All Class Pass + 100 Page Workshop w/ Miriam Cortinovis

Miriam Cortinovis is an agent with Ki Literary. They are seeking speculative fiction for all ages groups and markets.

The long manuscript workshop offers a unique opportunity to workshop a large chunk (30,000 words) of your workshop with a leading agent or editor over multiple sessions. In the first session in late-November (tentatively Nov. 22) you will get feedback on the overall structure of your novel by workshopping your synopsis with your faculty lead. In the second session (early January) you will receive feedback on your 30,000 word excerpt. Finally, in early February, you’ll receive feedback on your revised first chapter (3,000) words.

More details on Miriam’s wishlist:

For Fantasy, Miriam seeks intersectional diverse stories ripe with unique magic, immersive atmosphere, and memorable characters, especially from BIPOC and/or LGBTQAI+ perspectives. In both Adult and Young Adult, they hunger in particular for romantic queer fantasies like THE MAIDEN AND HER MONSTER, A TREACHERY OF SWANS, and A DARK AND DROWNING TIDE—although a romantic plotline is never a requirement for their list. They’re not impartial to a good multiverse/portal story (see their beloved A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC or VOIDWALKER), fairytale-tainted quests (SOMEONE TO BUILD A NEST IN), epic-leaning series the likes of PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE and THE JASMINE THRONE, quieter, elegant settings—particularly if Catholic-inspired (THE SACRED SPACE BETWEEN)—and outrageous genre-blenders (ROAD TO RUIN). Of recent, they’d love to find something horror-adjacent that excites them as much as THE STARVING SAINTS or the perfect lady knight via THE EVERLASTING or THE ISLE IN THE SILVER SEA

That being said, Miriam also would love to see fantasy stories set in our world, whether through an urban feel like LEGENDBORN, a small-town undertone like STARLING HOUSE, a paranormal allure like IMMORTAL DARK, a sentient dark setting like TOGETHER WE ROT, and a historical perspective like VESUVIUS or THE SPIRIT BARES ITS TEETH.

While for upper middle-grade Miriam leans more toward the speculative side of things, (WITCHLINGS, ARU SHAH, and GHOST SCOUT’S HONOR) they’re also eager to find authentic contemporary stories that, in particular, discuss grief, home, moving places, losing friends, or disability/chronic illness (themes that apply to their list overall).

For Science Fiction, Miriam is eager to have their brains teased and blown. Though no book in their heart will ever compare, they won’t stop chasing the perfect companion to GIDEON THE NINTH. They’d love space shenanigans (SOME DESPERATE GLORY), heist dystopias (HAMMAJANG LUCK), capitalist critique (METAL FROM HEAVEN), and AI that surpasses our current understanding (ANCILLARY JUSTICE or THE ARCHIVE UNDYING).

In addition, Miriam takes an interest in Young Adult Contemporary novels that draw on their fascination with American high school from immigrant perspectives and with summer camps/adventures, in the veins of SMASH OR PASS. They’re also looking for queer YA Horror & Thriller the likes of WHAT THE WOODS TOOK and THEY BLOOM AT NIGHT.

What they don’t want: Poetry (including novel in verses). Picture/Chapter Books. Nonfiction. Contemporary Mafia Fiction. Contemporary Adult Romance. Erotica. Werewolves. Novels set during WWI and WWII.

This is available for a limited time as an add-on (this is a discounted price: $990 long manuscript workshop, $200 for the all class pass). If you already registered for the all-class pass, email taylor to request a discount code.