Pitch Critique Sessions
Pitch Critique Sessions
Pay to Pitch, or Watch and Learn!
Face-to-Face Pitch Critiques, $30 to pitch, FREE to observe
Get live, real-time feedback to help you hone your pitch from an industry professional in a large group setting. The feedback will be focused on ways to make your pitch (and, by extension, your story) stronger and more compelling.
To Secure a Pitch Session Slot, choose the add-on during registration (limit of 10 paid pitches per room, no limit on observers).
Registering for a pitch before the dates below also includes:
- A FREE pre-conference webinar on July 25 to learn how to develop a pitch. See details in the Pitch Guidelines download below.
- A FREE pre-conference virtual roundtable on August 29 with fellow conference attendees to practice your pitch among peers
Not pitching? Watch for FREE! Enjoy this breakout in the style of our much-loved First Pages sessions. Listen to your peers pitch and receive feedback–an invaluable opportunity to gain insights and understanding into what makes a successful pitch. You won’t want to miss this! (Note: Pitches are for STORY ONLY. Illustrators interested in feedback on illustration feedback or picture book dummies should visit the Portfolio Critiques or Portfolio Showcase pages.)
Participating Faculty:
A. Picture Books/Graphic Novels – Andrea Colvin, Agent/Founder, Andrea Colvin Creative Agency
B. Picture Books – Saribel Pages, Literary Associate, Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency
C. Middle Grade/Young Adult – Rebecca Eskildsen, Agent, Writers House
D. Middle Grade/Young Adult – Jennifer March Soloway, Founder/Agent, Starling Literary + Media
General Pitch Critique Guidelines
NOTE: Specific instructions will be discussed during the pre-conference webinars on July 25 and August 29, and emailed to participants by August 22, 2026.
· Bring two (2) copies of a written pitch (one for you and one for the industry pro). You may only pitch one (1) manuscript during your time slot. (Note that all pitch sessions will take place simultaneously, so you should NOT sign up for multiple pitch sessions with multiple faculty members.)
· Your pitch should consist of 1-3 paragraphs, no more than 200 words (what you would write in the plot section of your query letter.)
· You’ll have five (5) minutes to both read your pitch to the group and receive feedback from the industry pro. Keeping your pitch under 3 minutes will ensure your agent or editor has 2-3 minutes to give you feedback!