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, June 14, 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 June 7, 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, June 12 at 3PM EST. Refunds for this event will not be issued after Sunday, June 7.
AGENTS & EDITORS
*More agents/editors will be added as they are confirmed.
Marrissa Childs
An Arkansas Native, Marrissa has come a long way in her journey into publishing. She doubled majored in professional writing and creative writing at the University of Central Arkansas. Since she has obtained her MFA in Creative writing at Chapman University in California, she has dedicated herself, wholeheartedly, to publishing through leading her literary innovation team, JourneyWriter, in their path to healing the literacy crisis. She is also a member of the New York non-profit, Inkluded Inc.- assisting them with introducing young BiPOCs publishing professionals to the industry. She has also had the opportunity to work with Publisher’s Weekly as a writer and Booklife extern. She is now entering her path to agenting with Ladderbird Literary Agency with a clean slate, but experienced mind. Marrissa is a reader that values detailed narratives, intelligent and cool characters, lessons learned, and family gained in unlikely places. When Marrissa is not reading you can find her drinking sweet iced tea, eating pasta, and watching the latest foreign drama.
SEEKING: I am currently interested in accepting Adult, New Adult fiction, and Craft/Homemaking.
I DO NOT accept Picture Books, Middle Grade, Young Adult, legal, mystery/spy thrillers, paranormal, religious, hyper-sexual, or dark romance.
For more wishlist information, visit https://www.ladderbird.com/marrissa-childs.
*Marrissa Childs will accept pitch materials in advance of the event. Registered attendees will receive the appropriate contact information to submit their materials beginning June 7.
Olivia Emerick
Olivia Emerick is a Literary Assistant at Metamorphosis Literary Agency. A Boston College graduate with a B.A in English and Classics, she has always had her nose in a book. Her experience working at literary magazines and participating in the behind-the-scenes work of theatre productions has led Olivia to believe in collaboration, communication, and stories that speak to the human soul. As a writer herself, Olivia is passionate about advancing authors’ careers while respecting their artistic visions. When she is not working or cozied up with a book, she enjoys writing poetry and attending local theatre productions.
SEEKING: Olivia is looking to represent commercial fiction for young adult and adult audiences in the romance, fantasy, mythology, dark academia, horror, thriller, and dystopian genres.
*Olivia Emerick will accept pitch materials in advance of the event. Registered attendees will receive the appropriate contact information to submit their materials beginning June 7.
Sheila Fernley
Sheila Fernley is an Associate Literary Agent at Storm Literary Agency. Sheila is a Mexican American editorial agent and children’s book author, with her debut picture book to release fall 2026. As a former special education teacher and editor, Sheila advocates for diverse and inclusive authors and illustrators. She seeks clients who study their craft, who have a critique group and/or beta readers, and who are open to feedback and editorial guidance. Sheila is excited by fresh and compelling stories and structures, openings that make the reader wonder and compel them to dive into the story, and strong voices across categories and genres.
SEEKING: Sheila is currently seeking authors and author/illustrators of board books through MG, fiction and nonfiction, although she will consider a great YA that feels fresh. She is especially interested in fiction and nonfiction manuscripts that include humor.
Sheila is not a great fit for sports, horror, historical, health and wellness, military, and sci-fi (unless it has the feel of Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir). She is also not the best fit for rhyming picture books.
*Sheila Fernley will accept pitch materials in advance of the event. Registered attendees will receive the appropriate contact information to submit their materials beginning June 7.
Madelyn Knecht
Madelyn Knecht is an Associate Literary Agent at Storm Literary Agency. Madelyn is an editor, writer, and passionate reader from Texas whose hair changes color on a weekly basis. After falling in love with reading books that made her laugh and cry in equal measure, she started writing her first book at nine and never looked back. She serves as a RevPit board member, where she created the BIPOC Editor Mentorship, and a member of the EFA. When not reading or writing, you can find her playing cozy games, crocheting, or spending time with her two criminal Australian Shepherds and her lovable cat, Lucas.
SEEKING: Young Adult, Adult, and select Middle Grade in horror, fantasy, light scifi, LGBT+, and anything speculative and spooky. She is especially looking for novels with heart and masterfully-handled social and/or political commentary, and characters who pull you in until the very last page. Find more about her wishlist here.
*Madelyn Knecht will accept pitch materials in advance of the event. Registered attendees will receive the appropriate contact information to submit their materials beginning June 7.
René J. Kooiker
René J. Kooiker joined DG&B as Digital Coordinator and Junior Literary Agent in 2026, following stints in book-to-screen scouting, magazine editing, and academia. He consulted on new fiction for major book-to-screen clients in Hollywood and was Assistant Editor at The Yale Review. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Yale University and a B.A. in French and English from Amherst College. Having grown up in the Netherlands, he also lived and studied abroad in Avignon and Paris, France.
SEEKING: René is actively building his list, balancing fiction with non-fiction. In fiction, he’s drawn to high-concept or speculative upmarket fiction, literary debuts, friend groups and family sagas, grounded love stories and romcoms, psychological thrillers, crime or noir, and elevated horror. Generally, he loves reading fiction that has potential to be adapted for the screen. For non-fiction, he will consider previously untold or marginalized histories, research-driven narrative, incisive or funny essay collections, and smart cultural criticism for a broad audience.
*René J. Kooiker will accept pitch materials in advance of the event. Registered attendees will receive the appropriate contact information to submit their materials beginning June 7.
Natalie Sun
Natalie grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia reading as many fantastical adventures she could get her hands on. After a myriad of publishing internships and graduating from New York University with a major in English and a minor in psychology, she joined HG Literary to assist Carrie Hannigan. She has worked with many of the agency’s clients across a number of genres, and is now building her own list. For information on her favorite books, visit https://www.hgliterary.com/natalie.
SEEKING: Natalie is primarily interested in fantasy of all kinds, but will read almost any genre of fiction. She loves found family, original magic systems (particularly those that utilize aspects from underrepresented cultures), complex dynamics, retellings (especially fairytales and Greek mythology), and romance. She’s a sucker for any well-executed trope and loves animal companions (that don’t talk).
In adult and YA, Natalie is looking for fantasy and romance with compelling characters and strong worldbuilding. She selectively represents science fiction, thriller, and mystery. For middle grade, she loves anything that can make her laugh. Fantasy is preferred, but she is open to any genre. Natalie is very selective about picture books, but gravitates toward ones that tug on her heartstrings.
She is not looking for religious books, literary fiction, nonfiction, horror, or graphic novels.
*Natalie Sun will accept pitch materials in advance of the event. Registered attendees will receive the appropriate contact information to submit their materials beginning June 7.