These are some of our growing list of success stories regarding workshop attendees who have found their agent (or editor) match at a Writing Day Workshops event:
“I met Mai Nguyen at the Toronto Writing Workshop
and sold her manuscript in early 2022 in a pre-empt
to Atria Books/S&S for six-figures. It’s called SUNSHINE NAILS
and will be out in 2023.”
– literary agent Carly Watters (she/her) of P.S. Literary Agency
“I attended the Writing Conference of Los Angeles and used the information,
and manuscript critique from Chuck Sambuchino, to pitch my novel The Things We Didn’t Know to Simon & Schuster’s ‘Books Like Us’ Contest. The book won the $50,000 grand prize, which includes publication. My agent is Laurie Liss from Sterling Lord.”
– writer Elba Iris Perez
“I got to attend your L.A. Conference [The Writing Conference of Los
Angeles] and it was a great experience. Thank you for all the information!”
– Tomi Adeyemi, author of #1 New York Times bestseller CHILDREN OF
BLOOD AND BONE (Henry Holt Books, Jimmy Fallon’s Summer Reads Choice).
Her agent is Alexandra Machinist of ICM Partners
“I signed Nedda Lewers from the Philadelphia Writing Workshop. Her debut
novel comes out in February 2024 from Putnam Children’s, and is an Indie’s
Introduce Best Book of 2024. Its sequel publishes in July 2024.”
– literary agent Kelly Dyksterhouse of Tobias Literary Agency
“I signed writer Jennie Burke after meeting her at the 2023
Chesapeake Writers Conference. She’s written a gorgeous
memoir and I can’t wait to share the proposal with editors.”
– literary agent Pam Gruber of Highline Literary
“I have attended two of the Writing Workshop of Chicago conferences,
one in person and one virtual, and had wonderful experiences with
both. I signed with an agent I pitched at your event.” [UPDATE: Lina’s
debut mystery novel, PLAY THE FOOL, came out in 2023.]
– writer Lina Chern
“I signed a client, Frances Denny, after meeting her at
the [online] 2023 Florida Writing Workshop! (Her book
should be going out on sub soon!)”
literary agent Kate Davids of Arc Literary Management
“I signed Leland Myrick, one of the authors I met
at the 2023 Writing Workshop of San Francisco.”
– literary agent Renee C. Fountain of GH Literary
“I signed with agent Emmy Nordstrom Higdon of Westwood Creative
Artists! I first met Emmy at a Writing Day Workshops conference
several years ago. I can’t thank you enough for everything!”
– writer Dr. Arien Skiba
“I signed Caroline Fowler Davis at the [online] Pittsburgh Writing
Workshop, and we are working on her book MAY IT PLEASE THE SEA
to get it ready for publishers. Very exciting!”
– literary agent Allison Hellegers of Stimola Literary Studio
“I wanted to share the good news with you. I signed a client,
Yosha Gunasekera, who I met at the [online] Florida Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Michelle Richter of Fuse Literary
“I signed Julie Tyler who pitched to me via your
[online] Tennessee Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Felice Laverne of ArtHouse Literary Agency
“I signed a client I met at the 2023 Writers
Conference of Los Angeles! Huzzah!”
– literary agent Halley Dunne Parry of The Hamilburg Agency
“I have signed with Ariana Philips of Jean V. Naggar Literary!
I pitched my novel to Ariana over Zoom at the 2021 online
Tennessee Writing Workshop. It was a great experience, and
because of WDW, I have an agent!”
– writer Melissa Collings
“I found my literary agent at the [online]
2022 Michigan Writing Workshop.”
– writer Najla Mamou
“I’m grateful for the WDW conferences I attended in 2021! They
were instrumental to the start of my publishing career and I
recommend them regularly. I received an offer of representation
from an agent I pitched at one of your conferences.”
– writer Clare Marie Edgeman
“I signed client Dawn Berson from your Writing Workshop
of San Francisco in 2023. Thank you for all you do to
bring writers and agents together!”
– literary agent Bonnie Swanson of The Purcell Agency
(See a list of upcoming Writing Day Workshops conferences, both in-person and online.)
“If it were not for your great Writing Day Workshops conferences, I
would not have learned so much in a short span of time. I think
these workshops have given me the necessary tools to be successful.”
– writer Soma Kar, agented by Selwa Anthony of Selwa Author Management
“An agent at the [online] 2021 Carolina Writing Workshop offered
representation and I parlayed that into another offer at the [online]
2021 Pittsburgh Writing Workshop. I’m now represented by Dani
Segelbaum at the Carol Mann Agency. I am so grateful for the
opportunity to meet agents at your workshops. It’s a great program!”
– writer Jennifer Davis
“I wanted to let you know that we’ve agreed to a deal with one of the
writers who pitched me during the 2022 online Writing Workshop of
Chicago. Sourcebooks will be publishing a new edition of Cathy
Livingstone’s Best Grandmother Names book, and she will be writing
a Best Grandfather Names book for us as well. This is very exciting!”
– Anna Michels, editorial director of Sourcebooks and Poisoned Pen Press
“I signed writer Patricia Beadle from the
(online) 2022 San Diego Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Michelle Jackson of LCS Literary
“I’m thrilled to have signed writer Maggie Lafreniere to 5 Otter
Literary, who I had an instant connection with in our pitch session
at the [online] 2022 Writing Workshop of Chicago! She’s such a talent,
and we expect big things for her! Looking forward to finding more
amazing authors at future Writing Day Workshops conferences!”
– literary agent Ali McDonald of 5 Otter Literary
“I have BIG news. I just signed with a literary agent I met
through the 2021 [online] Minnesota Writing Conference. I want to
thank you for all the support you have shown me over this year and
the wonderful conferences you put on.”
– writer Maria Costanzo Palmer
“I can’t thank you enough. The [online] 2021 Chesapeake Writing
Workshop was really a great venue to meet my literary agent.”
– writer Hamsa Buvaraghan
“Last week I signed Sarah Elisabeth Brown who pitched to me
via your [online] 2021 Michigan Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Darlene Chan of Linda Chester Associates
“After pitching him at the 2022 [online] Atlanta Writing
Workshop, I signed with agent Daniel Cramer of
Page Turner Literary Agency.”
– writer Melody Plan
“I found my agent through your [online] 2021 Pittsburgh Writing
Workshop! I signed with agent Leticia Gomez back in April and signed
a contract with HCI Books. My book comes out September 2023.”
– writer Laura K. Connell
“Because of the [online] 2022 Minnesota Writing Workshop, and the
ability to pitch an agent one-on-one, I signed with agent Debbie
Alsdorf from Books & Such. Thank you for the opportunity and for
being a piece of my road to success. I truly appreciate it.”
– writer Chelsea Ohlemiller
“I attended the 2019 Seattle Writing Workshop and found
my agent at that event! I have since published my book,
Per My Last E-Mail. I am thankful for the agent pitch
sessions Writing Day Workshops provided.”
– author Stephanie K. Wright
“Highly recommend these workshops! This is how I got my agent!
The live pitch definitely gave more opportunity to be passionate & talk
about the book than my query letter ever could.” [S.E. found her agent,
Eric Smith of P.S. Literary, at the online 2021 San Diego Writing Workshop.]
– writer S.E. Doster of Geeky Acrylics
“I attended the 2023 Writing Conference of Los Angeles and
signed with agent Darlene Chan after pitching her at the event.”
– writer Esther Dixon
“This year I signed Natasha Khan, who pitched her story to
me at the [online] 2021 Atlanta Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Kortney Price
“Excited to announce that Megan Davies-Ostrom is my newest client!
Her horror and horror-adjacent work is wickedly fun and I know you’ll
all love it! She pitched me at the 2020 [online] Toronto Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Becky LeJeune of Bond Literary
(See a list of upcoming Writing Day Workshops conferences, both in-person and online.)
“I signed novelist Kathleen McInnis after meeting her
at the 2016 Chesapeake Writing Workshop.” (Update: Kathleen’s
novel THE HEART OF WAR: MISADVENTURES IN THE PENTAGON (A NOVEL)
came out in 2018.)
– literary agent Adriann Ranta
“I just signed client Kyle Reardon from the [online] 2021 San Diego
Writing Workshop. Online virtual pitches DO WORK!!!”
– literary agent Lynnette Novak of The Seymour Agency
“I met author M. David Flanagan at the 2019 Writing Workshop of
San Francisco and will be representing his middle grade series,
Maggie Monday! How exciting!”
– literary agent and partner Laurie McLean of Fuse Literary
“Fun fact: I have offered representation to at least one attendee
per Writing Day Workshops conference. There’s always one gem
(at least!). So excited for your events!”
– literary agent Cecilia Lyra of P.S. Literary Agency
“After pitching to book agent Nikki Terpilowski through the [online]
2020 Colorado Writing Workshop, she wants to represent my book. Thank
you for your wonderful online conference and for making this possible.”
– writer Karen Harlin
“I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Anne Christopher to
#TeamSpencerhill. We first met at the 2020 Atlanta Writing Workshop,
and I absolutely fell in love with her Southern-flavored reunion romance.”
– literary agent Ali Herring of Spencerhill Associates
“I ended up signing up with agent Michael Carr of Veritas
Literary following the [online] 2020 Boston Writing Conference.
As a non-US author and non-native English speaker living
outside the big literary hubs, the opportunity to connect with
industry professionals via Zoom was invaluable for me.”
– writer Didem Tali
“I’m thrilled to announce that Sandra Knisely Barnidge has signed with me!
I met Sandra in Birmingham [2020 Alabama Writing Workshop] in March.
She pitched me her story about a group of girlfriends & what happens
when one girl becomes convinced she can levitate—I was hooked.”
– literary agent Erin Clyburn of Howland Literary
“I just signed a writer from the 2019 North Carolina Writing
Workshop! Her name is Sarah Warburton and we’ll be working
together on her women’s fiction. Thanks!”
– literary agent Melissa Jeglinski of The Knight Agency
“I signed Andrea Kessler, a picture book
writer I met at the 2019 Chesapeake Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Shari Maurer of The Stringer Agency
“I am happy to report that I signed a writer after meeting
them through a pitch session at the 2016 Writing Workshop of Chicago.”
– literary agent Marcy Posner of Folio Literary
“I got an offer of representation from an agent at the [online]
2020 Boston Writing Workshop. I can’t thank you enough for
your incredible hard work in organizing the conference.”
– writer Anoop Ahuja Judge
“I signed writer Julie Tuovi after we met
in person at the 2016 Cleveland Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Moe Ferrara of BookEnds Literary
“I signed author Stephanie Wright from
the 2018 Seattle Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Kathleen Ortiz of K.O. Media Management
“I signed writer Mia Lazarewicz after she pitched
me at the 2018 Boston Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Amelia Appel of TriadaUS Literary
“I signed an author from the 2016 Toronto Writing Workshop. I
requested her manuscript during a pitch session, read it overnight,
and loved it so much that I offered representation the next day!”
– literary agent Rachel Letofsky of CookeMcDermid Literary Management
“I went to the 2019 Kansas City Writing Workshop, and that’s how I got
my agent! Also, your encouraging critique of my query letter and
synopsis helped me have the confidence to put myself out there.”
– writer Angela Crocker
“I recently signed Cathy Collison & Janis Campbell, who I met at the 2019
Michigan Writing Workshop. We’re starting out with a MG nonfiction
project and have a lot of other things in the pipeline after that!”
– literary agent Jacqui Lipton of The Tobias Agency
“Good news! I signed a client [novelist Aliza Mann]
from the 2017 Michigan Writing Workshop!”
– literary agent Sara Mebigow of KT Literary
“I wanted to let you know I signed a writer who
I met at the 2017 Writing Workshop of Chicago,
Rebecca Rissman. It was a quality conference.”
– literary agent Jennifer Unter of The Unter Agency
(See a list of upcoming Writing Day Workshops conferences, both in-person and online.)
“I first met my agent, Lindsay Guzzardo from Martin Literary, at the 2019
Seattle Writing Workshop. She sold my novel, ALL THE LIGHTS ABOVE US
(May 2022) to Alcove Press, a women’s fiction offshoot of Crooked Lane Publishing.”
– writer Melinda Burns-Henry
“I truly loved doing the 2019 San Diego Writing Workshop
and signed writer Marie Lavanier from the conference!”
– literary agent Jessica Watterson of Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency
“I am writing to say thank you for organizing these writing workshops.
I attended in 2019 and 2020, and I learned so much. My book,
Own Your Opportunities, is scheduled to be released in 2022. Attending
your workshops gave me so much information. I appreciated the
opportunity to speak directly to agents and get feedback. All in all, your workshops
helped me secure an agent and get a book deal. Dreams do come true. I encourage
everyone I know who desires to write a book to attend your workshops.”
– writer Juliet Hall
I recently signed on Daniel Stuart Olmes, whom I met at the 2021
[online] Chesapeake Writers Conference for his book Reflections of
an Ordinary Guy: The Everyday Experiences That Changed My Life.”
– literary agent Leticia Gomez of Savvy Literary
“I found a fabulous client at the
2019 Florida Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Cricket Freeman of The August Agency
“I’m signing a writer I met through
one of your WDW online writers conferences.”
– literary agent Leslie Varney of Prentis Literary
“I attended the 2019 Philadelphia Writing Workshop. The conference and
one-on-one session with agent John Willig reaffirmed my belief in my book
idea and book proposal. About a year ago I earned representation from
Waterside Productions; my book APA Style & Citations was released
by Wiley in May 2021. Thank you for the encouragement.” [UPDATE: Joe’s second book,
College Writing For Dummies, comes out in 2022.]
– writer Joe Giampalmi
“I signed Lew Schrager, an author from
the 2015 Chesapeake Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Laura Strachan of The Strachan Literary Agency
“I signed a client, Claudia Sorsby, from the
2019 Boston Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Charlotte Wenger of Prospect Agency
“I signed an attendee from the 2018 Writing Workshop
of San Francisco! Her name is Justine Macauley, and we are
very excited to have made the match!”
– literary agent Jennie Kendrick of Red Fox Literary
“After attending the [online] 2020 Colorado Writing Workshop, I signed
with a literary agent! I am so delighted. I received interest from multiple
agents and signed with Keely Boeving from WordServe Literary. I am thrilled.”
– writer Brie R. Doyle
“Hi WDW team, I just wanted to let you know that
I signed an author I met at the 2017 Michigan
Writing Workshop: Theresa Grant. Thanks so much!”
– literary agent Alice Speilburg of Speilburg Literary
“I pitched two agents at the 2019 Florida Writing Workshop. Both
agents requested my manuscript and, less than a week later, one of
them offered representation! I ultimately received five (!!) offers of
representation on the manuscript. I’ve always said the WDW conference
was the ‘first domino’ in getting my agent, Stefanie Lieberman of Janklow & Nesbit.
My debut novel sold in a pre-empt.”
– author Sarah L. Penner
“I just signed writer E.J. Lawrence, who I met
at the 2017 Tennessee Writing Workshop!”
– literary agent Lesley Sabga of The Seymour Agency
“I met my client, Alison Hammer, at the 2017 Writing
Workshop of Chicago and just sold her book.”
– literary agent Joanna Mackenzie of Nelson Literary
(See a list of upcoming Writing Day Workshops conferences, both in-person and online.)
“I love the quality of clients I find at the Writing Day
Workshops events. I signed writer Alicia Bernasconi
from the 2018 Indiana Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Cyle Young of Hartline Literary
“[Author] Amber Cowie met [agent] Gordon Warnock of Fuse
Literary and [editor] Alison Dasho of Lake Union Publishing
at the 2017 Seattle Writing Workshop. Amber’s debut
RAPID FALLS is due out from Lake Union in fall 2018.”
– literary agent Gordon Warnock writing on the Fuse Literary blog.
[UPDATE: RAPID FALLS was released and quickly gathered more than
900 reviews on Amazon, reaching #1 on some categories.]
“After meeting him at the 2019 Writing Conference of Los Angeles,
I signed with agent Steven Hutson as a client. I’m so stoked to move
into the next leg of my writing career. Such a blessing.”
– writer Mya Douglas
“I made an offer of representation to Sarah Kaminski,
who pitched me at the 2018 Writing Workshop of Chicago.
A million thanks for introducing us.”
– literary agent Tina P. Schwartz of The Purcell Agency
“I got my agent at the 2018 Pittsburgh Writing Workshop. The
conference was a great opportunity to connect with agents in person.”
– writer Caitlin M. Smith
“Yay! I signed two clients from the
2017 Minnesota Writing Workshop!”
– literary agent Mary Cummings of Great River Literary
“I signed with a literary agent after pitching her at
the 2017 Alabama Writing Workshop.”
– writer Laura W. Carter
“I was at the 2017 Philadelphia Writing Workshop. I pitched two
agencies that day, and today I signed with one of them! I am now
represented by Brower Literary! Thank you for all you do to
support writers trying to get their stories out in the world.”
– writer Jenny Raphael
“I signed with Beth Marshea of Ladderbird Literary Agency! I
pitched her at the 2018 Florida Writing Workshop. It was a perfect match.”
– writer Erica Shaw
“I attended the 2017 Alabama Writing Workshop. With the instruction
I received at your conference, I was better prepared to submit my novel. I
landed a great NY-based agent, got a book deal, went on a book tour,
and was picked as a columnist by a women’s magazine!”
– author Lorna Hollifield
“Agent Julie Gwinn of The Seymour Agency signed me from the 2017
Kentucky Writing Workshop! I feel so blessed and am thrilled beyond
belief!” [2020 update: Sue’s memoir, THE ATHLETE INSIDE, was sold
to Fortress Press and released in 2020.]
– writer Sue Reynolds
“I signed with agent Veronica Park of Fuse Literary after
pitching my manuscript to her at the 2016 Atlanta Writing Workshop.”
– writer Renee Barrow
“I signed an author from the 2016 Writing Workshop of Chicago.
Her name is Georgina Cross and I’m delighted I found her.” (UPDATE:
“Georgina is now writing suspense novels for Penguin Random
House and Bookouture. So grateful I met her there at a pitch
session, as we’ve had a fantastic relationship and friendship for 6 years!”)
See all Georgina’s books here.
– literary agent Rachel Beck of Liza Dawson Associates
“I signed with a literary agency after pitching
them at the the 2018 Michigan Writing Workshop.”
– writer Makiko Orser
“I just wanted you to know that I signed writer Brian Roth,
whom I met at your 2018 Indiana Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Amanda Luedeke of MacGregor & Luedeke Literary
“I signed a writer-illustrator after meeting her
at the Atlanta Writing Workshop in 2016.”
– literary agent Sally Apokedak
“I signed a client after he pitched me
his novel at the 2014 Texas Writing Retreat.”
– literary agent Elizabeth Kracht of Kimberley Cameron & Associates
“Three positive agent pitches led to two offers of representation,
following the 2019 Chesapeake Writing Workshop.”
– writer Andrea Kessler
“I signed writer Joe Stowitschek after meeting him
at the 2017 Seattle Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Paul S. Levine of Paul S. Levine Literary
“My newest client’s name is Leslie Vedder. She pitched me
during the 2016 Colorado Writing Workshop. I read her story afterward
and loved it. I offered representation the week following the event!”
– literary agent Alex Barba
“I signed an author [Kate Thompson] that I
met at the 2017 Philadelphia Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Kimberly Brower of Brower Literary
“I signed a client from the 2016
Writing Workshop of Chicago.”
– literary agent Abby Saul of The Lark Group
“This is easily the best spent money I’ve ever spent on a writing conference.
Period. I can’t sing enough praise for Writing Day Workshops. Their help
directly led to signing with agent Sharon Belcastro. Even if you don’t
find your match at an event, the connections you get will be life-changing.”
– writer Robert Blaine
“I attended the 2019 Atlanta Writing Workshop and loved it. I pitched
my book to an agent, and through one of them, I signed with her
agency. We got a book deal with Skyhorse and my book will be
published this spring! I’m so thankful for this workshop!”
– writer Leah Weber
“I signed with The Seymour Agency after pitching one
of their agents at the 2017 Tennessee Writing Workshop.”
[UPDATE: Tera’s memoir, Swimming for Freedom, was
released in 2020 by Broadstreet Publishing.]
– writer Tera Bradham
“I met my client Lindsey Smith (The Food Mood Girl)
at the 2016 Philadelphia Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Eric Smith of P.S. Literary
(Update: Eric sold Lindsey’s book to St. Martin’s Press, and it came out in fall 2017.)
“I signed with my agent, Patricia Nelson [of Marsal Lyon Literary
Agency], after meeting her at the 2014 Arizona Writing Workshop.”
(Update: Patricia has sold several Axie’s novels to publishers, such
as HarperTeen. See all her books here.)
– writer Axie Oh
“I officially signed with agent Renee Nyen of KT Literary.
I met her at the 2014 Colorado Writing Workshop.” (Update:
Jessie’s novel, THE CALCULUS OF CHANGE, was released
from Clarion Books.)
– writer Jessie Hilb Akos
“I signed writer Beka Passauer, who I met at a pitch
session at the 2017 Seattle Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Adria Goetz of P.S. Literary
“I found my literary agent through the
2018 Writing Workshop of Chicago.”
– writer Joel Brigham
“I’m happy to report that I signed an author from the 2019
Chesapeake Writing Workshop! She’s terrific. I sold her book to
Simon & Schuster! It will be out in spring 2022.”
– literary agent Emily Williamson of Williamson Literary
“I’m proud to say I signed Andrew Southwick, one of the writers
who pitched me at the 2018 Philadelphia Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Michelle Lazurek of Wordwise Media Services
“I signed writers Laura Barnaby and Anitra Schulte after
meeting them at the 2017 Kansas City Writers Workshop.”
– literary agent Stephanie Hansen of Metamorphosis Literary Agency
(Update: Attendee Anitra Schulte has two books out with Two Lions [Amazon imprint]. Also, attendee Laura Barnaby (pen name Laura Snider) has a book series out with Severn River Publishing.)
“I signed with a literary agent I met at the
2018 Writing Workshop of Chicago”
– writer Ryann Roberts
“I attended the 2018 Chesapeake Writing Workshop and I
signed with a literary agent from the event. It was the
first conference I’ve been to, and I found it super helpful.”
– writer Katie Mastin
“I met my literary agent, Alice Speilburg of Speilburg Literary, at
the 2015 Kentucky Writing Workshop in Louisville. She is awesome
and I can’t recommend Writing Day Workshops events highly enough.
Book four of my #1 Amazon-bestselling Horizon Alpha series
releases April 2020, and the fifth and final book will hit stores in November 2020.”
– writer Wendy Vogel
“After taking pitches at the 2015 Michigan Writing Workshop,
I signed writer Kyle Prue as a new client.”
– literary agent Veronica Park
“I found my agent at the 2018 Boston Writing Workshop. She and I hit it
off right away, and I knew she was the right agent for me. I’m happy I
made the trip from North Carolina and would highly recommend WDW
conferences for anyone who needs an agent.”
– writer Dawn Reno Langley
“At the 2017 Tennessee Writing Workshop, I signed a number
of new authors whose books will be published in 2018.”
– editor Mike Parker of WordCrafts Press
“I am a success story! I attended the 2018 Michigan Writing
Workshop and it thrills me to announce that I am now
represented by an agent I pitched at the event.”
– writer Kristiana Sfirlea
“I enjoyed last year’s 2018 Pittsburgh Writing Workshop so much,
and from it I was able to sign a book deal with a great publisher!
I see now that I would never be where I am if it wasn’t for the workshop.”
– writer Addison Schmitt
“After taking pitches at the 2016 Alabama Writing Workshop, I met
Erin Brown Hollis at a pitch session, and she is now my client.”
[UPDATE:] “I got two publishing contracts for Erin — Broadstreet
Publishing and Vinspire Publishing.”
– literary agent Julie Gwinn of The Seymour Agency
We will continue to update the list as success stories trickle in. Will our next success story be you? Join us at an event and pitch your work to agents and editors seeking new writers now!
(See a list of upcoming Writing Day Workshops conferences, both in-person and online.)
Meg Gaertner is a senior editor with Flux and Jolly Fish Press.
