Severn Welcomed Gale Galligan as the 2024 Middle School Visiting Author

10/14/2024

Author and cartoonist Gale Galligan visited Severn middle school students as the latest addition to the middle school author series.

Severn School welcomed Gale Galligan, New York Times bestselling cartoonist, as a visiting author through the Middle School author series and writer’s workshop. Galligan, who is best known as the creator of four Baby-Sitters Club graphic novel adaptations, spent a full day interacting with students. Their visit included an engaging presentation to the entire Middle School as well as a book signing and several small group workshops.

The Middle School Author Series is an important initiative that offers students an in-depth look into an author's writing process. Throughout the day, students have numerous opportunities to ask questions about the author’s creative process, to ask for advice, and to learn more about the author’s personal path to success.

In preparation for Galligan’s visit, students were assigned Freestyle, Galligan’s newest graphic novel, for their summer reading. Freestyle centers around themes of self-expression and the power of communication.

"Choosing a graphic novel was important as it is a medium of writing that is popular with middle school students," said Library Director Whitney Etchison. "It also provides a unique opportunity to showcase an author who writes and draws."

Galligan's visit kicked off with a presentation in Price Auditorium, where they shared insights into their beginnings as an author and artist. Discussion centered around Galligan’s techniques, tips, and the tricks they used to master their style. Students learned to initially identify and mimic art styles they enjoyed as their unique style developed. Galligan also shared how their art style has changed since they began drawing, and what it really takes to assemble a graphic novel.

Galligan’s presentation was high-energy and interactive. At one point in the all-school assembly, they brought up Marin Batchelder '29 and drew her in character style as a living example of an artist turning a model into a character. Students helped provide input on the character's name (Rose) and developed a simple story that Galligan illustrated in real time using a character in a scene.

Galligan, who holds a master's degree in sequential art, had powerful insight into advanced themes of story design and development. Building suspense, seeing scenes from different points of view, and learning to be your own model for movements were just some of the techniques they reviewed, giving students a professional perspective on storytelling through visuals.

At the end of the presentation, Galligan opened the floor for questions. Students asked Gale about everything, from inspirations and aspirations to how to successfully draw hands.

"Mx. Galligan had a sense of humor that appealed to middle schoolers," said Quinn Park '29. "They had an energy and were bubbly and full of joy."

Following the presentation, Gale personally signed copies of Freestyle.” Each signature also included a quick character sketch of the student done by Gale.

Following the assembly, Galligan taught workshops to interested students focused on creating their own comic strip, called a zine, based around something they enjoy. Working around subjects and ideas students were passionate about was a unifying theme for these workshops.

"It was cool to learn techniques for drawing from Gale during their workshop," said Rose Coughlin '31. "It was also really cool to get three books signed!"

"I learned about a new kind of book I'd never heard of before," said Quinn. "Mx. Galligan called on a student to draw, taught us new ideas and ways to draw and write, and kept it interactive."

"They were the most fun and engaging author visit yet!"

Author visits at Severn have become an essential part of the reading culture cultivated by library administrators. "These authors can be a real hook for kids who don't already like to read," said Whitney. "Giving them access to the mind of a professional creative and providing a writer as a role model provides substantial building blocks for the culture we want at Severn."

About the Middle School Author Series

This initiative supports budding authors by sponsoring special guest visitors, writers' workshops, community coffee houses, and the student publication, The Admiral's Pen. These experiences give middle school students an authentic opportunity to confidently celebrate their literary voices and those of their peers. Past programs have included visits and workshops with award-winning authors Jason Reynolds and Taylor Mali.

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