Save the date for KCU Pitchfest 2026!!
KCU Pitchfest is our annual competition where you have the chance to get your unpublished kids/YA graphic novel pitch in front of a jury of top editors and agents.
Here are the most important deets:
Key dates (2026)
- Feb 12: Registration + submissions open
- Feb 23: Registration closes
- Feb 27: Submissions close
- Mar 28: Gallery reveal + live industry panel
What to expect
The format for KCU Pitchfest 2026 will be very similar to past years: a juried review and public showcase of standout projects—plus the return of the wildly popular One-on-One pitch reviews with editors and agents!
Eligibility rules (unpublished, in English, teams OK, no AI art, no script-only projects) and fees will be announced soon and will be similar to 2025.
All submitters are invited to the live reveal and panel; we’ll also offer tickets for non-submitters.
Early jury highlights
We already have a stellar list of confirmed judges! We’ll be adding more to the list soon, but here’s who has agreed to participate so far:
- Alexandra Weiss, Literary Agent, Azantian Literary Agency
- Adam Wallenta, Editor, Papercutz
- Ammi-Joan Paquette, Senior Agent, Aevitas Creative Management
- Emily Daluga, Editor, Chronicle Books
- Erica Rand Silverman, Senior Literary Agent, Stimola Literary Studio
- Ginee Seo, Editorial Director, Ten Speed Press
- Jane Chun, Literary agent, Transatlantic Agency
- Jas Perry, Agent, Looking Glass Literary
- Jenna Lettice, Senior Editor, Random House
- Josh Sippie, Editor, Harper Alley
- Susan Hawk, Literary Agent, Upstart Crow
Mark Your Calendar and Share!
If you’re thinking about submitting your work, make sure to put the key dates in your calendar.
And if you have any creator friends who might be interested, please share the KCU Pitchfest link:
