Cleveland Writing Workshop:
November 22, 2025
In-Person Writers Conference

PITCH YOUR BOOK TO A LITERARY AGENT:

Lisa Amstutz is a Literary Agent with Storm Literary. Her wishlist is specific: She currently represents nonfiction for all ages (preschool–adult), as welll as picture book and middle grade fiction, and also picture book author/illustrators. She loves books with heart; science, agricultural, and environmental topics; new insights on history, culture, or the arts; compelling characters and settings; humor; lyrical texts; and multicultural themes. Lisa is not a good fit for dark or dystopian themes or graphic content. She is not acquiring YA or adult fiction at this time, but will consider books by existing clients. Learn more about Lisa here.

Jacqui Lipton is a literary agent with The Tobias Literary Agency. Jacqui represents authors of fiction and nonfiction from middle grade through to adult, as well as selected projects for younger readers (picture books, chapter books etc.) She is currently focusing on developing her adult fiction and nonfiction lists and particularly enjoys mystery/crime, romance, how-to books, and compelling contemporary novels. She is not currently seeking high fantasy, and considers science fiction selectively. Learn more about Jacqui here.

Moe Ferrara is a literary agent with Triada US. I’m interested in fictional works for all ages, including picture books, middle grade, young adults, and adult readers (plus graphic novels in the kidlit space!). My list skews heavily toward children’s fiction, but I’m on the hunt for select authors in the adult space. Favorite genres include contemporary, fantasy & fabulism, horror, retellings, romance & rom-coms, light Sci-Fi and anything LGBTQIA-centric. I am not a good fit for upmarket/literary fiction, cozy mysteries, true crime, women’s fiction, high fantasy, hard sci-fi, or inspirational romances. Learn more about Moe here.

Victoria Selvaggio is a literary agent with Storm Literary. Her list features both debut and award-winning authors. She represents all types and categories of books for kids — picture books (fiction & nonfiction), middle grade (fiction & nonfiction), and young adult. Her favorite authors include: Stephen King, Judy Blume, Shel Silverstein, Lois Lowry, Margaret Atwood, E. B. White, C. S. Lewis, Suzanne Collins, and so many more. Learn more about Victoria here. Learn more about Vicki here.

Optional Manuscript Critique Options

Add $69 — for an in-depth, personal critique of your one-page query letter from Brian Klems, one of the day’s instructors. (This rate is a special event value for Cleveland 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 will either 1) get an in-person meeting at the workshop, if the faculty member is attending the live event, or 2) get a 10-minute phone call with the faculty member, and have notes passed along via email, if the critiquer is not attending the live event. Options:

• Women’s, mainstream, science fiction, fantasy, romance, crime, thriller, mystery (virtual critiques): 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.
• Commercial women’s fiction, thriller/suspense, thriller with romantic elements, cozy mystery, YA thriller, young adult in general, middle-grade, literary fiction, and fantasy (virtual critiques): Faculty member Amberly Finarelli, a former literary agent and current writing 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.
• All types & genres of fiction for adults, young adults, and middle grade readers (virtual critiques): Faculty member Lorin Oberweger, 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 (virtual critiques): Faculty member Rosie Pova, a published author, will get your work in advance, critique your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime around the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting. If you submit a picture book, it must be 1,000 words or fewer (can have illustrations or not).
• Cozy mysteries (virtual critiques): Faculty member Jen Collins Moore, 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.
• All adult fiction genres and categories (except for sci-fi) (virtual critiques): Faculty member Tayler Hill, an author and publishing house assistant, 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.
• More critique options possibly forthcoming