A Conversation with Nidhi Chanani, by Angela Frederick

What’s the best part of being a comics creator? 

NC: The best thing is meeting readers. At the end of the day, the work is the work, and it can be a mix of really gratifying and really long [days]. Making comic books takes a really long time, but when you make the work and then you get to meet the readers and see their reaction to the work, and talk to them about the different aspects of the story or the characters, that’s the part that just lights me up. 

Do you have a lot of opportunities to interact with readers? Do you go into schools or visit libraries?

NC: All of it. I’m not sure how many school visits I have done, but it is so many. Everytime I’m in a school, I feel so grateful. Not every author gets to go to schools. With SUPER BOBA CAFE, it’s been a really interesting experience because it’s in a certain zeitgeist. When I walk into schools, kids are already excited to read it because they are familiar with boba. They’ll be reading it already when I visit. 

Do you consider SUPER BOBA CAFE to be for the middle grades?

NC: Even though comics get designated as middle grade or YA, it’s actually a medium that has a wide range of readers. I have adults contact me to tell me how much they have enjoyed SUPER BOBA CAFE. But there is a plot point about the dangers of social media and bullying, and so it will resonate with a younger reader if they’ve had an experience with those issues already. I also think we’re in an interesting place with readers right now since kids are still catching up with their reading skills after the pandemic, so you might have differently aged kids interested in the same works. 

How would you describe your art style? 

It’s been described as whimsical and cute. I’ve always loved picture books and that had a significant influence on me. I like art that is way beyond my skill level, and that inspires me a lot. I like simple art as well, although simplicity in art can be deceptive. It’s hard to do simple things well. 

How have the recent trends of book bans and censorship affected you? 

NC: I am part of Authors Against Book Bans, which is helmed by Maggie ?? I have experienced soft censorship in the form of my school visits drying up. I had events canceled without explanation. I do have a book that won a Stonewall Award Honor, and I am not quiet about the fact that I’m queer. JUKEBOX has a character who is queer. I think that when people are booking school visits, they may be making a choice to not invite me. 

I am also friends with many authors who have had their livelihoods affected by this, and have received death threats for writing a book about periods, or a book about racism. Everyone is feeling the effects of it whether it’s a direct connection or the ripple effect of censorship.

Does it affect you while you’re trying to create your stories?

I try to push out those thoughts while I’m creating. The story will tell me what it needs to say, and I can’t have any toxic anti-history, anti-gay agenda affect what I know as someone who is queer and never saw themself in books when I’m creating. I will say that how I am on social media has changed significantly because I don’t want to engage at the same level that I used to. I don’t engage with trolls. 

Can fans of SUPER BOBA CAFE look forward to more volumes? 

NC: Yes, the second volume will be out next year. I am drawing it right now. I can’t tell you the plot yet, but it will be worth the wait. I’m hoping it will be a three book arc, and that will give readers a nice sense of completion. 

About the Author:

Nidhi Chanani is a freelance illustrator, cartoonist, and writer. Born in Calcutta and raised in suburban Southern California, she creates because it makes her happy—with the hope that it can make others happy too. Her debut graphic novel, Pashmina, received starred reviews from School Library Journal and Publishers Weekly, was a JLG Selection, a YALSA Top Ten Great Graphic Novel for Teens, and was reviewed in the New York Times, among other honors. She has a number of other comics and picture books out in the world as well, including Binny’s Diwali, Jukebox, and What Will My Story Be? Chanani draws and dreams every day with her husband, kid, and their kittens in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Filed under: Graphic Novels