Editors and publishers confirmed for Pitchfest
or Return to the Pitchfest index?
Cassie Knight, Publisher at Champagne Book Group
Currently looking for:
We primarily seek romance across the sub-genres (except for inspiration which is better served by other publishers). In particular: Contemporary romance (no highly explicit or erotic), Royal Romance, Sweet Romance, Holiday Romance (particularly Christmas), Historical romance, Romantic suspense, Urban fantasy and paranormal romance (including science fiction romance).
No erotic romance at this time
About Cassie
Cassie Knight has worked in the publishing industry as an author and editor for over twenty years. She has taken her love of the industry in a new way and is the proud owner of CBG. In addition to running a successful digital-first publishing company, her passion about the publishing industry and the business of writing, especially within the romance genre, has led to her actively mentoring writers and teaching numerous workshops, in-person and online, for Savvy Authors, Kiss of Death, San Diego Romance Writers of America and the Greater Seattle Romance Writers. Her greatest joy is working with authors and bringing readers great books.
Nikki Babri, Tule Publishing
Currently looking for:
#OwnVoices stories, Contemporary romances with fresh takes on classic romance tropes, Romantic comedy, Holiday romances (including Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, etc.) and Mysteries (including thrillers, cozy mystery series, police procedurals, women sleuths, etc.)About Tule Publishing:
Since being founded in 2013, Tule Publishing has published over 800 books by more than 200 authors from all over the world. Although Tule began with a focus on contemporary romance, today Tule acquires all genres of romance and women's fiction, as well as mystery titles.
Deb Werksman, Editorial Director at Sourcebooks Casablanca
Currently looking for:
Mainstream romance that appeals to a broad audience, in all subgenres. Romantic comedy and BIPOC and Own Voices authors’ work across any category.
About Deb:
Deb Werksman has been at Sourcebooks for almost 23 years before which she owned her own publishing company. She is the editorial director of romance fiction and acquires romance and general fiction. Sourcebooks is known for its sales and marketing, and it’s commitment to building authors’ careers.
Amy Acosta, Entangled Publishing
Currently looking for:
Amy is looking for diversity-rich YA, NA, and Adult romance stories with high concepts and a great voice in the genres of Contemporary (specifically RomComs), Historical (Regency, Victorian), YA Paranormal, and Science Fiction (Space Opera). Her favorite stories contain unlikely casts, big families, personalities that stand out, worlds struggling against change, climate issues, high-stakes adventures, spaceships, witty banter, badass princesses, enemies to lovers, fake dating, strong friendships, quirky small towns, uncommon shifters, magical academies, travel rom-coms, smart and sassy heroines/heroes, and LGBTQIA+ rep across the rainbow. There are some genres which Amy does not work with, because she is not well read in them: horror, thriller, mystery, time-travel, magical realism, religious, and women’s fiction manuscripts.
About Amy
Amy Acosta is a professional reader, writer, and editor of fiction. In the pursuit of craft knowledge, she completed a Writing Popular Fiction MFA with a focus on YA Lit, and became a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association, volunteering with their Diversity Initiative. She has worked on bestselling titles for Penguin Random House Audio and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. She joined Entangled Publishing in early 2020, and works with authors to create and polish the best version of their books. One of her main goals is to help LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC voices become mainstream and bring diversity into the publishing world. Amy lives in Puerto Rico with three very bossy rescue cats, and she ardently believes that love has no boundaries, that representation matters, and that spaceships are very cool.
Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
About Entangled Publishing:
Entangled Publishing is an independent publisher of romantic fiction, in the adult, new adult, and young adult markets, distributed by Macmillan. Since its first release in 2011, Entangled has grown to thirteen imprints, with titles appearing on the USA Today Bestsellers list and the New York Times Bestsellers list, as well as recipients of various literary awards. Every month, Entangled releases several titles in digital-first format and selective titles in simultaneous print and digital formats. Our books are available at major online retailers around the world, and we have a joint partnership with St. Martin’s Press that enables us to showcase a select number of books in mass-market paperback. Many of our titles are also released in audio format. Our marketing team prides itself on thinking outside of the box while remaining sharp, savvy, and connected. Every book we publish receives a unique, custom-tailored marketing plan that we revisit regularly to ensure continued sales. We are actively seeking diverse authors and diverse books across all imprints, and we look forward to reading your stories.
Heather Howland, Editor, Entangled Publishing
Currently looking for:
Heather is actively acquiring historical (Regency, Victorian, and Highlander are particularly in demand); relevant, high-stakes thrillers in both the YA (romance needed) and adult (little to no romance) markets, especially psychological, cyber, history, and science-based thrillers; romcoms featuring characters in their 40s for our August imprint; and inclusive, Hallmark-y winter holiday books (we're not just about Christmas!). I'll consider a relatable heroine (think Gen Z and Millennials) in just about any genre. Not for me: stories that center around sisterhoods, women's fiction, urban fantasy, sci-fi. Diverse casts that reflect the world around us are a must. AOC and #ownvoices are strongly encouraged to pitch! Here is a more detailed list .
About Heather:
After years of editing in the legal, industrial, and technical sectors, Heather Howland packed up her desk and dove into her true passion: romance. She went on to co-found Entangled Publishing, where she has helped launch the careers of several NYT and USA TODAY bestsellers, hitting both lists several times over while garnering starred reviews and RITA® nods. Heather holds a BS in creative writing and psychology and channels that knowledge into her love of compelling character arcs and cinematic stories. Originally a city girl from NorCal's bustling and diverse Bay Area, you can now find her wandering the wilds of Oregon with her very own romance hero (a firefighter, rawr!), their two neurodiverse sons, and their two rabbits, two dogs, and five guinea pigs, trying not to have an anxiety attack because things up north are too quiet. Find her on Twitter at @HeatherHowland.
Margaret Riley, Changeling Press
Currently looking for: Women's Erotic Romance. Contemporary and Futuristic short fiction, single title, series, and serials in the following genres and themes:
Genres: Sci-Fi/Futuristic Romance, Dark and Urban Fantasy Romance, Paranormal Romance, Action Adventure Romance, and Guilty Pleasures (Adult Contemporary Romance).
Themes: MC Romance, Rock Star Romance, Alien Encounters Romance, Men and Women in Uniform Romance, New Adult Romance, Single Parent/Pregnancy Romance Romance, 2nd Chance Romance, Interracial Romance, Gay, Bisexual and More Romance, Multiple Partner Romance, Shapeshifter Romance, Vampire Romance, Werewolf Romance, Zombie Romance, and Tentacle Monster Romance.
About Changeling Press:
Changeling Press LLC publishes Sci-Fi/Futuristic, Dark and Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Action Adventure, BDSM, and Guilty Pleasures (Contemporary) Women's Erotic Romance. We do not publish Erotica. All submissions must be targeted for at least one of these genres and must be Women's Erotic Romance. While there should be both highly erotic and romantic elements to the book, relationships and endings should be plot driven. We don't demand your characters trot off to get married at the end of the book, though we do ask for a HEA(Happy Ever After) or, in the case of serials, a HFN(Happy For Now). We've only got one heat level -- over-the-top hot! Full submission guidelines, available from any page of our website under "HELP," or at https://www.changelingpress.com/submissions.php
Yelena Casale, Chief Marketing Officer of City Owl Press, Executive Editor
Currently looking for: Urban Fantasy, Contemporary Romance, Historical Romance.
Genre: Looking for Historical Romance - ancient, medieval and Renaissance only (please no Regency), Urban Fantasy with strong characters, Contemporary Romance with interesting plots and settings. Yelena is looking for exciting, well-paced plots with strong but flawed characters. No stand-alone novellas. Yelena particularly looking for series, or potential series, as we are interested in developing an author's career.
About Yelena:
YELENA CASALE, co-founder of City Owl Press, is a USA Today Bestselling Author and editor, who highly prizes quality and professionalism. She earned a Master of Science in Publishing from New York University and has always been interested in everything literature and publishing. Over the past decade, she has edited numerous fiction and non-fiction works, including novels, short stories, articles and business documentation for a variety of organizations, charities, and presses. She’s a highly experienced social media strategist and marketing expert. She is keen to share a wealth of knowledge with authors, bringing her editorial skills, expertise, and great enthusiasm to the mix. She loves strong urban fantasy and paranormal romance, as well as medieval, Renaissance and Native American historical romance.
Heather McCorkle, Senior Editor for City Owl Press
Currently looking for:
Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Magical Realism, Contemporary Fantasy. All for adults and with strong romantic elements.About Heather:
HEATHER McCORKLE has been with City Owl Press since 2014, has been in the publishing industry since 2011, and has over twenty cumulative years of writing and editing experience. She has a deep love of all things fantasy/sci-fi and paranormal with a heavy dose of romance mixed in, and is charmed by novels that involve unique locals or rich settings. She is looking to acquire novels and novellas in those genres for the Mystic Owl line of City Owl between 48k and 73k.