Matthew Dow Smith

Amelia Shadows has never had what you might call a “normal” childhood. For one thing, her dad’s the most powerful dark magician in the world. And for another, she’s spent her entire life in a house filled with ghosts and monsters and incredibly dangerous magical objects! As far as Amelia’s concerned, her life’s actually pretty cool. When Amelia and her cat, Clara, aren’t having adventures or dealing with dimensional portals in the pantry, she’s learning to be a dark magician, just like her dad, with the help of a ghost tutor named Gustave. You’d think a ghost tutor named Gustave would be pretty fun, but he’s actually pretty boring. And if a boring ghost tutor wasn’t bad enough, now Amelia’s dad has hired another ghost to oversee things, Hans. Which wouldn’t be that bad, except Hans has very strong opinions about how things should be around the house. This new head ghost has got to go, and Amelia may have a surprising ally… Magic and mischief and a life lesson or two from Matthew Dow Smith, creator of DC’s Misfits of Magic and Maverick’s The October Girl.

IN ONE MONTH!

AMELIA SHADOWS AND THE NEW HEAD GHOST, the first book in my middle grade Amelia Shadows series!!

From me and @papercutzgn.bsky.social!!!

April 7, 2026!!!!

I'm absurdly excited!!!!

DWFWLoD Chapter 2 | Matthew Dow Smith Get more from Matthew Dow Smith on Patreon

New Comic Book Friday: A brand new chapter of DESTINY WALKER, FREELANCE WITCH: The Library of Doooom is now up on my Patreon for all my paid subscribers!

#DestinyWalker
#LibraryOfDoooom
#PatreonComics
#KidsComics

Congratulations, Paul and Rachael! That is fantastic!!!

Thanks, my friend!

Thanks, Victoria!

Thank you!

Oh, hey! I drew that yeti!

Thanks, Catie!

I kind of hate you and love you for that one, Ted.

Must be the award nomination talking.

Thrilled to be able to say that THE OCTOBER GIRL Book One is a Foreword INDIES Award Finalist in Young Adult Fiction!

It's my first award nomination as a writer/artist and as corny as it sounds, I am genuinely over the moon to have this book be nominated!

www.forewordreviews.com/awards/final...

That's crazy talk, Mike!!!

I can count the number of shows I've made a profit at over the last 30 years on one hand. And most of those were a local show I did several times where I had very limited expenses.

THIS. So much this.

This is a huge reason that I do so few conventions. I just simply can't afford to do them.

It's a huuuuuge financial gamble.

Join us for a day full of great graphic novels at @slj.com Middle Grade Magic! Swing by our virtual booth to say hi, check out our exciting releases, and tune in to panels ft. Richard Ashley Hamilton, @jimbenton.bsky.social , and @matthewdowsmith.bsky.social ! More Info Here: https://bit.ly/3MR01aU

A true end-of-an-era moment. Richardson has been a huge force in the comic book world outside of the Big Two for as long as I've been making comics.

I'll be on the Not of This World panel at 3:40 with a bunch of incredible middle grade writers and artist!

Middle Grade Magic 2026 JoinSchool Library JournalonMarch 5for oureight annualMiddle Grade Magicvirtual event, a day-long celebration of authors and creators dedicated to crafting literature forkiddosages eight through 12. G...

Tomorrow!

I'm taking part in @slj.com's Middle Grade Magic virtual event!

It's free! And virtual! And you can register at the link below!

Thanks, buddy!

Very VERY busy!

NICE!

The covers for THE OCTOBER GIRL Book Two and Book Three

The covers for THREE Amelia Shadows books. That's right. Three of them.

When I said I hoped people liked the middle grade and young adult work I was doing because there was going to be a lot more of it...

...I was NOT kidding. Really, REALLY, not kidding.

#ComingSoon
#MakingComics
#MakingSOMANYComics

Congratulations!!! As another person whose Big Swing Project (the Misfits of Magic book) actually happened, I know what an incredible freaking feeling that is. Enjoy it! And I can't wait to see what you're gonna do!

Oh my god, this. SO much this.

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I love it! Looks amazing!

They really believe in this book, and I am intensely grateful for it.

(Just wait until you see the publishing plan for Amelia Shadows! I feel very believed in as a creator!)

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Thanks so much! I'm so glad you liked it!

Amelia Shadows and the New Head Ghost Magic and mayhem collide in this fantastical new series! For fans of black cats and dark wizards!Amelia Shadows has never had what you might call a...

And if you need something to read while you wait for THE OCTOBER GIRL Book Two in May, might I suggest AMELIA SHADOWS AND THE NEW HEAD GHOST? Comes out April 7th from me and @papercutzgn.bsky.social!

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