The Online 2023 Seattle Writing Workshop: October 13-14, 2023

Screen shot 2014-07-23 at 12.58.51 PMAfter successful 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022, and spring 2023 events in Seattle, Writing Day Workshops is excited to announce The Fall 2023 Online Seattle Writing Workshop — an online “How to Get Published” writing event on October 13-14, 2023. (Writers are welcome to attend virtually from everywhere and anywhere.)

This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited online “seats” at the event (200 total). All questions about the event regarding schedule, details and registration are answered below. Thank you for your interest in the 2023 Online Seattle Writing Workshop!

ONLINE: Writing Day Workshops plans both in-person and virtual/online conferences. The Fall 2023 SWW is an Online Conference, on October 13-14, 2023. Online events are easy and awesome, and the virtual events we’ve done thus far have received wonderful feedback. You do not have to be tech-savvy to do this, and understand we are keeping all aspects of a traditional in-person event, including one-on-one agent & editor pitching, which will now be done by Zoom or phone. Learn all details about what it means to have a writers conference online.)

WHAT IS IT?

This is a special two-day “How to Get Published” online writing workshop on October 13-14, 2023. In other words, it’s two days full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome. And even though this is the Online Fall “Seattle” Writing Workshop, make no mistake — writers from everywhere are welcome to attend virtually. Our WDW writers conferences have helped dozens of writers find literary agent representation — see our growing list of success stories here.

This event is designed to squeeze as much into two days of learning as possible. You can ask any questions you like during the online classes, and get your specific concerns addressed. We will have literary agents online to give feedback and take pitches from writers, as well. This year’s 2023 Online SWW agent & editor faculty so far includes:

  • literary agent Hannah Andrade (Bradford Literary Agency)
  • literary agent Bonnie Swanson (The Purcell Agency)
  • literary agent Eva Scalzo (Speilburg Literary)
  • literary agent Noah Gray Rosenzweig (Triangle House)
  • literary agent Kesia Lupo (The Bindery)
  • literary agent Gwyn Jordan (Gold Dust Literary)
  • literary agent assistant Rae Loverde (Donald Maass Literary)
  • literary agent Emma Dries (Triangle House Literary)
  • literary agent Kiana Nguyen (Donald Maass Literary)
  • literary agent Ameerah Holliday (Serendipity Literary)
  • literary agent Eve Adler (Red Fox Literary)
  • literary agent Lane Clarke (Arthouse Literary)
  • literary agent Lori Colvin (Birch Literary)
  • literary agent Zoe Howard (Howland Literary)
  • editor Meg Gaertner (Flux & Jolly Fish Press)
  • literary agent Andie Smith (Booker Albert Literary Agency)
  • literary agent Kelly Peterson (Rees Literary)
  • literary agent Monica Rodriguez (Context Literary)
  • literary agent Ashley Reisinger (TriadaUS)
  • literary agent Caitlin McDonald (Donald Maass Literary)
  • literary agent Kelly Thomas (Serendipity Literary)
  • literary agent Jane Chun (Janklow & Nesbit)
  • literary agent Pam Gruber (Irene Goodman Literary)
  • literary agent Kelly Bergh (Lucinda Literary)
  • literary agent Halley Parry (The Hamilburg Agency)
  • literary agent Savannah Brooks (KT Literary)
  • literary agent Leah Pierre (Ladderbird Literary)
  • literary agent Paul Levine (Paul Levine Literary)
  • literary agent Najla Mamou (Savvy Literary Services)
  • literary agent Michelle Lazurek (Wordwise Media Services)
  • literary agent Claire Draper (Azantian Literary Agency)
  • and more agents to come.

By the end of the day, you will have all the tools you need to move forward on your writing journey. This independent event is organized by coordinator Brian Klems of Writing Day Workshops. Contact Brian at WDWconference@gmail.com to register.

EVENT LOCATION & DETAILS:

ONLINE: Writing Day Workshops plans both in-person and virtual/online conferences. The Fall 2023 SWW is an Online Conference, on October 13-14, 2023. Online events are easy and awesome, and the virtual events we’ve done thus far have received wonderful feedback. You do not have to be tech-savvy to do this, and understand we are keeping all aspects of a traditional in-person event, including one-on-one agent & editor pitching, which will now be done by Zoom or phone. Learn all details about what it means to have a writers conference online.)

THIS YEAR’S SESSIONS & WORKSHOPS (OCTOBER 13-14, 2023):

What you see below is a quick layout of the day’s events. See a full layout of the day’s sessions, with detailed descriptions, on the official Schedule Page here.

Agent pitches and critique consultations overlap with Saturday sessions. The schedule of presentation topics below is subject to change and updates:

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2023

9:30 – 10:30: Writing Rules That Can be BROKEN. In this session, we will explore which rules you can carefully and purposefully break to make your work original. We will examine look at best selling samples where rules were broken, how they helped make the writing more authentic, and explore why and when rules should be broken.

10:45 – 11:45: Hook an Agent: How to Write a Query Letter That Works. This class will cover the basic elements of a query letter, the elements that separate a good query from an excellent one, and common query mistakes and misconceptions.

11:45 – 1:15: Break

1:15 – 2:30: The Author/Agent Relationship. In this session, literary agent Kaitlyn Johnson goes through the “need to know” details from when you get THE CALL all the way to when your agent sends you to editors.

2:45 – 3:45: Building Your Author Platform: How to Sell Your Books and Yourself. These days, the word “platform” has become synonymous with social media numbers and TikTok followers. However, a platform means so much more. You’ll leave with an understanding of who needs a platform, what a platform includes, and how you can continue to build your platform while writing your book.

4:00 – 5:00: The Three Most Valuable Revision Techniques I Learned from My Editor. How do you bring your characters fully to life and generate an emotional response in your readers? Kristin’s editor taught her three revision techniques that elevated her writing.

* * * * *

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2023

9:30 – 10:30: Ten Keys to Writing Success. Learn 10 things you can be doing right now that will help get your book(s) published and have more control over your writing destiny. This is a general course that addresses commonsense things any writer can do to give their work the best shot at getting published.

10:45 – 11:45: 10 Surefire Ways to Strengthen your Writing. In this workshop you will learn 10 specific techniques to strengthen your writing that you can begin implementing into your work right away.

11:45 – 1:15: Break

1:15 – 2:30: “Writers Got Talent”—a Page 1 Critique Fest, with participating literary agents and editors. In the vein of “American Idol” or “America’s Got Talent,” this is a chance to get your first page read (anonymously — no bylines given) with attending agents commenting on what was liked or not liked about the submission.

2:45 – 3:45: Open Agent Q&A Panel. Several attending literary agents will open themselves up to open Q&A from SWW attendees. Bring your questions and get them answered in this popular session.

4:00 – 5:00: How to Get Past Rejection, and Stay a Writer. When starting to write, most beginning writers are filled with hope and excitement for the craft, the process, and their journey. But as time goes on, it’s easy to be suffocated by rejection and self-doubt. Join a bestselling author for some truth-telling about the realities of perusing a writing life and how to stay inspired to continue chasing your dreams.

Agent pitches and critique consultations overlap with Saturday sessions. The schedule of presentation topics below is subject to change and updates:

(What you see here is a quick layout of the day’s events. See a full layout of the day’s sessions, with detailed descriptions, on the official Schedule Page here.)

Agent & Editor Pitching: All throughout the day.

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PITCH AN AGENT OR EDITOR:

Pam Gruber is a literary agent with Irene Goodman Literary. Pam is looking for adult, young adult, and middle grade fiction with literary voices and commercial hooks. She is particularly interested in layered fantasy, speculative fiction, fantastical realism, rom-coms, and coming-of-age stories with a twist. She is also open to middle grade and YA graphic novels, as well as select narrative nonfiction on lesser-known subjects. Pam would not be the best fit for prescriptive nonfiction, anthologies, potty humor, paranormal, or erotica. Learn more about Pam here.

Savannah Brooks is an agent with KT Literary. Savannah represents all types of children’s books as well as adult contemporary/commercial fiction, romcoms, thrillers/mystery/suspense, and horror. She’s especially interested in stories that teach her something new, add to a larger sociopolitical conversation, and highlight underrepresented identities and cultures. In kidlit, she seeks picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult fiction, and also young adult nonfiction (from authors with platforms). Learn more about Savannah here.

Lane Clarke is a literary agent with Arthouse Literary. As the creator of the #BVM hashtag for Twitter story pitch events, and the co-founder of #PitBLK, a pitch event highlighting Black writers, she is committed to making sure marginalized voices have a space in traditional publishing. She is seeking: Lane is looking for an array of genres in Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Adult. In all age groups, she would love to see stories by underrepresented and marginalized creators.  In Middle Grade, she is looking for adventure stories and big emotions. She would love to see horror stories with a historical lens, contemporary books that push against the status quo, and fantasy that takes on underrepresented mythology. In Young Adult, she is looking for contemporary stories that pack an emotional punch. Coming-of-age stories. She would also love historical fiction. She is looking for speculative contemporary fiction. She is also looking for college stories, freshmen coming-of-age stories, and books about teens who do something other than college as their next step. She would love to see Graphic Novels from writer/illustrators. In Adult, she is looking for romance, and literary fiction that are generational sagas. She is looking for epic fantasy with a strong cultural point of view. She loves smart horror. In nonfiction, she is looking for little known historical figures who made big impacts  in all age groups MG and above. She is looking for humorous essay collections that address societal issues and personal growth. She would love to see memoirs about the immigrant experience. Learn more about Lane here.

Bonnie Swanson is a literary agent with The Purcell Agency. She is seeking: Young adult & new adult: Issue driven, romance (anything but erotica), speculative fiction (fantasy & sci-fi), magical realism, paranormal, rom-com, suspense, mystery. (If it’s not on this list and you think I’d like it, pitch it!). In adult fiction, she seeks Romance, Speculative Fiction/Suspense (think Dean Koontz), Humor (combine all three and now we’re talking!) Always accepting LGBTQ, #ownvoices, and BIPOC. She does not want any picture book submissions right now. Learn more about Bonnie here.

Kiana Nguyen is a literary agent with Donald Maass Literary Agency. She is seeking YA fiction across genres, particularly those with POC and queer voices. She is also interested in adult romance and domestic suspense thrillers. Regarding pitches: “If I feel uncomfortable with a pitch or an attendee with regards to racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. (whether in the context of themselves, the story, or being asked how to avoid it), I will respectfully end the conversation.” In particular, she enjoys dark, twisty narratives that explore human complexity; YA contemporary featuring lower socioeconomic backgrounds, such as poor kids who get in as much reckless mischief as their rich counterparts; YA featuring happy/hopeful queer romances; and domestic suspense thrillers. She is also seeking Adult science fiction, fantasy, and romance. For horror, she likes adult and young adult novels. Learn more about Kiana here.

Gwyn Jordan is a literary agent and founder of Gold Dust Literary. “I represent authors of romance, women’s fiction, cozy mystery, mystery, thriller, suspense, and crime novels. I do not accept: Paranormal/fantasy/sci-fi, YA, or religious/inspirational.” Gwyn is also a freelance editor for Hallmark, Publishers Weekly, Entangled Publishing, and more. Learn more about Gwyn here.

Michelle S. Lazurek is a literary agent with WordWise Media Services.  Michelle is taking pitches on behalf of herself as well as her WordWise co-agents. They seek books that are both secular as well as Christian/CBA titles. In fiction, the agency seeks: Picture books, Science fiction, Fantasy, Historical fiction. Action/Adventure, Children’s, Crime, Fantasy, General, Graphic Novel, Humor, Middle Grade, Military, Mystery, Religious, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction, Young Adult. In nonfiction, the agency seeks: Theology, Bible studies, Professional, Church Issues, Social/Cultural Issues, Career, Reference. Biography, Cookbooks, Crafts/DIY, History, Humor, Illustrated, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Sports, Travel, True Crime. Learn more about Michelle here.

Emma Dries is a literary agent with Triangle House Literary. Emma is interested in literary fiction and narrative nonfiction that grapples with climate change; ambitious multigenerational novels; speculative fiction; and dark or darkly comic domestic fiction. In nonfiction, she is interested in institutional corruption; memoirs incorporating science or policy; essays and longform journalism; and environmental and travel writing. She likes to work with academic writers with great narrative sensibilities, such as historians who can target an understudied era and spin an incredible yarn. Most importantly, she seeks to be immersed—whether in our own world or a world that’s entirely invented. Learn more about Emma here.

Noah Grey Rosenzweig is a literary agent with Triangle House Literary. Noah is interested in representing both fiction and non-fiction. He is a reader of all fiction but has a particular love for literary, climate, and speculative fiction, as well as the occasional YA novel. He has an eye out for stories that hold up a mirror to our culture in new ways, and he’s especially interested in queer and trans coming-of-age fiction. They are also looking for narrative non-fiction that chronicles recent history, cultural trends, technology, and social rules that explain why and how we live in our current world. Above all, Noah is looking for work that is subversive — in prose, style, or subject. Learn more about Noah here.

Leah Pierre is a literary agent with Ladderbird Literary. Leah is exclusively looking for Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian, and Pacific Islander voices with or without LGBTIQA+ intersectionality—basically anyone underrepresented and/or marginalized. For Picture Books, she is selectively searching for an author who is writing diverse, heartfelt and emotionally resonant stories about family, heritage, and tough, complex topics (i.e loss, identity, divorce, disabilities, etc). She is also looking for stories that are fun, adventurous, and creative. For Young Adult/Crossover/Adult, she is looking to acquire across the following genres: sci-fi, fantasy, speculative, contemporary, romance, mystery, thriller, suspense, fairytale or classic retellings/reimaginings. Learn more about Leah here.

Ashley Reisinger is a literary agent with TriadaUS. In adult, she is primarily looking for swoony romances, the more chaotic the protagonist, the better. In young adult, she is interested in heartfelt, character-driven stories, particularly romcoms. She can also be enticed by the odd horror, thriller, or speculative (sci-fi/fantasy) fiction. In middle grade, she is looking for a fun, quirky voice that will make her laugh. Primarily, she’s interested in contemporary, and fantasy/contemporary fantasy. Learn more about Ashley here.

Claire Draper is an agent at Azantian Literary Agency who represents graphic novels, young adult, middle grade, adult romance, nonfiction, and memoir, and prefers to work with books that are funny, lighthearted, romantic, emotional, hopeful, and adventurous, with a fast pace, high stakes, and strong emotional development for the main character(s). They live in New York City with their partner, cats, and too many plants to count. Learn more about Claire here.

Zoe Howard is a literary agent with Howland Literary. “I am now building my own list of adult literary fiction and adult nonfiction. I am also a literary publicist at Pine State Publicity. More than anything, I am drawn to writing that lingers—on language, on character development, on the subtleties of character relationships, on place, on a niche subjects—and makes the details discovered there pop. I would love to read writing that explores boundaries: poets writing prose, region-specific writing about the coastal or “convenience store” south and the western United States, non-traditional narrators, unhinged women in fiction, and so on.” Learn more about Zoe here.

Kelly Thomas 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.

Eve Adler is a literary agent with Red Fox Literary. I’m an agent at Red Fox Literary, where I represent board books, picture books, early readers, and chapter books. I’m actively building my list, and welcome submissions in the 0-10 age range, especially from author-illustrators. I’m drawn to stories that make kids feel comforted, loved, and understood; to diverse voices; to ideas that break the mold; to projects that meet kids where they are developmentally; and to books that expand kids’ worlds while helping them understand their own. Learn more about Eve here.

Ameerah Holliday is a literary agent with Serendipity Literary Agency. Ameerah is primarily interested in middle grade, young adult, and (new) adult fiction. She enjoys contemporary literature, supernatural/paranormal stories (bonus points for witches!), RomComs, literary fiction, and novels in verse. Holliday looks for writing that explores diverse experiences with elements of intersectionality. She is drawn to stories that take you on a journey through growth, and she loves a good friendship story! Learn more about Ameerah here.

Meg Gaertner is a senior editor with Flux and Jolly Fish Press. She is seeking young adult works in all genres and voices. In young adult, she is happy to consider contemporary, science fiction, historical fiction, horror, thrillers, mystery, contemporary fantasy, genre-blending stories, “out-of-the-box” stories that combine social commentary with a killer voice and a fresh premise, diversity representation, and more. Learn more about Meg here.

Najla Mamou is a literary agent with Savvy Literary Services. Najla represents adult fiction and some YA. She’s most interested in mystery, romance, crime, and thriller. She’s most interested in main characters that are BIPOC or immigrants or expats, anything set in rural and inner city areas, and historical fiction genres/categories/settings. She also is interested in narrative and creative nonfiction. She enjoys stories about: rags to riches, overcoming discrimination, fish out of water, forbidden love, secret babies, arranged marriage, redemption, road trips or stories where the discovery happens away from home and more expat books where a POC moves to another place. Learn more about Najla here.

Screen Shot 2019-09-27 at 1.37.27 PMPaul S. Levine is a literary agent and the founder of Paul S. Levine Literary. He is also an attorney. His fiction interests include adventure novels, mainstream fiction, mysteries, romance, thrillers, and women’s fiction. His nonfiction interests include business/commerce, pop culture, how-to, self-help, politics/law, relationships, and sports. Learn more about Paul here.

Jane Chun is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit. For fiction, she is seeking commercial, upmarket, and literary works in both adult and MG/YA about the search for and rebuilding of identity, diaspora, family and community, and examinations of power in relationships. She is also looking for fantasy, sci-fi, and speculative fiction that delve into sharp social commentary and have meticulous worldbuilding and settings that don’t feel like Western Europe. For historical fiction, she likes hidden histories and anything that is set in a time or place she’s not familiar with or focuses on a community that has been often overlooked if it’s a time/place she knows. In terms of nonfiction, she is looking for memoirs, essay collections, and narrative nonfiction with a nuanced, intersectional approach and similar themes to her interests in fiction. She also is interested in books about food, travel, pop culture, and cultural criticism that dive deeply and thoughtfully into culture and traditions. In addition to traditional prose, she is very interested in graphic novels and nonfiction. She is looking for stylistically engaging, unique art that feels either nostalgic without being derivative or fresh and boundary-pushing. Learn more about Jane here.

​Andie Smith is a Literary Agent at The Booker Albert Literary 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 and has a habit of getting emotionally attached to strong characters. Her favorite tropes are enemies-to-lovers and fake-to-real relationships. 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.

Lori Colvin is a Literary Agent with Birch Literary. Lori has a special empathy for authors, having penned over 150 books herself, under a successful pen name. She is seeking:If a book doesn’t grab Lori on the first page, she generally won’t read any further, so bring out your best right away. Lori’s looking for fresh viewpoints in multiple genres, including women’s fiction, Thriller, Book Club Fiction, Mystery (but no Cozy), and more. Things she’s not seeking at the moment: Romance, MG, or PB. If you can make Lori laugh, cry, gasp, or stay up all night reading, you may be a good match. Learn more about Lori here.

Kesia Lupo is a literary agent with The Bindery. “I consider middle-grade and YA my specialty and would love to represent authors writing for these age groups. But I’d love to return to my roots and also represent adult genre fiction in science fiction / fantasy and horror. I’m an omnivore in my reading taste and I would love my list to reflect that – so, while I’ve tried to be exhaustive, if you have something that doesn’t quite fit then please don’t hesitate to pitch anyway! In general, I’m looking for fiction for middle grade, YA and adult readers – and also a smattering of popular, accessible nonfiction. Across age groups, I’m a big fan of original fantasy, accessible but smart science fiction, paranormal or creepy horror, thrillers (especially if they have a shocking twist!), dark academia and basically all stories that help me escape or make me question everything. I majored in History so I love a bit of historical fiction too, as long as it’s done in a fun and accessible way – and I enjoy romance. For nonfiction, I’m looking at narrative nonfiction with broad appeal – I love books about psychology and big political, cultural or historical topics.” Learn more about Kesia here.

Hannah Andrade is an Agent & Royalties Manager at Bradford Literary Agency. She is prioritizing stories of joy where identity isn’t the focus and is especially excited about stories rooted in history, mythology, and legends, particularly those that are lesser-known or underrepresented in traditional publishing. In fiction, she seeks: dark and transporting Young Adult fantasy; atmospheric and whimsical Middle Grade; Young Adult & Adult mysteries with a unique hook; clever retellings of folklore/legends/myths; stories that feature diverse voices and multicultural experiences; Graphic Novels. In nonfiction, she seeks: Adult narrative nonfiction; Investigative journalism/true crime stories with strong voice. Learn more about Hannah here.

Kelly Bergh is a literary agent with Lucinda Literary. After beginning her career as an editor in academic publishing and briefly serving as a children’s librarian, Kelly joined Lucinda Literary to begin building a list in adult practical nonfiction, specifically in the categories of health and wellness, spirituality, and popular science. She selectively takes on children’s and gift books/decks in the same areas. Learn more about Kelly here.

Halley Dunne Parry is a literary agent with The Hamilburg Agency. A graduate of the Washington University MFA program, she has spent the last decade working at independent bookstores and in publishing. Halley is looking for fiction that plays with genre and form, for plot-driven literary novels, commercial fiction, adult speculative fiction and hybrid works of narrative nonfiction. Learn more about Halley here.

Caitlin McDonald is a literary agent with Donald Maass Literary Agency. Caitlin represents: All science fiction & fantasy categories for adult and young adult, especially secondary world fantasy or alternate history; Genre-bending or cross-genre fiction, and stories that examine tropes from a new angle; Diversity of all kinds, including (but not limited to) race, gender, sexuality, and ability, in both characters and worldbuilding. Learn more about Caitlin here.

Monica Rodriguez is a literary agent with Context Literary.  Monica gravitates towards stories about identity, family relationships, and travel. She is looking to uplift underrepresented voices, including, (but not limited to) authors who identify as People of Color (BIPOC), disabled, neurodiverse, and LGBTQ+. In children’s literature, she is actively looking for PB, MG, YA & Graphic Novels. She is also open to adult and non-fiction submissions. According to her MSWL, in fiction, she is open to: Action/Adventure, Children’s, Commercial, Family Saga, General, Graphic Novel, Historical, Horror, Humor, LGBTQ, Literary, Middle Grade, Mystery, New Adult, Picture Books, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Young Adult. According toher MSWL, in nonfiction, she is open to: Cookbooks, Humor, Journalism, LGBTQ, Memoir, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Travel. Learn more about Monica here.

Screen Shot 2019-02-24 at 6.06.26 PM.pngRae Loverde is an agent assistant at Donald Maass Literary Agency. At the 2023 SWW, she will be acting as a literary scout — taking pitches at the workshop on behalf of one or multiple co-agents at her agency. Her co-agent Cameron McClure is seeking the following: projects that combine genre style plotting with literary quality writing. She’s up for anything speculative, and is interested in seeing science fiction and fantasy, mystery and suspense, horror, and projects with multi-cultural, international, environmental, and LGBTQIA+ themes. Learn more about Rae and her co-agents here.

Kelly Peterson (she/her) is a literary agent with Rees Literary. Kelly seeks books in various genres within Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Adult age ranges. She is very interested in representing authors with marginalized own voices stories, witty and unique characters, pirates, witches, and dark fantasies. In Middle Grade, she’s looking for: Fantasy and sci-fi; Contemporary that touches on tough issues for young readers. In YA, she’s looking for: Genres from contemporary, to high fantasy, to sci-fi (not the space kind) to paranormal (all the ghost stories, please!) and historical all the way back to rom-coms. In Adult, Kelly represents: Romance, fantasy, and sci-fi. Learn more about Kelly here.

Eva Scalzo is a literary agent with Speilburg Literary. In Adult Fiction, Eva represents Romance novels (all subgenres except inspirational) and Science Fiction/Fantasy novels. She also represents all subgenres of Young Adult Fiction. She is interested in submissions from diverse authors. Learn more about Eva here, as well as her specific interests and what is seeking from writers.

 

 

 

            More 2023 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.

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, and pricing/detail is explained below.)

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PRICING:

$189 — EARLY BIRD base price for registration to the 2023 Online SWW and access to all workshops, all days. (You also get 10+ additional free pre-recorded webinars on writing and publishing.) As of 2023, registration is now OPEN.

Add $29 — to secure a 10-minute one-on-one meeting with any of our literary agents or editors in attendance. Use this special meeting as a chance to pitch your work and get professional feedback on your pitch. (Spaces limited.) If they wish, attendees are free to sign up for multiple 10-minute pitch sessions at $29/session — pitching multiple individuals. There is no limit. Here are quick testimonials regarding writers who have signed with literary agents after pitching them at prior Writing Day Workshops events. Our bigger, growing list of success stories can be seen here.

Screen Shot 2018-11-26 at 11.11.29 AM.png“I met my client, Alison Hammer, at the Writing
Workshop of Chicago and just sold her book.”
– literary agent Joanna Mackenzie of Nelson Literary

Screen Shot 2017-05-02 at 11.47.54 PM.png“Good news! I signed a client [novelist Aliza Mann]
from the Michigan Writing Workshop!”
– literary agent Sara Mebigow of KT Literary

Screen Shot 2018-11-05 at 12.56.10 PM“I signed author Stephanie Wright from
the Seattle Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Kathleen Ortiz of New Leaf Literary

Screen Shot 2018-05-17 at 9.07.44 PM“I signed an author [Kate Thompson] that I
met at the Philadelphia Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Kimberly Brower of Brower Literary

Screen Shot 2016-10-16 at 2.54.50 PM.png“I signed novelist Kathleen McInnis after meeting her
at the Chesapeake Writing Workshop.”

– literary agent Adriann Ranta of Foundry Literary + Media

Add $69 — for an in-depth, personal critique of your one-page query letter from Chuck Sambuchino, one of the workshop’s former instructors. (This rate is a special event value for Seattle Writing Workshop attendees only.) Registrants are encouraged to take advantage of the specially-priced critique, so they can send out their query letter with confidence following the workshop. Also, if you are meeting with an agent at the event, you’re essentially speaking your query letter aloud to them. Wouldn’t it be wise to give that query letter (i.e., your pitch) one great edit before that meeting?

Add $89 — for an in-depth personal critique of the first 10 pages of your novel. Spaces with faculty for these critiques are very limited, and participating attendees get a phone/Zoom critique meeting with the faculty member. Options

  • Adult romance and young adult romance, both contemporary or paranormal: Faculty member A.S. Green, an author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, talk with you virtually (Zoom/phone) for 15 minutes workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes.
  • Romance, women’s fiction, science fiction, young adult, or memoir: Faculty member Jenny Bardsley, an author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, talk with you virtually (Zoom/phone) for 15 minutes workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes.
  • Romance, women’s fiction, domestic suspense, and young adult fiction: Faculty member Swati Hegde, an author and freelance editor, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
  • Young adult, adult realistic fiction, romance, and mystery/suspense (for either YA or adult, please no fantasy, sci-fi, or horror): Faculty member Kristin Bartley Lenz, a published author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
  • Women’s, mainstream, science fiction, fantasy, romance, crime, thriller, mystery: Faculty member Michelle McGill-Vargas, a writing coach and author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
  • Children’s picture books, middle grade, young adult, memoir, historical fiction, general fiction of almost any kind: Faculty member Eve Porinchak, a former agent turned publishing coach, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting. Children’s picture books should be 1,000 words maximum, and can or cannot have illustrations.
  • More critique options possibly forthcoming.

How to pay/register — Registration is now open for the Fall Online SWW. Reach out to workshop organizer Brian Klems via email: WDWconference@gmail.com, and he will provide specific instructions for payment and registration to get you a reserved seat at the event. Payment is by PayPal or check or credit card. Because Brian plans different workshops, make sure you note that you’re inquiring about the Seattle workshop specifically.

REGISTRATION:

ONLINE: Writing Day Workshops plans both in-person and virtual/online conferences. The Fall 2023 SWW is an Online Conference, on October 13-14, 2023. Online events are easy and awesome, and the virtual events we’ve done thus far have received wonderful feedback. You do not have to be tech-savvy to do this, and understand we are keeping all aspects of a traditional in-person event, including one-on-one agent & editor pitching, which will now be done by Zoom or phone. Learn all details about what it means to have a writers conference online.)

Are spaces still available? Yes, we still have spaces available. We will announce RIGHT HERE, at this point on this web page, when all spaces are taken. If you do not see a note right here saying how all spaces are booked, then yes, we still have room, and you are encouraged to register.

How to Register: The easy first step is simply to reach out to workshop organizer Brian Klems via email: WDWconference@gmail.com. He will pass along registration information to you, and give instructions on how to pay by PayPal or check or credit card. Once payment is complete, you will have a reserved seat at the event. The SWW will send out periodic e-mail updates to all registered attendees with any & all news about the event. Because Brian plans different workshops, make sure you note that you’re inquiring about the Seattle workshop specifically.

Refunds: If you sign up for the event and have to cancel for any reason at any time, you will receive 50% of your total payment back [sent by check or PayPal or CC refund]. The other 50% is nonrefundable and will not be returned, and helps the workshop ensure that only those truly interested in the limited spacing sign up for the event. (Please note that query editing payments and manuscript editing payments are completely non-refundable if the instructor has already started edited your work.)

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Thank you for your interest in the Fall 2023 Online Seattle Writing Workshop.