(ONLINE: Writing Day Workshops plans both in-person and virtual/online conferences. The 2026 CWW is an Online Conference, August 14-15, 2026. Online events are easy and awesome, and the virtual events we’ve done thus far have received wonderful feedback. You do not have to be tech-savvy to do this, and understand we are keeping all aspects of a traditional in-person event, including one-on-one agent & editor pitching, which will now be done by Zoom or phone. Learn all details about what it means to have a writers conference online.)
The schedule below is on Eastern time.
THIS YEAR’S SESSIONS & WORKSHOPS:
Friday, August 14, 2026
9:30 – 10:30: Pre-Work for Your Best Work, taught by Sarah Ahiers. Is writing your first draft a drag? Do you often face a mountain of revisions when you finally reach the end of that first draft? Then look no further! Pre-work may be the solution you’re searching for! This workshop will focus on different pre-work methods in a mix and match style, allowing the writer the pick and choose what may work best for their process. Pre-work involves techniques and exercises the writer completes before starting their first draft to help ease the drafting and revision process. Pre-work topics will focus on Character, Structure, and Story breakdowns and offer something for everyone, regardless of whether they outline their novels beforehand, or like to explore their story as they write.
10:45 – 11:45: Standing Out in the Query Trenches: Query Letter Tips and Tricks, taught by Sara Megibow. Query letters can be daunting — but they don’t have to be. This class breaks down what makes a query effective, from how much of the plot to reveal to whether (and how) the author bio matters. We’ll explore strategies for highlighting your story’s hook, voice, and characters in a way that helps your work stand out in a crowded inbox. Writers will leave with a clear framework for approaching the query process and positioning their work for the next stage of their publishing journey.
11:45 – 1:15: Break
1:15 – 2:30: Revise and Self-Edit Like a Developmental Editor, taught by Kelsey Evans. How do you create voice in your manuscript? And when during the writing phase does voice come into play? What story beats do readers expect in the three-act structure? These questions, and more, will be examined in this class, taught by a literary agent. Understand how to revise and overhaul your work from a macro (big picture) level all the way down to a micro (sentence by sentence) level.
2:45 – 3:45: Publishing Options Today: Which Path is Best For You? taught by Carol Tetzlaff. Writers today have plenty of choices: traditional publishing, hybrid publishing, and self-publishing. But how do you decide what’s best for you and your project(s)? In this class, an author (and writing coach) will examine the pros and cons of each path, and explain how to determine the best choice concerning your own specific book, audience, message, and market fit.
4:00 – 5:00: How to Sell a Nonfiction Book Proposal, taught by Brian Klems. This session focuses on effective strategies for writing a nonfiction book proposal on any subject. Topics include industry standards, building your expertise, and how to prepare a winning proposal that demonstrates your understanding of the marketplace.
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Saturday, August 15, 2026
9:30 – 10:30: The Art of Voice: How to Make Your Writing Come to Life, taught by Ricki Cardenas. Voice — it’s one of the most important skills writers need in their arsenals—at every level. And it’s the most common remark editors make: “Show me. Don’t tell me.” In this interactive workshop, attendees will analyze and evaluate the quality and effectiveness of real writing samples and gain a clear sense of the differences between “showing” and “telling” writing. Through hands-on experience during the session, students will learn how to make the reader experience their writing—rather than be given a play-by-play—by transforming examples of “telling.”
10:45 – 11:45: How to Strengthen the Crucial First Pages of Your Novel (So Readers Will Love Them), taught by Brent Fisher. This session will be focused on the crucial first pages of novel length work. What makes them effective? How can you sink your claws into a reader? How can you grip tight enough to keep them from escaping? How can you begin the process of devouring them with your book? Brent will unpack what makes those first pages tick, classic do’s and don’ts, offer tips, samples, and strategies for making those first pages shine. And then they will offer up a chance for participants to share their first pages with each other in small groups for some guided feedback in the context of “effective first pages.”
11:45 – 1:15: Break
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 submit 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.)
2:45 – 3:45: 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.
4:00 – 5:00: Know Your Reader: How Understanding Your Readers Will Create a Better Book (and Help You Market It), taught by Carol Tetzlaff. If you’re writing, for example, a thriller or a mystery or a middle grade book, do you understand the expectations and needs of your readers? Do you fully understand what your book promises them? Once you understand who your readers are and what they expect from your story, you can not only craft a better book that entertains them, but also develop a marketing/release plan to reach buyers effectively.
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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 classes to enjoy live and in person, we will also send you 10 more free recorded classes on the side, from amazing instructors. In the week leading up to your in-person conference, we will send all confirmed attendees these classes below, some of which will aid in your pitching efforts:
- “How Do I Decide: Traditional vs. Indie Publishing,” taught previously at the Pittsburgh Writing Workshop
- “Common First Pages Mistakes and How to Fix Them,” taught previously at the San Diego Writing Workshop
- “6 Pillars of Well-Developed Characters,” taught previously at the Texas Writing Workshop
- “How to Make Money as a Writer,” taught previously at the Pittsburgh Writing Workshop
- “How an Acquisitions Editor Reads and Examines Your Manuscript,” taught previously at the California Writing Workshop
- “How to Fix It: The Art and Craft of Revision,” taught previously at the Writing Workshop of Chicago
- “Build an Irresistible Author Platform for Long-Term Success,” taught previously at the Ohio Writing Workshop
- “Demystifying Science Fiction and Fantasy,” taught previously at the San Diego Writing Workshop
- “How to Write Engaging Books for Children: Tips for Writing Picture Books,” taught previously at the Texas Writing Workshop
- “Writing and Editing Young Adult and Middle Grade,” taught previously at the Ohio Writing Workshop
- “Writers Got Talent—a Page 1 Critique Fest,” taught previously at the Pittsburgh Writing Workshop
- “Ask an Agent Anything: Open Q&A Panel with Literary Agents,” taught previously at the California Writing Workshop