The 2nd Annual MWW Agent Fest: March 13-14, 2020
Friday 12:30 pm through Saturday 5:00 pm. {EARLY BIRD COST: $259 / $299 after 12/31/19}
Prepare. Pitch. Publish. #preppitchpub
Our first MWW Agent Fest was a big success! What attendees said:
To have one-on-one time with an agent is invaluable. The agents were all great and attentive. The conference was packed with useful information and opportunities.
A caring, professional organization for debut authors as well as accomplished authors.
A great and welcoming event with enthusiastic people and agents ready to give you real feedback.
I love how relaxed it was. The agents were friendly and engaged and it did wonders to calm my nerves. I really felt that they wanted to see me succeed.
So helpful! Really tangible and practical advice.
So, now MWW 2020 Agent Fest is another wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of two days, pitch a literary agent, get your query letter evaluated, get your questions answered, and more.
With 15 sessions, plus an All-Agent Panel Q&A, participants will learn how to write a dynamite query letter and tackle a one-page synopsis. The instructing literary agents will also explain the author experience and how to navigate the agent/author relationship, and the etiquette in dealing with an agent and manuscript basics.
BONUS: You can register for a Query Letter Critique! For an additional fee of $50, you will meet for a 10-minute one-on-one consultation with an agent/editor to discuss your query letter AND the first page of your manuscript. NOTE: ONLY 40 critique spots left! Register soon!
You’ll meet one-on-one with two agents and possibly three, depending on the number of registrants. Each pitch lasts three minutes, composed of a 90-second pitch and a 90-second response from the agent with feedback.
- Ian Bonaparte, Janklow & Nesbit Associates
- Kerry D’Agostino, Curtis Brown, Ltd.
- Jennifer Grimaldi, Charlberg & Sussman
- Amanda Luedeke, MacGregor & Luedeke
- Eric Myers, Myers Literary Management
- Patricia Nelson, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
- Abby Saul, The Lark Group
- Dani Segelbaum, New Leaf Literary & Media
- EDITOR: Erin Calligan Mooney, Senior Editor, Lake Union Publishing, Amazon Publishing
- “Six Steps from Query to Publication”
- “Subsidiary Rights”
- “Common Pitching Mistakes”
- “360 view of the path to publication”
- “When to Self-Publish”
- “When You Can’t Find Time to Write”
- “How Much Is Too Much in YA And Middle Grade?”
- “Working With Your Agent”
- “Rookie Submission Mistakes (and how to avoid them)”
- “Capturing the YA and MG Voice”
- “Please Read My Manuscript: Quick Tips for Query Questions”
- “Finding, Working with, and Keeping an Agent”
- “How to Write A Non-Fiction Proposal”
- “The Do’s and Don’ts of Querying Agents”
- “Trust Falls: The Editor/Author Relationship”
Friday Evening Program:
“First Paragraph Read – Love It or Leave It, “Okay, Stop” – with all agents. “A Paragraph One Critique-Fest.” This is a chance to get your first page read (anonymously – no bylines given) with our 9 attending faculty 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.)
You Will Get:
- Immediate feedback on the merits of your book directly from agents working in that genre or category
- Actionable advice on perfecting your pitch, and/or ways to improve your storyline or nonfiction premise
- The opportunity to land representation and start on your path to a publishing deal.
Keys to Agent Fest Success:
- Do your research. There will be eight agents attending and some will be a better fit for your writing than others. Be sure to study the list of agents and target those who handle your genre or interest.
- Practice makes perfect. This is your chance to sell your book, so write it out, practice it and perfect your pitch. Use a stopwatch so you can keep time-and their attention!
- Get expert advice. To help you prepare, we have a room with willing volunteers where you can practice. You can hone your pitch and get more comfortable with presenting live. You’ll also gain the confidence you need to make a great impression.
By Saturday evening, you will have added more tools to help you move forward on your writing journey.
Come join us!
