2019 Agents and Editors
Our agents and editors are an invaluable resource and, without them, Killer Nashville wouldn’t have the reputation it does for helping emerging writers to find a foothold in the publishing world. Since we began our agent/editor round tables in 2007, hundreds of conference attendees have found representation for themselves and their work at the Killer Nashville Writers’ Conference. Each year, we hear dozens of success stories that list our roundtables as one of the most valuable resources that we offer, but things weren’t always so easy.
In previous conference years, Killer Nashville offered agent and editor pitches. Although the offering was popular, and many capitalized on the opportunity with much success, we knew that Killer Nashville could offer more. After conducting painstaking research and engaging in discussion with agents/other conference organizers, we implemented our round-table format. These round table pitches not only offered the writers a chance to pitch their work by letting their pages speak for themselves, but they also made it possible for the writers to receive feedback from established agents and editors.
Agent / Editor Roundtables
Each roundtable will consist of 5 writers, 1 agent or editor, and a volunteer to read submissions. When submitting your offering, please remember the following:
- We ask writers to provide a minimum of 7 copies of the first two pages of their manuscript for each member of the group to bring the day of their editor roundtable.
- Please use double spacing with reasonable font sizing, such as 12 pt New Times Roman, with one-inch margins.
- In the header area of the first page, include your name, book title, genre or subgenre, email address and/or phone number, and a one-sentence logline/description of the book to give the reader context. (Note: You may start the text at the top of the first page, rather than dropping down a number of lines to begin a chapter in standard manuscript format.)
After each manuscript is read, the agents and/or editors will give constructive feedback on the pages. Each agent and editor has been asked to keep comments instructional, helping writers see both their strengths and where they need to improve. Agents and editors may request partial or full manuscripts if they think a manuscript has promise.
Since it is understood that these sessions are educational in nature, in practice, each session serves as a pitch without penalizing a writer whose work is not yet ready for representation or publication. In addition, each writer can learn from what is said to the others.
We offer a total of ten sessions with four times slots on Friday, four on Saturday, and two on Sunday morning. Roundtable pitch sessions are fifty minutes long.
Authors may register for as many sessions as they wish to, however, multiple sessions with the same agent or editor are discouraged. You may sign up for sessions during your conference registration process. Each session is $10.
Manuscript Critiques
Killer Nashville offers manuscript critiques to its registered attendees for the low additional charge of $49 per critique.
A manuscript critique offers a specialized one-on-one meeting with a professional writer or literary agent who will read a section of your manuscript and then offer you a face-to-face analysis of what works and what does not in your submission. It is a unique opportunity and one of the features that makes The Killer Nashville Writers’ Conference such an indispensable tool for writers. If you want to see how your work appeals to the professionals, choose an agent or editor. If you prefer a more detailed craft analysis, you may prefer to choose an author for your critique.
Fiction Critique: A published author or agent will read and critique the first ten pages (or to the end of the chapter) of your novel. All manuscripts should be double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman or other “reasonable” font.
Non-Fiction Critique: An publisher or agent will read and critique the first ten pages (or to the end of the chapter) of your non-fiction book or article. Your manuscript should be double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman or other “reasonable” font.
Short Story Critique: A published author or agent will read and critique your short story. All manuscripts should be double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman or other “reasonable” font.
Query Critique: An agent, published author, or the leader of a query-writing workshop will read and critique your query letter. The query letter should be no more than one page long, in standard query format and in 12-point Times New Roman or other “reasonable font.”.
Screenplay Critique: An author and independent filmmaker will read and critique the first 15 pages of your screenplay. All submissions should be in standard screenplay format.
Marketing Plan Critique: A professional publicist will read and critique your marketing plan (up to four pages), offering advice on how to make your plan more effective and how to get the most bang for your marketing buck.
You may sign up for sessions during your conference registration process.