REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED

SEE YOU NEXT TIME!

Do you want to get your book published, but don’t know where to begin?

Don’t know how to identify or connect with the right literary agent for you?

Attending PitchFest at StoryFest gives you the opportunity to personally discuss one-to-one your work with an agent. You will be sitting with them in private sessions (either in person or virtually) where the focus will be on your work, your book, your story.

This is your chance to share your work with THREE prominent and up-and-coming literary agents and attend interactive panel discussions featuring the latest trends in publishing. Find out what publishers are looking for!

Agents, editors, and public relations professionals will discuss queries, pitches, what publishers are looking for now, and how your book fits in today’s marketplace. Your publishing questions will be answered.

PitchFest at StoryFest is where we demystify the publishing industry and help you make the journey from casual writer to published author.

PitchFest takes place from 12 - 5 PM ET on Sunday October 22 on the third day of the 2023 StoryFest at The Westport Library.

Join us in person or on Zoom.

PITCHFEST AGENDA

12:00 PitchFest Opens

12:30 PM – 1:20 PM
PANEL 1: AGENT, AUTHOR, EDITOR PANEL DISCUSSION WITH Q & A
Cynthia Manson, Cynthia Manson Literary Agency, Moderator
Jimin Han, Author of The Apology and A Small Revolution
Andrea Walker, Vice President and Executive Editor, Random House

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM
PANEL 2: PROMOTING YOUR BOOK DISCUSSION WITH Q & A
Meryl Moss, Meryl Moss Media
Suzanne Leopold, SuzyApproved.com

2:15 PM - Pitches Begin

4:00 PM - Pitches End

Writers invited to proceed to the Post Pitch Event in Brooks Place:

4:00 PM - 5 PM - Resources & Wrap Up For All Attendees

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Below are the literary agents who are taking pitches at PitchFest 2023 on Sunday, October 22, 2023.

Space is limited with each agent so please do not delay in making your choices! SPACES WILL SELL OUT.

Please do the following:

1. Register and pay for your attendance

2. Review the literary agents below to decide which three you'd like to pitch

3. Send an email to: [email protected] with the following information...

4. Subject Line: Your full Name – My Agent Choices

5. In the body of the email write:

My book title:

The genre is:

I will be attending in person or via Zoom (please indicate one).

I would prefer to pitch to:
1.
2.
3.

4.

Please include your four top choices for your in-person pitch appointments.

You may attend in-person at the library OR via Zoom so that you can meet with the agents of your choice.

You do not have to attend in person —your pitch appointments can be scheduled wherever you are.

You will receive a return email confirming YOUR THREE AGENT meetings.

All pitches will be accommodated either in person at Westport Library or via Zoom.

If you have any questions or to enquire about a scholarship, email [email protected]

We are very excited to have such an illustrious group of agents who are actively looking for writers and anxious to hear about your books!

THE LITERARY AGENTS

ANDIE SMITH, THE BOOKER ALBERT AGENCY Andie is currently looking for Young Adult or Adult genres including but not limited to contemporary, romance, thriller, speculative, dystopian, issue-driven, fantasy, eco-fiction, and sci-fi. ​She loves anything that can transport her into a new world. VIA ZOOM.

HELEN LANE, THE BOOKER ALBERT AGENCY Helen is seeking romance, action & adventure, thrillers, mystery, adult fantasy, sci fi, horror, paranormal romance, mystery, monsters, no abuse or affairs, appreciates extreme environments such as the arctic, jungle, caves, ocean, and mountains. VIA ZOOM. 

MAGGIE COOPER, AEVITAS CREATIVE MANAGEMENT Maggie is seeking genre-bending literary fiction; capacious historical novels; beautifully told queer stories; and smart, feminist romance. VIA ZOOM.

MARIAH STOVALL, TRELLIS LITERARY MANAGEMENT Mariah is advocating for voice-driven authors from underrepresented and marginalized and minoritized groups (including writers without MFAs), multi-genre, no memoirs, prescriptive nonfiction, hard sci-fi/fantasy, or children's. VIA ZOOM.

MORGAN HUGHES, FINEPRINT LITERARY MANGEMENT Morgan is seeking adult, new adult, and YA romance, fantasy, adventure with a particular interest in graphic novels, underrepresented voices. Loves unique narratives, strong voices, and impressive world-building, but is also drawn to small town vibes and sports settings. She is currently not seeking picture books, science-fiction, thrillers/mysteries, or nonfiction. MAY BE IN PERSON AT WESTPORT LIBRARY - TBA.

SHARON PELLETIER, DYSTEL, GODERICH & BOURRET, LLC Sharon is seeking upmarket fiction, including unexpected suspense fiction; smart, complex women’s fiction; and hearty, unforgettable book club fiction. VIA ZOOM.

TAMARA KAWAR, DEFIORE & COMPANY Tamara is seeking historical fiction for adults, YA, or middle grade, graphic novels for all ages and across genres; science fiction, fantasy, horror, upmarket and book club fiction, especially genre-bending stories, and those with an international bent; and adult & YA rom-coms and romance featuring LGBTQ+ characters.

AURORA FERNANDEZ, TRIDENT MEDIA GROUP Aurora is seeking women’s fiction, romance, thrillers, and upmarket fiction. On the commercial end, she loves books that feature swoon worthy romance, strong female friendships, and witty dialogue. Aurora is also interested in thrillers with gothic elements, complicated female relationships, and a good twist. For upmarket books, she is especially drawn to books with complicated female dynamics, moral dilemmas with no clearcut answer, unexplored perspectives of historical moments, and, of course, a unique hook backed by great writing. And anything involving mythic retellings or witches will definitely catch her eye! While Aurora’s interests mainly lie in fiction, she is open to nonfiction submissions. For nonfiction submissions, Aurora is looking for memoirs, narrative nonfiction, forgotten moments in history, and microhistories. Particular topics that interest her are pop culture, modern dating, mental health, folktales, women’s health, and true crime. FULL

KELLY KARCZEWSKI, UNITED TALENT AGENCY FULL
Fiction, contemporary stories with a strong commercial hook, romantic comedies, thrillers, stories set on the East coast, and books with a touch of lifestyle envy. Nonfiction, most interested in exploring topics with bite, especially those that speak to a larger moment in our culture, sexuality, art history, sports, conspiracy theories, cults, dating & relationships, and feminist history. Not seeking Sci-fi & fantasy, YA, children’s, cookbooks. MAY BE IN PERSON AT WESTPORT LIBRARY - TBA.

CAROLYN FORDE, TRANSATLANTIC LITERARY AGENCY FULL
Literary fiction (especially speculative and horror), commercial fiction, narrative non-fiction by experts in the field and is open minded to a broad range of topics and styles – as long as it engages her. There are a few things she’s not keen on – medical/disease related memoirs, police procedurals, climate thrillers, military or CIA fiction, cozy mysteries, books about film and tv behind the scenes, and fantasy. MAY BE IN PERSON AT WESTPORT LIBRARY - TBA.

ALICIA BROOKS, JEAN V. NAGGAR LITERARY AGENCY FULL
Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction from writers with diverse backgrounds, also Self-Help, Pop Culture, Literary Fiction with high concepts, original voices, and imaginative structure, Speculative Fiction, Horror, Book Club Fiction, Thrillers, YA Fiction, and Historical Fiction. IN PERSON AT WESTPORT LIBRARY.

REBECCA FRIEDMAN, REBECCA FRIEDMAN LITERARY AGENCY FULL
Commercial and literary fiction with a focus on literary novels of suspense, women’s fiction, and young adult, as well as journalistic non-fiction and memoir. VIA ZOOM. 

Refund Policy: Registration refunds up to 30 days prior to event. After that, no refunds are available.