PITCH YOUR BOOK TO A LITERARY AGENT:
These one-on-one in-person meetings at the 2024 Florida Writing Workshops (April 12, 2024 in Tampa; April 13, 2024 in Orlando) are an amazing chance to pitch your book face-to-face with an agent, and get personal, individual feedback on your pitch/concept. If the agent likes your pitch, they’ll request to see part/all of your book — sending you straight past the slush pile. It also gives you an intimate chance to meet with an agent and pick their brain with any questions on your mind. More 2024 agents to be announced as they are confirmed. You can sign up for pitches at any time, or switch pitches at any time, so long as the agent in question still has appointments open.
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Marlene Stringer (TAMPA) is a literary agent and founder of Stringer Literary. Marlene is seeking the following: book club fiction that straddles the commercial/literary line; Historical fiction, especially that featuring notable historical personages; women’s fiction, both contemporary & historical; older YA, both fantasy and contemporary; crime fiction; thrillers of all types; suspense; mysteries of all types; romance (except erotic); magical realism. Learn more about Marlene here.
Sara Kelly Kornienko (TAMPA – SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS) is a literary agent with Barbara Bova Literary Agency. “I represent contemporary fiction, historical fiction, literary fiction, women’s fiction, sports fiction, young adult, fantasy, fantasy romance, science fiction, dystopian fiction, suspense and thriller.” Among other things that she enjoys, she gravitates toward books that: focus on sports or the athlete experience; include diverse characters that portray a wide range of human experiences; feature witches, Fae, or any other mythical creatures (I’m a fan of pretty much anything related to Irish or Scottish Folklore); and reimagine fairy tales. “While I gravitate toward certain genres and plot elements, I’m not limited to these. I have a wide range of reading interests, so if you have a quality story that you believe I would be a good fit to represent, then pitch me!” Learn more about Sara here.
Sharon Belcastro (TAMPA) is a literary agent and founder of The Belcastro Agency. Sharon is seeking: Nonfiction for adults by writers with a great platform and clear concept. She also represents young adult fiction in the following YA genres: fantasy, science fiction, action, adventure, contemporary, magical realism, mystery, thriller, and horror. In adult fiction, she seeks: horror, thriller/suspense, paranormal and memoir. She is especially looking for immigrant experiences in all markets and genres. Learn more about Sharon here.
Amy Nielsen (TAMPA) is a literary agent with The Purcell Agency. In picture books, she seeks hyperbolic, zany storylines that teach a life lesson (even subtle) or ones with laugh-out-loud moments written simply to entertain. In middle grade, she seeks fast-paced stories mostly set in a contemporary setting that feature characters that think, act, and talk like real middle graders. In young adult, she seeks contemporary issue-driven plots where teens find themselves in situations they aren’t equipped to handle, but eventually figure it out. In adult fiction, she seeks contemporary women’s fiction where the main characters are shattering glass ceilings despite obstacles, and defying stereotypes. Diverse representation welcome. Learn more about Amy here.
Nalini Akolekar (TAMPA — SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS) is a literary agent and president of SpencerHill Associates. She primarily represents commercial fiction. She is always interested in seeing new women’s fiction, romance, historical fiction, thrillers and horror. Nalini maintains a diverse client list and loves to find exciting new voices that utilize elements of different genres to tell their story. Learn more about Nalini here and what she seeks.
Brandy Vallance (*SOLD OUT* IN TAMPA; *SOLD OUT* IN ORLANDO) is a literary agent with Barbara Bova Literary Agency. “I represent these genres but I am also not limited to these genres: historical fiction, historical romance, historical mystery, romance, literary, women’s fiction, Southern fiction, science fiction, fantasy, young adult, adventure, speculative, inspirational, thriller. I’m a fan of: atmospheric writing; stories set in the British Isles, Europe, or exotic locations; Regency, Victorian, and Edwardian romance; Victorian time period in general (other centuries are welcome too); archaeology / artifacts / history’s mysteries; stories that explore Biblical themes without being preachy (ex. Charles Martin books); Appalachian stories / mountain culture; fantasy & sci-fi in almost every sub-category; characters who are writers, artists, or have a unique profession; and more.” Learn more about Brandy here.
Esty Loveing-Downes (BOTH TAMPA AND ORLANDO) is a literary agent with Arthouse Literary. Esty is looking for romance, upmarket fiction, young adult, genre-blending science fiction, picture books, as well as select nonfiction and select literary fiction. In nonfiction, she’s looking for insightful social commentary. She is a good fit for fresh retellings, fairy tales, and artful, rebellious prose. Learn more about Etsy here.
Kelly Thomas (ORLANDO) is a literary agent with Serendipity Literary. Kelly considers herself a generalist who is drawn to lyrical writing and strong voices. She is interested in nonfiction (narrative nonfiction, memoirs, true crime, self-help, business, travel writing, photography, medical, STEM, psychology, health and fitness, music, food & drinks, cooking) and adult fiction (psychological thrillers, suspense, comedies). She enjoys working with musicians, television personalities, athletes, and other pop culture figures to help translate their stories or expertise onto the page. She also represents children’s books including picture books, middle grade, and young adult. 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. Learn more about Kelly here.
Sarah N. Fisk (ORLANDO) is a literary agent with The Tobias Literary Agency, and is open to pitches for young adult of all genres, middle grade of all genres, adult romance, science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, and select nonfiction (see wishlist for more specifics). They also take pitches for mysteries and thrillers via conferences only. Sarah especially loves fiction that is compulsively readable and social justice issues woven into commercial plots. Particular areas of interest include atmospheric fantasies, speculative mysteries, books that challenge societal norms, especially gender norms. Learn more about Sarah here.
Andie Smith (ORLANDO) is a Literary Agent at The Booker Albert Literary Agency. Andie is currently looking for young adult and adult genres including but not limited to contemporary, romance, thriller, speculative (fantasy), issue-driven, fantasy, and eco-fiction. (She is no longer seeking adult thriller and has to be very selective with YA fantasy due to her current client list.) As an autoimmune advocate, Andie would love to see stories with MC’s embracing life through all disabilities, from those that are more obvious to invisible ones. Learn more about Andie here.
Kaitlyn Katsoupis (ORLANDO – SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS) is a literary agent with Belcastro Agency. She likes historical fiction for all ages. She enjoys horror novels for all ages (less gore, more psychological/haunting). For contemporary stories, she welcomes them for all ages and is interested in mental health angles. Fantasy welcome, but she leans toward MG/YA and crossover rather than for adults only (BIPOC voices welcome).She seeks suspense & thriller for young adult and adult books. Graphic novels welcome for all ages, though she leans toward kidlit GNs. Learn more about Kaitlyn here. Learn more about Kaitlyn here.
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ADDED ONLINE PITCHING: To ensure that writers have a robust and diverse lineup of agents & editors to pitch, 2024 Florida Writing Workshop attendees will have the ability to also pitch literary agents at the Writing Day Workshops *online* event that follows the 2024 FWW on our calendar.
That event is the Ohio Writing Workshop, May 10-11, 2024, which will have 30-40 agents taking one-on-one Zoom virtual pitches.
This means that 2024 FWW attendees can have access to pitching all those online OWW agents — pitches still at $29 each — without being a formal registrant for the online May 2024 event. (That said, if you want to formally register for the Ohio conference and have access to all classes and panels, let us know, as there is a discount for confirmed Florida attendees.)
If you are interested in this added pitching opportunity, the first step is to get formally registered for Florida. Following the FWW conferences on April 12-13, 2024, we will be in touch with all Florida attendees and ask them if they want to partake in pitching online agents at the 2024 OWW (May 10-11). At that time, you can communicate your pitch requests and purchase meeting time.
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More 2024 agents to be announced as they are confirmed. You can sign up for pitches at any time, or switch pitches at any time, so long as the agent in question still has appointments open. You can pitch as many agents & editors as like you wish.
These one-on-one meetings are an amazing chance to pitch your book face-to-face with an agent, and get personal, individual feedback on your pitch/concept. If the agent likes your pitch, they’ll request to see part/all of your book — sending you straight past the slush pile. It also gives you an intimate chance to meet with an agent and pick their brain with any questions on your mind.
(Please note that Agent/Editor Pitching is an add-on, separate aspect of the day, for only those who sign up. Spaces are limited for these premium meetings.)