Thursday, May 15, 7:00-9:30 PM
The Creek and The Cave, 10-93 Jackson Ave., Long Island City
An expert panel of literary agents, publishers, and established writers discusses the dynamics of the publishing industry and offers strategic advice for literary artists. The panel will provide a critical review of pre-selected pitches from the participants.

Panelists
Lucinda Bartley, Associate Editor, Crown Publishers
Lucinda came to Crown from Norton in 2005 and acquires a range of nonfiction, including popular science, politics, social commentary,education, and narrative history. Recent books include bestselling author Jonathan Kozol’s LETTERS TO A YOUNG TEACHER; the scientific and cultural study THE TASTE OF SWEET by journalist Joanne Chen; religious polemic GRAND THEFT JESUS by historian Robert S. McElvaine; Scott Huler’s travel memoir NO MAN’S LANDS, in which he retraces Odysseus’ path around the Mediterranean; and Avery Gilbert’s WHAT THE NOSE KNOWS, an exploration of the human sense of smell. She lives in Jackson Heights.

Amy Holman, Literary Consultant
Amy Holman is a literary consultant assisting writers in identifying markets or their work. She guest teaches at universities, writers conferences and literary centers, including The New School, University of Baltimore, Spalding University, Bread Loaf Writers Conference, Sotto Voce Poetry Festival, and Hudson Valley Writers Center. Her own poetry, fiction, and nonfiction has been published in magazines and books. She lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Valerie Merians, Melville House Publishing
Valerie Merians is the co-founder and publisher, along with her husband Dennis Johnson, of Melville House Publishing. Melville House is a small independent publisher based in Brooklyn, NY that publishes fiction, non-fiction and poetry for the general reader.

Rahna Reiko Rizzuto, Author, Why She Left Us
Rahna Reiko Rizzuto is the author of the novel, Why She Left Us, which won an American Book Award in 2000. She is also a recipient of the U.S./Japan Creative Artist Fellowship, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. Her work has appeared in numerous publications, including the L.A. Times and Salon. She was Associate Editor of The NuyorAsian Anthology: Asian American Writings About New York City, and teaches in the MFA program for creative writing at Goddard College. Her memoir, Hiroshima in the Morning, is forthcoming.

Edy Selman, Literary Agent
As head of the Edythea Ginis Selman Literary Agency, Inc .for many years she has been representing published authors and illustrators who explore serious subjects in innovative ways bringing new ideas to the forefront in narrative nonfiction, adult literary fiction and children’s literature. She is a popular workshop panelist and has been a keynote speaker at many book and author conferences. Known as a strong copyright champion and political activist Edy has spoken up against banned books, library budget cuts and authors rights issues.

MODERATOR
Marcela Landres
Marcela Landres is an editorial consultant who edits manuscripts, critiques proposals, and advises on how to launch and manage a writing career. She was formerly an editor at Simon & Schuster and is the creator of Latinidad, one of Writer’s Digest magazine’s 101 Best Web Sites for Writers. A member of the Women’s Media Group, she has acted as a judge for the PEN/Beyond Margins Award and speaks frequently at writing conferences and literary events.

Submission Process
To submit your pitch for critique at the workshop, please send a typed cover letter and literary pitch to:

Independence Arts Builds Community Submissions
Queens Council on the Arts
One Forest Park at Oak Ridge
Woodhaven, NY 11421-1166

Or via email to:
chenderson@queenscouncilarts.org

Submissions should be based on an existing work you hope to get published. Only a limited number of submissions will be discussed at the workshop. A submission is not required for registration.

Registration
Admission is free. Registration is required. Space is limited.

To register, please email your name, address, telephone number, and artistic discipline to register@queenscouncilarts.org.