Medina bookstore will welcome graphic novelists on June 16

Niki Smith is the creator of the book, “Midsummer Sisters.”

MEDINA – Author’s Note, Medina’s independent bookstore, will welcome a double-talented duo of graphic novel-author-illustrators on June 16.

Julie Berry, Author’s Note owner and New York Times Best-selling Author, has announced the visit of Niki Smith and Katie Risor, who will join in conversation together at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to discuss and sign their acclaimed new titles, Midsummer Sisters and Welcome to the Forest: The Lake Trip.

“With graphic novels, the fastest growing segment in market share and popularity among youth literature, the opportunity to host not one, but two author-illustrators, each with their own new releases, is a particularly exciting opportunity for Author’s Note and for Medina,” Berry said.

From Munich, Germany, award-winning cartoonist Niki Smith delivers a stunning story set during a summer of change, Berry said. Filled with gorgeous and expressive illustrations, Midsummer Sisters is a celebration of the beauty of wild horses, as powerful as the unbreakable bond between sisters. Midsummer Sisters has received five starred reviews on Publishers’ Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Shelf Awareness, School Library Journal and The Horn Book Magazine.

“Smith’s loose, expansive artistic style offers plenty of room for emotional expression – a bittersweet ode to family bonds worth fighting for,” Berry explained.

Katie Risor is author and illustrator of “Welcome to the Forest: The Lake Trip.”

Welcome to the Forest: The Lake Trip by Katie Risor from Syracuse, is the long-anticipated sequel to Welcome to the Forest: The Harvest Party. The quirky, lovable creatures of the forest return in this heartwarming and beautifully illustrated graphic novel, perfect for beginning readers, English-language learners and fans of cozy comics, according to Berry. With gentle storytelling and endearing forest friends, Katie Risor’s Welcome to the Forest series is a heartfelt invitation to slow down and savor the small wonders of the world.

Smith and Risor will each present and read from their new works, sign books purchased at the event and answer questions during their visit on Tuesday to Author’s Note.

Smith is also the author and artist of the Lambda Literary Award-nominated graphic novel The Deep & Dark Blue. Her book The Golden Hour was a Kirkus, SLJ and NYPL Best Book of 2021. When she’s not drawing comics, she’s collecting embroidery hoops and zines and learning to draw boats. She currently lives in Munich with her wife and two bilingual cats.

Risor is an illustrator, author and graphic novelist making books for kids. In 2021, her illustrations for Month of the Military Child won a Texas Advertising Award, and her debut author/illustrator early reader, Welcome to the Forest: The Harvest Party, was published in August 2025, the first in a four-part series.  Risor grew up in Texas, but now lives in Syracuse with her partner, three cats and the groundhog who lives under her porch.

Author’s Note expects a large turnout for this special event and strongly suggests preordering copies of both authors’ works at Author’s Note, 519 Main St., Medina, or online at authorsnote.com/events.  For those unable to attend, signed books can be ordered for pickup or free shipping at authorsnote.com. Contact Author’s Note at (585) 798-3642 for more information.