Meet Jessica Berg

Jessica Berg is a literary agent at Rosecliff Literary. She leverages her extensive background as a developmental editor to champion new and emerging authors. She is actively building her list, focusing on compelling character-driven narratives with strong voices and unique settings. Known for her collaborative approach, Jessica works closely with authors to refine their manuscripts and strategically build their careers. Writers can submit their work via Query Manager. She is a member of the Association of American Literary Agents and the Editorial Freelance Association.

Jessica will be teaching “How to Pick Comp Titles and Why They Matter” and participate in Thursday evening’s “First Page Read – Love It or Leave It.” She is also on the Query Letter/First Page Critique team.

Jessica’s Wishlist

• Commercial Fiction: Genre-influenced with accessible but mainstream plots; Larger than life personalities
• Romance: Full range romance (open or close door); Queer romance; Gothic/noir love stories
• Historical Fiction: Victorian era; 20th century (excluding WWII); Fashion, art, dance, opera historical fiction
• Mystery: Cozy, hard-boiled, noir set in the late 20th to early 21st century

Take a look at bios and wishlists for our full Agent Faculty

Check out the Agent Fest Online schedule!

Register for Agent Fest Online 2024

Meet Claire Laffin, Jessica Berg’s Agent Assistant

Midwest Writers Workshop likes to include interns, mostly college students majoring in English, to coordinate and facilitate the agents’ pitch schedules. You’ll be hearing from them regarding your appointment time, and they’ll help you meet the agents in the Zoom room when it’s time for your pitch.

Claire Laffin is a junior BSU student with majors in Secondary English Education and Communication. As a future educator, her concentration in interpersonal communication helps her navigate the complexities of confidence in communicative abilities. She strives to create a supportive environment where people feel encouraged to express themselves through writing and conversation. She loves to help out MWW because writing makes us better people!

Q&A with Jessica

MWW: You’ll be talking about “comp titles” in your Agent Fest session with MWW (for our readers: comp titles are “comparison titles” and refer to works that are similar to yours in content, audience, and theme). What do you do when you encounter pitches or queries where the comp title(s) listed aren’t actually all that similar, and what are some ways that writers can avoid making this mistake? 

JB: When I encounter pitches and queries where the comp titles aren’t all that similar, it can create a disconnect between the author’s intent and my understanding of their work. This is one of the many reasons why having a good comp title is so useful!

To avoid this mistake, the best advice I can give is to think not just about genre or target audience but about theme and tropes. Ask yourself what the novel you’re using as a comp title really has in common with your narrative. The goal here is to choose novels that share significant similarities, not just in superficial elements like setting or a single plot point. 

MWW: Because you’ve worked as a developmental editor, do you find yourself more “hands on” with your writers? What does that process look like? 

JB: I am definitely hands-on when it comes to working with clients. This process is different for every project, but I love to dive deep into the manuscript, working closely with the writer to ensure that every element of the story is as strong as it can be. My approach is collaborative, and I see myself as a partner in the author’s journey. Sometimes, this means providing detailed feedback on all aspects of the narrative. Others might involve looking at specific areas like pacing or dialogue.

No matter what, I make a point to have regular check-ins with all my clients, so I can help support and guide them through the revision process.

MWW: What advice would you give writers about how to know when their work is finished and ready to be pitched or queried?

JB: This is such a big question, and it’s one every author has asked themselves. Here are a few key signs to look for:

• Have you reached a point of diminishing returns? If the changes are miniscule, like removing a comma or an em dash, it might be time to query.
• Has your feedback plateaued? Are your CPs and beta readers saying the same things? If no one is pointing out new issues, that might be a clue it’s time to pitch.
• If you can defend your choices regarding plot, character, and pacing, you’re probably ready to query. The same goes for if you’re excited when you read your pages and not overwhelmed. That’s a positive sign!
  

  

It’s important to remember that nothing is ever perfect, and that’s okay. There will come a time when your work is finished enough to be sent out into the world. Trust your gut and remember that even after you start, there will still be opportunities for revisions. This understanding is key to feeling encouraged and supported in your writing journey.

MWW: What’s one of your favorite writing quotes?

JB: “I write to discover what I know.” – Flannery O’Connor 

Register for Agent Fest Online 2024

 

Read our earlier posts about “The [Dreaded] Agent Pitch” and “What’s In a First Page Read with Literary Agents?”

Finish an essay, a book, a paragraph? Have something published? Tell us about something exciting you’ve done with writing and/or publishing in the past year. Bonus points if you can tell us how MWW has made an impact on your writing.

 

Send your success stories to midwestwritersworkshop@gmail.com and we’ll post it on the new tab on our website landing page!

 

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See What Else MWW has to Offer:

• MWW Writing Services: Receive manuscript evaluations from our experts
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