Cleveland Writing Workshop:
November 23, 2024
In-Person Writers Conference

PITCH YOUR BOOK TO A LITERARY AGENT:

Josh Foreman is a literary agent with LCS Literary. He loves fantasy of all kinds and is especially excited about stories featuring a diverse cast of characters. Josh is seeking voice-driven stories with amazing characters. He wants fantasy of all kinds with vibrant world building and unique magic systems. He is looking for horror with all the creepy vibes and romantasy that makes you feel all the feels. Send him forbidden magic, ballroom brawls, cursed families, and everything in between. In adult fantasy, subgenres he enjoys include: Dark Academia, Epic Fantasy, Fairytale Retellings, Horror, Romantasy, Political Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery, Urban Fantasy. In young adult fantasy, subgenres he enjoys include: Dark Academia, Epic Fantasy, Horror. Learn more about Josh here.

Victoria Selvaggio is a literary agent with Storm Literary. Her list features both debut and award-winning authors. She represents all age categories and all genres except erotica romance. 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.

Ella Marie Shupe is a literary agent with The Belcastro Agency. In adult fiction, she seeks: Mysteries, Thrillers/Suspense, and Historical. In young adult fiction, she seeks: Thriller/Suspense, Mystery/Detective, and Historical. “I am always looking for diverse authors. I love fast-paced stories that keep me on the edge of my seat.” Learn more about Ella Marie 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.

Erin Hosier is a literary agent with Dunow, Carlson & Lerner. As an agent, she primarily works with authors of nonfiction and has a special interest in popular culture, music biography, humor, women’s history (and untold stories of all kinds). In general, novels with happy endings put her in a bad mood. Learn more about Erin 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:

• Literary fiction, mainstream fiction, romance, women’s fiction, memoir (in-person critiques): Faculty member Ricki Schultz, a published author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your story, meet with you for at least 15 minutes at the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes at the meeting.
• Crime fiction, science fiction, fantasy, historical and literary fiction (in-person critiques): Faculty member Andrew Welsh-Huggins, a published author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your story, meet with you for 15 minutes at the workshop to discuss his thoughts, and pass along written critique notes at 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).
• 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.