Pitchfest Extravaganza took place on February 13, 2024
Girls Write Now mentors and mentees had the opportunity to get feedback on their query letters from top literary agents during our virtual Pitchfest Extravaganza. After completing a query letter lesson provided through the Girls Write Now portal, participants were able to meet in groups with literary agents to help pitch their novels, memoirs, essay collections, and more.
Mentors and mentees shared short, moving descriptions of their unpublished work. One mentee shared a pitch for her poetry collection which documents her experience with depression and addiction, and conveys a sense of hope for those in recovery.
This was actually such a great experience. It’s been isolating trying to enter the world of querying and this event helped me to feel more comfortable and inspired. I won’t forget this experience.
Emily James, Mentor
Participating literary agencies included HG Literary, Jane Rotrosen, Lowenstein Associates, Sterling Lord Literistic, Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency, Inc., Thompson Literary, Triangle House Literary, and Writers House. In addition to reviewing query letters, the agents from these distinguished agencies shared why they are passionate about advocating for their authors.
Mackenzie Brady Watson, an agent from Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency, Inc., said that she believes strongly in the power of stories to broaden horizons. “I like to take on books that can be tools for change, for personal growth and solve some of our systemic ills,” Watson said during the event.
My mentee is always impressing me, so it’s no surprise what [others are] doing is so impressive! Jess Errera gave some great feedback and was really warm and welcoming, and it was nice to get some answers to burning query questions directly from an agent.
Molly Tansey, Mentor
The agents also spoke about the ways in which literary agents play a pivotal role in increasing diversity in the publishing industry.
Renee Jarvis, an agent at Triangle House Literary, told the group, “It makes sense for me to be an agent because agents are the first gatekeepers, and there’s a lot that happens at that query stage for writers, especially writing about cultural things and things that some people who are already within publishing may not understand.” She said. “And so I felt, why be an editor who’s at the second stage of gatekeeping when I can be an agent and really foster some change on this side, and represent people who have been previously and continually underrepresented in the publishing industry?”