After successful 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2023 events in Boston, Writing Day Workshops is excited to announce The 2024 Boston Writing Workshop — an online “How to Get Published” writing event on Feb. 9ar-10, 2024. (Writers are welcome to attend virtually from everywhere and anywhere.)
This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited online “seats” at the event (200 total). All questions about the event regarding schedule, details and registration are answered below. Thank you for your interest in the 2024 Boston Writing Workshop!
ONLINE: Writing Day Workshops plans both in-person and virtual/online conferences. The 2024 BWW is an Online Conference, on Feb. 9-10. Online events are easy and awesome, and the virtual events we’ve done thus far have received wonderful feedback. You do not have to be tech-savvy to do this, and understand we are keeping all aspects of a traditional in-person event, including one-on-one agent & editor pitching, which will now be done by Zoom or phone. Learn all details about what it means to have a writers conference online.)
WHAT IS IT?
This is a special two-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop on February 9-10, 2024. In other words, it’s two days full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome. And even though this is the “Boston” Writing Workshop, make no mistake — writers from everywhere are welcome to attend virtually. Our WDW writers conferences have helped dozens of writers find literary agent representation — see our growing list of success stories here.
This event is designed to squeeze as much into two days of learning as possible. You can ask any questions you like during the online classes, and get your specific concerns addressed. We will have literary agents online to give feedback and take pitches from writers, as well. This year’s 2024 BWW agent & editor faculty so far includes:
- literary agent Alec Shane (Writers House)
- literary agent Nicole Eisenbraun (Ginger Clark Literary)
- literary agent Rebecca Matte (Bradford Literary)
- literary agent Jane Chun (Transatlantic Agency)
- literary agent Rebecca Eskildsen (Writers House)
- literary agent Rebecca Lawrence (Booker Albert Literary Agency)
- literary agent Sheyla Knigge (High Line Literary Collective)
- literary agent Dani Segelbaum (Carol Mann Agency)
- literary agent Paul Levine (Paul Levine Literary Agency)
- literary agent Eric Smith (P.S. Literary)
- literary agent Savannah Brooks (KT Literary)
- literary agent Mara Cobb (Martin Literary Management)
- literary agent James Mustelier (The Bent Agency)
- editor Elizabeth Trout (Kensington Publishing)
- literary agent Monica Rodriguez (Context Literary)
- literary agent CoCo Freeman (Linda Chester Literary)
- literary agent Justin Brouckaert (Aevitas Creative Management)
- literary agent Caroline Trussell (Metamorphosis Literary)
- literary scout Rae Loverde (Donald Maass Literary)
- literary agent Erin Clyburn (Howland Literary)
- literary agent Paula Weiman (Ash Literary)
- literary agent Amy Nielsen (The Purcell Agency)
- literary agent Rebecca Rodd (Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency)
- literary agent Ksenia Tserkovskaya (The Deborah Harris Agency)
- literary agent Maria Vicente (P.S. Literary)
- literary agent Kat Foxx (The Rights Factory)
- literary agent Lily Dolin (United Talent Agency)
- literary agent Yona Levin (United Talent Agency)
- literary agent Grace Milusich (Looking Glass Literary & Media)
- literary agent Matt Belford (New Leaf Literary + Media)
- literary agent Vicky Weber (The Purcell Agency)
- literary agent Stephanie Winter (P.S. Literary)
- and more agents to come.
By the end of the day, you will have all the tools you need to move forward on your writing journey. This independent event is organized by coordinator Brian Klems of Writing Day Workshops. Contact Brian at WDWconference@gmail.com to register, and tell him you want to register for Boston.
EVENT LOCATION & DETAILS:
ONLINE: Writing Day Workshops plans both in-person and virtual/online conferences. The 2024 BWW is an Online Conference, on Feb. 9-10. Online events are easy and awesome, and the virtual events we’ve done thus far have received wonderful feedback. You do not have to be tech-savvy to do this, and understand we are keeping all aspects of a traditional in-person event, including one-on-one agent & editor pitching, which will now be done by Zoom or phone. Learn all details about what it means to have a writers conference online.)
THIS YEAR’S SESSIONS & WORKSHOPS (FEB. 9-10, 2024):
What you see below is a quick layout of the day’s events. See a full layout of the day’s sessions, with detailed descriptions, on the official Schedule Page here.
Agent pitches and critique consultations overlap with Saturday sessions. The schedule of presentation topics below is subject to change and updates:
FRIDAY, FEB. 9, 2024
9:30 – 10:30: Your Opening Pages: How to Make that First Chapter Stand Out. This class will cover what makes for a strong opener, what agents are looking for in opening pages, some pitfalls to avoid, and try to demystify exactly what publishing professionals are thinking when they consider your work.
10:45 – 11:45: Why an Agent Passes on a Submission. Have you been in the query trenches—maybe even getting full requests from agents—only to find yourself receiving pass after pass? Join us to learn some of the most common issues agents find in your queries or opening pages, and discover what you might do to prevent more passes in the future.
11:45 – 1:15: Break
1:15 – 2:30: What is an Author Brand? (And How to Develop One For Yourself.) With individuals being increasingly tasked with marketing their books, it’s vital to know how to manage your digital presence to give your stories the best chance to find their audience.
2:45 – 3:45: The Perfect Pitch: Crafting Query Letters that Sell. This course will provide an overview of the key components of a query letter, including genre, word count, title, comps, and the logline or one-line pitch.
4:00 – 5:00: The Ins and Outs of Crafting a Captivating Nonfiction Book Proposal. Join a literary agent instructor to learn the ins and outs of crafting a captivating nonfiction proposal.
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SATURDAY, FEB. 10, 2024
9:30 – 10:30: Understanding Genres — Know How to Define Your Book. In this class, an author and former literary agent guides aspiring authors through the intricacies of literary genres.
10:45 – 11:45: So You Want to Write in Rhyme? A Picture Book Intensive. This session will give delegates a crash course on rhyme, meter, musicality, and how to make sure you’re crafting them correctly.
11:45 – 1:15: Break
1:15 – 2:30: “Writers Got Talent”—a Page 1 Critique Fest, with participating literary agents and editors. In the vein of “American Idol” or “America’s Got Talent,” this is a chance to get your first page read (anonymously — no bylines given) with attending agents commenting on what was liked or not liked about the submission.
2:45 – 3:45: Open Agent Q&A Panel. Several attending literary agents will open themselves up to open Q&A from BWW attendees. Bring your questions and get them answered in this popular session.
4:00 – 5:00: Characters in Crisis: Generating Conflict. This session explores the three sources of conflict — relational tension, external and internal conflict — by looking at what each are and the ways in which the three sources might manifest and play out on your pages.
Agent pitches and critique consultations overlap with Saturday sessions. The schedule of presentation topics below is subject to change and updates:
(What you see here is a quick layout of the day’s events. See a full layout of the day’s sessions, with detailed descriptions, on the official Schedule Page here.)
Agent & Editor Pitching: All throughout the day.
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PITCH AN AGENT OR EDITOR:
Yona Levin is a literary agent with United Talent Agency. Yona is building a list of Young Adult and Middle Grade books, as well as select adult titles. In fiction, they especially like classic adventure stories, and speculative fiction & fantasy that is off the beaten path. In nonfiction, they’re looking for big idea books from fresh perspectives. Across all genres, they look for stories that inspire empathy while still being entertaining, and are often drawn to clever writing and creative formats. Learn more about Yona here.
James Mustelier [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with The Bent Agency. I’m looking for a range of commercial and literary fiction and nonfiction. In all genres (but particularly in literary fiction) I prize economical prose, complex characters, steadily building tension, narrative gravity, and the momentary relief of dark humor, even (or especially) amid dire circumstances. In commercial fiction I’m looking for compact horror and mysteries with big hooks and intricate plotting. In sci-fi and fantasy I’m drawn to stories that are grounded in reality and have high stakes that touch on contemporary issues — more speculative fiction and alternate histories than high fantasy or space opera. In nonfiction I’m looking for books that give me a vivid look into subcultures and events I might not otherwise have had the chance to explore. Much of my favorite nonfiction melds a distinct narrative voice with rigorous research. In young adult and middle grade I’m interested in epic fantasy, grounded sci-fi, and irreverent retellings of fairy tales, classic myths, and historical events. I’m specifically seeking stories written from diverse perspectives that draw from underrepresented cultures.” Learn more about James here.
Erin Clyburn is a literary agent with Howland Literary. Erin represents middle grade fiction, YA fiction, and adult fiction and nonfiction. In MG and YA, she is looking for horror, mystery, thriller, big-hearted contemporary, and grounded stories with magical or speculative elements (grounded sci-fi or fantasy elements). In adult fiction, she is most interested in upmarket and literary fiction, and she gravitates toward the dark and strange: horror, thriller, mystery, and grounded stories with speculative or magical elements. Send her your weirds. In nonfiction, she’s interested in intersectional perspectives and is looking for narrative nonfiction, memoir, and deep dives into topics including pop science, nature, food and culinary history, and sports and adventure. An Alabamian with Louisiana roots, Erin is particularly interested in Southern literary and upmarket fiction from diverse voices in the above genres. Learn more about Erin here.
Eric Smith is a literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency, with a love for young adult books, literary fiction, science fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction. Eric is eagerly acquiring fiction and nonfiction projects. He’s actively seeking out new, diverse voices in young adult (particularly sci-fi and fantasy), middle grade, and literary and commercial fiction (again, loves sci-fi and fantasy, but also thrillers and mysteries). In terms of nonfiction, he’s interested in cookbooks, pop culture, humor, middle grade, essay collections, and blog-to-book ideas. Learn more about Eric here.
Nicole Eisenbraun is a literary agent with Ginger Clark Literary. “I am looking for YA and MG of all genres that remind me of the reading experiences I had as a young person – books that excite, teach, evoke empathy, and create a safe space. Things I am particularly interested in right now: Fresh, colorful fairytale retellings; Stories based in lore and myths from around the world; Contemporary stories set in the Midwest; Stories that tackle difficult issues in an unexpected way with a strong voice; Anything involving STEM. Learn more about Nicole here.” Learn more about Nicole here.
Sheyla Knigge is a literary agent with High Line Literary Collective. Sheyla is very interested in books by marginalized creators who have yet to have the opportunity to have their voices heard particularly BIPOC, LGBTQIA, and other #OwnVoices as a fellow queer woman of color. She longs to see uplifting stories from these communities rather than ones that focus on the trauma that comes from being a part of them. Sheyla would love to see stories filled with myth, magic, and a healthy dose of smut when appropriate. Alternatively, she would love to see Percy Jackson-esque Middle Grade fiction; the type she can giggle along with as she reads them to her own children. Stories set in other lands, or other worlds tend to be her go to choice when reading so fill her inbox with them! Learn more about Sheyla here.
Jane Chun is a literary agent with Transatlantic Agency. Jane is particularly interested in stories that center marginalized communities and prose that is cinematic and atmospheric with good rhythm. For fiction, she is seeking commercial, upmarket, and literary works in both adult and MG/YA about the search for and rebuilding of identity, diaspora, family and community, and examinations of power in relationships. She is also looking for fantasy, sci-fi, and speculative fiction that delve into sharp social commentary and have meticulous world building and settings that don’t feel like Western Europe. For historical fiction, she likes hidden histories and anything that is set in a time or place she’s not familiar with or focuses on a community that has been often overlooked if it’s a time/place she knows. In terms of nonfiction, she is looking for memoirs and narrative nonfiction with a nuanced, intersectional approach and similar themes to her interests in fiction. She also is interested in books about food, travel, pop culture, and cultural criticism that dive deeply and thoughtfully into culture and traditions, particularly those written by authors of color. In addition to traditional prose, she is very interested in graphic novels and nonfiction. Learn more about Jane here.
Caroline Trussell is a literary agent with Metamorphosis Literary Agency. She is seeking: Romance (especially romantic comedies, enemies to lovers, and fake dating); Fantasy (particularly magical realism and urban fantasy); Thrillers (psychological or anything in the vein of Riley Sager); and Horror. In any genre, stories that feature dynamic characters with non-visible disabilities and/or mental illness. Learn more about Caroline here.
Dani Segelbaum is a literary with the Carol Mann Agency. Dani joined the agency in 2021 as a literary agent and subrights manager. She is interested in both fiction and nonfiction. Dani is seeking nonfiction titles with an emphasis on politics, women’s issues, popular culture, and current events. Dani also loves memoir, narrative nonfiction, lifestyle, and cookbooks. In fiction, she is looking for literary and upmarket adult fiction including debut, historical, rom-coms, mysteries, and women’s fiction. In both fiction and nonfiction, Dani hopes to work with authors from diverse backgrounds to tell stories that are important to them. She loves compelling narrators and is drawn to writing that is voice-driven, highly transporting, and features unique perspectives and marginalized voices. Learn more about Dani here.
Justin Brouckaert is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. Justin is a Metro Detroit native who holds an MFA in fiction from the University of South Carolina, where he was a James Dickey Fellow. As an agent, he is interested in memoir, essay collections, and narrative nonfiction. In nonfiction, he is most interested in memoirs that offer access to exclusive places and experiences, as well as reported narratives that shed light on under-represented people and communities. Learn more about Justin here.
Elizabeth Trout is an associate editor at Kensington Publishing. A graduate of Kenyon College and the Columbia Publishing Course, Elizabeth began her publishing career working for literary agents before moving over to the editorial department at Kensington in 2018. She is seeking voice-driven women’s fiction with romance crossover, historical fiction set in underexplored time periods or settings, gothic fiction, mysteries that are not fully cozy but not procedural, and general fiction with a speculative or magical realism tilt, but grounded in our world. Learn more about Elizabeth here.
Monica Rodriguez is a literary agent at Context Literary. Monica is looking to uplift underrepresented voices, including, (but not limited to) authors who identify as People of Color (BIPOC), disabled, neurodiverse, and LGBTQ+. In children’s literature, she is actively looking for PB, MG, YA & Graphic Novels. She is also open to adult and nonfiction submissions. Across all genres & age groups, she’d love to find: stories about identity, specifically first-gen stories or immigrant experiences; stories about self-love with coming-of-age themes. (I believe we are always coming-of-age, regardless of age!); stories about family relationships, messy/dysfunctional families or found families; stories about sibling relationships or cousin relationships, specifically navigating adult sibling relationships or cousin relationships with cultural differences. (i.e. first-gen themes); stories about travel, where the book is set outside the U.S. or even traveling to the U.S.; stories with messy characters who are trying their best; stories with characters who are curious about therapy or where mental health is advocated for; stories about badass women doing badass things; stories about cultures that are rarely explored. Learn more about Monica here.
CoCo Freeman 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.
Paul S. Levine is a literary agent and the founder of Paul S. Levine Literary. He is also an attorney. His fiction interests include adventure novels, mainstream fiction, mysteries, romance, thrillers, and women’s fiction. His nonfiction interests include business/commerce, pop culture, how-to, self-help, politics/law, relationships, and sports. Learn more about Paul here.
Ksenia Tserkovskaya is a literary agent with The Deborah Harris Agency. Ksenia is interested in literary and upmarket fiction and creative non-fiction, with an occasional children’s book. She works with titles in English, Russian, and Hebrew. Now based in Israel, Ksenia has received her BA in Jewish Studies and Philology from the Moscow State University and her MA in Publishing and Language from the Oxford Brookes University. Learn more about Ksenia here.
Stephanie Winter [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with P.S. Literary. Stephanie is primarily acquiring across three pillars: adult fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels. She’s actively seeking titles with diverse and inclusive representation that offer smart, culturally aware, and enriching narratives. In fiction, she particularly enjoys commercial and upmarket projects (rom-coms, thriller/suspense, etc.) that offer millennial and/or queer-affirming perspectives. In nonfiction, she’s on the hunt for pop culture, cultural criticism, millennial business and finance, narrative nonfiction, how-to, and lifestyle projects. Learn more about Stephanie here.
Grace Milusich [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with Looking Glass Literary Management. Grace is interested in pursuing both YA and adult pieces (with a particular interest in works that narrow the gap between YA and adult). She is passionate about fantasy, psychological thrillers, crime, romance, and contemporary fiction featuring powerful/challenging themes, unputdownable pacing, strong voices, gothic narratives, and complex characters. Grace is also a lover of the found family trope in all its forms! Grace hopes to work on projects featuring diverse protagonists and intersectional identities. She is a sucker for sapphic narratives and morally grey characters too! If your book is a little twisty, strange, or dark, Grace would love to read it. Grace is also looking for romance and historical fiction pieces with strong hooks, prosaic voices, lush worlds, and deep dives into character development. She is especially drawn to manuscripts with a literary leaning and fresh twists on familiar tropes. Learn more about Grace here.
Vicky Weber is a literary agent with The Purcell Agency. She is seeking: Picture Books (anything heartfelt, educational, or lighthearted); Young Adult (fantasy, mystery, horror, thriller, suspense); Middle Grade (fantasy, mystery, magic); and Adult Fiction (fantasy and thrillers). Vicky specializes in picture books. She wants to be dropped into the moment and experience the story alongside the characters. She is always seeking underrepresented authors, BIPOC, LGBTQ+. Learn more about Vicki here.
Rebecca Eskilden is a literary agent with Writers House. I am actively growing my list, with a particular interest in middle grade, YA, and adult fiction. Across the board, I’m looking to elevate LGBTQ+ and BIPOC voices, among other underrepresented narratives. In middle grade, I’m mainly looking for contemporary books that make kids feel seen. Mostly I want to see fresh, engaging voices, particularly narratives with a sense of humor and a strong emotional core. For YA, I’m looking for some darker themes and twisty, gripping stories — give me your ambitious “unlikable” girls (ugh – I’ll like them). Separately, I’m looking for funny, slow-burn YA rom coms. I’m looking for a more limited variety of adult books. I’d love to have my inbox full of contemporary rom coms. I’m also looking for sagas about families and/or friends, of any age or topic, and I’m looking for 20-something coming-of-age stories. Learn more about Rebecca here.
Mara Cobb is a literary agent with Martin Literary Management. “Currently, I am looking for adult nonfiction and women’s driven fiction. For women’s driven fiction, I am particularly interested in books with strong female heroines who are in their 20s. The gap between YA Fiction and adult fiction is one that I am passionate about continuing to bridge. I also am looking for Christian fiction, Christian romance (think Hallmark-style), and Christian YA. Learn more about Mara here.
Rebecca Lawrence is a literary agent with Booker Albert Literary Agency. From a young age, she has been fascinated with epic worlds like LOTR and The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. Books with romantic elements like Ella Enchanted, The Goose Girl, and The Cruel Prince all have places in her top ten. She also adores historical fiction like The Wednesday Wars and iconic masterpieces like Monica Hesse’s They Went Left, but her all-time favorite novel has to be the grounded fantasy The Scorpio Races. Her favorite troupes are houses-with-personality (think House of Leaves or The Haunting of Hill House), zombie apocalypses like in the book World War Z, and underwater worlds. Regardless of genre, Rebecca is looking for stories that have good pacing, grounded worlds, and believable characters. She is interested in fantasy of all kinds and anything that has a good hook. She would love to see more scary YA and MG historical fiction. Learn more about Rebecca here.
Rebecca Rodd [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency. In the nonfiction space, Rebecca is interested in millennial experiences and perspectives. She’s also interested in pop culture and social commentary, especially from underrepresented voices. Currently, in YA and adult fiction, Rebecca is looking for: anything set on an HBCU campus, a BIPOC Big Bang Theory, a love story with the depth and complexity of Tia Williams’s Seven Days in June, or a devourable romcom that would sit nicely on a shelf with Jasmine Guillory and Helen Hoang. In children’s, Rebecca would love to find an ensemble cast boasting equal parts brains, snark, and determination a la The Mysterious Benedict Society. Learn more about Rebecca here.
Alec Shane [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with Writers House. “On the fiction side, I love mysteries, thrillers (although I’m experiencing a bit of terrorist fatigue at the moment), bad-ass protagonists with a chip on their shoulders, beautifully told historical fiction (The Vietnam War, the Maccabees, and The American Revolution fascinate me in particular), well-researched adventure stories, and great horror – I haven’t been scared to turn off the light in far too long and something needs to be done about it. In terms of children’s books, getting boys to read again is especially important to me, and thus I’m particularly on the lookout for a fun middle-grade adventure series, ghost story, or anything else geared toward younger male readers. On the nonfiction side, I’m attracted to odd, quirky histories, military history, biographies of people I didn’t even know existed (but definitely should have), “guy” reads, humor, narrative nonfiction that sheds light on under-the-radar events and lifestyles, and all things sports. I’m also currently up in the air as to whether or not I believe in ghosts, hauntings, and the supernatural, so if you have something that can convince me one way or the other, I’d love to see it. Learn more about Alec here.
Savannah Brooks is an agent with KT Literary. Savannah represents all types of children’s books as well as adult contemporary/commercial fiction, romcoms, thrillers/mystery/suspense, and horror. She’s especially interested in stories that teach her something new, add to a larger sociopolitical conversation, and highlight underrepresented identities and cultures. In kidlit, she seeks picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult fiction, and also young adult nonfiction (from authors with platforms). Learn more about Savannah here.
Paula Weiman is a literary agent with Ash Literary. In middle grade, they seek: literary stories that touch on grief and/or queer identity and don’t rely heavily on a school setting; clever middle grade adventures that operate on multiple levels; historical middle grade if and only if it tackles children’s labor rights. In young adult, they like suspense; thrillers, contemporary, and fantasy. “Across these genres and age categories, I welcome stories about marginalized characters and stories written by marginalized authors. I especially invite Jewish stories.” Learn more about Paula here.
Lily Dolin is a literary agent with United Talent Agency. Lily represents clients in both fiction and nonfiction. In fiction, she is drawn to dark and offbeat humor, gripping narratives, strong commercial hooks, and nuanced female perspectives. She is not looking for historical fiction or thrillers. Short story collections are welcome. Wishlist: Upmarket, book club fiction, dark fiction, literary fiction, select mystery. She is currently only seeking fiction; no nonfiction at this time. Learn more about Lily here.
Maria Vicente is a senior literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency. Maria represents bold and innovative books for kids, teens, and curious adults. Her favorite books to work on show readers something new about the real world or invite them into new worlds they never want to leave. Maria is acquiring fiction and nonfiction for readers of all ages. She is looking for: literary fiction and upmarket speculative fiction (fantasy, magical realism, horror); young adult novels; middle grade novels; illustrated picture books; illustrated graphic novels, graphic memoirs, and graphic nonfiction; and narrative nonfiction for kids, teens, or adult readers about culture, arts and entertainment, history, and science topics. She welcomes and encourages submissions from BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled creators. Learn more about Maria here.
Matt Belford is a literary agent with New Leaf Literary + Media. Matt is primarily looking for nonfiction projects with unique takes and fresh ideas to be explored. In the adult science fiction and fantasy realm, as well as the adult graphic novel space, he is looking for character-driven works that get to the heart of emotionality; he wants to laugh and cry with your characters. No matter the genre, Matt is looking for under-represented voices. Learn more about Matt here.
Amy Nielsen 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.
Rae Loverde is an agent assistant at Donald Maass Literary Agency. At the 2023 WDW online events, she will be acting as a literary scout — taking pitches at the workshop on behalf of one or multiple co-agents at her agency. Her co-agent Cameron McClure is seeking the following: projects that combine genre style plotting with literary quality writing. She’s up for anything speculative (Fantasy, sci-fi, etc.), and is interested in seeing science fiction and fantasy, mystery and suspense, horror, and projects with multi-cultural, international, environmental, and LGBTQIA+ themes. Learn more about Rae and her co-agents here.
Kat Foxx is a literary agent at The Rights Factory. In fiction, she’s looking for Adult and YA thriller/mystery/suspense, gothic and supernatural horror, historical fiction (preferably pre-20th century), historical fantasy (witches, ghosts, time travel, past lives, etc.), and romcom and romance (light spice). She also enjoys fairytale/folklore retellings and some speculative fiction, anything nostalgic, anything to do with past lives and soul connections, haunted houses, ancestry, and midwifery/natural childbirth. Kat is always seeking projects from BIPOC, disabled, neurodiverse, and historically underrepresented writers and would love to see more LGBTQIA+ stories/writers. For nonfiction, Kat is seeking memoirs that read like fiction, motherhood/natural pregnancy and childbirth/midwifery/planned unassisted births, single parenthood (especially if paired with overcoming an abusive relationship with the other parent), past life/reincarnation, the “brotherhood” mentality of law enforcement, narcissistic abuse recovery, true crime, wine/food/travel, a history of witches and witchcraft, and ancient locations/civilizations. Learn more about Kat here.
Rebecca Matte is a literary agent with Bradford Literary Agency. In general, Rebecca absolutely loves adult and YA science fiction/fantasy and queer romance. But no matter the setting—be it a far off kingdom beset by magic or around the corner in Brooklyn—Rebecca seeks out books that feature diverse, complex characters in deeply rooted relationships, platonic and romantic. A well-crafted romance will make her heart sing, while a beautifully detailed friendship will elevate any book to an instant favorite. She also gravitates towards inherently hopeful stories of self-discovery and reinvention at all ages, particularly those that center questions of gender and sexuality. She tries to bring magic to every moment of life, and loves books that do the same. Learn more about Rebecca here.
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More 2024 agents to be announced as they are confirmed. You can sign up for pitches at any time, or switch pitches at any time, so long as the agent in question still has appointments open.
These one-on-one meetings are an amazing chance to pitch your book face-to-face with an agent, and get personal, individual feedback on your pitch/concept. If the agent likes your pitch, they’ll request to see part/all of your book — sending you straight past the slush pile. It also gives you an intimate chance to meet with an agent and pick their brain with any questions on your mind.
(Please note that Agent/Editor Pitching is an add-on, separate aspect of the day, for only those who sign up. Spaces are limited for these premium meetings, and pricing/detail is explained below.)
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PRICING:
$189 — EARLY BIRD base price for registration to the 2024 BWW and access to all workshops, all days. (You also get 10+ additional free pre-recorded webinars on writing and publishing.) As of fall 2023, registration is now OPEN.
Add $29 — to secure a 10-minute one-on-one meeting with any of our literary agents or editors in attendance. Use this special meeting as a chance to pitch your work and get professional feedback on your pitch. (Spaces limited.) If they wish, attendees are free to sign up for multiple 10-minute pitch sessions at $29/session — pitching multiple individuals. There is no limit. Here are quick testimonials regarding writers who have signed with literary agents after pitching them at prior Writing Day Workshops events. Our bigger, growing list of success stories can be seen here.
“I met my client, Alison Hammer, at the Writing
Workshop of Chicago and just sold her book.”
– literary agent Joanna Mackenzie of Nelson Literary
“Good news! I signed a client [novelist Aliza Mann]
from the Michigan Writing Workshop!”
– literary agent Sara Mebigow of KT Literary
“I signed author Stephanie Wright from
the Seattle Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Kathleen Ortiz of New Leaf Literary
“I signed an author [Kate Thompson] that I
met at the Philadelphia Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Kimberly Brower of Brower Literary
“I signed novelist Kathleen McInnis after meeting her
at the Chesapeake Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Adriann Ranta of Foundry Literary + Media
Add $69 — for an in-depth, personal critique of your one-page query letter from Brian Klems, one of the workshop’s former instructors. (This rate is a special event value for Boston 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 get a phone call to discuss critique notes. Options:
- Mystery, crime, suspense, thriller, horror, mainstream, commercial, contemporary fiction (virtual critiques): Faculty member Heather Chavez, 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 her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
- Young adult, middle grade, literary fiction and adult fantasy (virtual critiques): Faculty member Amanda Sun, a published novelist and current publishing house 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.
- Young adult, middle grade, romance, upmarket/literary, women’s fiction, fantasy, paranormal, picture books; in nonfiction, self-help or inspirational by women (virtual critiques): Faculty member Lindsay Flanagan, a published novelist and former agent, 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.
- 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).
- All types & genres of fiction for adults and young adults (virtual critiques): Faculty member Kristi Belcamino, 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 her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
- More critique options possibly forthcoming.
How to pay/register — Registration is now open. Reach out to workshop organizer Brian Klems via email: WDWconference@gmail.com, and he will provide specific instructions for payment and registration to get you a reserved seat at the event. Payment is by PayPal or check or credit card. Because Brian plans different workshops, make sure you note that you’re inquiring about the Boston workshop specifically.
REGISTRATION:
ONLINE: Writing Day Workshops plans both in-person and virtual/online conferences. The 2024 BWW is an Online Conference, on Feb. 9-10. Online events are easy and awesome, and the virtual events we’ve done thus far have received wonderful feedback. You do not have to be tech-savvy to do this, and understand we are keeping all aspects of a traditional in-person event, including one-on-one agent & editor pitching, which will now be done by Zoom or phone. Learn all details about what it means to have a writers conference online.)
Are spaces still available? Yes, we still have spaces available. We will announce RIGHT HERE, at this point on this web page, when all spaces are taken. If you do not see a note right here saying how all spaces are booked, then yes, we still have room, and you are encouraged to register.
How to Register: The easy first step is simply to reach out to workshop organizer Brian Klems via email: WDWconference@gmail.com. He will pass along registration information to you, and give instructions on how to pay by PayPal or check or credit card. Once payment is complete, you will have a reserved seat at the event. The BWW will send out periodic e-mail updates to all registered attendees with any & all news about the event. Because Brian plans different workshops, make sure you note that you’re inquiring about the Boston workshop specifically.
Refunds: If you sign up for the event and have to cancel for any reason at any time, you will receive 50% of your total payment back [sent by check or PayPal or CC refund]. The other 50% is nonrefundable and will not be returned, and helps the workshop ensure that only those truly interested in the limited spacing sign up for the event. (Please note that query editing payments and manuscript editing payments are completely non-refundable if the instructor has already started edited your work.)
Thank you for your interest in the 2024 Boston Writing Workshop.
The 2024 Boston Writing Workshop 