Kids Comics Pitchfest 2023 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Comics creators from around the world submit their unpublished projects to be previewed online by editors and agents.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.
Noemi the Forest Witch
When a strange sickness threatens the forest she protects, 10-year-old witch Noemi suspects that the pollution in the nearby river might be the cause. She ventures out of her comfort zone with her crow companion, Corvin, to figure out how to stop it. With the help of Alix, a nonbinary kid from the city, Noemi must go toe-to-toe with an influential mega corporation whose leaders refuse to admit to poisoning the environment. Noemi must overcome her anxiety and find the courage to use her dwindling magic powers to save the forest before it's too late.
NOEMI THE FOREST WITCH is written for ages 9-12 and features themes of environmentalism wrapped up in an adventure-filled story full of magical realism.
Age Range:
Middle GradeGenre:
Adventure, Conservation & Environment, Fantasy, LGBTQ+, Magical RealismPage Count Estimate:
240
My Why:
Growing up, I was always fascinated by nature and always trying to get the adults around me to recycle more. I’m heavily inspired by Studio Ghibli films and by movies like FernGully. I enjoy kids' media that tackles complex issues like pollution and climate change in ways that kids can easily understand but are not overly didactic. Representation is important to me, and I pulled from my own experiences and those of loved ones to give my characters depth. The cast includes a character who struggles with anxiety/panic attacks, a nonbinary character, and a character with a chronic illness. I hope that readers of this story will discover that everyone has the power to make positive change in the world, no matter how small.
Michelle Mullen
Michelle Mullen (she/her) is an author/illustrator living in Indianapolis, IN, USA, who specializes in children’s book illustration and visual storytelling. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Indiana University’s Herron School of Art and Design. Michelle is a member of Kids Comics Unite and a former member of Storyteller Academy. When she’s not working on children’s books, you’ll find Michelle reading, watering her plants, or snuggling her orange cat, Oliver.