Beth Hetland, 2025 winner of the Lynd Ward Prize for Graphic Novel of the Year, will receive the award on Friday, Oct. 24, for her book, “Tender," published by Fantagraphics.

The award presentation ceremony and author talk begins at 4 p.m. in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library on Penn State’s University Park campus. A book signing will follow the talk.

Hetland’s talk will include a visual presentation and discussion of her 2024 graphic novel, described by a jury member as a work wherein “the elements of body horror echo the themes of how the images of a perfect life in one's dreams or social media feeds are often a facade, hiding deeper horrors within us.”