North Bend artist and author Josh Tuininga’s graphic novel We Are Not Strangers has been named a finalist for the 2024 Washington State Book Award in the Creative Nonfiction/Memoir category.
The awards celebrate works of outstanding literary merit by Washington state authors. Winners will be announced on September 24, 2024. Following the announcement, Tuininga will host an event at the North Bend Library on September 24th, where he’ll share insights into the creation and inspiration behind the book.
We Are Not Strangers tells the story of an unexpected alliance between Papoo, a Sephardic Jewish immigrant whose ties to his Japanese neighbors highlight the common human spirit that thrives during a time of intense cultural and political tension in the United States.
The book explores themes of empathy, allyship, and challenging societal norms, offering readers a deeply moving narrative about standing together in difficult times.
Since the book’s release, it has received widespread recognition, including winning the National Excellence in Graphic Literature Award for Best Non-Fiction of 2024.
Tuininga reflected on the success, saying, “The response to We Are Not Strangers has been incredible. The book has won some awards, including the National Excellence in Graphic Literature Award, which was a very unexpected surprise. I’ve also been doing events at libraries, bookstores, and schools, which has been very rewarding. My dream was for this story to be used in the classroom, so it has been amazing to see schools utilizing the book in their curriculum and teachers using the accompanying study guide.”
Defying Norms and Finding Connection
Tuininga’s work often highlights characters who challenge societal norms. “I’m drawn to stories about people who defy societal norms and challenge the rules,” he shared. “Much of my work gravitates towards this theme because I believe that those who dare to go against the grain often become the voices of reason we need. While it’s true that breaking the rules can sometimes lead to trouble, where would we be without the trailblazers who have dared to disrupt art, music, and culture?”
The themes of allyship and understanding between different communities have deeply resonated with readers, something Tuininga finds especially rewarding. “It’s really encouraging to see so much interest around an intersectional story of allyship between two different cultures. I’m also thrilled to see so much excitement around a comic book, especially from people who’ve never read a graphic novel before. It’s so awesome to watch people dive into my favorite art form, experiencing the magic of comic books for the first time.”
Connecting With Readers Across the Country
The success of We Are Not Strangers has taken Tuininga on a journey of speaking engagements and events across the country. “My publicist has booked many events, and I’ve recently been added to the Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau, so I have been lucky enough to speak locally as well as travel to Walla Walla, Spokane, San Diego, Portland, and even Miami!” Tuininga said. “It’s been so rewarding to connect with other people and hear their stories and how they relate to this project.”
Advice for Aspiring Artists
For aspiring artists and writers, particularly those from small communities like North Bend, Tuininga emphasizes perseverance and the importance of community. “Always be working. Sometimes, it can feel like a project is just so big and overwhelming that there’s just no way in hell I’ll ever be able to finish it. I really try to ignore that feeling and just do something. Anything, no matter how small. Just a little bit every day. Over time, that really adds up.”
Tuininga also stresses the value of feedback. “Seek out feedback. When I’m deep into a project, it’s easy to start feeling isolated. Being alone on a project can be productive, but after a while, it’s almost impossible to see the flaws in my own work. Finding people who are willing to give honest feedback about what parts of my work are succeeding and what parts suck has been maybe the most important part of my process. And better yet, feedback can turn into collaboration. There are plenty of resources in the valley to connect with other artists and writers!”
Striking a Balance
Over time, Tuininga has also learned the importance of balance in his life and work. “Balance is a new concept for me. I used to be the kind of artist who would grind on a project for weeks and never come up for air, which was exhausting. Now, my process is much more relaxed and consistent. I take lots of breaks and have a better life/work balance. Who knew that taking more breaks would end up being even more productive?”
Looking Ahead
While Tuininga is still enjoying the success of We Are Not Strangers, he hinted at new projects on the horizon. “I do have a couple of new projects in the works! I’ll be happy to share what I’m doing next at the event.”
As he reflects on his work, Tuininga hopes that readers take away an important message from We Are Not Strangers. “This story sheds light on an alliance between two communities that isn’t very well known. I think we can learn a lot from this story. In a time when we’re often encouraged to see each other as strangers, I hope this story helps people understand that it doesn’t have to be that way. In my experience, living here in the valley, everyone in our community doesn’t see eye to eye on every issue. But I find that if I reach out to people and listen, it’s easy to find common ground on something. I think that’s really powerful, and this true story of allyship serves as a great reminder of something we all are capable of.”
A Story Behind the Story
Readers interested in learning more about the process behind We Are Not Strangers and hearing directly from Josh Tuininga have the perfect opportunity coming up. Tuininga will host a live presentation at the North Bend Library on Thursday, September 24th, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Tuininga’s upcoming event for the King County Library System at the North Bend Library will give attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of We Are Not Strangers. “At this event, I will be talking about the story behind the story. It’s a highly visual talk where I present my research and how this project came to be. I will also be sharing a little bit about the process of making a graphic novel from script to sketches, to inks and colors,” Tuininga explained. The event promises a mix of storytelling, a glimpse into the creative process, and insights into the themes that shape his work.
This engaging talk will explore the research, creation, and themes of his graphic novel and provide insight into the art of storytelling through comics. Attendees can expect a visual presentation covering everything from the book’s origins to its publication. For more details and to register for the event, visit the King County Library System event page.
