Future Pittsburgh Writing Workshops — And Conferences Happening in 2023

Our past Pittsburgh Writing Workshop events were successes — thank you to all who attended! The PWW conference has happened multiple times before, and we at Writing Day Workshops have loved connecting writers and literary agents, and seeing so many success stories from our events.

We are not certain exactly when in 2024 the next PWW event will happen. That said, if you’d like to attend a writers conference in late 2023, we have online events coming up to suit your needs. For our online writers conferences, anyone can attend from anywhere. Each monthly online event has great instructional classes and 30-40 attending literary agents! Don’t let your location stop you from connecting with publishing professionals and furthering your writing journey. Details:

If you have questions, or want to register for any 2023 writers conferences, either online events or in-person events, contact us (Brian Klems) at WritingDayWorkshops@gmail.com and we are happy to assist. Writers can sign up for more than one event. If you and several people from your writing group all want to register together, ask us about a group discount.

All online classes are recorded and sent out to attendees afterward, so you can study the instruction and enjoy the experience. All virtual pitches are one-on-one with literary agents seeking writers, and done over Zoom (though phone is also an option). Thanks, all, and we hope to see you in 2023 at an event!

The 2023 Pittsburgh Writing Workshop: August 4-5, 2023

Screen Shot 2016-12-25 at 10.34.26 PM.pngAfter successful 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022 events in Pittsburgh, Writing Day Workshops is excited to announce The 2023 Pittsburgh Writing Workshop — an online “How to Get Published” writing event on August 4-5, 2023. (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 2023 Pittsburgh Writing Workshop!

ONLINE: Writing Day Workshops plans both in-person and virtual/online conferences. The 2023 PWW isan Online Conference, on August 4-5. Online events are easy and awesome, and the virtual events we’ve done thus farhave 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 August 4-5, 2023. 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 “Pittsburgh” 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 2023 PWW agent & editor faculty so far includes:

  • literary agent Gwyn Jordan (Gold Dust Literary)
  • literary agent Lori Colvin (Birch Literary)
  • literary agent Marin Takikawa (The Friedrich Agency)
  • literary agent Lori Galvin (Aevitas Creative Management)
  • literary agent Cole Lanahan (The Seymour Agency)
  • editor Meg Gaertner (Flux & Jolly Fish Press)
  • literary agent Tori Sharp (Jennifer De Chiara Literary)
  • literary agent Ameerah Holliday (Serendipity Literary Agency)
  • literary agent Caitlin McDonald (Donald Maass Literary Agency)
  • literary agent Kelly Thomas (Serendipity Literary)
  • literary agent assistant Rae Loverde (Donald Maass Literary Agency)
  • literary agent Elizabeth Copps (Copps Literary Services)
  • literary agent Becky LeJeune (Bond Literary)
  • literary agent Jane Chun (Janklow & Nesbit)
  • literary agent Lucy Hamilburg (The Hamilburg Agency)
  • literary agent Coco Freeman (Linda Chester Literary Agency)
  • literary agent Reiko Davis (DeFiore & Company)
  • literary agent Paul Levine (Paul Levine Literary)
  • literary agent Najla Mamou (Savvy Literary Services)
  • literary agent Dani Segelbaum (Carol Mann Agency)
  • literary agent Eric Smith (P.S. Literary)
  • literary agent Stephanie Phillips (SBR Media)
  • literary agent Keir Alekseii (Azantian Literary Agency)
  • literary agent Claire Draper (The Bent Agency)
  • 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.

EVENT LOCATION & DETAILS:

ONLINE: Writing Day Workshops plans both in-person and virtual/online conferences. The 2023 PWW isan Online Conference, on August 4-5. Online events are easy and awesome, and the virtual events we’ve done thus farhave 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 (AUGUST 4-5, 2023):

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, AUGUST 4, 2023

9:30 – 10:30: Unpacking the Query Letter. Publishing is a subjective industry — and guess what? Turns out the query letter is a bit subjective too. Where should the pitch start? Do you need comparable titles listed? You’ll find a lot of different answers for each of these questions, and during our query letter chat, we’ll use real-world query letter examples to unpack what works, what doesn’t, and why you should always read submission guidelines.

10:45 – 11:45: Common First Chapter Mistakes in First Chapters. Whether in a bookstore, in a library, or using an electronic device, the reader uses the first chapter to decide if they want to continue on after the first chapter. Examine how to craft an excellent beginning that keeps readers (and agents interested).

11:45 – 1:15: Break

1:15 – 2:30: Bringing Characters to Life. Intriguing characters are the backbone of any good story. By examining motives, fears, desires, upbringing and other traits, you add depth to your characters, bringing them to life for your reader and making each personality unique.

2:45 – 3:45: Build Your Own Story Universe: Monetizing Your Books by Building Bigger Stories.  Learn how to build a story universe that connects all your stories across multiple mediums in books, film, comics, gaming, and more to stand out in the marketplace and create an experience your fans will never want to leave!

4:00 – 5:00: Writing an Irresistible Nonfiction Book Proposal. Nonfiction is a massive, murky category in the publishing world. How do memoirs fit in? Or lifestyle and cookbooks? A literary agent instructor will cover the golden rules of writing the perfect book proposal and help you unpack what’s needed to write something enticing and salable.

* * * * *

SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 2023

9:30 – 10:30: Create, Build, and Improve Your Author Website. This workshop will focus on what to put on your website — from what goes on a home page, to what subpages you need, and what add-ons to consider. If you have an established website, the class will also provide instruction on optimizing your site and getting more attention.

10:45 – 11:45: Picture This: How to Write Children’s Picture Books. This workshop will cover the “Who, What, Where, When, Why and How” of picture books for children. With exercises and instruction exploring types of picture books, literary devices in picture books and where to find inspiration for picture books, we will discuss examples and analyze different techniques and styles.

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. Get expert feedback on your incredibly important first page, and know if your writing has what it needs to keep readers’ attention. (All attendees are welcome to bring pages to the event for this session, and we will choose pages at random for the workshop for as long as time lasts. All submissions should be novels or memoir—no prescriptive nonfiction or picture books, please. Do not send your pages in advance. You will bring printed copies with you, and instructions will be sent out approximately one week before the event.)

2:45 – 3:45: Open Agent Q&A Panel. Several attending literary agents will open themselves up to open Q&A from PWW attendees. Bring your questions and get them answered in this popular session.

4:00 – 5:00: Your Book is Your Business This class will give aspiring authors essential tools to navigate the publishing industry at various stages of the publication process. Learn what makes the industry tick, and what strategies writers can add to their toolbox as they query agents.

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:

Jane Chun is a literary agent with Transatlantic Agency. 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 worldbuilding 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, essay collections, 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. In addition to traditional prose, she is very interested in graphic novels and nonfiction. She is looking for stylistically engaging, unique art that feels either nostalgic without being derivative or fresh and boundary-pushing. Learn more about Jane here.

Lori Galvin is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. Lori represents both adult fiction (especially women’s fiction and crime fiction) and nonfiction (memoir, food writing, and cookbooks). Prior to joining Aevitas, Galvin was executive editor at the multimedia publisher America’s Test Kitchen, where she led a team that produced dozens of landmark cookbooks. Learn more about Lori here.

CoCo Freeman is a literary agent with Linda Chester Literary Agency. “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.

Lucy Hamilburg is a literary agent at The Hamilburg Agency. Lucy is looking for picture books, middle grade, and young adult fiction. As a former middle school teacher, she knows what flies off the shelves and is always seeking novels, graphic novels, lyrical prose, and picture books that make kids and young adults laugh out loud and simultaneously pull at their heart strings She is open to all genres and categories within kidlit books — including fantasy, suspense/thriller, romance, contemporary, humor, paranormal, historical fiction, and everything in between. Learn more about Lucy 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 non-fiction, he’s interested in cookbooks, pop culture, humor, middle grade, essay collections, and blog-to-book ideas. Learn more about Eric here.

Screen Shot 2019-09-27 at 1.37.27 PMPaul 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.

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.

Keir Alekseii is a literary agent with Azantian Literary Agency. Keir is seeking young adult and adult science fiction & fantasy, as well as young adult contemporary. She is only open to receiving queries from writers who identify as belonging to a marginalized or underrepresented group such as (but not limited to) BIPOC, LGBTQ+, immigrants, ND, folks who speak English as a second language, and DIS people. She has a fondness for disaster bi/pan characters, being one herself, and appreciates seeing diverse representations of queerness. She’d also love to read more books with nonbinary characters and love that runs deep even without a romantic element (yes, that means aro characters and stories with friendships that don’t turn romantic are welcome). Learn more about Keir here.

Screen Shot 2019-02-24 at 6.06.26 PM.pngRae 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.

Najla Mamou is a literary agent with Savvy Literary Services. Najla represents adult fiction and some YA. She’s most interested in mystery, romance, crime, and thriller. She’s most interested in main characters that are BIPOC or immigrants or expats, anything set in rural and inner city areas, and historical fiction genres/categories/settings. She also is interested in narrative and creative nonfiction. She enjoys stories about: rags to riches, overcoming discrimination, fish out of water, forbidden love, secret babies, arranged marriage, redemption, road trips or stories where the discovery happens away from home and more expat books where a POC moves to another place. Learn more about Najla here.

Elizabeth Copps is a literary agent with Copps Literary Services. What Elizabeth is looking for: Fresh takes on timeless plots; stories that are thought provoking and discussion spurring. She loves complex characters who are brimming with personality and burst off the page. Who are irreverent and dark. Smart and sarcastic. Creative and wise. She specializes in humorous and heartfelt contemporary novels, horror, and historical fiction for middle grade and adult audiences. She is also partial to gut-busting romantic comedies. In nonfiction, she loves platform-driven memoir and biography, as well as policy-driven, narrative nonfiction. Learn more about Elizabeth here.

Meg Gaertner is a senior editor with Flux and Jolly Fish Press. She is seeking young adult works in all genres and voices. In young adult, she is happy to consider contemporary, science fiction, historical fiction, horror, thrillers, mystery, contemporary fantasy, genre-blending stories, “out-of-the-box” stories that combine social commentary with a killer voice and a fresh premise, diversity representation, and more. Learn more about Meg here.

Marin Takikawa [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with The Friedrich Agency. For fiction, I’m looking for character-driven upmarket and literary fiction. In particular, I’m always driven by the need to understand people and discover the various kinks that aren’t visible from the surface—what drives them? What do they desire most but can’t get? I’m particularly enamored by genre-bending works, fiction with a speculative or magical bent, literary suspense, narratives about complex family relationships, and those that subvert forms of power, specifically neocolonialist ones. My tastes in Young Adult are similar, although with more focus on speculative concepts and maybe surprisingly, contemporary rom-coms. In nonfiction, I gravitate toward memoirs that balance personal narratives with engaging and insightful research and/or cultural analysis. I’m also looking for narrative nonfiction that is resistant and radical in nature, that questions why we have the institutions, ideas, and systems we have in place. Learn more about Marin here.

Caitlin McDonald is a literary agent with Donald Maass Literary Agency. Caitlin represents: All science fiction & fantasy categories for adult and young adult, especially secondary world fantasy or alternate history; Genre-bending or cross-genre fiction, and stories that examine tropes from a new angle; Diversity of all kinds, including (but not limited to) race, gender, sexuality, and ability, in both characters and worldbuilding. Learn more about Caitlin here.

Ameerah Holliday is a literary agent with Serendipity Literary Agency. Ameerah is primarily interested in middle grade, young adult, and (new) adult fiction. She enjoys contemporary literature, supernatural/paranormal stories (bonus points for witches!), RomComs, literary fiction, and novels in verse. Holliday looks for writing that explores diverse experiences with elements of intersectionality. She is drawn to stories that take you on a journey through growth, and she loves a good friendship story! Learn more about Ameerah here.

Cole Lanahan is a literary agent with The Seymour Agency. Cole is actively looking for all genres of YA, all genres of adult romance, psychological suspense in the vein of The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine, and thrillers in the vein of Verity by Colleen Hoover and I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid. In nonfiction she is looking for humor, business, self-help, lifestyle, and arts and crafts books. Learn more about Cole here.

Kelly Thomas 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.

Reiko Davis is a literary agent with DeFiore & Company. Reiko’s interests are varied, but on the adult side she’s primarily seeking literary and book club fiction. She loves historical, contemporary, or multigenerational novels both in the U.S. and internationally; family sagas; voice-driven coming-of-age stories; the occasional rom-com; and fierce, compassionately written works that grapple with identity and belonging and portray diverse lived experiences. She’d love to connect with promising writers of short fiction who are at work on a debut story collection and/or novel. She also represents select narrative non-fiction projects that explore social justice, issues of race and gender, and the history and experiences of women and people of color. She consumes a lot of true crime in her free time so is open to seeing projects in the vein of I’ll Be Gone in the Dark. On the children’s side, Reiko is actively looking for middle grade fiction and nonfiction. Learn more about Reiko here.

Lori Colvin is a Literary Agent with Birch Literary. Lori has a special empathy for authors, having penned over 150 books herself, under a successful pen name. She is seeking:If a book doesn’t grab Lori on the first page, she generally won’t read any further, so bring out your best right away. Lori’s looking for fresh viewpoints in multiple genres, including women’s fiction, Thriller, Book Club Fiction, Mystery (but no Cozy), and more. Things she’s not seeking at the moment: Romance, MG, or PB. If you can make Lori laugh, cry, gasp, or stay up all night reading, you may be a good match. Learn more about Lori here.

Gwyn Jordan is a literary agent and founder of Gold Dust Literary. “I represent authors of romance, women’s fiction, cozy mystery, mystery, thriller, suspense, and crime novels. I do not accept: Paranormal/fantasy/sci-fi, YA, or religious/inspirational.” Gwyn is also a freelance editor for Hallmark, Publishers Weekly, Entangled Publishing, and more. Learn more about Gwyn here.

Claire Draper is a literary agent with The Bent Agency. “I am building my list with a collection of very queer books for kids of all ages, including graphic novels, picture books, middle grade, and young adult. And then I embarked on books for adults, when I decided to return to my favorites with particularly queer memoir, queer romance novels, and select adult nonfiction. For all the books I work with, I prefer to work with queer creators and BIPOC creators, and strongly encourage those creators to send me their work. Regardless of genre, age, or subject, I like lighthearted, emotional, hopeful, adventurous reads. I am largely genre-agnostic, but I do prefer books with a fast pace, high stakes, and strong emotional development for the main character(s). I do not want to see books from authors writing identity-based books not of their own identity.” Learn more about Claire here.

Becky LeJeune is an agent with Bond Literary Agency. She is interested in adult and teen general fiction, horror, mystery/thriller, historical fiction, science fiction and fantasy, and cookbooks. The Bond Agency works with both first-time and previously-published authors, and their clients write adult fiction in various genres, young adult fiction, and many categories of nonfiction. They do not represent traditional romance, poetry, children’s picture books or screenplays. Learn more about Becky here.

Tori Sharp is a literary agent with The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency.  She does not represent adult fiction. Currently, she is solely on the lookout for children’s graphic novels, and middle grade manuscripts (especially fantasy, high-concept fiction, and memoirs). “I love to see silliness, silliness, silliness. I like prose that is strange and joyful, while also being grounded, smart, and evocative; I love a balance of humor and heartfelt moments. I have a soft spot for chaotic/trickster characters, proactive main characters, riddles and lateral thinking problems in the narrative, thoughtful neurodivergent representation, LGBTQ+ characters, and invisible disabilities. If your project features healthy, reciprocal friendships, creativity, geekery, saying ‘no,’ or kids with big dreams, send it my way.” Learn more about Tori here.

Stephanie Phillips is a literary agent with SBR Media. With over two hundred clients and three times as many deals between her and her eight agents, she’s happy to see SBR Media is a force in the literary world. “The genres I prefer are Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Romantic Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Contemporary Romance, BDSM, Erotica, Women’s Lit.” Learn more about Stephanie here.

 

            More 2023 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.)

———

PRICING:

$189 — EARLY BIRD base price for registration to the 2023 PWW and access to all workshops, all days. (You also get 10+ additional free pre-recorded webinars on writing and publishing.) As of 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.

Screen Shot 2018-11-26 at 11.11.29 AM.png“I met my client, Alison Hammer, at the Writing
Workshop of Chicago and just sold her book.”
– literary agent Joanna Mackenzie of Nelson Literary

Screen Shot 2017-05-02 at 11.47.54 PM.png“Good news! I signed a client [novelist Aliza Mann]
from the Michigan Writing Workshop!”
– literary agent Sara Mebigow of KT Literary

Screen Shot 2018-11-05 at 12.56.10 PM“I signed author Stephanie Wright from
the Seattle Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Kathleen Ortiz of New Leaf Literary

Screen Shot 2018-05-17 at 9.07.44 PM“I signed an author [Kate Thompson] that I
met at the Philadelphia Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Kimberly Brower of Brower Literary

Screen Shot 2016-10-16 at 2.54.50 PM.png“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 Chuck Sambuchino, one of the workshop’s former instructors. (This rate is a special event value for Pittsburgh 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/Zoom critique meeting with the faculty member. Options:

  • Women’s, mainstream, science fiction, fantasy, romance, crime, thriller, mystery: Faculty member Michelle McGill-Vargas, 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.
  • Romance, women’s fiction, domestic suspense, and young adult fiction: 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.
  • Children’s picture books, middle grade, young adult, memoir, historical fiction, general fiction of almost any kind: Faculty member Eve Porinchak, a former agent turned publishing 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. Children’s picture books should be 1,000 words maximum, and can or cannot have illustrations.
  • 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 Pittsburgh workshop specifically.

REGISTRATION:

ONLINE: Writing Day Workshops plans both in-person and virtual/online conferences. The 2023 PWW is an Online Conference, on August 4-5. 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 PWW 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 Pittsburgh 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.)

Screen Shot 2014-06-12 at 4.10.21 PM

Thank you for your interest in the 2023 Pittsburgh Writing Workshop.

Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Stephanie Phillips of SBR Media

Stephanie Phillips is a literary agent with SBR Media.

Stephanie is a born and bred southern girl. After graduating from High Point University, she’d gone from different careers including modeling, Mary Kay, publicist, blogger, radio show host, and then found her footing as an agent. With over two hundred clients and three times as many deals between her and her eight agents, she’s happy to see SBR Media is a force in the literary world. When not agenting, blogging, or reading, she spends time with her husband and two adorable kids in their Myrtle Beach home.

The genres I prefer are Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Romantic Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Contemporary Romance, BDSM, Erotica, Women’s Lit.”

Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Gwyn Jordan of Gold Dust Literary

Gwyn Jordan is a literary agent and founder of Gold Dust Literary.

“I represent authors of romance, women’s fiction, cozy mystery, mystery, thriller, suspense, and crime novels.

“I do not accept: Paranormal/fantasy/sci-fi, YA, or religious/inspirational.

“After years of working in the corporate world, I decided to transition to my true calling. I am the founder of Gold Dust Literary Agency, Gold Dust Editing & Book Promotions, and FiBs, a storytelling platform. I graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and from Keller Graduate School of Management with a Master of Business Administration. Watching movies, traveling, and going to stage plays are some of my favorite pastimes.”

Gwyn is also a freelance editor for Hallmark, Publishers Weekly, Entangled Publishing, and more.

Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Cole Lanahan of The Seymour Agency

Cole Lanahan is a literary agent with The Seymour Agency. Cole is actively looking for all genres of YA, all genres of adult romance, psychological suspense in the vein of The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine, and thrillers in the vein of Verity by Colleen Hoover and I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid. In nonfiction she is looking for humor, business, self-help, lifestyle, and arts and crafts books.

Aside from being a published author of eight novels, Cole holds a degree in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State. Her past experiences include lobbying the United States congress for better mental health initiatives, leading a multimillion-dollar mental health nonprofit, creating strategic corporate partnerships, and implementing large-scale marketing campaigns. When she’s not traveling, Cole lives with her husband, daughter, four dogs, and twenty chickens. Her personal interests include reading, quilting, and performing with her acoustic band.

Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Tori Sharp of The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency

Tori Sharp is a literary agent with The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency.

Tori joined The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency as an Associate Literary Agent in 2020 after a two-year internship. Tori has a BFA in Sequential Art from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and her bestselling graphic memoir, JUST PRETEND, is out from Little, Brown. When she’s not reading, writing, or making comics, she can be found swing and blues dancing, playing tabletop games, or admiring her tiny poodle in beautiful Seattle, WA. Tori represents all manner of children’s literature. You can learn more about her at http://www.noveltori.com or on Twitter and Instagram @noveltori.

What she’s looking for:

CHILDREN’S GRAPHIC NOVELS:

As a graphic novelist myself, I am eager to represent stunning, playful, diverse, and important comics for kids in elementary through high school. I love comics that are heartfelt and gestural, and I tend to like art styles that look animated and soft, but bright. I would jump at a raw but playful middle-grade graphic memoir, slice-of-life comic strip collections, or stories that feel like fairy tales. I also adore contemporary and historical fiction in comics. I love romcoms, action-adventures, and modern witchcraft. Some of my favorite comics are Catboy, Crush, Nimona, Fake Blood, The Prince and the Dressmaker, On a Sunbeam, Lore Olympus, and Check, Please!

See my #MSWL Pinterest board for examples of illustration styles I’d love to find in my inbox: https://www.pinterest.com/noveltori/mswl/comics-illustration/

MIDDLE-GRADE PROSE:

I am currently looking for upbeat middle-grade manuscripts that make readers think about the world around them in a new way—especially fantasy, high-concept fiction, and memoirs. I gravitate toward stories that are simultaneously silly and sincere. I am looking for clearly defined magic, intimate stakes, and clever twists that I won’t be able to stop thinking about.

My favorite novels include Saffy’s Angel, The School Story, Ella Enchanted, Eliza and her Monsters, Howl’s Moving Castle, Spinning Silver, Blood Water Paint, and Chaotic Good.

ACROSS ALL GENRES:

Currently, I am open to queries for children’s graphic novels and middle-grade prose only. I love to see silliness, silliness, silliness. I like prose that is strange and joyful, while also being grounded, smart, and evocative; I love a balance of humor and heartfelt moments. I have a soft spot for chaotic/trickster characters, proactive main characters, riddles and lateral thinking problems in the narrative, thoughtful neurodivergent representation, LGBTQ+ characters, and invisible disabilities. If your project features healthy, reciprocal friendships, creativity, geekery, saying “no,” or kids with big dreams, send it my way.

Please do not send me any unsolicited queries for the picture book or adult markets. I’m not the right agent for horror or “grimdark” projects, stories about sexual assault, medical dramas, religious fiction, or “issue books.”

 

Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Becky LeJeune of Bond Literary Agency

Becky LeJeune is an agent with Bond Literary Agency.

She is interested in adult and teen general fiction, horror, mystery/thriller, historical fiction, science fiction and fantasy, and cookbooks.

The agency is a small, full-service literary agency with a select list of clients. Sitting smack dab in the middle of the greater metro Denver area, we work with the large houses in New York and mid-size and small publishers all over the country. The Agency represents BOOKS, not screenplays or theatrical plays.

The Bond Agency works with both first-time and previously-published authors, and their clients write adult fiction in various genres, young adult fiction, and many categories of nonfiction. They do not represent traditional romance, poetry, children’s picture books or screenplays.

Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Annalise Errico of Ladderbird Literary

Annalise Errico is a literary agent with Ladderbird Literary.

Annalise is a graduate of Lesley University where she earned a B.A. in Creative Writing with a double minor in Literature and Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. She is excited about uplifting stories by authors with marginalized voices and intersectional identities, ultimately making room for the diverse voices that have long since been ignored and suppressed in the literary world and beyond. When she isn’t agenting, Annalise spends an excessive amount of time snuggling with her cat, Mittens, and writing romance novels that are more swoony than strictly necessary.

Annalise is looking for more queer, BIPOC representation across the board, especially in romances that give happily ever afters to complex and palpable characters. She represents Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult books.

Annalise has a specific focus on representing queer and BIPOC voices in Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult books. She loves books with academic settings, books with a warm and cozy feeling, books about books, and books with a prominent romantic plot.

Adult Romance:

Annalise wants to see queer/BIPOC historical romances like a queer League of Extraordinary Women or Cat Sebastian.

Annalise would love to see queer/BIPOC baking rom-coms in the vein of Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake and Battle Royal.

Annalise wants romances that tackle the intersection of romance and mental health a la The Charm Offensive.

Some of Annalise’s favorite tropes that she’d love to see are: enemies-to-lovers, serious-and-sunshine, and second-chance-romance.

She would love to see sweet, diverse holiday rom-coms like Amor Actually and The Matzah Ball.

Annalise does not accept erotica or romances feature unhealthy/abusive relationships to any degree.

Adult Mysteries/Thrillers:

Annalise is looking for queer/BIPOC thrillers that function as social commentary such as Alyssa Cole’s When No One is Watching.

Annalise would like to see mysteries that rework classics like The Wife Upstairs or One by One.

She loves dark academia with a historical mystery.

She loves novels with interesting formats such as compilations of files and articles like Night Film.

She is not a good fit for supernatural, ungrounded thrillers, thrillers that border too close to horror, thrillers with violence against women, gore-heavy thrillers, or thrillers that use the “bury your gays” and/or “fridging” trope.

She is not looking for medical or apocalyptic thrillers.

Adult Commercial/Women’s/Contemporary Fiction:

Annalise wants character-driven contemporary fiction that has enough plot movement to keep the reader invested (no character studies, please!).

She likes books that use alternative formats, like Daisy Jones & the Six, and question the boundaries of typical contemporary fiction.

Books with social commentary about queer/BIPOC characters finding their way in life — think Luster and Such a Fun Age—are a good fit for Annalise.

She loves books that focus in on fictional celebrities or reflect upon fame such as The Comeback by Ella Berman or The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

Annalise also wants fiction featuring change as a thematic focal point with unabashed self-love and romance, like Claire Christian’s It’s Been A Pleasure, Noni Blake.

New Adult Fiction:

Annalise wants New Adult romance and contemporary fiction that focuses on found family and a during- or post-college bildungsroman plot with a romance. This is her ideal age space.

She would especially like to see fiction set immediately post-college that follows the queer/BIPOC protagonist’s trials and tribulations in the “real world” like SOMETHING or warm and nerdy new adult like Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl.

Annalise loves New Adult fiction that is set at college or grad school. The more academic, the better!

Any of the genres that Annalise has mentioned on this page (in both Adult and YA), Annalise would love to see in the New Adult space, especially college-aged mysteries and romances.

Young Adult Historical:

Annalise wants YA historical fiction that focuses in on a lost perspective such as Stacey Lee’s The Downstairs Girl.

Annalise loves historical works that focus in on plucky characters in prestigious academic environments.

YA Graphic Novels:

Annalise will accept YA graphic novels by author/illustrators (only) who focus in on marginalized experiences (whether in a realistic or fantastical world).

She wants a sweet graphic like The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag.

She would love emotionally resonant graphic novels like On A Sunbeam by Tillie Walden.

​Young Adult Fantasy:

Annalise wants upper YA/new adult low-key fantasies that don’t break the mental bank, like The House in the Cerulean Sea.

She is also looking for fantasies that are firmly historical and grounded like The Last Magician or These Violent Delights.

Annalise would love witchy fantasies that focus in on queer women of color like When We Were Magic.

She is not a good fit for dragon/creature, fae, or epic/high fantasy of any kind.

Young Adult Mystery/ Thriller:

Annalise is looking for mysteries and thrillers that have elements of YA contemporary such as bildungsroman plots and romance (especially LGBTQIA+) but don’t stray too far into high-school drama.

Annalise would love to see academic-driven mysteries like Truly Devious and mixed-format mysteries like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.

Young Adult Contemporary:

Annalise is looking for quirky and offbeat books that focus in on ride-or-die women-centric friendships.

She wants queer, BIPOC rom-coms hat have found family elements that are shamelessly romantic like I Wish You All the Best.

An ideal contemporary for Annalise would be set during the MC’s senior year of high school/first year of college.

FAVORITE BOOKS:

Daisy Jones & The Six

It’s Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake

The Brown Sisters series

The League of Extraordinary Women series

DREAM PROJECTS:

Queer/BIPOC Agatha Christie like Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia or Hither, Page by Cat Sebastian.

A dark academia fantasy like Vicious, but if Eli and Victor fell in love.

A sapphic, cottage-core light-fantasy, like The Tea Dragon Society for YA/NA.

DEFINITE PASS/NO:

Annalise does not want any book that could be qualified as “trauma porn”. She is not interested in grotesque or gratuitous abuse/harassment or violence of any type. She does not want any pandemic or apocalyptic works, fiction or nonfiction.

CONTENT WARNINGS:

Annalise would appreciate if you included content warnings for topics such as: heavy discussions of grief, self-harm/suicidal ideation/suicide, or harassment/abuse of any kind.

 

Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Lori Colvin of Birch Literary

Lori Colvin is a Literary Agent with Birch Literary.

Lori has a special empathy for authors, having penned over 150 books herself, under a successful pen name. A fierce advocate for her fellow writers, Lori understands the publishing industry from many different viewpoints, and she does her absolute best to tailor her approach to meet each author’s needs.

She is seeking:

If a book doesn’t grab Lori on the first page, she generally won’t read any further, so bring out your best right away. Lori’s looking for fresh viewpoints in multiple genres, including women’s fiction, Thriller, Book Club Fiction, Mystery (but no Cozy), and more.

Things she’s not seeking at the moment: Romance, MG, or PB.

If you can make Lori laugh, cry, gasp, or stay up all night reading, you may be a good match.

 

Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Elizabeth Copps of Copps Literary Services

Elizabeth Copps is a literary agent with Copps Literary Services.

In the summer of 2010, Elizabeth Copps did what any starry-eyed word nerd would do: she used her savings to move from Florida to New York City with the goal of doing something—anything—related to books.

When she was offered an internship with a boutique literary agency, she discovered her passion for publishing. For over a decade, Elizabeth has dedicated herself to the care and management of author careers. Her business philosophy is simple: to foster relationships across the industry that are equitable, transparent, and long-lasting.

She is excited to continue to build Copps Literary Services and her list of award-winning and eclectic clients from her current home of Denver, Colorado.

What Elizabeth is looking for: Fresh takes on timeless plots; stories that are thought provoking and discussion spurring. She loves complex characters who are brimming with personality and burst off the page. Who are irreverent and dark. Smart and sarcastic. Creative and wise.

She specializes in humorous and heartfelt contemporary novels, horror, and historical fiction for middle grade and adult audiences. She is also partial to gut-busting romantic comedies. In nonfiction, she loves platform-driven memoir and biography, as well as policy-driven, narrative nonfiction.

Elizabeth is NOT seeking: cozy mysteries, poetry, political thrillers, hard sci-fi, or epic fantasy projects.