Christina Clancy

Christina Clancy is the author of The Second Home and Shoulder Season. Her work has also appeared in the New York Times, The Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, The Sun magazine, and in various literary journals. She graduated from the University of Minnesota and worked at IBM before returning to school to earn a PhD in creative writing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. After graduating, she taught English at Beloit College for a decade before turning to writing full time. She splits her time between Madiso, WI and Palm Springs.

• Presentation: Radical Revision
• Master Class: Ditching Formulas: Exploring New Ways to Tell Stories

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: Deconstructing the Poem: Poetry Made Accessible    
• Master Class: How Poetry Improves Your Storytelling        

Rachel DeWoskin

Rachel DeWoskin is the author of six books of fiction and nonfiction, including Foreign Babes in Beijing. She is a poet and essayist. She spent her twenties in China as the unlikely star of a nighttime soap opera. She is on the core fiction faculty at the University of Chicago, and is an affiliated faculty member of the Centers for East Asian Studies and Jewish Studies. She lives in Chicago with her husband, playwright, screenwriter and podcaster Zayd Dohrn, who (fun fact!) is the son of Bernardine Dohrn and William Ayers. They have two daughters.

• Presentation: Truth and Beauty: How We Tell Our Truest Stories
• Master Class: Writing Wonder: Why Asking (Not Answering) Makes Writing Move and Matter

Rita Dragonette

Rita Dragonette is a Chicago-based writer and salonnière, who became an author after a career telling the stories of others as an award-winning public relations executive. Her debut novel, The Fourteenth of September, is based upon her personal experiences on campus during the Vietnam War. She has submitted a second novel for representation and is currently working on a memoir in essays.

• Fiction Panel Discussion - From Life to Fiction: The Journey of First Novels    

Stuart Dybek

The New York Times cited poet and fiction writer Stuart Dybek as “not only our most relevant writer, but maybe our best.”
Dybek 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. His 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.
 

We’re excited to welcome best selling author Stuart Dybek as our featured speaker for Let’s Just Chat! the special conversation at the Saturday dinner.

Ann Garvin

Ann Garvin, Ph.D. is the USA Today bestselling author of six funny and sad novels, including her latest, Bummer Camp.

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.

• Starting from Scratch - Novice to Bestseller: Tips, Tools and Practicalities

Leticia Gomez

Leticia Gomez is the Editorial Director for Dafina Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing Corp., which focuses on high-quality fiction and non-fiction that centers on race, identity, and its impact on our experiences. Dafina’s carefully curated list is a home for dynamic stories that innovate and amplify voices too long ignored through books that entertain, challenge, and inspire.

• Pitch Sessions
• Presentation: Making a Great First Impression: Pitch Your Book as if Your Writing Career Depends On It

Doug Grad

Doug Grad spent twenty-two years as a senior editor at four major New York publishing houses before opening The Doug Grad Literary Agency, Inc. in 2008. 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. 

• Agent Panel Discussion

Alison Hammer

Alison Hammer is half of the writing duo Ali Brady, the USA TODAY bestselling author of romantic, heartwarming, funny novels including their latest,The Beach Trap. Their books have been “best of summer” picks by The Washington Post, Parade, and Katie Couric Media.
Alison is also a creative director, the Founder of The Artists Against Antisemitism, and the author of You and Me and Us and Little Pieces of Me. She lives in Chicago.

• Presentation - AI as a Writing Tool: But Not For Writing

Samantha Hoffman

Samantha Hoffman is the author of What More Could You Wish For (St. Martin’s Press). She is a writer, editor, film and theatre buff, traveler, and 8-time marathoner. Samantha is on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Writers and is the Executive Director of Let's Just Write! Chicago Writers Association Conference. 

• Fiction Panel Discussion - From Life to Fiction: The Journey of First Novels    

Alex Kotlowitz

For forty years, Alex Kotlowitz has been telling stories from the heart of America, deeply intimate tales of struggle and perseverance. He is the author of four books, including his most recent, An American Summer: Love and Death in Chicago which received the J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize. His other books include the national bestseller There Are No Children Here, which the New York Public Library selected as one of the 150 most important books of the twentieth century. It received the Helen B. Bernstein Award and was adapted as a television movie produced by and starring Oprah Winfrey. It was selected by The New York Times as a Notable Book of the Year along with his second book, The Other Side of the River which also received The Chicago Tribune’s Heartland Prize for Nonfiction. 
Alex has been honored in all three mediums, including two Peabodys, two Columbia duPonts, the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award and the George Polk Award. He’s the recipient of eight honorary degrees, the John LaFarge Memorial Award for Interracial Justice given by New York’s Catholic Interracial Council and the 2019 Harold Washington Literary Award. He also received the Harold D. Vursell Memorial Award from the Academy of Arts and Letters for his books which “illuminate astonishing national inequities through the lens of individual experience.” 
Alex is a professor at Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism.

Keynote Speaker

Dana Kaye

Dana Kaye earned her B.A. in Fiction Writing from Columbia College Chicago. She launched Kaye Publicity in 2009 and is a frequently sought out speaker and media source. Dana is also the co-founder of the Midwest Mystery Conference and the author of Your Book, Your Brand: The Step-By-Step Guide to Launching Your Book and Boosting Your Sales.

• Presentation - Your Author Brand: A Step-by-Step Guide to Identifying, Creating, and Launching Your Brand

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:  Scene and Non-Scene Forms in Fiction and Nonfiction                

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: Using Dialogue to Develop Characters

Andy Ross

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.

• Agent Panel Discussion

Natalie Serber

Natalie Serber is the author of Shout Her Lovely Name, a New York Times Notable Book, and Community Chest, a memoir. Her fiction has appeared in One Story, Zyzzyva Magazine, Hunger Mountain, and others.  Essays and reviews have appeared in The New York Times, O The Oprah Magazine, The Today Show, Memoir Monday, Oldster, and others. Natalie leads workshops, retreats, and is a freelance editor. Read her substack newsletter: read.write.eat. for book suggestions, writing tips, and a recipe or two. 

• Presentation: Present & Past: Using Backstory to Enhance the Present Story
• Master Class: I Know You So Well - Building Character in Fiction and Memoir

Ben Tanzer

Emmy-award winner Ben Tanzer's acclaimed work includes the short story collection UPSTATE, the science fiction novel Orphans and the essay collections Lost in Space and Be Cool. Ben’s latest novel The Missing was released in March 2024 by 7.13 Books and is a finalist in the CWA Book of the Year Contest. He lives in Chicago with his family.

• Presentation:  Becoming Unstuck, Step by Step
• Master Class: Crafting Place, A Novel Writing Cafe

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: Social Media Made Easy 

Vicky Weber

Vicky Weber is a literary agent at Creative Media Agency. She is a children's book author, her books having been published by Disney and Penguin Random House, and she also has successful self-published titles. Vicky is the owner of At Home Author, a company that helps others get their children's books published and make money doing it.

• Agent Panel Discussion

Jeremy T Wilson

Jeremy T Wilson is the author of the novel The Quail Who Wears the Shirt and the short story collection Adult Teeth. He is a former winner of the Chicago Tribune’s Nelson Algren Award for short fiction and the Hessman Trophy, presented by legendary Principal Durward U. Hessman to the fifth grade student who could eat the most corn. His work has appeared in The Carolina Quarterly, The Florida Review, Jet Fuel Review, The Masters Review, Sonora Review, Third Coast, The Best Small Fictions 2020, and other publications. He prefers pie over cake, waffles over pancakes, and R.E.M. over U2. He lives in Evanston, Illinois.

• Presentation: Take Me on a Rollercoaster: Making Your Story Irresistible
• Fiction Panel Discussion - From Life to Fiction: The Journey of First Novels    

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 fosters long-term success with her authors, focusing on helping each author achieve their full potential. 

Jessica's interests:
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

Leticia Gomez, Kensington Publishing Corp.

Leticia Gomez is the Editorial Director for Dafina Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing Corp., which focuses on high-quality fiction and non-fiction that centers on race, identity, and its impact on our experiences. Dafina’s carefully curated list is a home for dynamic stories that innovate and amplify voices too long ignored through books that entertain, challenge, and inspire.

Leticia's interests:
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

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 interests: 
Narrative non-fiction, military, sports, celebrity memoir, thrillers, mysteries, historical fiction, romance, music, style, business, home improvement, cookbooks, self-help, science and theater.

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.

Kat's interests:
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.

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's inerests:
Narrative nonfiction, science, journalism, history, current affairs, contemporary culture, religion, books for children (not picture books), and commercial and literary fiction.

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.  
Fun fact: Tina signed Michelle (Elle) Baade after a pitch session at Let's Just Write! a year or two ago. She just sold her debut novel to Lake Union Publishing (Amazon). 

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

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