At this virtual event, writers can book a 15‑minute one‑on‑one meeting with the agent/editor of their choice. Come prepared with an “elevator pitch,” a query letter, and sample pages. All sessions take place in private Zoom rooms for a productive, focused experience. Register now for the chance to pitch your work!
Location: Zoom
When: Sunday, September 20, 11am – 3pm EST
Cost: $50/Meeting
Pitch Meeting Times (EST): 11:00am – 11:15am; 11:30am – 11:45am; 12:00pm – 12:15pm; 1:00pm – 1:15pm; 1:30pm – 1:45pm; 2:00pm – 2:15pm; 2:30pm – 2:45pm
Contact: For questions, email philadelphiastoriesevents@gmail.com.
*At checkout, a completely optional contribution to Zeffy will appear by default. This helps keep the platform 100% free for nonprofits like ours. You can adjust the amount—by selecting Other and setting it to $0—if you wish.
NOTE: We will NOT personally send any pitch materials (query letters, sample pages, etc.) to agents/editors in advance of their meeting. However, agents/editors may, at their discretion, opt to receive materials directly from registered attendees the week before the event. This preference will be noted in their bio on the event page. Starting September 13, we will share the contact information of any agent/editor who has opted to accept materials in advance so registered attendees can reach out directly.
Pitch Fest is open to all writers and you do NOT need to be from the Philadelphia area to participate. However, we strongly recommend that attendees meeting with an agent/editor have a completed manuscript ready for querying. Attendees may also register for sessions with multiple agents/editors, but cannot book more than one session with the same agent/editor.
*We will be closing Pitch Fest registration on Friday, September 18 at 3PM EST. Refunds for this event will not be issued after Sunday, September 13.
AGENTS & EDITORS
*More agents/editors will be added as they are confirmed.
Lydia Caudill
Lydia Caudill is an agent with Andrea Hurst Literary Management. She started as an editorial intern in 2022 before quickly transitioning into a literary scout and editorial assistant. Now sporting the agent hat, Lydia is excited to build a diverse client list of her own and partner with authors to craft and share meaningful stories that leave a lasting impact on readers. Although currently residing in Raleigh, NC—Lydia is proud of her Appalachian roots and calls a small town in Eastern Kentucky home, where her grandmother fostered her passion for reading at a young age. She is a graduate of NC State University, where she earned her B.A. in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. When she’s not editing or reviewing submissions, you can find Lydia supporting live music, stamping her national parks passport, or spending quality time with her much-beloved hound dog, Rocky.
SEEKING: Lydia is looking for the following in Fiction (primarily in the Adult and New Adult spaces at this time): Commercial, Contemporary, Domestic Suspense, Dystopian, Historical Romance, Horror, LGBTQ+, Mythic Retellings (folklore, fairy tales, etc.), Romance, Romantasy, Science-Fiction (light and cozy only), and Supernatural/Paranormal. For more information on her manuscript wishlist, visit https://andreahurst.com/literary-agency/.
Danai Christopoulou
Danai Christopoulou is an associate literary agent with The Tobias Literary Agency. After a long career as a journalist and copyeditor (their articles have featured in magazines such as Glamour, House & Garden and Marie Claire since 2004), Danai pivoted into writing and editing fiction, which helped them identify their passion for championing authors and their stories. A Pushcart Prize-nominated and BSFA-longlisted author, Danai began their internship at The Tobias Literary Agency in 2023, and worked closely with Lane Heymont as his assistant for two years, before being promoted to associate literary agent. Danai loves speculative fiction of all flavors, from horror and thriller to sci-fi, fantasy and romance. They focus mostly on adult fiction, but are interested in Young Adult fiction with crossover appeal, particularly from BIPOC, queer, neurodivergent and other traditionally marginalized groups.
SEEKING: Witty horror with a social commentary, crime and romance with a speculative twist, fantasy and science fiction that feels grounded, funny and fresh. Genre mash-ups are always welcome!
Danai is NOT seeking Middle Grade and anything younger, non-fiction, crime or romance without a speculative element, military SFF, women’s fiction or historical without a speculative element.
Ava Grayson
Ava Lauren Grayson is a literary agent based in Los Angeles who joined Lowenstein Associates in 2026. She was previously an editor at Quill and Flame Publishing House for several years, following an internship supporting the literary department at Echo Lake Entertainment. Ava is a modern romantic with a taste for all things magical and dramatic. She is passionate about reading romantic yearning, empowering female heroines, and coming-of-age stories, and is actively building her list in the literary fiction, horror, romantasy, gothic, YA, genre-blends, romance, fantasy, and narrative nonfiction spaces. Ava reads widely and is willing to consider projects in any genre as long as the writing is compelling and immersive. She is seeking debut authors, own stories, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ stories. She is partial to Romantasy and YA.
SEEKING: I am seeking YA, NA, and adult fiction and non-fiction in all genres. My favorites include horror, fantasy, thrillers, and crime.
Rebecca Lommers
Rebecca Lommers is a literary agent at Katie Reed Literary. Rebecca graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor’s in English: Creative Writing, a Music Minor, and an Editing and Publishing Certificate. She is currently attending graduate school at Eastern Washington University to receive an MFA in Fiction. She has loved books ever since she learned how to read, and she always dreamed of reading books before they were published. She is incredibly excited to work with authors to help them achieve their writing dreams. She interned with Katie Reed for two years before being promoted to junior agent.
SEEKING: Here are the types of work I am seeking. Here is a link to my full Manuscript Wishlist:
- All YA
- Middle Grade Fantasy
- Dystopian
- General Fiction/Upmarket/Literary
- Romance
- Sci-Fi
- Horror
- Historical Fiction
- Mystery/Thriller (mostly Cozy)
- Graphic Novels (must already be illustrated)
What I DO NOT represent:
- Non-Fiction
- Adult Romantasy and Fantasy
- Anything Middle Grade (except fantasy)
- Children’s books
- Mystery/Thrillers that are overly dark and are not cozy
- Overly dark horror with graphic or inappropriate content
- Erotica
Ellen Scordato
Ellen Scordato is a partner in Stonesong with more than 35 years’ experience in trade book publishing. She started at St Martin’s Press, then Charles Scribner’s Sons and Random House, where she learned from some of the best in the business. She joined Stonesong as a partner in 2002, initially specializingin four-color and packaged titles. After 20 years she returned to her first, best love, genre fiction, and currently represents Jennifer Williamson, S. K. Golden, Victor Sulhammont, Elena Hartwell [Taylor], and Alex Myers, among others. A Wellesley College graduate with a B.A. in Classics and Art History, she lives in Manhattan with a husband and a couple of literary cats.
SEEKING: Ellen is looking for fast-paced contemporary mysteries and thrillers with charismatic protagonists and fresh settings with the potential for series. She’s a fan of dark academia, hard-boiled heroines, and clever police procedurals for today’s readers, but she’s not looking for cozy mysteries, horror, or comedy. She’ll read submissions set in the literary world, but if it’s in a tried-and-true setting (writing conference, bookstore, etc.), she’d like to see something innovative or an unexpected twist.
*Ellen Scordato will accept pitch materials in advance of the event. Registered attendees will receive the appropriate contact information to submit their materials beginning September 13.
Tali Shammas
Tali is a literary agent at Storm Literary Agency. She grew up devouring books by flashlight long past her bedtime. After several years practicing corporate law, she returned to her childhood love: books. With her legal knowledge and skills in client advocacy and contract negotiation, she looks forward to building a diverse client list. Tali is looking to work with clients over the span of their careers and is not afraid of a writer who wants to explore multiple genres. She is an editorial agent who loves to sink her teeth into a great manuscript and work with the writer to make the story shine. Tali is a champion for underrepresented voices, and she gives back by offering mentorship to up-and-coming writers and running workshops on legal issues writers should consider. She also co-hosts a literary podcast called The Prose Pros. Tali lives with her husband, two children, and a very spoiled (and handicapable) cockapoo with wheels.
SEEKING: Tali is looking for adult fiction, young adult, middle grade, and nonfiction. She is drawn to commercial hooks, lyrical writing, and voicey characters who jump off the page and pull you in. She loves books that explore underrepresented folk stories and mythologies. Similarly, she is interested in non-Western settings. In fantasy, she adores a unique magic system. She is also a big fan of books about books. Across all genres and age groups, she would love to see projects from BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, neurodiverse, and chronically ill communities. For more details, see her manuscript wishlist: https://manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/tali-shammas/.
Jess Taylor
Jess Taylor is a Literary Manager at Martin-Newens Literary Management. Jess discovered her passion for publishing when she crafted her first book pitch for a high school research project. After falling in love with persuading others to read the stories she adored, she earned her BFA in creative writing from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she also completed the publishing certificate program. She spent six years acquiring children’s books, YA, nonfiction, and fiction for a Virginia-based publisher before opening an online bookstore dedicated to her first love: young adult literature. Jess finds great joy in getting books into readers’ hands and loves working with authors from all publishing backgrounds. She champions books with diverse characters and settings and is currently building her list in the following genres:
SEEKING: Jess is seeking Young Adult, New Adult Romance, and Romance. To see Jess’s listing on #MSWL, click here: https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/jess-taylor/.
Jess is currently NOT accepting the following:
- Adult fiction in any genre aside from the romance subgenres listed
- Nonfiction
- Middle Grade
- Faith-Based
- Books over 150k words
*Jess Taylor will accept pitch materials in advance of the event. Registered attendees will receive the appropriate contact information to submit their materials beginning September 13.