After many successful previous conferences in Washington DC, Writing Day Workshops is excited to announce The 2026 Chesapeake Writing Workshop — a full-day “How to Get Published” writing event in Washington, DC (Arlington) on March 21, 2026.
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 (200 total). All questions about the event regarding schedule, details and registration are answered below. Thank you for your interest in the 2026 Chesapeake 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 in Washington, DC [Arlington area] on Saturday, March 21, 2026. See you there.)
To register, click the button above, or email Chuck at WritingDayWorkshops@gmail.com and tell him you’re interested in the Chesapeake event.
WHAT IS IT?
This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Hilton Arlington. 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:
- literary agent Jessica Berg (Rosecliff Literary)
- literary agent Eric Smith (Neighborhood Literary)
- literary agent Tara Kimberly (D4E0 Literary)
- literary agent Kirsten Neuhaus (Ultra Literary)
- literary agent Megan Frayser (Creative Media Agency)
- literary agent Dean Krystek (Wordlink)
- literary agent Dara Kaye (WME)
- editor Austin Ross (HarperCollins)
- literary agent Chris Park (DeFiore & Company)
- literary agent Bethany Jett (MacGregor & Luedeke)
- literary agent Amanda Jain (BookEnds)
- editor Leia Johnson (Phoenix Media & Books)
- 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 Chuck Sambuchino of Writing Day Workshops.
To register, click the button above, or email Chuck at WritingDayWorkshops@gmail.com and say you’re interested in the Chesapeake event specifically.
EVENT LOCATION & DETAILS:
9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, March 21, 2026 — at the Hilton Arlington, 950 North Stafford Street, Arlington, VA 22203.
(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 in Washington, DC [Arlington area] on Saturday, March 21, 2026. See you there.)
THIS YEAR’S SESSIONS & WORKSHOPS (MARCH 21, 2026):
What you see below is a quick layout of the day’s events. The topics below are mostly set, but subject to change. You can see a more detailed layout of the day’s classes on the Schedule Page here.
Please Note: There will be 2-3 classes/workshops going at all times during the day, so you will have your choice of what class you attend at any time. The final schedule of topics is subject to change, but here is the current layout:
8:30 – 9:30: Check-in and registration at the event location.
BLOCK ONE: 9:30 – 10:30
1. How to Write a Query Letter That Gets Agent Attention. If you want an agent to represent your work, it all starts with a compelling query letter.
2. Beyond the Book Deal: How to Navigate Social Media and Build an Effective Brand. This workshop will discuss the importance of an author’s platform. This class will help you understand the very basics of marketing yourself and your book(s) online, whether you’re traditionally published or self-published.
BLOCK TWO: 10:45 – 11:50
1. Conquering the Novel. This workshop helps writers develop a plan for organizing, writing, re-writing, and finishing their novel.
2. Plotting Arcs and Compelling Narratives. A great work of fiction requires excellent pacing to move the reader past those first pages and to propel them to the very end.
(What you see here is a quick layout of the day’s events. See a full layout of the day’s sessions, with detailed descriptions, on the official Schedule Page here.)
LUNCH ON YOUR OWN: 11:50 – 1:15
Lunch is on your own during these 85 minutes.
BLOCK THREE: 1:15 – 2:30
1. “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.
2. How to Sell a Nonfiction Book Proposal. This session focuses on effective strategies for writing a nonfiction book proposal on any subject.
BLOCK FOUR: 2:45 – 3:45
1. Open Agent Q&A Panel. Several attending literary agents will open themselves up to open Q&A from CWW attendees. Bring your questions and get them answered in this popular session.
2. Lost In Revisions—How to Self-Edit Your Manuscript. This session will teach the foundations of self-editing, focusing on high level plot and and continuing down into the nitty gritty of grammar.
(What you see here is a quick layout of the day’s events. See a full layout of the day’s sessions, with detailed descriptions, on the official Schedule Page here.)
BLOCK FIVE: 4:00 – 5:00
1. Make Your First Five Pages Amazing. You have five pages to impress an agent–make them count.
2. Story Lessons from Hollywood. How lessons from screenwriting, acting, directing, producing, and video editing can help prose writers craft more compelling stories and keep readers turning those pages.
SESSIONS END: 5:00
At 5 p.m., the day is done. Speakers will make themselves available by the workshop’s bookstore for a short while to sign any books for attendees.
Agent & Editor Pitching: All throughout the day.
PITCH AN AGENT OR EDITOR:
Eric Smith is a literary agent at Neighborhood Literary, with a love for young adult books, literary fiction, science fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction. Eric is eagerly acquiring fiction and nonfiction projects. He’s actively seeking out new, diverse voices in young adult (particularly sci-fi and fantasy), middle grade, and literary and commercial fiction (again, loves sci-fi and fantasy, but also thrillers and mysteries). In terms of nonfiction, he’s interested in cookbooks, pop culture, humor, middle grade, essay collections, and blog-to-book ideas. Learn more about Eric here.
Jessica Berg is a literary agent with Rosecliff Literary. In fiction, she seeks: Alternate History/Historical Fantasy, Contemporary Fantasy, Contemporary Romance, Historical Fiction, Twisty Thrillers, Upmarket/Book Club Fiction, YA, and Women’s Fiction. In nonfiction, she seeks: Cookbooks, Travel Guides, Memoir – Military Women Adjacent, and Self-Help with a Witchy Vibe. Learn more about Jessica here.
Bethany Jett is a literary agent with MacGregor & Luedeke. She seeks a variety of adult fiction, adult nonfiction, Christian works, and children’s picture books. In adult fiction, she seeks: psychological thriller, domestic thriller, suspense, cozy mysteries, historical, book club / upmarket, women’s fiction, romantic comedy, historical romance, romantic suspense, Regency romance, and magical realism. In adult nonfiction, she seeks cookbooks, how-to, self-help, Christian living, lifestyle, home & garden, gift, Bible studies. In children’s picture books, she leans heavily toward 1) Highly commercial concepts with strong hook appeal, like How to Babysit a Grandpa or How to Catch a Unicorn; and 2) Classic, literary-type prose or emotionally layered storytelling like BIG or The Rough Patch. Learn more about Bethany here.
Tara Kimberly is a literary with D4E0 Literary. She seeks: Romantasy, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, New Adult, Young Adult, Romance & Dark Romance. Tara is interested in primarily Romantasy (adult and young adult and new adult) with a focus on strong female characters and all consuming stories. She is a self diagnosed Romantasy addict and loves diving into lush worlds with complex characters and messy interpersonal relationships that teach us about our own lives. Learn more about Tara here.
Dara Kaye is a literary agent with William Morris Endeavor. She represents adult nonfiction that tells great stories—from serious history and memoir to pop science and parenting—along with select speculative fiction. Her clients include NYT bestsellers and winners of awards from the Locus to PEN America, Fulbright, and NEH fellowships. Across genres, she is drawn to projects with potential for international success and books that make the familiar world feel new and surprising. In nonfiction, she especially loves working with academics, journalists, and other experts with a knack for communicating original research to mainstream audiences, and with memoirists whose unique perspective stays with readers long after the last page. Learn more about Dara here.
Dean Krystek is a literary agent at Wordlink. Dean is looking for authors with distinctive voices whose narratives invoke a strong sense of time and place and whose stories create a memorable reading experience. He’d like to see mysteries (whodunit, cozy); sci-fi (space opera, dystopian, alternate history, time travel); psychological suspense; thrillers; military fiction (character-driven pieces; favoring post-WWII. *Vietnam*). In YA he would like to see mysteries, paranormal, sci-fi, coming-of-age, and suspense with writing that stirs the imagination and caters to the young reader’s sense of wonder and adventure. Learn more about Dean here.
Kirsten Neuhaus is a literary agent with Ultra Literary. “My top nonfiction categories are memoir, business books, journalist authored issue driven or current events narratives, and parenting. On the fiction side, I do occasionally represent young adult.” She represents primarily nonfiction, in the categories of: business/finance; memoir; advice/relationships/self-help; food/beverage; health/medicine; lifestyle; culture/pop culture; biography; how-to; parenting; science/technology; body, mind & spirit; Illustrated/art; reference. Her list of clients includes entrepreneurs, personalities, influencers and thought leaders across a wide range of industries. Learn more about Kirsten here.
Chris Park is a literary agent with DeFiore & Company. Chris represents books across a broad spectrum of nonfiction—memoirs, narrative, prescriptive, Christian, and sports—and works with her authors to develop books that are appealing and accessible to a broad audience. She is passionate about stories that must be told: of an achievement-oriented mother who learns the true worth of every life when her daughter is born with Down syndrome, a medical missionary who puts his life on the line treating patients during the Ebola epidemic, a couple who makes the stunning choice to forgive their daughter’s killer. Learn more about Chris here.
Megan Frayser is a literary agent with Creative Media Agency. In adult books, she is seeking: contemporary romance, women’s fiction, book club fiction, mystery, thriller, horror, mythological retellings, dark academia, fantasy, and some nonfiction (true crime, sociology). In young adult books, she is seeking: contemporary, romance, fantasy, mystery, and horror. “Pitch me anything with found families, stories about a close group of friends, or a quirky cast of characters. I’m also always looking for stories that focus on minority voices, including neurodivergent, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disability, and mental health.” Learn more about Megan here.
Austin Ross is an editor with HarperCollins Publishers. He is seeking: Nonfiction of many kinds. “I read widely across [nonfiction categories], but I will always be drawn to narrative nonfiction. Tell me a fascinating and compelling story. While I acquire a number of nonfiction genres, what I am most interested in at the moment are the untold stories of what life is like in the United States, and the ways in which we can find connection and common ground. This could be history, memoir, current events, biography/autobiography, music, science, parenting, self-help, and more. Through the books I acquire, I want to center a wide variety of diverse voices that speak to the many facets of life in America—past, present, and future—in a way that ultimately informs, moves, and inspires the reader in some way.” Learn more about Austin here.
Amanda Jain is a literary agent with BookEnds. Amanda currently reps adult romance, mystery / crime / thrillers, upmarket and book club fiction, horror, and science fiction & fantasy. She also represents narrative nonfiction, especially projects exploring the literary world, art history, material culture, archaeology, food history, social history, and popular science. She loves projects with a strong sense of place and those that create a completely immersive world. She is particularly interested in books that add something important to the conversation, that explore stories we haven’t yet heard, and that introduce new voices to our reading experience. Learn more about Amanda here.
Leia Johnson is an editor with Phoenix Media & Books What Leia is looking for: contemporary middle grade, YA, and adult books that strike a balance between happy and sad; unique memoir; cozy mysteries with series potential; books with some element of surprise; MG/YA research-based nonfiction about lesser known topics with broad appeal; literary leaning fiction that highlights cultures/perspectives that have been overlooked by traditional publishing. Learn more about Leia here.
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ADDED ONLINE PITCHING: To ensure that writers have a robust and diverse lineup of agents & editors to pitch, 2026 Chesapeake Writing Workshop attendees will have the ability to also pitch literary agents at the Writing Day Workshops *online* event that follows the 2026 CWW on our calendar.
That event is the 2026 Online California Writing Workshop, June 12-13, 2026, which will have 30-40 agents taking one-on-one Zoom virtual pitches.
This means that 2026 CWW attendees can have access to pitching all those online California agents — pitches still at $29 each — without being a formal registrant for the online June 2026 CWW. (That said, if you want to formally register for the June 12-13 CWW and have access to all classes and panels, let us know, as there is a discount for confirmed Chesapeake attendees.)
If you are interested in this added pitching opportunity, the first step is to get formally registered for Chesapeake. Following the CWW conferences on March 21, 2026, we will be in touch with all Chesapeake attendees and ask them if they want to partake in pitching online agents at the 2026 June 12-13). At that time, you can communicate your pitch requests and purchase meeting time.
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More 2026 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:
$199 — EARLY BIRD base price for registration to the 2026 CWW and access to all workshops, all day. As of summer 2025, registration is now OPEN.
To register, click the button above, or reach out to coordinator Chuck Sambuchino at WritingDayWorkshops@gmail.com and tell him you want to sign up for the Chesapeake 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 Chuck Sambuchino, one of the day’s instructors. (This rate is a special event value for Chesapeake 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 15-minute phone call with the faculty member, and have notes passed along via email, if the critiquer is not attending the live event. Options:
- 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.
- Romance, women’s fiction, domestic suspense, and young adult fiction (virtual critiques): Faculty member Swati Hegde, an author and freelance editor, 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.
- Memoir, as well as children’s picture books (virtual critiques): Faculty member Eve Porinchak, a published author and former agent, will get your work in advance, critique your picture book (or 10 pages if memoir), 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).
- All types of adult fiction (except erotica); all types of young adult fiction and middle grade; Christian fiction; screenplays and TV scripts (virtual critiques): Faculty member Jaimie Engle, a screenwriter, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, talk with you virtually (Zoom/phone) for 15 minutes workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
- Science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, young adult SFF, urban fantasy (virtual critiques): Faculty member Wesley Chu, a published novelist, 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 his thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
- More critique options forthcoming.
How to pay/register — Registration is now open.
To register, click the button above. Or reach out to workshop organizer Chuck Sambuchino via email: WritingDayWorkshops@gmail.com, and he will provide specific instructions for payment and registration to get you a reserved seat at the event. Payment is by credit card, PayPal, or check. Because Chuck plans different workshops, make sure you note that you’re inquiring about the Chesapeake workshop specifically.
REGISTRATION:
Because of limited space at the Hilton Arlington, the workshop can only allow 175 registrants. 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 in Washington, DC [Arlington area] on Saturday, March 21, 2026. 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, click the button above. Or reach out to workshop organizer Chuck Sambuchino via email: WritingDayWorkshops@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 Chuck plans different workshops, make sure you note that you’re inquiring about the Chesapeake 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 2026 Chesapeake Writing Workshop.
