About

Black Josei Press is an award-winning indie comic book publishing company focused on applauding comics by and for people of color from marginalized genders and sexualities.

Black Josei Press is heavily inspired by josei manga and primarily publishes comics for grown folks, but we also have comics for all ages. We hope to improve the comic landscape by providing a space for creators like us to tell their stories.

We were founded in 2018 by the Black, Latinx, Queer, and disabled comics writer Jamila Rowser. We are based in North Carolina on the traditional land of Lumbee, the Mánu: Yį Įsuwą (Catawba), and Skaruhreh/Tuscarora.

Hiatus

Black Josei Press changed my life when I launched it back in 2018; and now 6 years later, my life has changed in other ways, some for the better, some not.

During that time, I’ve become disabled due to chronic pain and illness. My health has only worsened, so I’ve put Black Josei Press on indefinite hiatus. I’m not sure when we’ll come back, or if we will come back. But I do know that right now, I don’t have the health, time, or money to keep the press running.

These last several years have been filled with highs and lows regarding my health and personal life, and I’m grateful to have Black Josei Press as a peak I can always stand on. I sincerely thank the BJP creators, readers, retailers, libraries, colleges, and conventions who support us.

But I, Jamila Rowser, ain’t goin’ nowhere! I’ll still be writing and editing comics. I’m also available for presentations/talks, cons, panels, and other gigs of the sort. If you’re interested in hiring me, reach out to me or my agent.

You can follow me at @JamilaRowser on Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, and my Newsletter to stay up-to-date, and email me at jamila@jamilarowser.com.

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Jamila