Kate Beaton

Kate Beaton is a cartoonist, author, and storyteller whose work has brought history, literature, and contemporary social issues to life for readers around the world. Raised in Cape Breton, she developed a distinctive voice that blends humour, historical insight, and sharp cultural observation.

While working in the Alberta oil sands to pay off her student loans, Kate began the webcomic Hark! A Vagrant, whose witty and irreverent takes on historical figures, literature, and popular culture quickly attracted a global readership. It became a New York Times bestselling graphic novel and appeared on numerous “best of the year” lists from publications including Time, The Washington Post, and NPR.

Her graphic memoir Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands drew international attention for its portrayal of labour, isolation, and gender dynamics in Canada’s resource economy. The book won CBC’s 2023 Canada Reads and received major recognition, including Eisner Awards, Harvey Award and Ignatz Awards for cartooning, the Jan Michalski prize for world literature, and Barack Obama's favourite book list of the year.

Kate is also the author of the acclaimed children’s books, imaginative and humorous stories that introduce young readers to themes of courage, kindness, and individuality. She was also an executive producer on a childrens' show for Apple TV.

All special guests will appear at our comic convention on 14 & 15 November 2026