Editor’s Note: If you’re heading out to Small Press Expo (September 12-13), be sure to see Jared Sarnie as part of the talented creators at the Fieldmouse Press table.
Jared Sarnie is the new kid on the block in the world of comics. His debut graphic novel is The Machine is Broken, published by Fieldmouse Press, a work that rewards rereading with its challenging subject matter and multi-layered approach. Sarnie appreciates that his story about euthanasia may not be for everyone but, at the same time, he hopes that any initial misunderstanding won’t stand in the way of trying out a thoughtful work in comics.
Jared Sarnie
Just like any worthwhile work that challenges the reader, there’s more than meets the eye beyond just checking out the cover and a quick flip-through, even a first reading. In the case of Sarnie’s 60-page graphic novella, he will be the first to admit that he’s tackling dangerous material. Any work that features suicide is already setting itself up for greater scrutiny. And to insert all manner of humor, some with an edgy quality and some with a deeper satirical bite, is going to complicate matters. I mean, the subject and the approach are at the deep end of the pool and this is Sarnie’s very first dive into comics. As he puts it during our chat, he was looking at creating a fully-formed work, as opposed to initial mini-comics, for the first book he released to the public. And that’s fair. Think of it as a young writer focusing on his first novel and not starting out with short stories.
Panel excerpt from The Machine is Broken.
Sarnie’s creative journey is that of someone who took a leap of faith and dove into comics with no prior background. While he does not have a specific history in the making of comics, he’s certainly proven to be a quick study. Sarnie shares about what he learned under the mentorship of the editors at Fieldmouse Press. Whatever Sarnie might have pulled from various mediums, whether from movies, books, or comics, at the end of the day, once he was pursuing his graphic novella in earnest, it was all about problem-solving through the lens of comics: color choices, lettering, pacing and composition. And, while the disruptive spirit is kept alive, there’s also the care on display in regards to making the whole thing add up as work of comics.
Page excerpt from The Machine is Broken.
What emerges from our conversation is a new kid on the block who is gaining ground. I think Sarnie presented himself with poise and thoughtful answers during our chat. I know that the whole process of promoting your book to the world is a job all to itself. You learn a lot along the way. But, if you believe in your work and in yourself, things have a way of falling into place. If you know you’re on the right track, it will resonate with other people. I know that Jared Sarnie is on the right track.
Seek out The Machine is Broken and see for yourself. So, I welcome you to check out the video by simply clicking the link above or checking out the audio wherever you get your podcasts. As always, your input is very important. If you have the time, please give our chat a View, Like and even a Comment. Thank you.
Bonus Track: At the very end of our chat, Jared provided an exclusive reveal, a bit of a clue about his next project. We’ll have to make do with this working title, The Man Who Killed Elliot Smith.
