Annual Conference 2022

 Panel | Pitches & Critiques | Saturday Agents & Editors | Sunday Agents & Editors

'Ask the agent' Panel

Attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions prior to the panel. More details to follow.

Pitches and Critiques

Critiques and pitch opportunities are available on both Saturday and Sunday. Critiques for the first 10 pages from a work in progress are $75, pitches are $25 each, and both can be purchased during the registration process. Please read below for more details.

What is a Pitch Session?

Pitches are appropriate for writers with a submission-ready project. At the conference, you will have a 10 minute in-person meeting with an agent or editor to pitch your work. You will describe your work and answer any questions. The agent or editor will let you know if they wants to see more. If you are getting a work critiqued, do not schedule a pitch session with the same person for the same work.

What is a Critique?  *** Critique sign up is now closed ***

Critiques are appropriate for people with a work in progress or finished project that has already been workshopped or critiqued by a peer group, that the writer is now ready to get professional industry feedback on. You will submit up to 10 pages of your work (or one complete picture book manuscript under 10 pages) for the person to read in advance. At the conference the person will then meet with you for 10 minutes to provide feedback on that work. If you are getting a work critiqued, do not schedule a pitch session with that same person for the same work.

How to Sign Up for A Pitch or Critique

• These opportunities sell out fast, so be sure to register early.
  
  
• You may purchase up to two pitches (MWA members may select up to three, see below).
  
  
• If you are only attending one day of the conference, be sure to select an agent or editor who will be present that day.
  
  
• You may not sign up for a pitch or a critique for a day you are not registered for the conference.
  
  

• Please review profiles below and research each agent or editor (visit agency and publisher websites, twitter, http://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/, online interviews, etc.) to find someone who would be a good fit for your work. Agents and editors are listed according to the day they will be attending.

• If the person you are interested in is sold out, you may add your name to a waiting list in case something becomes availabile. To do so, please send email to [email protected] with the agent or editor's name and whether you are looking for a critique or pitch. Please know that openings are unlikely, but we will notify wait list people on a first-come first-served basis should something become available.

Free Pitch for MWA Members

• All registrants may purchase up to two pitch sessions. MWA members get their first pitch free, so they may select up to two additional pitches (for a total of three). To get your first pitch free, login to your member account before registering and use the coupon code that comes with your ticket. Click here to join MWA.

Agent and Editor Profiles

Saturday, October 15

Editor: Kevin Atticks, Apprentice House Press

Kevin Atticks, DCD. Kevin is the director of Apprentice House Press at Loyola University Maryland. Kevin holds a masters in environmental journalism from CU-Boulder, a doctorate in communications design from University of Baltimore, and a bachelors in journalism and music composition from Loyola University Maryland. 

Apprentice House—the nation’s first and only student-run, campus-based book publisher—seeks a wide variety of thoughtfully written, well-developed manuscripts, and we welcome works from all authors who adhere to our submission guidelines and who support our goal of providing experiential learning opportunities. Note: We do not generally accept poetry, manuscripts marketed at the children’s or self-help markets, or works that have been previously self-published.
https://www.apprenticehouse.com/

Agent: Kiele Raymond, Thompson Literary

Kiele Raymond is a Senior Agent at Thompson Literary Agency, representing bold new voices in literary fiction and narrative nonfiction. Her list includes critically acclaimed and award-winning writers such as Lee Matalone, Ari Braverman, Peace Adzo Medie, Nichole Perkins, Destiny O. Birdsong, Candice Wuehle, and Katie Barnes. Kiele received her B.A. in Anthropology and English Literature from Johns Hopkins University and her M.A. in the Humanities from the University of Chicago before working as an editor at Simon & Schuster. She is particularly interested in narratives set in and around the Caribbean, Central and South America, and the American Southwest. 
https://thompsonliterary.com/

Agent: Lauren Bieker, Fine Print Literary

After a brief career in the fashion industry, Lauren made her move to publishing as an intern for agent Paige Wheeler.  She moved to FinePrint to assist with day-to-day administrative tasks, but is now an agent and has been actively developing her client list.

Lauren is looking for commercial and upmarket women’s fiction and some well-crafted and differentiated YA novels. She is also open to select science fiction, as well as high concept and literary fiction works. She appreciates great storytelling and is a “sucker” for outstanding writing and convincing characters. While primarily interested in fiction, she will consider nonfiction proposals. She is looking for #ownvoices stories, Feminist lit/#MeToo stories, and LGBTQIA+ authors in both fiction and nonfiction. Her goals is to "hold the mic" for authors to tell their stories and be a helpful support system.

Lauren writes during her free time and has been published on various online platforms. She has attended many writing workshops and intensives, including the National Academy of Writing’s intensive at Cambridge University in the UK. 
https://fineprintlit.com/

Agent: Margaret Danko, Paper Over Board-Irene Goodman Agency

Originally from the heart of the south, Margaret Danko received her BA from Oberlin College and her MFA from Temple University before moving into agenting with Paper Over Board at the Irene Goodman Literary Agency. A lover of the dark, the quirky, and the fantastical, Margaret has a keen eye for projects that take unexpected turns or are told from unusual perspectives. She believes that all books should move their readers, and she is passionate about empowering authors to engage and inspire. Saturday pitches and critiques sold out.
https://www.paperoverboard.com/
https://www.irenegoodman.com/

Sunday, October 15

Agent: Michelle Jackson, Olswanger Literary  

Originally from Jamaica West Indies, Michelle Jackson is a Literary Associate with Olswanger Literary. An educator for over 20 years, Michelle is also a published author, writing professionally as Michelle Lindo-Rice for Mira and Harlequin Special Edition and Zoey Marie Jackson for Harlequin Love Inspired. She has earned degrees from New York University, SUNY at StonyBrook, Teachers College Columbia University and Argosy University. Michelle is seeking to work with adult fiction authors in the following genres: Commercial, Historical, Humor, New Adult, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction. Sub-genres: Contemporary Romance, Humor, Multicultural, Psychological Thrillers, Romantic Comedy, Romantic Suspense.
https://www.olswanger.com/index.php
https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/michelle-jackson/

Agent: Leslie Truex, Blue Ridge Literary

Leslie Truex started writing by accident. After starting a career website in 1998, she wrote two traditionally published non-fiction books. Later, she transitioned to writing fiction, penning over a dozen romance and mystery books. Now, as an agent with Blue Ridge Literary Agency, her goal is to use her experience as an author to help writers navigate the publishing world. She is a member of the Virginia Writers Club, finishing up her last year as the president. When she’s not writing or agenting, she enjoys reading, chocolate and coffee, often together, and is a planner and journal fanatic. 
http://www.blueridgeagency.com/

Agent: John Rudolph, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret

John Rudolph joined Dystel, Goderich & Bourret in 2010 after twelve years as an acquiring children’s book editor. On the adult side, he is primarily interested in narrative nonfiction, especially in music, sports, history, popular science, “big think,” performing arts, health, business, memoir, military history, and humor. He reps a very limited amount of literary and commercial adult fiction as well. On the children’s side, he is keenly interested in middle-grade and young adult fiction, children's nonfiction for all ages, and he would love to find the next great picture book author/illustrator.

Genres: General Nonfiction, Creative Nonfiction, History, Biography, Journalism, Technical Nonfiction, Science, General Fiction, Mystery / Suspense / Thriller, Science Fiction, Steampunk, Paranormal/Horror, LGBT+, Neurodiverse, Graphic Novels, New Adult, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Picture Books
https://www.dystel.com/john-rudolph

Agent: Margaret Danko, Paper Over Board-Irene Goodman Agency

Originally from the heart of the south, Margaret Danko received her BA from Oberlin College and her MFA from Temple University before moving into agenting with Paper Over Board at the Irene Goodman Literary Agency. A lover of the dark, the quirky, and the fantastical, Margaret has a keen eye for projects that take unexpected turns or are told from unusual perspectives. She believes that all books should move their readers, and she is passionate about empowering authors to engage and inspire. Sunday critiques sold out.
https://www.paperoverboard.com/
https://www.irenegoodman.com/

Editor: Michael Tager, Mason Jar Press

Michael B. Tager is a Baltimore-based writer and editor. He is the Managing Editor of Mason Jar Press, an independent publisher of high-quality books. Publications include jmww, Uncharted Mag, Necessary Fiction, Hobart, and Barrelhouse, among others. He is uncomfortable but not worried. Find more of his work at michaelbtager.com.
www.masonjarpress.com