This week, we have prolific cartoonist and illustrator Kaitlin Chan joining the podcast to discuss her recently published graphic novel, ‘Eric’s Sister.‘ Kaitlin talks about why she wanted to focus a narrative on sibling relationships, family, creative doubt, and the importance of friendship and community. Later on in the conversation, host Megan Cattel and Kaitlin delve into the pressure first-generation college students feel when taking on a career in the arts and some of their favorite books, music, and TV shows they’ve been enjoying recently.
**If you’re in North America, consider purchasing your copy of ‘Eric’s Sister’ from Bleakhouse Books, an independent bookstore in upstate NY, originally based in Hong Kong.
About ‘Eric’s Sister’:
“A slice of life graphic novel set in Hong Kong, Eric’s Sister explores creative doubt, the uneasy love between family members, and friendship as a salve in the aftermath of tragedy. Lisa and her brother Eric are aspiring artists in their twenties. Lisa has always loved drawing, and Eric is a painter poised for a career breakthrough. But as they each struggle to make their mark, there is a disquieting undercurrent of what they can’t tell each other. Lisa has always played second fiddle to her brother, but how much longer can she feel like a supporting actor in her own life?”
Shownotes:
– ‘Eric’s Sister‘, graphic novel by Kaitlin Chan
– Eldest Immigrant Daughter Instagram page
– ‘The Utang Clan‘ on NPR’s Code Switch, by Malaka Gharib (“Utang na loob is the Filipino concept of an eternal debt to others, be it family or friends, who do a favor for you.”)
Recommendations:
– Muni Long’s song “Made for Me” and her journey from songwriting to singing in the music industry
– Wendy Xu’s graphic novel, ‘Infinity Particle‘
Self-care tips:
Nanalan, a Canadian kids show, and dancing like no one’s watching!
About Kaitlin Chan:
Kaitlin is a cartoonist and cultural worker in Hong Kong. She recently self published my first graphic novel, Eric’s Sister.
Her work has appeared in The New Yorker online, Astra Magazine, The Economist, Catapult, Awry Comics, Oprah Daily, The Margins, The Offing, Popula and elsewhere. She was shortlisted for the 2021 Cartoonist Studio Prize in Webcomics from the Center for Cartoon Studies.
Alongside comics, she has also participated in discussions or held workshops with Polytechnic University, The New School, Temple University Japan, University of Hong Kong, Vermont College of Fine Arts, University of Southern California, School of Visual Arts, Hackney Comic and Zine Fair, Tai Kwun Contemporary, M+ Museum and the Hong Kong Literary Festival.”
About Megan Cattel:
Megan is an assistant editor at Nieman Reports, and works with reporters from around the world covering press freedom and the media industry. She previously worked for WBUR, Foreign Policy, NPR’s StoryCorps, and elsewhere. Since 2021, she’s been an editor, producer, and occasionally co-host of the NüVoices podcast.