Join us! MWW Agent Fest Online 2020

April 26, 2023

MWW Agent Fest Online 2020: November 18-21, 2020

Wednesday 9:30 am, ET through Saturday 5:00 pm, ET. {Cost: REDUCED! $199}

Our 2019 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.

This year’s Midwest Writers Workshop Agent Fest will be held online (using video conference technology). We have designed an online version of MWW Agent Fest that offers opportunities to pitch, plenty of instruction, networking, and the sense of community that makes MWW so special.

Here’s an opportunity to pitch your book directly to vaunted agents in search of new voices! Advocate for your book in a high-energy environment, and you might just become another MWW success story. Connect with literary agents who are actively searching for the next big thing across all genres including fiction, nonfiction, young adult and more. During the Agent Fest Online 2020, you’ll have a chance to meet agents one-on-one and capture their attention with the basic concept of your book.

We’ve assembled a dynamic roster of top-tier agents to participate in our Agent Fest Online 2020. We have four days of valuable sessions; no matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the sessions will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome.

The cost for our MWW Agent Fest Online 2020 experience has been reduced to $199. No more choosing among breakout sessions. Attend ALL 18 sessions live or watch recorded sessions for up to one month later. You can even rewatch sessions you find particularly helpful. You’re getting more sessions for less money, and you can attend in your PJs!

Our online conference features:

Opportunity to pitch to three of our remarkable faculty of agents and editors who know their stuff, providing information for aspiring writers to help move their writing forward.
A total of 18 sessions, via Zoom video conferencing. The sessions include a variety of content from agents and editors that feature lectures with vital, informative, enjoyable discussions that build your skills as a writer.
Private Facebook Group for camaraderie and to build connections with other attendees and faculty.
Can’t attend all the sessions live? No problem. MWW Agent Fest Online 2020 is offering archival video access to ALL attendees for ALL sessions and the content from other faculty members, allowing you to audit other sessions at your convenience during Agent Fest Online 2020 and for the following four weeks.

We also have a Query Letter Critique Team — an opportunity for a one-on-one consultation!

Our faculty includes: (Read their bios & wish lists)

Jennifer Grimaldi, Charlberg & Sussman
Jolene Haley, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
Eric Myers, Myers Literary Management
Latoya Smith, LCS Literary Services
Abby Saul, The Lark Group
Alice Speilburg, Speilburg Literary
Amy Stapp, Wolfson Literary
Cherry Weiner, Cherry Weiner Literary Agency
Shannon Kelly, Associate Editor, Abrams

You’ll meet one-on-one (via Zoom) with three agents. Each pitch lasts eight minutes, composed of a 4-minute pitch and a 4-minute response/discussion from the agent with feedback.

Sessions:

Working With Your Agent – Eric Myers, Myers Literary Management
Agents/Author Conversation – Agents Cherry Weiner and Latoya Smith and author Larry D. Sweazy
The Nonfiction Book Proposal – Alice Speilburg, Speilburg Literary
The Do’s and Don’ts of Querying Agents – Amy Stapp, Wolfson Literary
Working With An Agent – Latoya Smith, LCS Literary Services
Building Your Author Platform to Elevate Your Career – Jolene Haley, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
Ask the Agent About Publishing – Cherry Weiner, Cherry Weiner Literary Agency
What an Editor Wishes Every Author Knew – Shannon Kelly, Associate Editor at Abrams
360 View of the Path to Publication – Jennifer Grimaldi, Charlberg & Sussman
Agent/Author Conversation – Agent Alice Speilburg with author Angela Jackson-Brown
How to Create a Believable World in SFF – Jennifer Grimaldi, Charlberg & Sussman
You’ve Got A Book Deal, Now What? – Latoya Smith, LCS Literary Services

Evening sessions: (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)

First Page Read – Love It or Leave It, “Okay, Stop” –This is a chance to get your first page read (anonymously — no bylines given) with our attending agents/editors commenting on what was liked or not liked about the submission. Get expert feedback on your incredibly important first lines and know if your writing has what it needs to keep readers’ attention.

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 are eight agents and one editor attending and some will be a better fit for your writing than others. Be sure to study the list of faculty 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 Zoom sessions 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.
Read this blog post by our MWW friend Jane Friedman —How to Pitch Agents at a Writers Conference.

By Saturday afternoon, you will have added more tools to help you move forward on your writing journey.