Join us for a first pages panel and live Q&A recording with Danielle Chiotti, agent extraordinaire at Upstart Crow.
Current monthly members (those with memberships at $49 and above) will receive comp codes in their email at 6pm NYC time on the day of the event. Didn’t receive yours? Please send us an email.
Pages will be chosen at random, and we will get through as many as we can in the allotted time.
Can’t make it live? That’s okay! You can still send your page and watch the replay.
About Danielle Chiotti
Agent at Upstart Crow Literary Agency
Danielle has worked in publishing for sixteen years. Formerly an editor, she joined Upstart Crow when it was founded in 2009, specializing in young adult and middle grade fiction, as well as cookbooks, select nonfiction, and literary and upmarket fiction for adults. Thanks to her extensive editorial background, she enjoys working closely with authors to develop projects. She welcomes first-time authors with a unique voice and point of view.
For Young Adult and Middle Grade: She is drawn toward gorgeous writing and strong, flawed characters. Her dream project for young readers is one that challenges and inspires, with a compelling voice that will make her stay up all night reading. Good examples of this are Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson, Chime by Franny Billingsley, The Crossover by Kwame Alexander, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly, Still Life With Tornado by A.S.King, The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma, Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo, and When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead.
For adult fiction, she is seeking up-market commercial fiction. She prefers books that explore deep emotional relationships in an interesting or unusual way. Good examples of this are Shine Shine Shine by Lydia Netzer, The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty, and A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki.
For nonfiction, she is looking for compelling, voice-driven projects that shed a humorous or thought-provoking light on a previously unknown topic in the areas of narrative nonfiction/memoir, lifestyle, relationships, humor, current events, food, wine, and cooking. She is also interested in healthy living, lifestyle, culture, parenting and select self-help topics.
She is not considering the following adult categories: romance, mystery/suspense/thriller/political thriller, science fiction, horror, or erotica.
Upcoming projects include: The Ostrich and Other Lost Things by Beth Hautala (Philomel), Knucklehead by Adam Smyer (Akashic), The Instant Pot No Pressure Cookbook by Laurel Randolph (St. Martin’s) The Collectors by Jacqueline West (Greenwillow/Harpercollins), Grits: A Culinary Journey Through the South by Erin Byers Murray (St. Martin’s), Majestic by Matt Myklusch.
Fun facts about me:
Gilmore Girls enthusiast. Food nerd. Grower of vegetables.
Ever wonder what happens when you meet with an agent? Two very generous people–Danielle Chiotti, agent, and Kayla King, writer–let us listen in on their consultation. In this episode, Danielle reacts to Kayla’s page in the moment, asks for clarification, and comes up with solutions on the spot to make Kayla’s page (even) stronger.Want to see Danielle’s LIVE first pages panel on May 14, 8:30pm EDT? Send your page and a question ahead for a chance of live feedback from Danielle, Jessica and Julie–or send it ahead and watch the digital replay on your phone, tablet or laptop.
“I did the 10 page + 15 minute consultation with Danielle Chiotti. It was one of the most informative and constructive critiques I’ve ever received. In 15 minutes, Danielle showed me how to strengthen my first 10 pages. She was friendly, knowledgeable, and most important made me feel good about my writing and story.
I’m so glad I did an e-consulatation with Danielle.
I learned more in 15 minutes about my manuscript than in any writer’s workshop I’ve attended.”
–Ariana Fae