Category: WilWrite26 TS Ferguson

  • 10 – 11AM Sunday Belmont B: First Impressions

    Want to make readers eager to turn the page? Join literary agent T.S. Ferguson as he explores what makes a compelling first sentence, first paragraph, and first page. You will learn what captures an agent’s attention, what elements belong in a strong opening, and how to create a memorable first impression that keeps readers, agents, and editors reading.

    Faculty

    • T.S. Ferguson
      Before joining Azantian Literary Agency, T.S. Ferguson worked for 16 years as an editor for some of the top children’s and teen book publishers in the business, including Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Harlequin Teen/Inkyard Press, and JIMMY Patterson Books. He has worked with New York Times bestselling and award-winning authors such as Sherman… Read more: T.S. Ferguson

  • 4 – 5PM Saturday Belmont A: Panel: Agents and Editors in Conversation

    Curious about how the publishing industry works behind the scenes? What really happens after an agent submits a manuscript to an editor? Join a panel of literary agents and editors as they discuss the process of bringing books to market, what influences publishing decisions, and how you can position your work for success.

    Faculty

    • CoCo Freeman
      CoCo is a graduate of Bard College with a B.A. in Written Arts. Before joining Linda Chester, she worked for Tom Yoon Productions developing projects and editing existing material. She is very happy to have entered the world of her first love, books. Find out more at https://lindachester.com. Schedule
    • Patrick Swenson
      Patrick Swenson is the author of The Ultra Long Goodbye, the 3rd book in the Union of Worlds trilogy. He’s the author of the dark fantasy Rain Music, the editor and publisher of Fairwood Press (www.fairwoodpress.com), and a graduate of Clarion West. He’s sold short fiction to Unavowed, Grimoire, Unfettered III, Unbound II, Gunfight on… Read more: Patrick Swenson

  • 9 – 10AM Saturday Belmont B: Publishing Industry Q&A

    Have questions about publishing, querying, or building your writing career? Join literary agent T.S. Ferguson and editor Lara C. Jones for a Q&A focused on you and your goals as a writer. Bring your questions, gain industry insight, and get candid answers to help you navigate your path to publication.

    Faculty

    • Lara C. Jones
      Lara joined Emily Bestler Books in 2015. Prior to joining the imprint, she held an editorial position at Europa Editions, working on a wide range of critically acclaimed and bestselling novels in translation. Raised in Portland, Oregon, Lara is a graduate of the Columbia Publishing Course and Seattle University, where she studied English and Italian.… Read more: Lara C. Jones
    • T.S. Ferguson
      Before joining Azantian Literary Agency, T.S. Ferguson worked for 16 years as an editor for some of the top children’s and teen book publishers in the business, including Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Harlequin Teen/Inkyard Press, and JIMMY Patterson Books. He has worked with New York Times bestselling and award-winning authors such as Sherman… Read more: T.S. Ferguson

  • 3 – 4PM Friday Belmont A/B: Genre Connections

    If you’ve been looking to connect with professionals and fellow colleagues in your writing and publishing life, join us for genre connections. You’ll sit down with writers, authors and poets to talk about the work, practice, and joy of writing in genre — from poetry to screenwriting to sceience fiction and more!

    Faculty

    • Brian W. Parker
      Brian grew up in Alaska, then Mississippi, and has always been in love with storytelling in every medium. He earned a BFA in graphic design & illustration and an MA in writing & publishing. He’s an adjunct professor of children’s publishing at Portland State University. He is the co-owner and creative director of Believe In… Read more: Brian W. Parker
    • Christopher Diaz
      Christopher Diaz (he/him) is an indigenous CHamoru from the Pacific Island of Guåhan. As a writer, performer, and photographer, he’s been featured by NBC News, Poets & Writers.org, and more. Recently he was awarded a fellowship with Indigenous Nations Poets and an artist grant from the Washington State Arts Commission. In 2025, he was the… Read more: Christopher Diaz
    • Dana Haynes
      Dana Haynes is the author of 14 mystery and thriller novels from such publishers as Minotaur Books, St. Martin’s Press, MacMillan Publishing, Blackstone Publishing and Bantam Publishing. Under the pen name James Byrne, he has written four thrillers featuring Dez Limerick for Minotaur Books, including 2026’s STORM WARNING and CHAIN REACTION, nominated for best series… Read more: Dana Haynes
    • Glen Erik Hamilton
      Glen Erik Hamilton writes crime thrillers. A native of Seattle, Glen’s novels have won the Anthony, Macavity, and Strand Magazine Critics awards, and been nominated for the Edgar, Barry, and Nero awards. His series featuring reformed thief Van Shaw has been called “outstanding” (Publishers Weekly), “perfect mix of serious crime and caper movie” (Criminal Element),… Read more: Glen Erik Hamilton
    • Melissa Hart
      Melissa Hart is the author of several nonfiction books and novels; her latest is Find Your Nature: 40 Ways to Deepen the Connection to Your Flora, Fauna & Community. Her short-form writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Smithsonian, CNN, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Nat Geo Kids, Orion, and numerous… Read more: Melissa Hart
    • Patrick Swenson
      Patrick Swenson is the author of The Ultra Long Goodbye, the 3rd book in the Union of Worlds trilogy. He’s the author of the dark fantasy Rain Music, the editor and publisher of Fairwood Press (www.fairwoodpress.com), and a graduate of Clarion West. He’s sold short fiction to Unavowed, Grimoire, Unfettered III, Unbound II, Gunfight on… Read more: Patrick Swenson
    • T.S. Ferguson
      Before joining Azantian Literary Agency, T.S. Ferguson worked for 16 years as an editor for some of the top children’s and teen book publishers in the business, including Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Harlequin Teen/Inkyard Press, and JIMMY Patterson Books. He has worked with New York Times bestselling and award-winning authors such as Sherman… Read more: T.S. Ferguson