(Please note that this is an in-person event. We at Writing Day Workshops plan both online/virtual as well as in-person events. This next WWOC is an in-person event happening in Chicago on June 22, 2024. See you there.)
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PITCH YOUR BOOK TO A LITERARY AGENT:
These one-on-one meetings at the 2024 Writing Workshop of Chicago are an amazing chance to pitch your book face-to-face with an agent, and get personal, individual feedback on your pitch/concept. If the agent likes your pitch, they’ll request to see part/all of your book — sending you straight past the slush pile. It also gives you an intimate chance to meet with an agent and pick their brain with any questions on your mind. More 2024 agents to be announced as they are confirmed. You can sign up for pitches at any time, or switch pitches at any time, so long as the agent in question still has appointments open.
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Abby Saul is a literary agent and the founder of The Lark Group. A zealous reader who loves her iPad and the ebooks on it, she still can’t resist the lure of a print book. Abby’s personal library of beloved titles runs the gamut from literary newbies and classics, to cozy mysteries, to sappy women’s fiction, to dark and twisted thrillers. She’s looking for great and engrossing adult commercial and literary fiction and is a member of the AALA. She is seeking: Adult literary fiction and adult commercial fiction (including historical fiction, women’s fiction, mysteries, and thrillers). Learn more about Abby here.
Marcy Posner is a literary agent with Folio Literary. In fiction, she is seeking: thrillers, psychological suspense, historical fiction, women’s fiction, mystery, YA (contemporary, historical, romance, mystery), and middle grade (contemporary, SFF, historical, mystery). In nonfiction, she is seeking: narrative nonfiction, cultural/social issues, journalism, nature and ecology, psychology, women’s issues. Learn more about Marcy here.
Leah Moss is a literary agent with Steven Literary. She is seeking children’s picture books and board books, many types of young adult novels (including retellings), and adult fiction. In adult fiction, she likes books with YA crossover appeal (new adult), swoonworthy romance and rom-coms, stories set at college, and fantasy. “Across the board, I am looking for stories from marginalized writers. I’m particularly interested in uplifting BIPOC voices, but I also really want to see work from LGBTQ+, disabled, neurodivergent, and other marginalized writers as well.” Learn more about Leah here.
Josh Gregory is an editor with Albert Whitman & Company. He is interested in picture books, chapter books, and contemporary middle grade & young adult fiction. “I’m drawn to stories that encourage readers to push themselves in new directions, challenge preconceived notions, and pursue any goals they might have, no matter how seemingly out of reach. I want to read about characters who have unique perspectives, come from diverse backgrounds, think outside the box, and aren’t afraid to be different. Learn more about Josh here.
Christine Goss is a literary agent with The Purcell Agency. In adult fiction, young adult fiction, and new adult fiction, she seeks the same genres and stories: upmarket/commercial fiction, romance, fantasy/romantasy, dystopian/utopian. In middle grade through adult, she enjoys graphic novels. In nonfiction, she likes cookbooks (original family recipes with anecdotes sprinkled throughout); stories about motherhood, unspoken troubles and hardships of new motherhood; and any story that would compel readers to take care of themselves or expand sympathy/understanding for themselves. “I am always looking for LGBTQ+ and stories by underrepresented authors.” Learn more about Christine here.
Jenna Satterthwaite is a literary agent with Storm Literary Agency. In adult fiction, she seeks psychological and domestic suspense full of twists; murder mystery, cozy or traditional, contemporary or historical, serious or humorous, hijinks welcome and big family drama very welcome.; fantasy – cozy with low stakes, high/epic, portal and romantasy; rom-coms and romance – in particular I’m interested in POC voices in romance, body-positive romance, LGBTQ+ romance, and adventure romance; women’s fiction / beach reads; science fiction with a human connection; speculative stories rooted in the present that has that one, addictive speculative twist; upmarket and book club fiction. In nonfictiobn, she seeks voicey memoir (platform a plus); the next big ex-evangelical voice, and both feminist and LGBTQ+ voices in the Christian context; spiritual deconstruction / reconstruction; self-help from an “expert” millennial or Gen Z voice; and books highlighting alternative approaches to death (living funerals, death doulas, at-home body care, etc.). In young adult, she likes fantasy, sci-fi, thriller, mystery, suspense, speculative, and horror. In middle grade, she reps graphic novels, fantasy with series potential, contemporary stories that explore the multicultural / multilingual experience; and horror. In picture books, she’s only looking for author-illustrators and is very select. Learn more about Jenna here.
Miriam Cortinovis is a literary agent with Arthouse Literary Agency. In general, Miriam is eagerly looking for everything and anything speculative (fantasy and science fiction) across most age ranges — adult, young adult, and middle grade. Similarly—for horror, thriller, gothic, and historical, they would love to champion manuscripts that utilize the speculative to challenge, endanger, and transform the psyche anew. Miriam takes an interest in young adult contemporary novels that draw on their fascination with American high school from immigrant perspectives and with summer camps/adventures. Miriam is also on the lookout for selective works of literary fiction and creative nonfiction. For everything listed above, they’re also highly interested in novellas. Learn more about Miriam here.
Stacy Abrams is the VP of Operations and an editor-at-large at Entangled Publishing. Her current wish list includes high-concept “romantasy” for the breakout New Adult fantasy imprint Red Tower, commercial rom-coms/women’s fiction for the Amara imprint, all genres of Teen fiction, and picture book manuscripts with a social justice bend for the new Little Lark picture book imprint. Learn more about Stacy here.
Vicky Weber is a literary agent with The Purcell Agency. She is seeking: Picture Books (anything heartfelt, educational, or lighthearted); Young Adult (fantasy, mystery, horror, thriller, suspense); Middle Grade (fantasy, mystery, magic); and Adult Fiction (fantasy and thrillers). Vicky specializes in picture books. She wants to be dropped into the moment and experience the story alongside the characters. She is always seeking underrepresented authors, BIPOC, LGBTQ+. Learn more about Vicky here.
Lindsey Smith is a literary agent with Speilburg Literary. Lindsey is excited to work with first-time authors as well as those who are established. She is seeking nonfiction only, specifically prescriptive nonfiction that is compelling, and voice-driven, with the ability to shed light on a topic that might be unknown. She especially loves projects and people that bring humor to serious situations. Lindsey is interested in cookbooks, lifestyle, health, pop culture, gender issues, self-help, true crime, and current events. She is especially interested in podcast-to-book ideas, journalists who specialize in specific research, and cookbooks that have a niche and/or narrative voice. Please do not pitch diet books. Learn more about Lindsey here.
Lori Colvin is a literary agent with Birch Literary. She is seeking: If a book doesn’t grab Lori on the first page, she generally won’t read any further, so bring out your best right away. Lori’s looking for fresh viewpoints in multiple genres, including women’s fiction, thriller, book club fiction, mainstream/commercial fiction, mystery (but no cozy), and more. Things she’s not seeking at the moment: romance, middle grade, or picture books. If you can make Lori laugh, cry, gasp, or stay up all night reading, you may be a good match. Learn more about Lori here.
Elisa Moles is a literary agent with Painted Fire Literary Agency. She is seeking: Especially interested in upmarket fiction. “In one word, what defines fantastic fiction narrative? Consequences. Consequences give structure. And stories with cohesive and creative structures, true to each writer’s background and voice, stand the test of time beyond the trendy topics and gimmicks of the day. I especially love psychologically complex characters. I’m looking for distinctive and compassionate voices who are telling organically unexpected stories in a wide variety of styles and genres. Surprise me.” Please do not pitch: nonfiction, poetry, children’s books, middle grade, YA, graphic novels, screenplays, westerns, horror, nihilist, or erotic work. No previously self-published works please. Learn more about Elisa here.
Tina P. Schwartz is a literary agent and founder of Purcell Agency. She is seeking: middle grade fiction, young adult novel, some Women’s Fiction (mostly book club), contemporary realistic fiction, romance, coming of age stories, #ownvoices, and LGBTQ stories. Schwartz is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI). Learn more about Tina here.
Dan Cramer is a literary agent and founder of Page Turner Literary Agency. He specializes in representing children’s picture books — both fiction and nonfiction. “While I love all books, my heart beats for children’s literature for many reasons, but the main reason is children’s literature is fearless. These books and their authors are not afraid to tackle tough topics, to celebrate diversity, or bring awareness to issues that others would turn their backs on. Children’s literature never ceases to surprise me with its fortitude.” Learn more about Dan here.
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ADDED ONLINE PITCHING: To ensure that writers have a robust and diverse lineup of agents & editors to pitch, 2024 Writing Workshop of Chicago attendees will have the ability to also pitch literary agents at the Writing Day Workshops *online* event that follows the 2024 WWOC on our calendar.
That event is the Texas Writing Workshop, July 26-27, 2024, which will have 30-40 agents taking one-on-one Zoom virtual pitches.
This means that 2024 Chicago attendees can have access to pitching all those online TWW agents — pitches still at $29 each — without being a formal registrant for the online July 2024 event. (That said, if you want to formally register for the Texas conference and have access to all classes and panels, let us know, as there is a discount for confirmed Chicago attendees.)
If you are interested in this added pitching opportunity, the first step is to get formally registered for Chicago. Following the Chicago conference on June 22, 2024, we will be in touch with all Chicago attendees and ask them if they want to partake in pitching online agents at the 2024 TWW (July 26-27). At that time, you can communicate your pitch requests and purchase meeting time.
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More 2024 agents to be announced as they are confirmed. You can sign up for pitches at any time, or switch pitches at any time, so long as the agent in question still has appointments open.
These one-on-one meetings are an amazing chance to pitch your book face-to-face with an agent, and get personal, individual feedback on your pitch/concept. If the agent likes your pitch, they’ll request to see part/all of your book — sending you straight past the slush pile. It also gives you an intimate chance to meet with an agent and pick their brain with any questions on your mind.
(Please note that Agent/Editor Pitching is an add-on, separate aspect of the day, for only those who sign up. Spaces are limited for these premium meetings, and pricing/detail is explained below.)