Oni Press' New Original Graphic Novel Puts Gymnastics and Mental Health in the Spotlight

PORTLAND, OR (February 5th, 2024)– Oni Press, the multiple Eisner and Harvey award-winning publisher of best-selling comic books and graphic novels for all ages, is proud to announce I FELT MYSELF SLIPPING, a touching coming-of-age story by former competitive gymnast and cartoonist Ray Nadine (Light Carries On, Raise Hell!, Messenger). The inspired young adult graphic novel spotlights two aspiring Olympic gymnasts trying to balance it all while navigating past hurts, school struggles, anxiety, grief, and a friendship that might be something more . . .

"My time as a gymnast was incredibly formative to the person I am today, and writing about my experiences through Kota and Riley felt like a way I could honor the lessons my coaches and teammates imparted on me,” said Ray Nadine. “And I always wished there were gymnastics comics when I was a teen, so I Felt Myself Slipping is just as much for me as it is for the next generation of gymnasts!"

After losing her dad in a car accident, level-ten gymnast Riley Glass moves to Stephon, Illinois, where she struggles to fit in with the other gymnasts. She misses her friends back home and is cautious of making new connections at Station Six, which is made all the more difficult as she's hard of hearing and none of her new teammates know ASL. When she meets Kota, Riley is surprised by Kota’s effort in learning ASL in order to communicate with her. Kota is determined to make Riley feel more at home, even though she struggles with her own anxieties. Kota wants to be the best gymnast and make it all the way to the Olympics, but her fears of getting injured could stand in the way of achieving her goals. As they make their way to the prestigious U.S. Classic gymnastics event, their future as friends and as gymnasts will be put to the test.

“With a focus on friendship, team dynamics, and mental health, I FELT MYSELF SLIPPING is perfect for fans of YA sports stories like Spinning, Heartstopper, and Check, Please!,” said Senior Editor Grace Scheipeter. “Sports, school, friendships, anxiety, and more are on the balance beam as Riley and Kota are trying to navigate all of the emotions and trials that go along with growing up while chasing their Olympic dreams.”

I FELT MYSELF SLIPPING lands in stores on September 11, 2024.

About the creator

Cartoonist Ray Nadine was a competitive gymnast for a decade as a teen and wished there were gymnastics comics, so they made one. Ray is a Chicago transplant from St. Louis who makes comics and plays too many video games. Trying new fun drinks is their favorite hobby, and they collect wheat pennies. More of their projects are at raynadine.com!

About Oni Press

Founded in 1997, Oni Press has a 25-year history as one of the industry’s most respected and acclaimed publishers of award-winning comic books and graphic novels with titles including Bryan Lee O'Malley's Scott Pilgrim, K. O’Neill’s Tea Dragon Society, Cullen Bunn & Brian Hurtt's The Sixth Gun, Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer, Ezra Clayton Daniels' Upgrade Soul, Brenna Thummler’s Sheets trilogy, and many hundreds more. In 2019, Oni Press merged with Lion Forge Comics – the Eisner Award-winning independent comic book publisher founded by Academy Award-winning producer and entrepreneur David Steward II – to create one of the largest, independent libraries of comics content anywhere in media. The Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group now exists as a publishing subsidiary of Steward’s diversified global media company, Polarity.

The Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group publishes more than 60 original and licensed graphic novels annually, in addition to an extensive list of periodical comics.

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