KCU Pitchfest Showcase 2023 (Top 50)
Lost Transmission
Enemies meets The Witch Boy and Girl Haven with a sci-fi storytelling twist!
Julie, a 13-year-old transgender girl with ADHD and an obsession with outer space, recently socially transitioned. Although most of her classmates have been accepting, Julie struggles to reconnect with her best friend Ethan.
The webcomic they worked on, Space Princess Cass, hasn't been updated since they stopped talking. The protagonist of their webcomic, Princess Cass, takes it upon herself to meddle in Julie and Ethan’s friendship so they will finish her story!
Age Range:
Middle GradeGenre:
Fiction, Humor, LGBTQ+, Neurodiversity Content, Own Voices, Social-EmotionalPage Count Estimate:
224
My Why:
Lost Transmission is a story created for all the neurodivergent, LGBTQ, and questioning kids who feel like an alien among neurotypical classmates. Feeling this way makes it difficult to form connections. The gravitational force of friends with similar struggles pulls you in, but what happens when conflict emerges?
Young readers can explore a world where characters can come to life and meddle in friendships while learning about gender identity, ADHD, and autism. I hope this book validates people’s identities and encourages children and parents alike to understand their LGBTQ and neurodivergent peers.
Jamie Kiemle
Jamie Lin Kiemle (they/he) is a nonbinary author-illustrator who graduated from Syracuse University. Since graduation, they have designed mobile games, illustrated DnD campaigns, and experimented with 3D art and game design. Fairytales, folklore, and myths inspire their practice.
Jamie aims to tell inclusive stories exploring gender identity and mental health while promoting fun and learning.