Apply for The Verge
Industry Engagement Day
Publishing industry professionals will respond in real-time to pitches for picture books, novels, and long-form nonfiction, giving writers valuable insight into what's working and how they can sharpen their pitch.
Online event - July
Writers submit a book pitch and get live feedback from top literary agents and editors.
cost
💡 faculty may be subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control.
$250 for Non-Members with a Pitch
$185 for CTC Members with a Pitch
$175 Without a Pitch
Novels and Longform
Jessica Mileo
Literary Agent, InkWell Management
Jessica joined InkWell Management in 2017 and primarily focuses on children’s books, children’s graphic novels, women’s fiction, rom-coms, commercial/book club fiction, and select prescriptive and narrative nonfiction. The projects she works with are high concept, commercial, and have a juicy hook. She is always looking for books that are from points of view of underrepresented folks in books and media, such as BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+. Her clients include New York Times Bestselling authors, Allison Saft and Rory Power, USA Today Bestselling author KC Davis, Mazey Eddings, and Rachel Runya Katz.
Manuscript Wishlist ✨
I love stories with humor, a message, unique twists, and diverse perspectives. My taste leans commercial and hopeful (the world is dark enough). I'm looking for genre-blending novels, whether romance, mystery, thriller, fantasy, or speculative in my YA and MG. This applies for graphic novels as well. I want fresh and unexpected takes, especially in fantasy and mystery.
Interested in:
MG/YA
Jenna Satterthwaite
Literary Agent, Storm Literary Agency
Jenna Satterthwaite is a literary agent with Storm Literary, as well as the author of four thrillers with HarperCollins, Sourcebooks and PRH UK. She lives in Chicago with her husband and three kids, and writes a weekly Substack about all things publishing with thousands of subscribers.
Manuscript Wishlist ✨
In Young Adult, I’m looking for Fantasy, cozy or epic, contemporary or infused with sci-fi, sci-fi that makes me feel as much as it makes me think; bonus if you can make me cry, Thriller/suspense and mystery, Speculative, and Atmospheric horror or extravagantly satirical horror
In Middle Grade, graphic novels - author-illustrators (or author/illustrator collabs–this can be 2 different people!); fantasy or contemporary, serious or humorous. If my ten-year-old would love it, we’re on to something! Also, fantasy with series potential, contemporary stories that explore the multicultural/multilingual experience, and Horror
In Adult Fiction, I’m especially looking for upmarket and book club fiction - this is a huge focus for me right now! If you have a commercial plot + literary writing, PLEASE consider hitting send! I’d love to see books in this space that hit on current issues–the kind that book clubs would just HAVE to discuss. Also, genre blends, horror, and romantasy with something new.
Jenna is also interested in many other adult genres and categories.
Interested in:
mG/YA
Carina Licon
Associate Editor, Macmillan
Carina Licon is an Associate Editor at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers (Macmillan Children’s). She is actively seeking compelling middle-grade and young adult fiction across genres with complex characters who sit at the heart of a story and leap off the page. She lives in Austin, TX with her 8-pound guard dog Dempsey.
Manuscript Wishlist ✨
Carina is interested in compelling, commercial middle-grade and young adult fiction with complex characters who sit at the heart of a story and leap off the page. She is looking for contemporary YA and MG; thrillers that make you bite your nails in anticipation; spooky, atmospheric MG; gothic YA horror or fantasy; stories about mental health; intergenerational BIPOC stories; stories of everyday life in a BIPOC household (especially Latinx); romance with lots! of! angst!; grounded stories with light sci-fi or spec-fic elements; and grounded YA fantasy. She is not looking for sci-fi or in-verse novels.
If your book has big feelings, chances are she’ll love it!
Interested in:
MG/YA
