Watermelon Seeds

From We Need Diverse Books comes Watermelon Seeds, a novel that weaves together eight interconnected stories of joyful activism and community by Palestinian authors, including Jasmine Warga (Other Words for Home), Omar Abed (The Book that Almost Rhymed), Jessica Khoury (The Skyborn series), and many more.

When the annual Palestine Heritage Festival is canceled, a young Palestinian girl refuses to let her community's celebration disappear. Inspired by the resilience of her ancestors, she sets out to find a new home for it, and her search connects her with seven other Palestinian kids, each on their own path of discovery.

In Watermelon Seeds kids navigate friendship, family, identity, and belonging in eight interconnected stories woven together like tatreez embroidery, amplifying Palestinian voices and illustrating experiences of children in diaspora.

Published in partnership with We Need Diverse Books.

AUTHORS INCLUDE: Hannah Moushabeck, Haneen Oriqat, Susan Muaddi Darraj, Jessica Khoury, Jackie Khalilieh, Jasmine Warga, Omar Abed, and Salam Zahr

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs