Denver Writing Workshop:
March 22, 2025
In-Person Writers Conference 

PITCH YOUR BOOK TO A LITERARY AGENT:

Liv Ivanov [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with Creative Media Agency. In adult fiction, she seeks: Coming-of-age; Women’s Fiction; Contemporary/Upmarket Fiction; Mystery/Thriller (Spies & Espionage, Small-town settings and eerie atmospheres, Race against time, Whodunits); Dark Academia; LGBTQ+; Science Fiction (anything from a light touch of sci-fi to dystopian to space-based settings to a full on space opera; Slipstream; Magical Realism; and Fantasy. In adult Nonfiction, she likes: Nature-Related Memoir. In Young Adult and Children’s Books, she likes: Contemporary/Upmarket, LGBTQ+; Mystery/Thriller; Science Fiction; and Fantasy. As an agent, I’m looking for character-driven stories, compelling premises, fantastically immersive settings, and most of all — I want to find that next unputdownable story I can’t stop raving to my friends and family about. Learn more about Liv here.

Sara Megibow [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent and founder of Megibow Literary. Sara is the President and Senior Literary Agent of Megibow Literary Agency. She has worked in publishing since 2006 and represents New York Times bestselling authors including Margaret Rogerson, Roni Loren, Jason M. Hough and Jaleigh Johnson. “I represent authors who write picture books (fiction and nonfiction/ all sub-genres), middle grade (all sub-genres), young adult (all sub-genres), adult romance (all sub-genres) and science fiction/ fantasy/ horror for the adult market.” Learn more about Sara here.

Elizabeth Copps is a literary agent and founder of Copps Literary. What Elizabeth is looking for: Fresh takes on timeless plots—upmarket, thought-provoking stories that spark discussion. She loves lush, atmospheric prose and complex, vivid characters who are irreverent, dark, witty, and wise. She specializes in middle grade and adult fiction. In adult, she is currently seeking horror, speculative, book club fiction, and rom-com (with a twist). In middle grade, she is drawn to spooky stories with light magical elements. Learn more about Elizabeth here.

Brenna English-Loebis a literary agent with Transatlantic Agency. For nonfiction: Brenna is looking for serious, groundbreaking sociological work that holds our culture up to a magnifying glass, propulsive narrative nonfiction, and accounts of historical events and people that deserve to be better known. For fiction: Brenna is looking for adult fantasy, science fiction, and mystery queries. In every genre she prioritizes beautiful writing, exciting characters, and thought-provoking world building. She gravitates towards relationship-driven plots with personal stakes, and she loves stories with a sense of fun and adventure, even if they’re tackling serious subjects. She is specifically looking for upmarket commercial works in the following subgenres: contemporary fantasy, secondary world fantasy, gothic fantasy, high concept space opera, horror, and modern-day classic mystery. And in all categories, she is always looking for works by authors from underrepresented groups and identities.Learn more about Brenna here.

Shannon Hassan is a literary agent with Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. “I have been an agent at Marsal Lyon Literary for over a decade. I represent upmarket adult fiction, middle grade fiction, and young adult fiction and have New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors on my list. I look for contemporary and historical stories with a fresh voice and a big hook, and am especially interested in underrepresented voices.” In middle grade and young adult, she enjoys: contemporary stories with humor and heart; historical stories that inspire or bring untold stories to light; adventure stories with humor and heart; magical realism or speculative twists—prefer grounded, real-world settings; stories of resilience; thrillers and mysteries. In adult fiction, she enjoys: “Book Club” reads that hit the sweet spot between literary and commercial; historical fiction that inspires or brings untold stories to light; strong female characters; stories about the power of art/music/writing/creativity; stories of the American West that are female-centric and/or play with the genre; unique narrators; thriller/suspense that is not espionage-based. Learn more about Shannon here.

Rachelle Gardner is a literary agent and president of Gardner Literary. She is taking pitches on behalf of her whole agency. “If you’re writing nonfiction, we can’t sell it unless you have a platform.” Nonfiction wishlist: SME’s (subject matter experts) on any topic; interesting historical topics; mind-body-spirit; psychology and self-help; racial issues, LGBTQ+ issues, and all social issues; behind-the-scenes in any profession or walk of life; cultural criticism; faith related; feminism and women’s issues; memoir; hearth & home, gardening, sustainable living; marriage, parenting, family; travel (including memoir, with a strong platform); art/faith topics (art history, intersection of art and faith, creativity, photography); deeper spirituality and prayer; journals, guided journals, gifty devotionals; other gift-type books for occasions such as graduation thoughtful nonfiction on just about any topic — show us what you’ve got! Adult Fiction wishlist (no kidlit please): contemporary women’s fiction; romance and rom-com; suspense or romantic suspense; historical or historical romance; Southern fiction; thrillers, esp psychological or medical. Learn more about Rachelle here.

Matthew Valdez is a literary agent with Megibow Literary. In adult fiction, he seeks: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Horror, RomCom (Particularly LGBTQ+, but all welcome!), Upmarket Literary Fiction, Graphic Novels (any genre), and Historical Fiction. In young adult fiction, he seeks: Fantasy, Contemporary, Science Fiction, Paranormal, Thriller, Dystopian, RomCom (Particularly LGBTQ+, but all welcome!), Graphic Novels. Learn more about Matthew here.

Kimberly Peticolas is a literary agent with The Rudy Agency. She has a passion for immersive fiction, and content-rich non-fiction. She also has a soft spot for military history. She earned an MA in Museum Studies. In nonfiction, she seeks: Business, Leadership, Self-Help, Lifestyle, History, Military History, Children’s. In fiction, she seeks: Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Historical, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, YA, Children’s. Learn more about Kimberly here.

Mira Landry [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with Corvisiero Literary Agency. In nonfiction, Mira is looking for a wide variety of projects, including but not limited to narrative non-fiction, self-help, how-to, journalism, essay collections, and memoir. In fiction, Mira represents most categories and genres, with a preference for literary and upmarket, or upmarket-leaning commercial fiction. In all writing, she enjoys strong interiority and sensory-immersive descriptions and only considers projects with well-crafted character arcs and themes. Projects that explore society and culture are ideal. In both fiction and nonfiction, Mira would specifically love to see more work from Indigenous/ First Nations authors, as well other historically marginalized and underrepresented voices. Learn more about Mira here.

Chelsey Emmelhainz is a literary agent with Copps Literary Services. Chelsey is building a highly selective list, focused mainly on adult fiction and nonfiction. Regardless of genre, she is always looking for authentic storytelling and to elevate diverse voices. In fiction: Chelsey loves high-concept adult fiction that expertly weaves complex, layered conflicts into a fast-paced narrative. She wants to see what your characters do when pushed to their limits. Her target genres include: horror, supernatural thriller, suspense, mystery, romance, and upmarket commercial fiction. Her ideal projects feature fresh, high-concept hooks and multifaceted, layered conflicts. She is especially interested in unique takes on modern relationships—be they romantic, platonic, or familial. In nonfiction: While drawn to adult narrative nonfiction that features strong storytelling and author voice, Chelsey is ultimately seeking projects that aim to entertain while they educate. She gravitates toward American history, hidden history, true crime, platform-driven nonfiction in the social sciences (especially concerning politics, feminism, and social justice), as well as deep dives into specific subjects with a prescriptive approach, aiming to help the reader live a better life. Learn more about Chelsey here.

Helen Masvikeni is a literary agent with Megibow Literary. “I represent authors who write adult thriller, adult mystery, adult crime, adult non-fiction and memoir, anything ‘folklore’, picture books (fiction and nonfiction/ all sub-genres), and adult romance (all sub-genres).” As a literary agent, she is focused on combining her own experience as an artist with the business side of publishing to support authors from creation through publication and beyond. Learn more about Helen here.

Mike Nappa is founder and chief literary agent at Nappaland Literary Agency. He is seeking: Mike specializes in Christian nonfiction (Christian living, devotionals, inspirational, ministry), but sometimes also takes on Christian fiction as well as some general nonfiction. A practical theologian, Mike is known for his “coffee-shop theology” and inspirational books, as well as his award-winning suspense novels, and lots of articles on random topics such as data intelligence, biblical studies, pop culture, the publishing industry, and pretty much anything he finds interesting at the moment. Learn more about Mike here.

Robin Morris is a literary scout and assistant with the Booker Albert Literary Agency. At the 2025 CWW, Robin is acting as a literary scout for her agency, taking pitches on behalf of all Booker Albert Literary agents. She is open to pitches for the following: young adult and new adult contemporary; young adult and new adult paranormal romance; books set in the South — cowboys and southern drawl; young adult across all genres, and sci-fi, and fantasy; contemporary romance; adult fantasy; adult sci-fi; adult horror; paranormal romance; LGBTQ+; action / adventure / thrillers; monster stories; historical fiction like The Wednesday Wars and iconic masterpieces like Monica Hesse’s They Went Left; middle grade historical fiction; adult contemporary fiction; eco-fiction. Learn more about Robin here.

Optional Manuscript Critique Options

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 Florida Writing Workshops 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.
• 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).
• Young adult, middle grade, romance, upmarket/literary, women’s fiction, fantasy, paranormal, children’s picture books; in nonfiction, self-help or inspirational by women (virtual critiques): Faculty member Lindsay Flanagan, a published novelist and former agent, 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. For picture books, text should be 1,000 words or fewer; and it can or cannot include illustrations.
• Memoir (virtual critiques): Faculty member Kimiko Nakamura, a literary agent and 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.
• More critique options possibly forthcoming.