In 2025, our much coveted 5-minute pitch sessions are back bigger than ever, giving Perth writers the opportunity to pitch their manuscript to some of Australia’s leading publishers and literary agents.
Pitch tickets are sold out for all sessions. Click below to join a cancellations list for your preferred agent or publisher.
Please read all the below information carefully to ensure you are eligible.
Pitch tickets are:
- Separate to Day Pass tickets. You do not need to purchase a Day Pass to pitch.
- Only available to writers with a completed manuscript.
- Cost $55 for each 5-minute pitch, with a maximum of 4 pitches per person.
- Taking place at Edith Cowan House at ECU Joondalup on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October, between 1 PM and 5 PM. Please check the pitching schedule below to see which day your preferred publisher/agent is available.
What pitching involves
Your pitch is your chance to convince publishers and/or agents why they should read your manuscript.
Within 2 weeks of purchasing your pitch ticket, we will email you the exact time of your pitch.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Please arrive at Edith Cowan House 15 minutes before your time slot to be signed in (see map at bottom of this page).
- Parking at ECU is free on weekends and you will be sent a parking map with your ticket.
- When it’s your turn, you will be taken to your agent/publisher. A volunteer will time your pitch, letting you know when to start and finish.
- We recommend starting with a concise “elevator pitch” for your manuscript, taking around 1 minute. Give them the crux of it!
- From there, the publisher/literary agent will lead questions for the remaining time.
- Please note, we do not allow props and you are not able to leave things with our publishers/agents.
- Timing will be extremely strict to ensure a fair go for all – no one will be allowed to exceed their 5 minutes.
If you receive a positive response
If the agent or publisher loves the sound of your manuscript, they will provide their direct email address so you can send:
- Your opening three chapters
- A synopsis
- A short biography
You should have all this ready to go – but just bring yourself on the day!
Before you purchase a pitch ticket
Familiarise yourself with our stellar group of publishers and literary agents so you know exactly who you want to pitch to when tickets go on sale – and which day they are available.
Read through the criteria below, particularly regarding which genres they are accepting, and make sure you pitch your manuscript to the right people.
If you have any further questions, drop us a line at festivaloffiction@gmail.com.
2025 Pitch Agents & Publishers
Saturday 18 October
Sophie Hamley
Non-Fiction Publisher at Hachette
Ideal pitch: Sophie will be representing her colleagues at the festival, and is happy to hear pitches for fiction, non-fiction and children’s books, and any genres therein.
Tara Wynne
Agent at Curtis Brown Literary Agency
Ideal pitch: As Tara represents a broad range of plot driven fiction, she is looking for manuscripts with a strong commercial bent.
Jodie Webster
Publisher at Allen & Unwin
Ideal pitch: Jodie would love to hear fresh Fantasy, SpecFic YA and Middle Grade book pitches.
* Jodie will be taking live pitches via Zoom as she unfortunately can’t attend the festival in person. Please still book a regular 5-minute pitch session and come to Edith Cowan House on the day. We will have a laptop set up to facilitate your video call, and the session will be timed as normal.
Anthea Bariamis
Publisher at Simon & Schuster
Ideal pitch: Anthea is in the market for original commercial and upmarket fiction.
Chloe Berry
Agent at The Berry Agency
Ideal pitch: Chloe aims to represent authors who write in the Romance, Fantasy and Romantasy spaces, and authors who are passionate about their online presence.
Sunday 19 October
Gaby Naher
Agent at The Naher Agency
Ideal pitch: Gaby is on the lookout for original voices and compelling writing.
Anna Valdinger
Publisher at Harper Collins
Ideal pitch: Anna is looking for good adult commercial fiction (except sci-fi, short stories or novellas), with a strong plot and characters to love.
Chris Ebbs
Publisher at Penguin Random House
Ideal pitch: Chris is interested in genre fiction for adult readers, specifically romance, fantasy, horror and thriller.
Kirsty Horton
Editor at Fremantle Press
Ideal pitch: Fremantle Press are on the hunt for non-fiction, fiction and narrative non-fiction and books for children and young adults. They welcome Own Voices, and are always on the lookout for books championing Western Australia (both setting and author).
Map of ECU Joondalup
