2025 Florida Writing Workshops:
April 11 (Orlando) and April 12 (Tampa)

PITCH YOUR BOOK TO A LITERARY AGENT:

Saritza Hernández (ORLANDO) is a literary agent with Andrea Brown Literary Agency. In Adult Fiction, she seeks: Romance and Science Fiction. In Adult Narrative Nonfiction, she seeks: Food/Drink (not cookbooks), Science, and Pop Culture. In Middle Grade fiction, she seeks: All genres. In Middle Grade nonfiction, she seeks: queer narratives, and queer history. In Graphic Novels, she seeks: author-illustrator only pitches — all categories – MG to Adult. She also seeks illustrators for all age categories. Learn more about Saritza here.

Erika Staiger (ORLANDO) is a literary assistant with Spencerhill Associates. She is acting as a literary scout for her agency at the 2025 Orlando event. On behalf of her co-agent, Erika is scouting for commercial fiction — new women’s fiction, romance, historical fiction, thrillers and horror. She is seeking exciting new voices that utilize elements of different genres to tell their story. Learn more about Erika here.

Kelly Thomas (ORLANDO) is a literary agent with Serendipity Literary. Kelly considers herself a generalist who is drawn to lyrical writing and strong voices. She is interested in nonfiction (narrative nonfiction, memoirs, true crime, self-help, business, travel writing, photography, medical, STEM, psychology, health and fitness, music, food & drinks, cooking) and adult fiction (psychological thrillers, suspense, comedies). She enjoys working with musicians, television personalities, athletes, and other pop culture figures to help translate their stories or expertise onto the page. She also represents children’s books including picture books, middle grade, and young adult. The truth is often stranger than fiction, so Kelly is actively looking for the next great true crime manuscript with a murderous and methodical plot. Learn more about Kelly here. ​

Andie Smith (ORLANDO)  is a literary agent at The Booker Albert Literary Agency. Andie is currently open to Middle Grade, Young Adult and Adult. In adult fiction, she likes fantasy, romantasy, romance, dark captivating stories, sci-fi, fantasy, and speculative. In young adult fiction, she seeks eco-fiction, contemporary, thriller, and fantasy. In middle grade, she likes mystery, contemporary, and fantasy.  Learn more about Andie here.

Matthew Valdez (ORLANDO & TAMPA BOTH) 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.

Sheila Fernley (ORLANDO & TAMPA BOTH) is a literary agent with Storm Literary Agency. Storm is a boutique agency representing quality literature for all age ranges from talented authors and illustrators. “I am currently seeking submissions from kidlit authors and author/illustrators (picture books fiction/nonfiction, middle grade novels, and selective young adult projects. As a former special education teacher, Latino author and agent, I support diverse and underrepresented authors, but a great story always comes first. I enjoy lyrical writing, but I’m not the agent for rhyming picture books, horror, dragons, or science fiction.” Learn more about Sheila here.

Laurie Dennison (ORLANDO & TAMPA BOTH) [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with Creative Media Agency. In adult books, Laurie seeks: Romance, Contemporary, Light fantasy/paranormal grounded in the real world, Book Club Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Domestic Suspense, Commercial Mystery/Thriller, Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative, Women’s Issues. In Young Adult books, she seeks: Contemporary, Suspense/Thriller/Mystery, Light Fantasy/Paranormal, Light Science Fiction. and Nonfiction. Learn more about Laurie here.

Sarah N. Fisk (ORLANDO & TAMPA BOTH) is a literary agent with The Tobias Literary Agency, and is open to pitches for young adult of all genres, middle grade of all genres, adult romance, science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, and select nonfiction (see wishlist for more specifics). They also take pitches for mysteries and thrillers via conferences only. Sarah especially loves fiction that is compulsively readable and social justice issues woven into commercial plots. Particular areas of interest include atmospheric fantasies, speculative mysteries, books that challenge societal norms, especially gender norms. Learn more about Sarah here.

Sara Kelly Kornienko (TAMPA) [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with Barbara Bova Literary Agency. “I represent contemporary fiction, historical fiction, literary fiction, women’s fiction, sports fiction, young adult, fantasy, fantasy romance, science fiction, dystopian fiction, suspense and thriller.” Among other things that she enjoys, she gravitates toward books that: focus on sports or the athlete experience; include diverse characters that portray a wide range of human experiences; feature witches, Fae, or any other mythical creatures (I’m a fan of pretty much anything related to Irish or Scottish Folklore); and reimagine fairy tales. “While I gravitate toward certain genres and plot elements, I’m not limited to these. I have a wide range of reading interests, so if you have a quality story that you believe I would be a good fit to represent, then pitch me!” Learn more about Sara here.

Marlene Stringer (TAMPA) is a literary agent and founder of Stringer Literary. Marlene is seeking the following: book club fiction that straddles the commercial/literary line; Historical fiction, especially that featuring notable historical personages; women’s fiction, both contemporary & historical; older YA, both fantasy and contemporary; crime fiction; thrillers of all types; suspense; mysteries of all types; romance (except erotic); magical realism. Learn more about Marlene here.

Ritu Anand (TAMPA) is a literary agent with D4E0 Literary. In Kidlit, she seeks: Picture books, Middle Grade and Young Adult Novels. In Literary Fiction, she seeks: Drama, Fairy Tales and Fiction in Verse. In General Fiction, she seeks: Women’s Fiction, Drama, Humor, Realistic Fiction, Satire and Tragedy. In Historical Fiction, she seeks: Women’s Historical Fiction, Historical Romantic Fiction and Historical Fantasy. Diverse and underrepresented Voices are encouraged to submit. Learn more about Ritu here.

Esty Loveing-Downes (TAMPA) is a literary agent with Arthouse Literary. Esty is looking for romance, upmarket fiction, young adult, genre-blending science fiction, picture books, as well as select nonfiction and select literary fiction. In nonfiction, she’s looking for insightful social commentary. She is a good fit for fresh retellings, fairy tales, and artful, rebellious prose. Learn more about Etsy here.

Amy Nielsen (TAMPA) is a literary agent with The Purcell Agency. In picture books, she seeks hyperbolic, zany storylines that teach a life lesson (even subtle) or ones with laugh-out-loud moments written simply to entertain. In middle grade, she seeks fast-paced stories mostly set in a contemporary setting that feature characters that think, act, and talk like real middle graders. In young adult, she seeks contemporary issue-driven plots where teens find themselves in situations they aren’t equipped to handle, but eventually figure it out. In adult fiction, she seeks contemporary women’s fiction where the main characters are shattering glass ceilings despite obstacles, and defying stereotypes. Diverse representation welcome. Learn more about Amy 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.
• More critique options possibly forthcoming.