The Writers Symposium
- May 2027
- 20 In-Person, 10 Virtual Seats
- The River Club, Manhattan
Enter the Inner Circle of New York Publishing
The Writers Symposium is an exclusive two-day publishing intensive designed for writers curious about the publishing industry and looking to improve their work for representation potential and wide readership.
At this intimate, small-room event, we bring together industry experts—literary agents, acquiring editors at major houses, independent and hybrid publishers, and acclaimed bestselling authors and book collaborators—to help you elevate your work to industry standards and build lifetime, career-defining connections with industry insiders and an ambitious, welcoming community of writers.
Testimonials
Testimonials
“The Writers Symposium is a wonderful way to advance to your next step, no matter what stage you are in the writing process.”
Richard Bistrong
Memoirist
“The Writer’s Symposium was excellent; the focus on market readiness really clarified my next steps for the memoir. It is rare to attend an event that feels so substantive while also welcoming.”
Erica Uquart
Memoirist
“Describing the Writers Symposium as an opportunity for writers to move to the next level undersells the experience. It’s not merely the amount of learning that occurs, but the intangible shift which enabled me to blend writer with author.”
Kate Allen
Nonfiction Writer
“For writers trying to break through, the publishing industry can feel impenetrable. But with the help of the Writers Symposium, the challenge no longer seems impossible. I feel like I’m part of a community filled with amazing people who care.”
Geoff Sease
Novelist
“My book idea and pitch got refined during the Writers Symposium – the live feedback is simply precious!”
Ilona Svetluska Koletsis
Novelist
“The program was very balanced. You gain insights about your work and are excited to apply those to your process right away. Talking to other serious writers in person is invaluable. I am now more settled into the process of becoming an author.”
Kate Wilsey
Memoirist
What You’ll Walk Away With
Writers leave the Symposium with a rare behind-the-scenes look at the expectations shaping acquisition decisions today. Here’s what you can expect to gain:
- Greater Confidence and Momentum: Move forward with clear next steps and conviction, whether you are preparing to query, revising a manuscript, or clarifying your strategy.
- Direct Access to Decision-Makers: Learn directly from literary agents, editors, bestselling authors, and collaborators through workshops, panels, and networking events.
- Professional Pitch Feedback: Receive guidance on your hook, concept, and pitch. Learn to communicate the heart of your project with confidence and precision.
- Clarity for Your Publishing Ambitions: Insight into how agents evaluate submissions, editors approach acquisitions, and what makes a manuscript market-ready.
- Sharper Submission Materials: Strengthen the documents that matter most—whether you are refining a query letter, book proposal, synopsis, or verbal “elevator pitch.”
- Real-Time Insight: See firsthand how industry professionals respond to your pitches and pages, and refine your book’s hook immediately in the room.
- Meaningful Professional Relationships: Build genuine connections with writers, agents, and editors in an intimate environment designed for conversation and long-term community.
Who This Symposium Is For
The Symposium is designed for writers of all genres who are serious about their work and eager to better understand the path to publication. It is especially well-suited for:
- Writers looking to learn more about the publishing industry, and the paths toward having a successful book
- Writers preparing to or already querying agents
- Writers with completed or partial manuscripts seeking expert evaluation
- Writers committed to elevating their work to the highest standard
- Writers ready to move beyond revising in isolation and into meaningful community
Our Symposium is not for casual hobbyists. It is for those ready to measure their work against the realities of today’s publishing market and strengthen it accordingly.
To ensure thoughtful discussion, meaningful feedback, and genuine 1:1 engagement, in-person attendance is limited to 20 participants.
Meet the Symposium Creator, Lucinda Halpern
Lucinda Halpern is the President and CEO of Lucinda Literary, a New York literary agent, and author of Get Signed (Hay House; Penguin Random House). With two decades of experience spanning HarperCollins, Scholastic, and Fletcher & Company (now United Talent Agency), Lucinda represents New York Times and internationally bestselling authors across business, psychology, memoir, narrative nonfiction, and upmarket fiction.
Meet the Instructors
Guest Publishing Experts
While the speaker lineup changes from year to year, the focus remains the same: connecting writers with agents, editors, and publishing professionals who shape today’s acquisition decisions. Past speakers have included:
- Sheila O’Shea, Associate Publisher, Farrar, Straus & Giroux
- Sara Weiss, Editorial Director, Penguin Random House
- Karyn Marcus, Executive Editor, Hachette Book Group
- Edie Astley, Editor, HarperCollins
- Donna Loffredo, Editor, Penguin Random House
- Diana Ventigliama, Editor, Hachette
- Sophie Cudd, Agent, The Book Group
- Alex Glass, Agent & Founder, Glass Literary
- Ronnie Alvarado, Senior Editor, Simon & Schuster
- Merry Sun, Senior Editor, W. W. Norton & Company
- Molly Roden Winter, New York Times Bestselling Author
Not Your Average Ballroom Conference: Meet Decision-Makers at the Heartbeat of Publishing, Where Deals and Relationships Are Made
The Writers Symposium offers tiered access levels tailored to your publishing stage, genre, and goals. While every tier provides meaningful industry exposure, higher levels offer deeper feedback, pitch coaching, and direct interaction with experts.
The event is held at one of New York City’s most storied private clubs, the River Club, overlooking Manhattan’s East River. Discounted hotel rates are available on a first-come basis. You can also customize your experience with premium add-ons, including a private dinner and pre-Symposium “Pub(lisher) Crawl,” touring famous publishing houses and book destinations, or an intimate lunch with our agents, limited to a small group of participants.
Choose Your Access Level
Standard Access: $2,750
Submissions Lab & Q&A
Publishing Insider Panel
Meet & Greet
Agent Pitch Studio
Optional Add-Ons:
Lunch with Agents ($350)
Pub Crawl + Private Dinner with Lucinda ($1,997)
Premiere Access: $3,750
Everything in Standard plus:
Exclusive Agent Workshop
Optional Add-Ons:
Lunch with Agents ($350)
Pub Crawl + Private Dinner with Lucinda ($1,997)
Virtual Premiere Access: $1,450
Zoom access and replays for:
Submissions Lab & Q&A
Publishing Insider Panel
Agent Pitch Studio
Symposium Overview
Session 1: Agent Workshop
This small-group workshop gives attendees the opportunity to receive direct editorial and strategic feedback on their idea or writing from literary agents in an intimate setting.
Participants submit materials in advance for discussion focused on manuscript readiness, positioning, and the project’s viability within today’s publishing market.
Session 2: Submissions Lab: The 6 Foundations of an Agent-Ready Manuscript
Access: Premiere + Virtual Premiere
This live presentation and Q&A walk attendees through the core elements of a strong submission package. Topics include refining the hook, identifying comparative titles, strengthening platform, and clarifying market positioning.
Designed to make the submission process more transparent, the Submissions Lab helps writers understand how to present their work professionally–and position it effectively in a competitive marketplace.
Session 3: The Publishing Insider Panel
Access: Standard + Premiere + Virtual Premiere
This moderated conversation brings together literary agents, editors, and publishing professionals for a candid discussion about the current state of traditional publishing. Attendees will hear directly from industry decision-makers about market shifts, common submission missteps, and the qualities that help projects stand out.
Questions are submitted in advance so the discussion can address the topics writers are often most eager – and nervous – to ask about.
Session 4: Meet & Greet with Publishing Insiders
Access: Standard + Premiere
Following the panel, attendees are invited into a more relaxed networking environment designed for meaningful conversation with publishing professionals and fellow writers. Unlike large industry conferences, the Symposium prioritizes intimacy and access, creating space for genuine dialogue and relationship-building throughout the evening.
For many writers, these informal conversations often become one of the most valuable parts of the experience.
Session 5: The Agent Pitch Studio
Access: Premiere + Virtual Premiere
The Symposium concludes with a live pitch session where attendees present book concepts before a panel of literary agents and receive immediate feedback on how the idea is being received in the room.
While the Agent Workshop focuses on submission materials already on the page, the Pitch Studio examines the project at its earliest and most essential level: the concept itself. Agents respond in real time to the premise, positioning, and framing of the book, offering insight into what immediately feels compelling — and what may still need refinement before a project is ready for submission.
While educational in nature rather than a formal audition for representation, the Pitch Studio is designed to sharpen one of the most critical components of the publishing process: communicating your book with confidence and precision.
Optional Add-Ons
(Available at checkout on a first-come, first-served basis)
Pub Crawl & Private Dinner with Lucinda Halpern
This intimate pre-Symposium experience offers a rare insider’s view of New York publishing, guided personally by Lucinda Halpern.
The afternoon includes visits to literary landmarks and major Manhattan publishing houses, where attendees hear directly from leading editors and publishing insiders about how acquisitions decisions are made, what publishers are looking for in today’s market, and how projects move from submission to book deal. The evening concludes with a private dinner at a classic literary New York pub, completing the “Pub Crawl” experience.
Limited to six participants, this exclusive add-on is available on a first-enrolled basis. To reserve your spot, simply add it during checkout.
Private Lunch with Lucinda Literary Agents
This private lunch offers attendees the opportunity to connect directly with our agents and a small group of fellow writers during the Symposium event.
This lunch is designed to continue a more personal and conversational experience outside the formal sessions. Ask your burning questions, and spend time getting to know the agents and fellow writers over a delicious meal.
Limited to just eight participants, this exclusive add-on is on a first-enrolled basis. To reserve your spot, simply add it during checkout.
Reserve Now
Standard Access: $2,750
Submissions Lab & Q&A
Publishing Insider Panel
Meet & Greet
Agent Pitch Studio
Optional Add-Ons:
Lunch with Agents ($350)
Pub Crawl + Private Dinner with Lucinda ($1,997)
Premiere Access: $3,750
Everything in Standard plus:
Exclusive Agent Workshop
Optional Add-Ons:
Lunch with Agents ($350)
Pub Crawl + Private Dinner with Lucinda ($1,997)
Virtual Premiere Access: $1,450
Zoom access and replays for:
Submissions Lab & Q&A
Publishing Insider Panel
Agent Pitch Studio
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Writers Symposium designed for?
The Symposium is designed for serious writers with the short or long-term goal of traditional publishing. Attendees range from emerging writers early in ideation, to authors preparing to query agents, to seasoned queries and previously published authors refining their work and submission materials.
Do I need to have a completed or polished manuscript or proposal to attend?
No! The Symposium is designed for writers at multiple stages of development. Some attendees arrive with completed manuscripts or proposals, while others are still shaping an idea, early draft, or submission strategy.
What makes the Symposium different from a traditional writers conference?
New York City, for one! The Symposium is small, selective, and draws industry professionals at the highest levels of their careers. Rather than broad programming for large crowds, this experience centers on intimate and direct interaction with literary agents, editors, and publishing professionals actively working in the industry today.
How many people attend?
The Symposium was designed to preserve intimacy, access, and meaningful interaction. We accept only 20 in-person attendees and 10 virtual participants.
What is the difference between Standard, Premiere, and Virtual Premiere access?
Each access level offers a different depth of participation and feedback opportunities. Premiere tiers include expanded workshop access and deeper engagement opportunities, while Virtual Premiere provides remote participation in select core programming. Specific inclusions are outlined within each access tier above.
Is there a Standard Virtual ticket option?
No. Due to limited capacity and the structure of the programming, only Virtual Premiere access is available for remote attendees.
Will I have the opportunity to speak directly with agents, editors, and publishers?
Yes. The Symposium is intentionally designed as a networking and workshopping opportunity that prioritizes direct interaction with publishing professionals through workshops, panels, networking events, and live feedback sessions. Select access tiers also include participation in our popular Agent Pitch Studio.
Will my material be reviewed?
Yes. Material feedback is incorporated into select programming depending on your access level. Formal review and live feedback opportunities may include:
- Agent Workshops
- The Agent Pitch Studio
- Live positioning and Pitch discussions
Please refer to your selected access tier for specific inclusions.
Is the Symposium educational or a pitch event?
The Symposium provides both an educational and a pitch opportunity—and those who are still at the beginning stage, feel they are not yet “ready” to pitch or are still calibrating their material, can benefit as much as those more advanced in the process.
Is this event appropriate for fiction, memoirists, as well as business, self-help, and spiritual writers?
Yes. The Symposium welcomes writers of all genres, with programming focused broadly on publishing strategy, positioning, submissions, and market readiness across categories. Workshops and private pitch opportunities will allow more specific feedback on your work and the expectations of gatekeepers within the respective category. Our panelists and instructors are customized each year to the writers attending.
Can Virtual attendees participate live?
Yes. Virtual Premiere attendees receive live Zoom access to all Premiere programming and workshops, alongside replay access to included sessions.
Does my ticket include airfare or hotel accommodations?
Travel and hotel accommodations are not included with Symposium registration. Preferred discounted hotel rates near The River Club will be available on a first-come basis for attendees. Additional hotel recommendations may also be provided upon request.
Can I attend only the “Pub Crawl” or the Private Publishing Lunch?
The optional Pub Crawl, private dinner, and publishing lunch experiences are curated extensions of the Symposium and are available exclusively to registered Symposium attendees.
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
Because attendance is limited and seating is reserved in advance, Symposium registrations are non-refundable. If unforeseen circumstances prevent attendance, we will make every effort to accommodate a transfer to Virtual Premiere access and provide replay materials where applicable.
Does attending increase my chances of getting an agent?
The Symposium is designed to strengthen writers’ understanding of the publishing industry and help elevate their work to a more competitive level. However, participation does not guarantee literary representation or publication.
Need Guidance?
Our Program Manager is here to help you choose the access level that’s right for you. Contact the Academy Liaison.
Disclaimer: This event series, provided by the Lucinda Literary Academy, is intended to help educate writers and improve their work and presentation to the market. All Academy offerings are separate from Lucinda Literary’s Agency division. Participating in our services does not guarantee an offer of representation or a later publishing deal at any firm.