Instructors: Caitlin Alexander and Cynthia Manson
Length: 1 session, $85
Wednesday, June 5, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Can you really win a literary agent with just one page? Think of the opening page of your manuscript as a promise of what lies ahead. While your whole manuscript needs to deliver on that promise, unless your first page wows an agent they’re unlikely to read further.

In this energetic, fun, and informative interactive workshop, you’ll present your first page (anonymously, if you choose) to a literary agent and an editor. They’ll share their reactions—love, hate, or otherwise—in real time, giving you unparalleled insight into how your work will be received, as well as invaluable suggestions for eliminating clichés, sharpening your characters, creating instant dramatic tension, polishing your prose, and turning a ho-hum opening into one that will make the rest of your manuscript unputdownable.

This workshop is open to writers of all experiences, but if you’ve registered for the Publish and Promote Your Book conference on Saturday, June 22, you’ll find it especially useful as you prepare your first-page submission to the agents and editors you’ve signed up to pitch.

Caitlin Alexander has been editing books for more than fifteen years. She spent much of that time at Random House, where she acquired and edited New York Times bestsellers in fiction and nonfiction. She continues to edit bestselling and award-winning books as a freelance editor and can be found at editedbycaitlin.com.

Cynthia Manson is a well-known and respected literary agent who represents a number of bestselling authors in a variety of genres. She graduated from Scripps College for Women in Claremont, CA.  Manson has worked in both magazine and book publishing including Sterling Lord Literary Agency, Putnam, Bertelsmann, Scientific American, and Advertising Age Magazine.  She is well connected to the Hollywood community and has brokered numerous deals in the book to film and television market.

Writing Institute Registration Process:

Step 1 - Registration Information: Complete this registration form in full.

Step 2 - Payment: Once you click submit on this form, a new page will appear in your browser with a payment link. Click on the payment link, complete the required information, and submit your payment. 

Payment is required for your registration to be confirmed. If we don’t receive your payment within 48 hours of submission of this form, your registration will automatically be cancelled. You will have to complete the form again if you wish to register for the class.

Step 3 - Confirmation: Once we receive your payment, your registration will be finalized and confirmed with an email. Please keep this email for your records.  Details about room assignment, parking, and any other information relevant to the course will be emailed to registered students the week before classes begin.

If you have questions about the registration process, please call us at 914-395-2205 or email writinginstitute@sarahlawrence.edu.