How to Get a Publishing Deal • Reedsy

📚 Overview

Landing a book deal is one of the biggest milestones in an author’s career — but for most writers, the publishing world can feel mysterious and out of reach.

In this one-day online conference, we’ll demystify the path to publication. You’ll learn exactly how traditional publishing works, what agents are looking for, and how indie presses fit into the landscape. Hear directly from industry insiders — including literary agents and acquiring editors who have helped bring some of the biggest bestsellers from the last decades to life.

If you’re ready to submit your manuscript (or want to understand how close you are), join us for a day of practical talks, candid Q&As, and real behind-the-scenes insights on how to land a book deal.

🎓 What You’ll Learn

The different kinds of publishers (and which one’s right for you)

How to find publishers who accept non-agented submissions

The role of literary agents (and whether you really need one)

Best practices for writing a query letter

✅ Exclusive Access

You’ll hear from editors, literary agents, and authors who will share their knowledge through presentations and panel talks. Each presentation will be followed by a live Q&A, giving you the chance to ask your questions.

You’ll also receive advice on querying literary agents, including our free e-book, The Insider’s Guide to Querying, and post-event guidance on hiring an editor through Reedsy (plus $25 credit to put toward a collaboration).

Schedule

EVENT

11:00 - 11:45 EST

To Query or Not to Query

Editor and literary agent Ashley Lopez will kick off the conference, breaking down the different pathways to getting a traditional book deal. She’ll help you understand when a literary agent is essential — and when you can go straight to a publisher — before guiding you through how to research, approach, and pitch the right people.

EVENT

12:00 - 12:45 EST

Going Behind the Scenes with an Acquiring Editor

Former HarperCollins Senior Commissioning Editor Katie Seaman offers you a rare look inside the world of Big 5 publishing. She’ll explain what really happens when an editor falls in love with a manuscript, how acquisitions are approved, and what trends are driving publishing decisions today. You’ll learn what editors notice first, what makes them pause, and whether author platform matters as much as you think.

EVENT

13:15 - 14:00 EST

Submitting to Small and University Presses

Publishing isn’t only about big houses and literary agents. Editor Justin Brouckaert will show you how submissions work at small and university presses, many of which accept manuscripts directly from authors. He’ll cover how to identify the right presses for your work, understand submission periods and contests, and approach editors professionally.

EVENT

14:15 - 15:00 EST

The Role of a Literary Agent

To close out the day, literary agents Justin Brouckaert and Leticia Gomez will sit down with Megan Staunton, literary agent at Bergstrom Studio, to discuss the agent’s role in a writer’s career. They’ll talk about what catches their attention in a query, how they support authors through submissions and contracts, and what happens when communication goes quiet. From whether short stories can help you get an agent to how rejection really works, this panel is your chance to hear the honest truth — and ask your own questions.

Speakers

Ashley Lopez

Literary Agent and Editor

Ashley Lopez is an agent with Massie McQuilkin & Altman Literary Agents in New York City. She received her MFA in Fiction from Sarah Lawrence College and has over a decade of publishing experience. Formerly the Director of Foreign Rights and an agent at WLA Books, she has worked on international and New York Times bestsellers. Ashley represents literary and book club fiction, grounded speculative, horror, thrillers, nonfiction, as well as select poetry and YA.

Katie Seaman

Editor

Katie spent over a decade at major publishing houses, including Penguin Random House and HarperCollins, where she launched debut voices and published award-winning and Sunday Times bestsellers. Katie loves working with writers to understand their vision and make it shine even brighter on the page, building their confidence along the way.

Justin Brouckaert

Literary Agent and Editor

Justin Brouckaert is a literary agent and independent editor who works with acclaimed, award-winning, and New York Times-bestselling journalists, historians, psychologists, memoirists, and literary writers of all stripes. He lives with his wife and daughter in Metro Detroit.

Leticia Gomez

Literary Agent and Editorial Director

Leticia Gomez is the Editorial Director for Dafina Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing Corp., which focuses fiction and non-fiction that centers on race and identity. Prior to joining the Kensington family, Leticia founded Savvy Literary Services, a full-service literary agency that specializes in bringing culturally diverse voices to the forefront. She also launched a small bilingual book imprint known as Café con Leche Books.

Megan Staunton

Literary Agent

Megan Staunton is a leading agent in her field specialising in commercial, self-help and literary non-fiction at Bergstrom Studio. Previously at Penguin Random House, Megan pivoted to agenting and has worked at leading talent management agencies including Gleam Futures and YMU. She is a committed advocate for emerging and diverse writers and has hosted writing workshops in partnership with brands and is a mentor for the not-for-profit group Black Girl Writers.