(ONLINE: Writing Day Workshops plans both in-person and virtual/online conferences. The 2026 NEWW is an Online Conference, on July 24-25. 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 24, 2026

9:30 – 10:30: Revision & Self-Editing For Writers, taught by literary agent Jacqui Lipton. For many authors, self editing can be a daunting task, from where to start, how to know when you’re done, what to focus on in the manuscript, and when it’s time (and where) to get help. This talk goes through all that to help writers polish up their all-important self editing skills.

10:45 – 11:45: ​The One-Sentence Story Sell That Agents Love, taught by literary agent Vicky Weber. Learn how to craft a clear, compelling logline that captures your story’s heart—and makes agents, editors, and readers say “Tell me more.” We’ll break down what works, what doesn’t, and why your pitch might be falling flat.

11:45 – 1:15: Break

1:15 – 2:30: Author Blueprint: Forging a Pathway to a Publishing Career, taught by literary agent Jeanne De Vita. From self-publishing to traditional publishing, small press or hybrid, there have never been more options–and more accessible options for authors to make money writing. In this workshop, we’ll discuss the parts of the market, how to analyze opportunities best suited to your work, and how to create an author career blueprint to ensure you keep writing (profitably) for the long run.

2:45 – 3:45: Pitch Like a Pro: How to Write a Great Query, taught by literary agent AJ Van Belle. Learn to elevate your query pitch from “okay” to captivating. We’ll discuss examples of so-so pitches and then dive into the same stories pitched so they shine. Then we’ll practice creating query pitches for your story that leave the reader feeling they must know more about the main character. We’ll also explore how gaining expertise at pitching your book helps you become a better storyteller.

4:00 – 5:00: The First Five Pages that Sell a Book (or Lose a Reader), taught by literary agent Jeanne De Vita. The first five pages can sell a book to a reader (consumer, editor, or agent) or end your book’s journey before it starts. In this session, I’ll discuss the lens through which readers assess a book (voice, structure, and marketability) and discuss techniques for self-editing the first five pages to sharpen your hook, focus your stakes, and ensure the narrative point of view supports your voice.

Saturday, July 25, 2026

9:30 – 10:30: Beating Creative Burnout: Reconnecting With the Joy of Writing, taught by Abbie Emmons. Every writer knows the feeling: the story you were once excited about now feels like a chore, and the blank page fills you with dread instead of possibility. This session draws on the psychology of creativity to explain why burnout happens — and how to reconnect with the natural storytelling instincts that made you fall in love with writing in the first place. You’ll walk away with practical, science-backed strategies to reignite your inspiration, quiet the inner critic, and rediscover the joy that keeps you coming back to the page.

10:45 – 11:45: Get Your Voice on the Page, taught by author Patricia Westerhof. In a crowded marketplace, voice is what makes readers lean in and keep turning pages. Long before an agent falls in love with your story, they’ll respond to the way you tell it. In this workshop, you’ll discover practical techniques for developing a distinctive, engaging voice that helps your work stand out from the stack.

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: Plot Beforehand or Write by the Seat of Your Pants? The Pros and Cons of Both, taught by Susan Bickford. Are you a Plotter like J.K. Rowling, Dan Brown, and James Patterson, who write detailed, comprehensive, scene-by-scene plans for their work? Or do you prefer to write by the seat of your pants–aka a Pantser–like Stephen King, George R.R. Martin, and Margaret Atwood, so that you discover as you write and let the story build organically? Or perhaps you are one of the many authors who blend the two. We’ll discuss the benefits and potential problems with each style, and an overview of tools and techniques that can help your personal path to successful story development.

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