Selkie Awards 2026 Shortlist Announced
Now in its second year, the shortlist for the 2026 Selkie Awards, recognising comics talent from across Scotland, have now been announced. Congratulations to all the nominees, who include Cat Laird, Laura Howell, Tom Humberstone, Gary Chudleigh and Chrissy Williams.
The winners will be announced at an online awards ceremony on 4th December 2026 at 7.00pm GMT. You can register to attend virtually here.
The Selkie Awards for Scottish Comicsis an annual award for comic creators based in Scotland. The Awards aim to promote our thriving independent and small-press comics scene, and showcase the very best in Scottish comics.
Best Short Comic
• A Duel of Fools 2 by Cat Laird
• I Know the Way Outby Tom Humberstone and Chrissy Williams
• It Flows Down From the Hill by Norrie
• Secret Agent Nessie by Gary Chudleigh & Laura Howell
• Slow Shift by Erin McGrath
Best Graphic Novel
•11:11 by Ashling Larkin
• I quit my job and cycled to Rome by Julie Mapes
• Kid Eastwood the Movie by Connor Tierney
• Leaf Litter by Faye Stacey
• Suture by Paul Jon Milne
Best Art
• 11:11 by Ashling Larkin
• A Duel of Fools 2 by Cat Laird
• I Know the Way Out by Tom Humberstone and Chrissy Williams
• It Flows Down From the Hill by Norrie
• Secret Agent Nessie by Gary Chudleigh & Laura Howell
Best Narrative
• 11:11 by Ashling Larkin
• A Duel of Fools 2 by Cat Laird
• I Know the Way Out by Tom Humberstone and Chrissy Williams
• Kid Eastwood the Movie by Connor Tierney
• Slow Shift by Erin McGrath
Up and Coming Talent
• Empty Girlby Esme Allan
• GOREBULL by Libby Dyer Douglas
• Slow Shift by Erin McGrath
• Sundogs by Meka
• The Dream Mechanic by Bhavani Balasubramanyam
The Selkie Comic Awards, sponsored by La Belle Adventure Bookshop in Edinburgh, aim to promote Scotland’s thriving independent and small-press comics scene. Inspired by the SICBA Comic Book Awards, which ran from 2011-2019, the award aims to recognise talent from across Scotland, including those who have limited access to in-person comic events.
Why ‘Selkies’?
Selkies are fabled creatures from Scots mythology, who can shapeshift between seal and human forms – a perfect symbol for independent comic creators, who often need to take on multiple roles to support their creative work.
The 2026 winners will be announced at an online awards ceremony on 4th December 2026 at 7.00pm GMT. You can register to attend virtually here
- About the Author
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who MagazineandOverkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
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