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One-on-One Consults
Expert feedback. Personalized strategy. Your next step—made clear.
Work directly with Lucinda Literary agents and experts to refine your idea, strengthen your pitch, and choose the publishing path that’s right for you.
Why Book a One-on-One Consult?
Many writers wait too long for agent feedback—spending months (and thousands of dollars) on a proposal or book coach, only to find out later they were headed in the wrong direction.
Our one-on-one consults offer focused, personalized guidance for writers of any genre or stage. You’ll walk away with:
- Strategic feedback on your book idea, pitch, and proposal
- Clarity on your goals and publishing path
- Guidance on platform-building, marketing, and launching
- Honest answers to your biggest questions and challenges
- Optional extras like a query letter review or custom marketing plan
Please note: Full proposal or manuscript review is not included. See our full range of services.
Meet Our Agents
Craig Pyette
Literary Agent
Nonfiction
Craig brings 20+ years of editorial experience from Penguin Random House, where he published bestselling nonfiction and developed effective marketing strategies. He’s a strong fit for journalists, academics, and experts looking to shape big ideas into compelling, marketable books. His interests include investigative nonfiction, true crime, psychology, popular science, economics, and thought leadership.
Kelly Bergh
Literary Agent
Nonfiction
Kelly works exclusively in nonfiction, specializing in helping thought leaders, PhDs, and journalists shape their ideas for a broad, general audience. With a strong background in editing, she excels at turning big, messy ideas into polished, compelling proposals—and brings valuable insight into what publishers are really looking for. Her areas of focus include popular science, mind-body-spirit, leadership, creativity, and lifestyle.
Lauren Eldridge
Literary Agent
Children’s, YA Fiction, Memoir, Upmarket Fiction
Lauren brings genre-diverse editorial experience and industry knowledge from various parts of the business. As an agent, she’s represented memoir, YA and adult fiction, and nonfiction projects. As an editor, she’s worked in-house with bestselling and award-winning authors and independently on projects at all different stages of development. Her interests include upmarket, YA, and children’s fiction as well as projects on religion and spirituality.
Elizabeth Guthrie
Literary Agent
Nonfiction – Psychology, History, True Crime; Fiction – Fantasy, Romance, Historical, Speculative/Dystopian, and Psychological Thriller
In nonfiction, she is particularly drawn to true crime, music (almost any genre, but especially blues and classic rock), and history (especially ancient civilizations or intellectual history). She also likes expert-driven wellness, popular psychology, and other science-related ideas (especially in biology or physics). In fiction, she is interested in fantasy, historical, romance (especially fantasy, historical, or LGBTQ), speculative, and psychological thrillers.
Meet Our Literary Advisors
JillEllyn Riley
Writer & Editor
Fiction & Nonfiction, Children's
JillEllyn is a #1 New York Times bestselling writer, ghostwriter, and editor known for helping authors craft powerful, authentic voices. She specializes in memoir, narrative nonfiction, cultural history, women’s issues, politics, psychology, and middle grade/YA fiction. Her work with authors like Amy Cuddy, Judith Newman, and ALS activist Brian Wallach has led to major deals and six-figure advances.
Liz Morrow
Writer & Editor
Self-Help, Inspirational, Business, Memoir
Liz is a ghostwriter and thought partner for entrepreneurs, leaders, and industry experts. She has sold multiple six-figure proposals and published with top houses including Penguin Random House, Hay House, and HarperOne. Her clients include Stu McLaren, Pat Flynn, Natalie Ellis, and Lucinda Halpern. With over a decade of experience, Liz brings a strategic, collaborative approach to shaping standout memoirs.
Daniel Weizmann
Editor
Genre fiction, Literary fiction, YA and Middle Grade, Business, Humor, Memoir, and Pop Culture
Daniel brings 30+ years of publishing experience as an editor and writer across genres—from fiction and children’s books to business and pop culture. His projects include Game Changer and Running Remote (Harper Leadership), and the Pacific Coast Highway Mystery series. His work has appeared in the LA Times, Billboard, and The Guardian, and he’s contributed to Fear Street, Drinking with Bukowski, and Mad Libs.
Nora Zelevansky
Editor & Writing Coach
Fiction & Nonfiction
Nora is a sought-after ghostwriter and writing coach whose credits include The Happy High Achiever (Hachette), The Soul Solution (Sounds True), and Raising Hell, Living Well (Penguin Random House). She’s the author of novels like Pick-Up (Gallery Books), with journalism in The New York Times, Elle, Vanity Fair, and The Wall Street Journal. Nora helps writers elevate voice, structure, and storytelling across genres.
Meet Our CEO
Lucinda Halpern
President
Fiction & Nonfiction
Lucinda is the author of Get Signed (Hay House, 2024) and brings decades of experience in publishing and marketing. She helps writers uncover their strongest ideas, craft standout pitches, and build the platforms to support them. Her consulting spans genres including business, thought leadership, health and lifestyle, self-help, popular science, memoir, narrative nonfiction, upmarket, and literary fiction.
Testimonials for One-on-One Consults
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are private consultations for: fiction or nonfiction authors? And do I need a finished manuscript or proposal?
Private consultations are for writers of all genres: fiction and nonfiction, at any stage in their journey. Whether you’re developing an idea, polishing a draft, or ready to pitch, our team can support you with tailored feedback and strategy. No completed manuscript or proposal is required to get started, just your questions and goals!
Can I benefit from a private consultation if I plan to self-publish or hybrid publish?
Absolutely. Our consultations are designed to help you clarify your publishing goals and receive expert guidance, no matter which path you’re pursuing: traditional, hybrid, or self-publishing. Your expert will help you make informed decisions aligned with your book and audience.
How do I know if I’m ready for a private consultation?
If you have questions, roadblocks, or publishing goals you’re ready to explore, you’re ready. No prior experience or preparation is necessary. These are strategy-focused conversations where you can get clarity, direction, and expert insight. The earlier in your process you seek for advice, the better. We are here to help you stop wasting time and energy—let’s get you on the path to success now!
How long is the consultation and where does it take place?
Each consultation is 45 minutes long and conducted via Zoom. You’ll receive a Zoom link after confirming your session, and can join from the comfort of your home or office.
What if I need to reschedule my appointment?
There is no penalty if you need to reschedule your appointment, though we ask that you rebook your meeting at least 24 hours in advance as a courtesy to our instructors’ schedules. We understand life happens!
Will my expert review my work during the consultation?
When booking a private consultation, you have the option to upload up to 10 pages (double spaced, 12pt Times New Roman font) of any material you wish to have reviewed for your consultation. This material can serve as a helpful supplement to your conversation, and our expert will review it prior to your meeting. Sharing material is not required if you do not have pages ready to share—remember, all you need for the consultation is a desire to publish a book!
Please note: by providing material, you will not receive a formal edit on your work—no written mark-up, editorial memo, or editing will be provided. The purpose of the review is to guide your discussion and provide strategic, verbal feedback during the session. To upload your pages, simply follow the instructions in the booking form.
Does meeting with a Lucinda Literary Instructor mean I’ll be offered representation?
No. These private sessions are educational and advisory in nature. While our instructors include agents and publishing professionals, participation in these sessions does not guarantee agency representation or a publishing deal. Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge and strategy to pursue your own path successfully.
What if I need help with scheduling or technical issues?
If you’re having trouble scheduling or accessing your session, please email us at [email protected]. A member of our team will be happy to assist you.
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
We stand behind the value of our programs and want participants to feel fully supported in their publishing journey. If you complete the consultation in its entirety (including attending the entire session and engaging fully with the process) and you do not reach the stated goal of the program, we offer a full refund. This guarantee is our way of standing behind the quality of our curriculum and the transformation it offers when fully embraced.
That said, your growth is ultimately in your hands. Your commitment, effort, and mindset will shape your experience. We can provide the tools, support, and structure, but the results come from your dedication to the journey.
If a medical or personal emergency prevents you from completing the program as you are in the midst of the process, you are welcome to defer and/or join a future program at a time that works best for you. We believe in flexibility and supporting your success on your timeline. We’re here for you every step of the way.
Disclaimer
All our programs are intended to help further the work of any fiction or nonfiction author. Participating in our programs does not guarantee an offer of representation or a later publishing deal.