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2026 Writer to Agent: Summer Edition

AWP is thrilled to offer the second installment of Writer to Agent: Summer Edition, an expansion of our popular conference program!

AWP members who register for Writer to Agent: Summer Edition will have the opportunity to submit a query letter and writing sample to be reviewed by this year’s participating agents; receive an invitation to our “Ask an Agent Anything” call on June 23; and gain access to archival recordings of conference events related to finding and working with an agent.

Participating literary agents will read and review applications to find prospective clients to meet with virtually. If the literary agency is interested in the author’s work, they will contact the applicant directly to schedule a meeting.

Submissions open on May 15, 2026, and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage applicants to submit as soon as possible. The submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

 

 

Submission Guidelines

  • To be eligible to submit, you must have (1) an active AWP membership, and (2) a 2026 Writer to Agent: Summer Edition registration.
  • Submit a one-page query letter along with the first five pages of a novel, essay collection, narrative nonfiction book manuscript, or short story collection as one document via the Writer to Agent: Summer Edition submission form.
  • Your submission document should be saved and submitted according to your type of project and your name (ProjectType_LastName_FirstName); for example, “Novel_Lee_MinJin” or “Essays_Smith_Zadie.” Clearly indicating the type of project in your submission title helps the participating agents sort through the submissions more easily.
  • The five-page writing sample should be double-spaced in twelve-point Times New Roman font.
  • Query letters are composed of a description of the book and the author’s bio. If you have questions about writing and submitting a query letter, review the Writer to Agent web series episode for instructions and tips.
  • Agents from each of the participating agencies will read the query letters and submissions. You may address your query letter to “agent.” 
  • Indicate in the query letter if the submission has been published in a magazine or journal. 
  • Indicate in the query letter if you are actively querying the project or if the project is still in progress.
  • Submissions are limited to one per registered member. If you are working on multiple projects, you can only pitch one but may very briefly mention other projects toward the end of your query letter—e.g., “I am also working on a young adult novel.” Multiple submissions will be removed from consideration. 
  • Poetry submissions are not eligible.
  • If you are contacted by a participating agent and have already received and/or are considering another offer of representation, please let the participating agent know right away.
  • If you accept an offer of representation after submitting to Writer to Agent: Summer Edition, please immediately withdraw your submission to Writer to Agent. To withdraw, log in to our submission portal using your AWP credentials and navigate to My Applications > Complete > Withdraw. 

Terms & Conditions

  • In order to submit your work and access the included resources, you must have BOTH an active AWP membership AND a registration for 2026 Writer to Agent: Summer Edition.
  • The opportunity to meet with agents is solely at the discretion of Aevitas Creative Management; Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency; Folio Literary Management; the Friedrich Agency; Kaplan Stahler Agency; New Leaf Literary; Noyan Literary; and Renaissance Literary & Talent.
  • AWP facilitates this service as a benefit to AWP members but does not participate in reviewing applications.
  • Meeting with an agent does not constitute a partnership or relationship, or establish representation on behalf of the agency. 
  • Submission of your writing sample and query letter does not guarantee a meeting with an agent. AWP; Aevitas Creative Management; Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency; Folio Literary Management; the Friedrich Agency; Kaplan Stahler Agency; New Leaf Literary; Noyan Literary; and Renaissance Literary & Talent make no claims as to the probability that applicants will be selected to meet with an agent.
  • Applications are only accepted via AWP’s submission portal. Aevitas Creative Management; Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency; Folio Literary Management; the Friedrich Agency; Kaplan Stahler Agency; New Leaf Literary; Noyan Literary; and Renaissance Literary & Talent will not respond to any inquiries about submissions or the Writer to Agent Program.
  • Due to the volume of applications, feedback is not possible for applicants who are not selected.
  • AWP does not offer refunds for Writer to Agent: Summer Edition registration.