PITCH YOUR BOOK TO A LITERARY AGENT:
These one-on-one online meetings at the 2026 Writing Workshop of Chicago are an amazing chance to pitch your book face-to-face (virtually) 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 2026 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. WDW online pitches, unless otherwise noted, always happen on the Saturday of a conference — in this case, Dec. 5, 2026.. We have seen many, many writers sign with agents after connecting after our conferences.
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Eric Smith is a literary agent at Neighborhood Literary, with a love for young adult books, literary fiction, science fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction. Eric is eagerly acquiring fiction and nonfiction projects. He’s actively seeking out new, diverse voices in young adult (particularly sci-fi and fantasy), middle grade, and literary and commercial fiction (again, loves sci-fi and fantasy, but also thrillers and mysteries). In terms of nonfiction, he’s interested in cookbooks, pop culture, humor, middle grade, essay collections, and blog-to-book ideas. Learn more about Eric here.
Erica Bauman is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. Erica represents a wide variety of authors across middle grade, young adult, and commercial adult fiction. She is most interested in commercial novels that feature an exciting premise and lyrical, atmospheric writing; imaginative, genre-blending tales; speculative worlds filled with haunting, quietly wondrous magic; fresh retellings of mythology, ballet, opera, and classic literature; sharply funny rom-coms; graphic novels for all ages; fearless storytellers that tackle big ideas and contemporary issues; and working with and supporting marginalized authors and stories that represent the wide range of humanity. Learn more about Erica here.
Jane Chun is a literary agency with Transatlantic Agency. Jane is particularly interested in stories that center marginalized communities and prose that is cinematic and atmospheric with good rhythm. In both fiction and nonfiction, she is drawn towards compelling, fresh voices that make her feel as though the writer is in the room with her, telling her their story with intimacy as if they were already acquainted. Regardless of how plot-driven a story is, characters with rich inner worlds and emotional depth are a must for her. She is interested in literary, upmarket, and commercial fiction across adult, MG, and YA and select nonfiction. She is also seeking graphic novels/nonfiction. In the fiction space, she is open to contemporary, historical, fantasy, sci-fi, speculative, and horror. In nonfiction, she is looking for memoirs; narrative nonfiction; history; investigative journalism; books about nature, climate, and science; and books about food, travel, pop culture, and cultural criticism. Learn more about Jane here.
A.J. Van Belle (they/them) is a literary agent at the Booker Albert Literary Agency. A.J. is actively building a diverse list and welcomes queries from marginalized writers. In young adult and adult fiction, they’re seeking horror, thriller, and science fiction / fantasy with dark and atmospheric elements. They’re also open to select MG across all genres. In all categories, they’re drawn to books that merge literary sensibilities with compelling plotlines. Some of their favorite authors include Paolo Bacigalupi, Nnedi Okorafor, Jordanna Max Brodsky, Yangsze Choo, Natasha Pulley, T. Kingfisher, and Jenna Satterthwaite. In nonfiction, they’re seeking fresh ideas in science, popular science, self-help, and health/wellness from authors with established platforms. As a scientist who has published NSF-funded research in ecology, they welcome queries from authors whose expertise links with evolution, ecology, statistics, microbiology, and biogeoscience. Learn more about AJ here.
Megan Frayser is a literary agent with Creative Media Agency. In adult books, she is seeking: contemporary romance, women’s fiction, book club fiction, mystery, thriller, horror, mythological retellings, dark academia, fantasy, and some nonfiction (true crime, sociology). In young adult books, she is seeking: contemporary, romance, fantasy, mystery, and horror. “Pitch me anything with found families, stories about a close group of friends, or a quirky cast of characters. I’m also always looking for stories that focus on minority voices, including neurodivergent, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disability, and mental health.” Learn more about Megan here.
Morgan Hughes is a literary agent with FinePrint Literary Management. Morgan believes that books can change the world and is committed to discovering and uplifting underrepresented voices. She is seeking Middle Grade and YA fantasy/adventure with a particular interest in graphic novels. She is also interested in picture books, YA, New Adult, and Adult romance. She loves unique narratives, strong voices, and impressive world-building but is also drawn to small-town vibes and sports settings. She is currently not seeking science fiction, thrillers/mysteries, or nonfiction. Learn more about Morgan here.
Reiko Davis is a literary agent with DeFiore & Company. She represents both adult and children’s books. On the adult side, she’s seeking literary and upmarket fiction as well as narrative nonfiction. She enjoys historical and contemporary novels set both in the U.S. and internationally; ambitious, multigenerational family sagas; novels that rewrite what it means to be an American today; stories set in our world with speculative or magical elements; mystery, crime, and suspense novels with a literary edge to the writing; linked story collections; and coming-of-age stories, especially later in life. For children’s literature, Reiko is actively looking for middle grade projects that aren’t afraid to tackle big questions or important emotional truths, as well as MG nonfiction in the areas of mental health, science, political activism, environmentalism, and narrative history. Reiko is not currently looking for YA or picture books. She does not represent genre category sci-fi or fantasy, horror, or romance. Nor is she the best agent for practical nonfiction with a prescriptive bent. For adult nonfiction, she loves: immersive, investigative works of journalism, history that fills a gap on the bookshelf, and cultural criticism. She’s drawn to compelling narratives that read like fiction or that use an intimate personal story as a lens for a larger issue or analysis. This especially includes works that explore social justice, the history and experiences of women and people of color, and contemporary culture. She is also on the lookout for true crime projects that shed light on larger societal issues. She does the very occasional book on writing craft. Learn more about Reiko here.
Lindsey Aduskevich is a literary agent with Martin Literary Management. Picture Books: I am open to all kinds of picture books, both fiction and non-fiction, from authors and author/illustrators. I love humor with heart (but the heart has to be big), dark humor, spooky stories, commercial fiction, lyrical texts, and hard topics. Middle Grade: Send me fantasy, thriller, mystery, adventure, contemporary, and anything in between. Young Adult: I want romcom, fantasy, horror, thriller, historical fiction, contemporary romance, and hard topics that make my heart ache. New Adult: I am open here but would prefer college or just starting out with a little bit of romance or humor. With all genres, I am looking for fresh, unique concepts, phenomenal voices, high-stakes, and emotionally driven stories that speak to current issues and leave the reader with something to think about. Make me cry or laugh (or both) and you will have my heart. Learn more about Lindsey here.
Celsie Moseley is a literary agent with Context Literary Agency. “In kidlit, I’m seeking whimsical and heartfelt middle grade and high concept young adult fiction. On the adult side, I’m looking for genre-bending science fiction and fantasy, horror, and book club/upmarket fiction. In all things, I am seeking writing that is piercing and commercial. I love unique voices and immersive, atmospheric stories that pull you under from the very first page. I want the imaginative, the “weird”, and worlds that are as intimate as they are expansive. Books that explore themes of power, corruption, rebellion, class systems, climate change, liminal spaces, and intersectionality. I love offbeat, wry humor and characters that infuriate but still keep you rooting for them.” Learn more about Celsie here.
Kelsey Evans is a literary agent with Rosecliff Literary. In adult fiction, she seeks romance, horror, science fiction, fantasy, suspense, mystery, thriller. In adult nonfiction, she seeks: narrative nonfiction — specifically in sports, nature, and science. In young adult fiction, she seeks: fantasy and magical realism. Generally looking for: immersive settings (fantasy or otherwise), jaw-dropping plot twists, distinctive voice, tight plotting, high concept hooks, emotional character journeys, slow burn romances, top-tier banter. Learn more about Kelsey here.
Najla Mamou is a literary agent with Savvy Literary Services. In nonfiction, Najla gravitates towards narrative nonfiction, true crime, memoir, biography, identity, business/economics, leadership, and stories inspired by lesser known people, professions and crafts (builders, designers, architects), musicians/artists/creators, daredevils, athletes, etc. In fiction, she seeks adult and new adult. She is prioritizing realistic sci fi thriller, military sci fi, unique sleuth mystery, intergenerational stories, strong female leads, migration/immigration, underrepresented protagonists (especially from marginalized communities), stories set in distant futures wanting to return to Earth and experiencing humanity, alternating timelines, backwards timelines, or dual timeline that interweaves a present-day investigation with a historical crime. In both fiction and nonfiction, she seeks underrepresented stories and writers across all genres. She is not requesting young adult, middle grade or children’s. Learn more about Najla here.
Maureen Wise is a literary agent with Metamorphosis Literary Agency. Maureen is looking for mysteries, climate fiction, women’s fiction, and selected Christian devotionals. Maureen writes mystery novels under the pen name Iris March and nonfiction under her own name.Maureen previously served as a literary agent assistant/ apprentice at Linda S. Glaz Literary Agency and has worked in the sustainability field her entire career. An Ohio native, Maureen enjoys running, hiking, and reading. Learn more about Maureen here.
Tommy Dean is a literary agent with Talcott Notch Literary. In fiction, he seeks psychological thrillers, full-throttled suspense, mysteries with active and motivated main characters, and novels of crime with anti-hero main characters. He is interested in books with clear stakes and inevitable but surprising endings. He’s interested in stories that make him forget the outside world, that are super-charged with sensory experiences, with characters fighting to understand their pasts. Give him your characters with secrets, past loves, past crimes, and past mistakes that lead to unique stories. Learn more about Tommy here.
Hailey Stephens is a literary agent with Rosecliff Literary. In general, Hailey is only looking for Adult novels, but she will selectively take on Middle Grade books if the manuscript will inspire a passion for reading. She would also love to champion authors from rural areas, especially authors from BIPOC, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and/or any other community that tends to be overlooked in rural areas. (This doesn’t mean the manuscript itself has to be based in a rural setting, although she always appreciates a good rural horror.) For Literary, Upmarket, and Contemporary fiction, Hailey wants vivid stories that pull the reader in right away, immersing them in the work the author has created. For thriller and horror, she wants stories that linger in the corners of the mind, with characters that feel like they’re in the room with the reader (for better or worse). Hailey will also selectively take on Adult Romance, and is hopeful there are still love story tropes out there that can be discovered or re-explored in a way that redefines the genre. In nonfiction, she is looking for both trade and literary proposals. She is especially interested in memoirs that play with the concept of time and structure. Learn more about Hailey here.
Nicole Payne is a literary agent with Confluence Literary. “In general, I represent young adult and adult fiction novels, preferably in romance, women’s fiction, literary fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller, and speculative fiction. They hold a special place in my heart. As I slowly delve into nonfiction, I would love to see more science-based books, especially biology and forensic, as well as medicine, travel, and cookbooks in my queue. I’m also actively seeking diverse voices and stories across the board. Give me all the books!” Learn more about Nicole here.
Bethany Jett is a literary agent with MacGregor & Luedeke. She seeks a variety of adult fiction, adult nonfiction, Christian works, and children’s picture books. In adult fiction, she seeks: psychological thriller, domestic thriller, suspense, cozy mysteries, historical, book club / upmarket, women’s fiction, romantic comedy, historical romance, romantic suspense, Regency romance, and magical realism. In adult nonfiction, she seeks cookbooks, how-to, self-help, Christian living, lifestyle, home & garden, gift, Bible studies. In children’s picture books, she leans heavily toward 1) Highly commercial concepts with strong hook appeal, like How to Babysit a Grandpa or How to Catch a Unicorn; and 2) Classic, literary-type prose or emotionally layered storytelling like BIG or The Rough Patch. Learn more about Bethany here.
Des Salazar is a literary agent with Metamorphosis Literary. They seek: Romance, Fantasy, Horror, LGBTQ+, Literary Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, New Adult, Science Fiction, and Young Adult. A graduate of Columbia College Chicago, Des Salazar holds an MFA in Fiction having completed a thesis containing translations of stories and poems from an archived journal and reflection essays. Learn more about Des here.
Gabrielle Harbowy is a literary agent with Corvisiero Agency. Gabrielle is seeking science fiction, fantasy, paranormal mysteries, queer romance, and genre-bending speculative fiction. She loves these genres in adult, new adult, and young adult fiction. She loves reading diverse books, characters that come alive and immersive worlds, and tropes turned on their heads. She would like to see queerness, neurodiversity, and disability represented and normalized, both in the world and on the page. Her passions include music, travel, tabletop roleplaying games, crocheting and needlepoint, tattoo art, everything Finnish (except lutefisk), outer space, and the Oxford comma. Note: Corvisiero Literary Agency does not represent already-published work, poetry, short story collections, or novella-length fiction at this time. Learn more about Gabrielle here.
Bridgette Kam is a literary agent with Westwood Creative Artists. “I’m currently looking for upmarket & book club fiction and nonfiction for adults. I’m on the lookout for upmarket & book club novels (propulsive storytelling with beautiful and accessible language) and strongly encourage those submissions. I’m seeking high stakes contemporary novels with a big and unique hook (a secret, a mystery, a critical event and its fallout) that ask timely questions, spark important conversations, and subvert expectations. As someone who always has a classic in her TBR pile, retellings or reimaginings of global classics interest me, as well as stories inspired by mythology and folklore (though I’m not looking for sci-fi or fantasy). In nonfiction, I’m very keen to work with journalists, researchers, field experts, thought leaders, and emerging writers on full-length book projects about business, food, health & wellness, history, personal growth/self-improvement, pop culture, religion/spirituality, science, sociology, and sports. Though I represent a selection of children’s book writers, I’m only representing kidlit works by existing clients and considering referrals at the moment.” (No new children’s book pitches please.) Learn more about Bridgette here.
Kim Carson Bodie is a literary agent with Susan Schulman Literary Agency. Kim is interested in reading adult commercial, upmarket, and literary fiction, horror, slipstream, bookclub-with-an-edge, creative nonfiction, pop culture, essay, and select memoir—particularly projects that feature strong voice, experimental structure, bold risks, and big swings. Kim gravitates toward themes of adolescence, monstrosity, class, innocence, memory, healing, freakishness, community, otherness, identity, the body, the natural world, and the concept of home. She will read anything that takes place at a carnival. Please keep in mind: She does not represent YA, MG, or children’s books. (She is open to new adult, though.) “I’m probably not the best fit for high fantasy or other speculative projects without grounded elements, in addition to pure romance or thrillers, with the exception of projects that use suspense as a tool to examine suprising social, scientific, cultural, or political elements of the world at large. I welcome #OwnVoices projects and am particularly interested in representing authors from diverse backgrounds.” Learn more about Kim here.
Jessica Larios-Zarate is a literary agent with Wave Literary. In regards to fiction, Jessica gravitates towards: commercial fiction, contemporary upmarket fiction, literary fiction, mystery/thrillers, and speculative fiction. She is particularly invested in stories that feature LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and/or disabled protagonists, especially when the books are not issue-driven. As for nonfiction, Jessica is interested in: narrative nonfiction and historical nonfiction. In terms of historical nonfiction, she seeks: Ancient History, Historical Expeditions, Civil Rights Movements, and Indigenous History Books; no War History, please. Learn more about Jessica here.
Alex Land is a literary agent with Mad Woman Literary Agency. She is seeking adult fiction, young adult fiction, and middle grade fiction in the areas of: Action/Adventure, BIPOC Literature, Fantasy, Folklore, Gothic, Historical, Horror, Humor, LGBTQ, Magical Realism, Mystery, New Adult, Psychological Thriller, Romcom, Science Fiction, South East Asian Literature, Speculative, Thriller. She is always enthusiastic about representing diverse writers. Learn more about Alex here.
Elisa Moles is a literary agent with Painted Fire Literary Agency. “My tastes are wide-ranging, but I’m especially excited by upmarket and genre-defying works across categories, including but not limited to speculative, mystery/suspense/thriller, paranormal, historical fiction, cross-cultural, and contemporary and book club fiction. I have a soft spot for smart and elevated romcoms. I’m particularly on the lookout for sci-fi/fantasy with rich, consequential worldbuilding (cozy to epic) and innovative hooks. When it comes to literary fiction, I am most drawn to projects with timely subject matter and precisely drawn characters.” Learn more about Elisa here.
Diego Harrison is a literary agent with SBR Media. He is seeking romantasy, horror (love zombies!), thriller (domestic, crime, high concept — not paranormal), young adult (including YA across genres), middle grade, children’s picture books from author-illustrators, nonfiction and memoir with a properly construction prospectus / front matter, romance and romantic suspense, military action, crime fiction, mystery and cozies. He will consider select fantasy and science fiction if it has exceptional writing and a high concept pitch. Learn more about Diego here.
Rachel Estep is a literary agent with D4EO Literary Agency. She is seeking: literary fiction; mainstream fiction; all types of middle grade and young adult (especially that centers underrepresented voices); voicey, high-stakes psychological thrillers; stories that mess with your head in the best way; gothic fiction that blends deep senses of foreboding with modern themes; true crime projects that dig deeper than the headlines and center empathy alongside the horror; queer romcoms that bring the banter, the swoon, the spice, and a whole lot of heart; historical fiction driven by complex, unforgettable women in the style of Marie Benedict. Learn more about Rachel here.
Olivia Emerick is a literary agent with Metamorphosis Literary Agency. With her experience in the literary and theatrical spaces, she values collaboration, communication, and human stories. She is passionate about advancing authors’ careers while respecting their artistic visions. Outside work, she enjoys writing poetry and attending local theatre productions. Under the umbrella of commercial fiction for young adult and adult audiences, she is looking for manuscripts in the romance, fantasy, mythology, dark academia, dystopian, horror, and thriller genres. Learn more about Olivia here.
Paul S. Levine is a literary agent and the founder of Paul S. Levine Literary. He is also an attorney. His fiction interests include adventure novels, mainstream fiction, mysteries, romance, thrillers, and women’s fiction. His nonfiction interests include business/commerce, pop culture, how-to, self-help, politics/law, relationships, and sports. With almost 40 years of experience in the entertainment and book industries, Levine is one of the few lawyers on the West coast who also understands the world of book publishing; as such, he is able to act as both literary agent and publishing attorney for his clients. Learn more about Paul here.
Leticia Gomez is the editorial director for Kensington Books and Dafina. Leticia is the Editorial Director for Dafina Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing Corp., which focuses on high-quality fiction and nonfiction that centers on race, identity, and its impact on our experiences. Launched in 2000 as the first African-American imprint, Dafina has led the market for more than twenty years in highlighting voices of color. Leticia is actively seeking to acquire multicultural fiction and nonfiction of all genres, including literary fiction, commercial fiction, historical fiction, romance, mystery, and narrative nonfiction of all genres with a focus on authors of color (BIPOC) hailing from all walks of life, as well as specific nonfiction projects for marginalized communities. As a literary agent, Savvy Literary is now an industry leader specializing in Self-help, Narrative Non-fiction, Memoir, True Crime, Spiritual/Inspirational, Political/Current Affairs, Suspense/Thriller, Family Drama, and the Young Adult market. Championing the work of minority writers continues to be a top priority for the agency. Blending her experience as an author, literary/film/television agent and acquisition editor, she is truly excited to spearhead her very own Hispanic book imprint Café con Leche Books. Learn more about Leticia here.
Mindi St. Peter is a literary manager at BAMbooks. In fiction, she seeks: action/adventure, children’s, commercial, crime, domestic thriller, erotica, family saga, fantasy, general, graphic novel, historical, horror, humor, LGBTQ, literary, middle grade, mystery, new adult, picture books, psychological thriller, romance, thriller, women’s fiction, young adult. In nonfiction, she seeks: humor, LGBTQ, memoir, pop culture. Favorite sub-genres: contemporary romance, contemporary YA, literary, middle grade, magical realism, narrative nonfiction, psychological thrillers. Learn more about Mindi here.
Shelly Romero is a literary agent with Azantian Literary Agency. She is seeking: science fiction; speculative fiction; horror (almost all subgenres & especially for all age categories); Honduran authors; stories by Latine/x authors from Central America and the Caribbean (including Afro-Latine & Indigenous Latine stories); playing with formatting such as mixed-media & epistolary novels that give the story a “found footage” type of vibe; anything comped to Guillermo del Toro, David Cronenberg, Clive Barker, John Carpenter, or Wes Craven; Catholic horror; gothic romance; grounded fantasy; midwestern gothic; southern gothic; vampires; Jewish stories especially if they are intersectional with BIPOC and/or queer characters; thrillers/mysteries (with non-cop protagonists); commercial fiction; slice-of-life a la One Tree Hill, OG Gossip Girl, The Sandlot, Real Women Have Curves, What We Do in the Shadows; historical fiction set during: Regency, Edwardian, & Victorian eras; post-WWII; 80s – 00s…but featuring BIPOC and/or queer characters; adult erotic fiction, especially featuring BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA characters in kink spaces; set during college and non-college bound post-high school. Learn more about Shelly here.
Ruth Gila Berger is a literary agent with Red Sofa Literary. She is seeking: adult and young adult fiction that has a hook, nuance and heart; essay collections that show up in the wrong outfit, take a circuitous or unexpected route to writing, and question assumptions; narrative nonfiction with a story – especially if it marries two seemly disparate fields like art and mathematics, physics and cooking, birds and language, etc. I want to read experts who can charm and surprise me, make me laugh and never take a tone of intellectual superiority; memoir is where my heart lives but you have to knock my socks off and be connected to something in the larger world (must have a platform to sell) and graphic Novels, only if they are original, beautiful and funny. Learn more about Ruth here.
Kaylyn Aldridge is a literary agent at Metamorphosis Literary seeking commercial, upmarket, and literary fiction for adult and new adult audiences. In particular, romances with dark psychological or thriller elements, dark comedies and satires centered on women’s issues or sociopolitical themes, and women-centered horror. Outside these genres, she seeks fiction that is strange, sharp, emotionally raw, fearless, and voice-driven. Stories centering Black/POC and LGBT+ characters are a plus, as well as unreliable narrators and characters who are plain terrible. Learn more about Kaylyn here.
Renee Runge is a literary agent at Spencerhill Associates. She is actively building her list in all genres of middle grade and young adult fiction. Her taste can be summed up as “eclectic,” and she is drawn to high-concept commercial projects with a literary aura, unexpected hooks, strong A/B plots, and distinct voices. She’s especially passionate about supporting diverse and underrepresented creators from all backgrounds, with the hope that every child can one day see themselves in the pages of a book. A lover of anthropomorphic characters, she dreams of repping the next blockbuster animal novel or series. Her favorite feeling is being moved to tears by a book’s last chapter. Learn more about Renee here.
Monica Rodriguez is a literary agent with Context Literary Agency. “I gravitate towards stories about…identity, family relationships, and travel. I’m looking to uplift underrepresented voices in publishing. In children’s literature, I am currently looking for MG, YA & Graphic Novels. I also represent illustrators and comic artists. In adult fiction, I’m looking for contemporary romance, speculative, sci-fi, and book club fiction.” Learn more about Monica here.
Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong is a literary agent with Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. Cathie is a life-long lover of books and enjoys vivid memories of the exact day she unlocked the secret code behind letters that, when combined, form words. Cathie represents the following in adult fiction: romance, domestic or psychological suspense, horror, mystery, historical fiction, commercial fiction, and women’s book club fiction. (No nonfiction or children’s books of any age/kind, please.) Learn more about Cathie here.
Tali Shammas is a literary agent with Storm Literary Agency. In adult fiction, she seeks fantasy (all sub-genres), horror, science fiction, thriller, mystery, romance, rom-com, suspense, women’s fiction, upmarket / book club fiction, and genre blends combining any of the above. She also represents pockets of both young adult and middle grade fiction. In nonfiction, she seeks funny, authentic, and brutally honest stories, like anything by Jenny Lawson and Belle Burden’s STRANGERS; unique and niche topics; and coffee table books. Learn more about Tali here.
More 2026 agents/editors 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. You can pitch as many agents & editors as like you wish.
These one-on-one virtual 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.)