Landing Your Literary Agent • Reedsy

📚 Overview

A literary agent isn't just a requirement for traditional publishing — they're a champion who believes in your book and will fight to get it the deal it deserves. In this exclusive one-day conference, you’ll hear directly from agents and Big 5 publishers, and learn exactly what it takes to get your book in front of the right people — and get them to say yes.

You also get inside look at how agents and editors think, what they’re actively looking for in 2026/2027, and the steps that will move your manuscript from query letter to book deal.

🎟️ What’s Included

This one-day conference includes live presentations, panel discussions, and Q&As with seasoned literary agents, editors, and publishers. You’ll leave with a copy of Reedsy’s querying guide so you can apply what you’ve learned and approach agents with confidence.

Following the event, you’ll have the option to purchase feedback on your query letter to literary agents. You’ll get $25 credit towards a query letter review on the Reedsy Marketplace, plus post-event guidance to help you select the right editor.

🎓 What You’ll Learn

How to write a query letter that gets agents to request your manuscript

The role of a literary agent (and how to get the most out of your working relationship)

What literary agents and publishers are looking for right now

How to make your first 10 pages impossible to put down

Schedule

EVENT

11am - 11:45am EST

Everything You Ever Wanted to Ask a Literary Agent

Crystal Mahey-Morgan of OWN IT! Agency will break down what an agent does: their relationships with authors, editors, and publishers, how they negotiate rights and contracts, and what they’re actively looking for from debut authors. This is your chance to ask the questions you’ve always wanted answered before you start querying.

EVENT

12pm - 12:45pm EST

How to Write a Query Letter

To land an offer of representation from a literary agent, you first need to stop an agent in their tracks with a stellar query letter. You have one shot to make your case, and only a few paragraphs with which to do it. In this session, author and editor C. J. Redwine draws on over a decade of teaching query workshops to take you through every element: your hook, your pitch, your tone, and how to get them all to work together.

EVENT

1:15pm - 2pm EST

Perfecting Your First 10 Pages

Most literary agents know within the first ten pages whether they’ll keep reading. In this masterclass, literary agent Jessica Berg reveals what she looks for in submissions and how to make sure your opening delivers. You’ll learn where your story should really begin, how to introduce your main character, and ways to build tension from the very first page. Jessica will also share the most common mistakes she sees in openings — and exactly how to fix them.

EVENT

2:15pm - 3pm EST

Pitch to a Literary Agent

If you’ve ever wondered what a literary agent really thinks of your idea, this is your chance to find out. In the final session of the day, two literary agents — representing a range of fiction and non-fiction genres — will give live feedback on viewer-submitted pitches. Register for instructions on how to submit your pitch for consideration.

Please note: this session is for feedback purposes only and will not result in an offer of representation (it’s not like Shark Tank).

Speakers

Crystal Mahey-Morgan

Editor and Literary Agent

Crystal Mahey-Morgan has worked in the publishing industry for over twenty years at a number of notable literary agencies and publishers, including Peters, Frasers and Dunlop, and Penguin Random House. She’s the co-founder of OWN IT! Publishing, Agency and Productions. Over the last ten years, their authors, books, film and TV projects achieved success as NY Times and Sunday Times bestsellers and earned a host of awards. You can find her on Reedsy.

C. J. Redwine

Author and Editor

C. J. Redwine is a New York Times bestselling author published by HarperCollins, Union Square, Hachette, and Audible, with 17 years of professional editing experience across traditional and indie publishing. She specializes in query letters and book proposals (nonfiction and fiction), and also offers a range of editing services. She’s been teaching workshops on query letter writing for the last decade. Hire her on Reedsy.

Jessica Berg

Literary Agent

Jessica Berg is the founder and agency director of Rosecliff Literary, a boutique agency built on the belief that ambitious writers deserve transparency, strategy, and a seat at the table. She earned her MFA from Spalding University and brings more than a decade of experience to her work with clients. In addition to her agency role, Jessica is a multi-nominated author. She serves as a contributing editor for Writer’s Digest and teaches globally on query letters, positioning, and sustainable author careers. She lives online at @jessica__berg, where she talks about querying, writing life, and the realities of publishing.

Jenna Satterthwaite

Literary Agent

Jenna Satterthwaite is a literary agent with Storm Literary, as well as the author of four thrillers with HarperCollins, Sourcebooks and PRH UK. She lives in Chicago with her husband and three kids, and writes a weekly Substack about all things publishing with thousands of subscribers.

Jon Curzon

Literary Agent

Jon Curzon is a literary agent and director at Selby Howard Literary Agency, which he founded after 10 years at Artellus Ltd. He works with authors including Fiona Mozley, Pascale Petit, Eoghan Walls, Chloe Ireton, Alice Maddicott, Kyra Wilder, and Eli Davies. Books Jon has represented have been published in the UK, US, Germany, France, India, the Netherlands, South Korea & Greece – and have been reviewed and featured in the Guardian, The New York Times, The Telegraph, The Times, The TLS, and on Channel 4 News. You can find him on Reedsy.