Now I Understand How Agents Feel
How to Pitch to My Podcast, plus TONS of writing links and resources!
For writing links & resources, scroll down.
Any typos you might find simply prove that this post was not written by AI!
Latest episodes of The Long Road to Publishing:
Episode 28: Following the Magic in Novels & Screenplays with Ruth Setton
Ruth Knafo Setton was told there was “no chance” her novel would get published, but after parting ways with her agent, she sold the book on her own.
Ruth’s novel Zig Zag Girl, is about a sisterhood of female magicians, and she realized she could write it using the same techniques that a magician uses when creating an illusion. The book won Grand Prize for ScreenCraft’s Most Cinematic Book, and the screenplay for a pilot episode won 1st prize in the LA Crime & Horror Film Festival.
Don’t miss our conversation about publishing, creativity, and writing both novels and screenplays.
Episode 29: How an Architect Designs a Novel with Amin Ahmad
After former architect Amin Ahmad lost his agent and his editor, his crime novel series was cut short. But now he’s back in the game with a brand-new thriller, A Killer in the Family! In this episode we talk about teaching creative writing, and Amin explains how he writes his novels the same way he used to design buildings.
Everyone wants to be on The Long Road to Publishing!
Now that I have a thriving podcast, I’m getting a TON of pitches from authors who want to be on my show. Which is wonderful!
Originally I was releasing two episodes a month, but since there are so many authors I want to interview, I’ve upped it to three a month. But still, that’s only 36 shows a year, and I’m getting more pitches than that.
Which means… gulp… I can’t say yes to everyone. (So hard for little people-pleaser me!) I can’t even say yes to everyone with a great story because so many people have wild publishing stories! And so, I’m getting a taste of what it might feel like to be a literary agent…
Now I understand how agents feel (sort of):
1. Like an agent, I read my “slush pile,” but I’m also very behind
My “slush pile” is my pitch form. Whenever someone emails me or DMs me, wanting to be on the show, I refer them to my Long Road pitch form so I can keep all the pitches in one place. And sometimes they pile up.
I consider every pitch I get, but it takes me a while to get to them. And I can’t respond personally to every pitch. I don’t have the time.
However, just because you’ve pitched me and haven’t heard back, it doesn’t mean that you won’t. Sometimes I’m interested in a pitch, but I’m trying to balance my podcast schedule among different genres, different publishing experiences, different author backgrounds. I might be holding off on contacting you until closer to your book release, or until it makes sense in my schedule. It’s not a perfect system by any means.
2. Like an agent, I can tell when someone has done their homework (and when they haven’t)
When I get a long pitch with a synopsis of the novel, and maybe how the author can talk to me about her experiences with XYZ… but there’s no mention of their publishing journey, I know this person either doesn’t listen to my podcast, or it’s a cut-and-paste pitch they’re sending to tons of podcasts. (These types of emails often come from publicists, and not from the author themselves.)
If you’re not mentioning your long publishing journey filled with detours and struggles, then you’re not doing a good job pitching to me and my podcast specifically.
3. Like with an agent, it can be very helpful to meet me in person or be referred to me
It’s just human nature to feel more connected to someone you’ve met face-to-face. I met Long Road guests Michelle Maryk and Ruth Setton at Bouchercon in September. When their names showed up in my pitch pile, I remembered them and was excited to have them on the show. Recently, I met Mimi Montgomery at a book event, and when she pitched me I said yes. Long Road guest Casey Scieszka and I share an agent, and because of that connection I wanted her on the show. My MFA buddy, author Lish McBride, referred YA author April Henry to me, and she’s going to be a guest soon.
And it’s not just meeting people in person or getting referrals that can move your name to the top of the pitch pile. Sometimes simply interacting with me online can be helpful. Many of my early guests were first my “friends” on Substack, meaning we restacked or commented on each other’s posts. When Wendy Tokunaga pitched me, I recognized her name because she was often reposting my content and saying nice things online about the podcast. I’m not saying you should be a suck-up, but… it certainly doesn’t hurt to be a fan of the podcast to which you’re pitching.
4. Like an agent, I can’t say yes to everyone, and it sucks
There are some people who have pitched me with fascinating publishing stories, but I still might not ask them on the show for a variety of reasons. I have limited spots, and I’m trying to showcase a wide variety of genres, author backgrounds, and types of publishers (check out this IG post to see the variety I’ve had on the show).
For example, I interviewed an author from the small press Black Rose Publishing, so it may be a long time before I interview another author from that same press. Recently I realized I haven’t had many fantasy, YA, or romance authors on the show, so, for now, I might prioritize those authors those over mystery/thriller writers (of which I’ve had a lot!). Then again, I’m thriller fan (and a thriller writer), so I have a bias there. Like everything else in this business: so much is about luck and timing.
5. Like an agent, as much as I want to, I can’t read everything
Sometimes I have the chance to read my guest’s book before they come on the show, and sometimes I don’t. It’s nothing personal. I just have limited time.
If you’re interested in pitching The Long Road to Publishing, here are my top tips:
1. Listen to the podcast!
This should be a no-brainer, but listen to the podcast to see if you’d be a good fit for the show.
2. Fill out my pitch form, and be sure to explain why you’re the perfect guest for this podcast.
Hint at some of the wild ups and downs of your publishing journey, but keep the pitch brief (again, I have limited time, and I want to save the gory details for the show). If you haven’t had a long and/or bumpy path to publishing… you’re probably not right for my show.
3. Pitch early.
If you have a book coming out and are hoping to have your episode come out around the time of your launch, pitch me at least a few months before your book release date. For example, right now it’s May 6, and I have episodes planned through early August.
4. Feel free to nudge after a month.
I can’t reply personally to everyone who pitches me, but on the other hand, sometimes it just takes a while to get back to you.
No response might mean no, but it also might mean I’m still deciding if and when I can fit you in. Feel free to nudge me if it’s been over a month since you filled out the pitch form. Send me an email at longroad.pub@gmail.com letting me know you filled out the pitch form, and include (briefly!) in the email why you’d be a great guest for the show. Sometimes I need a reminder to look at my pitch forms because they tend to pile up.
I wish I could interview you all!! Seriously, I do. But, alas, I cannot.
Writing News & Resources:
For All Writers:
12 Bookish Gifts for Mother’s Day (or any day) from expert shopper, avid reader, and dear friend, Jeni Wallace.
The North Street Book Prize for self-published or hybrid published books looks awesome! Deadline is June 1!
AI and Publishing: FAQs for Writers from the one and only Jane Friedman.
Extremely comprehensive breakdown of traditional vs self-publishing from Devon Halliday—worth a read!
StorySnobs Pitch Contest on May 20 from Good Story Company. Only $5 and you could win a free submission package!
The First Chapters contest from CRAFT is open now until June 28.
21 Paying Calls for Short Stories and “How I Sold 10 Short Stories This Year, Including One for TV/Film” from Angelique Fawns.
In Wendy Tokunaga’s Long Road to Publishing episode she explains about the Stanford online Novel Writing Certificate Program. (There’s also a Memoir Writing Certificate Program). Seems like a great option for those who are serious about writing but don’t want to get an MFA. Applications are open now until June 5.
Find a writers group (online or in person) using the Poets&Writers searchable database!
Every week the London Writers’ Salon publishes a creative writing prompt.
Everyone is free to submit up to 500 words, in any genre, on the prompt. They award the winner a cash prize and publish their top 3 favorites.
The Writer’s Center website is a GREAT resource for finding grants, fellowships, residencies & retreats, publishers, and literary journal opportunities.
Writing Workshops offers lots of online classes in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, picture books, and the business of writing.
For KidLit Writers:
The Boyds Mill (formerly the Highlights Foundation) offers tons of programs, workshops, and events for children’s writers and illustrators.
Literary Rambles has information on kidlit agents and agent interviews. Plus contests and giveaways.
Here’s an incredible list of upcoming events for KidLit writers!
Check out SCBWI (The Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) for events, conferences, critique partners and more. (Picture book through YA.)
For Querying Writers:
Follow Writing Day Workshops on BlueSky for New Agent Alerts with new agents actively seeking submissions!
Upcoming novel competitions. Many have deadlines in May!
Here’s a list of small publishers that do not require agents. And here’s another such list.
Andrea Bartz has a list of successful query letters (including mine!).
Writing Conferences & Events:
Event proposals for AWP27 in Chicago are open now. Deadline: June 1.
The Writer’s Retreat at Good Contrivance Farm north of Baltimore is open year-round as an affordable writer’s retreat. Only requirement: that you use the time to work on writing. Spaces normally book about two months in advance.
Thinking about going to a conference or applying for a residency? Check out the free searchable database on Poets & Writers.
The Writing Day Workshop “How to Get Published” Conferences are affordable and helpful. Plus, sign up for pitch sessions with agents. For online conferences, attend from anywhere in the world! Check out the upcoming conferences:
Portland Writing Workshop: May 8, 2026 (in-person)
Seattle Writing Workshop: May 9, 2026 (in-person)
Cincinnati Writing Workshop: May 16, 2026 (in-person)
Writers Digest offers virtual conferences on a variety of publishing and writing craft topics.
For more writing conferences, check out this list or the free searchable database on Poets & Writers.
Mark your calendar for the FREE Gaithersburg Book Festival on May 16. I’ll be teaching a workshop at 10am on How to Catch & Keep a Reader. And don’t miss talks with Long Road to Publishing guests Darlene P. Campos, Michelle Maryk, and Lacey N. Dunham!
I had no idea you and Lish were MFA buddies! I know her from the Seattle writing community. Such a small world!!
Super post, Eva! Thank you for all the great information in here! ❤️