You have a lot of questions. You need answers. But it isn’t always possible to get your questions in during panels. So, what can you do?
Back for 2026, Broadleaf Writers offers you the opportunity to sit with an agent or author of your choice, for a ten-minute mentoring session! Now you can take the time you need, without the pressure of a pitch, to gather more information, resources, and guidance from industry professionals! This a rare and invaluable opportunity, so be sure to sign up before slots fill!
The one-on-one sessions will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis until all slots are filled. One mentoring session is free-of-charge for conference participants, but registration is required. Each additional session scheduled will cost $25. These sessions will fill up quickly, so ensure your opportunity and sign-up now!
Please keep in mind, these sessions are designed to offer you the opportunity to speak to an agent or author without the added pressure of pitching your work. We ask that you respect the nature of these sessions, and do not pitch any work with your mentor. All pitches must be discussed during a one-on-one pitch session. Inability to abide by the rules may result in cancellation of your mentoring sessions.
All Mentoring Sessions will be held on Sunday, September 20th. 2026.
For more information on our literary agents and editors, visit the one-on-one page.
Mentors for 2026
Lindsey Aduskevich (Martin Literary Management)
Kelly Bergh (Lucinda Literary)
Kate McMullen (Managing Editor, Hub City Press)
Haley Warrington (Booker Albert Literary Agency)
Van Jensen (Author of Godfall)
Van Jensen is an acclaimed novelist, screenwriter, and author of comic books and graphic novels. His debut novel, Godfall, is part of a trilogy published by Grand Central Publishing. Godfall is in development as a TV series with Academy Award-winner Ron Howard set to direct. Jensen began his writing career as a newspape crime reporter, then broke into comics as the writer of Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer trilogy of graphic novels. He also has created titles including ARCA (IDW), Two Dead (Gallery 13), and Cryptocracy (Dark Horse). Jensen has written titles including Superman, The Flash, Green Lantern Corps, and James Bond. He is known for character-centric storie with fresh and surprising takes on genre fiction.
Ann Hite (Author, Board of Directors)
At age 51, Ann Hite became a published novelist. Hite’s debut novel, “Ghost On Black Mountain”, won Georgia Author Of The Year and was a Townsend Prize Finalist in 2012. She is the author of the following books, The Storycatcher 2013 Simon & Schuster, Where The Souls Go 2015 Mercer University Press, Sleeping above Chaos 2016 Mercer University Press, a novella Lowcountry Spirit 2013 Pocket Book, Going to the Water Firefly Southern Fiction 2021, Haints on Black Mountain: a haunted short story collection 2022 Mercer University Press, and a memoir, Roll The Stone Away 2020 Mercer University Press. Her books have been finalists in IndieFab and Georgia Author of the Year Awards. She has been nominated for two Pushcarts. Being a city girl most of her life, Ann now writes each day in her home office that looks out on a decent clutter of trees, where she is hard at work on a biography of Lucille Selig Frank, Leo Frank’s wife.
Benjamin Carr (Author, Board of Directors)
One of Broadleaf’s most enthusiastic and passionate advocates and board members, Benji Carr utilized his role on the board to connect the organization with writers, board members, and supported and inspired writers at every opportunity.
As a child growing up in the South with cerebral palsy, Benji Carr developed an eye for the bizarre and quirky, which provided all of the stories he told his friends and family with a bit of flavor. Working as a journalist, storyteller and playwright, his work – whether the stories be personal tales of struggle and survival or fiction about cannibal lunch ladies, puppet romances, drag queen funerals, and perverted killer circus clowns – has been featured in The Guardian, ArtsATL and Pembroke Magazine. Onstage, his pieces have been presented at the Center for Puppetry Arts, Alliance Theatre, and as part of the Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Short Play Festival in Manhattan. He lives in Atlanta and helps run the online literary magazine, Gutwrench Journal. Impacted is his first novel.
Kim Poovey (Author, Board of Directors)
Kim Poovey is a bestselling author of gothic and horror fiction. In addition, she has written for several magazines to include Beaufort Lifestyles, Bluffton Breeze, Citizen’s Companion, and the Civil War Times. Her passion is teaching about writing and publishing. Kim lives in a haunted 1890s Victorian cottage in the SC Lowcountry with her husband, Darryl, and their furry children.