FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KidLitGN Expands Opportunities for Graphic Novelists with Help From an Industry Pro and High School Students
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. —KidLitGN is expanding its role in the graphic novel community through a new partnership with Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) and the addition of First Second senior editor Robyn Chapman as an industry advisor. KidLitGN is one of the few graphic novel-only pitch platforms where creators from around the world pitch directly to editors, agents, and publishers through an annual, online event designed to connect both emerging and established talent with the publishing industry.
Beginning this year, students from OCSA’s Martin & Cynthia Howard Design & Media and Creative Writing conservatories will join KidLitGN as interns, supporting the platform’s digital media, communications, and event operations while working alongside publishing professionals.
“KidLitGN’s platform and pitch event was designed by and for graphic novel creators,” said KidLitGN co-founder and volunteer Johnell DeWitt. “Now it includes an editor as an industry advisor, plus a staff of high school students who will help create content throughout the year. This is a comprehensive partnership that gives us a unique voice and ability to serve the graphic novel community.”
So what motivated both groups to join?
For Chapman–senior editor at First Second, adjunct professor at the School of Visual Arts–the decision to join KidLitGN was driven by its mission to make the publishing industry more accessible to graphic novel creators.
“Comic creators, especially emerging and unrepresented talent, have few opportunities to get their work in front of editors and agents,” Chapman said. “KidLitGN is doing important work with its open and accessible platform, and I’m honored to take part. Along with other professional voices, I’m contributing to their knowledge base, offering editorial insight into what makes a graphic novel pitch truly stand out.”
For OCSA students, the answer lies in the opportunity to support the graphic novel community whose books they grew up reading while gaining firsthand experience in the industry they hope to enter. As some of the most recent consumers of children’s and young adult graphic novels, they bring a fresh perspective to KidLitGN.
“Being part of KidLitGN allows me to invest not only in the future of the medium, but also in future creators such as myself,” Abigale said. “As part of a generation taught to value creative freedom and authenticity, I want to see those values reflected not only in what’s being published, but also in the culture surrounding creation and publishing today.”
The expansion comes as KidLitGN continues to gain traction as one of the few open-access graphic novel pitch platforms connecting creators directly with editors, agents, and publishers. Since launching in 2020, the organization has hosted nearly 1,000 graphic novel pitches and generated approximately 200 requests from agents or editors; last year’s event alone featured 181 pitches and resulted in 55 requests from industry professionals representing organizations and agencies including Writers House, Transatlantic Agency, Sheldon Fogelman Agency, Oni Press, Marble Press, and Candlewick Press.
Despite its growing influence, KidLitGN organizers say many creators still underestimate the level of industry attention the event attracts.
“Since its inception, KidLitGN has been steadily growing, drawing the attention of high-profile editors and agents,” said graphic novelist and KidLitGN volunteer Michelle S. Lin. “But I wish more agented graphic novel creators knew how much editor interest we generate. KidLitGN is one of the few pitch events that also allows agented graphic novel creators to showcase their projects.”
This year’s KidLitGN pitch event opens for creator submissions on October 3, with editors, agents, and publishers gaining access to pitches beginning October 7. The event runs through October 31, followed by continued access opportunities through a password-protected archive available via the KidLitGN website.
With students helping shape the platform, industry professionals contributing editorial expertise, and creators gaining new pathways into publishing, KidLitGN is positioning itself as more than a pitch event. It is building a community-driven pipeline designed to connect the next generation of graphic novel creators with the industry structures that can help bring their stories to readers.
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About KidLitGN
KidLitGN hosts a free, annual pitch event throughout the month of October for agented and un-agented writers and illustrators of children’s through YA graphic novels in the following categories: comics-style picture books, early/chapter, middle grade, and young adult. The pitch event is hosted on KidLitGN’s website and opens for agents, editors and publishers to review and request pitches on the first Wednesday of each October. Find out more at KidLitGN.com.
About Orange County School of the Arts
The nationally recognized Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) provides an unparalleled arts and academic education in a creative, challenging and nurturing environment to a diverse student body passionate about the arts, preparing them to reach their highest potential. Founded in 1987, OCSA currently serves approximately 2,450 gifted students in grades seven through 12 from more than 100 cities throughout California. In addition to a college-preparatory academic program, OCSA offers pre-professional arts training in 17 conservatories within the Schools of Applied Arts, Dance, Fine & Media Arts, Music and Theatre. The nonprofit public charter school relies solely on private donations, totaling approximately $15 million annually, to fund the arts training programs. Currently led by president and CEO Teren Shaffer, OCSA has received recognitions for its programs locally, regionally and nationally. OCSA recently received the California Exemplary Arts Education Award by the California Department of Education. For additional information, visit www.ocsarts.net.
About Robyn Chapman
Robyn Chapman is an editor, a publisher, and (sometimes) a cartoonist. She is a senior editor at First Second, a graphic novel imprint at Macmillan Children’s. She’s also the proprietor of Paper Rocket Minicomics, a New York-based micro-press. Her published projects there include American Cult and the Mini Memoir Project. Robyn teaches professional practices in comics at the School of Visual Arts.
Please see the following link for graphics and other assets:https: //drive.google.com/drive/folders/1spYR4ZckVHy4hNItY81L8-L9KMrI_FcI?usp=drive_link
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
KidLitGN Volunteers Johnell DeWitt or Michelle S. Lin at kidlitgn@gmail.com