2025 Agents Symposium: “Before the Agent Search” with Abby Walters
February 22, 2025 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CST
$35.00 – $45.00
- This event has passed.
This Event is for Members only.
Click here to learn more about benefits of membership
$35 for Members
$45 for Non-Members
NOTE: If you are registered for the Agents Symposium package, you are already registered for this event and DO NOT need to purchase a ticket via this page.
The 2025 Agents Symposium is a curated year-long experience that brings writers into a virtual space to connect with and learn about publishing today from featured literary agents. Learn more about the 2025 Agents Symposium here.
Before you’re ready to share your manuscript with agents, it’s important to identify what makes you and your book marketable. In this session we’ll consider some key categories like setting, character, themes, and style to identify what’s most compelling about a piece of writing and how to communicate it. This short phrase is known as a hook and will set you up for success in the agent search and beyond.
The presentation will be followed by a moderated conversation and an audience Q&A. For the conversation, our presenter Abby Walters of Creative Artists Agency will be joined by WLT Program Director Sarah Renee Beach.
Do you have burning questions about preparing for the agent search that you want to make sure we answer? You can share them with us ahead of the event via this form and then tune in for the live webinar on Saturday, February 22 where all will be revealed. The deadline to submit your questions is Thursday, February 20 at 5:00 PM CT (questions will also be accepted via the Q&A box during the event).
Registration for this presentation will close on Friday, February 21 at 5:00 PM CST.
This presentation will be recorded and made available to participants until January 31, 2026.
CONTINUING YOUR WRITING JOURNEY
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION:
The WLT is committed to making the 2025 Agents Symposium programming accessible to writers from all backgrounds. 20 seats in each of the 10 monthly programs have been set aside for scholarship recipients to attend free of charge. Please fill out this application no later than 2 days prior to the event you’re requesting free registration to. (Example: For the February 22 session, this form should be completed no later than February 20). We do not ask for any corroborating documents; we only ask that you help us understand your situation.
Instructor
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Abby Walters, raised in Cleveland, Ohio, earned her B.A. at Miami University of Ohio where she majored in English Literature and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. After graduation, she attended the Columbia Publishing Course and worked briefly in editorial at MORE magazine, before beginning her career in book publishing at Random House in 2016. While there, she worked on publicity campaigns and event strategy for the imprint’s top authors including Paul Kalanithi, Trevor Noah, Lee Child, Jodi Picoult, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and more. She joined CAA in 2017 as an assistant to Kate Childs, working on book launches for clients like President Joe Biden, Reese Witherspoon, and Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush. After working for agents in both the TV/Film Rights and Publishing department, Walters was promoted to literary agent in 2020. She represents writers in all areas of fiction and nonfiction, with a focus on literary and upmarket fiction and narrative nonfiction and memoir. Walters' list includes NYT, WSJ, and USA Today bestsellers, as well as book club picks including Read with Jenna, B&N Discover, and Indie Next. Some of her clients include Thao Thai, Honor Levy, Zoë Eisenberg, Lidija Hilje, Cole Brown, Jazmine Hughes, and Samantha Leach
Before purchasing, please read all policies as noted below and on our Accessibility and Policies page.
If your browser has difficulty with our website store, or if you prefer to mail in a check, click here for a class registration form. The document provides instructions on where to mail it. If you prefer this option, please email wlt@writersleague.org with a copy of the form as well to ensure we add you to the class roster as soon as possible.
Expecting to see the member price, but it’s not appearing?
Confirm you are logged into your account first and foremost. The member price will only appear when you are logged into your account and have an active membership on file. If you are having trouble accessing your account, please email wlt@writersleague.org and explain the situation.
Class & Event Registration Policy
Once a purchase has been made, registrations are not refundable and cannot be transferred to a different class or event. No exceptions will be made. If you purchase a registration and then find you cannot attend the class or event, someone else can attend in your stead. Simply contact us at wlt@writersleague.org and let us know the name and contact information for the person who will be using the registration so that we can update the class or event roster.
Newsletter Opt In
By registering for this event, you opt in to receiving marketing communications from WLT. Your email will not be shared with any unrelated organizations or marketing groups. If you wish to unsubscribe from these communications, you may do so by hitting the unsubscribe button at the bottom of the emails.
Anti-Harassment Policy
The Writers’ League of Texas is dedicated to providing harassment-free spaces for everyone, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Violating these rules may result in expulsion from WLT programs without a refund at the discretion of the WLT staff.
Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
- Comments that reinforce social structures of domination (related to gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion);
- Sexual images not appropriate for the specific subject of the public discussion;
- Deliberate intimidation or stalking;
- Harassing photography or recording;
- Sustained disruption of discussions or other events;
- Unwelcome sexual attention;
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
Enforcement
Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in harassing behavior, event organizers retain the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no refund. Event organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants. We expect participants to follow these rules during all events and event-related social activities.
Reporting
If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Reports can also be made via email at wlt@writersleague.org. We’ll handle any and all reports as respectfully as possible. You won’t be asked to confront anyone, and we won’t tell anyone who you are.
Accessibility Policy
Closed captioning is available for all online classes and special events.
The WLT is committed to making its programs & services accessible to all writers. Please contact us at wlt@writersleague.org or at 512-499-8914 for more information or to discuss accommodations you may need.
Credit Card Transaction Handling Fee Policy
All credit card transactions will incur a 4% handling fee. If you’d prefer to pay by check for membership, a class, or an event, you can use the provided forms on the membership or event pages and mail to: WLT, P.O. Box 14355, Austin, TX, 78704.
Writers’ League of Texas classes and workshops are also funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts – Investing in a Creative Texas. For more information, go to www.arts.texas.gov.
Before purchasing, please read all policies as noted below and on our Accessibility and Policies page.
If your browser has difficulty with our website store, or if you prefer to mail in a check, click here for a class registration form. The document provides instructions on where to mail it. If you prefer this option, please email wlt@writersleague.org with a copy of the form as well to ensure we add you to the class roster as soon as possible.
Expecting to see the member price, but it’s not appearing?
Confirm you are logged into your account first and foremost. The member price will only appear when you are logged into your account and have an active membership on file. If you are having trouble accessing your account, please email wlt@writersleague.org and explain the situation.
Class & Event Registration Policy
Once a purchase has been made, registrations are not refundable and cannot be transferred to a different class or event. No exceptions will be made. If you purchase a registration and then find you cannot attend the class or event, someone else can attend in your stead. Simply contact us at wlt@writersleague.org and let us know the name and contact information for the person who will be using the registration so that we can update the class or event roster.
Newsletter Opt In
By registering for this event, you opt in to receiving marketing communications from WLT. Your email will not be shared with any unrelated organizations or marketing groups. If you wish to unsubscribe from these communications, you may do so by hitting the unsubscribe button at the bottom of the emails.
Anti-Harassment Policy
The Writers’ League of Texas is dedicated to providing harassment-free spaces for everyone, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Violating these rules may result in expulsion from WLT programs without a refund at the discretion of the WLT staff.
Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
- Comments that reinforce social structures of domination (related to gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion);
- Sexual images not appropriate for the specific subject of the public discussion;
- Deliberate intimidation or stalking;
- Harassing photography or recording;
- Sustained disruption of discussions or other events;
- Unwelcome sexual attention;
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
Enforcement
Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in harassing behavior, event organizers retain the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no refund. Event organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants. We expect participants to follow these rules during all events and event-related social activities.
Reporting
If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Reports can also be made via email at wlt@writersleague.org. We’ll handle any and all reports as respectfully as possible. You won’t be asked to confront anyone, and we won’t tell anyone who you are.
Accessibility Policy
Closed captioning is available for all online classes and special events.
The WLT is committed to making its programs & services accessible to all writers. Please contact us at wlt@writersleague.org or at 512-499-8914 for more information or to discuss accommodations you may need.
Credit Card Transaction Handling Fee Policy
All credit card transactions will incur a 4% handling fee. If you’d prefer to pay by check for membership, a class, or an event, you can use the provided forms on the membership or event pages and mail to: WLT, P.O. Box 14355, Austin, TX, 78704.
Writers’ League of Texas classes and workshops are also funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts – Investing in a Creative Texas. For more information, go to www.arts.texas.gov.