KCU Pitchfest Showcase 2023 (Top 50)
Danica
Wells
Illustrator/Author
Unagented
MAGIC!
Mad Max meets Adventure Time in a post-apocalyptic magical adventure.
For years, meek Birdy has been living alone in a cave because her parents told her to. One day, shape-shifting magician Rumfo Skeezir appears and Birdy believes he was sent by her parents to finally escort her from the cave.
Believing she's been rescued, Birdy follows Rumfo out of the cave... and into a desperate fight for her freedom. She learns she is a Ward: a rare power source for wizards. And with only a few sources of magic left—a few radioactive craters here and there—wizards from all over the wastelands will do whatever it takes to steal Birdy away.
Amid the chaos, Birdy looks to Rumfo for guidance... unfortunately, he’s only looking out for himself.
Age Range:
Middle GradeGenre:
Adventure, Dystopian, Fantasy, Social-EmotionalPage Count Estimate:
245My Why:
When I was in middle school, I dreamed of being an artist. But as time went on, and as I heard more advice, opinions, and thoughts from other people, my dream wavered. Fifteen years and a lot of soul-searching later, I’ve gone back to that dream and now work as an artist. It turns out middle-school me was right after all.
MAGIC! is about the importance of listening to your own voice, as well as to outside advice. Birdy trusts herself so little that she relies exclusively on others for direction—and ends up putting her freedom in danger. While others might know a lot more than us, as Rumfo says: “Knowing more isn’t always knowing best.”
Danica Wells
I liked to draw as a kid. A lot. So much so that when friends called to play, I begged my mom to come up with a reason for me to stay home so I could stay on my bedroom floor, drawing dragons and unicorns (part of the theme of not being able to say no). I am now a freelance artist with a passion for storytelling and using stories to explore and heal parts of my soul. When I am not drawing, I am playing with my cats, making tasty food, or hiking.
Danica
Wells
Illustrator/Author
Unagented
MAGIC!
Mad Max meets Adventure Time in a post-apocalyptic magical adventure.
For years, meek Birdy has been living alone in a cave because her parents told her to. One day, shape-shifting magician Rumfo Skeezir appears and Birdy believes he was sent by her parents to finally escort her from the cave.
Believing she's been rescued, Birdy follows Rumfo out of the cave... and into a desperate fight for her freedom. She learns she is a Ward: a rare power source for wizards. And with only a few sources of magic left—a few radioactive craters here and there—wizards from all over the wastelands will do whatever it takes to steal Birdy away.
Amid the chaos, Birdy looks to Rumfo for guidance... unfortunately, he’s only looking out for himself.
Age Range:
Middle GradeGenre:
Adventure, Dystopian, Fantasy, Social-EmotionalPage Count Estimate:
245My Why:
When I was in middle school, I dreamed of being an artist. But as time went on, and as I heard more advice, opinions, and thoughts from other people, my dream wavered. Fifteen years and a lot of soul-searching later, I’ve gone back to that dream and now work as an artist. It turns out middle-school me was right after all.
MAGIC! is about the importance of listening to your own voice, as well as to outside advice. Birdy trusts herself so little that she relies exclusively on others for direction—and ends up putting her freedom in danger. While others might know a lot more than us, as Rumfo says: “Knowing more isn’t always knowing best.”
Danica Wells
I liked to draw as a kid. A lot. So much so that when friends called to play, I begged my mom to come up with a reason for me to stay home so I could stay on my bedroom floor, drawing dragons and unicorns (part of the theme of not being able to say no). I am now a freelance artist with a passion for storytelling and using stories to explore and heal parts of my soul. When I am not drawing, I am playing with my cats, making tasty food, or hiking.



