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MWA Annual Conference: From Brain to Bookshelf 2026
October 10, 2026 7:00 AM EDT to October 11, 2026 5:00 PM EDT
Hilton Hotel BWI
1739 West Nursery Road
Linthicum, MD 21090
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DirectionsBrain to Bookshelf is MWA's annual conference where writers can get together, get inspired, and get noticed. We're bringing you:
- Keynote each day from award-winning authors.
- Dozens of presentations and workshops.
- Literary agents and small press editors will hear pitches, critique work, and offer their insights during a panel discussion.
- Lunch networking opportunity with fellow attendees and industry professionals.
- Bookstore - buy presenter titles, plus sell your latest book
- Raffle
- And much more!
Click here for complete conference details.
FOR BEST CONFERENCE RATES AND OPPORTUNITIES, JOIN MWA BEFORE REGISTERING.
MWA Member benefits include:
- Save $55 on registration (that's more than the $50 annual membership rate!)
- Save $5 on Pitches with Agents and Editors
- Purchase up to 3 Pitches (that's one more than non-member registrants)
- Use coupon code FREEPITCH2026 for a free pitch
- Save $15 on Critiques with Agents and Editors
- Purchase up to 2 Critiques (that's one more than non-member registrants)
It's a win-win! Click here to join MWA today.
Members, be sure to login to your account before registering to access best rates and free pitch.
HOW TO SIGN UP FOR A PITCH OR CRITIQUE
- These opportunities sell out fast, so be sure to register early.
- You may purchase up to two pitches (MWA members may select up to three).
- If you are only attending one day of the conference, be sure to select an agent who will be present that day.
- You may not sign up for a pitch or a critique for a day you are not registered for the conference.
- Do not sign up for a pitch AND a critique with the same agent on the same project. Click here for more on choosing between pitches and critiqes.
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Do your research. You can start with conference agent profiles; agents are listed according to the day they will be attending. But that's only a starting point. Check out agency websites, twitter, http://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/, online interviews, etc. to find out what types of work each agent represents, and what they are currently looking to add to their list. You want someone who not only reps your type of writing, but who also has space on their list for that type of work too. Agents' wish lists can change at any time.
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If the agent you are interested in is sold out, you may add your name to a waiting list in case something becomes available. To do so, please send email to [email protected] with the agent's name and whether you are looking for a critique or pitch. Please know that openings are unlikely, but we will notify waitlist people on a first-come first-served basis should something become available.
REMEMBER: For best conference rates and opportunities, join MWA before registering. Click here to join MWA today.
REFUND POLICY
- 100% through Labor Day.
- 50% the day after Labor Day - September 30
- No refunds after September 30.
Tickets
$305.00 MWA Member - Saturday Only
$265.00 Earlybird rate before August 15
$390.00 MWA Member - Saturday & Sunday
$350.00 Earlybird rate before August 15
$380.00 Non-Member: Sunday Only
$350.00 Earlybird rate before August 15
$380.00 Non-Member: Saturday Only
$350.00 Earlybird rate before August 15
$475.00 Non-Member: Saturday & Sunday
$435.00 Earlybird rate before August 15
$75.00 Critique Sat Oct 10: Amber Rodenbo - River City Siren Press
$75.00 Critique Sat Oct 10: Amanda Elliott - Editor
$60.00 Critique Sat Oct 10: Amanda Elliott - Editor
$75.00 Critique Sat Oct 10: Cole Hildebrand - Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency
$60.00 Critique Sat Oct 10: Cole Hildebrand - Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency
$60.00 Critique Sat Oct 10: Daniele Hunter - McIntosh & Otis
$75.00 Critique Sat Oct 10: Daniele Hunter - McIntosh & Otis
$75.00 Critique Sat Oct 10: Jenniea Carter - New Leaf Literary & Media
$60.00 Critique Sat Oct 10: Jenniea Carter - New Leaf Literary & Media
$60.00 Critique Sat Oct 10: Lydia Caudill - Andrea Hurst & Associates
$75.00 Critique Sat Oct 10: Lydia Caudill - Andrea Hurst & Associates
$60.00 Critique Sat Oct 10: Shari Maurer - Stringer Literary Agency
$75.00 Critique Sat Oct 10: Shari Maurer - Stringer Literary Agency
$75.00 Critique Sun Oct 11: Jamie Ryu - Contrarian Publishing
$60.00 Critique Sun Oct 11: Jamie Ryu - Contrarian Publishing
$60.00 Critique Sun Oct 11: Michael Shattuck - Mason Jar Press
$75.00 Critique Sun Oct 11: Michael Shattuck - Mason Jar Press
$75.00 Critique Sun Oct 11: Rose Conway - Confluence Literary
$60.00 Critique Sun Oct 11: Rose Conway - Confluence Literary
$60.00 Critique Sun Oct 11: Shari Maurer - Stringer Literary Agency
$60.00 Critique Sun Oct 11: Tara Kimberly - D4EO
$75.00 Critique Sun Oct 11: Tara Kimberly - D4EO
$30.00 Pitch Sat Oct 10: Amanda Elliott - Editor
$25.00 Pitch Sat Oct 10: Amanda Elliott - Editor
$25.00 Pitch Sat Oct 10: Amber Rodenbo - River City Siren Press
$30.00 Pitch Sat Oct 10: Amber Rodenbo - River City Siren Press
$25.00 Pitch Sat Oct 10: Cole Hildebrand - Jean V. Naggar Agency
$30.00 Pitch Sat Oct 10: Cole Hildebrand - Jean V. Naggar Agency
$25.00 Pitch Sat Oct 10: Daniele Hunter - McIntosh & Otis
$30.00 Pitch Sat Oct 10: Daniele Hunter - McIntosh & Otis
$25.00 Pitch Sat Oct 10: Jenniea Carter - New Leaf Literary & Media
$30.00 Pitch Sat Oct 10: Jenniea Carter - New Leaf Literary & Media
$25.00 Pitch Sat Oct 10: Lydia Caudill - Andrea Hurst & Associates
$30.00 Pitch Sat Oct 10: Lydia Caudill - Andrea Hurst & Associates
$25.00 Pitch Sat Oct 10: Rene J. Kooiker - Dystel, Goderich & Bourret
$30.00 Pitch Sat Oct 10: Rene J. Kooiker - Dystel, Goderich & Bourret
$25.00 Pitch Sat Oct 10: Shari Maurer - Stringer Literary Agency
$30.00 Pitch Sat Oct 10: Shari Maurer - Stringer Literary Agency
$25.00 Pitch Sun Oct 11: Jamie Ryu - Contrarian Publishing
$30.00 Pitch Sun Oct 11: Jamie Ryu - Contrarian Publishing
$25.00 Pitch Sun Oct 11: Mason Rowlee - DeFiore and Company
$30.00 Pitch Sun Oct 11: Mason Rowlee - DeFiore and Company
$30.00 Pitch Sun Oct 11: Michael Shattuck - Mason Jar Press
$25.00 Pitch Sun Oct 11: Michael Shattuck - Mason Jar Press
$25.00 Pitch Sun Oct 11: Rose Conway - Confluence Literary
$30.00 Pitch Sun Oct 11: Rose Conway - Confluence Literary
$25.00 Pitch Sun Oct 11: Shari Maurer - Stringer Literary Agency
$30.00 Pitch Sun Oct 11: Shari Maurer - Stringer Literary Agency
$25.00 Pitch Sun Oct 11: Tara Kimberly - D4EO
$30.00 Pitch Sun Oct 11: Tara Kimberly - D4EO
