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MONKEY KING AND THE WORLD OF MYTHS, my debut graphic novel series, coming soon!

Writer's picture: Maple LamMaple Lam

Updated: Jan 12

If you tell the middle-school me, the kid who swam in comics and drawings and stories, that I would one day become a published graphic novelist, I think my heart would explode with joy and disbelief.


How it that possible? I don’t even know where to start?


And, yet, here I am, ready to kick off the launch of my debut graphic novel series Monkey King and the World of Myths: (Book 1) The Monster and the Maze. (Publisher: Penguin Putnam. Release date: April 2, 2024)


American Edition. Coming April 2, 2024!
American Edition. Coming April 2, 2024!

And if you live in the UK, the UK edition of the book will come out April 9, 2024! (Publisher: Hachette Hodder.)


UK Edition. Coming April 9, 2024.
UK Edition. Coming April 9, 2024.

How exciting!!!


A few days ago, I turned on an antique computer I used in college to locate a file, and I stumbled upon some forgotten artwork I made back then.


Monkey King artwork when I was a Freshman in UC Irvine.
Monkey King artwork when I was a Freshman in UC Irvine.

Monkey King artwork when I was a Senior in UC Irvine.
Monkey King artwork when I was a Senior in UC Irvine.

Ah, life full-circling! How cool is that!


There are so many things, from process to challenges, that I want to share with you. I will share them one at a time, sometimes via this wonderful Substack space, and other times via physical or online workshops, school and library visits, conventions, panels, etc.



If you have any particular questions, whether if you are a creator who wants to learn more about specific process, or an educator/parent who wants to know how to integrate graphic novels into the young one’s reading habit, or a reader who wants me questions about the story, please feel free to leave a comment below! The best part about Substack is that I have a very centralized place to interact with you, and I get to answer your questions in future Substack posts!


If you live in Southern California, please come to the Monkey King book launch party on Sunday, April 7th, 2024 at 2pm at Once Upon a Time Bookstore (2207 Honolulu Ave., Montrose, CA 91020). I will share my creative process and little trivia in making the book, and I will sign and make a small drawing in your book!



Pre-order the book to get a special sticker!



If you live in Michigan, I am honored to be invited to Grand Rapids Comic Con on Saturday April 13th, 2024, where I will share in a workshop panel the graphic novel process from proposal to publication. And I will be signing books after.

Come say hello!


More to come soon!


In the meantime, happy reading comics and graphic novels!

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