In 2026, the Micro-Mentorship program returned to Flame Con, offering aspiring LGBTQ+ artists and writers invaluable opportunities to refine their craft through direct engagement with seasoned professionals. The main event featured portfolio reviews with Erica Henderson, Kiana Khansmith, and Sara Gómez Woolley, accompanied by a diverse slate of micro-mentorship panels addressing essential aspects of the creative industry.

Applicants applied via a Google Doc form, striving to secure a rare chance for personalized guidance. This journalist, who is also an artist, jumped at the opportunity and was matched with Sara Gómez Woolley for a Saturday evening session. 

The Saturday 6 PM portfolio review panel showcased the expertise of three remarkable creatives:

• Erica Henderson, an Annie Award-nominated storyboard artist recognized for her work on Disney TVA’s Big City Greens and collaborations with Netflix, DreamWorks, and The Pokémon Company, specializing in comedy-driven animation.
• Kiana Khansmith, a three-time Eisner Award winner celebrated for her writing and art on Marvel’s The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Archie’s Jughead, and DC’s Harley and Ivy: Life and Crimes. Additionally, she’s known for the independent YouTube series Pretty Pretty Please I Don’t Want to be a Magical Girl and appearances on prominent podcasts.
• Sara Gómez Woolley, an award-winning queer Latine illustrator, graphic novelist, and educator based in Brooklyn. She has collaborated with prestigious entities such as National Geographic, DC Comics, and Image Comics. Her notable works include Pirate Queens: The Dauntless Women Who Dared to Rule the High Seas and the upcoming graphic memoir Esperancita’s Mostly True Memoirs. She also serves as a CUNY educator and Board Director of the New York Society of Illustrators.

During the 15-minute session with Sara Gómez Woolley, I received concise feedback on my work, including book recommendations to further develop my graphic novel skills. I happen to own Scott McClouds, Understanding Comics. I guess that means I’m off to a good start. 

Beyond portfolio reviews, Flame Con’s Micro-Mentorship program included insightful panels such as: Queer Vox: Navigating the Voiceover Industry, Q&A on Editing Comics with Tea Fougner, How to Have a Career in Manga with Kodasha’s TJ Ferentini, Behind the Scenes of Graphic Novel Publishing with Benjamin Wilgus and Gina Gagliano, and Ask An Agent, a comprehensive panel on securing literary agents as independent authors or comic creators. These panels nurture artistic development, while providing practical knowledge that is central for building a successful long-term creative career.

Flame Con’s Mirco-Mentorship program offers a vital nexus where emerging creatives can connect, learn, and advance in a competitive industry—fostering diverse queer voices that will shape the future of comics, graphic novels, animation, and storytelling.