Awards specifically for UK comics are a rare commodity right now and have been since the British Comic Awards disappeared several years ago. One of the last holdouts was the Scottish Independent Comic Book Alliance Awards (the SICBAs) which I had the pleasure of being a judge for back in 2019. While the SICBAs came to an end that year there’s a new show in town for Scottish creators in the shape of new awards the Selkies! Full details from organiser Cara Gaffney in the press release below.
New Scottish indie comic award open for submissions – deadline 23 August
Are you a comic creator based in Scotland who has published a comic in the last 12 months? If so, the newly formed Selkie Awards wants to hear from you!
Inspired by the Scottish Independent Comic Book Alliance (SICBA) Awards, which ran from 2011-2019, the award aims to celebrate the wealth of talent in the Scottish comic book scene. Welcoming submissions of both short comics and graphic novels, ongoing series and standalone stories, the Selkies will be open for submissions until Friday 23 August 2024.
Why ‘Selkies’?
“Selkies are fabled creatures from Scots mythology, who can shapeshift between seal and human forms,” says organiser Cara Gaffney. “This makes them a perfect symbol for independent comic creators, who not only often take on multiple roles when making comics, but also frequently need to find additional sources of income to support their comic creation.
“In the current climate, it’s more important than ever that there are ways for comic creators to receive recognition for their achievements that don’t come with an entry fee attached,” she adds. “The SICBAs were a fantastic community event and they’ve been dearly missed. We’re hoping that the Selkies can help bring back some of that magic.”
How to apply
The Selkie Awards welcome submissions of comics created between July 2023 and July 2024 in Scotland, or by residents of Scotland.
The award will have five categories:
- Best Short Comic
- Best Graphic Novel
- Best Art
- Best Narrative
- Up and Coming Talent
The deadline for applications is 23 August 2024.
The application form, as well as submission guidelines, can be found on the Selkie website at selkieawards.org/2024.
