(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 TWW is an in-person event happening in Nashville on April 25, 2026. See you there.)
THIS YEAR’S SESSIONS & WORKSHOPS (APRIL 25, 2026):
Agent pitches and critique consultations overlap with the sessions below. The schedule of presentation topics below is subject to change and updates. The classes here are all on Central Time.
BLOCK ONE: 9:30 – 10:30
1. Query Letters: An Agent’s Guide to Pitching Success, taught by Stephanie Cardel. If you want an agent to represent your work, it all starts with a compelling query letter. How much information about the plot should you give away? Does the bio matter? How do you make your characters and plot stand out? All these questions (and more) will be addressed to help writers find an agent who can take their career to the next level.
2. The Deep Outlining Method: How to Write a Great Book Faster, taught by Victoria Griffin. While there are many different ways to write a book, laying the groundwork through outlining can allow you to avoid writer’s block and focus on the task at hand — completing that book! In this session, writer and editor Victoria Griffin will teach you the Deep Outlining Method and how to use it to write faster and better drafts.
BLOCK TWO: 10:45 – 11:50
1. See Your Book as a Movie? How to Create a Film Deck to Pitch Your Book for Film/Streaming, taught by Julie Gwinn. Most authors dream that their book will one day becoming a movie. Most publishers currently review new book ideas with an eye toward a big screen adaptation. With streaming originals, in addition to theatrical releases, authors have a new opportunity to envision what their book would be like as a movie or limited series by creating a film-deck to accompany their book proposal. I’ll show you how.
2. Character-First Storytelling, taught by Victoria Griffin. Great books have compelling characters and captivating plots. Learn the differences between character vs. plot driven stories, how to make your manuscript stronger no matter which path you choose, and also how to build character-driven plots during your writing and revision process.
LUNCH ON YOUR OWN: 11:50 – 1:15
You have 85 minutes on your own to break and eat.
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. 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. The Book Proposal: Best Practices, Components, and How Your Agent Can Help, taught by Mytecia Myles. In this focused session, you’ll learn how to shape your book idea into a professionally structured, publisher-ready proposal from crafting a compelling hook and overview to developing your market analysis, competitive positioning, narrative preservation, and writing sample. We’ll cover the essential components agents expect, common mistakes that can derail a submission, and how an agent strengthens and strategically positions your proposal for the publishing market. Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, you’ll leave with clear next steps to move confidently toward pitching your work.
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 TWW attendees. Bring your questions and get them answered in this popular session.
2. Common Mistakes in Opening Chapters, taught by Vicky Weber. Literary agents and editors have many manuscripts come across their desks. How can you make sure yours stands out? In this presentation, Vicky Weber will be sharing the most common mistakes and pitfalls publishing professionals see in opening chapters and how to avoid them.
BLOCK FIVE: 4:00 – 5:00
1. The Modern Author’s Press Kit: How to Build an Effective Brand, taught by Sarah Fisk. An author’s press kit should include all the information that might be needed in order to book media appearances, event appearances, publicity opportunities, or selective marketing avenues. A modern press kit is not a one-size-fits-all document, but should be customized for different applications. Agent, book festival director, and former book publicist Sarah Fisk will break down every item an author should have in order before contacting journalists, retailers, bloggers, event planners, publicists, or anyone who might take an interest in you as an author.
2. Getting Published in Today’s World: 10 Tips to Make You the Writer Agents and Publishers Want, taught by Brian Klems. If you want to land an agent and a book deal in today’s market, you’re going to have to do a lot more than just write a great book (though that’s a good start). In this session, former Writer’s Digest editor and author Brian A. Klems discusses the challenges writers face in publishing today and offers up 10 practical tips to help you break through the barriers and find
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:
- “Tips on Pitching Literary Agents & Editors at an In-Person Event,” taught by literary agent Carlie Webber
- “Tips on Pitching Literary Agents & Editors at an Online Event,” taught by literary agent Carlie Webber
- “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 Fix It: The Art and Craft of Revision,” taught previously at the Writing Workshop of Chicago