PLEASE NOTE: AS OF MAY 7, THE WINDOW FOR SUBMISSION OF MATERIALS FOR EXPERT REVIEW HAS CLOSED. You may still register for ConsultFest to discuss issues relating to query letter writing or the publishing industry, but experts will not be able to review your work.

ConsultFest

We’re very excited to hold ConsultFest for the fourth year!

ConsultFest will be available throughout CraftFest and ThrillerFest, and attendees will meet one-on-one with an industry leading expert for 15 minutes. Our team has recruited the top acquiring editors and agents for this opportunity to give writers instant feedback on their query letters or first two pages of a manuscript. Writers will be assigned a time with the expert who will provide first impressions on the writing and offer feedback for improvements. The assignments for consults are by appointment only with the experts who’ve agreed to help us June 1 – June 4.

These consulting sessions are ideal for writers who are not yet ready to pitch a completed manuscript, but would like to discuss their synopsis, query letters, and writing samples for 15 minutes with agents and editors. Our experts will provide helpful feedback and answer any questions. But no pitching, please.

The list of available experts will help you with selecting appointments. You can purchase up to five consulting sessions. You will be able to select your expert and the time of appointment. We will provide more information for the scheduling service closer to the event.

  • Jen Kreischer Seperator

    Jen Kreischer

    PitchFest and ConsultFest Director

  • K.L. Romo Seperator

    K.L. Romo

    Assistant ConsultFest Director

We highly recommend you read ConsultFest FAQ prior to signing up for this event.

Here’s how the event will work:

Experts:

The experts listed here will offer advice on where they think they can be most helpful to you after reading your submission, whether that be how to improve your query, where you might want to work on your manuscript, or with your overall synopsis.

Preparation:

Submit any time after registering, but no later than May 1st to assure assignments:

  • Seven pages in Word Document format titled with writer’s name (ie: “Jane Smith”).
  • One-page Query Letter addressed to “Dear Agent/Editor:”, single spaced, letter format, 12-point font, 1” margins.
  • First five pages of manuscript (NOTE: only two-page critiques are guaranteed),
    double-spaced, 12-point font, 1” margins, noting writer’s name at top and working book title.
  • One-page Synopsis of novel or non-fiction work, double spaced, 12-point font, 1” margins.

Only one submission is required for any number of consultations you reserve.

Questions? Email K.L.Romo, ConsultFest Assistant Director or Jen Kreischer, PitchFest and ConsultFest Director.

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