Business and Career Growth
Agents and Editors

Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong, Clay Stafford, Dean Krystek, James Mustelier, Katie Monson, Ronald Gerber, and Tara Gelsomino share insights into building lasting professional relationships between agents and authors. They discuss querying, communication, and long-term career growth.

Agents Heather Cashman, Jess Dallow, Julie Gwen, Ronald Gerber, and Sandy Lou share how authors can build healthy, productive relationships with their agents. They focus on communication, trust, and professionalism as the foundation for long-term collaboration.

Finding the right agent and publisher can shape your entire writing career. In this session, agents share what they look for in new authors, how to stand out in submissions, and what to consider when choosing representation and publishing partners that align with your goals.

Donna Bagdasarian, Hallie Ephron, and MaryGlenn McCombs highlight common mistakes authors make, from manuscript issues to misunderstandings about industry expectations. They explain how to avoid these pitfalls so your work is taken seriously and positioned for success.

CeCe Lyra, Dean Krystek, Kathleen Foxx, and Ken Sherman share insider guidance on what agents look for in new authors. They offer practical advice on finding representation and publishing partners that align with your goals, values, and long-term career vision.

Literary agents and editors pull back the curtain on the book business. In this session, they discuss what kinds of books they are actively looking for, how the industry is shifting, and the hard-earned lessons they’ve learned along the way. A must-listen for writers who want a clearer view of the publishing landscape.

Author and agent Lynette Eason shares a clear and practical look at how to approach agents professionally. She explains what agents look for, how to prepare strong submissions, and how to build a productive long-term partnership.

Lucienne Diver shares insider insight into what it takes not only to get published, but to sustain a long-term writing career. She discusses building strong relationships with agents, understanding what to seek in representation, and how professionalism and communication support lasting success.

Literary agent Amy Burkhardt explains how agents and authors work together throughout the publishing process. She discusses how agents discover new clients, how they support a writer’s career, and what helps build a successful long-term partnership.

A.M. Adair, Erin Flanagan, Gretchen Stelter, John DeDakis, Jonathan Payne, and Tracee de Hahn explore the working relationship between writers and editors. They discuss when an editor is needed, how to communicate effectively, and what to expect throughout the editing process.

Jeff Mackler and Scott Noe share insights from their experience in the entertainment industry. They explain the roles of agents, managers, and entertainment attorneys, and offer guidance on building professional relationships, protecting your work, and navigating the business side of creative careers.

Priya Doraswamy offers an inside look at the publishing world from an agent’s perspective. She discusses the query process, the relationships among authors, agents, and editors, and the underlying reasons for rejection. She also shares insight into the changing seasons of publishing and how writers can navigate them with patience and purpose.

Elaine Ash and Gretchen Stelter explain what agents and editors truly look for in authors and manuscripts. They offer insight into professionalism, market readiness, voice, and the qualities that help a submission stand out in today’s publishing world.

Denise Dietz, Evan Gregory, Jill Marr, Judy Shepard, Martin Shepard, and Sarah Dimick share what agents and editors look for in a manuscript. They offer insider insight into queries, submissions, and how writers can stand out in a competitive publishing landscape.

Holly Sullivan McClure, Jason Yarn, and Peter Senftleben share what they look for in submissions and the most common reasons projects are declined. They offer practical guidance on preparing manuscripts and query letters, understanding market expectations, and improving your chances of finding representation.

Clare Toohey, Donna Bagdasarian, Josh Getzler, Paige Wheeler, Stacia Decker, and Vicky Bijur offer candid insight into the author agent relationship. They discuss submissions, representation, and the qualities that help writers stand out in a competitive field.

Editor Rita Goldman shares the top reasons she chooses to work with writers. She offers insight into what editors look for, what makes submissions stand out, and how authors can position themselves as strong professional partners.

Jill Marr offers an insider’s perspective on the role of literary agents. She explains how agents find clients, what they look for in submissions, and how authors can build strong, lasting partnerships. Her guidance offers clear and practical insight for writers seeking representation in today’s publishing world.

Amber Meyer, Ami McConnell, John DeDakis, and Traci Abramson discuss how writers and editors can work together effectively. They explore communication, feedback, and collaboration as essential elements of a strong editorial relationship.