(ONLINE: Writing Day Workshops plans both in-person and virtual/online conferences. This Fall 2026 SWW is an Online Conference, November 6-7, 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 Pacific time.
THIS YEAR’S SESSIONS & WORKSHOPS:
Friday, November 6, 2026
9:30 – 10:30: Nail Your Query Letter: How to Pitch Your Book Like a Bookseller, taught by Brian Klems. This class breaks down how to craft a sharp, compelling pitch by thinking like a bookseller. You’ll learn to understand things like attention, market, and reader relationship—and how you can apply them to the way you pitch. Get ready to learn how to position your book quickly, clearly, and confidently so agents and editors are immediately hooked, understand what you’re selling, and why readers will want it.
10:45 – 11:45: Hook, Line, and Structure, taught by Lindsay Flanagan. Ever wonder why some novels grab you from page one and never let go, while others stall by chapter three? The secret lies in a hook-driven beginning backed by a solid story structure. This class will address how to map out your plot so you never hit the dreaded “middle-of-the-book slump,” as well as actionable strategies to structure your novel and write to the finish line.
11:45 – 1:15: Break
1:15 – 2:30: Master the Self-Edit: Prepare Your Manuscript for Submission, taught by Lindsay Flanagan. Finishing a first draft is a massive achievement—but transforming that draft into a clean, compelling manuscript requires a strategic edit. This class walks you through the essential three-stage self-editing process, giving you the tools to evaluate your story from macro-level narrative arcs down to line-by-line mechanical precision. By the end of this class, you will have a clear, step-by-step roadmap for polishing your manuscript with confidence and submitting your work at its absolute best.
2:45 – 3:45: The Five Commitments You Must Embrace to Become a Bestselling Author, taught by James Rubart. This class will show you the five most powerful methods best-selling authors use to create their stories. Yes, there are time-tested formulas that always work—as well as proven building blocks you must understand and apply to novels when generating new ideas. Plus, you’ll learn how you can harness the secrets of blockbuster movies and use these to develop stories that will draw the attention of editors, agents, and, ultimately, readers.
4:00 – 5:00: How to Produce Your Own Audio Book without Breaking the Bank, taught by James Rubart. Have you ever wanted to create your own audio book to expand your reach and increase sales? But how can you do it on a budget? What’s 100% necessary vs a rip-off? How can you begin to spread the word and make sales? All these questions will be answered in this hourlong class.
Saturday, November 7, 2026
9:30 – 10:30: 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. This class will show you how.
10:45 – 11:45: How to Market Yourself and Your Books: Talking Author Social Media and Platform, taught by Chuck Sambuchino. Whether you’re traditionally published or self-published, everyone could use some helpful guidance on how to effectively market themselves and sell more books. This session includes easy-to-understand advice on social media, blogging, newsletters, public speaking, and other simple ways you can market your work online cheaply and easily.
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 SWW attendees. Bring your questions and get them answered in this popular session.
4:00 – 5:00: The Importance of Critique Groups, taught by Aliza Mann. Writing can feel like a vacuum. An author can spend months or years working on a novel, only to find their story needs work too late. Collaborating with a group of trusted author friends can help when it matters most – before the manuscript reaches agents, editors, and readers. Learn how creating a critique group or joining an existing one, can level up your writing and how to recognize the right group for you!
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