After successful 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2024 events in Cleveland, Writing Day Workshops is excited to announce The 2025 Cleveland Writing Workshop — a full-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing event in Cleveland on November 22, 2025.

This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited seats at the event (150 total). All questions about the event regarding schedule, details and registration are answered below. Thank you for your interest in the 2025 Cleveland Writing Workshop! We are very proud of our many success stories where attendees sign with agents following events — see our growing list of success stories here.

(Please note that this is an in-person event. We at Writing Day Workshops plan both online/virtual as well as in-person events. This next CWW is an in-person event happening on November 22, 2025. See you there.)

To register, click the button above, or email Brian at WDWconference@gmail.com and tell him you’re interested in the Cleveland event.

WHAT IS IT?

This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing workshop on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the Wyndham Cleveland Airport. In other words, it’s one day full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome.

This event is designed to squeeze as much into one day of learning as possible. You can ask any questions you like during the classes, and get your specific concerns addressed. We will have literary agents onsite to give feedback and take pitches from writers, as well. This year’s agent and editor faculty so far includes:

• NEWLY ADDED: Josh Foreman (FinePrint Literary Management)
• literary agent Vicki Selvaggio (Storm Literary)
• literary agent Jacqui Lipton (Tobias Agency)
• literary agent Moe Ferrara (TriadaUS)
• literary agent Maureen Wise (Linda S. Glaz Literary)
• literary agent Lisa Amstutz (Storm Literary)
• and possibly more to come.

By the end of the day, you will have all the tools you need to move forward on your writing journey. This independent event is organized by coordinator Brian Klems of Writing Day Workshops, with regional assistance from local writing groups.

To register, click the button above, or email Brian at WDWconference@gmail.com and tell him you’re interested in the Cleveland event.

EVENT LOCATION & DETAILS:

9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the Wyndham Cleveland Airport, 4277 W. 150th St, Cleveland, OH 44135. 216-252-5333.

(Please note that this is an in-person event. We at Writing Day Workshops plan both online/virtual as well as in-person events. This next CWW is an in-person event happening on November 22, 2025. See you there.)

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THIS YEAR’S SESSIONS & WORKSHOPS (NOV. 22, 2025):

8:30 – 9:30: Check-in and registration at the event location.

9:30 – 10:30: Query Letters 101: How to Win Over an Agent/Editor During the Querying Process. Learn from a former literary agent and acquisitions editor how to craft a query letter that sings, and how to rise to the top 10, even 1 percent of queries, to get you one confident step ahead in the traditional publishing industry.

10:45 – 11:50: How to Write Complex Characters That Connect With Readers. Writing complex characters can be tougher than any other part of the writing process. You have to create someone to root for (most of the time, looking at you, antiheroes). And you have to also give them flaws, internal desires, external desires, obstacles, midnight-of-the-soul moments, and, and, and… And what’s that? Oh, right, you have to do that with ALL of the characters in your book, not just the main ones. This class will teach you how to write characters that readers will love (or hate – in a good way).

11:50 – 1:15: Lunch is on your own during these 85 minutes.

1:15 – 2:30: “Writers Got Talent”—a Page 1 Critique Fest, with participating literary agents and editors. In the vein of “American Idol” or “America’s Got Talent,” this is a chance to get your first page read (anonymously — no bylines given) with attending agents commenting on what was liked or not liked about the submission. Get expert feedback on your incredibly important first page, and know if your writing has what it needs to keep readers’ attention. All attendees are welcome to bring pages to the event for this session, and we will choose pages at random for the workshop for as long as time lasts. All submissions should be fiction or memoir—no prescriptive nonfiction or picture books, please. Do not send your pages in advance. You will bring printed copies with you, and instructions will be sent out approximately one week before the event.

2:45 – 3:45: Publication Offer Received! Now What?. Get tips about next steps for both unagented to agented book deals, and how to navigate the publishing path and beyond. While traditional publishing has standards, behind-the-scenes processes can vary greatly at different publishing houses (offers, contracts, timelines, edits, payment processing, marketing, etc). The same is true for literary agencies (agency agreement, edits, submission strategies, communication, website, etc.). And then, also true for authors, even when considering platform and marketing.

4:00 – 5:00: 15 Tips on How to Write Like the Pros. This workshop is a thorough crash course concerning craft, style and voice. We’ll discuss nuts & bolts tips for sentence construction like how to avoid passive tense, how to use vivid language, how to self-edit your own work, how to make your characters memorable, the art of compelling dialogue, and much more.

At 5 p.m., the day is done. Speakers may make themselves available for a short while to sign any books for attendees.

Agent & Editor Pitching: All throughout the day.

PITCH AN AGENT OR EDITOR:

Lisa Amstutz is a Literary Agent with Storm Literary. Her wishlist is specific: She currently represents nonfiction for all ages (preschool–adult), as welll as picture book and middle grade fiction, and also picture book author/illustrators. She loves books with heart; science, agricultural, and environmental topics; new insights on history, culture, or the arts; compelling characters and settings; humor; lyrical texts; and multicultural themes. Lisa is not a good fit for dark or dystopian themes or graphic content. She is not acquiring YA or adult fiction at this time, but will consider books by existing clients. Learn more about Lisa here.

Josh Foreman is a literary agent with FinePrint Literary Management. Josh primarily represents works of Fantasy, Horror, and Science Fiction for YA and adult. He wants forbidden magic, ancient rituals, epic space battles, and everything in between. Gothic fantasy and horroromance are high on Josh’s wishlist, but he is open and interested in all subgenres of fantasy, horror, and science fiction. Josh has always been drawn to stories with a strong voice and three-dimensional characters. He is a big believer in uplifting and supporting authors from marginalized backgrounds, particularly those with disabilities. If you are blind, in a wheelchair, or have any other disabilities, he would love to see your query in his inbox. Learn more about Josh here.

Moe Ferrara is a literary agent with Triada US. I’m interested in fictional works for all ages, including picture books, middle grade, young adults, and adult readers (plus graphic novels in the kidlit space!). My list skews heavily toward children’s fiction, but I’m on the hunt for select authors in the adult space. Favorite genres include contemporary, fantasy & fabulism, horror, retellings, romance & rom-coms, light Sci-Fi and anything LGBTQIA-centric. I am not a good fit for upmarket/literary fiction, cozy mysteries, true crime, women’s fiction, high fantasy, hard sci-fi, or inspirational romances. Learn more about Moe here.

Jacqui Lipton is a literary agent with The Tobias Literary Agency. Jacqui represents authors of fiction and nonfiction from middle grade through to adult, as well as selected projects for younger readers (picture books, chapter books etc.) She is currently focusing on developing her adult fiction and nonfiction lists and particularly enjoys mystery/crime, romance, how-to books, and compelling contemporary novels. She is not currently seeking high fantasy, and considers science fiction selectively. Learn more about Jacqui here.

Maureen Wise is a literary scout at the Linda S. Glaz Literary Agency. On behalf of herself and the agency, she seeks: “Wise has worked in the sustainability field her entire career and is most interested in supporting authors’ novels with an environmental message. She is also looking to represent mysteries (especially cozy), contemporary fiction, women’s fiction, and Christian devotionals. She is not interested in horror or children’s books.” Learn more about Maureen here.

Victoria Selvaggio is a literary agent with Storm Literary. Her list features both debut and award-winning authors. She represents all types and categories of books for kids — picture books (fiction & nonfiction), middle grade (fiction & nonfiction), and young adult. Her favorite authors include: Stephen King, Judy Blume, Shel Silverstein, Lois Lowry, Margaret Atwood, E. B. White, C. S. Lewis, Suzanne Collins, and so many more. Learn more about Victoria here. Learn more about Vicki here.

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ADDED ONLINE PITCHING: To ensure that writers have a robust and diverse lineup of agents & editors to pitch, 2025 Cleveland Writing Workshop attendees will have the ability to also pitch literary agents at an Writing Day Workshops *online* event that follows the 2025 CWW on our calendar.

That event is the 2025 Online Writing Workshop of Chicago, December 5-6, 2025, which will have 30-40 agents taking one-on-one Zoom virtual pitches.

This means that 2025 CWW attendees can have access to pitching all those online Chicago agents — pitches still at $29 each — without being a formal registrant for the online December 2025 WWOC. (That said, if you want to formally register for the December 5-6 WWOC and have access to all classes and panels, let us know, as there is a discount for confirmed Cleveland attendees.)

If you are interested in this added pitching opportunity, the first step is to get formally registered for Cleveland. Following the CWW conference on November 22, 2025, we will be in touch with all Cleveland attendees and ask them if they want to partake in pitching online agents at the 2025 WWOC (Dec. 5-6). At that time, you can communicate your pitch requests and purchase meeting time.

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        More 2025 agents to be announced as they are confirmed. You can sign up for pitches at any time, or switch pitches at any time, so long as the agent in question still has appointments open.

These one-on-one meetings are an amazing chance to pitch your book face-to-face with an agent, and get personal, individual feedback on your pitch/concept. If the agent likes your pitch, they’ll request to see part/all of your book — sending you straight past the slush pile. It also gives you an intimate chance to meet with an agent and pick their brain with any questions on your mind.

(Please note that Agent/Editor Pitching is an add-on, separate aspect of the day, for only those who sign up. Spaces are limited for these premium meetings, and pricing/detail is explained below.)

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PRICING:

$169 — EARLY BIRD base price for registration to the 2025 CWW and access to all workshops, all day. As of spring 2025, registration is now OPEN.

To register, click the button above, or email Brian at WDWconference@gmail.com and tell him you’re interested in the Cleveland event.

Add $29 — to secure a 10-minute one-on-one meeting with any of our literary agents or editors in attendance. Use this special meeting as a chance to pitch your work and get professional feedback on your pitch. (Spaces limited.) If they wish, attendees are free to sign up for multiple 10-minute pitch sessions at $29/session — pitching multiple individuals, or securing 20 minutes to pitch one person rather than the usual 10. Here are four quick testimonials regarding writers who have signed with literary agents after pitching them at prior Writing Day Workshops events. (Our bigger, growing list of success stories an be seen here.)

“I met Mai Nguyen at the Toronto Writing Workshop
and sold her manuscript to Simon & Schuster for six figures.”
– literary agent Carly Watters of P.S. Literary Agency

“I signed Sarah G. Pierce from the Seattle Writing Workshop,
and we recently sold her book to Orbit/Redhook.”
– literary agent Pam Gruber of Highline Literary Collective

“I met Amber Cowie at a Writing Day Workshops conference. We sold
her best-selling crime novel to Lake Union / Amazon.”
– literary agent Gordon Warnock of Fuse Literary

“I met my client, Dana Corbit Nussio, at the Michigan Writing Workshop.
Dana signed a new three-book contract with Harlequin Romantic Suspense.”
– literary agent Rachel Beck of Liza Dawson Associates

“I signed Nedda Lewers from a Writing Day Workshops event. Her debut
novel from Putnam Children’s was an Indie’s Introduce Best Book of 2024.”
– literary agent Kelly Dyksterhouse of Tobias Literary Agency

Add $69 — for an in-depth, personal critique of your one-page query letter from Brian Klems, one of the day’s instructors. (This rate is a special event value for Cleveland Writing Workshop attendees only.) Registrants are encouraged to take advantage of the specially-priced critique, so they can send out their query letter with confidence following the workshop. Also, if you are meeting with an agent at the event, you’re essentially speaking your query letter aloud to them. Wouldn’t it be wise to give that query letter (i.e., your pitch) one great edit before that meeting?

Add $89 — for an in-depth personal critique of the first 10 pages of your novel. Spaces with faculty for these critiques are very limited, and participating attendees will either 1) get an in-person meeting at the workshop, if the faculty member is attending the live event, or 2) get a 10-minute phone call with the faculty member, and have notes passed along via email, if the critiquer is not attending the live event. Options:

• Women’s, mainstream, science fiction, fantasy, romance, crime, thriller, mystery (virtual critiques): Faculty member Michelle McGill-Vargas, a writing coach and author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
• Commercial women’s fiction, thriller/suspense, thriller with romantic elements, cozy mystery, YA thriller, young adult in general, middle-grade, literary fiction, and fantasy (virtual critiques): Faculty member Amberly Finarelli, a former literary agent and current writing coach, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
• All types & genres of fiction for adults, young adults, and middle grade readers (virtual critiques): Faculty member Lorin Oberweger, a writing coach and author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
• Children’s picture books (virtual critiques): Faculty member Rosie Pova, a published author, will get your work in advance, critique your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime around the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting. If you submit a picture book, it must be 1,000 words or fewer (can have illustrations or not).
• Cozy mysteries (virtual critiques): Faculty member Jen Collins Moore, a published author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
• All adult fiction genres and categories (except for sci-fi) (virtual critiques): Faculty member Tayler Hill, an author and publishing house assistant, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
• More critique options possibly forthcoming

How to pay/register — Registration is now open.

To register, click the button above. Or reach out to workshop organizer Brian Klems via email: WDWconference@gmail.com. He will pass along registration information to you, and give instructions on how to pay by credit card, PayPal, or check. Once payment is complete, you will have a reserved seat at the event. The CWW will send out periodic e-mail updates to all registered attendees with any & all news about the event. Because Brian plans different workshops, make sure you note that you’re inquiring about the Cleveland workshop specifically.

REGISTRATION:

Because of limited space at the venue (Wyndham Cleveland Airport), the workshop can only allow 150 registrants, unless spacing issues change. For this reason, we encourage you to book sooner rather than later.

(Please note that this is an in-person event. We at Writing Day Workshops plan both online/virtual as well as in-person events. This next CWW is an in-person event happening on November 22, 2025. See you there.)

Are spaces still available? Yes, we still have spaces available. We will announce RIGHT HERE, at this point on this web page, when all spaces are taken. If you do not see a note right here saying how all spaces are booked, then yes, we still have room, and you are encouraged to register.

How to Register: To register, reach out to workshop organizer Brian Klems via email: WDWconference@gmail.com. He will pass along registration information to you, and give instructions on how to pay by credit card, PayPal, or check. Once payment is complete, you will have a reserved seat at the event. The CWW will send out periodic e-mail updates to all registered attendees with any & all news about the event. Because Brian plans different workshops, make sure you note that you’re inquiring about the Cleveland workshop specifically.

Refunds: If you sign up for the event and have to cancel for any reason at any time, you will receive 50% of your total payment back [sent by check or PayPal]. The other 50% is nonrefundable and will not be returned, and helps the workshop ensure that only those truly interested in the limited spacing sign up for the event. (Please note that query editing payments and manuscript editing payments are completely non-refundable if the instructor has already edited your work.)

Thank you for your interest in the 2025 Cleveland Writing Workshop.