Chicago Writing Workshop:
June 21, 2025
In-Person Writers Conference
If you are looking for a different Writing Day Workshops conference, please see our full event list here.
If you have questions, click here for our FAQ page or Email us at WDWconference@gmail.com
$199.00
292 in stock
PITCH YOUR BOOK TO A LITERARY AGENT:
Vicky Weber is a literary agent with Creative Media Agency. In adult and young adult fiction, she seeks: horror, psychological suspense, thrillers, commercial, upmarket, historical, women’s fiction, romance, fantasy (dark/high/epic), magical realism, speculative, and paranormal/supernatural. In middle grade and picture books, she seeks highly giftable, commercial fiction with a strong voice—stories that feel like they always should have been on the shelf. Learn more about Vicky here.
Claire Harris is a literary agent with P.S. Literary Agency with a passion for a wide range of fiction and non-fiction for adults. She seeks projects with unique voices, interesting writing styles, compelling characters, and unexplored perspectives. In both fiction and nonfiction, Claire is looking for books that shine a spotlight on people, places, and issues not given the attention they deserve—the kinds of stories that are often overlooked or pushed aside. Her wishlist includes horror, thriller, mysteries, cozies, rom-coms, romance, contemporary fiction, cultural criticism, true crime, self-help, cookbooks / cocktails / mocktials, gift books, humor / essays. Learn more about Claire here.
Eloy Bleifuss Prados is a literary agent with Neon Literary. On the fiction side, Eloy is especially interested in literary fiction along with character-driven, elevated genre fiction. His favorite novels are ones that bridge the high and the low, the real and the imaginary, the trashy and the serious. In nonfiction, Eloy is always eager to be introduced to an under-explored subject, no matter the exact field of study—so long as the writer can make their passion infectious. He’s looking for obsessives who can take a single topic and explode it into a vast, multidisciplinary inquiry—whether they’re writing about science, the arts, pop culture, history, or current events. He is especially drawn to the works of experts writing authoritatively and legibly about complex systems like capitalism, identity, and the climate crisis in a way that renders them down to the human scale. Learn more about Eloy here.
Kathleen Ortiz is a literary agent with K.O. Media Management. Her focus is on books and media for adults and children, especially with a visual element. At this time she’s looking for graphic novels for all ages, illustrated nonfiction, and both adult and YA contemporary romance. She loves media and books that bring humor and joy and inspire others in life. She is on the Illustration committee in the Association of American Literary Agents, Licensing International, and Women in Toys. Kathleen represents content creators, authors, illustrators and brands from all around the world. Her passion is helping clients find the best partners for their IP and and looking at properties from all angles, including possibilities beyond the book. She loves projects that feature pop culture, joy, encouragement, and humor. Learn more about Kathleen here.
Elisa Moles is a literary agent with Painted Fire Literary Agency. She is seeking: Especially interested in upmarket fiction. “In one word, what defines fantastic fiction narrative? Consequences. Consequences give structure. And stories with cohesive and creative structures, true to each writer’s background and voice, stand the test of time beyond the trendy topics and gimmicks of the day. I especially love psychologically complex characters. I’m looking for distinctive and compassionate voices who are telling organically unexpected stories in a wide variety of styles and genres. Surprise me.” Please do not pitch: nonfiction, poetry, children’s books, middle grade, YA, graphic novels, screenplays, westerns, horror, nihilist, or erotic work. No previously self-published works please. Learn more about Elisa here.
Joanna MacKenzie is a literary agent with Nelson Literary. She is seeking: High-concept, twisty, unputdownable stories with a strong voice in the areas of women’s fiction, thriller, and speculative; Timely commercial fiction in which the personal intersects with the world at large, and/or that explores toxic friendships and complex, challenging family dynamics; Heartfelt and timeless stories that you want to re-read about identity, unlikely friendships, reinvention, second acts, and women finding their voices and power, especially with touches of magic or speculative or time slips; Voicey, confident, atmospheric mysteries set in close-knit communities; creepy islands and Midwest-set are a plus; Because I came to Chicago by way of Poland and Canada, I’m always looking for stories about the immigrant experience; Diverse take on Kids On Bikes narratives—if they happen to be set in the Midwest or Canadian prairies, all the better; Elin Hilderbrand and/or Louise Penny for the Third Coast—I’d love to see something set in a resort town in Michigan. Learn more about Joanna here.
Hailey Stephens is a literary agent with Arthouse Literary. In general, Hailey is only looking for Adult novels, but she will selectively take on Middle Grade books if the manuscript will inspire a passion for reading. She would also love to champion authors from rural areas, especially authors from BIPOC, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and/or any other community that tends to be overlooked in rural areas. (This doesn’t mean the manuscript itself has to be based in a rural setting, although she always appreciates a good rural horror.) For Literary, Upmarket, and Contemporary fiction, Hailey wants vivid stories that pull the reader in right away, immersing them in the work the author has created. For thriller and horror, she wants stories that linger in the corners of the mind, with characters that feel like they’re in the room with the reader (for better or worse). Hailey will also selectively take on Adult Romance, and is hopeful there are still love story tropes out there that can be discovered or re-explored in a way that redefines the genre. In nonfiction, she is looking for both trade and literary proposals. She is especially interested in memoirs that play with the concept of time and structure. Learn more about Hailey here.
Christine Goss is a literary agent with FinePrint Literary Management. Christine is drawn to stories with high stakes and tension. The first pages must draw her in with action and curiosity. Lyrical writing, along with emotionality, physicality, and interiority, are all key components Christine looks for in a manuscript. Christine is generally interested in romance, historical fiction, book club fiction, upmarket, dystopian, graphic novel, and fantasy. Nonfiction and graphic novels covering a specific range of topics are also of interest. She is also open to most young adult. Championing marginalized voices is important to Christine as she seeks to include BIPOC, LGTBQ+, and neurodivergent (and more) authors on her list. “I am looking to uplift, support, and highlight marginalized voices.” Learn more about Christine here.
Tommy Dean is an agent with Rosecliff Literary. In fiction, he seeks psychological thrillers, full-throttled suspense, mysteries with active and motivated main characters, and novels of crime with anti-hero main characters. He is interested in books with clear stakes and inevitable but surprising endings. He’s interested in stories that make him forget the outside world, that are super-charged with sensory experiences, with characters fighting to understand their pasts. Give him your characters with secrets, past loves, past crimes, and past mistakes that lead to unique stories. Get to know more about Tommy here.
Lissa Woodson is a literary agent with The Seymour Agency. She is looking for unique and engaging stories in thrillers, romantic suspense, romantic comedies, cozy mysteries, inspirational, and body, mind & spirit. She is an advocate for diverse voices in fiction and is actively seeking stories from unique and dynamic perspectives. Lissa has been an industry professional as a publishing and marketing consultant, developmental editor, and literary event planner for nearly 25 years. Learn more about Lissa here.
Jake Lovell is a literary agent with Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. He is actively looking for adult fiction and nonfiction. He is interested in upmarket fiction, with an emphasis on: Gothic, horror, thrillers, westerns, military, and speculative fiction (supernatural, paranormal, UFOs, etc…; think Jordan Peele or 10 Cloverfield Lane). When it comes to fiction, he loves dark stories that cause readers to question turning off the lights before bed. On the nonfiction front, Jake is especially interested in working with historians, up-and-coming scholars looking to transition to trade readership, journalists, doctors, veterans, and people with unique takes on important issues. Think: Freakonomics, Outliers, A Molecule Away From Madness, Columbine, American Sniper, Empire’s Workshop, and The Fact of a Body. (Jake is NOT looking for: romance, fantasy, Sci Fi, YA, or children’s books.) Learn more about Jake here.
Jenna Satterthwaite is a literary agent with Storm Literary Agency. In adult fiction, she seeks psychological and domestic suspense full of twists; murder mystery, cozy or traditional, contemporary or historical, serious or humorous, hijinks welcome and big family drama very welcome.; fantasy – cozy with low stakes, high/epic, portal and romantasy; rom-coms and romance – in particular I’m interested in POC voices in romance, body-positive romance, LGBTQ+ romance, and adventure romance; women’s fiction / beach reads; science fiction with a human connection; speculative stories rooted in the present that has that one, addictive speculative twist; upmarket and book club fiction. In nonfictiobn, she seeks voicey memoir (platform a plus); the next big ex-evangelical voice, and both feminist and LGBTQ+ voices in the Christian context; spiritual deconstruction / reconstruction; self-help from an “expert” millennial or Gen Z voice; and books highlighting alternative approaches to death (living funerals, death doulas, at-home body care, etc.). In young adult, she likes fantasy, sci-fi, thriller, mystery, suspense, speculative, and horror. In middle grade, she reps graphic novels, fantasy with series potential, contemporary stories that explore the multicultural / multilingual experience; and horror. In picture books, she’s only looking for author-illustrators and is very select. Learn more about Jenna here.
Miriam Cortinovis is a literary agent with Arthouse Literary Agency. In general, Miriam is eagerly looking for everything and anything speculative (fantasy and science fiction) across most age ranges — adult, young adult, and middle grade. Similarly—for horror, thriller, gothic, and historical, they would love to champion manuscripts that utilize the speculative to challenge, endanger, and transform the psyche anew. Miriam takes an interest in young adult contemporary novels that draw on their fascination with American high school from immigrant perspectives and with summer camps/adventures. Miriam is also on the lookout for selective works of literary fiction and creative nonfiction. For everything listed above, they’re also highly interested in novellas. Learn more about Miriam here.
Tess Callero is a literary agent with Europa Content. She is a highly editorial agent who specializes in building platform-driven proposals from the ground up with clients across the nonfiction space, from self-development and business, to mind/body/spirit, health/wellness, and more. Tess also represents mystery, thriller, suspense and romance authors in the adult fiction space. Learn more about Tess 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:
- 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).
- 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).
- 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.
- Science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, young adult SFF, urban fantasy (virtual critiques): Faculty member Wesley Chu, a published novelist, 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 his thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
- More critique options possibly forthcoming.