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.
Kenna DeValor
Kenna DeValor (they/them/theirs) is a literary agent at D4EO Literary Agency. Kenna is a queer and nonbinary literary agent, artist, and writer who aspires to bring representation and diversity to the literary world through the books they publish and the authors they represent. Kenna wants to partner with those who have a genuine passion for their stories and have words that “sing” off the page. Kenna is currently an MA/MFA graduate student at Wilkes University studying Creative Writing (Fiction and Arts Education). With 7+ years of publishing, literary arts education, social media, and marketing experience across the literary and nonprofit scopes, Kenna wants to advocate for authors, build an author-centric vision for author careers, and build a foundation on connection, trust, and genuine passion for storytelling and literary arts as a whole.
SEEKING:
- LGBTQIA+ Adult Fiction and YA (Horror, Fantasy, Romance)
- Strong FMC (Female Main Character) Fiction
- Poetry (Full-Size Collections – 80-120 pgs.)
- YA (Romance, Horror, Folklore, Fantasy, LGBTQIA+)
- “Weird Girl Lit”
- Adult Fiction: Horror, Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Dark Academia Fiction
- Fictional Sub-Genres: Romantasy, Dark Academia, Gothic Horror, Story Collections (Full-Length)
- Graphic Novels
- Creative Nonfiction: Punk Memoirs (akin to “Crying in H Mart” by Michelle Zauner & “I’m Glad My Mom Died” by Jennette McCurdy)
- I wish to represent and uplift diverse and underrepresented voices in literature, such as LGBTQIA+, disabled, BIPOC, Latine, AAPI, and neurodivergent characters and voices.
- Loves: Enemies to Lovers, diverse characters and diverse representation, Secret Societies, Magic, Dragons, Stories that feel like a fever dream, Dark Academia & School-Based settings, Vampires, Gothic undertones, folklore, mythology.
For more wishlist information, visit https://manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/kenna-devalor/.
*Kenna DeValor 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.
Audrey Clare Farley
Audrey Clare Farley is a literary agent at Hyponymous Literary. Audrey is an author, editor, and literary scholar. After earning a PhD in English literature, she turned to creative nonfiction, writing The Unfit Heiress and Girls and Their Monsters. The latter won the Michigan Notable Book award and was named a New York Times Editors’ Pick. Farley currently teaches part-time at Mount St. Mary’s University and leads creative writing workshops for Narratively Academy, where she has helped many authors to develop book ideas.
SEEKING: She is currently acquiring nonfiction for Hyponymous Literary. She is most interested in hybrid memoir, essays, religion, philosophy, and cultural criticism. She’s especially drawn to projects that disarm the reader–that ask the reader to let go of certainties and look at the world anew.
*Audrey Clare Farley 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.
Delila Keravuori
Delila is a Publishing Agent at Verve Talent & Literary Agency based in NYC, where she represents debut authors and multi-hyphenate creatives in fiction and select nonfiction. She is actively building her list and has worked with writers including Amanda Mortlock, AC Robinson, Skylar Harrison, Elizabeth Rose Quinn, and Kayla Hardy.
SEEKING: She’s drawn to literary and upmarket fiction with a singular voice and a compelling premise, though she remains genre-agnostic. She gravitates toward bold female and queer perspectives, and especially loves work that is quirky, funny, stylish, tonally confident, and thematically complex. She’s looking for smart, contemporary suspense with a fresh and literary POV; sweeping love stories with an edge; and grounded high-concept narratives with mythic or occult elements. She has a soft spot for literary horror (cults, obsession, intense relationships), queer reimaginings of mythology or religious institutions (including nunhood), atmospheric gothic mysteries, and stories rooted in insular worlds (restaurant culture included).
Writers she admires include Lily King, Heather O’Neill, Yael van der Wouden, Jen Beagin, Ottessa Moshfegh, Madeline Miller, Sophie Mackintosh, Liz Moore, Gabrielle Zevin, and Taylor Jenkins Reid.
In nonfiction, she’s seeking narrative work with humor and a sharp, provocative lens focused on girlhood and the body, subcultures, the inexplicable, niche worlds/professions, and behind-the-scenes perspectives.
*Delila Keravuori 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.
Wadzanai Mhute
Wadzanai Mhute is literary agent and founder of Antsu Literary Agency. She founded the boutique agency with a vision to champion diverse voices and ensure that stories from all corners of the world find their place in the literary landscape. Wadzanai is also a writer, editor and book critic, and a recipient of the MacDowell Fellowship. She was a books editor at Oprah Daily and Oprah’s Book Club, was also fiction editor at The Sunday Long Read and the Brooklyn Review. Her writing has appeared in several publications including The New York Times, The Boston Globe, People Magazine and The Washington Post among others. Wadzanai is currently serving as a member on the National Book Critic’s Circle Board where she is the DEI Chair and the Balakian Prize co-chair. She is an alumnus of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism and Brooklyn College’s creative writing program.
SEEKING: I am looking for literary fiction, contemporary, historical, thriller/mystery, memoir, science fiction and narrative non-fiction. For more details, visit my website https://www.antsuliterary.com/submissions.
*Wadzanai Mhute will accept pitch materials in advance of the event. Registered attendees will receive the appropriate contact information to submit their materials beginning June 7.
Gemma Paynter
Gemma Paynter is an associate agent at PSLA. She holds a BA in Philosophy and a postgrad in Publishing. After over a decade working in marketing and strategy, she moved into publishing with Harlequin, working across both trade and category romance. She brings an instinct for audience development, emerging trends, and the cultural undercurrents that shape what resonates, often before it fully breaks through.
SEEKING: Gemma is actively acquiring adult fiction and non-fiction that subvert expectations. In non-fiction, she is drawn to narrative projects that bring niche subjects to a wide readership, particularly those that blend memoir with expertise. Her interests include pop culture, pop science, fashion, design, literary commentary, and the history of subcultures and counterculture. In fiction, she loves immersive atmosphere, sharp observation, twisty storytelling, and offbeat wit. She is especially interested in folktale-inspired horror and fantasy, gothic mystery and romance, fantasies featuring mundane magic, puzzle-driven mysteries, and cozy stories that feel hopeful yet grounded, like a Studio Ghibli movie. She has a soft spot for “weird girl” literary fiction, unreliable narrators, and true rom-coms — make her laugh! She is drawn to work that takes an irreverent, witty approach to the macabre and is always on the lookout for projects that capture the strange, uncanny magic of Twin Peaks. Her full wish list can be found here – https://manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/gemma-paynter/.
*Gemma Paynter will accept pitch materials in advance of the event. Registered attendees will receive the appropriate contact information to submit their materials beginning June 7.
Jillian Schelzi
Jillian graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, CT with a BS in Mathematics. After working for years in Finance at a consulting firm in Boston, Jillian realized her passion did not lie within excel sheets, and she set off to pursue a new dream. She moved to New York City to attend NYU and obtained her MS in Publishing: Digital and Print Media. Her first role in publishing was as an intern for HG Literary in 2023. She also provided contract work for Gina Protano of GGP Publishing (whom she met by chance in Barnes & Noble). Upon graduating NYU, she returned full time to HG Literary as an assistant to Josh Getzler.
SEEKING: Jillian loves a novel that is going to make her feel deeply, whether that is devastating sorrow or profound joy. She is primarily looking for adult fiction and is specifically interested in thrillers, particularly anything psychological (or anything with a shocking twist!) with page turning suspense. She is also drawn to rich historical fiction set against the backdrop of war. She also loves any book that includes representation of mental illness and is not afraid of novels that include darker, more challenging themes. She is open to novels that skew literary and upmarket, as well as anything Book Club.
For YA, Jillian is only considering YA romance at this time.
Jillian is not looking for middle grade, picture books, religious books, fantasy/romantasy, or horror at this time.
*Jillian Schelzi 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.