(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 on November 21, 2026. See you there.)

THIS YEAR’S SESSIONS & WORKSHOPS (FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2026):

Agent pitches and critique consultations overlap with the sessions below. The schedule of presentation topics below is subject to change and updates:

9:30 – 10:30: Session 1

Navigating Your Options: Traditional, Small Press, and Indie Publishing, taught by Brenda Stephens. Navigating today’s shifting literary landscape can be overwhelming for emerging writers trying to find the right home for their manuscripts. In this comprehensive session, author coach and publishing expert Brenda Stephens breaks down the modern publishing industry into its three primary operational pathways: traditional commercial publishing, small press distribution, and independent self-publishing. Writers will learn current market trends, explore the distinct creative and financial realities of each framework, and learn how to align their specific manuscript goals with the right model. From understanding trade submission lifecycles to mastering the technical execution required to enter the market, this presentation provides a concrete, fluff-free roadmap for your publishing journey.

10:45 – 11:50: Session 2

Plotting Your Novel in an Hour. This class is fast, practical blueprint to map your story, focusing on the important elements to determine before you start writing.

11:50 – 1:15: Lunch on Your Own

You have 85 minutes on your own to break and eat.

1:15 – 2:30: Session 3

“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 novels 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: Session 4

Agent Expectations for Your First 10 Pages: How to Keep Them Reading and Requesting vs. Rejecting, taught by Rachel Beck. In this workshop welcoming writers of all genres, you’ll learn how to hook a reader with your first 10 pages, as well as classic mistakes querying writers make in the initial pages they submit to agents. Led by Rachel Beck, senior literary agent at Liza Dawson Associates and an agent of 10 years who reads on average 20-30 submissions per day, this workshop will cover everything from myths about what to include in your first pages to the biggest no-nos to how to break through the noise and hook an agent, intriguing them enough to request a partial or full manuscript submission. From basic submissions etiquette to overdone openings to early character development, we will discuss formatting as well as dive into a bit of craft surrounding dialogue, backstory, and set-up. Rachel will share the most common reasons she passes on a submission based on its opening pages, and tips for avoiding these pitfalls. Workshop attendees will walk away with more confidence in those critical early pages—hopefully enough to finally feel ready to submit to your dream agent!

4:00 – 5:00: Session 5

Tips for Developing Your Author Voice. Novel structure can be learned in classes or through editing, but developing your writer’s voice is a solitary and often ambiguous process. What makes a strong voice that forces an agent or editor to take notice? What voice is appropriate for the genre you’re writing? We’ll deconstruct the elements of voice, assessing what agents and editors look for in different genres, and will work through exercises designed to help develop and strengthen your narrative voice.

5:00: The Day is Over

FREE ADDITIONAL RECORDED CLASSES:

We will actually send attendees extra FREE pre-recorded classes as part of their attendance. In addition to getting the weekend’s sessions to enjoy live and in person, we will also send you 10 more free recorded classes on the side, from amazing past instructors. In the week leading up to your in-person conference, we will send all confirmed attendees the first two classes below, which will aid in your pitching efforts. By a week after the event’s end, we send the other eight free classes.

1. Tips on Pitching Literary Agents & Editors at an In-Person Event, taught by former literary agent Carlie Webber
2. Tips on Pitching Literary Agents & Editors at an Online Event, taught by former literary agent Carlie Webber
3. How to Create a Long-term Writing & Publishing Plan
4. The Art of a Page Turner: How to Craft an Un-Put-Downable Book
5. Understanding the Differences Between Middle Grade, Young Adult and Adult Fiction
6. Creating a Remarkable Narrative Arc in Fiction or Memoir
7. Think Like a Screenwriter: Lessons From Hollywood for Fiction Writers
8. Dial Up Your Dialogue: How to Craft Dialogue Readers Love
9. How Writers Can Build a Network of Support
10. Publishing Buzzwords 101