Pitch Fest
Ready to Get Published?
Meet Literary Agents. Pitch Your Book. Get Discovered.
CARICON 2025 Literary Agent Pitch Fest – June 7, 2025 | ONLINE
Your Story Deserves a Global Stage.
This isn’t just another writing conference — this is your moment.
Whether you write fiction, nonfiction, memoir, poetry, or children’s books, the CARICON Literary Agent Pitch Fest puts you face-to-face with agents actively looking for authors like you.
Only 12 spots per agent. One pitch could change everything.
What You Get:
✅ 10-minute 1:1 session with a top literary agent
✅ Real-time feedback to sharpen your pitch
✅ Opportunity to secure representation
✅ Get featured in our new CariConnect Agent Match System
💡 This is NOT a panel. It’s a one-on-one meeting with the decision-makers.
Meet the Agents
Samantha Fabien – Roots Agency
Samantha is a powerhouse literary agent passionate about championing diverse, global voices. At Roots Agency, she represents authors across Adult, YA, and MG categories—especially those with unique cultural perspectives, immersive storytelling, and emotional resonance.
What She’s Looking For:
- Contemporary & Upmarket Fiction
- Memoir & Narrative Nonfiction
- Young Adult & Middle Grade
- Stories with strong cultural or Caribbean roots
“I’m excited to meet writers with heart, vision, and bold stories that deserve to be heard.” – Samantha Fabien
Carey Blankenship-Kramer – Azantian Literary Agency
Carey Blankenship-Kramer began her agenting career in 2023 at Belcastro Agency and joined Azantian Literary Agency in 2025, where she represents both children’s and adult fiction across a wide range of genres. Her top priority is amplifying marginalized and underrepresented voices.
A graduate of Berry College with a dual degree in English and Creative Writing, Carey also holds a master’s degree in Writing and Digital Communications from Agnes Scott College. She is also an author—her debut middle-grade novel, Ghost Scout’s Honor, was published by Scholastic.
Carey has a wide-ranging taste but is especially drawn to horror, speculative, and spooky narratives. She’s passionate about stories that are bold, inclusive, and emotionally resonant.
When she’s not reading or championing new voices, Carey enjoys time with her partner and their “small zoo,” battling it out on the tennis court, playing video games, and indulging her sweet tooth.
Actively Seeking:
Children’s literature (all age ranges)
Adult fiction across all genres
Stories by authors from marginalized or underrepresented communities
Horror and anything spooky or atmospheric
V. Steve Russell | Brer Anancy Press
V. Steve Russell is the Founder and Publisher of Brer Anancy Press, an independent Caribbean publishing imprint dedicated to bringing authentic Caribbean stories to life. Since its inception in 2011, Steve has led the press as Managing Director, building a diverse catalog that spans children’s picture books, poetry, plays, memoirs, and more.
With a B.A. in Theatre and Media Arts from the University of South Carolina and a Graduate Certificate in the Business of Entertainment from UCLA, Steve brings a unique blend of artistic vision and business acumen to his work. He is passionate about elevating Caribbean voices and preserving cultural narratives for future generations.
At Brer Anancy Press, Steve is especially committed to publishing stories that reflect the vibrancy, resilience, and creativity of Caribbean people—both on the islands and in the diaspora.
Actively Seeking:
- Caribbean-authored works across all genres
- Children’s literature with cultural themes
- Stage plays and screen-adaptable works
- Memoirs, anthologies, and historical fiction rooted in
- Caribbean identity
Who Should Apply?
- Writers with completed manuscripts or polished proposals
- Self-published authors ready to go traditional
- Caribbean and diaspora voices with powerful stories to tell
- Poets, memoirists, screenwriters — all welcome
💲 Investment: $75 per pitch session
June 7, 2026 – Online/Virtually
Limited spots. No replays. No second chances.
⚡Secure Your Spot Before It’s Gone
Only 12 sessions per agent. Once they’re booked, that’s it.
FAQ
The Pitch Fest is a one-on-one opportunity for writers to pitch their manuscript or book idea directly to a literary agent in a private, 10-minute session during CARICON 2025 in Los Angeles.
Anyone with a completed manuscript or polished book proposal. We welcome fiction, nonfiction, memoir, poetry, children’s books, and more—especially voices from the Caribbean and the diaspora.
Each pitch session costs $75. You can book multiple sessions with different agents, subject to availability.
Bring a printed one-page pitch or query letter, a brief synopsis, and your confidence. Agents may also ask questions about your writing journey or publishing goals.
Yes! All sessions include live feedback. Some agents may request pages or full manuscripts if they’re interested.
If time allows, yes—but we recommend focusing on one polished project to make the most of your 10-minute session.
CariConnect is our upcoming agent-author match system. Authors who register for Pitch Fest will get priority access to the platform when it launches.
At this time, Pitch Fest is in-person only at CARICON 2025. Virtual pitch sessions may be added later via CariConnect.
Due to limited space, sessions are non-refundable. However, they may be transferable if you notify us in advance.
Need more details? Email us at info@cari-con.org
