Apply for The Verge
Industry Engagement Day
On July 18, nine publishing industry professionals responded in real-time to 75 pitches for picture books, novels, and long-form nonfiction, giving writers valuable insights into what's working in the current market, and how they can sharpen their pitch. The results? A 35% request rate—more than 15 times the QueryTracker range of 2% - 5%.
Get your Watch & Learn replay ticket to access the full day of conversations, plus submission opportunities with 14 agents and editors.
Online event - July
Writers submitted a book pitch and got live feedback from top literary agents and editors.
cost
$175 for Watch & Learn Tickets
Frequently Asked Questions
Registering with a Pitch
As far as we know, this has never happened in one of our events or classes and it would violate our code of conduct. We encourage attendees to share “aha” moments on social media, but NOT to screenshot pitches or share them with anyone. If you’re still concerned about this and are pitching something like a picture book biography, you could describe the subject and what makes them book-worthy without mentioning their full name.
Congrats! If a faculty member requests to see your manuscript based on the pitch, you should receive an email with submission instructions in the week following the event. In some cases, agents or editors create a separate submission process for manuscripts they specifically request. In others, they provide the same submission instructions for all attendees, and we encourage you to mention in the first sentence if they requested the project during Industry Engagement Weekend.
All our Industry Engagement Weekend pitch panels include a mix of editor and agent faculty, so sometimes agented authors get a yes from an agent on faculty. If you’re happy with your current agent, you can just pat yourself on the back for writing a great pitch and disregard that request.
All our Industry Engagement Weekend pitch panels include a mix of editor and agent faculty, so sometimes agented authors get a yes from an agent on faculty. If you’re happy with your current agent, you can just pat yourself on the back for writing a great pitch and disregard that request.
For your first nudge AFTER AN ASK, wait 3 to 4 months. For the second nudge, shoot for between months 5 and 6. That’s ALL. And remember: Always update with any movement or news in your nudge (for instance, if you won an award), and always “reply all” to the original email thread you submitted through to provide context.
Replays go out via email within one week of the event, and often sooner. Please check the THRIVE portal.
