own families’ genealogy, which has deep ties to the city and region. With its fusion of French, African-American, Indigenous and Spanish culture palpable in just about every corner of its borders, New Orleans is one of the most unique cities in America. However, like most of the Southern US, it also has a painful history of slavery and injustice that dates back before the Civil War, that many Americans still struggle to discuss (see: Presidential candidate Nikki Haley’s epic fumble about the subject earlier this week).
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Our challenge was how to tell an engaging story about a contemporary teen confronting the dark past of her town in a way that didn’t feel like a trauma trap. It was quite the conundrum, but it didn’t take long for our answer to reveal itself. When we embark on a story, we know we’ve achieved a special kind of synergy when the storytelling building blocks fall – like magic – into place. Our first research trip to “The Big Easy” was like a neon sign that we were heading in the right direction.
Shawnelle writing during our stay in the neighborhood of Algiers.
Completely by chance, we booked a charming shotgun-style home in Algiers, a historic Parish of New Orleans, that as it turns out, was one block away from where our maternal grandfather’s family grew up (and where members of our family still live today). It felt like kismet, that we were uncovering information about our own history while beginning the first draft of our manuscript. We channeled that excited feeling of discovery directly into our main character, Chelsea Grant.
When we meet our protagonist, Chelsea, she’s struggling to balance her relationships at home and school. The furthest thing from her mind is doing a personal historical research project, but as her summer job at her dad’s ghost hunting company brings her closer to the past, history literally comes alive for her in the form of several mystifying ghosts.
When google searches, and old family archives fail her in her quest for answers, she turns to the big guns for help – her mom, Vicky, a character who was a real joy to write. She was inspired by real-life heroes including Mayme A. Clayton, a librarian in Los Angeles, and Ruth Lasartemay, a distant relative of ours, who co-founded the African American Museum & Library of Oakland, CA. It was a dream to honor these pioneering women and history keepers in the embodiment of Chelsea’s mother.
What we love about Vicky, is that in her professional life she works as an Archivist, and is able to support Chelsea in her quest for information about buried family secrets — both of the mystifying ghosts, and those of her own family. In one comical scene in the book, we get a chance to have some fun with the challenges of old research equipment. Remember the laborious microfilm machines we all had to use before the internet? Depending on what decade you were born in, maybe not… Well, Chelsea finds out in real-time just what kind of pain they are…and the joys they can bring when you actually discover a clue after days of sleuthing.
Research can be its own thrilling adventure and, as we examined New Orleans’ history, we made many great discoveries of our own. Not to give away any spoilers, but one of our best historical finds researching the book was a published group of free poets and writers of color who produced work in the city in the 1800’s. Their collective work was published in the 1845 Anthology Les Cenelles (The Holly Berries), a volume of lyric poems in French. Being able to fold this little-known discovery into our story allowed us to plant a special Easter egg about New Orleans’ hidden history. As writers who have benefited tremendously from workshopping with writers groups over the years, learning that the progressive Les Cenelles existed pre-20th century was exhilarating and also affirming. We felt even more empowered to share this nugget with readers. History can never get too old for us!
Simultaneously in Ghost Roast, as Chelsea puts together the puzzle pieces of the mysterious ghosts around her, she uncovers the origins of her own wholly unique talents, and their ability to help others.
We hope that through the lens of Chelsea’s story, readers walk away with an appreciation for the history of their own families, towns, and the larger world around them. Ghosts are frequently viewed as scary, but, in our experience, they are metaphorical echoes from the past that can help us connect to our present in meaningful (and profound) ways. The Southern American story, like all human tales, is a complex and interwoven narrative, full of opportunities for self-discovery… when we allow ourselves to look.
Meet the authors
Headshot credit: Shawneé & Shawnelle Gibbs
The Gibbs Sisters (Shawneé Gibbs & Shawnelle Gibbs) are an award-winning writing team from Oakland, California with backgrounds in television, animation, and comics. They’ve served as Staff Writers for Warner Brothers Animation and have written for Dreamworks Animation, Cartoon Network and Marvel Comics.
Their adventure series, The Invention of E.J. Whitaker, a diverse re-imagining of the early 20th century, was published in 2018. Ghost Roast marks their YA graphic novel debut. The pair currently live, work and play in Los Angeles.
ADDITIONAL LINKS:
The Gibbs Sisters’ website: www.gibbssisters.com
Shawneé’s IG: @shawnee.gibbs Twitter: @shawneegibbs
Shawnelle’s IG: @nellethehelle Twitter: @nelletheelle
Ghost Roast
Shawnee Gibbs and Shawnelle Gibbs, illus. by Emily Cannon. Versify, $26.99 (224p) ISBN 978-0-358-14181-5; $18.99 paper ISBN 978-0-358-14180-8
As penance for a poor decision, a 15-year-old New Orleanian must help her father run his ghost-hunting business in the Gibbs sisters' and illustrator Cannon's cheeky graphic novel debut. Chelsea Grant, desperate to stay relevant among the popular crowd, reluctantly agrees to attend a party at a local cemetery, during which she drinks and smokes marijuana--until the police atrive. Now grounded, Chelsea must assist her specter-chasing father in keeping his struggling paranormal business afloat, a punishment that dredges up painful middle school memories for a once-ostracized Chelsea. After securing a new client, Chelsea and her dad arrive at the property, a former sugarcane plantation. And while her father is excited to use his ghost roaster to expel the estate's "irregular energy," Chelsea--who, unbeknownst to him, can see and speak to ghosts--seeks an alternative solution to help the spectral inhabitants. In the vein of Octavia Butler's Kindred and boasting the fun of Ghostbusters, the Gibbs sisters invoke New Orleans mysticism to shed light on the city's history surrounding enslaved peoples. Cannon's vibrant, beaming color palette keep spirits--and suspense--high amid the dark themes. Chelsea is portrayed as Black; background characters are rendered with varying skin tones. Ages 13-up. (Jan.)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
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Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Ghost Roast." Publishers Weekly, vol. 270, no. 43, 23 Oct. 2023, p. 50. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A772537262/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=9226695b. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
GIBBS, Shawnee & Shawnelle Gibbs. Ghost Roast. illus. by Emily Cannon. 224p. HarperCollins/Clarion/Versify. Jan. 2024. Tr $26.99. ISBN 9780358141815; pap. pap. $18.99. ISBN 9780358141808.
Gr 9 Up--A quirky and fun supernatural graphic novel set in modern-day New Orleans. The story follows Chelsea Grant, who was finally accepted by the popular crowd at her new school, then got into a bit of trouble and landed herself a summer of having to work with her dad instead of hanging out with her friends. To make matters worse, her dad is the town joke because he runs a real-life ghost hunting business. What starts as punishment takes an unexpected turn when Chelsea realizes that she can actually see the ghosts her dad is hunting. Once she gets to know a few of them, she's not too sure if they should be exterminated. Even with her supernatural capabilities, Chelsea's character is relatable as she deals with normal teenage problems and current social issues. Themes of slavery and plantation history are carefully woven through the story. The authors, sisters, do a wonderful job of developing an authentic and strong protagonist who must deal with realistic problems, all while maintaining a bit of mystical flair. VERDICT An engaging narrative with gorgeous illustrations makes this a captivating graphic novel and a strong purchase for any collection.--Cat Miserendino
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
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Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Miserendino, Cat. "GIBBS, Shawnee & Shawnelle Gibbs. Ghost Roast." School Library Journal, vol. 70, no. 2, Feb. 2024, p. 104. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A784714424/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=5e58177e. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
Gibbs, Shawneé GHOST ROAST Versify/HarperCollins (Teen None) $26.99 1, 2 ISBN: 9780358141815
A high school student tries to solve a long-buried mystery involving the spirits haunting a New Orleans mansion.
After years of being known as the Ghost Girl from the Seventh Ward, 15-year-old Chelsea Grant is now a member of the popular crowd. Shortly before summer vacation, a rowdy night out with friends ends in a jail cell. Much to her chagrin, Chelsea must spend the summer working for her father's ghost-removal agency as punishment. When her dad is hired to exorcise Harrington Manor, Chelsea assumes the job will be another bust. However, soon after setting foot on the former sugarcane plantation, Chelsea, who is Black, realizes she can see and speak to the manor's ghosts--including Oliver, the gorgeous Harrington heir who went missing in 1879. As Chelsea's friendship with Oliver deepens, she uncovers grave secrets, and Oliver lies at the heart of them. In this well-paced graphic novel by the Gibbs sisters and debut artist Cannon, the tender flush of a first romance is effectively wrapped up in historical intrigue. Chelsea's relationship with her parents is crafted with realism, and the manor's legacy of slavery is explored with honesty. The lively and expressive manga-style illustrations complement the narrative well. Present-day scenes feature a rich, vibrant palette, while Chelsea's flashbacks and historical interludes use faded tones.
A fresh and charming modern Southern ghost story starring a plucky hero who isn't afraid to stand up for the truth. (Graphic paranormal. 13-18)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Gibbs, Shawnee: GHOST ROAST." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Nov. 2023, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A770738737/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=505f9f8c. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.