in an interesting way that helped me get through a lot of things in my own life . But more specific to the process , I think one of the most interesting obstacles ( or innate challenge , really ) was communicating Madeline ’ s internal strife and uncertainty in a visual way . And the process of overcoming that obstacle was initially an interesting solo exercise , and then done in collaboration with Alexa , which was the real thing that brought the story to its best possible place . Sharpe : The world quite literally ground to a halt when we were going to start on The Night Mother in earnest in 2019 . But the global state of things back then notwithstanding- this is the very first book as well as the very first long-form comic I have ever worked on . There was a learning curve in re-adjusting my process . The initial slow and steady visual development is much different from grinding out 80 consecutive pages . It was an exercise in learning to work smarter .
What would you say is the most rewarding part of the process ? Lambert : Collaboration with such a small and tightknit team . Working with Alexa , and seeing how she takes the kernel of something that exists as words on a page and brings it into her world and feelings and process and skill and expression - all of these things . It ’ s endlessly inspiring as both a writer and a fan . And extending that of course to editor Sarah Gaydos and letterer Becca Carey as well , to create something entirely its own . I think the process of making comics and graphic novels is a wonderful thing to demystify for young people , and I ’ m so excited for the breakdown in the back of this book that helps reveal how a small group of friends can come together to create something like this . Sharpe : I find great fulfillment in completing each major stage of art , from sketches to inks to colors . Even more than that , though , is working off Jeremy and Sarah ’ s feedback to perfect each page . I see the artistic process , especially comics , as ‘ visual problem solving ’. It ’ s like putting together a puzzle . Creating art on a team means there are multiple sets of eyes , to see things from different angles and suggest solutions I wouldn ’ t have thought of . It ’ s incredibly fulfilling not just to finish each page , but to hone each one , until they ’ re the best art they can be .
In terms of audience , who is this book for ? Lambert : Any young person who enjoys spooky fantasy . Especially any young person that ’ s ever wanted a telescope or who has ever been excited for Halloween . Or both . To dig a bit deeper into it , I think the reason why I wrote this story was to work out a feeling : that there were many adults in my life in various “ trusted ” institutions who wanted me to be a certain way , to mold me a certain way , oftentimes very much at odds with who I was and what was comfortable to me . Also steering me away from things I found engaging and fascinating . Telling me that the books I wanted to read were foolish and I should be reading this other much more important stuff . I wanted
to write about the same thing happening to a young person only this time she ’ s braver than I was and remains herself regardless of the situation or societal pressures . All while coming to healthy terms with something that was very scary to a young me - the existence of death . It ’ s gently explored , and done so through things I was especially familiar with as a twelve year old - nightmares . The nightmares and whispers in some way represent the many voices that tell you what you should do , sometimes all very different from each other , when really there ’ s one person whose emotions and gut instincts you need to trust more than anyone and that ’ s yourself . Sharpe : This story is excellent for young readers dipping a toe into their first supernatural horror , or those who are already fans of the genre and looking for more . I think lots of kids have a fascination with the macabre ; being a lifelong fan of horror myself , I remember avidly seeking out any eerie tale I could get my hands on . This is absolutely a book I could see myself devouring as a preteen . It ’ s a fantastic eerie tale for the curious middle-grade reader , with equal parts whimsy and fright .
What are you hoping readers take away from this book ? Lambert : A healthy dose of disobedience and a love of the night sky . ( As well as a vested interest in the continuing adventures of the little girl that lives next to the graveyard .) Sharpe : I hope this book ignites a sense of whimsy and wonderment in its readers . A desire to stay curious , and true to one ’ s dreams in the face of adversity .
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