(ONLINE: Writing Day Workshops plans both in-person and virtual/online conferences. The 2027 CWW is an Online Conference, on June 11-12. 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 Pacific time.
THIS YEAR’S SESSIONS & WORKSHOPS:
Friday, June 11, 2027
9:30 – 10:30: Query Letter Boot Camp. Every author needs to master the art of pitching their book. This session is full of concrete examples and instructions on how to create winning submission materials. Boiling down 90,000 words isn’t easy, but this workshop takes the mystery out of it. You’ll learn exactly how to identify what needs to be in your pitch and what to leave out. Let’s find out how to craft pitches that will impress editors and agents.
10:45 – 11:45: From Manuscript to Market: Demystifying Traditional Publishing. Perhaps you’ve been around the writing world long enough to know the traditional publishing basics—write a manuscript, find an agent, sell it to a publishing house, and then people can buy your book, right? But perhaps all the in-betweens and maybe some before-and-after steps are still unclear? This workshop will break down a “typical” traditional publishing trajectory.
11:45 – 1:15: Break
1:15 – 2:30: Organized Writing: There’s an Outline for Everyone. There really is something for everyone, even the pantsers! This workshop introduces 10 different outlining techniques at various levels of complexity, and explains the pros and cons of each technique, and outlining in general.
2:45 – 3:45: Characters That Drive the Plot. Great plots become extraordinary when driven by characters who feel real and whose choices shape the action. This interactive masterclass will show you how to integrate character depth with plot development, creating stakes that resonate and stories that captivate—no matter your genre.
4:00 – 5:00: He Said, She Said: A Study in Dialogue. “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.” We’ve all heard it, said it, know it far too well. Not only is it a vital lesson in life, but it’s equally so for the dialogue in your story. From the words they use to the actions behind them, this class offers a tutorial through examples in popular literature and film to give you everything you need to make your dialogue truly speak.
Saturday, June 12, 2027
9:30 – 10:30: Start Strong: How to Get an Agent’s Attention with the First 50 Pages of your Novel. To compete in today’s publishing marketplace, your manuscript must catch an agent’s interest almost from the very first page. In this session we will explore strategies to establish strong firsts – first line, first page, and first 50 pages through creating engaging characters, voice and tone, and building tension to keep the reader turning the pages.
10:45 – 11:45: Editing Your Novel From an Agent’s POV. When a literary agent reviews your book for possible representation, they are assessing the quality of the writing, a solid plot and structure, and the potential for it to sell to publishers. This class will offer tips for effective self-editing to polish and professionally craft your manuscript and give it a higher chance for success.
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 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: 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: Yes – You Really Need a Platform. Platform building isn’t mysterious—it’s simply the way you develop the ability to sell books by gathering a tribe of people with whom you interact, and who like reading what you write or post. We will de-mystify “author platform” and help you develop some solid ideas for building yours. By the end of this session, I expect you’ll feel much better about your platform-building journey ahead.
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 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:
- “Tips on Pitching Literary Agents & Editors at an In-Person Event,” taught by former literary agent Carlie Webber
- “Tips on Pitching Literary Agents & Editors at an Online Event,” taught by former literary agent Carlie Webber
- “How Do I Decide: Traditional Publishing vs. Self Publishing”
- “How to Create a Long-term Writing & Publishing Plan”
- “The Art of a Page Turner: How to Craft an Un-Put-Downable Book”
- “Understanding the Differences between Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Adult Fiction”
- “Creating a Remarkable Narrative Arc in Fiction or Memoir”
- “Think Like a Screenwriter: Lessons from Hollywood for Fiction Writers”
- “Dial Up Your Dialogue: How to Craft Dialogue Readers Love”
- “How Writers Can Build a Network of Support”
- “Writers Got Talent” — A Page 1 Critique Fest,” as recorded at the online San Diego Writing Workshop
- “Ask an Agent Anything: Open Agent Q&A Panel,” as recorded at the online Pittsburgh Writing Workshop
