Calissa Ding, an Author Conservatory alumna, has signed with Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary this past month. The middle grade author enrolled as a student in The Author Conservatory four years ago, where she learned writing craft and business skills from world-class industry professionals. She graduated from the program in June 2024 with four completed novel manuscripts. 

Ding pitched her manuscript to Townsend in February 2025 during the StoryCon writing conference. The first five pages of the novel won the StoryCon 1st Chapter Contest, and Townsend requested the full manuscript during a pitch appointment. 

Ding spent the following months revising the manuscript and eventually sent it to Townsend and multiple other interested agents. After multiple meetings with various agents to discuss their vision, goals, and thoughts on her manuscript, Ding signed with Suzie Townsend this month. 

Ding noted that, in late 2024, she dreamed of receiving a manuscript request from Townsend but didn’t think it was possible. In her discussions with Townsend, Ding noted that “it meant so much to have someone… vocalize these distant dreams that I barely allow myself to hope for.” Despite offers of representation from other agents, it was clear that Townsend’s enthusiasm, vision, and professional credentials were the best fit. 

Suzie Townsend is vice president of New Leaf Literary and represents a range of fiction authors across multiple genres and age ranges. Her clients have won ALA awards and appeared on the New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller lists, holding #1 spots. Prior to joining New Leaf Literary since its inception in 2012, Townsend began her publishing career as an intern at FinePrint Literary Management. 

New Leaf Literary is a renowned full service management and representation firm. They have landed over one hundred books on the New York Times bestseller list, as well as facilitating the production of twelve films and TV shows, including the Divergent films and Netflix’s Shadow & Bone.

In an announcement post to her fellow Author Conservatory students, Ding thanked Brett Harris and Kara Swanson, founders of The Author Conservatory, as well as other fiction instructors for their training, feedback, coaching, and support. She expressed that “you guys are the best mentors I could’ve hoped for… I’m only too happy to brag about The Conservatory to everyone I meet.”

The process of querying and meeting with agents closely mirrored the critique call coaching process with Author Conservatory instructors, and Ding expressed her gratitude for how The Author Conservatory’s world-class training has prepared her for entering the professional publishing industry. 

Calissa Ding is the author of Phone Call to the Wind, a short story featured in “Voices of the Future: Stories of Healing & Home.” She writes middle grade contemporary fiction and graduated from The Author Conservatory in 2024 with dual certificates in Creative Writing & Publishing and Business & Entrepreneurship.

Calissa Ding and Suzie Townsend have begun the editorial process and will begin the submission process in spring 2026.