PITCH YOUR BOOK TO A LITERARY AGENT:

These in-person one-on-one meetings at the 2026 Connecticut 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. We have seen many, many writers sign with agents after connecting after our conferences.

Gina Panettieri is a literary agent with Talcott Notch. “I have such trouble limiting myself to just a few genres. I find it all fascinating! History, business, self-help, science, gardening, cookbooks, crafts, parenting, memoir, true crime and travel. Teach me something new, something I couldn’t find somewhere else, something based on original research and that’s the hook I’m looking for. With fiction, I love quirky, edgy characters. Send me women’s fiction, paranormal, urban fantasy, horror, science fiction, historical, mystery, thrillers and suspense. Learn more about Gina here.

Alyssa Maltese is a literary agent at Root Literary. Across the board, I welcome books about marginalized characters, by marginalized creators. In the YA space, I’m seeking contemporary coming-of-age stories that help burgeoning readers discover their own voice and sense of self-worth. I’m open to genre elements (specifically speculative, fantasy, romance, horror, and historical), but in general I prefer fiction grounded in our world. I’m casting a wider net for literary adult fiction and upmarket book club fiction. Above all I’m drawn to contemporary or lightly speculative novels with literary prose and hooky commercial concepts/execution. My very favorite kind of historical fiction reveals untold stories of interesting women, ideally in non-Western settings. I’m also seeking thrillers, suspense, and horror. I’m open to sci-fi elements in these genres. In the adult nonfiction space, I’m seeking both prescriptive and research-driven narrative nonfiction from authors with an established expertise and platform. Topics of interest include psychology, mental health, media criticism, pop culture, taboo topics such as death and sex, and science pertaining to nature and animals. Learn more about Alyssa here.

Lee Melillo is a literary agent with Dunham Literary. Lee represents YA, New Adult, and Adult Fiction written by, for, and about marginalized communities (#OwnVoices) in both commercial and upmarket categories. In Adult Fiction, Lee is searching for book club and upmarket fiction from BIPOC women, neurodiverse, and queer authors. She is also open to contemporary or historical fiction centered around myth (but NOT Greek/Roman/Norse!!), either through retellings of classics or the invention of new mythologies for the modern age; dark magical realism; bubblegum thrillers; and socially-conscious horror. In Young and New Adult Fiction, Lee looks for YA that has crossover potential and NA stories set in college or directly post-grad. Diversity is a must, as are well-developed, loveable (or love-to-hateable) characters. She enjoys meticulously-researched, atmospheric historical fiction with an element of mystery/suspense or other propulsive plot engines. She also loves dystopian fiction, but it must be grounded in real life issues and critique our present-day socio-political systems. For contemporary fiction, she’s open to stories centering queer characters, characters with mental illness and particularly OCD, or rom-com heroines with autism in interesting, off-beat settings. Learn more about Lee here.

Kelsey Evans is a literary agent with Rosecliff Literary. In adult fiction, she seeks romance, horror, science fiction, fantasy, suspense, mystery, thriller. In adult nonfiction, she seeks: narrative nonfiction — specifically in sports, nature, and science. In young adult fiction, she seeks: fantasy and magical realism. Generally looking for: immersive settings (fantasy or otherwise), jaw-dropping plot twists, distinctive voice, tight plotting, high concept hooks, emotional character journeys, slow burn romances, top-tier banter. Learn more about Kelsey here.

Lindsey Aduskevich is a literary agent with Martin Literary Management. Picture Books: I am open to all kinds of picture books, both fiction and non-fiction, from authors and author/illustrators. I love humor with heart (but the heart has to be big), dark humor, spooky stories, commercial fiction, lyrical texts, and hard topics. Middle Grade: Send me fantasy, thriller, mystery, adventure, contemporary, and anything in between. Young Adult: I want romcom, fantasy, horror, thriller, historical fiction, contemporary romance, and hard topics that make my heart ache. New Adult: I am open here but would prefer college or just starting out with a little bit of romance or humor. With all genres, I am looking for fresh, unique concepts, phenomenal voices, high-stakes, and emotionally driven stories that speak to current issues and leave the reader with something to think about. Make me cry or laugh (or both) and you will have my heart. ​Learn more about Lindsey here.

Nadia Lynch is a literary agent with Talcott Notch. “I am interested in upmarket, literary, historical, young adult, and women’s fiction, especially narratives that showcase resilient female protagonists. While these genres anchor my reading repertoire, I’m invigorated by books that push boundaries and challenge my perspectives. In nonfiction, I enjoy delving into subjects that expand my understanding. History, philosophy, alternative medicine, and self-improvement books are among my preferred genres, each offering a unique lens to explore and absorb new insights.” Learn more about Nadia here.

Deb Werksman is an executive editor with Sourcebooks Casablanca. She is seeking: Romance fiction (contemporary, New Adult, historical romance, paranormal romance, erotic romance, Romcom), Romantic Women’s Fiction, Uplit, Domestic suspense/thriller. Looking for: a hook we can sell within 2-3 sentences; uplifting, aspirational, cathartic or vicarious reading experience; romance elements, family themes, just the right amount of angst, emotionally satisfying or happy ending. Learn more about Deb here.

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ADDED ONLINE PITCHING: To ensure that writers have a robust and diverse lineup of agents & editors to pitch, 2026 Connecticut Writing Workshop attendees will have the ability to also pitch literary agents at a specific Writing Day Workshops *online* event that follows the 2026 Connecticut event on our calendar.

That event is the 2025 (Online) California Writing Workshop, June 12-13, 2026, which will have 30-40 agents taking one-on-one Zoom virtual pitches.

This means that 2026 Connecticut attendees can have access to pitching all those online California agents — pitches still at $29 each — without being a formal registrant for the online June 2026 CALWW. (That said, if you want to formally register for the June 12-13 California Writing Workshop and have access to all classes and panels, let us know, as there is a discount for confirmed Connecticut attendees.)

If you are interested in this added pitching opportunity, the first step is to get formally registered for Connecticut. Following the conference on March 27, 2026, we will be in touch with all Connecticut attendees and ask them if they want to partake in pitching online agents at the 2026 CALWW (June 12-13). At that time, you can communicate your pitch requests and purchase meeting time.

           More 2026 agents could 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.)