Thank Yous All Around

KidLitGN’s 2024 pitch event is done. First, a big thank you to all the talented graphic novel creators who pitched in our event. We had nearly 200 pitches this year.

We had 20 industry pros–a mix of agents, editors, and publishers–request pitches, and more who stopped by but didn’t request. Thank you to all those who engaged in our pitch event.

We had 80 requests! We would love to hear back from those of you who follow up on those requests. Please let us know what happens.

We are constantly amazed at how many people we meet who have found agents or publishers through our event and would love to hear from more of you.

We also want to thank the team that made all this possible (In alphabetical order by last name): Tim Canny, Russ Cox, Johnell DeWitt, Annette Hashitate, Ken Lamug, Urania Smith, and Vania Stoyanova.

If you’d also like to thank them, please leave a comment below or follow them on their sites:

Tim Canny is a founding member of KidLitGN and sometimes assists with technical issues. Tim is currently focused on writing, illustrating, and publishing all-ages mini-picture books as Francis S. Posey under his modest publishing endeavor Mulberry & Bliss Books. He is always looking for writers and illustrators to collaborate with on mini-picture books, whether in traditional picture book or comic format. Tim also practices bookbinding. One of the places to learn more about Tim’s many projects is his Substack: https://francisspoesy.substack.com/

Russ Cox is an emeritus member of KidLitGN’s team and one of the founding members of our pitch event. You can thank Russ for getting the sponsorship with Clip Studio Paint started. Follow Russ’s creative works and upcoming graphic novel releases on his website: https://www.smilingotis.com/

Johnell DeWitt is a founding member of KidlitGN and helped start the pitch event. She’s an author of graphic novel scripts, picture books and middle grade prose. She’s currently collaborating with two talented illustrators on two comics that will appear in a graphic novel anthology that she’s crowdfunding with other members of Kids Comics Unite Studio group. You can follow Johnell’s anthology journey on her website johnelldewitt.com.

Annette Hashitate joined the KidLitGN team to help after Russ left and has coordinated the blog articles you’ve seen from different creators, as well as helped create and edit the content of our website and marketing for the pitch event. Her debut graphic novel Selfie’s by Sumie is set to release fall of 2025. Follow Annette at: https://ayhashitate.com/

Ken Lamug is a founding member and genius behind the logo and the official art and graphics KidLitGN uses on our website and for our marketing. He also manages KidLitGN’s website when he’s not creating award-winning graphic novels. His work can be seen in various magazines, websites, and media channels. Ken has taught graphic novel classes and frequently speaks at publishing events. You can find out more about Ken and his graphic novels at: https://www.rabbleboy.com/

Urania Smith is a founding member of  KidLitGN’s pitch event. She developed the content for the website and helped manage the events throughout the four years we’ve been running them. She’s a freelance editor and a DIY guru. When she’s not writing books for little kids, she’s designing houses for big kids. You can follow Urania on her website or on Instagram.

Vania Stoyanova joined KidLitGN in 2023 to help with YA. She’s the co-creator and host of the zany YATL LIVE young adult talk show through the GA Center for the Book which has made appearances at Atlanta Comic Con, DragonCon, Decatur Book Festival, and BookCon. You can find out more about Vania at: https://www.yatllive.com/aobpitch

One final note, the winners of our two give-aways are:

HUION Camvas 13: Garrett Berner

Clip Studio Paint EX 12-month license: Katiuska Pino

Thank you again to all who participated in some way with KidLitGN’s 2024 pitch event.

And, even though we aren’t affiliated with Kids Comics Unite (KCU), we share a mission to bring graphic novel creators and agents, editors, and publishers together, so we want to let you know about KCU’s upcoming PitchFest, where a jury of agents and editors will review submissions and vote for their favorites. Submissions open February 21st through March 7th. There is a cost, so for more information, please follow KCU at: https://kidscomicsunite.com/pitchfest-is-back/