(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 AWW is an in-person event happening in Phoenix on Friday, May 1, 2026. See you there.)

THIS YEAR’S SESSIONS (FRIDAY, MAY 1, 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

Publishing Options Today: Which Path is Best For You? taught by Carol Tetzlaff. Writers today have plenty of choices: traditional publishing, hybrid publishing, and self-publishing. But how do you decide what’s best for you and your project(s)? In this class, an author (and writing coach) will examine the pros and cons of each path, and explain how to determine the best choice concerning your own specific book, audience, message, and market fit.

10:45 – 11:50: Session 2

Know Your Reader: How Understanding Your Readers Will Create a Better Book (and Help You Market It), taught by Carol Tetzlaff. If you’re writing, for example, a thriller or a mystery or a middle grade book, do you understand the expectations and needs of your readers? Do you fully understand what your book promises them? Once you understand who your readers are and what they expect from your story, you can not only craft a better book that entertains them, but also develop a marketing/release plan to reach buyers effectively.

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

Opening Moves: How to Position Your Story So It Connects with Readers and Agents, taught by Avery Hart. Your opening pages and query letter are like a chess gambit, and the art of these first impressions will either set your book up for success or failure. We all know it’s hard to stand out from the crowd. How do you draft something that’s compelling but not cliche? Learn about best entry points to a story, overused beginnings that agents and readers tire of reading, and how to position your book through a query letter for maximum impact.

4:00 – 5:00: Session 5

Story Beats and Why They Matter, taught by Zachary Steele. From the inciting incident to the finale, story beats are the foundation that makes your story work. Author and editor Zachary Steele walks you through each element, why they’re important, and offers examples of popular works to show them in action.

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