Toronto Writing Workshop:
April 5, 2025
In-Person Writers Conference 

PITCH YOUR BOOK TO A LITERARY AGENT:

Renee C. Fountain is a literary agent, publishing industry veteran, a reviewer for Kirkus and New York Journal of Books, and a book scout for The CW Network. She is the president of Gandolfo, Henlin and Fountain Literary. Renee is looking for all types of adult and YA fiction and nonfiction. She prefers: thrillers, horror/dark fantasy, urban/contemporary fantasy, humor, science fiction, pop culture, memoirs, and narrative/commercial. Learn more about Renee here. 

Jes Trudel (she/her/mx) is a literary agent with The Rights Factory. At the moment, I’m accepting only children’s literature, including: Board books (BB); Picture books (PB); Chapter books (CB); Middle grade (MG); and Young adult (YA). In addition to traditional styles of storytelling, I also love graphic novels and novels in verse. I’m also open to short story and poetry collections for kids. I accept both illustrated and text-only manuscripts. If you are an illustrator only, I’m sorry, but I can’t represent you at this time (unless you create full-length wordless picture books). Learn more about Jes here.

Stephanie Winter is a literary agent with K.O. Media Management. Stephanie is primarily acquiring across three pillars: adult fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels. She’s actively seeking titles with diverse and inclusive representation that offer smart, culturally aware, and enriching narratives. In fiction, she particularly enjoys commercial and upmarket projects (rom-coms, thriller/suspense, etc.) that offer millennial and/or queer-affirming perspectives. In nonfiction, she’s on the hunt for pop culture, cultural criticism, millennial business and finance, narrative nonfiction, how-to, and lifestyle projects. Learn more about Stephanie here.

Alexandra D’Amico is a literary agent with Transatlantic Agency. She is seeking: Alex is on the lookout for commercial and genre fiction, including Horror, Fantasy, RomCom/Romance, Historical and Speculative fiction for both an adult and young adult audiences. In nonfiction, Alex is looking for pop culture and lifestyle projects, prescriptive and narrative non-fiction that leans into her personal interests in spirituality and the occult, and expert-led history. She will also love to see poetry in the vein of Lang Leav and SHE WHO DESTROYS THE LIGHT by Shahida Arabi. Alex is actively seeking titles with diverse and queer inclusive representation, especially by authors who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Learn more about Alexandra here.

Kat Foxx is a literary agent at The Rights Factory. In fiction, she’s looking for Adult and YA thriller/mystery/suspense, gothic and supernatural horror, historical fiction (preferably pre-20th century), historical fantasy (witches, ghosts, time travel, past lives, etc.), and romcom and romance (light spice). She also enjoys fairytale/folklore retellings and some speculative fiction, anything nostalgic, anything to do with past lives and soul connections, haunted houses, ancestry, and midwifery/natural childbirth. Kat loves creepy, scary stories that makes her eyes water and gives her goosebumps! For Upper MG, she’s pretty much open to genres provided it’s cute and has a good message. Across ages and genres, stories that normalize blended, single-parent, adoptive, racially and/or culturally diverse, and same-sex families are high on her list. Kat is always seeking projects from BIPOC, disabled, neurodiverse, and historically underrepresented writers and would love to see more LGBTQIA+ stories/writers. For nonfiction, Kat is seeking memoirs that read like fiction, motherhood/natural pregnancy and childbirth/midwifery/planned unassisted births, single parenthood (especially if paired with overcoming an abusive relationship with the other parent), past life/reincarnation, the “brotherhood” mentality of law enforcement, narcissistic abuse recovery, true crime, wine/food/travel, a history of witches and witchcraft, and ancient locations/civilizations. Learn more about Kat here.

Nour Sallam is a literary agent P.S. Literary Agency. “In terms of fiction, I am seeking voice-driven commercial and upmarket titles, contemporary fiction with fabulist elements, speculative fiction, edgy psychological thrillers, as well as mysteries, light horror and rom-coms featuring underrepresented characters of any background. I am always drawn to characters who are haunted by something, whether figuratively (a secret, a past, an obsession) or literally (a ghost, a demon, etc.). I am also actively seeking character-driven stories featuring women in power, unhinged women, and female rage. I am actively seeking projects that feature complex and nuanced histories and power dynamics, address social and political issues, or center BIPOC characters.” In nonfiction, she seeks: “I welcome fresh and accessible perspectives on big ideas or industry deep dives as well as narrative nonfiction on pop culture, art, and nature. I also appreciate books that offer incisive commentary on culture, socio-economic structures, corporate underbellies, health and wellness, and lifestyle. Learn more about Nour here.

Jo Ramsay (they/she) is a literary agent with Transatlantic Agency. Jo is seeking: Upmarket fiction (book club conversation starters, fresh take on friendships, relationship, and family); Sci-fi (Black Mirror-esque, commentary on society, genre blending);  Speculative fiction; Gothic / Neo-Gothic; Psychological horror / thriller; Light horror (no heavy gore please); Dystopian; Mysteries (with unique POV, character-driven); Graphic Novels; Select literary fiction (less quiet realism, and more unusual or unique storytelling); Select romance (new spin or genre subversion); Select fantasy (fabulism, light world building); and Select historical fiction (unique concept or genre blending). In nonfiction, she seeks: Pop Culture Deep Dives, Politics and Social Sciences, Cultural Critique, Investigative Journalism, Eco-Nonfiction and Naturalist writing, Expedition accounts of professional mountaineers and adjacent sports, Off-Grid Living or Survivalist writing, Travelogues from a unique perspective; Pop Science; and Graphic memoir. Learn more about Jo here.

Cassandra Rodgers is a literary agent with 5 Otter Literary. Her clients’ books have been featured in publications such as Oprah, New York Times, and USA Today. Focused exclusively on adult work, Cassandra is looking for upmarket commercial fiction, historical fiction, and suspense. On the nonfiction side, she is looking for fresh views on topics such as politics, history, science, finance, and sports. Inspiring and meaningful memoirs are always on her wish list. Learn more about Cassandra here.

Julia Kim is a literary agent with The Rights Factory.  Julia is looking for literary fiction and select genre fiction (mystery, crime, horror, historical). She is also seeking a range of nonfiction topics including history, politics, current affairs, women’s issues, biography and memoir, food and lifestyle, art and culture, film and TV, pop culture. She is keen to support BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and historically underrepresented writers. As a second-generation Korean Canadian based in Toronto, she has a particular interest in diverse stories from diasporic communities in North America and beyond. Learn more about Julia here.

Paige Sisley is a literary agent with CookeMcDermid. Paige represents upmarket and book club fiction that keeps readers turning the pages, and makes them think about the world and themselves in a new way. She also champions nonfiction authors that have a unique perspective, an important story to tell, and/or a strong platform, and who are writing into the memoir, narrative nonfiction, lifestyle, or health & wellness space. Learn more about Paige here.

Eva Oakes is a literary agent with Transatlantic Agency. Eva is on the hunt for upmarket and literary fiction, as well as narrative nonfiction (particularly that which reads like fiction). She’s especially excited by a memorable narrative voice, family sagas, stories with a magical realist element or folklore bent, genre-bending elements and stories from underrepresented and marginalized communities. Learn more about Eva here.

Sorche Fairbank is a literary agent and the founder of Fairbank Literary. “Our tastes tend toward literary and international fiction; voice-y novels with a strong sense of place; big memoir that goes beyond the me-moir; topical or narrative nonfiction with a strong interest in women’s voices, global perspectives, and class and race issues; children’s picture books & middle grade from illustrator/artists only; quality lifestyle books (food, wine, and design); pop culture; craft; and gift and humor books. We are most likely to pick up works that are of social or cultural significance, newsworthy, or that cause us to take great delight in the words, images, or ideas on the page. Lately we have been doing extremely well in the humor/gift/pop culture category, international fiction, and children’s picture books by illustrator artists, and we’d love to take on more projects in those categories. Above all, we look for a fresh voice, approach, story, or idea.” Learn more about Sorche here.

Amanda Ferreira is an editor with Random House Canada. She primarily edits adult commercial fiction, and is drawn to books with an early hook and YA crossover appeal. She acquires in every genre (except horror) — including fantasy, romance, historical fiction, science fiction, historical fiction, mystery, and thriller. In particular, she loves retellings of ancient myths and history, accessible speculative fiction with happy endings, romance with a fresh twist on popular tropes, and diverse characters that feel true to the communities they’re a part of. Learn more about Amanda 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 coming soon.