2026 Writer to Agent: Summer Edition Resources

Ask an Agent Anything: Summer 2026

Regina Brooks (moderator), Veronica Goldstein, Jordan Hill, Tricia Lawrence, Caroline Rabin

AWP members who register for Writer to Agent: Summer Edition by the end of the day on Sunday, June 21, will receive an invitation to our “Ask an Agent Anything” call with four agents representing participating agencies. During this live call, panelists will answer audience questions about finding and working with an agent.

Conference Video Archives

Included in the Writer to Agent: Summer Edition package is access to a number of archival conference event videos that speak to the process of finding and working with a literary agent. Registered AWP members will be able to access the videos below beginning on May 15, 2026. Video access will end on July 30, 2026.

Thumbnail of Ask an Agent Anything in Baltimore, Maryland

#AWP26: Ask an Agent Anything in Baltimore, Maryland

Maeve MacLysaght, Regina Brooks, Nicole Cunningham, Heather Carr, Kayla Lightner

Ever wonder what literary agents really look for in a query? Or how they decide which projects to take on? Join us for this candid conversation among a panel of literary agents answering your questions about everything from submissions and publishing trends to representation and more. Whether you’re seeking representation or are just curious about how the industry works, this is a rare opportunity to hear directly from the experts.

What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About (or to) Agents

Sarah Bowlin, Annie Hwang, Lucy Carson, Mariah Stovall, Mina Hamedi

You’ve finalized your manuscript and perfected your query letter, but now what? How do you know the etiquette or strategy to approach finding the right agent? And what comes after you’ve found the dream fit? Five seasoned literary agents offer insight about what they’re looking for, how they work with authors, and why you should never ever pitch them in the bathroom. The conversation will approach the agent/author relationship with transparency, candor, and care.

How to Be Your Own Agent

Pedro Ponce, Anne Elliott, Joanna Sit, Ariel Gore, Thaddeus Rutkowski

How can you place your manuscript with a good publisher if you don’t have a literary agent? A group of writers from diverse backgrounds will explain their process. This discussion will identify presses that consider unsolicited manuscripts and will explain how to find reading periods and contests. The focus will be on narrowing targets and submitting at low cost. Panelists are prose writers or poets who have successfully placed one or more books with a reputable independent publisher.

The Buzz on Book Doctors: When Hiring an Editor Is Worth Your Time & Money

Christine Pride, Britt Tisdale, Alka Joshi, Brenda Copeland, Iwalani Kim

Writing a book can be a lonely endeavor. You learn your craft, draft a manuscript, and get feedback from critique partners. What comes next? Hiring an independent editor can be the invaluable next step toward unlocking a book’s potential. But whom to hire, how to afford it, and how to get your money’s worth? Two former Big Five editors, writers who’ve worked with independent editors, and a literary agent discuss vetting book doctors, maximizing the relationship, and locating sources of funding.

Working with Literary Agents: Insider Advice for Small Press Publishers

Jisu Kim, Sonali Chanchani, Michelle Brower, Erin Harris

Hear from leading literary agents about what makes a small press publisher attractive to an agent, how they cultivate working relationships with editors, and what a small press publisher can expect from working with an agent.

The Perfect Match: Finding the Right Agent for You

Michelle Brower, Kent Wolf, Sarah Domet, Annie Hwang, Melissa Danaczko

The world of literary agents can seem murky and impenetrable to authors beginning the querying process, but it doesn’t have to be that way. This panel focuses on candidly exploring how authors and agents actually find each other in the real world. What do agents actually do, why do they do it, and where will you find them? With an extended question and answer session, writers have the opportunity to ask our panel of actively acquiring agents their most burning questions.