(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 Friday, March 27, 2026. See you there.)

THIS YEAR’S SESSIONS (FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 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

Understanding the Publishing Industry in 2026, taught by Bob McGough. Writers today have lots of choices and options, but that doesn’t mean your publishing journey is an easy path to navigate. How are traditional publishing and self-publishing changing? What kind of writer is attractive to an agent currently? What is hybrid publishing? How will A.I. (artificial intelligence) hurt writers in the years to come? Which social media sites and publishing resources are worth the time and effort in 2025? All these questions, and more, will be addressed during the speech.

10:45 – 11:50: Session 2

15 Tips on How to Write Like the Pros, taught by Brian Klems. This workshop is a thorough crash course concerning craft, style and voice. We’ll discuss nuts & bolts tips for sentence construction like how to avoid passive tense, how to use vivid language, how to self-edit your own work, how to make your characters memorable, the art of compelling dialogue, and much more.

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

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Authors, taught by Ben Okon. How do you turn a creative spark into a sustainable publishing career? In this session, bestselling author Ben Okon shares a unique framework that blends creative dreams with business best practices. Drawing on core principles from his strategy background at Google and Bain & Co.—and reflected in his Younger Me Academy children’s book series—Ben translates mental models like the Pareto Principle, Growth Mindset, and the Scientific Method into actionable habits. Whether you are chasing a lifelong dream of writing full-time or simply trying to make the most of your “spare time” scribbles, you will walk away with strategies to work smarter, stay resilient, and treat your writing career with the strategic rigor it deserves.

4:00 – 5:00: Session 5

Marketing Without the Meltdown: A Practical, Pick-Your-Path Guide for Authors, taught by Alison Robinson. Many authors stall out on marketing because they believe success requires mastering every platform and promotion method. The truth? Effective marketing is about clarity, not exhaustion. In this class, we’ll explore the major marketing paths available to authors—social media, ads, email lists, author websites, podcast appearances, in-person events, and partnerships—then focus on how to strategically choose just a few that align with your skills, temperament, and goals. Designed especially for first-time and emerging authors, this session offers a practical framework for creating a sustainable, focused marketing plan without fear, shame, or burnout.

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