In this conference session, Jessica Berg, founder of Rosecliff Literary, breaks down what high-concept fiction really is, why it matters in today’s crowded publishing landscape, and how writers can create a premise that stands out from the start. Drawing on her experience reviewing thousands of queries and pitching books in a competitive market, Jessica shows how a strong hook can make a novel more memorable, marketable, and compelling.

You’ll learn how to:

• Understand the difference between high-concept and low-concept fiction

• Build a stronger premise using a clear what-if, visible stakes, and sharp specificity

• Avoid vague thematic pitches that fail to spark curiosity

• Layer emotional, physical, relational, and social stakes for greater impact

• Sharpen historical fiction pitches with period-specific details that make them feel fresh and distinct

• Handle dual POV and dual-timeline stories in a concise, compelling hook

• Stress-test your premise to ensure it’s memorable, repeatable, and marketable

Perfect for writers of historical fiction, women’s fiction, and commercial fiction, this session offers practical tools for transforming a broad story idea into a pitch that grabs attention and makes people want to know more.