Date With an Agent @ The Dublin Writers Festival

In association with The Inkwell Group and Writing.ie, The Dublin Writers Festival 'Date With An Agent' is Ireland’s largest ever talent-spotting event. They are looking for 60 top quality authors to pitch their work to 5 leading literary agents keen to sign new talent.

To be in with a chance to take part in the event, submit the first 10,000 words of your  book in hard copy with a 1,000 word synopsis, a 500 word author biography and the completed Application Form (available from the Dublin Writers Festival website) and €10 entry fee (if using TicketSolve, include a copy of your ticket) – please ensure that ONLY your book title is on the pages of your submission as all applications will be judged anonymously.

Submissions to the event will be assessed by Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin and a team of consultants from The Inkwell Group. Experienced literary scouts Inkwell have assisted award winning and bestselling authors to publication and will be reading every application, matching the selected authors in each category to agents:

• Faith O’Grady of the Lisa Richards Agency (general and commercial fiction)
• Simon Trewin, Partner and Head of Literary at WME (literary & short fiction)
• Madeleine Milburn, Madeleine Milburn Literary TV & Film Agency (crime fiction)
• Sallyanne Sweeney of Mulcahy Associates (young adult)
• Polly Nolan of the Greenhouse Literary Agency (picture books up to middle grade)

Please staple the synopsis and chapters together firmly, and the Application Form and author biography together seperately from the chapters. The closing date for applications is midnight on 27^th March, please ensure you allow sufficient time for delivery. Items postmarked up to 26^th March will be accepted.

Please note you may be asked to supply additional material.

Successful applicants will take part in a full day workshop,  (inclusive of lunch and all refreshments, this will cost €50 ). Two places will be subsidised by writing.ie for the unwaged and will be available at a 50% discount.

Day Format

The day will open with a panel discussion where the selected authors can find out what the agents are looking for, what’s hot at the moment and quiz them in a Q&A session.

Then the pitching begins.

In a speed-dating style event, each author will have 10 minutes to pitch their book and discuss their work face to face with an agent who is expert in their genre. Where relevant agents will request to see full manuscripts or make recommendations for project development.

While the pitching takes place, Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin will discuss what catches an agents eye, how the publishing process works, and give tips on creating an author profile to the remainder of the group.

10.00 Writers Arrive – coffee, meet and mingle.

10.30 Agent Panel

11.15 Q&A

12.00 Buffet lunch – meet the agents in an informal setting

1.00 Pitch event

3.30 15 minute break for coffee

5.30 Final wrap

Rules, Terms & Conditions here.