(ONLINE: Writing Day Workshops plans both in-person and virtual/online conferences. The 2027 NEWW is an Online Conference, on July 23-24. 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 classes below are on Eastern time.

THIS YEAR’S SESSIONS & WORKSHOPS:

Friday, July 23, 2027

9:30 – 10:30: How Do I Decide? Traditional vs. Indie Publishing. There is plenty of information available on both traditional and self-publishing. But how do you choose between the two? This workshop will guide writers through the decision, allowing them to ignore the noise and hype and focus on their personal path. It’s a fair and balanced approach that avoids favoring one choice over the other–and instead teaches how to determine which choice best fits each individual’s situation.

10:45 – 11:45: How to Successfully Develop Characters. A manuscript with well-developed characters can make the difference between being signed and being rejected. This class teaches writers how to use dialogue effectively and how to fully flush out your character’s so that they are front and center, allowing readers to connect with your writing and the character’s arc. You’ll learn how to incorporate a balance of your character’s thoughts, feelings, motivations, desires, and goals strategically throughout the entire manuscript.

1:15 – 2:30 How to Find a Literary Agent. How do you know if working with an agent is even right for you and your work? In this workshop, you will learn everything you need to know about literary agents, including whether working with one is right for you. After a brief introduction on what a literary agent is and does, the workshop will cover resources for finding a literary agent and how to find the one right for you and your work, as well as submission do’s and don’ts and the most important things to consider when submitting to a literary agent.

2:45 – 3:45: Mastering the Messy Middle. Do you have great ideas that fizzle out after you get to a certain point in your novel? Does your middle sag, lag, and feel like a drag? In this workshop, you will learn how to take the mess (and stress!) out of your novel’s middle to make sure you hit all the major energy markers and character growth milestones, while also incorporating the B Story, to help create a more cohesive novel from beginning to end.

4:00 – 5:00: Writing Setting As Character. What happens in a story is intricately connected to where it happens. In this session, participants will learn how experts make their setting a living, breathing element of their novel that walks and talks in its own right.

Saturday, July 24, 2027

9:30 – 10:30: First Impressions: How To Hook an Agent or Editor with Your Opening Pages. You only get one chance to make a first impression. When it comes to your written work, this means that your opening pages are critical! Why? Well, if an agent or editor isn’t hooked by your submission immediately he or she will put it down and move on. It’s as simple as that. This class will show you how to capture a reader’s attention with your opening pages and how to avoid the weak openings that lead to instant rejection. We will discuss the most common pitfalls found in first sentences and first pages, including overused beginnings and clichés that can drag down a work.

10:45 – 11:45: Self-Editing for Fiction and Memoir Writers. This workshop will cover dozens of tips and points for consideration before submitting to an agent, editor, or indie publisher — such as how to sharpen dialogue and prose, improving characterization, complicating plot, and much more.

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 submit 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. As the event approaches, instructions on submissions will be sent out.)

2:45 – 3:45: Open Agent Q&A Panel. Several attending literary agents will open themselves up to open Q&A from NEWW attendees. Bring your questions and get them answered in this popular session.

4:00 – 5:00: Synopsis Writing Class Description. You’ve written a manuscript, crafted your query letter, and you’re about to go out on submission, but there’s one last thing you need to consider: the synopsis. This class is a step-by-step breakdown of the synopsis writing process—from beginning to end. You will learn what a synopsis is; why agents ask for a synopsis; and how the synopsis differs from a query letter, a summary, and the manuscript.

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:

1. “Tips on Pitching Literary Agents & Editors at an In-Person Event,” taught by former literary agent Carlie Webber
2. “Tips on Pitching Literary Agents & Editors at an Online Event,” taught by former literary agent Carlie Webber
3. “How Do I Decide: Traditional Publishing vs. Self Publishing”
4. “How to Create a Long-term Writing & Publishing Plan”
5. “The Art of a Page Turner: How to Craft an Un-Put-Downable Book”
6. “Understanding the Differences between Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Adult Fiction”
7. “Creating a Remarkable Narrative Arc in Fiction or Memoir”
8. “Think Like a Screenwriter: Lessons from Hollywood for Fiction Writers”
9. “Dial Up Your Dialogue: How to Craft Dialogue Readers Love”
10. “How Writers Can Build a Network of Support”
11. “Writers Got Talent” — A Page 1 Critique Fest,” as recorded at the online San Diego Writing Workshop
12. “Ask an Agent Anything: Open Agent Q&A Panel,” as recorded at the online Pittsburgh Writing Workshop