Grow with Kids Comics Studio
Stay accountable, improve your craft, connect with kindred spirits, and learn from pros.
What’s in store for 2025?
Make Connections
We all know how hard it is to find enough time, get constructive feedback, and stay motivated when graphic novel storytelling is such a looooong process.
In Studio, you’ll find a super engaged community of creators who support each other to reach their highest potential. At the same time, you’ll learn from some of the best pros in the business. People like Whitney Leopard from Random House Graphic, writer and art director Colleen AF Venable, Chris Duffy from Union Square & Co., and graphic novelist Rivkah LaFille. Just to name a few!
Move Forward with Studio
This community isn’t just a collection of video lessons; it’s a creative support system! Here’s how we help you overcome the obstacles that could hold you back:
Stay accountable to your goals. No more letting your projects lose steam because of distractions or feeling overwhelmed. We’ll help you stay focused and make consistent progress, even if you’re juggling other responsibilities.
Get real feedback from people who know the industry. Whether you’re stuck on your script or unsure about your art, our feedback sessions with industry pros will give you actionable advice to improve your work.
Be part of a community that lifts you up. You don’t have to work in isolation, wondering if you’re on the right track. You’ll have a group of peers cheering you on and helping you through the tough spots.
Learn from experts who understand kids’ comics. Studio workshops aren’t just about theory—our speakers give you practical, behind-the-scenes insight on both the craft and business sides of graphic novel publishing. You’ll leave each session with specific action steps for your own work.
Here are some workshops you’ll have immediate access to as a member:
How to Draw Comics Every Day with graphic novelist and Center for Cartoon Studies faculty Alec Longstreth
How to Pitch with graphic novelist and Scholastic editor Jonah Newman
Find Your Style with Linework with graphic novelist Chad Sell
Build a Website, Sell More Books with book marketing expert Fauzia Burke
Studio Members’ Work
Check out some of our Studio members’ work:
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- Harris and Grace by Sandra and John Metaphrog, Scotland
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- The Adventures of Nicki and Ricky, Sarah Steinberg and Marie Ventura
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- Inbetween, Edna Cabcabin Moran
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- Al & Eon, Bob Thibeault
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- Tiger Tales Kickstarter, Patrick Lugo, California US
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- Who Is GNs, Teresa Robeson, Indiana US
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- The Ghost Gang, Alondra Araujo
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- César Lador
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- Thorn of Stars work-in-progress, Jean Gralley, Pennsylvania US
Surround Yourself with People Who ‘Get It’
This headline could have been, “Surround Yourself with Serious Creators,” because Studio members are seriously dedicated to improving their work.
But we’re not a serious group! Our meetings and workshops are often full of laughter, and you cannot find a friendlier, kinder, more supportive group of creative people.
It is so much easier to find your groove when you’re in a Zoom room full of creators, all heads down on their own projects. Or to dive back into your work after getting inspired by a session with an artist or writer sharing their creative process. Or to roll right over roadblocks when you know just the right person to ask a specific question.
It’s the ultimate productivity booster!
What our members are saying:
- “Having an accountability group to check in with keeps me focused on my goals and makes me feel like I’m part of something bigger.”
- “Getting feedback from someone who actually knows the market—who can tell me what’s working and what’s not—is invaluable. It’s exactly what I needed to improve my story.”
- “I’m finally learning how to format a graphic novel script properly and market myself effectively—it’s everything I’ve been looking for.”
In short, our goal is to learn, connect, and make progress on our work together.
“The library of recorded workshops and presentations is an amazing asset…. The contagious energy, knowledge and kindness that transpires from the Studio members makes it an amazing community!”
– César Lador
“The workshop presentations have been so varied and I always learn something …. My hesitation to joining was time - would I participate enough to make the cost feel valuable? I decided that even if all I did was watch the one presentation a month it would be worth it to me, and I'm so glad I did, because I was right :)”
– Sarah Steinberg
“Our favorite things about Studio are the weekly meetings and the huge catalog of knowledge available!”
– Geoff and Ashlee Wagner
About Janna
I started my career at Scholastic, where I co-founded the Graphix imprint and helped acquire books by Raina Telgemeier, Jeff Smith, and Kazu Kibuishi. Later, I was the director of the Kids Group for Diamond Book Distributors, and launched and ran the NYC Department of Education’s “NYC Reads 365” literacy initiative.
Now, I’m a literary agent specializing in graphic novels and visual storytelling. I represent a diverse range of comics creators, including Misako Rocks, Shauna Grant, Debbie Fong, Andi Watson, and Rivkah LaFille. Find out more at jannaco.co.
I bring all that experience – and network of professional connections! – to Kids Comics Studio.
I started Kids Comics Unite at the beginning of 2020. One of my biggest “aha moments” was that facilitating connections between creators was as important in helping them move forward as any workshops or courses.
That’s why I decided to create Kids Comics Studio, an ongoing program that would nurture relationships and provide structure for consistent progress.
Since Studio launched, it’s become one of my favorite places to be.
What We Focus On
1. Improving and Finishing Our Work
We share tips and resources on time management, staying focused, and finishing projects. We have dedicated workshops focused on this, as well as our accountability group meetings and co-working sessions.
2. Making Connections and Getting Feedback
We facilitate opportunities for constructive feedback, both with curated critique groups, and live critique sessions with industry pros.
3. Navigating the Industry
We help each other reach the next steps in our careers, whether it’s polishing a pitch, finding an agent, getting published or self-publishing, or building an audience.
Choose Your Plan
$39 / per month
We offer a discounted rate for students, those experiencing financial hardship, or those who reside in a country with lower average income levels. To apply, email hello@kidscomicsunite.com.
FAQs
Don’t worry. We record almost all events so you can watch replays of any workshops or other happenings whenever you want.
And all our events are “drop in welcome.” We understand life gets busy. Whether you visit every week, every month, or every quarter, we tailor our meetings to accommodate all levels of commitment.
We hold all our meetings on Zoom, and they are listed in the Events section of the Studio calendar. When you RSVP to an event, you can add it to your Google, Apple, or Outlook calendar.
Our “standard time” for live events is at 12:30 pm EST on Wednesdays. This is when our monthly workshops usually occur. However, if you’re not available at that time, don’t worry – we post the replays for our events within 24 hours and you can watch them at any time.
We occasionally offer live events at other times during the week, and our goal is to slowly introduce more sessions at various times, since we know everyone has different schedules and is in different time zones.
Many of our members ebb and flow in their involvement. When they have more time during certain parts of the year, they show up regularly, and when they have less time, they know it’s OK. And of course, the great thing about Studio is that you get access to replays anytime.
$39 per month.
Yes, if you are experiencing financial hardship or reside in a country with lower average income levels, we offer a special 50% rate to make Studio as accessible as possible. Email hello@kidscomicsunite.com if you would like to apply for the special rate.
If you have any other questions, we are happy to answer them! Email hello@kidscomicsunite.com and we will get back to you.
What Creators have to say about KCU Studio
“I love having a community that is accessible and full of artists & writers who are skilled at this work. There are so many resources that enable me to really learn— from the individuals as well as the structured meetups online.”
—Maritza Ruiz-Kim
“We love KC Studio because it's the missing link! It's the only place for professional development for comics creators, and it provides an invaluable infrastructure that has been lacking in comics so far.”
—Sandra Marrs & John Chalmers (Metaphrog)
“Janna provides an excellent experience through her kid's comics unite organization through events & interviews. Each one gives more and more visibility to underrepresented groups within the industry. And giving value to different demographics leads to an enjoyable experience for all different types of people.”
—Kyle Horne
Join Studio Today
