Boston Writing Workshop:
March 29, 2025
In-Person Writers Conference 

PITCH YOUR BOOK TO A LITERARY AGENT:

Charlotte Wenger [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with Prospect Agency. “I represent authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators of children’s books—board books through graphic novels and middle-grade, but especially picture books—as well as select YA fiction and adult nonfiction, particularly biographies and memoirs. I’m always seeking stories from diverse voices – those that have been historically marginalized and/or underrepresented in publishing, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, people living in and/or from marginalized/underrepresented cultures and countries, neurodiverse persons, disabled persons, and more. I’m on the lookout for what hasn’t been done yet – stories that haven’t been told and voices that haven’t been heard.” Learn more about Charlotte here.

Annie Romano [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with Olswanger Literary. She represents General Fiction, Upmarket, Commercial, Romantic Comedy, ​Literary, Women’s Fiction, Contemporary, Multicultural, LGBTQ+, Suspense/Thrillers, Mystery, ​Magical Realism, Light/clever horror (not gore-heavy), and Narrative Nonfiction. “I accept submissions of adult fiction and select narrative nonfiction. For adult fiction, I am currently on the hunt for lighter fare with smart humor and a unique hook. I also am seeking upmarket and commercial fiction in the following areas: contemporary fiction, women’s fiction, sharp romantic comedy (do not send me romance if there’s no comedic element or original hook), psychological thrillers/suspense, mystery, and light/clever horror (not slasher/gore; think more Grady Hendrix-style for this). I welcome diverse narratives, including but not limited to LGBTQ+ and underrepresented ethnicities/cultures. In narrative nonfiction, areas of interest include (but are not limited to) true crime (i.e., The Trial of Lizzie Borden, by Cara Robertson) and unique windows into history (i.e., Mudlark by Lara Maiklem).” Learn more about Annie here.

Sorche Fairbank [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] 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.

Lori Galvin [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. “I represent both fiction and nonfiction writers for the adult market. For fiction, I am especially interested in working with writers of crime (suspense, thrillers, and mysteries plus crossovers into horror); bookclub fiction/upmarket commercial fiction, women’s fiction and literary crime and suspense. I’m drawn to novels with voice and emotion and I’m a passionate advocate for all voices. And for nonfiction, I am interested in working with food writers, writers of true crime, as well as personal development and memoir with established platforms.” Learn more about Lori here.

Tara Gelsomino is a literary agent and founder of One Track Literary Agency. “I’m a genre fiction fan that loves competent, confident, capable heroines and female-centric stories. Currently, I’m seeking completed works with vibrant, fresh voices in these genres: romance (especially romantic comedies), women’s fiction with fresh hooks, thrillers and psychological suspense (amateur sleuths are fine but not domestic/hobbyist cozies), and contemporary young adult. (Note: I am not the best fit for fantasy, though realistic sci-fi/dystopian is fine.)” Learn more about Tara here.

Sera Rivers is a literary agent with Speilburg Literary. “I represent middle grade and young adult fiction and graphic novels, as well as very select picture books. I’m especially interested in inclusive narratives and authentic representation by children’s authors and illustrators who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and other underrepresented and marginalized identities and cultures. Learn more about Sera here.

Sophie Sheumaker [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary scout at BookEnds. She is taking pitches for: “I’m looking for middle grade through adult, across the board always seeking to uplift underrepresented communities. Looking for speculative fiction with dramatic dynamics that blends sci-fi with fantasy, horror, the works, grounded Sci-fi (commentary on society, genre blending, not necessarily centered solely around the science of it, Black-Mirror/Sean Tan); Romance (particularly queer romance, particularly sapphic romance, maybe with a magical spin or a twist on old, heteronormative tropes); Fantasy (fantasy that feels like a fairy tale, but is not a Disney-esque retelling (ex: The Girl Who Drank the Moon, The Princess Bride), immersive setting with well-developed magic systems (Godkiller), cozy/epic/grounded in reality). Stories that center friendship and family, especially female-friendship (and especially female friendship that twists the mean-girl stereotype) and has the sort of casual diversity that is representative of the world we live in.” Learn more about Sophie here.

Kimiko Nakamura [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with Dee Mura Literary, representing YA and adult titles within the genres of contemporary, literary, historical, and women’s fiction. In the categories of nonfiction she specializes in cookbooks and memoir. Kimiko works with aspiring and established authors alike. She loves projects that reimagine what’s possible, characters with something (or nothing) to lose, unique viewpoints, trailblazing heroines, and cookbooks she can read like the Sunday morning paper. Learn more about Kimiko here.

Shania N. Soler is a literary agent assistant & scout with Metamorphosis Literary. She is seeking: I’m currently looking for novels in the fantasy genre and/or romance WITH SPICE! For fantasy, I’m interested in more than just romance. Give me intricate political and/or magic systems and complex character backstories. For contemporary romance, I’m looking for things that take me off the beaten path. Think Butcher & Blackbird or Haunting Adeline. I enjoy LGBTQ+ relationships; spins on cliches; fairytale retellings; mythological retellings that we haven’t seen yet like African myths, Norse myths, Asian myths OR characters that we haven’t seen much of, such as Rumplestiltskin or King Midas; neurodivergent characters; characters with disabilities; and BIPOC characters. Learn more about Shania here.

Jessica Felleman [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency. Jessica represents a range of creators, loves fresh stories about magic, and looks for commercial and literary fiction featuring underserved voices, unforgettable places, and complicated families. She is especially looking for fiction that balances on the edge of genre—particularly science fiction and fantasy, or blends genres in a surprising way. Jessica has a soft spot for stories set in Los Angeles and New England, the weird and strange, and characters who make mistakes, even if they can’t fix them. Jessica specializes in pop culture nonfiction and prescriptive titles that offer realistic advice or new perspectives to help readers better understand themselves and the world, as well as and narrative nonfiction about science, history, and psychology that engages with contemporary conversations. Learn more about Jessica 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:

• 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.
• Middle grade, young adult; adult fiction in the areas of low fantasy, literary fiction, romance, contemporary fiction, women’s fiction, historical fiction, and mainstream fiction (virtual critiques): Faculty member Joel Brigham, a writing coach and 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 sometime around the workshop to discuss his thoughts, and pass along written critique notes.
• Children’s picture books and middle grade (virtual critiques): Faculty member Brittany Thurman, 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. If you submit a picture book, it must be 1,000 words or fewer (can have illustrations or not).
• Romance, women’s fiction, domestic suspense, and young adult fiction (virtual critiques): 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.
• 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.