Curtis Crisler

Indiana Poet Laureate Curtis L. Crisler is an award-winning poet/author who has six poetry books, two YA books, and five poetry chapbooks. He’s been published in a number of magazines, journals, and anthologies and is an editor and contributing poetry editor. He created the Indiana Chitlin Circuit, the poetry form called the sonastic, and is Professor of English at Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW). He can be contacted at www.poetcrisler.com.

• Presentation: 
• Master Class: Poetry: 

Stuart Dybek

The New York Times cited poet and fiction writer Stuart Dybek as “not only our most relevant writer, but maybe our best.”
He was raised on the South Side of Chicago. His works of fiction have prompted critics to rank him with such American literary giants as Ernest Hemingway and Sherwood Anderson. 
Dybek’s poems and fiction both feature a kind of shifting realism, one in which dreams and the imagination are just as present as gritty details of urban life. Dybek’s work "move[s] easily between the gritty reality of urban decay," noted John Breslin in the Washington Post, "and a magical realm of lyricism and transcendence linked to music, art and religion."
Dybek's awards include a Lannan Prize, a PEN/Malamud Award, a Whiting Award, a Guggenheim fellowship, and an O. Henry Award and a MacArthur Fellowship.
 

• Featured speaker in conversation on Saturday evening

Ann Garvin

Ann Garvin, Ph.D. is the USA Today bestselling author of five funny and sad novels, including her latest, There’s No Coming Back From This.

Ann is the founder of the multiple award-winning Tall Poppy Writers where she is committed to helping women writers succeed. She is a sought-after speaker on writing, leadership and health and has taught extensively in NY, San Francisco, LA, Boston, and at festivals across the country and in Europe.

• Presentation:
• Master Class: 

Eric Charles May

Eric Charles May is the author of the novel Bedrock Faith, which was named a 2014 Notable African-American title by Publishers Weekly, and a Top Ten Debut Novel for 2014 by Booklist Magazine, and the 2015 recipient of the 21st Century Award from the Chicago Public Library. May is a former reporter for The Washington Post. His fiction and nonfiction have appeared in numerous publications. He is an associate professor in the fiction writing program at Columbia College Chicago.

• Presentation:  

Dipika Mukherjee

Dipika Mukherjee writes fiction, poetry and essays, and academic papers. She travels. Then she writes about the travel. Nothing like the lulling motion of an old train track, or a path that calls with smells of warm food, both familiar and new. 
A collection of her travel essays will be published by Penguin Random House (SEA) in 2023. Right now, she is working on a third novel, as well as a hybrid memoir. When not writing, or travelling, she teaches at StoryStudio Chicago and the Graham School of University of Chicago).

• Presentation:

Cyrus Webb

Cyrus Webb is a media personality, Editor-In-Chief of Conversations Magazine, author, Social Media Influencer, Brand Strategist, Publicist and Top 100 Amazon.com Reviewer. 
Webb produces content for Amazon, including being an on-air personality for Amazon LIVE. He is the author of the inspirational books POWER YOUR LIFE WITH THE POSITIVE and WORDS I CHOOSE TO LIVE BY, both available on Amazon.com. 
For more information contact Cyrus Webb at www.cyruswebb.com

• Presentation :

Jessica Berg, Rosecliff Literary

Jessica Berg founded Rosecliff Literary, a boutique agency dedicated to discovering and nurturing exceptional talent. With a Master’s in Fiction from Spalding University and over a decade of developmental editing experience, Jessica offers a collaborative and informed approach to navigating the publishing landscape. She aims to foster long-term success for the authors she represents, focusing on building lasting relationships and helping each author achieve their full potential. 

Jessica's genres of interest:
Fiction: Alternate History/Historical Fantasy, Contemporary Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Upmarket/Book Club Fiction, Women's Fiction

Creative Nonfiction:
Memoir: stories that relate to military women and their experiences; Self Help with a witchy vibe

• Pitch Sessions

Leticia Gomez, Kensington Publishing Corp.

Leticia's genres of interest:
Fiction: Multicultural, Bookclub Fiction, Women's Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Romantasy Psychological Thrillers, History, Alternative History, Mystery, Cozy Mystery
Nonfiction: Narrative, History, Military, True Crime, Current Events, Memoir, Autobiography

• Presentation
• Pitch sessions

Doug Grad, Doug Grad Literary Agency

The Doug Grad Literary Agency, Inc.  opened for business in 2008, after Doug spent the previous twenty-two years as a senior editor at four major New York publishing houses. Throughout his editorial career, Doug was always an author’s advocate--the kind of editor authors wanted to work with because of his keen eye, integrity, and talent for developing projects. He was also a skillful negotiator, sometimes to the chagrin of literary agents.  

Doug's genres of interest: Narrative non-fiction, military, sports, celebrity memoir, thrillers, mysteries, historical fiction, romance, music, style, business, home improvement, cookbooks, self-help, science and theater.

• Pitch sessions
• Agent panel

Kat Kerr, Donald Maas Literary Agency

Kat Kerr 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.

• Pitch Sessions

Andy Ross, Andy Ross Literary Agency

Andy Ross opened his literary agency in January 2008. Prior to that he was the owner of the legendary Cody's Books in Berkeley, California for 30 years.

Andy represents authors who write books in a wide range of subjects including: narrative nonfiction, science, journalism, history, current affairs, contemporary culture, religion, children's books and commercial and literary fiction.

• Pitch sessions
• Agent panel

Tina P Schwartz, The Purcell Agency

Tina P Schwartz is the founder and literary agent at The Purcell Agency, LLC, near Chicago. She has written 10 traditionally published nonfiction books for children and teens. Tina started The Purcell Agency in 2012.

Tina's preferences: Women's Fiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, LGBTQ, Contemporary fiction for Middle Grade and Young Adult (No Fantasy). 

• Pitch Sessions
• Agent Panel

Vicky Weber, Creative Media Agency

Vicky Weber has always loved literature. As a Latinx agent and author she enjoys working with traditionally underrepresented voices whenever possible. She firmly believes that growing her author list is like growing her little family and she does so with intention.

Vicky represents:
Adult: Fantasy (Dark, Epic, High, Grounded), Magical Realism, Speculative, Horror, Thriller, Commercial Fiction
YA/MG: Fantasy, Horror, Dystopian
Picture Book Fiction & Nonfiction

• Pitch sessions