After successful 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 events in Michigan, Writing Day Workshops is excited to announce The 2024 Michigan Writing Workshop — a full-day “How to Get Published” writing event in the Detroit suburbs (Livonia) on May 4, 2024.

This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited seats at the event (200 total). All questions about the event regarding schedule, details and registration are answered below. Thank you for your interest in the 2024 Michigan Writing Workshop! We are very proud of our many success stories where attendees sign with agents following events — see our growing list of success stories here.

(Please note that this is an in-person event. We at Writing Day Workshops plan both online/virtual as well as in-person events. This next MWW is an in-person event happening in the Detroit suburbs on May 4, 2024. See you there.)

WHAT IS IT?

This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the Embassy Suites Detroit – Livonia/Novi. In other words, it’s one day full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome.

This event is designed to squeeze as much into one day of learning as possible. You can ask any questions you like during the classes, and get your specific concerns addressed. We will have literary agents onsite to give feedback and take pitches from writers, as well. This year’s agent and editor faculty so far includes:

• literary agent Chelsea Eberly (Greenhouse Literary)
• literary agent Maggie Sadler (Corvisiero Literary)
• literary agent Kat Kerr (Donald Maass Literary Agency)
• literary agent Jon Michael Darga (Aevitas Creative Management)
• literary agent Najla Mamou (Savvy Literary)
• literary agent Cyle Young (CYLE Literary)
• literary agent Alexandra Grana (Corvisiero Literary)
  
• literary agent Justin Brouckaert (Aevitas Creative Management)
• literary agent Carrie Howland (Howland Literary)
• and more to come.

By the end of the day, you will have all the tools you need to move forward on your writing journey. This independent event is organized by coordinator Brian Klems of Writing Day Workshops. E-mail him to register for the event at WDWconference@gmail.com and mention you’re specifically  interested in the Michigan conference.

EVENT LOCATION & DETAILS:

9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, May 4, 2024 — at the Embassy Suites Detroit – Livonia/Novi, 19525 Victor Parkway, Livonia, MI 48152.

(Please note that this is an in-person event. We at Writing Day Workshops plan both online/virtual as well as in-person events. This next MWW is an in-person event happening in the Detroit suburbs on May 4, 2024. See you there.)

THIS YEAR’S SESSIONS & WORKSHOPS (MAY 4, 2024):

What you see below is a quick layout of the day’s events. The topics below are mostly set, but subject to change. You can see a more detailed layout of the day’s classes on the Schedule Page here.

Please Note: There will be 2-3 classes/workshops going at all times during the day, so you will have your choice of what class you attend at any time. The final schedule of topics is subject to change, but here is the current layout:

8:30 – 9:30: Check-in and registration at the event location.

BLOCK ONE: 9:30 – 10:30

1. Finding Your Voice. In this talk, attendees will learn how to identify your voice, how to deliberately and expertly finesse it, and how the best way to sharpen your voice is to write, write, write!

2. How to Hook an Agent. This session will discuss how to research agents, how to submit, what an offer of representation will look like, the role of an agent in your query, and how to make a good agent-client relationship last.

3. Keys to Writing Great Young Adult & Middle Grade Fiction. There are some genre specific things to keep in mind when crafting books for those readers under 18. In this session, attendees will learn tips and tricks for making middle grade and YA novels great.

BLOCK TWO: 10:45 – 11:50

1. Building Your Author Brand & Marketing Plan. This session will share how to create a compelling author brand and the secrets to creating an easy-to-enact book marketing strategy that won’t distract from your writing time.

2. Out of This World Writing — Tips on Speculative Fiction. Learn how to create intense believable worlds that allow for fantastic events. Come create compelling plots and characters that will have your readers thinking about them long after they’ve laid your pages down.

3. Improve Your Writing: The Basics of Self-Editing and Revision. Writing your manuscript’s first draft is a huge step, but only a primary one. Now it’s time to look at your creation and slowly make it amazing through overhauls, self-editing, and revision.

(What you see here is a quick layout of the day’s events. See a full layout of the day’s sessions, with detailed descriptions, on the official Schedule Page here.)

LUNCH ON YOUR OWN: 11:50 – 1:15

Lunch is on your own during these 85 minutes.

BLOCK THREE: 1:15 – 2:30

1. “Writers Got Talent”—a Page 1 Critique Fest. This is a chance to get your first page read (anonymously — no bylines given) with attending agents commenting on what was liked or not liked about the submission.

2.  Nonfiction Intensive: Book Proposal Tips. A well-executed proposal shows the editor and acquisition team at a publishing house that you are the person to write the proposed book, that you know who your audience is, and that you know how to reach them. And, it includes sample chapters to show that you have the chops to write the book you are proposing.

3. Intro to Writing Picture Books. This course provides an introduction to the key components, including: structure, plot, character development, word choice, rhyme, pacing, themes, humor, and layout.

BLOCK FOUR: 2:45 – 3:45

1. Open Agent Q&A Panel. Several attending literary agents will open themselves up to open Q&A from MWW attendees. Bring your questions and get them answered in this popular session.

2. Knock ’em Dead: Tips on Writing Mystery, Thriller, and Crime. You have an idea for a thriller/suspense novel that you think will be a winner. Now what? This class is designed to help you get from concept to published book.

3. Plotting Magic. Using the wisdom of Aristotle, Joseph Campbell (The Hero’s Journey) and writing gurus across the country, the 15 Plot Spots will let you in on you the secrets of plotting from the masters.

(What you see here is a quick layout of the day’s events. See a full layout of the day’s sessions, with detailed descriptions, on the official Schedule Page here.)

BLOCK FIVE: 4:00 – 5:00

1. How to Write a Great Query Letter for Your Novel. This workshop is a thorough crash course in writing an awesome query letter. What things should you avoid in query writing? What beginnings are overused and don’t work? How to compose a great pitch? How do you whittle down a long query? This session will cover all those questions and more.

2. Find Success Writing Romance. We’ll talk about plotting and publishing a smart and successful romance novel, what’s selling, and what the market looks like today.

3. Writing Life Productivity Tips & Tools. Very few of us writers are lucky to be able to write full-time. So, the vast majority of writers need to squeeze the most productivity out of the few available hours they have. In this informative session, we’ll cover tips and tools that help you do just that.

SESSIONS END: 5:00

At 5 p.m., the day is done. Speakers may make themselves available by the workshop’s bookstore for a short while to sign any books for attendees.

Agent & Editor Pitching: All throughout the day.

————-

PITCH AN AGENT OR EDITOR:

Chelsea Eberly is a literary agent and the Director of Greenhouse Literary Agency. She represents authors of middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, and women’s fiction, as well as illustrators who write picture books. As a former Senior Editor at Random House, she edited the Newbery Medal winning When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller as well as numerous award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors such as Tamora Pierce, Leigh Bardugo, Marie Lu, Sarah J. Maas, Mark Siegel, and Kim Johnson. She has a deep understanding of how publishers think and is an expert advocate for her clients. Learn more about Chelsea here.

Maggie Sadler is a literary agent with Corvisiero Literary. In adult fiction, Maggie enjoys: magical realism; folklore retellings of ambitious, perhaps even monstrous, women who are willing to sacrifice love for power; genre-bending literary fiction with an unexpected and intelligent use of language; pre-1900 historical fiction, particularly any untold stories of boundary-pushing women and women from traditionally underrepresented communities; and themes of femininity and the natural world, cultural identity, family legacy, rebellion against tradition. In new adult and young adult fiction, Maggie seeks: #OwnVoices magical realism; maritime fiction that evokes the spirit of nineteenth-century adventure fiction; upmarket fiction helmed by sharp, charming anti-heroes; very select endearing, cozy fantasies with heroines that are equal parts gentle and resilient;  themes of cultural identity, self-actualization, bravery in the smallest (literally and figuratively) of people, and setting as character (bonus points for dark academia). In middle grade fiction, Maggie is very selective, looking primarily for that sparkling, intelligent, and authentic voice. Learn more about Maggie here.

Kat Kerr is a literary agent with Donald Maass Literary Agency. Kat feels strongly about supporting programs like We Need Diverse Books and is passionate about creating space in this industry for those from historically marginalized communities. She is actively seeking to grow her client list and is particularly hungry for magical realism, literary leaning speculative (fantasy) and science fiction, women’s fiction, YA works with a lot of heart, and narrative nonfiction with something to say. In fiction, she seeks literary, upmarket, women’s, rom-coms, multicultural, speculative, magical realism, family saga, young adult, and select sci-fi and fantasy. In nonfiction, she seeks narrative nonfiction and journalistic nonfiction tackling current affairs and social justice issues, particularly covering topics of racism, immigration, LGBTQIA+ rights, gender equality, and poverty. She also represents select biographies and memoirs. Learn more about Kat here.

Jon Michael Darga is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. Darga represents both nonfiction and fiction. He is most interested in voice-driven pop culture writing, non-fiction histories that re-cast the narrative by emphasizing unexpected or unheard voices, and both adult and young adult commercial fiction that features diverse casts and new stories. He is not looking for genre fiction like political/crime thrillers, fantasy/sci-fi, or nonfiction in the self-help/how-to/business categories. Learn more about Jon here.

* * * * *

* * * * *

ADDED ONLINE PITCHING: To ensure that writers have a robust and diverse lineup of agents & editors to pitch, 2024 Michigan Writing Workshop attendees will have the ability to also pitch literary agents at the Writing Day Workshops *online* event that follows the 2024 MWW on our calendar.

That event is the Pittsburgh Writing Workshop, May 31 – June 1, 2024, which will have 30-40 agents taking one-on-one Zoom virtual pitches.

This means that 2024 MWW attendees can have access to pitching all those online PWW agents — pitches still at $29 each — without being a formal registrant for the online May/June 2024 event. (That said, if you want to formally register for the Pittsburgh conference and have access to all classes and panels, let us know, as there is a discount for confirmed Michigan attendees.)

If you are interested in this added pitching opportunity, the first step is to get formally registered for Michigan. Following the MWW conference on May 4, 2024, we will be in touch with all Michigan attendees and ask them if they want to partake in pitching online agents at the 2024 PWW (May 31 – June 1). At that time, you can communicate your pitch requests and purchase meeting time.

* * * * *

        More 2024 agents to be announced as they are confirmed. You can sign up for pitches at any time, or switch pitches at any time, so long as the agent in question still has appointments open.

These one-on-one meetings are an amazing chance to pitch your book face-to-face with an agent, and get personal, individual feedback on your pitch/concept. If the agent likes your pitch, they’ll request to see part/all of your book — sending you straight past the slush pile. It also gives you an intimate chance to meet with an agent and pick their brain with any questions on your mind.

(Please note that Agent/Editor Pitching is an add-on, separate aspect of the day, for only those who sign up. Spaces are limited for these premium meetings, and pricing/detail is explained below.)

———

PRICING:

$199 — EARLY BIRD base price for registration to the 2024 MWW and access to all workshops, all day. As of fall 2023, registration is now OPEN.

Add $29 — to secure a 10-minute one-on-one meeting with any of our literary agents or editors in attendance. Use this special meeting as a chance to pitch your work and get professional feedback on your pitch. (Spaces limited.) If they wish, attendees are free to sign up for multiple 10-minute pitch sessions at $29/session — pitching multiple individuals, or securing 20 minutes to pitch one person rather than the usual 10. Here are four quick testimonials regarding writers who have signed with literary agents after pitching them at prior Writing Day Workshops events. (Our bigger, growing  list of success stories an be seen here.)

“I met my client, Alison Hammer, at the Writing
Workshop of Chicago and just sold her book.”
– literary agent Joanna Mackenzie of Nelson Literary

“Good news! I signed a client [novelist Aliza Mann]
from the Michigan Writing Workshop!”
– literary agent Sara Mebigow of KT Literary

“I signed author Stephanie Wright from
the Seattle Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Kathleen Ortiz of New Leaf Literary

“I signed an author [Kate Thompson] that I
met at the Philadelphia Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Kimberly Brower of Brower Literary

“I signed novelist Kathleen McInnis after meeting her
at the Chesapeake Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Adriann Ranta of Foundry Literary + Media

Add $69 — for an in-depth, personal critique of your one-page query letter from Brian Klems, one of the day’s instructors. (This rate is a special event value for Michigan Writing Workshop attendees only.) Registrants are encouraged to take advantage of the specially-priced critique, so they can send out their query letter with confidence following the workshop. Also, if you are meeting with an agent at the event, you’re essentially speaking your query letter aloud to them. Wouldn’t it be wise to give that query letter (i.e., your pitch) one great edit before that meeting?

Add $89 — for an in-depth personal critique of the first 10 pages of your novel. Spaces with faculty for these critiques are very limited, and participating attendees will either 1) get an in-person meeting at the workshop, if the faculty member is attending the live event, or 2) get a 10-minute phone call with the faculty member, and have notes passed along via email, if the critiquer is not attending the live event. Options:

• Historical fiction, literary fiction and women’s fiction, and creative nonfiction essays (in-person critiques): Faculty member Lynne Golodner, an author and marketing entrepreneur, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you in person on May 4 at the MWW — for 15 minutes at the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
• Women’s fiction, contemporary/mainstream fiction, literary fiction, young adult, and memoir (virtual critiques): Faculty member Kimiko Nakamura, a literary agent and writing coach, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
• Children’s picture books and middle grade (virtual critiques): Faculty member Brittany Thurman, a published author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting. If you submit a picture book, it must be 1,000 words or fewer (can have illustrations or not).
• Commercial women’s fiction, thriller/suspense, thriller with romantic elements, cozy mystery, YA thriller, young adult in general, middle-grade, literary fiction, and fantasy (virtual critiques): Faculty member Amberly Finarelli, a literary agent and writing coach, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
• Science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, young adult SFF, urban fantasy (virtual critiques): Faculty member Wesley Chu, a published novelist, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss his thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
• More critique options possibly forthcoming
  

How to pay/register — Registration is now open. Reach out to workshop organizer Brian Klems via email: WDWconference@gmail.com, and he will provide specific instructions for payment and registration to get you a reserved seat at the event. Payment is by credit card, PayPal, or check. Because Brian plans different workshops, make sure you note that you’re inquiring about the Michigan workshop specifically.

REGISTRATION:

Because of limited space at the venue (Embassy Suites Detroit – Livonia/Novi), the workshop can only allow 200 registrants, unless spacing issues change. For this reason, we encourage you to book sooner rather than later.

(Please note that this is an in-person event. We at Writing Day Workshops plan both online/virtual as well as in-person events. This next MWW is an in-person event happening in the Detroit suburbs on May 4, 2024. See you there.)

Are spaces still available? Yes, we still have spaces available. We will announce RIGHT HERE, at this point on this web page, when all spaces are taken. If you do not see a note right here saying how all spaces are booked, then yes, we still have room, and you are encouraged to register.

How to Register: The easy first step is simply to reach out to workshop organizer Brian Klems via email: WDWconference@gmail.com. Brian will pass along registration information to you, and give instructions on how to pay by credit card, PayPal, or check. Once payment is complete, you will have a reserved seat at the event. The MWW will send out periodic e-mail updates to all registered attendees with any & all news about the event. Because Brian plans different workshops, make sure you note that you’re inquiring about the Michigan workshop specifically.

Refunds: If you sign up for the event and have to cancel for any reason at any time, you will receive 50% of your total payment back [sent by check or PayPal]. The other 50% is nonrefundable and will not be returned, and helps the workshop ensure that only those truly interested in the limited spacing sign up for the event. (Please note that query editing payments and manuscript editing payments are completely non-refundable if the instructor has already edited your work.)

Carrie Howland is a literary agent and the President of Howland Literary, LLC, which she established in 2018, after thirteen years as an agent, most recently at Empire Literary.

Carrie holds a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from Albion College, where she was the Poetry Editor of The Albion Review. Her poetry has appeared in various literary journals and magazines. In her spare time, Carrie volunteers as a foster for a local dog rescue and is an active member of the Junior League. Her passions include music, pop culture, and the Midwest. She has been featured in several publications discussing her work as an agent including Poets & Writers, SCWBI insight, Akashic Books, and Slice Magazine. Carrie Howland joined Empire Literary after eleven years as an agent at Donadio & Olson, Inc.

She represents young adult, middle grade, and select picture book authors.

 

 

Alexandra Grana is a literary agent with Corvisiero Literary.

Alex is a recent graduate of the University of Toledo College of Law. She has always loved writing and literature, having completed her B.A. in Professional Writing at Miami University, and is excited to dedicate herself to helping fellow writers pursue publication. When she isn’t reading, she can be found trying a new recipe in the kitchen or prepping for her next DnD session.

Alex’s favorite genres are fantasy and horror. She is a sucker for a good magic system, reimagined fairy tales, and poetic prose. Stories by marginalized writers are of particular interest to her.

In fiction, she seeks:

• Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror for middle grade, young adult, and adult
• LGBTQ stories in all genres
• Mysteries and Thrillers
• Historical fiction
• Magical Realism
• Weird Queer

In adult, new adult, and young adult, Alex enjoys:

• Lush gothic stories of all kinds
• Feral girl protagonists
• Wintery fantasies, with a soft spot for Slavic-inspired settings and dog sledding
• Fantasies set in space and dark, grounded science fiction
• Solarpunk science fiction
• Body horror with religious themes

In middle grade, Alex hopes to find:

• Scary stories that keep you up at night
• Themes of self discovery and found family
• Fantasies reminiscent of Spirited Away

In nonfiction, Alex Is looking for:

• Occult History/Mysteries
• Narratives about Deconstruction

Books Alex loves:

Lilith’s Brood by Octavia Butler
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey

Kat Kerr is a literary agent with Donald Maass Literary Agency.

Kat joined Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2019. She graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelors in English in 2009 and is drawn to literary and commercial voices within the adult and YA markets, as well as adult nonfiction. Kat feels strongly about supporting programs like We Need Diverse Books and is passionate about creating space in this industry for those from historically marginalized communities. She is actively seeking to grow her client list and is particularly hungry for magical realism, literary leaning speculative and science fiction, women’s fiction, YA works with a lot of heart, and narrative nonfiction with something to say.

Submission Interests:

Literary and Upmarket Fiction:

Kat is drawn to strong, character-driven works with rich, literary prose. She loves books that make her think and have a strong emotional pull.

Contemporary
Women’s Fiction
Multicultural Lit
Speculative
Magical Realism
Family Sagas
YA

Favorite Books: Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys, Big Fish by Daniel Wallace, About a Boy by Nick Hornby, Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, The Leavers by Lisa Ko, Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel, Pachinko by Min Jin Lee, The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi, More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera, Here and Now and Then by Mike Chen, anything by Amy Tan

Commercial Fiction:

For the commercial market, Kat is looking for high concept, voice-driven works with a close POV and well-developed, distinct characters.

Select Science Fiction and Fantasy
Women’s Fiction and Rom-Coms
YA (all genres)

Favorite Books: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, Shades of Magic series by V.E. Schwab, The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, Crazy Rich Asians trilogy by Kevin Kwan, The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang, The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow, Wild Women and the Blues by Denny S. Bryce, I’ll Be the One by Lyla Lee

Nonfiction:

Narrative nonfiction and journalistic non-fiction tackling current affairs and social justice issues, particularly covering topics of racism, immigration, LGBTQIA+ rights, gender equality, and poverty
Select biographies and memoirs

Do NOT pitch:

– Plots/themes centering around unresolved trauma
– Previously published or self-published works
– MG, Chapter books, picture books
– Novellas, short stories, or poetry collections
– Military/war stories
– Westerns

Najla Mamou is a literary agent with Savvy Literary Services. She is also a developmental editor and sensitivity reader

Najla represents adult fiction and some YA. She’s most interested in mystery, romance, crime, and thriller. She’s most interested in main characters that are BIPOC or immigrants or expats, anything set in rural and inner city areas, and historical fiction genres/categories/settings.

She also is interested in narrative and creative nonfiction.

She enjoys stories about: rags to riches, overcoming discrimination, fish out of water, forbidden love, secret babies, arranged marriage, redemption, road trips or stories where the discovery happens away from home and more expat books where a POC moves to another place.

Chelsea Eberly is a literary agent and the Director of Greenhouse Literary Agency.

She represents authors of middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, and women’s fiction, as well as illustrators who write picture books.

As a former Senior Editor at Random House, she edited the Newbery Medal winning When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller as well as numerous award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors such as Tamora Pierce, Leigh Bardugo, Marie Lu, Sarah J. Maas, Mark Siegel, and Kim Johnson to name only a few. She has a deep understanding of how publishers think and is an expert advocate for her clients. Chelsea is also a Publishers Weekly Star Watch Honoree, which recognizes “the rising stars of the US publishing industry.”

 

Maggie Sadler is a literary agent with Corvisiero Literary.

Maggie is motivated to apply her knowledge of literature and craft to the industry as an Agent at Corvisiero Literary Agency. Maggie earned her joint degree in Comparative Literature and English in 2016 from the University of St Andrews, a historical university tucked away in a tiny windswept Scottish town along the North Sea. A sea sprite at heart, Maggie returned to the North Atlantic coast to earn her Master’s in Literary Studies at Memorial University of Newfoundland in 2019. The intricate, vivid, and deep-rooted folk traditions Maggie encountered in both Scotland and Newfoundland further enriched her literary interest in folklore, mainly the seafaring lore intrinsic to small North Atlantic communities.

After these unexpected adventures, Maggie now calls rural Michigan home, where she daydreams amongst the wildflowers with her rascally horse. She is currently working on a novel of her own, full of wild coasts, mysterious sea chests, and feral girls with monstrous secrets.

She is seeking:

Maggie will evaluate every pitch with sensitivity and a desire to uplift up-and-coming writers. However, she is especially interested in finding unorthodox narrative voices that possess subtle, yet insightful perspectives.

In adult fiction, Maggie enjoys:

• Nuanced, entrancing Magical Realism that forces the reader to reconsider what “real” truly means.
• Folklore retellings of ambitious, perhaps even monstrous, women who are willing to sacrifice love for power.
• Genre-bending literary fiction with an unexpected and intelligent use of language.
• Pre-1900 historical fiction, particularly any untold stories of boundary-pushing women and women from traditionally underrepresented communities.
• Themes of femininity and the natural world, cultural identity, family legacy, rebellion against tradition.

In new adult and young adult fiction, Maggie seeks:

• #OwnVoices Magical Realism that is strongly rooted in history and non-Western folklore.
• Maritime fiction that evokes the spirit of nineteenth-century adventure fiction, particularly with fierce, feminine pirate queens à la Elizabeth Swann and Eleanor Guthrie.
• Upmarket fiction helmed by sharp, charming anti-heroes.
• Very select endearing, cozy fantasies that strike the same notes as Howl’s Moving Castle or The Hobbit, yet with heroines that are equal parts gentle and resilient.
• Themes of cultural identity, self-actualization, bravery in the smallest (literally and figuratively) of people, and setting as character (bonus points for dark academia).

In middle grade fiction, Maggie is very selective, looking primarily for that sparkling, intelligent, and authentic voice. Maggie hopes to find:

• Nostalgic adventure romps featuring a rag-tag band of endearing and witty misfits. I’m especially hoping to find the next The Goonies or Stranger Things, in novel form!
• Subtly articulated and tactfully negotiated upmarket fiction that explores themes of loneliness, multiculturalism, unique family dynamics, or differing abilities (i.e. intellectual, emotional, and/or physical).
• Animal stories that reach across generations with sensitivity and grace, whose protagonists gently welcome the reader in for a cup of tea and a bit of cake.

An experienced traveler, Maggie also welcomes travelogues depicting remote locations and thought-provoking encounters in a raw, authentic, and intentional narrative voice that blurs the boundaries between the literary and the nonfiction.

Maggie is NOT a good fit for:

• High or epic fantasy, particularly in the adult sphere
• Science fiction; no space exploration or aliens, please
• Thrillers, especially stories inspired by true crime
• Military or political fiction
• Humor or satire
• Commercial romance
• Graphic novels​
• Casts of paranormal creatures (fairies, ghosts, werewolves, and vampires)
• MG narratives in the vein of Captain Underpants, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, or The Fairly OddParents
• Intense depictions of animal abuse, murder, sexual abuse, sexual trauma, or torture

 

Jon Michael Darga is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management.

Jon represents titles across a diverse range of genres, including, most recently, the biography Vivian Maier Developed by Ann Marks, the cookbook Cookies: The New Classics by Jesse Szewczyk (named a Best Cookbook of 2021 by the New York Times), the photography book Portrait of an Artist by Hugo Huerta Marin, and the New York Times bestselling oral history of “Grey’s Anatomy” How to Save a Life by Lynette Rice.

Darga graduated from the University of Michigan with Honors with a BA in English and Creative Writing, and later attended the Columbia University publishing program. Before coming to Aevitas, he was an editor at Crown, a division within Penguin Random House, where he worked on several bestsellers and award winners.

Darga represents both nonfiction and fiction. He is most interested in voice-driven pop culture writing, non-fiction histories that re-cast the narrative by emphasizing unexpected or unheard voices, and both adult and young adult commercial fiction that features diverse casts and new stories. He is not looking for genre fiction like political/crime thrillers, fantasy/sci-fi, or nonfiction in the self-help/how-to/business categories.