Business and Career Growth
Pitching, Querying, Synopsis

Jaden Beth Terrell breaks down how to write clear, compelling synopses for agents and publishers. She shows writers how to distill plot, emotion, and character into concise summaries that communicate the heart of a story with confidence.

Amber Meyer and Lynette Eason lead a hands-on workshop focused on writing compelling query letters. They show authors how to capture an agent’s or editor’s attention and clearly communicate what makes their book stand out, all within a single page.

Amanda Pavlov, Kathleen Foxx, Kayla Brown, Melissa Collings, and Steven Hutson guide writers through the full submission process. They explain how to craft effective pitches and query letters, avoid common missteps, and present work professionally to agents and editors.

Chris Reardon shares practical strategies that help submissions rise above the noise. He walks writers through presentation, professionalism, and the small but meaningful craft choices that capture an editor’s attention before a rejection ever enters the picture.

This session explores what editors and agents expect when evaluating nonfiction proposals. The speaker covers how to present your book’s concept, identify your audience, explain why you are the right person to write it, and prepare supporting materials such as outlines or sample chapters.

Author CJ Redwine shares her personal journey through the querying process and offers clear guidance on how to craft compelling query letters that truly represent your story, characters, and voice when approaching literary agents.

Blair Richwood, Cathy Fonyanetta, Heather Hale, and Jenny Sorella explore the art of pitching for screen projects. They share practical strategies for shaping a clear pitch, engaging decision makers, and presenting stories with confidence and impact.

Alana White, Holly McClure, Jason Yarn, Jill Marr, and Paula Munier offer practical guidance on pitching books in real world settings. They discuss how to keep pitches focused, choose the right genre, understand why queries are rejected, and prepare manuscripts that are ready for professional review.

Ann Garvin walks writers through how to shape a compelling pitch and query letter. She explains what to include, from hooks and comparisons to tone and author positioning, so submissions stand out and feel confident rather than intimidating.

Following her presentation on crafting effective queries, author CJ Redwine offers live critiques of audience-submitted query letters. She provides thoughtful, hands-on feedback and demonstrates how small refinements in structure, tone, and clarity can help capture an agent’s attention.

Jason Yarn outlines his approach to writing a submission-ready synopsis and query letter. He shares practical guidance on tense, structure, and focus, along with tips for presenting your material clearly and professionally when submitting to agents or editors.

Chris Grabenstein hosts this engaging session where authors read half a page from their work, presenting it as they would to an agent. The discussion highlights how a strong opening can immediately capture attention and reveal voice, tone, and promise.

Agents Amy Burkhardt, Cari Hawks, Denise Dietz, and Jeff Gerecke explain what makes a synopsis stand out in a query letter. They share how they evaluate submissions and what helps them decide when a manuscript is worth reading in full.

A panel of agents discuss what they look for in a query letter when it comes to the synopsis and how they decide which manuscripts to take on.

Evan Gregory, Jill Marr, and Sarah Dimick discuss what agents look for when reviewing submissions. They share insight into querying, writing strong synopses, and presenting work in a way that helps agents see its potential.

The speaker explains what agents look for in a strong query letter and how to manage the submission process with confidence. Topics include understanding royalties and advances, tracking queries, working with publicists, and building a professional author website that supports visibility and credibility.

Donna Bagdasarian and Bob Williamson explore the foundations of a strong pitch. They share essential techniques, practical advice, and industry insight to help writers present their stories with clarity, confidence, and appeal to publishing professionals.

Chuck Sambuchino breaks down what makes a query letter impossible to ignore. He shares proven techniques, common pitfalls to avoid, and insider insight into what helps a submission stand out and capture an agent’s attention quickly.

Diane Sismour and Charlie Pearson guide writers through the process of crafting professional query letters, from structure and tone to submission strategy. They share practical advice drawn from their own experiences to help writers approach agents with confidence and clarity.

Elaine Ash, J.L. Hill, and Ronda Wells break down the often intimidating task of writing a synopsis. They offer clear guidance on structure, voice, and focus to help authors create summaries that capture both the heart of the story and its emotional impact.

Angela Greenman teaches how to write compelling one line pitches that spark interest and emotion. She shows how to communicate tone, concept, and appeal in a way that connects quickly with agents, editors, and readers.