Some fast & furious updates: contests and conferences

 Sometime ago, I promised an update on the Writer's League of Texas manuscript contest. It's finally arrived! The contest is open now through July 10. This means winners will not be able to meet in-person with a literary agent during the WLT's 2026 Agents & Editors Conference June 26-28. More on this later.

First, though, this Saturday, April 4 is a chance to meet -- free! -- agent Sandy Lu of Book Wyrm Literary Agency. And, for writers in North Central Texas, without hours long travel.

Sandy Lu is the guest speaker at the Dallas Mystery Writers meeting, 10:15 a.m. to noon, at Olive Garden, 4240 Belt Line (at Midway) in Addison, Texas. OK, I said free, but there is a $10 fee (cash only, please bring small bills) for non-members for the program and drinks-only attendees. The fee is reduced to $5 (again, cash only) for non-members staying for lunch. The program is followed by pay-your-own lunch, or just stay and break breadsticks with fellow writers.

As far as I can tell, Lu will not be available for book pitches at the meeting but see her site or contact james@gaskin.com for additional information. 

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Image: wikimedia commons

Back to the WLT manuscript contest. It's open for unpublished manuscripts by writers in or out of Texas, in a variety of fiction and nonfiction genres. The winner in each category will meet virtually with a top literary agent (and the final judge in their category) via Zoom. All entrants who opt for a critique, whether winners or not, will receive feedback on their submissions from an experienced editor. 

All 2026 winners and finalists will be featured in the fourth edition of the WLT Inklist, a catalog of short pitches shared with literary agents and book editors in Fall 2026.

Manuscript entry fees are $65 for WLT members/$85 for nonmembers (which includes a written critique. Fees for contestants who opt out of written critiques are $25 for WLT members, $35 for nonmembers.

Contestants may enter as many categories as they like, with up to four entries per category. Each entry requires separate payment and entry form.

Winners and finalists will be notified by mid-October 2026. Any submissions that include a critique will receive their written feedback by mid-September 2026. After winners and finalists are notified, all other submissions will receive emails of the judging results.

Again, refer to the site for additional details, formatting rules, categories, etc.

Also, see the WLT site for information about its Agents & Editors Conference in Austin, Texas, including a list of featured agents and editors. Registration: $549 for WLT members, $599 for nonmembers. Pitch/consultation sessions with literary agents and editors available for purchase as space allows. 

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Also coming up later this year is the DFW Writers Conference, October 3-4, at the Hurst Convention Center, Hurst, Texas. Registration through September 20 is $449 for both days. Registration includes one complimentary session with a literary agent or editor. See the site for additional information and list of agents/editors so far!