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Event Recording

Building the Perfect Graphic Novel Pitch with Paloma Hernando

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Graphic novels begin with a vision of storytelling, which is conveyed to agents and editors through a unique pitch process. If you are an author–artist or a creator looking to collaborate on a graphic novel idea, join us for a chat with literary agent and graphic novel expert Paloma Hernando to learn about developing the pitch. This webinar is intended for both sole creators and collaborators who will be pitching together.

Paloma Hernando will discuss:

  • Deciding if the graphic novel the right form for your story
  • Knowing when your idea is ready to pitch
  • Etiquette for inviting a collaborator and buildindg a strong relationship
  • Anatomy of a graphic novel pitch and how each section contributes to the whole
  • Design and aesthetics of a pitch

Moderated by Tamara Kawar, literary agent at DeFiore & Company.

Special thanks to Literary Agents of Change for collaborating with the Authors Guild Foundation on this series.

Presenter

Paloma Hernando got her start at Einstein Literary Management in 2020, where she built a list focusing on graphic novels and illustrated books, and joined APL in the fall of 2024. Coming from a background of independent comics and the DIY scene, Paloma has always been attracted to well-told stories with a passionate drive behind them. Paloma is also accepting prose works and is seeking any book that tells genre stories in new ways. The only thing she likes more than trope-y fun is the chance to break it down into something new. Paloma also represents illustrators for literary projects and is always on the lookout for strong visual styles. As a daughter of Argentinian immigrants, Paloma views publishing globally and would love to work with any bilingual or international projects. Currently located in Brooklyn, Paloma can usually be found at a drag show or in the karaoke room, and would love to recommend the next movie you should watch. Follow her online @agentpaloma.

In Collaboration With:

Literary Agents of Change, the nonprofit born out of American Association of Literary Agents’ (AALA) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, was formed to help dismantle the barriers to entry into a career as a literary agent for members of historically underrepresented groups, particularly people of color while recognizing the systems of overlapping oppressions in regard to race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, class, and ability. Literary Agents of Change offers a Fellowship Program to encourage recruitment into the profession, and a Mentorship Program focused on the retention and promotion of agents from these communities.