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/.
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.
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.