(ONLINE: Writing Day Workshops plans both in-person and virtual/online conferences. The 2026 CWW is an Online Conference, on June 12-13. 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 12, 2026

9:30 – 10:30: Before You Hit Send: Getting Submission-Ready, taught by Patricia Westerhof. Where do you start if you want to get your book published—and how do you know when it’s ready? This workshop covers the essentials of preparing your work for submission so you can meet the bar. Learn how to build a publication record that attracts agents and editors; gain a clear overview of your publishing choices, independent presses, and literary agencies; and discover how to identify the best matches for you and your writing. We’ll also cover how to spot and avoid scams, turn rejection into fuel, and leverage your successes and industry knowledge to open doors.

10:45 – 11:45: How to Create an Author Brand, taught by Kelsey Evans. In this session, we’ll cover what it really means to build a brand as a writer — starting with the difference between branding and marketing, and why that distinction matters. We’ll discuss how to choose social platforms that actually fit your personality and genre, break down key terms in simple language, and cover the basics of building a website and starting an email list. Attendees will leave with practical ways to create a content plan you can stick to, best practices that don’t lead to burnout, and how to define success on your own terms. This class is about helping authors figure out what feels true and natural to you, so you can show up confidently, connect with future readers, and build a brand that feels authentic rather than forced.

11:45 – 1:15: Break

1:15 – 2:30: Hook, Line, and Query, taught by Katie Monson. This class is a straightforward, approachable talk that breaks down how to write a query letter that actually gets noticed. We’ll talk about how to open with a strong hook, clearly pitch your story, and share the right details without overloading the page. You’ll learn what agents really want to see, the most common mistakes writers make, and how to tweak your query for different genres. Whether you’re getting ready to query for the first time or revising a letter that isn’t getting bites, this session offers practical tips you can use right away to make your query clearer, stronger, and more compelling.

2:45 – 3:45: Writing a Page-Turner: Pacing Tips to Keep Your Readers Engaged, taught by Lisa Manterfield. Narrative pacing is the key to keeping readers immersed in your story. Whether you’re writing an adrenaline-filled thriller or a “slow burn” literary novel, gauging the right pace can make or break a book. Move too fast and you’ll exhaust your readers; too slow and you risk losing them for good. In this workshop you’ll learn the three key ingredients that control your novel’s pacing and keep your story moving forward. You’ll discover pace killers that stop readers cold and gather technical tricks to create the illusion of speed. Finally, you’ll learn a simple litmus test to spot pacing issues in your own work and ensure your readers make it to “The End.”

4:00 – 5:00: Tips for Developing Your Author Voice, taught by Jeanne De Vita. 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.

Saturday, June 13, 2026

9:30 – 10:30: The First Year of Publication, taught by Katy Nyquist. Want to understand what happens after you get a book deal? This session will give an overview of the editorial process when you work for a publisher, how to advertise yourself leading up to publication date, and promotion activities afterward. How can you encourage reviews? Should you arrange a book event? How can you make connections with librarians and local booksellers? This session will guide you through everything you can expect.

10:45 – 11:45: Creating a Villain: Writing the Characters We Love to Hate, taught by A.J. Van Belle. Villains can be simple or complicated, and either way they can steal the reader’s heart. With writer and agent A.J. Van Belle, learn to craft your villains intentionally and have your readers cheering when the bad guy steps on to the page.

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: Make Money, Make Money (as a Writer) taught by Carlie Webber. Writing is an art, but publishing is a business. Carlie Webber, MBA, will discuss the basics of the publishing business that every writer should know, including what questions to ask an agent who offers representation, how authors earn money, publishing contract terminology, and red flags to look for from agents and publishers.

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:

1. “How Do I Decide: Traditional vs. Indie Publishing,” taught previously at the Pittsburgh Writing Workshop
2. “Common First Pages Mistakes and How to Fix Them,” taught previously at the San Diego Writing Workshop
3. “6 Pillars of Well-Developed Characters,” taught previously at the Texas Writing Workshop
4. “How to Make Money as a Writer,” taught previously at the Pittsburgh Writing Workshop
5. “How an Acquisitions Editor Reads and Examines Your Manuscript,” taught previously at the California Writing Workshop
6. “How to Fix It: The Art and Craft of Revision,” taught previously at the Writing Workshop of Chicago
7. “Build an Irresistible Author Platform for Long-Term Success,” taught previously at the Ohio Writing Workshop
8. “Demystifying Science Fiction and Fantasy,” taught previously at the San Diego Writing Workshop
9. “How to Write Engaging Books for Children: Tips for Writing Picture Books,” taught previously at the Texas Writing Workshop
10. “Writing and Editing Young Adult and Middle Grade,” taught previously at the Ohio Writing Workshop
11. “Writers Got Talent—a Page 1 Critique Fest,” taught previously at the Pittsburgh Writing Workshop
12. “Ask an Agent Anything: Open Q&A Panel with Literary Agents,” taught previously at the California Writing Workshop