Editors and publishers confirmed for Pitchfest

Currently looking for:

For Poisoned Pen Press, I’m looking for horror, mystery, thriller, and suspense novels that are deeply character-driven and emotionally resonant. I love it when authors reimagine familiar tropes in unexpected ways—stories that feel both timeless and brand-new.

For Casablanca, I’m especially interested in light romantasy with strong hooks, dark romance that leans into the shadows (think horror-romance and romantic thrillers), and paranormal or urban fantasy that feels fresh, fast-paced, and fun. I love stories where the romance heightens the tension—and the magic, danger, or humor make it unforgettable.

About Rachel:

Rachel Gilmer is an acquiring editor at Sourcebooks, where she specializes in horror, mystery, thrillers, suspense, and cozy fantasy for Poisoned Pen Press. With 15 years of publishing experience across both the production and editorial sides, she brings a deep understanding of how to shape stories that captivate readers and succeed in the market. Rachel’s recent editorial successes include USA Today bestsellers The Farmhouse by Chelsea Conradt, a haunting adult thriller debut; Brian McAuley’s Breathe In, Bleed Out, a chilling and cinematic horror novel; and J. Penner’s A Fellowship of Games & Fables, a genre-bending cozy fantasy. In addition to her work with Poisoned Pen, Rachel also acquires select romance titles for Sourcebooks’s Casablanca imprint, championing stories with heart, voice, and commercial appeal.

Learn more about Rachel and Sourcebooks!

Currently looking for:

At Picnic Heist Publishing, we publish beautifully crafted picture books that celebrate cultural heritage, intergenerational stories, and a sense of wonder. We are currently looking for:

Picture books (fiction and narrative nonfiction) with strong storytelling, engaging characters, and a fresh perspective.

Stories that highlight cultural traditions, family connections, and community values.

Playful, imaginative, and slightly offbeat stories with a timeless appeal.

We are not looking for:

Traditional American holiday books (e.g., Christmas, Thanksgiving).

Stories that are overly moralistic or lack a strong narrative arc.

Books that do not align with our focus on cultural heritage, unity, and shared experiences.

To clarify a little on our emphasis — right now we’re prioritizing picture books that take a deeper and more niche approach to cultural heritage and lived experience. We’re especially drawn to stories that not only highlight traditions or family connections but also reveal layers of culture in ways that feel fresh, specific, and enduring.

About Janet and Picnic Heist Publishing:

Janet Bruins is the founder and publisher of Picnic Heist Publishing, a small press dedicated to publishing picture books that celebrate cultural connections and the richness of storytelling traditions. With a strong editorial team that brings experience from the Big Five publishers, she collaborates with authors and illustrators to develop books that captivate young readers and families. Founded in 2024, Picnic Heist Publishing is committed to producing thoughtfully crafted, beautifully illustrated children’s books that inspire curiosity and a love of storytelling. Our goal is to amplify meaningful stories that reflect the world’s many cultures and foster a sense of connection across generations.

Learn more about Janet and Picnic Heist Publishing!

Currently looking for:

My primary focus is Alcove Press, for which I’m seeking romance, romantasy, science fiction, and fantasy, though I’m also looking for horror and select crime fiction projects for Crooked Lane. I love a genre blend, and would be especially excited to see a paranormal (or paranormal investigators) rom-com, fairy tale tropes and archetypes in new and/or updated settings, and some kind of campy, nostalgic horror. Regardless of genre, I tend to lean more into the spooky, quirky, or weird side of things (think authors like Grady Hendrix, Kate Folk, and Seanan McGuire—no relation).

About Jess and Alcove Press:

Katie McGuire is an editor at Alcove Press/Crooked Lane Books. She has previously acquired and edited projects at Pegasus Books, Tapas Entertainment, and the Quarto Group. She holds an MFA in Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing from Emerson College. She lives in Queens, NY.

Learn more about Katie and Alcove Press!

Currently looking for: Spinning Wheel Stories is seeking heartwarming picture books that celebrate wonder, connection, and the quiet magic of everyday life. We’re especially drawn to stories that are meaningful yet playful, tender yet surprising, the kinds of tales that stay with readers long after storytime.

We welcome manuscripts that feel fresh and imaginative, with a touch of the unexpected. Think gentle rule-bending, warmth that lingers, and narratives that invite both children and adults to reflect, laugh, or sigh with recognition.

About Jenny:

Spinning Wheel Stories is a new independent publishing company dedicated to bringing children meaningful, beautifully crafted books. Its first titles are being published in 2025, marking the start of an exciting list. Recently, the press acquired U.S. translation rights for three acclaimed Finnish picture books and it has ten additional titles slated for release within the next year. With a focus on heartwarming stories that inspire imagination, kindness, and connection, Spinning Wheel Stories is committed to building a library of books families will treasure for years to come.

Learn more about Stephanie and Spinning Wheel Stories!

Currently looking for:

Picture books

Chapter books

Middle grade

Young adult fiction

I’m especially drawn to stories that focus on creativity, self-expression, and breaking with norms—books that encourage readers to push themselves in new directions, challenge preconceived notions, and pursue any goals they might have, no matter how seemingly out of reach. I want to read about characters who come from diverse backgrounds or have unique perspectives, who think outside the box and aren’t afraid to be different.

I appreciate a strong authorial voice and unconventional approaches to storytelling, but I gravitate toward characters and situations that are rooted in reality. That said, I’m not entirely opposed to fantastical settings or speculation about the future, so long as there are strong connections to real-world concerns. And while I’m not terribly interested in overtly comedic books, I am a firm believer that there is room for a little humor in even the most serious subject matter.

About Josh:

A lifelong reader and accumulator of books, Josh Gregory has equal appreciation for a good story and a nice-looking cover. Before joining Albert Whitman, he spent more than 10 years writing and editing children’s nonfiction.

Learn more about Josh and Albert Whitman

Currently looking for:

• For Crooked Lane:
• cozy mysteries
• domestic suspense and psychological thrillers
• horror
• historical mysteries with a feminist bent (from the '20s, Victorian era, and late Regency)
• traditional mysteries

She’d love to find the next Cassandra Khaw, Lucy Foley, or Jennifer Hillier. She loves books that deal with cults, complicated family dynamics, twisted female friendships, poisonous plants, small town secrets, and locked room mysteries.

• For Alcove Press:
• bookclub fiction
• romcoms
• historical fiction
• romantasy
• speculative fiction.

Magical realism in the vein of Isabel Allende and Alix E. Harrow or anything in the vein of Practical Magic and The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, is right up her alley. She's also looking for novels that center around found families and overcoming generational trauma.

She is not a fit for political thrillers and military thrillers.

About Melissa and Crooked Lane Books:

Melissa Rechter joined Crooked Lane Books in 2019, after graduating with a BA in English Literary Studies from York College of Pennsylvania and a MS in Publishing from Pace University. She has had the pleasure to work with ITW nominees, New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors, as well as a myriad of talented writers.

Learn more about Melissa and Crooked Lane!

Currently looking for:

I am looking to acquire fresh, surprising picture books with a strong narrative arc, whether fiction or nonfiction. Send me the book you wrote purely based on your own creative taste, the book you're worried might be too odd. I'm also partial to books touching on art and design (triple points for interior design and architecture).

About Tova and Holiday House:

Tova Seltzer (she/her) joined the Neal Porter Books team in 2022, with a background in freelance editing, sensitivity reading, and bookselling. Now Assistant Editor, she is closely involved in shepherding work by vanguard creators such as Sydney Smith, Yuyi Morales, Philip and Erin Stead, Jason Chin, and many other established names, as well as fresh talents and rising stars. She is excited to be building her own list in the NPB vein of exceptional quality and creative exploration.