Sara Mayhew

Sara E. Mayhew

Sara Mayhew speaking at TAM 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada – July 2012.
Born 16 July 1984
Kirkland Lake, Ontario
Nationality Canadian
Education Kirkland Lake Collegiate And Vocational Institute, Canadore College
Known for Manga artist, writer, illustrator
Notable work Creator of Secrets of Sorcerers, Love Pet, and Legend of the Ztarr
Awards International Anime and Manga Festival (IMAF) 2004 award "Best Comic for Teens". Featured in Canada's Applied Arts magazine's 2005 Young Blood article on "new talent commanding our attention". Recipient of the Ontario Arts Council 2007 Northern Arts grant. 2009
Website
http://www.saramayhew.com, http://www.legendoftheztarr.com, http://www.secretsofsorcerers.com, http://www.fourlights.saramayhew.com

Sara Mayhew (born 16 July 1984 in Kirkland Lake, Ontario) is a writer, TED Fellow,[1] and graphic artist who works predominantly in English-language manga. She graduated from Canadore College's Graphic Design Production program in 2005 and began working as a freelance illustrator[2] while publishing her own independent graphic novels. That same year, Mayhew gained critical recognition in Applied Arts as "new talent commanding our attention."[3] Mayhew is known for her Secrets of Sorcerers and Legend of the Ztarr series, as well as for her contributions to the TED Expo and as a skeptical activist promoting science-based critical thinking through her creative work. Mayhew has also been an instructor for the Junior School of the Arts in Northern Ontario (JSANO).[4]

Career

Mayhew's published graphic novels often focus on strong female protagonists, and some of her work, particularly Love Pet, is in the shōjo manga style.[5] Mayhew is also listed as an instructor for the Junior School of the Arts in Northern Ontario (JSANO), where students "learn to create characters within the manga style and learn the differences in storytelling that [set] this medium apart from other types of comic books and animation."[4]

Secrets of Sorcerers Vol. 1 (2005)

Mayhew's first published graphic novel began in online form years prior to its publication, the artwork having been completely redone to make the material suitable for print form in 2005, according to the preface.[6]

As the story begins in the Land of Aelmor, a reality parallel to that of the reader, a mage named Lela True is on a journey home when she is slain by an unknown adversary. At about the same time, in the reader's universe, a girl named Kaori Miki receives a bracelet, which is connected to a bracelet worn by Lela, mysteriously causing Kaori to awake in Lela's body. As the story unfolds, Kaori faces challenges in both worlds, her actions affecting those close to her in either universe.[6]

In 2007, the Ontario Arts Council awarded Mayhew the Northern Arts grant to aid in the production of the Secrets of Sorcerers Vol. 2 graphic novel.[7][8]

TEDActive'10 in Palm Springs, CA.

The First Emperor (2006)

Mayhew worked as the illustrator for The First Emperor, which follows the story of Prince Fu Su, son of Emperor Zheng, who sends him on a quest to discover the secret of eternal life, while providing educational, historical information to the reader about Emperor Zheng and his legacy, as well as the unification of China.[9]

Love Pet (2006)

Published as a short web manga, Love Pet follows the story of a devoted house cat named Elmo, whose wish to please his lonely owner, Bo, results in his transformation into a human companion, Elroy, who must face the challenges associated with learning to be human and interacting with Bo.[10]

Legend of the Ztarr (2011)

This series follows a protagonist, a young woman by the name of Adora Ztarr, the daughter of a legendary rebel who was killed attempting to overthrow an oppressive emperor, Lord J'Nar. Recruited to succeed her father's legacy, Adora is faced with challenges resulting from ideologies and preconceptions on both sides.[11] Adora must use critical thinking skills to confront a group of antagonists who are only interested in things that can confirm beliefs they already have, and who thereby exhibit a confirmation bias.[5]

According to Mayhew, "the goal [was] to create a series that serves as a skeptical epic with sci-fantasy feel—swords, emperors, prophecies, star ships, and powerful mysterious objects—that can connect readers to the values of critical thinking using emotional, rather than logical, arguments."[12]

working on Cintiq 21UX.

Anime/Manga convention appearances

Other media

In 2009, Mayhew was featured in the TEDFellows 2009 Nokia Responsiveness campaign, which profiled Mayhew, as well as other TED Fellows and their work.[1][15] In the video, Mayhew describes some of the influences driving her work, saying "my interest in science and critical thinking filters through me into my characters. […] In Manga there’s typically a lot of magic and the fights defy the laws of physics. But the more I’ve read about science and astronomy, there’s this magical feeling to science. Often when you reveal how the universe really is, it’s far more beautiful than you can imagine."[1]

Skepticism

at CSICON 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee – October 2012

One of Mayhew's stated goals as a writer is to ensure that her "work as a writer and artist crosses over with promoting science-based thinking."[12]

On a 23 March 2010, airing of ABC News Nightline Faceoff: Does God Have a Future, which placed Deepak Chopra and Jean Houston against Michael Shermer and Sam Harris,[16] Mayhew participated in the conversation challenging Chopra on his claims that there are "deeper ways of knowing" than the scientific method, asking Chopra, "if we don't use the objective scientific method, how do we distinguish what is true from what we simply want to be true?"[17] Chopra answered that he is "hoping that the truth will be found when we actually develop a science of consciousness that goes beyond the subject-object split."[17]

On 8 April 2011, Mayhew was interviewed on an episode of The Reality Check, where she discussed the relationship between manga and anime, as well as her lifelong interest in science. Mayhew's interest in science at a young age included elements of the paranormal. After discussing the film What the Bleep Do We Know!? with a friend well-versed in physics, she began to further question extraordinary or pseudoscientific claims, leading to her interest in scientific skepticism.[18]

On 10 April 2010, she was interviewed on an episode of the Skepticality podcast, "Skepticism and Manga."[5] During the interview, Mayhew discussed topics such as her then-upcoming work on Legend of the Ztarr, her TEDActive talk "promoting skepticism through storytelling," as well as the naming of her blog, "There Are Four Lights."[5] The blog's title, Mayhew says, "is from the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode 'Chain of Command.' The two episodes are basically a message about torture, but I chose it because there's this line that Jean-Luc Picard says towards the end […] He explains that he wanted to be let go so bad that he actually thought he could see five lights. But even so, he doesn't give in and yells, 'There are four lights!' So I thought that was an appropriate title for a blog that involved skepticism."[5]

Mayhew was a guest speaker at The Amaz!ng Meeting 9 ( 13–17 July 2011), where she presented a talk, "Secular Storytelling," which explored science-based and skeptical themes present in Legend of the Ztarr.[19] The Token Skeptic podcast interviewed Mayhew on an 8 August 2011, episode, "On Manga And Amaz!ng-ness," about her participation in TAM 9, which had been Mayhew's first skeptical conference attendance.[20]

Mayhew participated in an opening Skeptrack panel at Dragon*Con 2011 with Brian Brushwood, Margaret Downey, D.J. Grothe, and Desiree Schell.[21][22] She also took part in a panel discussion, When Art Meets Science & Skepticism, with George Hrab (moderator), Scott Sigler, Tom Merritt, and Michael Stackpole.[21]

On 17 September 2011, Mayhew participated as a guest "rogue" on The Skeptic's Guide to the Universe.[23] Topics included discussion of Chinese researchers looking at the possibility of capturing asteroids in Earth's orbit for mining of precious metals and discussion of the results of a study which purported to explain a mechanism for acupuncture.[23]

At The Amaz!ng Meeting 2012, Mayhew's lecture, "A Life of Art and Skepticism," focused on developing relationships between skepticism and art, as well as how skepticism can be used to inform art and storytelling.[24]

As a guest speaker at CSIcon 2012 in Nashville, TN, Mayhew presented a talk entitled "Science Fandom: Creating Skeptical Heroes."[25]

On Skeptic Track panel with Margaret Downey at Dragon*Con 2011 in Atlanta, GA.

Awards

Books

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "TED Fellows » TED Fellows Network » Sara Mayhew". TED. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
  2. ↑ "There Are Four Lights – About". Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Sara E. Mayhew" 20.5. Applied Arts. October 2005. p. 44.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "JSANO". Junior School of the Arts in Northern Ontario. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "Skepticism and Manga". Skepticality. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Mayhew, Sara E. (2005). Secrets of Sorcerers – Volume 1: Dreams Come True. Ztarr Manga Studio.
  7. ↑ "About Secrets of Sorcerers". Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Northern Arts". Ontario Arts Council. 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  9. ↑ Vicki Low; Sara E. Mayhew (1 March 2007). The First Emperor. Steck-Vaughn. ISBN 978-1-4190-3195-3. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  10. ↑ Mayhew, Sara (2006). "Love Pet". Ztarr Manga Studio.
  11. ↑ Mayhew, Sara (2011). Legend of the Ztarr Ch. 1: The Offworlders. Amazon Digital Services. ASIN B004URRZN4
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Sara Mayhew. "Legend of the Ztarr – The Skeptic Epic" 36.2. Skeptical Inquirer. pp. 34–37.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 "Sara E. Mayhew Biography @ AnimeCons.com". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  14. ↑ "Sara Mayhew | Comic-Con International: San Diego". Comic-Con International. Retrieved 2014-05-18.
  15. ↑ "Nokia Responsiveness Campaign". Skeptic North. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  16. ↑ "Nightline Faceoff: Does God Have a Future ?". ABC News. 23 March 2010.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Nightline Faceoff: Does God Have a Future? – Video". ABC News. 23 March 2010.
  18. ↑ "The Reality Check #133: Destiny + Sara Mayhew Interview + Is Tommy Hilfiger a Racist?". The Reality Check. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
  19. ↑ "The Amaz!ng Meeting – Program". Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  20. ↑ "Episode Seventy-Six – On Manga And Amaz!ng-ness – Interview With Jack Scanlan And Sara Mayhew". Token Skeptic. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Dragon*Con 2011 Pocket Program". Dragon*Con. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  22. ↑ "Skeptrack Streaming Video Library".
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Podcast 322 – September 17, 2011". Skeptic's Guide to the Universe. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
  24. ↑ "The Amaz!ng Meeting 2012". James Randi Educational Foundation. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  25. ↑ "Schedule – CSICon". Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  26. ↑ "Northern Arts". Ontario Arts Council. 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2013.

External links