PITCH YOUR BOOK TO A LITERARY AGENT:
These one-on-one in-person meetings at the 2026 Tennessee Writing Workshop are an amazing chance to pitch your book face-to-face with an agent, and get personal, individual feedback on your pitch/concept. If the agent likes your pitch, they’ll request to see part/all of your book — sending you straight past the slush pile. It also gives you an intimate chance to meet with an agent and pick their brain with any questions on your mind. More 2026 agents to be announced as they are confirmed. You can sign up for pitches at any time, or switch pitches at any time, so long as the agent in question still has appointments open.
Mara Cobb is a literary agent with Lighthouse Literary. “In middle grade, I enjoy spunky characters who are navigating life’s changes with joy and humor. Seeking all genres except horror and high fantasy. In young adult, she seeks I love believable characters who feel authentic in their interactions with the world around them. Dystopian, contemporary, and romance are some of my favorite YA genres, and I am currently not seeking horror or high fantasy. In adult fiction, I am open to Christian fiction, new adult, women’s fiction, book club fiction, contemporary, historical, and sweet romance. I love books with characters that make me laugh out loud, roll my eyes, or a mix of the two. In adult nonfiction, I am seeking historical nonfiction, books that feature relevant topics for readers of today, and the occasional memoir if the author’s platform is strong.” Learn more about Mara here.
Trinica Sampson-Vera is a literary agent with New Leaf Literary & Media who is passionate about championing diverse and historically marginalized voices. Trinica is accepting middle grade to adult fiction. Across age groups, she loves adventurous, character-driven stories with strong hooks and even stronger emotions. Some specific manuscript wishlist items include: speculative fiction (especially horror, cozy-to-high fantasy, and dystopian); romance and romcoms (especially featuring sapphic/queer relationships); and Caribbean (especially Trinidad & Tobago) characters/settings. Learn more about Trinica here.
Lizzie Poteet is a senior editor with Dell Books, part of Penguin Random House. “Dell has always been synonymous with the best of popular storytelling and now publishes such big brand names as Lee Child, Diana Gabaldon, and Danielle Steel. The Delacorte/Dell lists focus on general fiction, love stories, and romantic comedy and are committed to nurturing voices that will allow us to continue our century-long tradition of sharing beloved books with the world.” Learn more about Lizzie here.
Sarah N. Fisk is a literary agent with The Tobias Literary Agency, and is open to pitches for young adult of all genres, middle grade of all genres, adult romance, science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, and select nonfiction (see wishlist for more specifics). They also take pitches for mysteries and thrillers via conferences only. Sarah especially loves fiction that is compulsively readable and social justice issues woven into commercial plots. Particular areas of interest include atmospheric fantasies, speculative mysteries, books that challenge societal norms, especially gender norms. Learn more about Sarah here.
Mytecia Myles is a literary agent with Embolden Media Group. In nonfiction, she seeks: academic — essays, multimedia, storytelling, writing, communication, media; business, entrepreneurship, and leadership; Christian lifestyle, faith, spiritual growth, prayer and intercession, spiritual gifts, healing, meditation, mindfulness; creative/narrative nonfiction; memoir (written by BIPOC writers); lifestyle: international food and travel; self-help/personal growth; women’s issues, inspiration, and stories written by women. In fiction, she seeks: biographical fiction, historical fiction; upmarket fiction; and attractive sources for film and television adaption. In kidlit and children’s books, she seeks: picture books and social topics. Learn more about Mytecia here.
Vicky Weber is a literary agent with Creative Media Agency. In adult and young adult fiction, she seeks: horror, psychological suspense, thrillers, commercial, upmarket, historical, women’s fiction, romance, fantasy (dark/high/epic), magical realism, speculative, and paranormal/supernatural. In middle grade and picture books, she seeks highly giftable, commercial fiction with a strong voice—stories that feel like they always should have been on the shelf. Learn more about Vicky here.
Paula K. Parker is an editor with WordCrafts Press. WordCrafts publishes fiction, nonfiction and stage plays for both the Christian and general markets. The press is actively seeking adult and young adult fiction in the following genres: historical (including Biblical), contemporary, women’s fiction, fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, suspense, thriller, horror, romance, young adult, and middle grade. The press is actively seeking nonfiction titles in the following categories: memoir, biography, self-help, humor, travel, business, motivation, mentoring. WordCrafts is actively seeking stage plays in any genre, but is particularly interested in scripts offering strong roles for females. Learn more about Paula here.
Stephanie Cardel is a literary agent and the founder of Lighthouse Literary Agency where she enjoys helping authors shine their lights and realize their dreams of becoming published. She represents authors of children’s (picture books, middle grade, young adult) and adult fiction and nonfiction for both the Christian and secular markets. Learn more about Stephanie here.
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ADDED ONLINE PITCHING: To ensure that writers have a robust and diverse lineup of agents & editors to pitch, 2026 Tennessee Writing Workshop attendees will have the ability to also pitch literary agents at a specific Writing Day Workshops *online* event that follows the 2026 TWW on our calendar.
That event is the 2026 (Online) New England Writing Workshop, July 24-25, 2026, which will have 30-40 agents taking one-on-one Zoom virtual pitches.
This means that 2026 TWW attendees can have access to pitching all those online New England WW agents — pitches still at $29 each — without being a formal registrant for the online July 2026 event. (That said, if you want to formally register for the July 24-25 New England Writing Workshop and have access to all classes and panels, let us know, as there is a discount for confirmed Tennessee attendees.)
If you are interested in this added pitching opportunity, the first step is to get formally registered for Tennessee. Following the conference on April 25, 2026, we will be in touch with all Tennessee attendees and ask them if they want to partake in pitching online agents at the 2026 NEWW (July 24-25). At that time, you can communicate your pitch requests and purchase meeting time.
More 2026 agents to be announced as they are confirmed. You can sign up for pitches at any time, or switch pitches at any time, so long as the agent in question still has appointments open.
These one-on-one meetings are an amazing chance to pitch your book face-to-face with an agent, and get personal, individual feedback on your pitch/concept. If the agent likes your pitch, they’ll request to see part/all of your book — sending you straight past the slush pile. It also gives you an intimate chance to meet with an agent and pick their brain with any questions on your mind.
(Please note that Agent/Editor Pitching is an add-on, separate aspect of the day, for only those who sign up. Spaces are limited for these premium meetings, and pricing/detail is explained below.)