Overview & Guidelines

AgentFest promises to be one of the most exciting events during ThrillerFest! Imagine pitching your work, one on one, to that agent that you're dying to meet. Here's your opportunity!

On Thursday afternoon agents and editors who are interested in finding thriller writers will each introduce themselves, then take a seat in alphabetical order around the AgentFest room.

AgentFest registrants will then line up in an orderly manner at the entrance to the AgentFest room. Once the agents are ready, we will open the doors. Please enter the room according to your place in line. Upon entering the room the registrant will line up in front of the first agent that the registrant would like to meet.

Each "Pitch Session" will last 3 minutes.

A timekeeper will keep track of time. The bell will ring to start the session. The bell will ring to stop the session. It is important to move on to the next agent when the bell rings.

You will be able to move from one agent to your next choice and so on, for the duration of AgentFest. There will be one ten minute break during the session.

Prioritize the agents you'd like to see before AgentFest begins. The agents and their websites will be posted on the ThrillerFest website prior to the event. Get familiar with each agent and their agency so that you can make informed choices.

Be professional at all times. This is a business setting and you want to present a professional image and make a good impression on the agents.

Be considerate of others, keep clear lines, and please do not cut in line.

We recommend business casual attire.

Practice your pitch the night before AgentFest. Get comfortable with what you want to say to the agent or editor before you get into the room. Try to sum up the plot of your thriller in a concise manner. Some recommend using the phrase "What if" to begin a pitch of 25 words or less to convey the story line. Others say to imagine that your book was turned into a television movie. What would TV Guide write about your movie? That is your pitch. There are many ways to pitch a project and you need to be comfortable with your method.

Make sure that you allow time for a response from the agent within your three allotted minutes. A good guideline is to stop speaking and let the agent talk after you complete your pitch. When the second bell rings, move on to the next agent--or leave the room.

You do not need to bring your entire manuscript, however, you should bring a sample of your writing--the first couple of pages of your manuscript and/or a synopsis. But do not be offended if an agent or editor chooses not to read it.

Business cards are recommended. You may offer your card to an agent, but please respect the agent's wishes if he/she chooses not to accept anything from you.

If you have difficulty standing for a length of time (the event is three hours +), we recommend that you bring or rent a wheelchair.

If an agent wants to learn more about your project, they will tell you what to send and how.

While in line please speak quietly, so that the agents can hear each pitch. And feel free to practice your pitch on your fellow AgentFest attendees--quietly--while you wait.