At this virtual event, writers can meet one-on-one for 15 minutes with an agent. Writers need only bring 5 pages of their work, a query letter, and their “elevator pitch,” and they’ll meet in a private Zoom room with the agent of their choosing. Register now for the chance to pitch your work!
Location: Zoom
When: Sunday, June 30, 11am – 3pm ET
Cost: $40/Meeting
Pitch Meeting Times (ET): 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
*Rosa Frazier is no longer able to attend Pitch Fest in person but she will still be reviewing queries and manuscripts from attendees. Attendees will receive the submission link and details after booking.
*Katie Erickson is NOT available for the 1:30 and 2:00 sessions.
Contact: For questions, email philadelphiastoriesevents@gmail.com.
*IMPORTANT NOTE* We will NOT be sending work in advance to agents. Writers can share their work by sharing their screen or sending a shareable Google Doc or Microsoft Sharepoint link with the agent in their Zoom meeting. 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 have a completed or nearly completed manuscript ready for querying. Writers are also free to register with multiple agents.
*Refunds for this event will not be issued after Thursday, June 27th.
We are closing registration for Pitch Fest at 12pm ET on Friday, June 28th.
AGENTS
Thais Afonso
Thais is an Associate Agent with Azantian Literary Agency. Thais has eight years of experience in publishing between Brazil, China, and the United States. More recently, she interned at Writers House, where she honed her skills while supporting the desks of Amy Berkower and Johanna Castillo, and she was mentored by Jennifer Azantian before stepping up to the Associate Agent role at ALA. She intends to represent marginalized authors, and she’s especially seeking to uplift BIPOC born and raised in the Global South. An Afro-Brazlian lesbian, Thais currently lives and works out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She helps care for her grandmother when she’s not editing books and she’s one of those terrible people who calls the gym her hobby (even though she currently doesn’t go).
SEEKING: In Adult Fiction, Thais is looking to represent Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror, Contemporary Romance, and Suspense/Thrillers. In YA, she’s currently open to Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror, and Supernatural/Speculative Mysteries/Thrillers. Thais does not represent Picture Books, Middle Grade, and Contemporary YA.
Tamanna Bhasin
Tamanna is a literary agent at The Rights Factory. Having realized her passion for literature far outweighed her childhood dream of fashion design, Tamanna earned her BA in English Literature and History from the University of Toronto. After honing her skills by working with various literary journals and editorial internships, Tamanna joined The Rights Factory as an Associate Editor in 2020. With a keen eye for detail cultivated through her prior editorial work, Tamanna seamlessly transitioned into publishing. Her dedication to diverse narratives shines through as a literary agent—where she now combines her love for reading with her expertise in spotting compelling manuscripts across genres. Tamanna remains on the lookout for stories that resonate long after the final page has been turned.
SEEKING: Adult: Fantasy, historical fiction, and romance. YA/MG: Fantasy and historical fiction.
Laurie Dennison * SOLD OUT *
After earning her master’s degree from the University of Florida, Laurie Dennison began her career as an English teacher. She then spent over ten years working as a freelance writer and editor in desktop publishing, including serving as a Pitch Wars mentor for five years. In 2022 she attended the Denver Publishing Institute, leading to an internship at Creative Media Agency, Inc. before stepping into her role as an associate agent and internship coordinator.
SEEKING: Laurie is currently seeking romance, women’s fiction, book club, light domestic suspense/thriller, and commercial mystery. In nonfiction, she accepts memoir, narrative, women’s issues, and pop culture. In children’s, Laurie only accepts YA projects. In all areas she appreciates diverse representation, upmarket writing, strong character development, and fresh takes on familiar themes.
Katie Erickson * SOLD OUT *
Katie Erickson joined The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency in 2024, after previously interning at the agency, and after over a decade working as a freelance illustrator for clients such as Humpty Dumpty magazine. She is currently working on her Master’s Degree in Creative Writing and Illustration. When she’s not reading, writing, or illustrating, she can be found playing board games or taking long walks with her family.
SEEKING: She represents picture books, as well as middle-grade and young-adult literature.
*Katie Erickson is NOT available for the 1:30 and 2:00 sessions.
Sheila Fernley * SOLD OUT *
Sheila joined Storm Literary Agency in 2024 as an Associate Literary Agent and is actively building her client list. Specializing in children’s books (PB, MG, and YA), Sheila applies her editorial and writing background to discover talented authors and author/illustrators that she can champion and build their literary careers.
SEEKING: Sheila is drawn to quirky characters and stories with heart and/or humor. She is also drawn to strong and underrepresented voices, memorable characters and settings, a clear story arc, lyrical language, and cultural themes with universal meaning. Sheila specializes in picture books, including fiction and nonfiction biographies, fractured fairy tales, and folktale retellings. Currently, she is seeking non-rhyming picture books and middle grade novels that resonate with today’s youth, but no dark or horror topics, please. Surprise me!
Rosa Frazier
Rosa Frazier began her agenting journey as a Summer 2023 mentee under Marisa Cleveland, Literary Agent at The Seymour Agency. Rosa is the writer of over a dozen Adult Romance novels since 2012, self-publishing since 2014. In 2021, she was selected to participate as a mentee in the last class of Pitch Wars for her contemporary romance. As a recovering attorney, Rosa spent four years as a clinical law professor. An essay she wrote was published in a non-fiction legal publication. As an Afro-Latinx author, her goal is to share stories of Caribbean and South American heritage, folklore, and other languages and dialects. She is drawn to underrepresented BIPOC, LGBTQIA, and disabled creatives, hoping to help them reach their authorial dreams.
SEEKING: Rosa is seeking picture, middle-grade, and YA contemporary romance, mystery, and thrillers with inclusive and diverse perspectives.
*Rosa Frazier is no longer able to attend Pitch Fest in person but she will still be reviewing queries and manuscripts from attendees. Attendees will receive the submission link and details after booking.
Lisa Gouldy * SOLD OUT *
Lisa Gouldy is a literary agent apprentice actively building her client list with Corvisiero Literary Agency. Originally trained as an attorney, Lisa moved from the legal world into the literary one in search of stories less constrained by reality. As an apprentice with the Corvisiero Literary Agency, Lisa guides writers through the publishing process the way she once helped clients access the courts. Originally from Emmaus, Pennsylvania, Lisa currently lives in Seattle, Washington.
SEEKING: Lisa loves stories with lyrical writing, memorable characters, and fast-paced plots that keep her guessing. In adult fiction, she devours upmarket and literary titles with complex protagonists. If your book club would love it, she wants to see it! Lisa is also looking for upmarket or literary titles with speculative elements – stories set in a world much like ours, but with fantasy, sci-fi, or dystopian additions that illuminate real-life issues in a unique way. In children’s literature, Lisa particularly enjoys middle grade fantasy and young adult novels with a speculative bent, as well as high-concept picture books that make her laugh or cry.
Gabrielle Harbowy
Gabrielle Harbowy is a literary agent apprentice actively building her client list with Corvisiero Literary Agency. Gabrielle has more than 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, from her entry into the field as a pricing analyst at Scholastic, to becoming a full-time freelance editor and part-time writer. She was Managing Editor at Dragon Moon Press for a decade, has worked with award-winners and international bestsellers, and is passionate about elevating the authors around her. A three-time published novelist, short story author, and award-nominated anthologist, Gabrielle loves speaking, giving workshops, and running D&D games at numerous conventions.
SEEKING: Gabrielle is seeking Adult, YA/NA, and Middle Grade fiction. She wants to see science fiction with feels, immersive secondary-world fantasy, paranormal mysteries and heists. She would like to see queerness and alternative relationship structures, neurodiversity, and disability represented and normalized, both in the world and on the page, especially from diverse authors who exist in the spaces they write about. She is not a fit for dystopia/apocalyptic/global disaster stories, religious fiction, portal fantasy, time travel, or graphic novels.
Nadia Lynch * SOLD OUT *
As a newly appointed Junior Literary Agent at Talcott Notch Literary, I am thrilled to continue my journey in the world of literature, combining my love for books with a dedication to supporting authors through the publishing process. Since joining Talcott Notch Literary in June of 2021, I’ve supported our agents with queries, managing royalties and payments, curating social media, conducting research, and tackling daily projects. The opportunity to immerse myself in the world of literature is a dream come true—one that stemmed from my lifelong passion for books.
SEEKING: I am interested in upmarket, book club, historical, young adult, and women’s fiction, especially narratives that showcase resilient female protagonists. While these genres anchor my reading repertoire, I’m invigorated by books that push boundaries and challenge my perspectives. I have a particular appreciation for the intersection of fact and fiction, especially when the most captivating elements of a story are rooted in reality. In non-fiction, I enjoy subjects that expand my understanding. History, philosophy, alternative medicine, and self-improvement books are among my favorite genres, each offering a unique lens to explore and absorb new insights.
Joanna Rasheed * SOLD OUT *
Joanna is a literary agent at Ultra Literary. Previously she interned at Triada US Literary Agency and worked as an assistant at Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency. She graduated from Virginia Tech and now lives in NYC where she is actively building her client list.
SEEKING: YA (fantasy, dystopian sci fi) and Adult (fantasy, romance, contemporary, upmarket, and women’s fiction). What especially captures my attention is originality, fluid prose, elements of magic, flushed out family dynamics, and a romance thread.
Aiden Siobhan * SOLD OUT *
Aiden Siobhan is a Literary Agent at the Laura Dail Literary Agency. Aiden graduated from UNC School of the Arts in 2023 with a Filmmaking BFA specializing in Screenwriting and Animation. Before becoming an agent, they interned at LDLA and were an Author Mentor Match mentee in 2022. When they’re not binge reading an LGBTQ+ YA novel, they work as the Art Director for two alternative newspapers, attend film festivals for their documentary projects, and go on road trips with their fiancé and dogs.
SEEKING: Aiden represents Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction in all genres, as well as Adult Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror, and Romance. Across the board, they are looking for diverse stories told by folks that share the same identities as their characters. Aiden loves any story that is diverse, heartfelt, beautifully written, and makes them stay up reading until 3 A.M. Send them your trope-filled, high-stakes, addicting novels that will hook them so well they’ll have to draw fan art (and they will)! Read Aiden’s MSWL for more information.
Shannon Snow * SOLD OUT *
Shannon Snow worked in finance and marketing for 18 years before turning to her childhood first love… books and writers. She started her publishing career in 2018 and then joined Creative Media Agency, Inc. as an Associate Agent in 2020. She holds a B.A. in English Language and Literature, and also manages the Audio rights department for CMA.
SEEKING: Shannon has a very eclectic reading taste. She looks for books that have a unique angle, and authors that have a wonderful, engaging voice that makes her want to read a sentence again and say “wow” just because of how you worded something. Characterization is a top draw for her because if she can’t connect to a character, she can’t fully engage with a story. So, she’s looking for vivid, well-developed characters. She absolutely loves when an author can make her laugh, make her pull out her tissue box, or just make her feel emotion in general. She is actively acquiring right now and looking to build up her list. She is looking for Adult and Young Adult fiction in almost every category. Check out her Manuscript Wishlist for specifics.
Jynastie Wilson * SOLD OUT *
Jynastie is a literary agent at LCS Literary Services. During a childhood that was spent devouring the pages of both fantasy and contemporary novels alike, Jynastie Wilson discovered that there was magic within these pages, one that was much more complex than the fact that they happened to offer a place of escape and distraction. Instead, she found that these novels had the magic to make people feel a little less alone — specifically those that came from various marginalized communities, such as she did. Suddenly focused on this magic, Jynastie decided that she wanted to be someone that helped create and bring this magic to life. Something that she now hopes to achieve by working towards becoming a literary agent and supporting those who are underrepresented.
SEEKING: Jynastie is looking for a variety of projects in both Adult and Children’s genres. She is seeking Adult: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, and stories written by LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and/or other marginalized authors; Young Adult: Contemporary, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Historical, Horror, and stories written by LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and/or other marginalized authors; Middle Grade: Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Historical, Horror, and stories written by LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and/or other marginalized authors; and Childrens: Picture Books, Chapter Books, and stories written by LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and/or other marginalized authors.
Morgan Wilson
Morgan is a literary agent at Belcastro Agency. Morgan’s love for writing and books was fostered from an early age by a grandmother that wrote them bedtime stories and taught them how to write poetry. As they grew this love evolved into devouring books faster than their bookshelves could keep up and writing their own stories in magical kingdoms galaxies away. With over a decade of work in classrooms across the Midwest, Morgan wants to uplift the stories that their students needed so that everyone can see themselves on the page using magic, finding love and defeating the bad guy. They are dedicated to being an agent for change in the publishing industry and working with marginalized voices so that every child and adult can experience the joy of a book that speaks to them.
SEEKING: Morgan is seeking Adult/New Adult: Fantasy, Horror, Science Fiction, Romantasy, Thrillers, Paranormal Romance and genre blends between those above; Young Adult: Fantasy, Horror, Science Fiction, Romantasy, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance and genre blends between those above; Middle Grade: Fantasy, Horror, Science Fiction, Mystery; and All Ages: Graphic Novels. Morgan is only considering unpublished works at this time.