(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 SWW is an in-person event happening on Friday, April 10, 2026. See you there.)

THIS YEAR’S SESSIONS & WORKSHOPS (FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 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

How Do Writers Find a Literary Agent?, taught by Laurie McLean. This workshop is a thorough crash course in dealing with literary agents. After quickly going over what an agent is and what they do for writers, we will discuss resources for finding agents, how to ID the best agents for you, query letter writing, as well as the most important things to do and not to do when dealing with representatives.

10:45 – 11:50: Session 2

Plotting Your Novel in an Hour, taught by Susanne Lakin. 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

15 Reasons Why Your Book is Getting Rejected, taught by Carlie Webber. You may have heard that agents often reject books in under a minute. It’s true. This is because most of the query letters and opening pages an agent sees in their slush pile share mistakes that make it easy for an agent to pass. At this workshop, you’ll hear fifteen of the most common reasons an agent rejects your book, from length to audience to query letters that don’t do what they need to. Take this opportunity to learn why you may not be having success with your queries and craft a book that will help you find an agent.

4:00 – 5:00: Session 5

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.

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 classes to enjoy live and in person, we will also send you 5 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. “Tips on Pitching Literary Agents & Editors at an In-Person Event,” taught by literary agent Carlie Webber.
2. “Tips on Pitching Literary Agents & Editors at an Online Event,” taught by literary agent Carlie Webber.
3. “Common First Pages Mistakes and How to Fix Them,” taught previously at the San Diego Writing Workshop
4. “6 Pillars of Well-Developed Characters,” taught previously at the Texas Writing Workshop
5. “How to Fix It: The Art and Craft of Revision,” taught previously at the Writing Workshop of Chicago