Our annual manuscript critique returns in an exciting new format as three editors and agents — Léonicka Valcius, Joe Lee and Jen Sookfong Lee — offer live feedback on anonymous manuscript submissions. Hear their candid reactions in real time and gain insight into what stands out — and what holds a submission back — when querying your work. Hosted by Calyssa Erb, this event is ideal for emerging and aspiring writers alike and anyone looking to improve their craft.
Speaker
Joe Lee (he/him) is the publishing manager at McClelland & Stewart, a division of Penguin Random House Canada. A publishing professional of ten years, he acquires and edits fiction and non-fiction.
Speaker
Jen Sookfong Lee (she/her) is the author of 13 books include The Hunger We Pass Down, The Conjoined, The Shadow List, and Finding Home. Jen acquires and edits for ECW Press.
Speaker
Léonicka Valcius (she/her) is a literary agent and lawyer dedicated to protecting the creative labour and intellectual property rights of artists.
Calyssa Erb (she/her) is a queer, autistic Canadian writer of books for young readers. Her debut middle grade novel Maya Plays the Part was published by Annick Press in 2024. It was a finalist for the Jean Little First-Novel Award and selected for the 2025 IBBY Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities collection. When not writing, she enjoys a tall mug of tea and hanging out with her Animal Crossing villagers. She currently lives in Toronto, Ontario.
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