(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 Toronto on April 11, 2026. See you there. Find registration instructions here.)
THIS YEAR’S CLASSES (APRIL 11, 2026):
Agent pitches and critique consultations overlap with the sessions below. The schedule of presentation topics below is subject to change and updates:
BLOCK ONE: 9:30 – 10:30
1. Get to YES: How to Land a Literary Agent (Birchwood Room), taught by Jes Trudel. This class explains the three questions every agent needs to answer when deciding to represent you. We’ll examine how queries are appraised by agents, what clues agents look for to determine their return on investment, and ultimately the key components that make them pick up the phone and say, “Yes!”
2. Worldbuilding Through Culture: How to Pull Readers In by Making Your Pages Come Alive (Linden Room), taught by J.M. Frey. Every memorable speculative fiction story has a world we wish we could live in — from Westeros to Middle Earth, from the USS Enterprise to Panem. The geography of your secondary world is key, but the culture and the way it influences your characters is even more important. This session will focus on the nitty gritty of the influence of culture, values, and hegemony on your societies, people, places, and plot.
BLOCK TWO: 10:45 – 11:50
1. I Did It, It’s Done — Now What? (Linden Room) taught by J.M. Frey. So you’ve written a novel — congratulations on finally typing “The End”! Now what do you do with it? This presentation explains the common routes and methods of writing a query letter, signing with an agent, and publishing your book (both traditionally and through self publishing avenues). We will discuss some of the pros and cons, the common pitfalls, and what specific widely-used terminology means. This class is ideal for people new to the publishing world.
2. 15 Evergreen Publishing Tips — How to Control Your Writing Journey (Birchwood Room), taught by Chuck Sambuchino. If you want to have more say over a journey that seems out of your control, then you need to understand elements of the publishing path that are within your control, and how to harness them. This speech discusses a variety of different things any writer can do to help their chances — whether you’re published or aspiring.
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 (Birchwood Room), 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. How to Sell a Nonfiction Book Proposal (Linden Room), taught by Chuck Sambuchino. This session focuses on effective strategies for writing a nonfiction book proposal on any subject. Topics include industry standards, building your expertise, and how to prepare a winning proposal that demonstrates your understanding of the marketplace.
BLOCK FOUR: 2:45 – 3:45
1. Open Agent Q&A Panel (Birchwood Room). 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. How to Create an Author Brand (Linden Room), taught by Kelsey Evans. In this session, we’ll cover what it really means to build a brand as a writer — starting with the difference between branding and marketing, and why that distinction matters. We’ll discuss how to choose social platforms that actually fit your personality and genre, break down key terms in simple language, and cover the basics of building a website and starting an email list. Attendees will leave with practical ways to create a content plan you can stick to, best practices that don’t lead to burnout, and how to define success on your own terms. This class is about helping authors figure out what feels true and natural to you, so you can show up confidently, connect with future readers, and build a brand that feels authentic rather than forced.
BLOCK FIVE: 4:00 – 5:00
1. Let’s Talk Structure, Revision, and Craft (Linden Room), taught by Chuck Sambuchino. How do you create voice in your manuscript? And when during the writing phase does voice come into play? What story beats do readers expect in the three-act structure? These questions, and more, will be examined in this class, taught by a professional freelance editor. Understand how to revise and overhaul your work from a macro (big picture) level all the way down to a micro (sentence by sentence) level.
2. Before You Hit Send: Getting Submission-Ready (Birchwood Room), taught by Patricia Westerhof. Where do you start if you want to get your book published—and how do you know when it’s ready? This workshop covers the essentials of preparing your work for submission so you can meet the bar. Learn how to build a publication record that attracts agents and editors; gain a clear overview of Canada’s large publishers, independent presses, and literary agencies; and discover how to identify the best matches for you and your writing. We’ll also cover how to spot and avoid scams, turn rejection into fuel, and leverage your successes and industry knowledge to open doors.
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