🏫 Live Pitch Event

Perfect Your Pitch

Live Pitch Sessions with Literary Agents

On January 23rd, Query Bootcamp graduates will get the exclusive opportunity to pitch their query letters in 1-on-1 pitch sessions with an experienced literary agent.

LOCATION: ZOOM
Date: Thursday, January 23, 2024, 11am - 5pm ET
Cost: $180, which includes:
  • 1-on-1 query letter feedback from one of our top editors
  • 1 8-minute pitch session with a literary agent

About the VIP Pitch Package

Walk into your pitch session fully prepared, with both Query Bootcamp's comprehensive training and personalized feedback on your query letter.

Your VIP Package Includes:

  • 1-on-1 written query letter feedback from one of our top editors

  • An 8-minute 1-on-1 Zoom session with your chosen literary agent, where you will have the opportunity to:

    • Present your polished query letter to your chosen agent.

    • Receive immediate feedback from the agent on your letter

    • Ask questions about your specific project

    • Glean personalized insights that can help refine your querying strategy

Meet The Agents

Jessica Berg (she/her), Rosecliff Literary
Wishlist: all Adult fiction genres (except high fantasy / space opera) + nonfiction (memoir only)
Timing: Sessions will take place between 1 and 3pm ET.

Jessica Berg is a literary agent and author passionate about nurturing unique voices in publishing. As an agent with Rosecliff Literary, she focuses on character-driven stories and high-stakes narratives, helping authors navigate the industry. Her own fiction explores identity, generational trauma, and relationships. A multi-nominated writer with an MFA from Spalding University, Berg is a member of the AALA and EFA. She also provides developmental feedback for Writer’s Digest, Uncharted Magazine, and Fractured Lit. She is represented by Amy Collins of Talcott Notch. Find out more about her here.

Jackie Kruzie (she/her), Focused Artists
Wishlist: Children’s, Middle Grade, Young Adult and Adult Fiction: Cozy Mystery/Cozy Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Horror, Magical Realism, Paranormal, Romantasy, Supernatural, Western, Women’s Fiction, NOT open to Memoirs or Nonfiction
Timing: Sessions will take place between 11AM and 1PM ET.

Jackie is a literary agent with Focused Artists representing adult and children’s authors. She holds a master’s degree in library science and worked in both school and public libraries before transitioning into publishing and understands the positive impacts books have on individuals and communities.

Jackie loves strong settings and dynamic world building where the reader can escape into the story.

Trinica Sampson-Vera (they/she), New Leaf Literary
Wishlist: Middle Grade, Young Adult and Adult Fiction: Action/Adventure, BIPOC Literature, Bookclub, Caribbean Literature, Children's, Commercial, Contemporary, CyberPunk, Fantasy, Gothic, Horror, LGBTQ, Magical Realism, Mystery, New Adult, Romance, Romcom, Science Fiction, Speculative, Steampunk, Thriller, Women’s Fiction, Young Adult; NOT open to Nonfiction
Timing: Sessions will take place between 3 and 5pm ET.

Trinica Sampson-Vera (they/she) is an associate agent at New Leaf Literary & Media. She is passionate about championing diverse voices and particularly loves speculative fiction (from cozy-to-high fantasy and grounded sci-fi); character-driven stories with unique hooks; #OwnVoices stories featuring Caribbean characters/settings; and stories that could best be described as "be gay, do crime." Before joining New Leaf, Trinica worked as an independent editor with Salt & Sage Books and Writing Diversely. They graduated from Antioch College with a degree in Creative Writing and French.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • This opportunity is exclusively for Query Bootcamp members to ensure you have the comprehensive training and preparation needed to make your pitch session successful.

  • Your pass includes:

    • Personalized feedback on your query letter from one of our top editors, which will be sent back before January 20th, 2025

    • 1 8-minute Zoom session with a literary agent on January 23rd, 2025

  • Pitch sessions are available exclusively from November 27th through December 3rd as an add-on to Query Bootcamp enrollment.

  • On Thursday, January 23, 2025:

    Jessica Berg’s sessions will take place between 1pm and 3pm ET.

    Jackie Kruzie’s sessions will take place between 11am and 1pm ET.

    Trinica Sampson-Vera’s sessions will take place between 3pm and 5pm ET.

    When you register, you will be able to select an agent and notify us if you have any significant timezone or schedule preferences within the agent’s time-slot.

    Your assigned 8-minute timeslot will be confirmed by December 20th, 2024. While we'll try to accommodate significant scheduling requests, please ensure you can be available during the agent’s pitch window before registering.

  • While your package includes one pitch session, additional agent meetings are available for purchase at check out.

  • This event is open to both fiction and nonfiction memoir writers, to all age ranges and genres. Please check each agent’s bio and wishlist above for detailed preferences. Double-check that the agent you select is open to your genre.

  • We would highly encourage you to participate only if your manuscript and query letter are fully polished. This will help you make a strong first impression with the literary agent you are meeting with.

  • Research your chosen agent thoroughly and prepare a few questions to ask them. Make sure to submit your query letter by the assigned early January deadline to receive feedback from one of our editors in advance of your pitch session.

  • Some potential questions include asking about their communication style, submission strategy, and current market insights in your genre. You could also ask them if they would have stopped reading your query letter midway through—and if so, why. You can check to see if any parts of your query letter confused them and if the stakes were clear.

  • While we hope to make this a regular event, we cannot guarantee future dates at this time.

Let’s Get your story out into the world

Ready to Transform Your Query?