above: 2023 Keynote Speaker Courtney Maum signs books – Photographs: Halie Saferstein, Westport Library, and Erin Hall
“Daunting.” “Challenging.” “Overwhelming.” “Bewildering.” “Terrifying.”
These are words students at the Westport Writers Workshop use to describe the process of finding a literary agent. Like a sports or entertainment agent, a literary agent lands deals on their client’s behalf and represents them in negotiations. Signing with an agent is an essential step for writers pursuing publication with the big five publishers. Most publishing companies won’t even consider unrepresented or “unagented” manuscripts.
But there are intimidating obstacles to finding an agent. Agents are inundated by requests for representation, as many as one hundred a week, according to agent Sarah Landis. For uninitiated writers, the process is completely opaque. What is a query letter? Do I include the manuscript with my letter? Can I email a publisher directly? How can I tell if an agent is a good fit? What is a platform? Do I need one? How can I build one?
Enter the Westport Writers Workshop’s Pitch & Publish Conference, returning to the Westport Library for its third year on Saturday March 16, here to replace those feelings of mystery and dread surrounding the publishing process with information, inspiration and opportunity.
As conference organizers, we, Julie Sarkissian and Liz Matthews, have designed the Pitch & Publish conference from our experiences both as writers ourselves and as writing instructors.
As writers ourselves, we know first-hand how essential it is to have representation if someone is looking to publish traditionally. We also know how hard it can be to find an agent and once you have an agent, how hard it can be to sell your book. Then, once you sell the book, how hard it can be to promote the book. And after that first book comes out, how hard it can be to sell your next. Through our twenty-plus years of collective experience as writing instructors and, in the case of Liz, running the Westport Writers Workshop as its executive director, we have also seen writers start with an idea for a book, go on to finish and polish their manuscript, find agents and land book deals. While we are both passionate writing teachers, we recognize that pursuing publication is a different beast from doing creative work, and we’ve created this event to support writers as they move into the marketplace.
The conference is a full day of panel talks and Q&A with industry insiders, as well as a keynote speech, catered lunch, breakout sessions, a writing exercise and, of course, direct access to agents. All that, plus a Friday night Welcome Party and Saturday night Wrap Party because pursuing publication is hard work and we believe it is imperative to have fun and celebrate while we do it.
Getting an agent’s attention is one of the most elusive aspects of publishing, and a highlight of the conference is the rare opportunity for each attendee to meet with two agents in one-on-one pitch sessions. We have agents from elite literary agencies: Janklow, Fletcher, Defiore, Curtis Brown, Goldin, United Talent, who represent books across all genres, including commercial fiction, crossover fiction, book club fiction, sci-fi, memoir, speculative, narrative nonfiction, YA, middle grade and more. New this year: each agent will read five pages of each writer’s work in advance of their pitch session.
The conference will feature two panel talks. First, Ask The Agent, moderated by agent Ayla Zuraw-Friedrich, who will ask a panel of agents for the insider’s perspective on the best way to land an agent. The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: Everything You Wanted to Know about Publishing but Were Too Afraid to Ask, moderated by co-organizer Julie Sarkissian. What does it mean to be held liable? How do I publish a memoir without betraying my family? What happens when my agent turns out not to be “the one”? We’ve been collecting the trickiest questions to bring to this candid discussion of publishing’s stickiest situations.
Our keynote speaker is a publishing expert, social media sensation and author across multiple genres Leigh Stein. We hosted Leigh last year at the workshop for her seminar, “How to Get a Book Deal,” and the response from the attendees was so strong we knew we had to showcase her at this year’s conference. She is a wealth of knowledge, inspiration and full of grit and verve. We are honored to partner with Leigh, as we are with the Westport Library. The library’s commitment to literacy, the arts and our community is instrumental in continuing to foster Westport’s reputation as a cultural center of the state.
The event wouldn’t be possible without their tremendous support and we are particularly indebted to Jennifer Keller who helped with so many critical details.
Rebecca Martin, local writer and 2023 attendee, speaks to our mission when she says of her experience at the conference, “I felt empowered. After preparing for the pitches with the workshop, I found myself not only being taken seriously by the agents but taking myself seriously.”
Make 2024 the year you decide to take the next step toward publication.
Conference With Pitches Ticket Price is $675 and includes Friday Welcome Party at the WWW’s locale, all talks panels and agent meetings on Saturday, catered lunch during the conference, and after party. Conference Only includes all programming, both parties and lunch, but does not include pitch sessions with agents.
To Register: westportwriters.org/pitch-and-publish-conference-2024
Questions? Email: pitchandpublish@westportwritersworkshop.com
Westport Writers Workshop Celebrates its 20th Year
The Westport Writers Workshop, a nonprofit writing workshop located on Sylvan Road in Westport, celebrates its 20th year!
Since 2004, the WWW has provided workshops across all genres to the local community and beyond. Founded by Jessica Brahm, who began the workshop in her home in 2004, the workshop has been a non-profit since 2004 and has been led by executive directors Valerie Ann Leff, Michelle Bradley, Liz Matthews, and currently Blake Schnirring, offering as many as 25 different writing workshops.
The outreach program, which brings free writing workshops to communities who might not otherwise have the opportunity, is at the heart of the mission of the workshop. Through our outreach we have brought classes to Garner Correctional Facility, The Caroline House, Malta House, STAR, Stamford Boys and Girls Club, Fairfield Senior Center, Mothers of Children with Disabilities, and more. On Sept. 6th at Wakeman Town Farm, the workshop will host its benefit and 20th Year Anniversary Party, More Than Words, a roaring 20s theme party celebrating our history and raising funds to continue to support our outreach into the future.
We also offer scholarships for regular programming.