Agents get literally thousands of submissions a year, including query letters, sample pages, and synopses. Of those thousands, they request a full manuscript from few and offer representation to even fewer.
Think of your submission package as a job application for your novel. You not only want to apply to the right people, the ones who have a passion for the books you write, but you want to present your novel in such a way that they will easily see what your book has to offer. This live Writer's Digest boot camp will teach you how to put together a dynamic yet professional submission package that will show agents you take your potential author career seriously and make them want to read your work.
In this boot camp from Fuse Literary Agency, attendees will learn how to put together a short yet effective query letter and a one- to two-page book synopsis (fiction). Theyâll also learn some best practices for submitting their query, pages, and synopsis to agents.
Each attendee will have the opportunity to have ten pages critiqued by an agent along with their work in any combination: query letter, manuscript pages, and synopsis.
(Note: This boot camp is only focused on fiction. Please no memoirs or non-fiction submissions.)
TUESDAY
MAY 26, 2026
Online Tutorials: OnDemand
On Tuesday, May 26, you will gain access to a 60-minute tutorial recording led by literary agents Michelle Richter and Karly Dizon. This tutorial will show you what agents expect from your submission package and how you can shape it to fit your needs. After listening to the presentation, attendees will spend the next two days revising materials as necessary.
WEDNESDAY
MAY 27, 2026
Agent Discussion session 1-4:00 p.m. PT
Following the tutorial, writers will have one day to log onto the discussion boards and ask your assigned agent critiquer questions related to revising your materials. The agents will be available for a discussion session from 1-4 p.m. (PT) on Wednesday, May 27.
This is your golden opportunity to ask your burning questions about craft and improve your writing, as well as industry topics like trends, markets, working with agents, and more. Keep in mind, this is a lively, learning environment that will give you an immense opportunity to learn not only from yo ur faculty but from the other participants' questions. Consider the faculty your treasure trove of industry secrets at your disposal!
FRIDAY
MAY 29, 2026
Submission package due by 11:59 p.m. PT
By end of day (11:59 p.m., PT) on Friday, May 29, attendees will submit up to 10 pages, 12 pt font Times New Roman pages for review to their assigned agent. The query and synopsis can be singled-spaced, but the manuscript pages need to be double-spaced.
These pages can include any combination of a single-spaced query and synopsis and double-spaced manuscript pages for a total of 10 pages. The average word count of a page of a well-formatted manuscript is 250 words per page so please use that as a guide.
MONDAY
JUNE 22, 2026
Agent Critiques due back by 11:59 p.m. PT
The agents will spend four weeks reviewing all assigned pages, providing relevant feedback, and offering suggestions to help attendees improve upon them. The agents will return their feedback by end of the day Monday, June 22, 2026.
Meet the agents
Ernie Chiara
Fuse Literary
Ernie Chiara is a Senior Agent at Fuse Literary, representing bestselling, award-winning, and critically-acclaimed authors for the past five years. From hands-on editorial to career coaching to rights management, he believes in open communication, positive collaboration, and maintaining a long-term vision to help his clients achieve successful, sustainable writing careers. Ernie was selected by Writerâs Digest for their âAnnual Agent Roundupâ of the âmost sought-after and respected literary agents in the business.â He was also featured in Writerâs Digestâs âAgent Spotlightâ Q&A column and is a regular faculty member of WDUâs online writing courses. He has previously held roles as an assistant literary agent at Fuse, a mentor and communications director for the Pitch Wars writer mentorship program, a copywriter for a Fortune 500 client, and an editor at Stars & Sabers Publishing. When his nose isnât buried in a manuscript, you can find him binge-watching the latest streaming series, browsing the stacks at his local indie bookstore for far too long, and failing miserably to get his kids to laugh at his jokes.
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Karly Dizon
Fuse Literary
Karly Dizon is a Senior Agent at Fuse Literary building KidLit universes with stories that matter. She first joined the agency in 2016 as a reader for Tricia Skinner and was promoted to Literary Assistant soon after. In 2019, she was promoted to associate agent. Karly has built a career with a strong background as a freelance editor as well as extensive experience with graphic design and marketing. She is looking to develop long-term career authors and nurture their entire writing journey as a strong editorial agent with marketing, social media, and design support. Karlyâs clients have won or been nominated for such awards as Kirkus Best Books of the Year, NCTE Notable Books List, SLJ Best Book of the Year, and Kirkus Prize Finalist.
Genres Represented
- Picture Books
- Graphic Novels
- Middle Grade
- Young Adult
- Illustrators
Karly Does Not Represent
- Adult fiction
- Satire
- Memoir
- Faith-based
Michelle Richter
Fuse Literary
Michelle is Vice President of Fuse Literary representing leaders in the crime fiction community, award-winners, and debut authors. She joined the agency after eight years in editorial at St. Martinâs Press, where she worked on fiction and nonfiction with high-profile personalities, New York Times bestsellers, and debuts. She has built her career finding underserved clients with major talent and helping them jump their careers to the next level. She wants to boost underrepresented voices in her favorite genres to break through and create lasting change in both their writing careers and the publishing industry. Her years of experience as an agent, at a Big 5 publisher, and as an educator inform her relationships with her clients and help her guide them through the complex stages of their careers. She was an adjunct lecturer for five years in the Masterâs in Publishing program at Pace University, of which she is an alumna. She also frequently attends conferences throughout the United States. Michelleâs clients have won or been shortlisted for such awards as the Edgar, Mary Higgins Clark, Strand Critics, Anthony, Agatha, Lefty, ITW Thriller, Macavity, Barry, Derringer, Silver Falchion, IPPY, and International Book Award.
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