TCAF 2026: Publisher Pitch Roulette

Publisher Pitch Roulette

One of the most entertaining and fast-paced panels of the convention was Publisher Pitch Roulette, moderated by Emily Burns. The format was simple but effective: publishers took turns pitching books to the audience, either titles from their own catalogs or works they personally admired and wanted more readers to discover.

The panel featured Gina Gagliano of Avery Hill Publishing, Serah-Marie McMahon of Annick Press, Emuh Ruh of Glacier Bay Books, Felicia Low-Jimenez of Difference Engine, and François Vigneault of Pow Pow Press.

Rather than delivering lengthy presentations, each participant had only a short amount of time to sell the audience on a book before moving on to the next title. The rapid-fire format exposed attendees to a wide variety of comics and graphic novels spanning multiple genres, styles, and countries.

Among the books highlighted were Akari, The Witch’s Egg, Ra! Ta! Ma! Cue!, Pastimes, Tiger Girls, Physical Education, Seaside Beta, Astronautical, Free to Play, Second Shift, Box Garden Beetle, Oracles, First Crush, Cassette City, Two Tails, Virginia Woolf’s Orlando, We Don’t Go Through the Angelgrass, Midnight Mano, The Jellyfish, Magical Sweet Gula, Flashpoint, Cannon, To the Last Gram, and 2120.

The selections showcased the remarkable diversity currently found in independent and international comics publishing. Attendees were introduced to everything from slice-of-life stories and coming-of-age narratives to fantasy, science fiction, historical works, and experimental graphic novels. The panel served as a reminder that some of the most innovative comics being produced today are often found outside the major publishing houses.

In addition to the book pitches, attendees were treated to a brief presentation about the Ontario Library Association and its efforts to support literacy, libraries, and graphic novel collections throughout Ontario. The presentation highlighted the important role libraries play in helping readers discover new comics and providing access to works they might not otherwise encounter.

Overall, Publisher Pitch Roulette was a highly engaging session that combined enthusiastic recommendations with a crash course in contemporary independent comics publishing. The rapid succession of pitches ensured there was something for every type of reader, while also giving smaller publishers an opportunity to spotlight outstanding books that deserve a wider audience. For anyone looking to expand their reading list beyond mainstream comics, this panel offered a wealth of recommendations and discoveries.