Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature
1 appearances
-
Edition 0 (2019) Winner
Jen Wang (Jennifer Sheena Wang)
ジェン・ワン（ジェニファー・シーナ・ワン）
Jen Wang / Jennifer Sheena Wang
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1984-03-22 （Alameda County, California, U.S.）
- Nationality
- United States
- Languages
- English
- Residence History
- Bay Area, California (raised) → Los Angeles, California (resides)
Career
- Occupations
- cartoonist, writer, illustrator
- Active Years
- 2007-
- Affiliations
- Comic Arts Los Angeles (co-founder)
- Influenced By
- Manga (influence from Japanese manga/artists)
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco State University | — | Sociology (initially majored in Film) | — | — | United States |
San Francisco State University
Sociology (initially majored in Film)
Country:
United States
Originally majored in film, later changed major to sociology before graduating
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Cybils Award (Best Graphic Novel) | In Real Life | Best Graphic Novel | Cybils | winner |
| 2018 | Harvey Award | The Prince and the Dressmaker | Best Children or Young Adult Book | Harvey Awards | winner (tie) |
| 2018 | Harvey Award (nomination) | The Prince and the Dressmaker | Book of the Year | Harvey Awards | nominee |
| 2019 | Eisner Award (Best Writer/Artist) | The Prince and the Dressmaker | Best Writer/Artist | Eisner Awards | winner |
| 2019 | Eisner Award (Best Publication for Teens) | The Prince and the Dressmaker | Best Publication for Teens (ages 13–17) | Eisner Awards | winner |
| 2020 | Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature (Children's Literature) | Stargazing | Children's Literature | Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature | winner |
Cybils Award (Best Graphic Novel)
2014
Work:
In Real Life
Category:
Best Graphic Novel
Organization:
Cybils
Result:
winner
Harvey Award
2018
Work:
The Prince and the Dressmaker
Category:
Best Children or Young Adult Book
Organization:
Harvey Awards
Result:
winner (tie)
Harvey Award (nomination)
2018
Work:
The Prince and the Dressmaker
Category:
Book of the Year
Organization:
Harvey Awards
Result:
nominee
Eisner Award (Best Writer/Artist)
2019
Work:
The Prince and the Dressmaker
Category:
Best Writer/Artist
Organization:
Eisner Awards
Result:
winner
Eisner Award (Best Publication for Teens)
2019
Work:
The Prince and the Dressmaker
Category:
Best Publication for Teens (ages 13–17)
Organization:
Eisner Awards
Result:
winner
Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature (Children's Literature)
2020
Work:
Stargazing
Category:
Children's Literature
Organization:
Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature
Result:
winner
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Koko Be Good
2010 graphic novelJen Wang's debut graphic novel exploring relationships and coming-of-age themes among young characters.
friendshipcoming-of-age
Fake Mustache (illustrator)
2012 children's graphic novel (illustration)A children's graphic novel written by Tom Angleberger with illustrations by Jen Wang.
adventurehumor
In Real Life (illustrator; with Cory Doctorow)
2014 graphic novelA graphic novel about online gaming, labor and community based on Cory Doctorow's short story, illustrated by Jen Wang.
online culturelaborcommunity
The White Snake (webcomic, serialized)
2014 webcomicA serialized webcomic by Jen Wang incorporating elements of myth and folk tale.
folklorefantasy
Lumberjanes: Makin' the Ghost of It
2016 comic (contribution)A contribution to the popular Lumberjanes comic series.
friendshipadventure
The Prince and the Dressmaker
2018 young adult graphic novelA story about a prince who enjoys dressing in secret and the seamstress who helps him, exploring friendship, identity, and self-expression.
identityfriendshipself-expressiongender
Stargazing
2019 children's/young adult graphic novelA young-adult graphic novel about friendship and self-discovery that also touches on cultural background and family relationships.
friendshipself-discoveryculture
Ash's Cabin
2024 graphic novelPublished in 2024; details are limited, but it features Wang's characteristic delicate character work and color.
growthrelationships
Bibliography
- Koko Be Good (2010)
- Fake Mustache (illustrator, 2012)
- In Real Life (illustrator, 2014)
- The White Snake (serialized, 2014)
- Lumberjanes: Makin' the Ghost of It (contribution, 2016)
- The Prince and the Dressmaker (2018)
- Stargazing (2019)
- Ash's Cabin (2024)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- vivid use of color and expressive character depictiondelicate visual storytelling that conveys emotion
- Recurring Motifs
- friendship and communityself-expression and identitycoming-of-age
Legacy
Jen Wang is highly regarded in the young-adult graphic novel field for works that portray diverse themes including LGBTQ and Asian-American experiences; her visual expressiveness and delicate character work have been influential.
Trivia
- Her parents are immigrants from Taiwan.
- Raised in the Bay Area and currently resides in Los Angeles.
- Co-founder and organizer of Comic Arts Los Angeles; also active in webcomics.