After successful 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2023 events in Alabama, Writing Day Workshops is excited to announce The 2024 Alabama Writing Workshop — a full-day “How to Get Published” writing event in Birmingham, AL on March 15, 2024.

This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited seats at the event (140 total). All questions about the event regarding schedule, details and registration are answered below. Thank you for your interest in the 2024 Alabama Writing Workshop! We are very proud of our many success stories where attendees sign with agents following events — see our growing list of success stories here.

(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 Birmingham on March 15, 2024. See you there.)

WHAT IS IT?

This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop on Friday, March 15, 2024, at the Embassy Suites Birmingham. In other words, it’s one day full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome.

This event is designed to squeeze as much into one day of learning as possible. You can ask any questions you like during the classes, and get your specific concerns addressed. We will have literary agents onsite to give feedback and take pitches from writers, as well. This year’s agent and editor faculty so far includes:

• literary agent Laurie Dennison (Creative Media Agency)
• literary agent Christine Goss (The Purcell Agency)
• literary agent Erin Clyburn (Howland Literary)
• literary scout Stephanie Hollifield (Corvisiero Literary)
• editor Ashley Hutchison (Lost Boys Press)
• and possibly more to come

By the end of the day, you will have all the tools you need to move forward on your writing journey. This independent event is organized by coordinator Brian Klems of Writing Day Workshops (E-mail him to register for the event at WDWconference@gmail.com), with help from the Alabama Writers Cooperative.

EVENT LOCATION & DETAILS

9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday, March 15, 2024: Embassy Suites Birmingham, 2300 Woodcrest Place, Birmingham, AL 35206. 205-879-7400.

(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 Birmingham on March 15, 2024. See you there.)

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE & INSTRUCTORS (MARCH 15, 2024)

8:30 – 9:30: Check-in and registration at the event location.

9:30 – 10:30: Anatomy of a Successful Query, taught by Erin Clyburn. This workshop will take you through the do’s and don’ts of crafting a query letter that will get the attention of literary agent. From creating the perfect elevator pitch for your book to knowing what metadata to include to deciding what to put in your bio, you will learn the basic steps to writing a successful query.

10:30 – 11:45: Creating Conflict, taught by Debra Goldstein. The essence of writing conflict is what makes an author’s writing work. This craft-related course defines conflict and demonstrates the various elements of its application in writing novels or short stories.

11:45 – 1:15: Lunch on your own. There are several restaurants within quick driving distance on the block.

1:15 – 2:30: “Writers’ Got Talent: A First Page Critique-Fest.” 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 our 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.)

2:45 – 3:45: Organic Marketing For Authors: How to Sell Yourself and Your Book, taught by Bob McGough. From bookmarks and bumper stickers to social media and podcasting, author Bob McGough will show you how to grow your brand and your platform in traditional and nontraditional ways.

4:00 – 5:00: Getting Published in Today’s World: 10 Tips to Make You the Writer Agents and Publishers Want, taught by Brian Klems. If you want to land an agent and a book deal in today’s market, you’re going to have to do a lot more than just write a great book (though that’s a good start). Author and former Writer’s Digest editor Brian A. Klems discusses the challenges writers face in publishing today and offers up 10 practical tips to help you break through the barriers and find success.

All throughout the day: Agent & Editor Pitching.

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PITCH AN AGENT!

Laurie Dennison is a literary agent with Creative Media Agency. In adult books, Laurie seeks: Romance, Contemporary, Light fantasy/paranormal grounded in the real world, Book Club Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Domestic Suspense, Commercial Mystery/Thriller, Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative, Women’s Issues. In Young Adult books, she seeks: Contemporary, Suspense/Thriller/Mystery, Light Fantasy/Paranormal, Light Science Fiction. and Nonfiction. Learn more about Laurie here.

Christine Goss is a literary agent with The Purcell Agency. In adult fiction, she seeks upmarket/commercial fiction, romance, fantasy, romantasy, dystopian or utopian. She also seeks those same genres for both young adult and new adult fiction. In all age groups middle grade through adults, she seeks graphic novels. “I am always looking for LGBTQ+ and stories by underrepresented authors.” In nonfiction, she wants cookbooks (original family recipes with anecdotes sprinkled throughout; a true story of cooking); stories about motherhood, unspoken troubles and hardships of new motherhood; and a story that would compel readers to take care of themselves or expand sympathy/understanding for themselves. Christine would love to see books about approachable ways for a sustainable lifestyle. With work resuming and people going back to the office, how can the environment still be top of mind? Anything exposing fast fashion and how fashion is detrimental to the environment, and not only that but how to practice “slow fashion.” Learn more about Christine here.

Erin Clyburn is a literary agent with Howland Literary. Erin represents middle grade fiction, YA fiction, and adult fiction and nonfiction. In MG and YA, she is looking for horror, mystery, thriller, big-hearted contemporary, and grounded stories with magical or speculative elements (grounded, light sci-fi or fantasy). In adult fiction, she is most interested in upmarket and literary fiction, and she gravitates toward the dark and strange: horror, thriller, mystery, and grounded stories with speculative or magical elements. Send her your weirds. In nonfiction, she’s interested in intersectional perspectives and is looking for narrative nonfiction, memoir, and deep dives into topics including pop science, nature, food and culinary history, and sports and adventure. An Alabamian with Louisiana roots, Erin is particularly interested in Southern literary and upmarket fiction from diverse voices in the above genres. Learn more about Erin here.

Stephanie Hollifield [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary scout with Corvisiero Literary. As a literary scout, she is taking pitches on behalf of all the agents at her agency, and passing along worthy submissions to proper agents. That means she can take pitches for the following:  adult fantasy (all kinds), intricate historical novels set before the 20th century, horror, psychological thrillers, LGBTQIA+ stories, science fiction, young adult contemporary, young adult sci-fi and fantasy, women’s fiction, literary fiction, upmarket/commercial, mysteries, work from historically marginalized and underrepresented voice, folklore retellings, and magical realism. She is personally interested in unique romance stories with strong heroes and heroines that work through their past trauma to find something real. She also loves Children’s lit that teaches valuable life lessons and can be tied into a teacher’s curriculum, YA stories, Mystery/Thrillers, and Fantasy.​ Learn more about Stephanie here.

Ashley Hutchison is an editor with Lost Boys Press. She is open to agented and unagented submissions. She is a generalist, and in her own words: “We accept all genres. We are interested in amazing stories. That said, we are most interested in speculative fiction [sci-fi & fantasy].” “I bring a deep knowledge of Southern U.S. literature and Medieval literature. I have a distinct appreciation for writing that experiments with narrative form—Shane Jones’ Light Boxes, is a favorite for its stream-of-consciousness prose and its use of nature imagery—stories that fuse raw emotion with gorgeous language, like Dorothy Allison’s Bastard Out of Carolina. I look forward to working with promising writers with similarly fresh, urgent work.” Learn more about Ashley here.

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ADDED ONLINE PITCHING: To ensure that writers have a robust and diverse lineup of agents & editors to pitch, 2024 Alabama Writing Workshop attendees will have the ability to also pitch literary agents at the Writing Day Workshops *online* event that follows the 2024 AWW on our calendar.

That event is the 2024 Online Writing Workshop of San Francisco, April 5-6, 2024, which will have 30-40 agents taking one-on-one Zoom virtual pitches.

This means that 2024 AWW attendees can have access to pitching all those online San Francisco agents — pitches still at $29 each — without being a formal registrant for the online April 2024 WWSF. (That said, if you want to formally register for the April 5-6 WWSF and have access to all classes and panels, let us know, as there is a discount for confirmed Alabama attendees.)

If you are interested in this added pitching opportunity, the first step is to get formally registered for Alabama. Following the AWW conferences on March 15, 2024, we will be in touch with all Alabama attendees and ask them if they want to partake in pitching online agents at the 2024 WWSF (April 5-6). At that time, you can communicate your pitch requests and purchase meeting time.

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         More 2024 agents may be added at any time.

These one-on-one meetings are an amazing chance to pitch your book face-to-face with an agent, and get personal, individual feedback on your pitch/concept. If the agent likes your pitch, they’ll request to see part/all of your book — sending you straight past the slush pile. It also gives you an intimate chance to meet with an agent and pick their brain with any questions on your mind.

(Please note that Agent/Editor Pitching is an add-on, separate aspect of the day, for only those who sign up. Spaces are limited for these premium meetings, and pricing/detail is explained below.)

PRICING

$169 — EARLY BIRD registration pricing! This is the complete base price for registration to the 2024 AWW and access to all workshops, all day. As of fall 2023, registration is now open. E-mail Brian Klems at WDWconference@gmail.com to register.

Add $29 — to secure a 10-minute one-on-one meeting with any of our literary agents in attendance. Use this special meeting as a chance to pitch your work and get professional feedback on your pitch. (Spaces limited.) If they wish, attendees are free to sign up for multiple 10-minute pitch sessions at $29/session — pitching multiple individuals, or securing 20 minutes to pitch one person rather than the usual 10. Here are quick testimonials regarding writers who have signed with literary agents after pitching them at prior Writing Day Workshops events. (Our bigger, growing list of success stories can be seen here.)

“I met my client, Alison Hammer, at the Writing
Workshop of Chicago and just sold her book.”
– literary agent Joanna Mackenzie of Nelson Literary

“Good news! I signed a client [novelist Aliza Mann]
from the Michigan Writing Workshop!”
– literary agent Sara Mebigow of KT Literary

“I signed author Stephanie Wright from
the Seattle Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Kathleen Ortiz of New Leaf Literary

“I signed an author [Kate Thompson] that I
met at the Philadelphia Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Kimberly Brower of Brower Literary

“I signed novelist Kathleen McInnis after meeting her
at the Chesapeake Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Adriann Ranta of Foundry Literary + Media

Add $69 — for an in-depth, personal critique of your one-page query letter from instructor Brian Klems, who previously taught at this Alabama workshop. (This rate is a special event value for Alabama Writing Workshop attendees only.) Registrants are encouraged to take advantage of the specially-priced critique, so they can send out their query letter with confidence following the workshop. Also, if you are meeting with an agent at the event, you’re essentially speaking your query letter aloud to them. Wouldn’t it be wise to give that query letter (i.e., your pitch) one great edit before that meeting?

Add $89 — for an in-depth personal critique of the first 10 pages of your novel. Spaces with faculty for these critiques are very limited, and participating attendees will either 1) get an in-person meeting at the workshop, if the faculty member is attending the live event, or 2) get a 10-minute phone call with the faculty member, and have notes passed along via email, if the critiquer is not attending the live event. Options:

• Horror, fantasy, and urban fantasy: Faculty member Bob McGough, a podcaster and author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you at the 2024 AWW event for 15 minutes sometime during the workshop to discuss his thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the in-person meeting.
• Crime fiction, mysteries, cozy mysteries, general fiction: Faculty member Deborah Goldstein, a writing coach and author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you at the 2024 AWW event for 15 minutes sometime during the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the in-person meeting.
• Women’s, mainstream, science fiction, fantasy, romance, crime, thriller, mystery (virtual critiques): Faculty member Michelle McGill-Vargas, a writing coach and author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
• All types & genres of fiction for adults and young adults (virtual critiques): Faculty member Kristi Belcamino, a published mystery author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
• All types & genres of fiction for adults, young adults, and middle grade readers (virtual critiques): Faculty member Lorin Oberweger, a writing coach and author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
• Children’s picture books and middle grade (virtual critiques): Faculty member Brittany Thurman, a published author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting. If you submit a picture book, it must be 1,000 words or fewer (can have illustrations or not).
• More critique options forthcoming

How to pay/register — Registration is now open. Reach out to workshop organizer Brian Klems via email: WDWconference@gmail.com, and he will provide specific instructions for payment and registration to get you a reserved seat at the event. Payment is by either PayPal or check. Because Brian plans different workshops, make sure you note that you’re inquiring about the Alabama workshop specifically.

REGISTRATION

Because of limited space at the venue of Embassy Suites by Hilton Birmingham, the workshop can only allow 140 registrants, unless spacing issues change. For this reason, we encourage you to book sooner rather than later.

(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 Birmingham on March 15, 2024. See you there.)

Are spaces still available? Yes, we still have spaces available. We will announce RIGHT HERE, at this point on this web page, when all spaces are taken. If you do not see a note right here saying how all spaces are booked, then yes, we still have room, and you are encouraged to register.

How to Register: The easy first step is simply to reach out to workshop organizer Brian Klems via email: WDWconference@gmail.com. She will pass along registration information to you, and give instructions on how to pay by PayPal or check. Once payment is complete, you will have a reserved seat at the event. The AWW will send out periodic e-mail updates to all registered attendees with any & all news about the event. Because Brian plans different workshops, make sure you note that you’re inquiring about the Alabama workshop specifically.

Refunds: If you sign up for the event and have to cancel for any reason, you will receive 50% of your total payment back [sent by check or PayPal]. The other 50% is nonrefundable and will not be returned, and helps the workshop ensure that only those truly interested in the limited spacing sign up for the event. (Please note that query editing payments are completely non-refundable if the instructor has already edited your letter.)

Stephanie Hollifield [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary scout with Corvisiero Literary.

As a literary scout, she is taking pitches on behalf of all the agents at her agency, and passing along worthy submissions to proper agents. That means she can take pitches for the following:  adult fantasy (all kinds), intricate historical novels set before the 20th century, horror, psychological thrillers, LGBTQIA+ stories, young adult contemporary, young adult sci-fi and fantasy, women’s fiction, literary fiction, upmarket/commercial, mysteries, work from historically marginalized and underrepresented voice, folklore retellings, and magical realism.

Growing up in a large family, she was surrounded by love, laughter, and creativity. Her love for reading began in kindergarten and hasn’t slowed down since.

Over the past decade, she has dedicated her life to education, teaching students from age one to thirteen while self-publishing eight romance novels in the last eight years. Her weekends often consist of sitting at some sporting activity with her children while passing the time with a good book. It’s been a lifelong dream to pursue a career in the literary world to help underrepresented voices be heard.

She is personally interested in unique romance stories with strong heroes and heroines that work through their past trauma to find something real. She also loves Children’s lit that teaches valuable life lessons and can be tied into a teacher’s curriculum, YA stories, Mystery/Thrillers, and Fantasy.​

Christine Goss is a literary agent with The Purcell Agency.

Christine is a graduate of Lake Forest College with a BA in communications. Formerly a sales representative, she has skills that pair well with her love of reading and story development. As an author herself, she is aware of what it requires and the hard work it takes to get to the final product of a completed book. Christine is drawn to stories with high stakes and tension. The first pages need to draw her in with action. She wants to be sucked into the world on the pages through a unique voice. When she’s not working, reading, or writing, she’s usually chasing her two boys who are likely chasing her fur baby (dog).

She is seeking:

I am always looking for LGBTQ+ and stories by underrepresented authors.

Adult fiction:

– Upmarket Fiction/Commercial
– Romance:
– Fantasy/Romantasy
– Dystopian or utopian

Young Adult / New Adult:

– Upmarket Fiction/Commercial Fiction
– Romance
– Fantasy/Romantasy
– Dystopian or utopian

Middle Grade through Adult:

– Graphic Novels

Nonfiction:

– Cookbooks: Original family recipes with anecdotes sprinkled throughout. A true story of cooking.
– Stories about motherhood, unspoken troubles and hardships of new motherhood.
– A story that would compel readers to take care of themselves or expand sympathy/understanding for themselves (Re: YOU SHOULD REALLY TALK TO SOMEONE).

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Christine would love to see books about approachable ways for a sustainable lifestyle. With work resuming and people going back to the office, how can the environment still be top of mind? Anything exposing fast fashion and how fashion is detrimental to the environment, and not only that but how to practice “slow fashion”.

Favorite Authors: Ali Hazelwood, Talia Hibbert, Isabel Cañas, Chloe Liese, Jessica Joyce, Meryl Wilsner, Ashley Poston, Rebecca Ross, Amy Lea, K.A. Tucker

What I’m NOT looking for at this time: picture books, children’s book, middle grade chapter books (though would take graphic novels), religious, police procedural, anything including the death of a small child.

Ashley Hutchison is an editor with Lost Boys Press.

She is open to agented and unagented submissions. She is a generalist, and in her own words: “We accept all genres. We are interested in amazing stories. That said, we are most interested in speculative fiction [sci-fi & fantasy].”

BIO:

“In May 2018, I graduated from Loyola University New Orleans with a B.A. in English literature.

“Over the years, I have gained practical experience in editing. In 2015 I began as an in-house intern with Jorvik Press, a small nonfiction publishing house based in Portland, Oregon. Once I returned to my studies in New Orleans, I was offered an ongoing remote position as assistant editor. Working closely with my publisher, I completed several projects: conducting extensive reference research for Black Crusader, assisting in reformatting a new edition of BAMN (By Any Means Necessary): Outlaw Manifestos & Ephemera, performing comprehensive fact-checking, and providing important editorial changes to my publisher that included cutting several sections of a 521-page autobiographical submission.

“Shortly after graduation I accepted an editor position with Triplicity Publishing, a small fiction publishing house, for which I edited works by Domina Alexandra, including A Night Claimed, I Belong with Her, and Love Undercover. I also worked with New London Writers, reading submissions and writing reports arguing my recommendation for or against publication.

“I also bring a well-rounded understanding of the form, history, and theory of literature written in English, as well as deep knowledge of Southern U.S. literature and Medieval literature. I have a distinct appreciation for writing that experiments with narrative form—Shane Jones’ Light Boxes, is a favorite for its stream-of-consciousness prose and its use of nature imagery—stories that fuse raw emotion with gorgeous language, like Dorothy Allison’s Bastard Out of Carolina. I look forward to working with promising writers with similarly fresh, urgent work.”

Laurie Dennison is a literary agent with Creative Media Agency.

After earning her master’s degree from the University of Florida, Laurie Dennison began her career as an English teacher. She then spent over ten years working as a freelance writer and editor in desktop publishing, including serving as a Pitch Wars mentor for five years. In 2022 she attended the Denver Publishing Institute, leading to an internship at Creative Media Agency, Inc. before stepping into her role as an associate agent and internship coordinator at CMA.

In adult books, Laurie seeks:

• Romance
• Contemporary
• Light fantasy/paranormal grounded in the real world
• Book Club Fiction
• Women’s Fiction
• Domestic Suspense
• Commercial Mystery/Thriller
• Nonfiction
• Memoir
• Narrative
• Women’s Issues
• young adult/children’s

In Young Adult books, she seeks:

• Contemporary
• Suspense/Thriller/Mystery
• Light Fantasy/Paranormal
• Light Science Fiction
• Nonfiction

I especially love upmarket writing, complex characters, and immersive settings. I enjoy upbeat, positive stories but don’t shy away from darker themes. Complicated relationships and family dynamics are a particular interest of mine, and I appreciate character development that is directly and organically integrated with the plot. In nonfiction, I’m interested in authors who are specialists in their fields, have strong platforms, and can help me see the world in a new light.

We live in a diverse world, and I want to see diversity of all types authentically represented in all genres; I’d love to champion minority voices as I build my list.

I’m not looking for picture books, middle grade, military or political thrillers, adult high fantasy or science fiction, horror, dystopian, or business books.

I love books that keep me engaged and turning pages late into the night. I want stories and characters that make me feel something, with concepts that are familiar enough to be relatable but unique enough to offer a fresh perspective. In nonfiction I’m inspired by timely work that helps me see the world in a new way.

I always knew my dream job would involve reading, and now I get to do it every day! I love the moment when a story completely captures my attention and I lose track of time. I am so grateful for the opportunity to partner with authors, help them realize their vision for a project, and place their work to reach readers, all while working collaboratively in a community that loves books as much as I do.

Erin Clyburn is a literary agent with Howland Literary.

Prior to joining Howland Literary, Erin was an associate agent with The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency. She was the general manager and director of collection development for Turtleback Books, a distributor of books to the school and library market, and she has over a decade of experience in magazine publishing, having worked for brands including Food & Wine, Cooking Light, People, and Entertainment Weekly. She received her BA in English Literature from Mississippi State University and her MA in Children’s Literature from Hollins University. She lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her partner, Michael, and four unruly rabbits.

She is seeking: Erin represents middle grade fiction, YA fiction, and adult fiction and nonfiction. In MG and YA, she is looking for horror, mystery, thriller, big-hearted contemporary, and grounded stories with magical or speculative elements. In adult fiction, she is most interested in upmarket and literary fiction, and she gravitates toward the dark and strange: horror, thriller, mystery, and grounded stories with speculative or magical elements. Send her your weirds. In nonfiction, she’s interested in intersectional perspectives and is looking for narrative nonfiction, memoir, and deep dives into topics including pop science, nature, food and culinary history, and sports and adventure. An Alabamian with Louisiana roots, Erin is particularly interested in Southern literary and upmarket fiction from diverse voices in the above genres. A more in-depth wishlist can be found on her website.

Judge Debra H. Goldstein writes Kensington’s Sarah Blair mystery series and authored Should Have Played Poker and IPPY Award winning Maze in Blue.

Her short stories and novels have been named Agatha, Anthony, Derringer, Claymore, and Silver Falchion finalists and received AWC, BWR, and Silver Falchion awards. Debra’s short pieces have appeared in numerous periodicals and anthologies including Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Black Cat Mystery Magazine, Mystery Weekly, Malice Domestic Murder Most Edible, and Paranoia Blues: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Paul Simon.

Debra recently rejoined the national board of Sisters in Crime, having previously been a national board member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America and president of the Guppy and SEMWA chapters.

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Michelle McGill Vargas is an author. At the 2024 Alabama conference, she is offering add-on virtual manuscript critiques for attendees.

“I am writer of speculative historical fiction, flash fiction, and short fiction. I’ve published in The Lutheran Witness, Splickety Magazine, The Copperfield Review, and Typehouse Literary Magazine. I’ve also contributed at Short Fiction Break and Noir Expressions.

“I’m currently represented by the amazing Melissa Danaczko of Stuart Krichevsky Literacy Agency, Inc. I pay the bills as a teacher of deaf and hard of hearing. I’m a member of Highland Writers Group, Valparaiso Writers Group, served as vice-president of the Indiana Writer’s Consortium and chair of its 2016 Steel Pen Conference, and am currently on the board of Midwest Writers.”

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Brian A. Klems (@BrianKlems) is the former online editor of WritersDigest.com. He is current the director of Writing Day Workshops.

He is the coordinator of the 2024 AWW. At the event, he is offering add-on query critiques for attendees.

His blog during his tenure there, The Writer’s Dig—which covered everything writing and publishing—was one of the largest blogs in the writing community.

Brian’s first book, Oh Boy, You’re Having a Girl: A Dad’s Guide to Raising Daughters (Adams Media) was released in 2013. It received high-level buzz and praise from some of the funniest writers alive, including Dave Barry and Bruce Cameron. Brian is also a proud graduate of the Ohio University E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, a husband, softball infielder, perennial fantasy sports underachiever, and father of three lovely girls.

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Brittany J. Thurman writes award-winning books for kids. At the 2024 AWW, she is offering add-on critiques for attendees. 

She is the author of Fly, (Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Text) and Fearless: Boulevard of Dreams. Her upcoming works include Forever and Always, illustrated by Shamar Knight Justice (2024), Fearless: The Takeover (2024), The First Library: The True Story of the First Library by and For Black America, illustrated by Cozbi Cabrera (2025) and Come Catch a Dream, illustrated by Islenia Mil (2025). (Find all her books here.)

She holds an MFA in Dramatic Writing from Carnegie Mellon University, and a Bachelor of Art in Theater from Kingston University, London, England. Her plays have been produced in Aspen, Colorado, and in New York City. Brittany is a former children’s early literacy specialist. She lives in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, where she holds tight to her elders, roots, and her childhood home.

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USA Today bestselling author and Agatha, Anthony, Barry, and Macavity-award finalist Kristi Belcamino writes dark mysteries about fierce women seeking justice. At the 2024 AWW, she is offering add-on critiques for attendees. 

She is a crime fiction writer, cops beat reporter, and Italian mama who also bakes a tasty biscotti. In her former life, as an award-winning crime reporter at newspapers in California, she flew over Big Sur in an FA-18 jet with the Blue Angels, raced a Dodge Viper at Laguna Seca, and attended barbecues at the morgue.

Her nonfiction writing has appeared in several publications, including the New York Times, Salon, Writer’s Digest, Miami Herald, Chicago Tribune, and the San Jose Mercury News. Kristi now works part-time as a police reporter at the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

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Lorin Oberweger is a highly sought-after independent book editor and ghostwriter with almost thirty years experience in publishing. Her company, Free Expressions, offers intensive, deep craft workshops nationwide. She’s also known for her one-on-one story mastermind session for writers of all genres of fiction and creative nonfiction.

At the 2024 AWW, she is offering add-on critiques for attendees. 

Lorin’s students and clients have been published by HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, Scholastic, Simon and Schuster, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Disney, and many other presses. They have also gained representation with some of the industry’s leading literary agents and several have had work optioned for film and television.

An award-winning author, Lorin has co-written and ghostwritten eight books, several for New York Times bestselling authors of fiction and nonfiction. Her work, commissioned by major publishers, has received glowing notices from the New York Times, Kirkus Reviews, NPR, and others. Her latest co-author credit is THANK YOU FOR COMING TO MY TED TALK, written with Chris Anderson, director of TED Conferences.

With bestselling author Veronica Rossi, Lorin is the author of the New Adult books, BOOMERANG, REBOUND, and BOUNCE, published by Harper/William Morrow under the pen name Noelle August. The novels were praised by Publishers Weekly and Library Journal, among others, and BOOMERANG was chosen as a “new and notable” selection for Target Stores across the US. She is represented by Tracey Adams at Adams Literary.

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Bob McGough is an author, podcaster, and indie tabletop game designer from south Alabama. As an author he has been published by a number of small presses in a range of genres, from steampunk to horror. He is best known as the author of his ‘Rural’ Urban Fantasy series, the Jubal County Saga. He also teaches a number of classes and workshops on various aspects of the business of writing.

As a podcaster Bob is the man behind the Tales by Bob Podcast Network. His first show, Books, Beards, Booze, is a conversational style podcast that has run for over 170 episodes. Southern Fried Fantasy, is a completed interview style podcast where he interviews Southern Authors who write genre fiction set in the South. The Tales by Bob Podcast is an inside look at the business side of the writing business.

A long-time freelance writer, he has worked on a number of tabletop and video games. As a huge fan of one sheet and simple rpgs, he has released over 40 games in that space across a number of platforms.

At the 2024 in-person AWW, he is teaching a class and offering add-on manuscript critiques.

If you are coming to the 2024 Alabama Writing Workshop, you may be thinking about pitching our agent-in-attendance or editor-in-attendance. An in-person pitch is an excellent way to get an agent excited about both you and your work. Here are some tips (from a previous year’s instructor) that will help you pitch your work effectively at the event during a 10-minute consultation. The instructor advises that you should:

• Try to keep your pitch to 90 seconds. Keeping your pitch concise and short is beneficial because 1) it shows you are in command of the story and what your book is about; and 2) it allows plenty of time for back-and-forth discussion between you and the agent. Note: If you’re writing nonfiction, and therefore have to speak plenty about yourself and your platform, then your pitch can certainly run longer.
• Practice before you get to the event. Say your pitch out loud, and even try it out on fellow writers. Feedback from peers will help you figure out if your pitch is confusing, or missing critical elements. Remember to focus on what makes your story unique. Mystery novels, for example, all follow a similar formula — so the elements that make yours unique and interesting will need to shine during the pitch to make your book stand out.
• Do not give away the ending. If you pick up a DVD for Die Hard, does it say “John McClane wins at the end”? No. Because if it did, you wouldn’t buy the movie. Pitches are designed to leave the ending unanswered, much like the back of any DVD box you read.
• Have some questions ready. 10 minutes is plenty of time to pitch and discuss your book, so there is a good chance you will be done pitching early. At that point, you are free to ask the agent questions about writing, publishing or craft. The meeting is both a pitch session and a consultation, so feel free to ask whatever you like as long as it pertains to writing.
• Remember to hit the big beats of a pitch. Everyone’s pitch will be different, but the main elements to hit are 1) introducing the main character(s) and telling us about them, 2) saying what goes wrong that sets the story into motion, 3) explaining how the main character sets off to make things right and solve the problem, 4) explaining the stakes — i.e., what happens if the main character fails, and 5) ending with an unclear wrap-up.