Discipline Category: Writing and Publishing

S.M. (Samantha Mary) Beiko is an award-winning author of young adult fantasy, and the artist and writer of the graphic novel series KRAMPUS IS MY BOYFRIEND! She has worked in the book publishing industry as an editor and graphic designer since 2010, both freelance as well as for established publishing houses. She has won the Aurora Award for Best Artist multiple times, notably for her covers for Laksa Media.

Beiko's novels have been published by ECW Press in Toronto since 2013. Her first novel, THE LAKE AND THE LIBRARY, was nominated for the Manitoba Book Award that year, while SCION OF THE FOX won the Copper Cylinder Award for science fiction in 2018. She was the co-editor on the original comics anthology GOTHIC TALES OF HAUNTED LOVE (Bedside Press), and the sole editor on its follow up, GOTHIC TALES OF HAUNTED FUTURES. Her current series, The Brindlewatch Quintet, are capsule stories featuring queer characters and cozy monster romance. Her short fiction has been published in the following anthologies: GUSH, THAT WITCH WHISPERS, PARALLEL PRAIRIES, plus a short comic in DIRE BEASTS.

Beiko is also the sole creator (artist and writer) of KRAMPUS IS MY BOYFRIEND!, a slice of life teen romantic comedy which won the 2020 Aurora Award for Best Graphic Novel, and was nominated for the Joe Shuster Award for Best Webcomic that year. It is ongoing and self-published.

Beiko's freelance editorial work covers all aspects of developmental editing for prose fiction. She specializes in science fiction, fantasy, and horror, and also edits and art directs for comics and graphic novels at all stages (from pitch to script to layouts and finals). She has a studio in downtown Winnipeg's Exchange District, and is the Artistic Director for Prairie Comics Festival.

A graduate of the School of Fine Arts, Amine Hob has built his artistic path through diverse creative experiences. Passionate about visual storytelling, he now focuses on digital illustration and 2D animation. He has created several animated works that combine strong graphic design with visual narrative.
 His work has been recognized at a national level, including an award in digital creation. His artistic universe blends high visual standards with contemporary exploration.

Une ligne horizontale transpercée par un regard serpenté suivant un mouvement vertical d’un levé du soleil, une envie sincère pour de nouveaux horizons, à la recherche du bien être et a la connaissance de l'être, éliminer parfois le malaise du manque de savoir vis a vis a notre propre existence en quête de l'Autre , parler, partager, communiquer avec des esprit créatifs, profiter tout simplement de cette source d’énergie qui est l'humain, tell’ est l’essence essentiel de ma propre volonté.