(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 MWW is an in-person event happening in the Detroit suburbs on May 2, 2026. See you there.)
THIS YEAR’S SESSIONS & WORKSHOPS (MAY 2, 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. How to Pitch a Literary Agent, taught by Brent Fisher. This session is a comprehensive workshop on how to pitch a literary agent. After covering the basics of what a literary agent is, we will discuss the pitch itself in regards to structure, effectiveness, and delivery. Next, we will go over questions agents might ask (aka what information you should have ready for them) as well as questions you might want to ask too. Finally, we will workshop participant pitches in order to fine tune yours and leave you feeling prepared and confident to sit down for those valuable ten minutes of facetime with someone in the industry.
2. Seven Elements of Plot Development, taught by Sara Maurer. A workshop for writers who want to strengthen the spine of their stories by mastering plot development. We’ll examine the difference between story and plot, study the seven elements of plot development (ground situation, complication, rising action, crisis, climax, falling action, and resolution), and learn how events give rise to each other, resulting in shape and meaning.
BLOCK TWO: 10:45 – 11:50
1. How to Strengthen the Crucial First Pages of Your Novel (So Readers Will Love Them), taught by Brent Fisher. This session will be focused on the crucial first pages of novel length work. What makes them effective? How can you sink your claws into a reader? How can you grip tight enough to keep them from escaping? How can you begin the process of devouring them with your book? Brent will unpack what makes those first pages tick, classic do’s and don’ts, offer tips, samples, and strategies for making those first pages shine. And then they will offer up a chance for participants to share their first pages with each other in small groups for some guided feedback in the context of “effective first pages.”
2. 15 Tips on How to Write Like the Pros, taught by Brian A. 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.
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, 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, taught by Jacqui Lipton. While most nonfiction books sell on proposal, many nonfiction authors do not have much guidance on how to write a proposal that will entice an editor and showcase the market potential for the piece. In this presentation, literary agent and nonfiction author, Jacqui Lipton, will explain the anatomy of a nonfiction proposal from overview to the target market to chapter outline and beyond. We will also identify some of the most common do’s and don’ts agents and editors see in this space, emphasizing the techniques that can make your proposal really stand out from the crowd.
BLOCK FOUR: 2:45 – 3:45
1. Open Agent Q&A Panel. Several attending literary agents will open themselves up to open Q&A from MWW attendees. Bring your questions and get them answered in this popular session.
2. Lead, Don’t Follow – Staying Ahead of Publishing Trends, taught by Aliza Mann. The temptation to follow leading trends in publishing can be great. In truth, it is extremely difficult to catch a trend once already in motion. Listening to your own internal voice and drawing from your creative well can help you become a leader, instead of a trend follower. In this workshop, authors will learn how to stay ahead of the curve and to be on the cutting edge of publishing trends.
BLOCK FIVE: 4:00 – 5:00
1. What Do Agents and Editors Want?, taught by Linda Glaz. Learn how to navigate the fears and worries with a literary agent and author who once-upon-a-time did it all wrong. In this session, Linda will teach you the professional way to make contact with Agents and Editors so you will stand out (in a good way)! Laugh and learn to show yourself a consummate professional.
2. The Importance of Critique Groups, taught by Aliza Mann. Writing can feel like a vacuum. An author can spend months or years working on a novel, only to find their story needs work too late. Collaborating with a group of trusted author friends can help when it matters most – before the manuscript reaches agents, editors, and readers. Learn how creating a critique group or joining an existing one, can level up your writing and how to recognize the right group for you!
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