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October 19 - 20, 2024
Baltimore Hilton BWI
Annual Conference 2024
Pitches and Critiques
Critiques and pitch opportunities with agents and independent press editors are available on both Saturday and Sunday and can be purchased during the registration process. To get the most discounted rates on tickets, pitches and critiques, join MWA and login to your member account to register.
Pitch Prices:
- Member: $20
- Non-Member: $25
Critique Prices:
- Member: $60
- Non-Member: $75
What is a Pitch?
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?
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.
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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.
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If the person you are interested in is sold out, you may add your name to a waiting list in case something becomes available. 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.
Scheduling A Pitch or Critique
The Conference Committee will contact those who signed up for pitches or critiques during the first week of September to arrange scheduling.
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Put the agent you are submitting to in the body of your email.
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Put your name and email included on the manuscript's first page.
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Submission must be no longer than 10 pages, double-spaced in a standard 12-point font with one-inch margins (Modern Manuscript Format), and in an MS Word .doc file, .docx file, or .rtf file format.
Agent and Editor Profiles
Saturday
jenniea carter - New Leaf Literary & Media
Saturday critiques SOLD OUT.
Jenniea is a queer Black woman who believes there is always something to learn from a book; for some projects, you have to be a bit more open-minded. With every project she works on, she hopes the reader learns organically. As a descendant of American Black slaves and Freedmen, Jenniea was taught the hard work of her southern ancestors and why her grandparents sought different lives by migrating north to NYC. She loves to work on projects that address healing generational trauma through moments of love, joy, and strength and strives to encourage mental health.
- Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
- Romance
- Children’s Picture Books
- Science Fiction
- Fantasy
- Steampunk
- Paranormal/Horror
- LGBTQ+ / Neurodiverse
- Graphic Novels
- New Adult
- Young Adult
- Middle Grade
- Contemporary
Cole Hildebrand - Jean V Naggar Literary Agency
Only 1 Saturday pitch available!!
Cole began his publishing career in 2016 at YesYes Books, where he started as an intern and went on to become Managing Editor, working with manuscript acquisitions, event planning, website design and publicity for YesYes Books’ list, including titles by authors such as Justin Phillip Reed, Danez Smith, Shelley Wong, Kayleb Rae Candrilli, and countless others. He joined JVNLA in 2021, assisting Agency President Jennifer Weltz and working with authors such as Carl Safina, Emily Ruth Verona, and Antonia Murphy, while building a list in adult literary and upmarket fiction, narrative non-fiction, essays, and poetry.
- Nonfiction, Creative
- Nonfiction, General
- Nonfiction, History / Biography
- Nonfiction, Journalism
- Poetry
- Short Fiction / Flash Fiction
- General Fiction
- LGBT+ / Neurodiverse
- Graphic Novels
molly ketcheson – wolfson literary agency
Saturday critiques and pitches SOLD OUT.
Molly Ketcheson is a literary agent at Wolfson Literary Agency. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of St Andrews and an MA in Creative Writing and Publishing from City, University of London. Prior to joining WLA, Molly held prestigious internships at multiple publishing companies, where she gained a keen understanding of the international publishing landscape and a love for impactful fiction. She is actively building her list inthe genres below. She is particularly drawn to books with a unique premise, lyrical prose, complex women, and stories that are, ultimately, hopeful.
- Commercial / Upmarket Fiction
- Select Literary Fiction
- Select historical fiction
- Romance
- Fantasy
- LGBT+ / Neurodiverse
- New Adult
- Young Adult
SHEYLA KNIGGE – high line literary collective
Saturday critiques SOLD OUT.
Sheyla Knigge (SHAY-luh KUH-nig-gee)is a budding publishing professional who comes to the industry with a lifelong love of reading under her belt. Having worked under Victoria Marini since 2021 she has had the immense pleasure of perusing a variety of books that have gone on to do incredibly well and is happy to be doing the same for her own clients. She is itching to dive into more manuscripts with High Line Literary Collective. When she’s not working you can find Sheyla tucked away writing, getting more tattoos, or spending time with her family in the Appalachian Mountains.
- Speculative (Other)
- Historical Fiction
- Mystery / Suspense / Thriller
- Romanc
- Science Fiction
- Fantasy
- Paranormal/Horror
- LGBT+ / Neurodiverse
- Graphic Novels
- New Adult
- Young Adult
- Middle Grade
catherine ross - Corvisiero Literary Agency
Saturday critiques SOLD OUT.
Cat has always known her love of reading would find its way into her career. During one summer, studying for the bar, Cat realized she’d much rather read fantasy over law books, and thus started her journey towards becoming an agent. She is excited to work with aspiring authors and is actively building her client list.
She is eagerly looking for anything speculative across all age ranges, with a keen eye on BIPOC and #ownvoices narratives.
- Contemporary Fantasy
- Fantasy
- Mystery / Suspense / Thriller
- Romance (in any of the above genres)
- Paranormal/Horror
- LGBT+ / Neurodiverse
- New Adult
- Young Adult
- Middle Grade - particularly Fantasy, Horror
michael tager - managing editor, mason jar press
2 pitches available for Saturday.
Michael B. Tager is stardust masquerading as a writer and editor. He is the Managing Editor of Mason Jar Press and the author of Pop Culture Poetry; the Definitive Collection (April 2024).
His favorite color is a chill wind on a warm day.
- Nonfiction, Creative
- Nonfiction, General
- Nonfiction, History / Biography
- Nonfiction, Journalism
- Nonfiction, Technical / Science
- Poetry
- Short Fiction / Flash Fiction
- General Fiction
- Historical Fiction
- Mystery / Suspense / Thriller
- Science Fiction
- Fantasy
- Steampunk
- Paranormal/Horror
- LGBT+ / Neurodiverse
- Graphic Novels
- Young Adult
- Middle Grade
Marisa zeppieri-caruana - strachan literary
After 12 years as a health and food journalist and editor, Marisa followed her love for books and began ghostwriting for a NYC publishing house. She eventually sold her own memoir to Broadleaf Books and began working as an agent for Strachan Literary. Her passion for books is only trumped by her love for authors who want to share their life-changing messages with the world. Marisa is currently seeking to champion new talent who create memorable characters with unforgettable words, and she has a soft spot for writers in marginalized communities and persons with disabilities.
- Memoir
- Narrative Nonfiction
- Investigative Journalism
- Platform-Drive Nonfiction
- Diet and Health
- Christian Spirituality
- Inspiration, Self-Help
- Food & Cookbooks
- Humor
- Select Debut Fiction
- Select Romance
- Select Upmarket & Commercial Women’s Fiction
- Select Thrillers
- Select Upper Young Adult
SUNDAY
molly ketcheson – wolfson literary agency
Sunday critiques SOLD OUT.
Molly Ketcheson is a literary agent at Wolfson Literary Agency. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of St Andrews and an MA in Creative Writing and Publishing from City, University of London. Prior to joining WLA, Molly held prestigious internships at multiple publishing companies, where she gained a keen understanding of the international publishing landscape and a love for impactful fiction. She is actively building her list inthe genres below. She is particularly drawn to books with a unique premise, lyrical prose, complex women, and stories that are, ultimately, hopeful.
- Commercial / Upmarket Fiction
- Select Literary Fiction
- Select historical fiction
- Romance
- Fantasy
- LGBT+ / Neurodiverse
- New Adult
- Young Adult
SHEYLA KNIGGE – high line literary collective
Sunday critiques and pitches SOLD OUT.
Sheyla Knigge (SHAY-luh KUH-nig-gee)is a budding publishing professional who comes to the industry with a lifelong love of reading under her belt. Having worked under Victoria Marini since 2021 she has had the immense pleasure of perusing a variety of books that have gone on to do incredibly well and is happy to be doing the same for her own clients. She is itching to dive into more manuscripts with High Line Literary Collective. When she’s not working you can find Sheyla tucked away writing, getting more tattoos, or spending time with her family in the Appalachian Mountains.
- Speculative (Other)
- Historical Fiction
- Mystery / Suspense / Thriller
- Romanc
- Science Fiction
- Fantasy
- Paranormal/Horror
- LGBT+ / Neurodiverse
- Graphic Novels
- New Adult
- Young Adult
- Middle Grade
virtual only: grace milusich – looking glass lit
Sunday critiques SOLD OUT.
Grace is an associate agent at Looking Glass Lit. After graduating from the National University of Galway with a Master’s degree in Publishing, Grace worked in various editorial and marketing roles for publishing houses all across Ireland. Born and raised in New York, Grace used her international perspective on the publishing industry to pursue both YA and adult pieces (with a particular interest in pieces that narrow the gap between YA and adult). She is passionate about twisty fantasy, thrillers, and contemporary fiction featuring powerful/challenging themes. Grace is also a lover of the found family trope in all its forms.
- Romance
- Fantasy
- Paranormal & Horror
- New Adult
- LGBT+
- Young Adult
- Science Fiction
- Select Historical Fiction
Sophie pugh-sellers - the gernert company
Sunday critiques and pitches sold out.
Sophie Pugh-Sellers joined The Gernert Company in 2019. Raised in Oakland, California and Charlottesville, Virginia, her literary palate is eclectic. She looks for smart narrative and journalistic nonfiction; memoirs from radical new voices; commercial and literary fiction, particularly with sci-fi, folk tale, or speculative elements; and poetry unafraid to play with genre. She loves stories that make her think more critically about the world. Her favorite writing includes powerful worlds she misses long after closing the book. She serves on the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Fête Committee, and holds a BA in Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies from Barnard College.
- Narrative Nonfiction
- Cultural Criticism
- Journalistic Deep-Dives
- Select Memoir
- Literary & Upmarket Fiction
- Story Collections
- Speculative Fiction
- Select Sci-Fi
- Select Illustrative Works
catherine ross - Corvisiero Literary Agency
Cat has always known her love of reading would find its way into her career. During one summer, studying for the bar, Cat realized she’d much rather read fantasy over law books, and thus started her journey towards becoming an agent. She is excited to work with aspiring authors and is actively building her client list.
She is eagerly looking for anything speculative across all age ranges, with a keen eye on BIPOC and #ownvoices narratives.
- Contemporary Fantasy
- Fantasy
- Mystery / Suspense / Thriller
- Romance (in any of the above genres)
- Paranormal/Horror
- LGBT+ / Neurodiverse
- New Adult
- Young Adult
- Middle Grade - particularly Fantasy, Horror
michael tager - managing editor, mason jar press
Michael B. Tager is stardust masquerading as a writer and editor. He is the Managing Editor of Mason Jar Press and the author of Pop Culture Poetry; the Definitive Collection (April 2024). His favorite color is a chill wind on a warm day.
- Nonfiction, Creative
- Nonfiction, General
- Nonfiction, History / Biography
- Nonfiction, Journalism
- Nonfiction, Technical / Science
- Poetry
- Short Fiction / Flash Fiction
- General Fiction
- Historical Fiction
- Mystery / Suspense / Thriller
- Science Fiction
- Fantasy
- Steampunk
- Paranormal/Horror
- LGBT+ / Neurodiverse
- Graphic Novels
- Young Adult
- Middle Grade
Marisa zeppieri-caruana - strachan literary
After 12 years as a health and food journalist and editor, Marisa followed her love for books and began ghostwriting for a NYC publishing house. She eventually sold her own memoir to Broadleaf Books and began working as an agent for Strachan Literary. Her passion for books is only trumped by her love for authors who want to share their life-changing messages with the world. Marisa is currently seeking to champion new talent who create memorable characters with unforgettable words, and she has a soft spot for writers in marginalized communities and persons with disabilities.
- Memoir
- Narrative Nonfiction
- Investigative Journalism
- Platform-Drive Nonfiction
- Diet and Health
- Christian Spirituality
- Inspiration, Self-Help
- Food & Cookbooks
- Humor
- Select Debut Fiction
- Select Romance
- Select Upmarket & Commercial Women’s Fiction
- Select Thrillers
- Select Upper Young Adult
