Perfect Your Pitch Workshops

The Association of English-language Publishers of Quebec and the Quebec Writers’ Federation have partnered with Concordia University’s Writers Read series to present a panel discussion on crafting successful non-fiction book and magazine pitches. Featuring Maisonneuve Magazine associate editor Nour Abi-Nakhoul, Assembly Press publisher Leigh Nash, and accomplished journalist and author Adam Leith Gollner, the event will be moderated by Montreal arts and culture journalist Matt Hays. No registration is required for the panel, but space is limited.

The panel will be followed by 90-minute workshops with Nour Abi-Nakhoul and Leigh Nash for pre-registered participants. Workshops are free, but pre-registration is required. Each workshop will be limited to 10 participants. A waiting list will be created if needed.

Sign-Up Instructions

Please email Riley Palanca at the QWF to register, including the following:

• Your name
• Which workshop you would like to attend
• For the magazine workshop, please include a draft non-fiction pitch, maximum 500 words, see details below
• For the book proposal workshop, please include a 300-word synopsis of one non-fiction project and a 200-word bio, see details below. 

Workshop Descriptions

Magazine Pitches with Nour Abi-Nakhoul 

In the world of magazine journalism, crafting a pitch that’s succinct, relevant and compelling is necessary for getting your story idea out of your head and onto the page. Over 90 minutes, you’ll obtain personalized, in-depth feedback on your pitch from Maisonneuve Magazine editor Nour Abi-Nakhoul. Participants will learn about proper pitch structure, finding the right publication, email etiquette and how to effectively showcase your writing ability. Participants will be asked to submit a draft pitch prior to the workshop in order to receive feedback. Pitches should be around 3-4 paragraphs long; no more than 500 words.

Nour Abi-Nakhoul is a Montreal-based writer and editor. She’s written for a variety of Canadian and American publications, and is currently the associate editor of Maisonneuve Magazine. Her debut novel, Supplication, is coming out next spring from Penguin Random House. Photo credit: Olivia Gough.

Non-Fiction Book Proposals with Leigh Nash

A solid proposal is essential when it comes to pitching book-length non-fiction projects to traditional publishing houses. On the one hand, it’s great: you don’t have to write a whole book before you begin submitting! On the other, you can’t rely on a stellar manuscript to win over agents and editors. This 90-minute workshop with Assembly Press publisher Leigh Nash will help you pull together the pieces you need to craft a full book proposal that’s tailored to your publishing goals. Participants will be asked to prepare a 300-word synopsis of one non-fiction project and a 200-word bio and submit them in advance; these will be used as the basis for in-workshop exercises. 

Leigh Nash is the publisher at Assembly Press. Prior to that, she was publisher at House of Anansi Press and Invisible Publishing, where she expanded the publishing program and shaped an editorial identity that has been met with significant critical acclaim and major literary award nominations. She has also worked for Coach House Books, served on the boards of eBOUND Canada and the Association of Canadian Publishers, and has taught book publishing courses at Humber College and York University. She has an MFA in Creative Writing and has published one poetry collection, Goodbye, Ukulele.