Editors & Agents

The acquisitions editors/publishers and literary agents listed below detail what they’re seeking in their own words. With the exception of the editors and agents participating in the virtual lightning pitch meetings and unless otherwise noted, all editors and agents will be participating in-person at the Westin Atlanta Airport Hotel.

At the bottom of each listing for the in-person editors and agents, we will note whether the editor/agent has openings or waitlists for manuscript sample critique and query letter pitch meetings. When you’re registering, you’ll be able to see the exact number of openings in the A, B, and C groups for each guest. One group is not better than another; this is simply a way to give you the chance to select up to three different editors and agents for manuscript sample critiques and up to three others for pitches. If the individual you want to meet with is full in group A, be sure to check their availability in groups B and C while you’re registering for manuscript sample critiques and/or query letter pitches. This advice also holds for the lightning pitch virtual agents and editors, where you will see eight groups (A through H).

If an editor/agent you want is full in all groups, you can check with Conference Director George Weinstein to ask how long their waitlist is. There is no charge for waitlisted spots, so there is no risk in signing up for them, but if you’re trying to choose between multiple guests with waitlists, George can tell you who has the shortest standby queue. Note: the lightning pitch agents and acquisitions editors have the most spaces available, so they are likely to still have plenty of availability when the in-person agents and editors’ spots are full. Both in-person participants and virtual participants can do up to 8 lightning pitches.

Alternatively, if you want to sign up for 1-2 query letter critiques, you can tell George who you want to meet with and pitch them by the end of the meeting. This strategy has helped numerous participants in previous conferences.

We recommend selecting as many guests as you can rather than doing multiple critiques or pitches with the same individual–put as many irons in the fire as possible to increase your chances of being asked to submit a full manuscript for publication (from acquisitions editors) or for representation (from literary agents) consideration.

If you have a self-published work you now want to traditionally publish, each guest has specified near the bottom of their profile whether they will consider previously published work.

IN-PERSON ACQUISITIONS EDITOR/PUBLISHER & LITERARY AGENT PROFILES FOR MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUES & QUERY LETTER PITCHES

Erin Casey Westin, Associate Agent, Gallt & Zacker

Erin Casey Westin (she/her) is an associate agent at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency. She was born and raised in New Jersey but now lives in Minneapolis, MN. She studied Creative Writing at Hamilton College where she also played DIII volleyball and club ultimate frisbee. Erin is open to all kid lit age groups, from picture books through YA, and is particularly drawn to work that shows the author’s world- and character-building ability. She also wants to see authentic, thoughtful representations of all people so that every kid can find a book that speaks to them. Learn more about Erin at erincaseywestin.com.

Erin is seeking picture books, middle grade, and young adult in fiction and nonfiction.

WISHLIST:

She is open to all genres within kid lit, but she gravitates toward the following categories (listed in alphabetical order, not order of interest):

• Contemporary (must be pace-y and have a strong hook. If there’s a romance, it’s preferably B plot.)
• Dystopian
• Fabulism
• Fantasy
• Graphic Novels
• Illustrators
• Magical Realism
• Mystery
• Mythology/Folklore (but usually not common western fairytale retellings)
• Nature/Outdoorsy books
• Nonfiction
• Science Fiction
• Speculative
• Sports
• Thriller

She would love to see work from marginalized creators.

Erin generally does NOT like:

• Open door spicy romance
• Gun violence, especially as a “gotcha” moment or to escalate a final confrontation
• Plots that revolve around a misunderstanding She is happy to consider previously published work.

Erin‘s manuscript sample critique spots are full, but a waitlist is available. She has open query letter pitch spots.

Lydia Caudill, Associate Agent, Andrea Hurst Literary Management

Lydia Caudill is an associate agent with Andrea Hurst Literary Management. She started as an editorial intern in 2022 and quickly transitioned into a full-time role as a literary scout and editorial assistant. Now sporting the agent hat, Lydia is excited to build a diverse client list of her own and partner with authors to craft and share meaningful stories that leave a lasting impact on readers.

Originally from a small town in Eastern Kentucky, Lydia developed a passion for literature early on, seeking any opportunity to read and always keeping a book on her “just in case” there were any free moments. She is a graduate of NC State University, where she earned her B.A. in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. When she’s not editing or reviewing submissions, you can find her supporting live music, stamping her national parks passport, tutoring Spanish, or spending time outdoors with her much-beloved dog, Rocky.

Lydia is looking for the following in fiction (Adult and New Adult):

• Contemporary
• Domestic suspense
• Family saga/drama
• Historical (NOT war-based or rooted in medical/medicinal history)
• Horror/supernatural
• LBGTQ+
• Mainstream/commercial
• Mystery
• Romance
• Romantasy
• Science fiction (light and cozy only)
• Southern
• Speculative fiction/myths & fairy tales
• Suspense
• Thriller
• Upmarket/book club

WISHLIST:

• Atmospheric writing
• Emotionally complex characters (think Normal People by Sally Rooney)
• High-stakes conflicts (make her genuinely question how the characters will resolve the situation they’re in)
• Lyrical prose
• Rivals to lovers trope (enemies to lovers is great too, but she loves when the two main characters are really good at the same thing—think Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross)
• Slow-burn trope (her absolute favorite)
• Stories that explore deep and resounding themes (she wants them to linger in her head for days after)
• Stories where travel and food/art/culture are at the forefront (think The Pairing by Casey McQuiston)
• Strong, super voicey narratives (bonus points if there’s a dash of humor…make her laugh even when everything is falling apart—her favorite book she read in 2024 was Seven Days in June by Tia Williams)
• Underrepresented voices
• Witty heroines (but not crossing that line into snarky and jaded)

She would currently love to find:

• Dark romance or romantasy
• Dystopian that touches on real-life issues in a unique way
• Historical that focuses on unique character conflicts within a moment in time, rather than revolving around a specific historical event (think Daisy Jones and the Six by TJR)
• Regency romance that also features a strong emphasis on the bonds between women/female relationships (think The Buccaneers on Apple TV)
• Romantic suspense
• Something that delves into Appalachian folklore and the mysterious legends that lurk in those mountains

Lydia is NOT accepting stories that feature explicit gore, sexual assault, or animal abuse on the page. These elements can be fine if referenced off the page as character backstory that’s essential to the story arc, but if they are used as devices for shock value, then Lydia is not a right fit.

She is also NOT the best fit for:

• Chapter or picture books
• Epic fantasy without a romantic subplot
• Espionage/military/political/legal thrillers
• Full erotica
• Hard science fiction
• Memoir
• Middle grade
• Nonfiction
• Overly heavy, sad narratives (please nothing with the MC dying, receiving a diagnosis, or battling illness for the majority of the story—she doesn’t shy away from serious subject matter, but there needs to be an uplifting, hopeful tone somewhere in the story)
• Poetry
• Police procedural
• Plots with terrorism as the main conflict
• Short-story collections
• Stories that feature COVID or reference the pandemic heavily
• Young adult (UNLESS it has crossover potential with a fresh plot and a voice that stands out. For Fantasy, think An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir—one of her favorite series)

While Lydia will not consider previously self-published books, she will work with authors who have self-published but are interested in traditionally publishing their current, unpublished project.

Lydia‘s manuscript sample critique and pitch spots are full, but waitlists are available.

Tiana Coven, Editor, Orbit/Hachette Book Group

Tiana knew she was destined to be a book editor when she first got in trouble in school for reading during gym class. She would hide her library books under her gym shorts and baggy t-shirt and scurry to a corner to read furiously knowing she would eventually find a career where her voracious reading and creative mind was celebrated. She started her career at Orbit in 2019 as an admin. assistant, quickly learning everything she could about SFF from their talented team. Now as an editor, Tiana loves working on everything core science fiction and fantasy.

She is seeking the following fiction genres:

• Fantasy
• Horror/Supernatural
• LGBTQ+
• Mainstream/Commercial (incl. magical realism)
• Romance
• Science fiction
• Speculative fiction/myths & fairy tales

WISHLIST:

Anything from traditional epic fantasy and war-torn space opera to cozy fantasy and everything romance (as long as it has a heavy dose of fantasy!) is very up her alley. Her list includes The Isle in the Silver Sea by Tasha Suri, Greenteeth by Molly O’Neill, How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days by Jessie Sylva, A Kiss of Crimson Ash by Anuja Varghese and more books she absolutely loves. She’s always looking for new books that bring something unique and rare to the SFF space. She does not typically work on horror but will consider it. She only works on adult manuscripts; anything meant for the young adult audience is not for her. She doesn’t appreciate any romance or romantasy where sexual assault is romanticized or eroticized. 

Tiana will consider previously self-published work.

She is open to considering non-agented work for this conference, but she will require the author to have an agent before signing a contract. She is happy to work with an author to suggest agents that would be a good fit for their work.

Tiana‘s manuscript sample critique spots are full, but a waitlist is available. She has open query letter pitch spots.

Char Dreyer, Assistant Editor, St. Martin’s Press/Macmillan Publishers

After collecting lots of other work and life experience (which includes but is not limited to: podcast production, bookselling, soccer coaching, bamboo cabin building, living in Chile, Spain, and Mexico, non-profit work, 30 day thru-hiking, and sheep farming), Char Dreye joined St. Martin’s Publishing Group in January of 2024. Here, she is actively building her own list and assisting Associate Publisher and VP of Wednesday and Saturday Books, Eileen Rothschild.

In fiction, Char is seeking the following genres:

• Horror/Supernatural
• Humor
• LGBTQ+
• Mainstream/Commercial (incl. magical realism)
• Mystery/Crime
• Speculative fiction/myths & fairy tales
• Suspense
• Thriller 
• Upmarket commercial/Book club
• Young Adult 

In nonfiction, Char is seeking the following topics:

• Essay collection
• Health/diet/wellness
• Memoir
• Narrative nonfiction/Journalism
• Pop culture
• Self-help/relationships
• Science
• Sports
• Women’s issues

She will consider self-published work.

While Char prefers working through an agent, she is open to trying to connect writers to agencies and agents.

Char‘s manuscript sample critique and query letter pitch spots are full, but waitlists are available.

Amanda Elliott, Associate Literary Agent, Movable Type Management

Due to her lifelong desire to connect with people through their art, Amanda Elliott went back to school to obtain her MFA in Creative Writing and MA in Publishing from Rosemont College. Previously, she interned at Grosvenor Literary Agency and worked as a developmental editor, where she committed herself to helping authors achieve their most effective and authentic writing. Before making the transition to publishing, Amanda was a social worker for nearly a decade, where she developed an ear for understanding the diverse yet universal stories we all carry with us. She has worked as a foster care social worker and most recently as a homelessness advocate, and is mom to one precocious, dinosaur-loving three-year-old. She is partial to high-concept commercial fiction (particularly fantasy and romance) with a great hook. Amanda believes the acts of making and sharing our stories to be the most therapeutic and transformative tools we have.

Amanda is seeking the following fiction genres:

• Fantasy
• Mystery/Crime
• Romance
• Speculative fiction/myths & fairy tales

WISHLIST:

• Character-driven cozy fantasy or romantasy
• Fantasy with exceptional, unique magic systems
• Speculative romance
• Holiday romance (Halloween romance, please!)
• Fantasies that feel fun, fresh and light, but don’t shy away from serious themes
• Anything with Christmassy magic
• Books that mix puzzles and riddles with magic
• Magical settings as characters
• Unique school/academy settings
• Humor!!! She loves silliness, laugh-out-loud moments, quirky characters…
• Middle-grade feminist mysteries

Amanda is not a good fit for:

• Alien sci-fi
• Angel/demon stories
• Most time travel stories 
• Stories where memory loss is big plot driver
• Hard sci-fi
• Nonfiction
• Memoir
• Military stories
• Explicit gore or violence (meaning described in gratuitous detail)

She will consider previously self-published works.

Amanda‘s manuscript sample critique spots are full, but a waitlist is available. She has open query letter pitch spots.

Rachel Estep, Literary Agent, D4EO Literary Agency

Rachel’s journey into publishing has always been rooted in a deep love of story. A lifelong reader and passionate advocate for books that reflect the messy, joyful, complicated realities of life, she entered the world of publishing as an indie bookseller and connecting readers with stories that mattered to them.

Before joining D4EO, Rachel spent years working in an independent bookstore, where she developed a proven track record in both author advocacy and book sales. Her background also includes literary event coordination, managing ARC outreach, and digital marketing, where she built lasting connections with authors, publicists, and readers alike.

In her personal life, Rachel is the mother of two boys. Her youngest has several medical complexities which has taught her how to advocate fiercely, while her oldest is wildly intelligent and humbles her on the daily. She lives on a chaotic- yet love filled- homestead where she and her boys, along with her husband and parents, garden across several acres of land as well as raise chickens, ducks, and a turkey with main character energy. Rachel is an avid Taylor Swift fan, a lover of 2000’s rom-coms, and a proud Pitbull parent.

Rachel is seeking the following fiction genres:

• Contemporary
• Fantasy
• Historical
• Horror/Supernatural
• LGBTQ+
• Mainstream/Commercial
• Middle Grade
• Mystery/Crime
• Romance
• Southern
• Speculative fiction
• Suspense
• Thriller
• Upmarket commercial/Book club
• Women’s fiction
• Young Adult

In nonfiction, she is seeking True Crime.

WISHLIST:

• YA stories that center Jewish and/or queer voices like Dahlia Adler. Identity-driven, joyful, grounded in heart and truth.
• Historical fiction that highlights powerful women and hidden corners of history, if you’re writing something in the vein of Marie Benedict or Beezy Marsh’s Queen of Thieves, she wants to see it.
• Quirky, fresh rom-coms that make her kick her feet and giggle. Gimme, gimme. She wants the straight ones, the queer ones, the silly ones — she loves a good rom-com.
• Dark Romance (Absolutely NO non-consensual. Please list triggers in the beginning of query)
• Romantasy with a twist. Something fresh, something sharp, something that feels like a new take. She will be insanely picky in this genre. 
• True crime that reads like fiction, told with deep respect for victims.
• Psychological thrillers that keep her on edge, and gothic fiction with eerie atmosphere.

Rachel is NOT the right agent for body horror, gore, cancer, anything to do with clowns, most nonfiction.

She will consider new work from currently self-published authors, or she will consider representing self-published work for subrights.

Rachel‘s manuscript sample critique and query letter pitch spots are full, but waitlists are available.

Jerome Gold, Publisher/Senior Editor, Black Heron Press

Jerome (Jerry) Gold is the publisher/senior editor of Black Heron Press, a small literary press located in Washington State. He earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in anthropology from the University of Montana and a doctorate in anthropology from the University of Washington. Jerry did fieldwork in Montana and American Samoa. He chose not to pursue a career in academia but instead worked as a rehabilitation counselor in a prison for children in Washington State. Three memoirs have resulted from this work: Paranoia & Heartbreak, published in 2009; In the Spider’s Web, published in 2015; and Children in Prison, published in 2019.

Jerry saw combat during the American war in Viet Nam and was on active duty during Desert Shield, the prelude to the first American war in the Persian Gulf. Since his return from Viet Nam, his literary preoccupations, both as a publisher and as a writer, have been of an existential nature. Certain themes surface in his work again and again: the perceived threat presented by The Other; the tension between loyalty to one’s fellows and obligation to a greater entity—nation or country or society; the distrust of abstraction and of those who use abstraction to manipulate others. He has been especially interested in the relationship of the individual to larger forces, social and historical.

At this point, he is seeking literary fiction only. By “literary” he means what used to be known as quality fiction, or fiction read for pleasure or insight, rather than to simply pass the time. Jerry is interested in both adult and YA literary fiction. And he would consider science fiction that incorporates larger concerns, such as the environment or the value of life, human and other.

While he is not interested in most genre fiction—romances, horror, crime stories, etc.—he is interested in stories about people who have committed crimes or who have had horrendous experiences or whose sex/love life reveals an aspect of their personality.

He is not interested in anything politically or religiously ideological, i.e., writing that hammers the reader with the author’s political or moral views.

Jerry is not interested in previously published work, self-published or traditionally published. (A caveat: he has violated every one of his own rules and will do it again soon. He is not averse to exceptions to rules.)

He will work with agented and unagented authors alike.

Jerry‘s manuscript sample critique spots are full, but a waitlist is available. He has open query letter pitch spots.

Aimee Hardy – Editor, Running Wild Publishing and RIZE Press

Aimee Hardy is an editor for Running Wild Publishing and the author of Pocket Full of Teeth, which won a Silver Falchion in 2025. She has a passion for storytelling and has been published in various literary magazines, including Writer’s Digest, Killer Nashville Magazine, and Stone Coast Review. She has a B.A. and M.A. in English from National University. When she’s not editing or writing, she loves traveling and hanging out with her family. 

Running Wild Press publishes narratives that don’t fit neatly into a box. They accept manuscripts in any of the following categories: 

• Contemporary fiction
• Drama
• Fantasy
• Horror/Supernatural
• Humor
• LGBTQ+
• Literary
• Mainstream/Commercial (incl. magical realism)
• Mystery/Crime
• Romance
• Science fiction
• Southern 
• Speculative fiction/myths & fairy tales
• Suspense
• Thriller 
• Upmarket commercial/Book club
• Women’s fiction
• Memoir 

Additionally, they are always looking for cross-genre mashups. Have a romance set in a haunted house? A crime drama set in the distant future? If your manuscript tells a great story, they’re interested! 

They are also seeking short stories and novellas for Running Wild’s annual short story and novella anthologies 

They are also looking for submissions for RIZE press, the division of Running Wild that publishes genre stories written by people of color and other underrepresented groups. They are looking for genre submissions from marginalized groups (but not cross-genre mashups) in the following:

• Literary
• Mystery
• Young adult
• Women’s fiction
• Dark fiction/horror
• Magical realism
• Historical fiction
• Thriller
• Science fiction
• Magical realism 

Running Wild will consider previously self-published work and unpublished manuscripts if the author is willing to work with an editor on revisions. 

If she is interested in acquiring a manuscript, Aimee can work directly with the author or through an author’s representative.

Aimee‘s manuscript sample critique and query letter pitch spots are full, but waitlists are available.

Amara Hoshijo, Executive Editor, Saga Press/Simon & Schuster

Amara Hoshijo is an executive editor at Saga Press. Her authors include New York Times bestsellers Chloe Gong, Stacey McEwan, and Jaysea Lynn. She loves science fiction and fantasy with a focus on world-building and complex systems, as well as stories with a unique cultural lens.

Amara is based in Los Angeles and began her editorial career in crime fiction at Soho Press. She has also worked in subrights and is a former Frankfurt Fellow.

She is seeking the following fiction genres:

• Fantasy
• Graphic novel
• Horror/Supernatural
• Romance
• Science fiction
• Speculative fiction/myths & fairy tales

WISHLIST:

• Romantasy
• Cozy Fantasy
• Epic Fantasy
• Space Opera
• Cyberpunk
• Mythology/Retellings
• Horror
• Magical Realism

She is NOT seeking any of the following: Historical Fantasy, YA, New Adult, Grounded Sci-Fi, Dystopian.

Amara will consider previously self-published work, although sales history will be a factor.

She would prefer working via an agent and, for an author whose work I would like to publish, would happily suggest and facilitate those connections.0 ratings/reviews on either Amazon or Goodreads (not combined).

Amara‘s manuscript sample critique and query letter pitch spots are full, but waitlists are available.

Holly Ingraham, Senior Editor, Bloom & Casablanca/ Sourcebooks

Holly Ingraham is a Senior Editor at Sourcebooks, acquiring all subgenres of romance and commercial fiction for the Bloom Books and Casablanca imprints. An industry veteran for over 18 years, she started her career at BookEnds literary agency, spent 10 years as an acquisitions editor at St. Martin’s Press, and opened her own freelance editorial business in 2018. She came back to traditional publishing in 2022 as a senior editor at Crooked Lane Books/Alcove Press and joined Sourcebooks in 2025.

She is seeking the following genres in fiction:

• Coming-of-age
• Contemporary
• Family saga/drama
• Fantasy
• Historical
• Horror/Supernatural
• Humor
• LGBTQ+
• Mainstream/Commercial (incl. magical realism)
• Romance
• Southern
• Speculative fiction/myths & fairy tales
• Sports
• Upmarket commercial/Book club
• Women’s fiction
• Young Adult

Holly would like to avoid material that shows any on-page sexual assault or physical assault of a child. 

She is open to previously published works, and the writer doesn’t have to have an agent, though she is happy to make literary agent recommendations. 

Holly‘s manuscript sample critique and pitch spots are full, but waitlists are available.

Jackson Keeler, Agent & Founder, Inkworks – VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION

Jackson Keeler is the founder and principal of InkWorks Literary, a Los Angeles–based boutique agency representing fiction and select nonfiction with strong book-to-film potential. Named one of Publishers Weekly’s 2024 Star Watch Honorees, he’s negotiated publishing deals with Melville House and Blackstone Publishing, representing award-nominated authors such as Jahmal Mayfield (SMOKE KINGS), Lori Brand (BODIES TO DIE FOR), and Elka Ray (A FRIEND INDEED). He’s also a five-star freelance editor on Reedsy, where he works closely with writers to refine and develop their manuscripts.

Before launching InkWorks, Jackson served as Director, Story and Development at The Story Factory, where he helped shape projects for authors including T.J. Newman (FALLING), Adrian McKinty (THE ISLAND), Dervla McTiernan (THE MURDER RULE), and Greg Harden (STAY SANE IN AN INSANE WORLD). With a background spanning EuropaCorp, ICM Partners, and Mosaic Media Group, he brings a story-first approach that bridges publishing and screen adaptation.

His favorite part of the job is rolling up his sleeves with writers on a craft level—refining execution, structure, and market positioning to help each project achieve its potential, feel authentic, and reach a wide readership. When he’s not buried in a manuscript, he enjoys exploring the outdoors, camping along the West Coast with his girlfriend and their dog, traveling abroad, or trying to develop his pickleball backhand—usually against players far more talented.

Jackson is seeking the following fiction genres:

• Coming-of-age
• Contemporary
• Fantasy
• Graphic novel
• Historical
• Horror/Supernatural
• Humor
• LGBTQ+
• Mainstream/Commercial (incl. magical realism)
• Mystery/Crime
• Science fiction
• Speculative fiction/myths & fairy tales
• Sports
• Suspense
• Thriller
• Upmarket commercial/Book club
• Young Adult

In nonfiction, Jackson is seeking the following topics:

• Current events/politics/social commentary
• History/biography
• Humor
• Memoir
• Narrative nonfiction/Journalism
• Pop culture
• Science
• Spiritual/inspirational/religious
• Sports

WISHLIST:

He is seeking speculative thrillers, fresh hooks, psychological suspense, science fiction, fantasy, and horror with emotional depth, strong prose, and a vivid sense of place. He is drawn to upmarket and literary fiction that blends commercial pacing with thematic weight, as well as mythic or philosophical elements that explore complex moral dilemmas.

Jackson is also open to narrative nonfiction and cultural commentary that examine power, identity, and systems through a story-first lens. On the nonfiction side, he’s especially interested in science, consciousness, philosophy, and spirituality.

He gravitates toward work that feels both daring and emotionally grounded, and he’s less drawn to formulaic romance, prescriptive self-help, or traditional genre tropes without a fresh point of view.

Note that Jackson prefers not to receive projects featuring gratuitous violence—violence for its own sake—sexual assault, or animal cruelty, or works with overtly political or religious agendas. He is open to dark or challenging material when it serves the story or the emotional truth of the work.

He is happy to consider previously self-published work.

Jackson‘s query letter pitch spots are full, but a waitlist is available. He will not be doing manuscript sample critiques.

Lauren Liebow, Agent, Aevitas Creative Management

Lauren Liebow is an agent at Aevitas Creative Management. In fiction, she is drawn to projects that feature voice-driven narratives with beautiful prose. She’s looking for timeless stories that aren’t afraid to explore difficult topics and novels that provide a fresh and modern twist on the status quo. In nonfiction, she is looking for narrative nonfiction, memoir, and investigative journalism projects that inform and entertain while also telling a compelling story. Across all genres, she’s keenly interested in books that uplift historically underrepresented voices. Lauren is based in New York City.

Specifically, Lauren is seeking the following genres in fiction:

• Contemporary
• Family saga/drama
• Horror/Supernatural
• LGBTQ+
• Literary
• Mainstream/Commercial (incl. magical realism)
• Southern
• Speculative fiction/myths & fairy tales
• Upmarket commercial/Book club

*Please note that Lauren does not represent children’s, YA, or middle grade books.

In nonfiction, she is seeking the following:

• Cooking/food/cookbooks
• Current events/politics/social commentary
• Essay collection
• Health/diet/wellness
• Memoir
• Narrative nonfiction/Journalism
• Pop culture
• Science
• Women’s issues

WISHLIST: 

• Literary fiction with intentional prose
• Upmarket and book club fiction 
• Literary speculative fiction, or super grounded “sci-fi.” She does not consider any sci-fi that leans too heavily into the genre
• Horror that explores themes such as feminism, contemporary culture, politics, etc.
• Fresh and innovative rom-coms, especially with LGBTQ+ characters or other subversive relationship configurations 
• Narrative nonfiction that tells a story that hasn’t been told before, while also having mass commercial appeal and broader purpose. 

She prefers to only consider unpublished manuscripts.

Lauren‘s manuscript sample critique and query letter pitch spots are full, but waitlists are available.

Najla Mamou, Literary Agent, Savvy Literary Services

Najla is an avid reader and loves great first chapters, immersive world building, deep character profiles, and well-rounded dialogue. She teaches workshops at several writing conferences, including Common Mistakes in First Chapters, Writing Rules That Can Be Broken, Self-Editing Before the Query, Getting the History and Voice Right, and many other topics. She is co-chair of American Association of Literary Agents’ Professional Development committee and member of the People of Publishing planning committee for the AALA’s annual meeting of literary agents, editors, and publishing professionals.

In fiction, she is seeking the following genres:

• Christian
• Coming-of-age
• Contemporary
• Family saga/drama
• Fantasy
• Historical
• Horror/Supernatural
• LGBTQ+
• Literary
• Mainstream/Commercial (incl. magical realism)
• Mystery/Crime
• Romance
• Science fiction
• Southern
• Speculative fiction/myths & fairy tales
• Suspense
• Thriller
• Upmarket commercial/Book club
• Young Adult

In nonfiction, she is seeking the following topics:

• Business/leadership/law
• Cooking/food/cookbooks
• Current events/politics/social commentary
• Health/diet/wellness
• History/biography
• Humor
• Memoir
• Narrative nonfiction/Journalism
• Pop culture
• Self-help/relationships
• Science
• Spiritual/inspirational/religious
• Sports
• Women’s issues

WISHLIST:

Fiction: Najla is seeking 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 a country or place, expat stories, winter/cold weather (Antarctica, North Pole, Alaska, Canada) horror or sci-fi, second chance love, alternating timelines, backwards timelines, or dual timeline that interweaves a present-day investigation with a historical crime. She also wants to see more literary fiction in her inbox.

She rarely takes women’s fiction unless it is thought-provoking and features complex characters and high concepts. For historical fiction, at this time, she only has space on her list if the novel features a BIPOC/underrepresented protagonist or historical fantasy or diaspora.

Nonfiction: Send in your narrative nonfiction, memoir, biography, immigrant stories, cultural commentary, people in history, stories inspired by lesser-known professions and crafts (builders, designers, architects), musicians/artists/creators, daredevils, athletes, as well as stories about unknown criminals, heists, etc. in history.

In all genres, Najla is not the best agent for stories that perpetuate slander, defamation, high profanity, racism, intolerance, bigotry, xenophobia, homophobia, sexism, and related attitudes and behaviors. If you’re unsure, reach out to sensitivity readers or beta readers and ask for input.

Due to recommendations by acquisitions editors, she is currently only accepting unpublished manuscripts between 60,000 to 85,000 words. Please do not submit a manuscript sample for critique or do a query letter pitch for a manuscript over 90,000 words.

Najla‘s manuscript sample critique and pitch spots are full, but waitlists are available.

Mae Martinez, Assistant Editor, Ballantine Books, Bantam, Delacorte/Dell/ Random House Publishing Group

Mae Donicia Martinez(she/her) is an associate editor at Ballantine Bantam Dell, an imprint at Penguin Random House. She acquires voice-driven, upmarket fiction that says something new about the world we live in, contemporary romance with equal heart and spice, speculative/genre bending fiction and fantasy with a love story at its core, as well as suspense and horror with transformations, social commentary, and shock factor. Her list proudly includes Lauren Blackwood, Gia de Cadenet, Kate Dylan, Nadia El-Fassi, Swati Hegde, Shannon Ives, Vera Kurian, Ebony LaDelle, Lisa M. Matlin, Hazel McBride, Isabelle Taylor, and more to come.

Mae is seeking the following fiction genres:

• Coming-of-age
• Contemporary
• Family saga/drama
• Fantasy
• Historical
• Horror/Supernatural
• Humor
• LGBTQ+
• Mainstream/Commercial (incl. magical realism)
• Romance
• Science fiction
• Southern
• Speculative fiction/myths & fairy tales
• Suspense
• Thriller
• Upmarket commercial/Book club
• Women’s fiction

WISHLIST:

• Contemporary romance with complex relationship dynamics, earnest conflicts, magical twists, fun tropes, and/or queer joy
• Dark romance with consistent and intentional consent, bonus points for funny serial killers
• Upmarket women’s fiction with intriguing cultural criticism, strong, compelling hooks and characters that can make me cry, reevaluate my relationship with culture, community, (and my mother)
• Genre bending fiction with magical realism, horror, speculative beings, anything inspired by existing myths, legends, and cultural folklore
• Romantic Fantasy with epic love stories, never-before-seen world building and magic systems, and diverse main characters
• Suspense/Horror with intense internal turmoil, body horror, and/or social commentary in an accessible, plot-driven package
• Stories from writers who identify with any of the following: Black, Indigenous, Palestinian, person of color, Latine(x), LGBTQIA+, disabled, and/or neurodivergent.

She prefers consensual sex in romance (especially dark romance), but other than that, she has no triggers to be aware of.

Mae acquires both self-published work and unpublished manuscripts.

While it’s rare that she would work closely with an author before they’re represented, she would be willing to suggest agents/agencies to participants.

Mae‘s manuscript sample critique and query letter pitch spots are full, but waitlists are available.

Amy Nielsen, Agent, The Purcell Agency

Amy Nielsen spent nearly twenty years sharing her love of books with young readers on the other side of the writing aisle as a youth librarian. Daily immersion in story took root, and she started penning her 2024 YA debut, Worth It, behind her checkout desk. She is currently a literary agent at The Purcell Agency, pursuing her passion for helping other authors make their publishing dreams come true. 

Amy is seeking the following fiction genres for Children’s Chapter Book, Middle Grade, and Young Adult age ranges:

• Children’s chapter book
• Coming-of-age
• Contemporary
• Family saga/drama
• Graphic novel
• Horror/Supernatural
• Humor
• LGBTQ+
• Middle Grade
• Mystery/Crime
• Romance
• Speculative fiction/myths & fairy tales
• Sports
• Suspense
• Thriller
• Young Adult

WISHLIST:

Currently on her wish list, she is hoping for Chapter Books, Middle Grade, and Young Adult age ranges in the following genres: Romance, Thriller, Horror, Contemporary, Speculative, and Issue Driven. As the mother of an autistic son and an LGBTQ+ daughter, authentic and diverse representation is always appreciated. Specifically, she’d love to find a story featuring any of the following in the previous genres: cryptids, chess, video games, board games, and puppets. Obviously, not all need to be in the same manuscript. But kudos if you can make that happen!

Amy is not looking for picture books or adult age ranges at this time. Amy is not the best fit for epic fantasy or high-concept sci-fi. 

She 100% will consider previously self-published works! She signed an author with a previously self-published work and recently sold it to a traditional publisher.

Amy‘s manuscript sample critique spots are full, but a waitlist is available. She has open query letter pitch spots.

Emily Polson, Editor, Scribner/Simon & Schuster

Emily Polson, Editor, joined Scribner in spring 2021 by way of Simon & Schuster Audio, the David Black Literary Agency, and Book Riot. Recent projects include Ripe by Sarah Rose Etter, Worry by Alexandra Tanner, Helen of Troy, 1993 by Maria Zoccola, Punished by Ann-Helén Laestadius, and This Is Your Mother by Erika J. Simpson. Her other authors include Simon Parkin, Jan Carson, Diamond Forde, Maria Adelmann, Mick Carrigan, Fiona Warnick, and Erica Frederick. Emily is looking to acquire voice-driven literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, and poetry that “speak into the silence” (Carmen Maria Machado) of the existing canon. Before working in publishing, Emily taught creative writing in a Mississippi prison and English in a Basque ikastola. She is also an adjunct professor of freshman composition at the City College of New York.

In fiction, Emily is seeking the following genres:

• Coming-of-age
• Contemporary
• Family saga/drama
• Historical
• Humor
• LGBTQ+
• Literary
• Southern
• Speculative fiction/myths & fairy tales

FICTION WISHLIST:

In fiction, Emily gravitates most toward contemporary settings, small casts, and distinctive prose. She enjoys grounded speculative fiction, ranging from magical realism to surrealism that flirts with the absurd, and doesn’t mind when literary fiction borrows elements of genre writing, but she is not looking for straight fantasy, sci-fi, romance, crime/thriller, suspense, or horror. In historical fiction, the subject matter should resonate with contemporary interests/concerns.

POETRY COLLECTIONS:

In poetry, Emily is looking for full-length collections with a dynamic approach to form where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. She is most compelled by work that engages with the personal as a lens for exploring the wider world or that uses elements of fiction to create a strong sense of character, place, and story. 

In nonfiction, Emily is seeking the following topics:

• Essay collection
• Humor
• Memoir
• Narrative nonfiction/journalism

NONFICTION WISHLIST:

In nonfiction, Emily is looking for literary memoir, essays, and narrative nonfiction with a strong arc. In personal writing, she likes something that either explores a very unique experience or tells a universal story in a unique way.

Emily can only consider unpublished work. 

She works via agents for acquisitions but can make suggestions for agents to query if she has strong interest in a project. 

Emily‘s manuscript sample critique and query letter pitch spots are full, but waitlists are available.

Melissa Rechter, Editor, Poisoned Pen/Sourcebooks

After 6.5 years working for an independent publisher of commercial genre fiction, Melissa joined Poisoned Pen Press in 2025, where she is an acquiring editor. She has had the pleasure of working with New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors, as well as a myriad of talented writers.

Melissa is seeking the following fiction genres:

• Fantasy
• Horror/Supernatural
• LGBTQ+
• Mainstream/Commercial (incl. magical realism)
• Mystery/Crime
• Southern
• Speculative fiction/myths & fairy tales
• Suspense
• Thriller

WISHLIST:

She is looking for psychological thrillers with toxic female friendships, complex family dynamics, or locked room premises. She’s looking for commercial light-hearted mysteries in the vein of DIAL A FOR AUNTIE or FINLAY DONOVAN. In horror, she’s looking for both psychological horror and social horror (in the vein of Jordan Peele) She’d love to see exploration into genre crossover (horromance, speculative horror, gothic horror.) She’s looking for both cozy fantasy, in the vein of J. Penner or Heather Fawcett, but also grounded fantasy with a darker tone (like NINTH HOUSE or AN ARCANE INHERITANCE.) She’s very interested in projects that explore found families, feminine rage, and trauma in these spaces. 

Melissa can only consider unpublished manuscripts, unless the author has a large readership that can be quantified in some way (e.g., Kindle Unlimited reads, etc.) 

If she is interested in a manuscript, she would suggest agents or agencies to work with. 

Melissa‘s manuscript sample critique spots are full, but a waitlist is available. She has open query letter pitch spots.

Caroline Tew, Assistant Editor, Saga Press/ Simon & Schuster

Caroline Tew is an Assistant Editor at Saga Press. Before joining the Saga team, she spent two years as a literary scout, is a graduate of the Columbia Publishing Program, and holds a degree in English from Harvard University. Her acquisitions include Valet, a debut near-future science fiction novel following a robot butler, and Silent Nightmares, an anthology of winter-themed horror stories edited by Chuck Palahniuk and Michael Bailey.

She currently acquires adult fiction across science fiction, fantasy, and horror, though anything written for adults with speculative elements is fair game, including LGBTQ+, short story collections, literary, and magical realism.

WISHLIST:

She is particularly looking for fantasy/sci-fi mystery, epic fantasy, cozy fantasy/sci-fi, space opera, speculative stories with found family, dark academia, historical fantasy/sci-fi/horror, literary science fiction short stories, near-future science fiction, mythological retellings (particularly from cultures besides Greek & Roman) and upmarket/book club fiction with a speculative twist. The only things under the SF/F/H genre umbrella that are likely not for her are traditional romantasy (though romance as a B plot is always welcome!) and mystery/thrillers where the twist is speculative.

Caroline is open to looking at previously self-published titles, as well as unagented books.

In the case of wanting to acquire something unagented, she would be happy to recommend agents for the project.

Caroline‘s manuscript sample critique and pitch spots are full, but waitlists are available.

Michaela Whatnall, Agent, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret

Michaela Whatnall (they/them) is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, where they have worked out of the agency’s West Coast office since 2019. They received a degree from Emory University in English and linguistics, completed the Columbia Publishing Course, and have experience in school & library marketing, bookselling, and reviewing for trade publications. In 2023, Michaela was named a Publishers Weekly Star Watch Honoree.

Michaela is seeking the following fiction genres:

• Children’s picture/chapter books
• Coming-of-age
• Contemporary
• Fantasy
• Graphic novel
• Historical
• Horror/Supernatural
• LGBTQ+
• Mainstream/Commercial (incl. magical realism)
• Middle Grade
• Romance
• Science fiction
• Southern
• Speculative fiction/myths & fairy tales
• Sports
• Suspense
• Thriller
• Upmarket commercial/Book club
• Women’s fiction
• Young Adult

In nonfiction, they are seeking the following topics:

• Pop culture
• Sports

WISHLIST:

Right now, the categories Michaela is most looking to build in are adult upmarket fiction, contemporary middle grade, young adult of all genres, grounded adult fantasy, and certain romantasy. They’re always eager to see books from diverse voices.

Their favorite element of any story is a rich dynamic between characters—whether that’s a slow burn romance, a complicated sibling relationship, a bond between a group of friends who couldn’t be more different from each other, or any other juicy dynamic that fuels narrative tension and character arcs.

Young Adult: This is the one category where anything goes for Michaela. They love all genres—if it’s YA, bring it on! (They will say that they’re a particular sucker for hooky fantasy, speculative, and contemporary, as well as genre blending, but they’re truly open to any YA with a strong concept.)

Middle Grade: They are open to all genres, but they’re particularly seeking contemporary middle grade that is layered, heartfelt, and centers characters with backgrounds or experiences we don’t often see on the page. Think books like Simon Sort Of Says by Erin Bow or their client Jasminne Paulino’s The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez.

Upmarket Fiction: Michaela is seeking upmarket fiction that combines a propulsive plot with pervasive themes. In this category they’re seeking all genres, but they have a soft spot for speculative, contemporary, and historical. A good example of what they’re looking for is their client Sophie Wan’s Women of Good Fortune, which on its surface is a book about a heist at a ritzy wedding, but underneath is about the complexities of friendship and the pressures society places on women.

Adult Fantasy: They are seeking grounded fantasy, meaning stories that are set in our world, or a world that doesn’t feel too far from our own. They prefer fantasy that prioritizes character, with a world building hook that can be described in one sentence. Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett is a recent favorite and they’d love to find a book that comps to it.

Adult Romantasy: They’re seeking romantasy featuring queer, BIPOC, or otherwise underrepresented protagonists.

Adult Romance: They are seeking high-concept romance that breaks away from familiar tropes or offers genuinely fresh twists on those tropes. Their favorite projects in this category are those with an action/adventure element, or that have a touch of magic or the paranormal, though they’re also open to high-concept contemporary. In this space, they are especially seeking stories that center queer characters.

Graphic Novel: They are selectively seeking middle grade and young adult graphic novel proposals that include both text and art.

Picture Book: They are selectively seeking picture books (text only or text and art) that either explore an interesting and previously unexplored topic, that brings a brand new perspective on a common childhood experience, or that are wonderfully whimsical.

Nonfiction: They are selectively seeking narrative nonfiction in the categories of pop culture and cultural criticism, as well as sports books that center women or queer athletes.

Here are some other specifics that they’re always excited to see in stories (though are by no means a requirement):

• Queer characters of all kinds, and especially narratives about transgender, nonbinary, and asexual characters
• Slow-burn relationships (either romance or friendship)
• Genre blending
• Boarding school/university settings
• Theater stories
• Sports and competition stories that center underrepresented characters
• Dark academia
• Nautical settings (ships, lighthouses, anything with ocean vibes!)
• Found families
• Sibling stories
• Fresh takes on old classics
• Unexpected subversions of familiar tropes
• Stories that deal with language
• Niche interests or groups
• Heists
• Adventures and/or books that can be described as a “romp”

They are not the best fit for:

• Parody or satirical fiction
• Legal or military thrillers

Please note: Michaela views this manuscript wish list as a starting point. It’s impossible to describe every kind of book they could potentially fall in love with, especially if it’s something they couldn’t have imagined! If you aren’t seeing your book perfectly described here but you think Michaela might be a good fit, please feel free to try them!

Michaela is only able to consider unpublished manuscripts.

Michaela‘s manuscript sample critique and pitch spots are full, but waitlists are available.

Terrie Wolf, Literary Agent & Rights Manager, AKA Literary Management

Terrie Wolf founded AKA (Also Known As) Literary Management (AKALM) in 2009 after decades of interaction with authors, musicians, and dignitaries in the arenas of publishing, international media, and large-scale events. A full member of AALA, she received the 2021 ACFW Agent of the Year Award, was named a “Top 20 of 2020 Agent” by Writer’s Digest and has sold rights in over forty countries and thirty languages.

A few of Terrie’s recent projects include REZ BALL by Byron Graves (HC/Heartdrum), The Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series by Margaret Mizushima (Crooked Lane Books), COLOR YOUR MIND by Maria Shriver (Blue Star Press), and Scott K. Edinger’s THE GROWTH LEADER: Strategies to Drive the Top and Bottom Lines (Fast Company Press).

In fiction, Terrie is seeking the following:

• Children’s picture/chapter books
• Christian
• Contemporary
• Family saga/drama
• Historical
• LGBTQ+
• Mainstream/Commercial (incl. magical realism)
• Middle Grade
• Mystery/Crime
• Romance
• Southern, Regional, and Western
• Sports
• Suspense
• Thriller
• Upmarket commercial/Book club
• Women’s fiction
• Young Adult

Nonfiction topics Terrie is seeking include:

• Business/leadership/law
• Cooking/food/cookbooks
• Health/diet/wellness
• History/biography
• Humor
• Memoir (well-known, celebrity)
• Narrative nonfiction/Journalism
• Pop culture
• Spiritual/inspirational/religious (Inspirational and faith over religious)
• Sports (including sport animals, working dogs, equine, etc.)

Adult titles that positively intrigue, enthrall, and impact, regardless of genre, and book clubby works filled with memorable characters, universal themes, and discussion-worthy concepts are at the top of Terrie’s wish list, along with outstanding crime (mystery, suspense, and thriller), historical, inspirational and women’s fiction. In nonfiction, Terrie seeks works that shine with an internal message of obtainable and relatable inspiration for readers across the globe, no matter the subject.

For children’s works, Terrie adores fun, non-confrontational, read-it-again picture books where words and illustrations dance. For middle grade, it’s all about capers, mysteries, adventure, and socially conscious works that encourage curious minds. Older middle grade and young adult works often appeal to her when they involve compassionate significance, self-realization, authentic honesty, and the occasional mystery.

Terrie will not consider previously published works (self or otherwise).

Terrie‘s manuscript sample critique and query letter pitch spots are full, but waitlists are available.

VIRTUAL ACQUISITIONS EDITOR/PUBLISHER & LITERARY AGENT PROFILES FOR LIGHTNING PITCHES

Adam is a former bookstore manager and nonprofit director turned freelance editor and writer of children’s literature. He earned his MFA in Fiction from Sarah Lawrence College and wrote for an adult audience until the day his son came home from kindergarten feeling ashamed of his beloved rainbow sparkly shoes. Seeing the need for more acceptance inspired his first story for children. He acquires and edits picture books and middle grade novels for several independent publishers and works with writers on a freelance basis to shape and shine their stories. An active member of Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) and regular presenter at writing conferences, Adam lives in a hutch in Brooklyn, NY with his tween son and seriously adolescent bunny. His website is www.adamdblackman.com. 

Cardinal Rule Press publishes picture books and middle grade books.

Adam can only consider unpublished manuscripts.

He is happy to work directly with an author or through an agent.

Adam has open lightning pitch spots.

Haley Casey graduated from The University of Kansas with a BA in creative writing and attended the Denver Publishing Institute in 2015. She began her full-time career at Ogden Publications, where she was an editor for four years. There she worked with a variety of authors across multiple magazines, wrote over a dozen articles, edited audio for podcasts, and even styled cover photos—anything to add some creativity to her days. In 2020, she interned at Metamorphosis Literary Agency and Creative Media Agency, Inc. before stepping into her role as an associate agent at CMA.

She’s actively building her list, and using her industry expertise and editorial eye, she’s ready to continue bringing new stories into the world.

In fiction, Haley is seeking the following genres:

• Coming-of-age
• Contemporary
• Fantasy
• Horror/Supernatural
• LGBTQ+
• Mainstream/Commercial (incl. magical realism)
• Middle Grade
• Romance
• Science fiction
• Speculative fiction/myths & fairy tales
• Upmarket commercial/Book club
• Women’s fiction
• Young Adult

Haley is seeking the following nonfiction topics:

• Cooking/food/cookbooks
• Essay collection
• Memoir
• Narrative nonfiction/Journalism
• Women’s issues

WISHLIST:

In the adult space, Haley is seeking to represent women’s fiction, commercial/book club fiction, and romantic comedies full of banter, or paranormal romance novels. She’s also open to grounded genre fiction, including fantasy, sci-fi, and horror.  She likes SFF that has an element of accessibility, whether that’s relatable characters, urban world-building, speculative elements in an otherwise modern setting, or haunted houses. She’s not the best fit for romantasy that focuses on the instant romance over the world and character development, epic fantasies or space operas, slasher horror, or any subgenre of dark romance. Haley is also not looking for traditional mysteries or thrillers.

She is especially eager to build her young adult and middle grade lists, and she’s seeking any genres from contemporary to fantasy, including mystery, horror, light science fiction, or dystopian. Haley would love to see YA novels in the genre space! She’s looking for YA psychological or locked-room mysteries, surprising and original retellings, mixed-media formatting, and funny contemporary fantasies. She has a lot of YA contemporary novels on her list right now, so she is being selective; it has to have a commercial, high-concept hook. In MG, Haley is particularly looking for clever and meaningful paranormal and fantasy stories, especially those that celebrate characters’ differences and unique ways of seeing the world. She would love any genre of MG that focuses on the importance of friendships, but also that tackles how those relationships change and grow. She’s not the right fit for chapter books or graphic novels.

Haley is also seeking nonfiction for both adults and young adults. She’s open to memoir/narrative/essay submissions that contain a broader element of social commentary, good examples being In the Dream House or All Boys Aren’t Blue. She is seeking thoughtfully told true crime stories, especially in the vein of Michelle McNamara or Michael Finkel’s work. She loves nonfiction about food, sustainability, and nature, including books like Farming While Black, Weed-Free Gardening, Braiding Sweetgrass, or The Billionaire’s Vinegar. And Haley is open to nonfiction focused on cultural, LGBTQ+, and women’s issues, such as Hood Feminism or So Many Stars. She’s not the right fit for biographies, self-help and how-to manuscripts, or religious, scientific, and academic texts. And at the moment, she’s only considering unpublishing manuscripts, although she would be happy to see new work from authors who have self-published in the past.

Haley has open lightning pitch spots.

Helen’s unique background brings an interesting and fresh perspective to the publishing world. She has an extensive background in the arts  being an internationally-performing musician and photographer as well as having worked in video, theater and film. With a Business and Marketing background, she has worked extensively in the non-profit sector and more recently for the Denver Center for Performing Arts. Originally from Harare, Zimbabwe and now residing in Colorado, Helen is passionate about storytelling and artistic expression. As a literary agent, she is focused on combining her own experience as an artist with the business side of publishing to support authors from creation through publication and beyond.

Helen is seeking the following fiction genres:

• Christian
• Coming-of-age
• Contemporary
• Family saga/drama
• Fantasy
• Historical
• Horror/Supernatural
• LGBTQ+
• Mainstream/Commercial (incl. magical realism)
• Mystery/Crime
• Romance
• Southern
• Speculative fiction/myths & fairy tales
• Suspense
• Thriller
• Upmarket commercial/Book club
• Women’s fiction

In nonfiction, Helen is seeking the following topics:

• Memoir
• Spiritual/inspirational/religious
• Women’s issues

She will consider previously self-published books.

It’s totally fine to pitch both Helen and Sara Megibow (see below) with the same project.

Helen has open lightning pitch spots.

Sara Megibow (she/her) is the President and Senior Literary Agent at Megibow Literary Agency out of Broomfield, CO. She has worked in publishing since 2006 and represents New York Times bestselling authors including Rebecca Roanhorse, Margaret Rogerson, Roni Loren, Jaleigh Johnson and Jason M. Hough. Sara specializes in launching debut authors and working on long-term career development and profit strategy with them. She is a graduate of Northwestern University with degrees in Women’s Studies, Gender Studies and American History. Always LGBTQIA+ Friendly!

She is seeking the following fiction genres:

• Children’s picture/chapter books
• Christian
• Coming-of-age
• Contemporary
• Family saga/drama
• Fantasy
• Historical
• Horror/Supernatural
• Humor
• LGBTQ+
• Mainstream/Commercial (incl. magical realism)
• Middle Grade
• Mystery/Crime
• Romance
• Science fiction
• Short story collection
• Southern
• Speculative fiction/myths & fairy tales
• Sports
• Suspense
• Thriller
• Upmarket commercial/Book club
• Women’s fiction
• Young Adult

Sara wants to see absolutely everything except nonfiction, graphic novels, and literary fiction.

She will consider previously self-published books.

It’s totally fine to pitch both Sara and Helen Masvikeni (see above) with the same project.

Sara’s lightning pitch spots are full, but a waitlist is available.

Reagan Rothe is the creator and owner of Black Rose Writing, a midsize press in Texas, the host of the Heard it Through the Rosevine podcast, and a fellow published author. He is an Amazon Ad ninja, serves on Ingram’s Publisher Advisory Board, and is a Social Media Certified Professional. Rothe has contributed to IBPA’s Independent, NetGalley Insights, and other literary channels. As a result of his participation in the May 2023 and May 2024 conferences, he published over a half-dozen participants he met with.

Reagan is seeking the following in fiction and nonfiction:

FICTION GENRES:

• Children’s picture books from author-illustrators
• Children’s chapter books
• Christian
• Coming-of-age
• Contemporary
• Family saga/drama
• Fantasy
• Graphic novel
• Historical
• Horror/Supernatural
• Humor
• LGBTQ+
• Literary
• Mainstream/Commercial (incl. magical realism)
• Middle Grade
• Mystery/Crime
• Romance
• Romantasy
• Science fiction
• Southern
• Speculative fiction/myths & fairy tales
• Suspense
• Thriller
• Upmarket commercial/Book club
• Women’s fiction
• Young Adult

NONFICTION TOPICS:

• Business/leadership/law
• Cooking/food/cookbooks
• Current events/politics/social commentary
• Health/diet/wellness
• History/biography
• Humor
• Memoir
• Pop culture
• Self-help/relationships
• Science
• Spiritual/inspirational/religious
• Sports
• Women’s issues

He will consider previously self-published work but only for demonstrated sales of 5,000 copies or more. 

Reagan works with authors directly as well as through literary agents.

Reagan has open lightning pitch spots.

With over fifteen years of experience in publishing, both at a house and an agency, Eric Smith (he/him) has worked with numerous New York Times bestselling and award-winning authors across genres and categories. He founded Neighborhood Literary in 2025 as a boutique agency based out of Philadelphia, dedicated to working with a diverse roster of authors and championing unique, out-of-the-box books.

In fiction, Eric is seeking the following genres:

• Contemporary
• Family saga/drama
• Fantasy
• Graphic novel
• Horror/Supernatural
• LGBTQ+
• Literary
• Mainstream/Commercial (incl. magical realism)
• Middle Grade
• Romance
• Science fiction
• Short story collection
• Upmarket commercial/Book club
• Women’s fiction
• Young Adult

Eric is seeking the following nonfiction topics:

• Cooking/food/cookbooks
• Essay collection
• Health/diet/wellness
• Memoir
• Narrative nonfiction/Journalism
• Pop culture
• Self-help/relationships
• Spiritual/inspirational/religious
• Women’s issues

WISHLIST:

He is always looking for Middle Grade and Young Adult projects (fiction and nonfiction), adult genre-blending upmarket and literary fiction, accessible sci-fi and fantasy (please nothing over 100k, and no epics), high concept rom-coms, and memoir, essays, and wellness titles in the non-fiction space from writers who are actively publishing essays and articles tied to their expertise. While he works on kid-lit, he’s not the best fit for picture books or chapter books, and on the adult side, he’s not the best fit for mysteries or thrillers. Please don’t send him books that touch on suicide.

He can only consider unpublished manuscripts.

Eric has open lightning pitch spots.

Kelly is a literary agent at the Serendipity Literary Agency, a published poet, and a certified copy editor with a bachelor’s degree in English from Pace University. She is a member of the New York Women in Film & Television (NYWFT), Women in Film (WIF), the Editorial Freelance Association (EFA), and The Association of American Literary Agents (AALA), where she sits on the Copyright Committee. She serves as a panelist on The Business of Adaptations for Film & TV, a biannual webinar presented by NYWIFT and occasionally hosted by WIF. Kelly is also a ghostwriter and developmental editor, as well as a screenwriter with a feature-length film in development. She regularly participates in pitch slams and contributes as a panelist at writing and publishing conferences, including AWP, SCBWI, ThrillerFest, Crimebake, Writing Day Workshops, The Writer’s Digest Conference, Hampton Roads Writer’s Conference, The Next Bestsellers Workshop, and has taught classes on synopsis writing, query letters, perfecting your pitch, and character development at a number of these events. Prior to joining Serendipity Literary Agency, Kelly provided part-time manuscript analysis for the D4EO Literary Agency. She has served as an editor for the literary arts magazine Pen & Brush and as a writing coach for the academic consulting company Brattlestreet.

Kelly is seeking the following fiction genres:

• Children’s picture
• Coming-of-age
• Contemporary
• Family saga/drama
• Historical         
• Horror/Supernatural
• Humor              
• LGBTQ+            
• Literary               
• Mainstream/Commercial (incl. magical realism)
• Mystery/Crime     
• Speculative fiction/myths & fairy tales
• Sports
• Suspense
• Thrillers (psychological)           
• Young Adult

In nonfiction, Kelly is seeking the following topics:

• Business/leadership/law
• Current events/politics/social commentary
• Essay collection
• Health/diet/wellness
• History/biography
• Humor               
• Memoir              
• Narrative nonfiction/Journalism
• Pop culture         
• Self-help/relationships
• Science              
• Women’s issues

WISHLIST:

Kelly considers herself a generalist who is drawn to lyrical writing and strong voices. She is especially interested in nonfiction (narrative, practical, prescriptive, academic, commercial, and trade), where she looks for memoirs, true crime, self-help, business, nature, travel writing, medical, STEM, psychology, health and fitness, music & film, food & drink, investigative journalism, social theory, and cultural commentary. She looks for expert-driven, platform-driven, and subject-driven nonfiction, big idea books, and critical works that offer analysis and commentary from a fresh, new angle. She enjoys working with musicians, television personalities, athletes, and other pop culture figures to help translate their stories or expertise onto the page. She is seeking books that examine the human story—where culture, history, and social theory meet lived experience. Kelly has a minor in psychology and loves learning what makes people think, act, and behave the way they do. The truth is often stranger than fiction, so Kelly is actively looking for the next great true crime manuscript with a murderous and methodical plot.

She is also looking for adult fiction, specifically psychological thrillers, suspense, horror, and humor. She enjoys fast-paced, plot-driven fiction with twists, turns, and jaw-dropping moments. She is drawn to stories about leadership, overcoming adversity, and beating the odds. Stories that are told from a unique psychological vantage point are always of interest. Kelly loves multi-layered protagonists who struggle between what is right and wrong, and anti-heroes who are villainous but endearing at the same time. Some of her favorite books that perfectly master this include Dearly Departed Dexter, You, American Psycho, Fight Club, Psycho, Interview With the Vampire, Dracula, and My Sister, the Serial Killer.  Kelly also represents a limited number of children’s projects, including picture books and young adult titles, with a particular interest in stories that feature Vikings, pirates, or mythology.

Kelly is NOT looking for romance, book club fiction, sci-fi, high fantasy with extensive world building, parenting books, or religious works, unless it’s in the context of cultural commentary or critical analysis.

She will not consider previously self-published works.

Kelly has open lightning pitch spots.

Brandy Vallance comes from a long line of storytellers. An old soul, she fell in love with passed-down tales, the odd and unexplained, and the pursuit of answering the mysteries that perplex us all. She loves to wander down ancient paths, explore dusty libraries, and does occasional archaeology. Her books are a lush escape into timeless romance, breathtaking adventure, and push the boundaries of what is expected.

Brandy is the winner of two national writing awards, one of which included a $20,000 prize. Her critically acclaimed novel, The Covered Deep, has been featured in USA Today and Writer’s Digest. Romantic Times called Within the Veil “passionate and riveting” and Publisher’s Weekly encourages those who like sweeping Scottish sagas to dive in because “the journey is wonderful.” 

After more than two decades in the world of publishing, Brandy has joined Barbara Bova Literary Agency, and she is looking forward to being a champion of amazing writers and outstanding books. 

Throughout the years, Brandy has been a Writing Coach, a Story Consultant, and an International Publishing Specialist. For hundreds of writers, her mentorship has broken the chains of fear and self-doubt. From teaching Master Classes to sitting at quiet tables, Brandy loves helping people explore their deepest truths. 

Brandy believes in the high calling of storytelling, and she lights the way for writers, as well as readers. Page by page, she walks in the legacy of those who have gone before her, and she holds a torch for any who are seeking their way. 

Brandy is seeking the following fiction genres:

• Children’s picture/chapter books
• Christian
• Coming-of-age
• Contemporary
• Family saga/drama
• Fantasy
• Historical
• Horror/Supernatural
• Humor
• Literary
• Mainstream/Commercial (incl. magical realism)
• Middle Grade
• Mystery/Crime
• Romance
• Science fiction
• Southern
• Speculative fiction/myths & fairy tales
• Suspense
• Thriller
• Upmarket commercial/Book club
• Women’s fiction
• Young Adult

In nonfiction, Brandy is seeking Spiritual/inspirational/religious topics.

WISHLIST:

Click here to see Brandy’s extensive wishlist.

She will not consider previously self-published works.

Brandy has open lightning pitch spots.

Questions? Contact Conference Director George Weinstein.