Graphic Novel Industry Panel & KCU Pitchfest Showcase Reveal

A Celebration of Kids Comics Creativity!

How do you break into the kids and YA graphic novel space?

Join us for a day dedicated to celebrating the amazing graphic novel pitches submitted by our community, and exploring this topic in detail!

Event Schedule

🕒 12:00 PM – 12:10 PM – Intro and Welcome 

We’ll kick things off with a warm welcome.

🕒 12:10 PM – 1:00 PM – Panel 1: State of the GN Industry

Agent Maria Vicente (P.S. Literary) and editor Erinn Pascal (Andrews McMeel) will provide an insider’s view of the graphic novel landscape. They’ll discuss current trends, challenges, and opportunities in today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving industry. There will be plenty of time for Q&A.

🕒 1:00 PM – 1:10 PM – Break

🕒 1:10 PM – 2:00 PM – Panel 2: Pitching Your GN – Tips and Advice 

Learn the art of pitching your creative vision in a compelling way. Editor Kristie Choi (Simon and Schuster) and Director and Literary Agent Chelsea Eberly (Greenhouse Literary) will discuss specific pointers based on the KCU Pitchfest submissions — both best practices and any common mistakes. This will be a great opportunity to get nitty-gritty details on how to pitch your graphic novel effectively. And of course, Q&A.

🕒 2:00 PM – KCU Pitchfest Gallery Reveal 

The moment we’ve all been waiting for: the unveiling of the 2023 Pitchfest showcase gallery. We’ll discuss the top vote recipients and why the jury reacted so positively to their work.

🕒 2:30 PM – Event Ends

As this second annual Pitchfest event comes to a close, we’re excited to celebrate and share the community’s creative work.

Speaker Bios:

ERINN PASCAL, SENIOR EDITOR, Andrews McMeel

Erinn Pascal joined Andrews McMeel Kids in 2021. She primarily works on kids’ graphic novels. Erinn is proud to have edited Sarah Burgess’s Skip!, Liza N. Cooper’s Meems and Feefs series, Eric Geron and Jannie Ho’s Fry Guys, and Dora Wang’s Pocket Peaches, among many others. Prior to AMU, Erinn held editorial positions at Scholastic, Disney, and Simon & Schuster. Erinn grew up in Pembroke Pines, FL and graduated with a BFA in Writing, Literature & Publishing from Emerson College in Boston, MA.

KRISTIE CHOI, ASSISTANT EDITOR, Atheneum/Simon & Schuster

Kristie Choi is a queer, Korean-American editor who, prior to publishing, sleuthed as a private investigator. Kristie has had the opportunity to work with multiple award-winning and bestselling authors. She’s been building her list as an editor at Atheneum, working on a range of YA, MG, picture books, and graphic novels. Kristie lives in Denver with her partner and two cats. In her spare time, she loves to rock climb, garden, and be in the outdoors.

MARIA VICENTE, SENIOR LITERARY AGENT, P.S. Literary Agency

Maria Vicente is a Senior Literary Agent and Advisor at P.S. Literary Agency representing innovative and beautifully written (and often illustrated) books for readers of all ages, especially graphic novels. With a decade of experience in the industry, Maria connects her clients with the very best publishing partners to bring their stories to readers across the globe. She lives in New Brunswick, Canada, reading and selling books from the Atlantic Ocean shore.

CHELSEA EBERLY, DIRECTOR & LITERARY AGENT, Greenhouse Literary

Chelsea Eberly is the Director of Greenhouse Literary Agency and represents award-winning and New York Times bestselling graphic novel creators and illustrators writing picture books. As a former Senior Editor at Penguin Random House, she has an editorial eye and is an expert advocate for her clients. Her client roster includes Gavin Aung Than, Gabriela Epstein, Rebecca Mock, and Ngozi Ukazu. She is on the lookout for creators with a distinct point of view, taking risks on big ideas with heart.

Moderator Bio:

JANNA MORISHIMA, LITERARY AGENT, Janna Co. and FOUNDER, Kids Comics Unite

Janna Morishima is a literary agent specializing in graphic novels and visual storytelling. She currently represents a diverse range of comics creators, including Misako Rocks, Shauna Grant, Andi Watson, and Rivkah LaFille. She started her career at Scholastic, where she co-founded the Graphix imprint. Later, she 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.

Tickets

$50 regular ticket price

NOTE: if you submitted to Pitchfest, you already have a ticket to this event.

DISCOUNTS AND PARITY PRICING Available

1. Full-time undergrad or grad students may purchase a ticket at 50% off the full ticket price. This is done on the honor system. Use the discount code: “50%off”.
2. Those who would experience financial difficulty in purchasing a full price ticket may purchase a ticket at 50% off the full ticket price. This is done on the honor system. Use the discount code: “50%off”.
3. For our international entries, please email us for international parity pricing at hello@kidscomicsunite.com
4. If the price of entry at any level is a hardship for you, please contact us at hello@kidscomicsunite.com. We don’t want anyone to be unable to attend because of lack of funds.