What happens when you serialize parts of your graphic novel online, for free? For the author featured in this video, that strategy helped pack his book release party with loyal fans.

Magazine editors, librarians, and publishing types mingled at the packed celebration for Josh Neufeld‘s new graphic novel, “A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge” at Idlewild Books in Manhattan earlier this week. The event also featured a musical set by Mary McBride.

Neufeld first published a large portion of his new graphic novel at Smith magazine, and in this exclusive GalleyCat interview, he explained how that free serialization helped his book. The video includes three striking images from the book, all pictures courtesy of Josh Neufeld.