Pitch
Conferences

New York Writers Workshop hosts seasonal Pitch Conferences where writers have the opportunity to workshop their pitches, gain insight from publishing professionals, and present their work to literary agents and editors. Each conference includes a full-day workshop followed by a panel discussion, public pitches, and private one-on-one pitch sessions.

The conferences, offered twice yearly, in the spring and fall, welcome writers of fiction, nonfiction, and Children's and YA with book-length manuscripts (or projects) to pitch to NYC publishers. With the guidance of New York Writers Workshop faculty, participants polish their pitches on Day One, then present them to three different editors from major publishing houses such as Random House, Viking/Penguin, St. Martin's, and others, on Day Two. Editors provide feedback and may request proposals and manuscripts after the conference.

Conferences feature a panel discussion of literary agents on the morning of the second day.

  • Each conference features a rotating group of editors from major publishing houses and agents from top literary agencies. Past participants have included professionals from Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group, St. Martin’s Press, Vigliano Associates, Lotus Lane Literary, and DG&B.

    For additional details on our publishing partners and professionals, visit the Conference Leadership page.

  • The Pitch Conference is held virtually via Zoom and runs over two days:

    Day 1:
    Participants join small group workshops (fiction, nonfiction, or YA/children's) led by experienced NYWW faculty. Writers receive detailed feedback on their pitch drafts, workshop revision strategies, and gain insight from their peers’ work.

    Day 2:

    • Morning: A panel of literary agents discusses the current market, industry trends, and best practices for querying.

    • Midday: Participants give a public pitch to an editor, with Q&A (time permitting).

    • Afternoon: Each participant pitches privately to two different editors in one-on-one sessions, moderated by NYWW instructors.

    The day wraps with a brief closing session where instructors offer feedback and suggestions for next steps.

  • To apply, send an email including the following:

    1. Subject line: NYWW Pitch Conference

    2. A brief (150-word max) description of your project

    3. A short note about what you do professionally

    4. Your contact information (email, phone, mailing address)

    5. Send to: charles.salzberg@gmail.com

    You will be notified by email if your application is accepted.

  • Once accepted, registration may be completed through PayPal or a ticketing platform (instructions will be provided). You may also send a check by mail to:

    New York Writers Workshop
    ℅ Charles Salzberg
    200 Riverside Blvd., Suite 32E
    New York, NY 10069

    Note: PayPal is preferred. If prompted during payment, please select “Friends and Family” to avoid fees.

  • Before the conference, prepare a draft of your pitch. This will be the core of your workshopping and pitching experience.

    Your pitch should include:

    • A working title

    • A short summary of your story/topic

    • Key characters, setting, and stakes

    • Comparable titles

    • A brief author bio (especially if relevant to your book’s topic)

    • Any marketing reach or platform you bring

    Practice delivering your pitch aloud—aim for 2 minutes. You can use notes or a screen during your pitch. No manuscript or proposal submission is needed beforehand.

  • All conferences are currently held online via Zoom. You’ll receive links in advance for each session (workshop, panel, and pitch meetings). NYWW instructors will manage the timing and flow of the day, so all you need is a quiet space, good internet, and your prepared pitch.