NEW FOR 2025: In addition to the option of selecting a one-on-one pitch session with an agent or editor, we’re also offering the opportunity to receive a query letter critique or 10-page manuscript critique!
Why should you choose one of these options?
With a one-on-one pitch session, a literary agent or editor offers you the chance to present the idea of your book in a brief, yet highly focused, meeting. Our agents and editors will dedicate their time to your pitch, offer their insights, and if they find your presentation fitting, perhaps even request part of, or even all of, your manuscript!
What if you don’t have a manuscript completed or aren’t otherwise ready to pitch? Perhaps you would like to schedule a one-on-one critique of your query letter or 10 pages of your manuscript! This is the opportunity to discuss what works and what doesn’t with a seasoned professional, who can help guide you in the right direction!
Please note: If you have signed up for a critique, you should not attempt to pitch a book during that session. All pitches must be done during selected pitch sessions only. If you have any questions on this, please email Zachary Steele at zach@broadleafwriters.com or Conference Chair Maryann Lozano at conferencechair@broadleafwriters.com.
If you are signing up for a pitch session, please review the bios of our agents and editors below to find the one that best suits your genre and audience. If pitching a work of fiction, it is preferred by most agents (though not all) that you have a completed manuscript available to send, should they have interest. So, make sure you have that manuscript ready to go! If pitching non-fiction, be sure to have a thorough book proposal written (many works of non-fiction can be represented or purchased on proposal, before they are written) or at the very least almost ready to go.
All one-on-one sessions will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis until all slots are filled. One pitch or critique session comes free-of-charge for all conference participants. Registration is required. Each additional meeting scheduled will cost $25. These meetings fill up quickly, so ensure your opportunity and sign-up now!
All Pitch and Critique Sessions will be held on Saturday, September 20th, 2025.
We’re in the process of adding agents and editors, so be sure to check back!
AGENTS AND EDITORS AVAILABLE FOR PITCH SESSIONS
Kimberly Latrice Jones is a renowned American author and filmmaker, best known for her New York Times bestselling young adult novel, “I’m Not Dying With You Tonight.” In addition to her successful writing career, she has made notable appearances as a guest on various shows and podcasts, including The Breakfast Club, CBS Mornings, The Daily Show, and TMZ.
Jones’s accomplishments have been highlighted in numerous publications, including Ms. Magazine, Seventeen, Entertainment Weekly, Bustle, and Publisher’s Weekly. She has received grants and honors such as the James Patterson Holiday Bookseller Bonus grant and the GQ Germany “Voice of the Year” award. Her work continues to resonate with readers and viewers alike, inspiring and challenging societal norms. The human rights activist and author moved into television after striking an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group which lasted from 2020-2022.
Non Fiction: Historical, Current Affairs, Cookbooks, Politics, How-to/advice and Relationships, Popular Culture, Pictures books – Historical
To View Kimberly’s Clients, Click Here
Zoie Janelle Konneker (she/her) is an editorial assistant at Peachtree Publishing in Atlanta, Georgia. She graduated from Georgia Tech with a BS in Literature, Media, & Communication in 2020. From the summer of 2020 to the winter of 2021, she worked as a Cat Foster Coordinator at a metro-Atlanta animal shelter and attributes her love for animals and color-coded spreadsheets to her time there. Her goal is to leave the world a better place than she found it through elevating underrepresented voices in children’s literature and putting relatable, relevant stories in the hands of those that need them most. Find her on Twitter @zoiejanelle or on Instagram @zoie.janelle.
Zoie exclusively acquires children’s books across picture book, middle grade, and YA categories. She is seeking both fiction and non-fiction in picture books and prefers the target age range to be between 4 – 8 years old. Books intended to make the reader laugh and/or cry are priorities! For MG and YA, she is seeking standalone fiction novels with a unique voice, high stakes plot, and strong character development. She does not acquire novels written in verse. See more of her manuscript wishlist here.
Alina Mitchell discovered her love for books in elementary school when she realized it opened up a world full of adventure and wonder beyond her wildest dreams. The timeless gift of storytelling and the power that one book can have simply enamored her, and she always knew she would work in the book industry one day.
Alina received a Bachelor of Arts in English/Professional Writing with a minor in Business Management from Oakwood University, a Master of Arts in English & Secondary Education from the University of Alabama Huntsville (UAH) and an Instructional Design/eLearning Certificate from Oregon State University.
Beginning her writing and education career working as a Freshman Composition instructor at UAH, Alina always encouraged her students to have a sense of agency and own their voices through their writing. She continued to pursue her passion working as a secondary English teacher, principal and higher education administrator.
In 2019, Alina published her debut book, The Color of Beauty: The Life and Work of New York Fashion Icon Ophelia DeVore, which chronicled the life of her grand-aunt Ophelia DeVore, the first Black model in the United States. Alina has co-authored two forthcoming books including a young adult mystery novel and Every Inch A Lady: A Memoir From Fashion Icon Audrey Smaltz (Amistad/HarperCollins).
Alina is currently looking for:
Nonfiction: Memoirs/Biographies; Body, Mind & Spirit; Sports
Fiction: Mystery/Thriller
Kristen Terrette is a literary manager with Martin Literary Management excited to build her list featuring titles in middle grade, young adult, female-driven crime thrillers, faith-based books, and the occasional picture book with an author/illustrator.
She has a BA in Early Childhood Education and MA in Theology and Religious Studies which led her into children’s ministry for many years. Eventually, her lifelong love of books and authors drew her back to her original dream of entering the publishing world. Kristen is a multi-published author and freelance writer. She’s held such positions as the Blog Manager for a national women’s ministry and the Social Media Manager for a publishing house. All these components landed her a spot in the coveted Writers House Intern Program. There, she received valuable hands-on agenting and publishing experience which she brings into her new position.
Kristen has long been a voice for diversity. She’s written extensively on topics of racial reconciliation and unity and is a facilitator of groups around these topics in her church. In all her focused genres, she welcomes books with BIPOC or disabled main characters and diverse friendships. She believes books change people in all the best ways and that every child should see themselves in the pages.
Kristen’s Accepts these genres:
Young Adult (All subgenres except Sci-fi): My background in writing YA and extensive reading in this genre has given me a great love and understanding of it. Grab my attention within the first couple of pages. Send me books with first loves, unique friendships, interesting and/or challenging family dynamics, and hard-hitting subject matter (race relations, suicide, abuse, divorce, etc.) but leave me with a satisfying (not necessarily happy!) ending.
Crime Thrillers/Suspense/Mystery: I love a good thriller with a woman main character, so send me the smart, tough, and brave lady crime solvers. I love serial killers. I love small town and big cities. I love relatable and quirky characters. If I can’t figure out what’s going to happen next or what the ending will be, you’ve gotten my attention.
Horror: Creep me out. Make me scared to read the story at night.
Romance: I am currently open to all subgenres of this category. Surprise me.
New Adult: I love college stories! And humorous young twenties. Send me these!
Women’s Fiction/Historical Fiction: I am picky in my tastes here. I tend to lean to lyrical stories in these genres, but I’m open to all. I LOVE diverse stories in this area! I love new structures, interesting and surprising POVs. Send me all and I’ll take a look.
Faith-Based Fiction and Nonfiction: I love a good redemption or forgiveness story, a historically accurate saga, a clean and beautiful, yet realistic love story, or a memoir that has me crying and laughing within the span of a few pages. Surprise me with the beauty of God’s grace. I also love bible studies and devotionals. 🙂
True Crime (Nonfiction): I’m obsessed with true crime. If you’ve got a story, tell me about it…
Illustrators: I am open to seeing your artwork! Query me with your portfolio!
Fantasy: My tastes definitely lean toward romance here (Romantasy), but I do love me some Lord of the Rings (the soundtrack was played at my wedding!), so I’m open to seeing most submissions here. I tend to get bored with the whole court intrigue storyline, or princess needing to save the realm. But give me an Aragorn and Legolas, and I’ll read happily.
Non-fiction: Send me memoirs, culture, celebrity, parenting, and psychology books. If you have an interesting idea, send it. My tastes vary greatly here. (Please have a strong platform and/or authority to speak on the subject if you are sending me a NF submission.)
I am not a good fit for Science Fiction (even in MG or YA), books with any political agenda, extremely foul-mouthed characters, or gratuitous sex scenes.
What I’m taking a break on:
Middle Grade (All subgenres except Sci-fi): I heart Middle Grade! But, I need to take a break on MG submissions for now. I will look at Middle Grade projects at conferences or as referrals.
Picture Books: Picture books are an important part of establishing a love for literature at an early age. However, I need to take a break on PBs for the moment. I will look at Picture Book projects at conferences or as referrals.
To see Kristen’s listing on #MSWL, click here.
10-PAGE CRITIQUE SESSION
New for 2025! In addition to your pitch and mentoring sessions (Both part of your registration!), this year we’re offering you the opportunity to add a 10-page manuscript critique. It’s a unique opportunity to refine your pages as well as receive invaluable feedback to assist you going forward. Space is limited, so take advantage of this add-on option when you register!
MONICA COX IS AVAILABLE FOR 10-PAGE MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUES AND MENTORING SESSIONS ONLY.
Monica Cox is a writer and Author Accelerator Certified book coach who firmly believes the real writing happens in revision. She loves helping writers through the thorny process of revision to find the rose of their story. Monica is a graduate of the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a proud member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and North Carolina Writers Network. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, two teenaged boys, and ornery but adorable cat. Monica is represented by Felice Laverne at ArtHouse Literary Agency. To learn more about Monica, visit her website at www.monicacox.net. You can also connect with her on Instagram, LinkedIn or via her weekly newsletter.