2025 Breakout: The Agent/Author Relationship

9:00-9:45 A.M., Sunday, August 24, 2025

Alicia Brooks is a veteran editor and literary agent with over 25 years in publishing, having worked with icons like Margaret Atwood and Pat Conroy. She’s edited award-winning and bestselling titles across genres and now champions powerful, diverse voices at Martin Literary Management. With deep industry roots and a sharp editorial eye, Alicia brings passion and precision to every project.
https://www.martinlit.com/

Tara Gelsomino is the founder and CEO of One Track Literary Agency, with over twenty years in publishing and past roles at Simon & Schuster, BBC Audiobooks, and Romantic Times Magazine. She represents standout genre fiction and negotiates audio rights for top publishers and agencies. A leader in literary innovation, Tara brings sharp industry insight and fierce advocacy to every client.
https://www.onetrackliterary.com/

Ronald Gerber is an award-winning literary agent at Lowenstein Associates, known for championing bestselling, cinematic stories with unforgettable characters. His clients’ titles have attracted major publishers and Hollywood interest alike. With a sharp eye for compelling narratives, Ronald makes every session a must-attend event.
https://lowensteinassociates.com/ronald-gerber/

Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong is a literary agent at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency known for discovering emotionally charged, page-one gripping fiction across Romance, Suspense, Mystery, and accessible supernatural fantasy. She champions stories that make readers laugh, cry, or race their pulses. Cathie’s sharp instincts make her sessions essential for writers aiming to break through.
https://marsallyonliteraryagency.com/

Dean Krystek is a published novelist and former military veteran who brings a sharp eye for distinctive voices and immersive storytelling. He specializes in paranormal, crime, mysteries, sci-fi, psychological suspense, and character-driven military fiction, with a passion for stories that evoke a strong sense of time and place. Dean also seeks film and TV projects, making his sessions a must for writers ready to break into multiple mediums.
https://www.wordlink.us/agents

Katie Monson is a passionate advocate for indie romance with years of experience blogging, beta reading, and editing for emerging authors. Self-motivated and organized, she’s dedicated to guiding clients toward success with a keen eye for compelling stories. When she’s not championing new voices, Katie enjoys family life and exploring the Great Smoky Mountains.
https://sbrmedia.com/

James Mustelier is a discerning agent passionate about commercial and literary fiction and nonfiction that feature economical prose, complex characters, and compelling tension. He specializes in tightly plotted horror and mysteries, grounded speculative fiction, and nonfiction that reveals unseen subcultures with vivid narrative and rigorous research. Known for championing stories with narrative gravity and dark humor, James makes every session essential for writers seeking depth and originality.
https://www.thebentagency.com/james-mustelier