Portland Writing Workshop:
May 9, 2025
In-Person Writers Conference 

PITCH YOUR BOOK TO A LITERARY AGENT:

CoCo Freeman [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with Linda Chester Literary Agency. “I am a graduate of Bard College with a B.A. in Written Arts. Before joining Linda Chester, I worked for Tom Yoon Productions developing projects and editing existing material. I am very happy to have entered the world of my first love, books. I am looking for smart adult commercial fiction in a variety of genres, including mystery/thriller/suspense, fantasy, romance, women’s fiction and historical, Young/New Adult, Middle Grade and select picture books.” Learn more about CoCo here.

Erica Bauman [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. Erica represents a wide variety of authors across middle grade, young adult, and commercial adult fiction. She is most interested in commercial novels that feature an exciting premise and lyrical, atmospheric writing; imaginative, genre-blending tales; speculative worlds filled with haunting, quietly wondrous magic; fresh retellings of mythology, ballet, opera, and classic literature; sharply funny rom-coms; graphic novels for all ages; fearless storytellers that tackle big ideas and contemporary issues; and working with and supporting marginalized authors and stories that represent the wide range of humanity. Learn more about Erica here.

Jynastie Wilson is a literary agent at LCS Literary Services. Jynastie is looking for a variety of projects in both adult and children’s genres. In addition to what is listed below, she is always interested in stories written by LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and/or other marginalized authors. In adult fiction, she seeks: new adult, and contemporary romance. In young adult, she seeks: contemporary, romance, science fiction, fantasy, historical, and horror. In middle grade, she seeks: contemporary, science fiction, fantasy, historical, and horror. In kidlit, she seeks children’s picture books and chapter books. Learn more about Jynastie here.

Kate Garrick [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent joined Salky Literary Management. Kate looks for projects that demonstrate a clear confidence of intention and a willingness to engage with our changing world with humility and curiosity. She is particularly interested in literary and upmarket fiction, memoir, and narrative nonfiction that endeavors to contribute to the conversations that will move our society forward. Learn more about Kate here.

Rachel Letofsky [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with CookeMcDermid. In Middle Grade & Young Adult, Rachel is seeking: fiction (all kinds) and prescriptive nonfiction. In adult books, she seeks: Commercial Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Speculative Fiction (science fiction and fantasy); as well as nonfiction in the areas of Narrative / Essay-driven nonfiction, politics, pop culture, true crime, humor, personal history. Rachel is actively seeking ground-breaking and heart-breaking middle grade and young adult titles in all genres. She is drawn to works with a whimsical nature or a grounded, gritty edge in equal measure, though in either instance, unforgettable characters and original concepts are a must. She also has a natural soft spot for exquisite literary fiction, and thought-provoking, high-concept speculative fiction. Learn more about Rachel here.

Elisa Saphier is a literary agent at MacGregor & Luedeke. She is open to most fiction and memoir except for high fantasy & science fiction, series writing (she likes standalones), picture books, and probably chapter books “I am always most excited to find great writing and full characters, regardless of genre.” In adult fiction, she seeks: literary psychological thrillers/mystery; queer romance (especially but not exclusively friends to lovers and forced proximity); literary fiction; literary memoir; stories of marginalized people where the marginalization isn’t the story; dark academia; suburban malaise. In young adult fiction, she loves: found family; queer coming of age; emerging awareness of identity; amateur theater In middle grade, she enjoys: true to life fiction; questioning of self and belonging; amateur theater. Learn more about Elisa here.

Erika Stevens is a literary agent with Salky Literary Management. She has an affinity for work that argues, experiments with language, and/or pushes genre boundaries, and she is looking for projects that excite, invigorate, and surprise in the genres of poetry, literary nonfiction/essay, literary and experimental fiction, hybrid work, translation, criticism, music writing (à la Ellen Willis), and food writing/cookbooks (à la Vertamae Smart-Grosvenor and MFK Fisher). In the realm of children’s literature, she’s looking for picture books and books for early readers that speak to children with gender-expansive identities and families. As an agent and editor she specializes in helping authors develop their work, whether in their home genres or stretching into others. Learn more about Erika here.

Chip MacGregor is a literary agent and founder of MacGregor & Luedeke Literary. His work with Lisa Beamer and Ken Abraham led to Let’s Roll hitting #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, eventually becoming the bestselling nonfiction book the year it released. After starting his own agency, he has focused on helping bring great fiction to market, representing authors such as Rachel Hauck, Susan Meissner, and many others. Some of his bestselling nonfiction clients include writers Sheila Wray Gregoire, Shane Stanford, Grace Valentine, Michelle McKinney Hammond, and Mike Hingson. A longtime member of the American Association of Literary Agents, he has represented dozens of books on all the national bestseller lists, and the authors he represents have won numerous national awards. Learn more about Chip 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:

• Young adult (all kinds); middle grade (all kinds); adult science fiction; adult thriller and mystery (no cozies); nonfiction about safety, self-defense, travel, and parenting (in-person critiques): Faculty member Jason Brick, a writing coach and author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, talk with you at the veent for 15 minutes to discuss his thoughts, and pass along written critique notes.
• 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.