This is a book about being true to yourself. This is a book about finding our what motivates and drives you in the face of challenges and others' expectations. This is a book about carving out a space in this world where you feel like your most true and authentic self.

We feature comics about making mistakes, feeling like a mistake, and learning to grow because of them. Stories delve into family and multi-cultural identities, and making sure to honor those histories while also understanding your place among them. There are experiences with cancer, surgery, and concussions that made creators feel as though they no longer recognized themselves, and how they've started on the path to recovery.

This is a book about strength, resolve, failure, and struggle. These are comics that show the importance of taking time for yourself, forgiving yourself, and believing in what you're able to do.

This book is inspiration. This book shows journeys. This book is about how being your best isn't as important as letting yourself be exactly what you need to be right now.

Let's find our truth.

Dirty Diamonds #9: Being features comics from 65 contributors in a massive collection about being true to yourself through struggles and failure, and believing in your own strength, resolve, and what you're able to be.

Edited by Kelly Phillips & Claire Folkman. Cover art by Weshoyot Alvitre. Book design by Kelly Phillips.

Perfect-bound * 224 pages * 8.5"x11"

Contributors:
Ally Shwed
Amy Stoddard
Andy Isabel
Anna Krzton
Anna Sellheim
Ashanti Fortson
Betsy Ochoa
Brianna Gilmartin
Brie Katherine
Caitlyn Stilgoe
Christine Larsen
Claire Folkman
Coco Candelario
Erin Roseberry
Grace Teoh
Hailey Thurrott
Jennifer Chan
Jessica Howard
Jillian Fleck
Jørdan Stillman
Julie Fiveash
Julie Lerche
Juliet Goodman
Karin Blaauwijkel
Kata Kane
Kate MacDonald
Kelly Phillips
Kielamel Sibal
Lilly Taing
Liz Parkes
Lorena Reyes
Lucia Ceta
Lucie Towers
Lucy Galloway
Lucy Kagan
Mara Padilla
Maria Kammerer
Marilena Ness
Marta Syrup
Mayya Agapova
Mazie Lovie
Megan Crow
Michelle Zhuang
Mirana Reveier
Mooshe Nickerson
Natalie Riess
Nicole Testa LaLiberty
Noni Garcia
Olivia Commini
Ortal Avraham-Svarzenberg
Priya Huq
Rica March
Robyn Haley
Sara Goetter
Sarah Burns
Shauna J. Grant
Shy
Silvia Carrus
Soumya Dhulekar
Štěpánka Jislová
Teresa Roberts Logan
Vicky Leta
Weshoyot Alvitre
Witchy Momo
Yury Guzman