‘Pumpkin Guts’ Earns International North Street Book Prize
Chippewa Falls’ Jacoby Matott just earned first prize in a Winning Writers contest for a graphic novel he spent 10 years working on
author & photos by McKenna Scherer |
The finalists and award winners of the 11th annual North Street Book Prize contest, created by digital resource site Winning Writers, were recently unveiled. Among the eight categories’ first prize winners, a familiar name stands out: Chippewa Falls’ Jacoby Matott.
Back in 2010, Matott was part of the cast at the Village of Terror, hosted at the Chippewa Falls fairgrounds, playing the role of a teenage wolf. It was the perfect atmosphere for the idea of Pumpkin Guts: The Hellhound Halloween to take root – and it did.
By 2012, Matott had begun chipped away at the writing and hand-drawn illustrations of what would become the 304-page (and now, award-winning) Pumpkin Guts graphic novel.
As Matott told Volume One contributor Justine Batz last spring – soon after launching a Kickstarter to fund the novel’s creation – he initially envisioned the tale of Pumpkin Guts as an indie film. Obviously, he pivoted from that idea, and put his artistry to paper instead.
Matott graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a dual degree in illustration and theater; he credits former illustration professor and colleague Ned Gannon for the push to enter the North Street Book Prize contest.
In Winning Writers’ critique of Pumpkin Guts, writer Jendi Reiter succinctly nails the premise of the graphic novel: “Pumpkin Guts: The Hellbound Halloween … is a colorfully grotesque graphic novel that pays homage to teen slasher movies, with sassy characters who crack jokes about the tropes that they're reenacting.”
Reiter goes on to applaud Matott’s playful lens on horror tales, the intentional Easter eggs nodding to cult classic flicks and stories, and vibrant visuals – brought to life through the masterful digital coloring by Andrew Walde, editing by Nick Kotek, and “word balloons” and lettering by Keith Gleason.
“The plot is straight out of pulp fiction, yet the story has emotional weight for the same reason as a good Stephen King gore-fest: likeable characters with relatable stakes,” Reiter wrote.
"Even now I can't express how grateful and honored I am to receive this recognition. This book has always been a passion project of mine. I'm very proud that others are enjoying my story as well."
JACOBY MATOTT
AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR OF PUMPKIN GUTS
The North Street Book Prize accepts self- and hybrid-published books from across the globe in eight categories, ranging from children’s picture books to memoirs, poetry and graphic novels. This year’s contest saw nearly 2,000 submissions; it was also the first major competition Matott had ever submitted to.
“To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect,” Matott told Volume One. “While I’m incredibly proud of my work, I knew I would be up against many other creators with equal and even greater talent.”
The award affirms Matott’s years-long efforts in a significant way. Beyond the crest which Pumpkin Guts can now be adorned with, labeling it a North Street Book Prize winner, first prize winners also received additional awards.
Matott received a $1,000 check – which is going directly back into the growth of Pumpkin Guts, he said – as well as a credit which made Pumpkin Guts available through online retailer bookbaby.com. He was also awarded editing and marketing consultations with publication professionals.
“Even now I can’t express how grateful and honored I am to receive this recognition. This book has always been a passion project of mine. I’m very proud that others are enjoying my story as well,” Matott said.
“I still reread Jendi’s review on the Winning Writers page over and over.”
Locals can pick up their own copy of Pumpkin Guts – hard- and soft-cover versions are available – at The Local Store (205 N. Dewey St., Eau Claire), Decadent Gifts Art Gallery (329 Water St., Eau Claire), The Beyond (218 N. Dewey St., Eau Claire), Black Kettle Tea Company (217 N. Barstow St., Eau Claire) and Clairemont Comics (2215 Fairfax St., Eau Claire).
View the full list of the North Street Book Prize winners, including Pumpkin Guts' critique, online • Learn more about Winning Writers online • The Local Store (205 N. Dewey St., Eau Claire) is host to the hard-cover version of Pumpkin Guts ($65)
