Join us for a full day of insider access, personalized feedback, and professional insight at our Online Agent Day — a rare opportunity to learn directly from six literary agents representing a wide range of genres and audiences.

What’s Happening At Agent Ascent Day?

One-on-One Critiques

Each agent will offer 10 individual written critiques that you will get back a few days in advance of the Agent Day. This will allow time to review, revise, and prepare for the 15-minute Zoom follow up session, giving writers the chance to receive focused feedback on full picture books or the first ten pages of a manuscript and then have the opportunity to clarify, share changes, or get further advice.

Spaces are limited!

Live Agent Panels

Two 60-minute Q&A sessions feature three agents each, offering candid conversations about today’s publishing landscape — from market trends and standout submissions to what makes a project irresistible.

Bring your questions!

Deep-Dive Workshops

Two agents will also lead 90-minute craft and industry workshops, offering an in-depth look at the creative and professional side of writing. More about topics coming soon!

Meet Our Agents!

Michaela (Mike) Whatnall, Literary Agent, Dystel Goderich & Bourret

Michaela Whatnall is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, where they have worked out of the agency’s West Coast office since 2019. They received a degree from Emory University in English and linguistics, completed the Columbia Publishing Course, and have experience in school & library marketing, bookselling, and reviewing for trade publications. In 2023, Michaela was named a Publishers Weekly Star Watch Honoree.

They are most strongly interested in finding middle grade and young adult projects of all genres; upmarket adult fiction; and grounded fantasy. Michaela is also open to select adult romance; narrative nonfiction for both children and adults; graphic novels; and picture books.

For much more detail, you can visit thier Manuscript Wish List Page!

Eric Smith, Founder & Agent, Neighborhood Literary

With over fifteen years of experience in publishing, both at a house and an agency, Eric Smith (he/him) has worked with numerous New York Times bestselling and award-winning authors across genres and categories.

Eric is currently closed to queries, save for referrals and conferences. He is always looking for Middle Grade and Young Adult projects (fiction and nonfiction), adult genre-blending upmarket and literary fiction, accessible sci-fi and fantasy (please nothing over 100k, and no epics), high concept rom-coms, and memoir, essays, and wellness titles in the non-fiction space from writers who are actively publishing essays and articles tied to their expertise. While he works on kid-lit, he’s not the best fit for chapter books, and on the adult side, he’s not the best fit for mysteries or thrillers. Please don’t send him books that touch on suicide.

You can find out more about Eric’s wishlist for critiques here: Eric Smith, Manuscript Wishlist

Keir Alekseii, Agent, Azantian Literary

Keir Alekseii’s career started as Jen Azantian’s mentee in 2021 at Azantian Literary Agency. After a year of mentorship, she became an associate agent with Azantian.

She is an educator and anti-GBV activist born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, a twin island country in the West Indies. Keir is a writer, gamer, lover of folklore, and former research scientist. As a neurodivergent, queer person of color, Keir is invested in discovering engaging work with similar representation, and passionate about creating space for voices not often recognized. They are especially interested in stories from BIPOC who are born and raised in the Global South.

Keir still lives in T&T with their partner and five rambunctious felines.

The most recent version of Keir’s MSWL can be found on Keir’s website and you can also look at her manuscript wishlist page.

Kaitlyn Sanchez, Agent, Bradford Literary

Kaitlyn Sanchez (she/her) is an agent with Bradford Literary Agency and a middle school math teacher. She’s also the proud co-creator and co-host of the Spring Fling Kidlit Contest and Kidlit Zombie Week as well as creator and co-host of the Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy Contest. In her free time, she loves to play soccer, binge-watch TV shows, and, of course, read. Especially when she’s all cozied up with her husband and daughter reading together.

Website | Bluesky | Facebook

For critiques, Kaitlyn especially enjoys critiquing author-illustrated picture

book dummies, picture book fiction, author-illustrated middle-grade graphic novels, and middle grade fiction novels. Please note: rhyme and verse are totally fine to submit for critiques in all categories. Kaitlyn always loves helping creators find the story that they’re meant to tell. For more information on what type of fantastic stories to submit to Kaitlyn for critiques, check out her MSWL here!

Vicki Selvaggio, Agent & Owner, Storm Literary Agency

After interning for The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, Victoria joined the agency in 2013 as an associate agent. Within six months, she had sales under her belt and a growing list of talented clients. However, as time went on, she missed the behind-the-scenes business side. In 2018, she joined Storm Literary Agency as co-owner, where she devoted her time to building the agency from within with talented agents and support staff.

With over thirty years of business ownership and publishing experience, Victoria became the owner of Storm Literary Agency in 2022. Her list features both debut and award-winning authors. She represents all age categories and nearly all genres. Currently, she is closed to submissions. (Victoria does open for submissions as a presenter at conferences).

Victoria’s favorite authors include Stephen King, Judy Blume, Shel Silverstein, Lois Lowry, Margaret Atwood, E. B. White, C.S. Lewis, Suzanne Collins, and so many more. In her spare time, Victoria can be found on a sixteen-foot ladder painting or knocking down a wall in one of her remodeling/house flipping projects. Member AALA.

Storm Website Info | X | BlueSky

Jolene Haley, Agent, Donald Maass Literary Agency

Jolene Haley joined the Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2022. She has been in the publishing industry since 2012 on both the publisher and agency sides in editorial, marketing, publicity, contracts, and agent positions. She has worked for literary agencies such as Marsal Lyon Literary Agency and The Bent Agency. Her well-rounded experience and extensive background in PR and marketing provides a unique perspective and a solid foundation to support authors as they build their careers.

She graduated with accolades from Cal State Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Composition. She runs a global horror writer’s resource site The Midnight Society and is a member of ALA, HWA, and SCBWI.

Follow Jolene on Twitter, Instagram, or her website.

Agent Day Schedule

9:00-9:10 Welcome

9:15 am -10:15 am Question & Answer (+ Critiques)

15-minute break

10:30 am – NOON Workshop 1  (+ Critiques)

12:05 to 1 pm LUNCH

1 pm – 2 pm Question & Answer (+ Critiques)

2:15 pm – 3:45 pm Workshop 2  (+ Critiques)

4:00 pm – 4:30 pm Break into Genre/Age Chat & Final Critiques

4:35 pm Closing

(All times in Central Time.)

NOTE: To fit all critiques in one day, they will be ongoing simultaneously with the workshops and Q&A sessions. ALL SESSIONS WILL BE RECORDED and available for one month so you won’t miss anything.

Registration & Pricing

Spots for critiques and are limited!
Register Now to secure your critique (or multiple critiques if wanted) and gain access to all Q&A panels and workshops.

Online Agent Day ONLY (No Critique): $200

Picture Book Critique + 15-Minute One-On-One w/Agent Add-On: $100

First 10 Pages Critique + 15-Minute One-On-One w/Agent Add-On: $110

Note: You can only sign up for critiques if you are attending the Agent Ascent Day with us online.

TO REGISTER: please email Way-Word Writers at waywordwriters@gmail.com (Subject Line: Agent Ascent Registration) and let us know the following:

Once we know this, we will send instructions for how to pay.

We hope to see you all with us!