I think it’s safe to say that most everyone is frustrated with the state of publishing these days, including the people in the industry. But what if we creators could do something to change that, even a bit?
This question has been pinging around the usually overcrowded thought-scape that is my brain for months, especially in light of my involvement with KidLitGN. As stated in a previous post, we thought we’d have to stop the pitch event because the resources and time to manage it were just getting too much for our small but mighty volunteer group, then we connected with Orange Country School of the Arts (OCSA) and opened up a new direction for KidLitGN, with student interns doing interviews and helping with the pitch event. (BTW, the students are going to be picking their favorite pitches from KidLitGN’s pitch event and sharing those results in an article on KidLitGN’s website in November. Subscribe to the website to be among the first to read about their choices.)
I don’t think I realized how big this merger was. At that moment, it was a way to keep the pitch event going, but as time passed, it became clear that we had the opportunity to do something much bigger. How many platforms bring industry pros, creatives, and students–the audience for our books–together?
Let’s face it, most books on the market are top-down driven. Publishers decide what they will publish and the market can choose whether to buy it or not. Kickstarter, and the like, has democratized that process a bit, but by and large, the people buying the books aren’t the ones making the decisions of what books are published. What if we flipped that a bit? What if we gave the book readers a voice in the market? What if we, as creatives, could hear what they were thinking about the books they liked and what stories they wished they could find? What if graphic novel readers could chime in on the pitches that connect with them?
Well, KidLitGN now has the chance to do just that, with our student interns infusing their thoughts and ideas into the graphic novel community. I don’t know how it will all shake out, but I am excited to see if these students’ involvement will enhance the industry, even in some small way. If you want to hear more about our plans, check out this interview by Barney Smith on his fabulous StoryComic channel.
You can also get just the audio version. And check out Barney’s StoryComic website with loads of incredible resources.
And if you have any thoughts on what you’d like to learn from the students, add it in the comments section. Good luck to those who are pitching in KidLitGN’s pitch event this year. Remember that the pitch window opens up this Saturday, October 3, and closes at 11:59 pm. on October 7. Agents, editors, and publishers can view pitches October 7-31.
Maybe I missed it in the last post, but what age range are these student interns? I think I assumed interns=college, but a quick search of Orange County School of the Arts says 7-12 grade. Is that the right school? If so, that’s fantastic. I really want to hear what they say. What books they like to read and which pitches they gravitate towards.
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*Rhapsody Of Realities Daily Devotional*
_Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc DSc DD_
_Friday, October 2nd 2026_
*HE BROUGHT US UNTO HIMSELF*
_*📖Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself (Exodus 19:4).*_
When God delivered the children of Israel from Egypt, His purpose was greater than rescuing them from oppression. Deliverance was only the beginning. His ultimate desire was revealed in His words as read in our opening scripture: He bore them on eagles’ wings, and brought them unto Himself.He didn’t merely bring them out of Egypt.
This reveals the heart of God. His goal has always been fellowship, relationship with man. He wanted a people who would belong to Him, walk with Him and live in the consciousness of His love and purpose. That’s why He went on to say in the ensuing verses: “…then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation…” (Exodus 19:5-6). They were chosen, separated, and set apart for Him.
What God foreshadowed in Israel has found its greater fulfilment in Christ and the Church! Through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, you’ve been brought into an inseparable union with God. You’re not separated from Him, trying to find your way into His presence. You’ve been joined unto the Lord and made one spirit with Him: “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:17).
The Apostle Peter echoed the same words God spoke to Moses when he declared that you’re “…a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people…” (1 Peter 2:9). To Israel, it was preconditioned on their obedience to the Law, but for us, it’s a promise fulfilled, our inheritance in Christ.
We’re His peculiar treasure, inseparably one with Him. You’re not an ordinary person struggling through life alone. You’re in Him, and He’s in you. He brought you out of darkness into His marvellous light, into a life of glory, excellence and divine purpose. You’re borne by His power, guided by His wisdom and established in His blessings. Walk in the confidence, dignity and purpose of one who belongs to Christ, the King,and has been set apart for His glory. Hallelujah!
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for bringing me into an inseparable union with you. I rejoice in the knowledge that I am your peculiar treasure, holy and sanctified. I walk in the consciousness of my oneness with you, and I fulfil your purpose for my life with boldness and joy, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
📚FURTHER STUDY:
Exodus 19:4-6; 1 Peter 2:9-10; 1 Corinthians 6:17
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Philippians 1:1-30 & Isaiah 33-34
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Titus 2:1-15 & Jeremiah 50
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