Kids Comics Pitchfest Showcase
Comics creators from around the world submit their unpublished projects to be previewed online by editors and agents. A panel of judges (click here to see the juror list) select the top pitches. Projects are archived here so that industry pros may view them and discover new talent.
Dance Is My Voice
DANCE IS MY VOICE follows the dreams of a young girl from Trinidad: although connected by the same ocean, the dirty concrete of Brooklyn is in sharp contrast to the lush tropics of home. Stephany is a quiet, good girl, afraid of doing anything wrong, because “Dad gave up his life in Trinidad, so that I could grow up in America.” When a teacher in her inner city school yells “Get in line!” Stephany follows. Three months pass before anyone realizes she’s in the wrong grade! But, an afterschool dance program opens a new world and gives her voice. This contemporary MG GN conveys the lyrical beauty of dance and the joyful power of finding one’s passion despite obstacles: NEW KID meets TO DANCE.
Age Range:
Middle GradeGenre:
Biography, Immigration, Performing Arts, Realistic Fiction/Slice of Life, Social IssuesPage Count Estimate:
200+
My Why:
Stephany Wanza was born in Trinidad and moved to inner city NYC in elementary school. The inspiration for this graphic novel came from a college entrance essay she wrote and showed me, her dance teacher, when I was taking a graphic novel course with Ken Lamug. Inspired, I rewrote the story with her, into a graphic script, based upon our long conversations over six years of almost daily contact. As an illustrator, I have used greyscale pastel and Procreate to help convey the dark and light of navigating middle school as an inner city immigrant from the islands. Realistic illustrations were chosen to fully demonstrate our love for the beauty and hard work that is inherent in the language of dance.
Talara Ruth
I am an active member of SCBWI, Storyteller Academy, KCU and 2 critique groups. As a NYC dancer, I worked with some of the world’s greatest artists, some quoted in the novel. My past students perform all over the globe, but my greatest joy is translating advanced technique & artistry for young students of all backgrounds. As a studio owner & teacher with contacts throughout the US, I envision promoting this book with dance school visits, workshops and my own mailing list of a few thousand.