Gabriola artist's memoir of childhood sexual abuse wins graphic novel prize

When a Gabriola graphic novelist set out to tell her story about childhood sexual abuse, she had no idea her first book would be celebrated for its powerful narrative.

"For me, when I wrote the book it was enough to get my story out and get it published… and to reach a few people and to help a few people," said Emily Carrington. "But I was shocked in the best way you could be shocked."

Unknown to the Carrington, the publisher of Our Little Secrethad submitted her work for the Lynd Ward Graphic Novel Prize, and in late April, she was told she had won.

The award, which is sponsored by the Pennsylvania State University Libraries and administered by the Pennsylvania Center for the Book, is presented annually to the best graphic novel, as determined by a panel of judges, published in the previous calendar year by a living U.S. or Canadian citizen or resident.

"The story is clear and engaging and invites readers to witness the author's futile quest for redress through the courts. This cultivates empathy and performs a kind of grassroots justice without sacrificing literary and artistic excellence … She uses metaphor beautifully and seamlessly weaves surrealist threads throughout the narrative," noted the judges' comments on the organization's website.

Our Little Secret is a memoir that depicts Carrington's experiences of sexual abuse at 15 years old while living in the Maritimes during the '80s. The novel also reveals her struggles to heal as an adult.

"I really do feel passionately that the more people talk about the issue of child sexual abuse, the less of it will happen. And my book is just a tool to get people talking," she said. She added that readers who have gone through similar experiences have told her the book helped them feel seen and less alone.

For future endeavors, Carrington is working on another non-fiction graphic novel about how she learned more about a friend during the isolation of early pandemic life in 2020.

The Lynd Ward Graphic Novel Prize will be presented to Carrington in the fall during a ceremony in Pennsylvania, along with the prize money of $2,500.

Our Little Secretcan be purchased online though the publisher at www.drawnandquarterly.com.

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