On Friday, May 5, 2025, local author Mat Heagerty brought the world of writing to life for BMU’s elementary and middle school students. Mat began his workshop by explaining the importance of collaboration in book writing, and discussing the process of publishing a book. Mat then demonstrated how collaboration plays a key role in writing by asking each student to create an idea for a combined drawing. Students raised their hands and waited patiently to share their ideas with the class as Mat swiftly drew them on the board making them come to life.
To further deepen the students’ understanding of collaboration, Mat asked the students to use the picture shown on the screen to create the story that led up to the moment displayed. Students blended their ideas to create a variety of different stories. Many students understood the importance of this activity and reflected on the process. Conner Carbee explained “[Collaboration is] important because . . . when other minds connect with another, new ideas can be created.”
Mat also revealed he has dyslexia, a language based learning disability, and he shared that “It was always comics for me because of dyslexia. Reading’s much more difficult and having smaller blocks of text and having the context clues of visuals that made reading so much easier.” He also explains “if you’re the person who’s struggling the most in school and the kid who always has this spotlight on you . . . that can really affect you in a huge way. . . but once I kind of found the things that I excelled at [like] being creative, being in bands, making books, then my confidence changed . . . and that’s really the spotlight of what I talk about a ton.” Mat shared that his dyslexia played a major role in making him an author, specifically a graphic novelist.
Through interviewing BMU students it was clear they all shared the same excitement for the presentation. Conner Carbee explained “I liked all the backstories that other people had to share . . . and him being able [learn from] his mistakes.” Lance Perrigo also enjoyed “the activity when we were drawing the characters, and talking about the story behind it.” Overall, it is clear BMU students appreciated the visit and learning experience Mat Hagerty delivered.
Mat’s graphic novels Martian Ghost Centaur and Lumberjackula can be found in BMU’s Garvin Library.
