Hello, writers!

...and hello, June! We're officially less than a month away from the big weekend, and we simply cannot wait to see you here in Austin very soon. We're writing you today with some important conference updates and reminders, including information about consultation schedules and a reminder to book your hotel room (the discounted rate expires on June 4!).

Thank you in advance for reading all of the information here. There's even more to come, so be sure to add us to your contacts and keep an eye on your inbox.

Worried you missed something important? You can find all previous conference updates here.

See you soon!

Sarah

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Sarah Renee Beach

Program Director

All consultation appointment details were sent out on Thursday, May 27 around midday. The email came from wlt@writersleague.org and the subject line was "IMPORTANT: 2026 A&E Conference / Your Consultation Meeting Details."

If you think you should have an appointment but did not receive your schedule, please first check your spam folder. If you're still not finding your appointment details, please contact the WLT staff by replying to this email.

If you purchased a consultation on May 27 or later, we will send your appointment details later this week. We will continue scheduling and sending consultation appointment details on a weekly basis between now and the conference.

As a reminder, consultations are 10-minute one-on-one meetings with our featured agents and editors, a great opportunity to verbally pitch your work to an industry professional.

At this time, conference attendees are permitted to buy up to two (2) total consultation appointments. If you have one (1) appointment scheduled, you are eligible to purchase a second consultation at the link below. If you have zero (0) appointments scheduled, you are able to purchase up to two (2) consultations at the link below.



In order for us to assign your consultation(s), you will need to first fill out the consultation purchase form. You can find the form HERE. It will ask you to rank your top choices for your consultation appointment.

This form will remain open until all consultation appointments are filled.

Please note: Consultations will be assigned in the order in which completed forms are received. Once an agent or editor's appointment slots are filled, we will do our best to remove them from the form as promptly as possible. You can find more information on the featured agents and editors attending the conference here and here, but we also highly recommend doing your own independent research to determine who may be the best fit for you.

The following agents’ consultation slots are full: Amy Bishop-Wycisk, Jem Chambers-Black, Elizabeth Copps, Emma Dries, Mina Hamedi, Tia Ikemoto, Barbara Jones, Taylor Martindale Kean, Ashley Lopez, Alex Reubert. Also, due to an unforeseen conflict, Will Evans is no longer able to participate in the conference, and is thus unable to offer consultations. 

Any questions? Now's the time to ask! But first, take a look at our FAQs. If you still have a question after you've read through the FAQs, email us at wlt@writersleague.org.

Conference Hotel (Deadline Approaching!)

The Hyatt Regency Austin is the 2026 conference hotel. The guest rooms offer spectacular views of Town Lake, downtown Austin, and the Hill Country. Rooms are available at a special group rate of $215/night (single or double) plus tax. The cut-off to register at this special rate is June 4, 2026, while rooms remain available. To reserve your room at the Hyatt Regency, click here. 

If you have any questions regarding the reservation system, we suggest you contact the Hyatt directly at 512-477-1234, but you're also welcome to reach out to us and we'll do our best to help. 

Required Attendee Form 

If you haven't already, please fill out this form at your earliest convenience. We will use the information on this form to print your conference name badge and to communicate with you ahead of the event, so please ensure that it is accurate and submitted in a timely manner.

Any questions? Now's the time to ask! But first, take a look at our FAQs. If you still have a question after you've read through the FAQs, email us at wlt@writersleague.org.

"Practice Makes Pitch Perfect" Presentation + Pitch Lab

Save the date! All 2026 A&E Conference attendees are invited to join us for a special pre-conference program on Tuesday, June 16, at 6:30 PM CT on Zoom. We’ll start with a “Practice Makes Pitch Perfect” presentation aimed at helping you refine your pitch so that you have a concise and compelling response to “Tell me about your project” during the big weekend. Our presenters will go over the ABCs (really, the 4Cs) of pitching. From what to include in a short “elevator” pitch (tip: don’t really pitch in the elevator) to the additional talking points you’ll want to have at the ready, plus dos and don’ts and plenty of time for answers to your burning questions.

After the presentation, we’ll move into a Pitch Lab, which will include small breakout group opportunities to practice your pitch with other writers (which means you’ll also have the chance to meet some fellow attendees ahead of the big weekend).

No need to register or RSVP. all conference attendees have access to this session (a link to join the webinar will be sent the week of June 8). And if you can’t make the live event, don’t worry! The “Practice Makes Pitch Perfect” presentation will be recorded and a link to the recording will be shared with you the day after the event takes place.

Our presenters for the “Practice Makes Pitch Perfect” presentation are Lance Fitzgerald, VP of Content and Business Development at Penguin Random House Audio, & Becka Oliver, Director of Talent at Kevin Anderson & Associates.

Keynote Luncheon

“All I Ever Wanted to Do Was Drive Tractor: From the Cotton Fields of West Texas to the New York Times Bestseller List” with Stephen Graham Jones

Join us for a special conference luncheon featuring an address by Stephen Graham Jones. All luncheon attendees will receive a three-course meal plus a complimentary copy of Buffalo Hunter Hunter, with a signing line to follow Stephen’s remarks. This is a ticketed event and seating is limited. Tickets are $60 per person.

Learn more and register here.

Closing Luncheon

The 2026 Agents & Editors Conference will conclude on Sunday, June 28 with a closing luncheon, an opportunity to reflect on the weekend and to say goodbye to all your new conference friends. This luncheon is free with advanced RSVP. To reserve a seat at this luncheon, please RSVP here.

The deadline to RSVP for this luncheon is 11:59 PM CT on Friday, June 19, 2026. 

Any questions? Now's the time to ask! But first, take a look at our FAQs. If you still have a question after you've read through the FAQs, email us at wlt@writersleague.org.

Thank you to the following businesses and organizations that sponsored this conference.

WLT programming is supported in part by funding from our generous sponsors.