(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 St. Paul on April 11, 2026. See you there.)
The schedule below is on Central time.
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. Pick Your Publishing Path: Choose the Right Publishing Option for You, taught by Cathie Hedrick Armstrong. This presentation is intended to give authors a good overview of the different paths to publishing (self-publishing, small press, finding an agent for large publisher) along with the necessary steps they’ll need to take for each path.
2. Explore Everything: 6 Questions That Help You Build a Fantasy World, taught by Sarah Ahiers. When building a fantasy world — whether that world is a magic one, one hidden within our own, or not set on earth at all — it’s the details that make the world seem big and full and deep and real. This workshop will focus on asking yourself six questions when world building to bring out hidden depths in your manuscript. Your answers to these questions and your depth of knowledge about your world will trickle into your story and encourage your readers to turn the page, knowing they can find so much more hidden behind your words if they just keep reading.
BLOCK TWO: 10:45 – 11:50
1. The Ultimate Class on Crafting a Query Letter, taught by Laura Zats. Some say writing a query letter is more difficult than writing the novel itself. What’s for certain is that writing your query letter requires accessing a different part of your brain to do the work and craft a compelling pitch. This class, taught by an agent, will share dos and don’ts to help writers create a query letter that gets agent attention and leads to requests for more work.
2. Pre-Work for Your Best Work, taught by Sarah Ahiers. Is writing your first draft a drag? Do you often face a mountain of revisions when you finally reach the end of that first draft? Then look no further! Pre-work may be the solution you’re searching for! This workshop will focus on different pre-work methods in a mix and match style, allowing the writer the pick and choose what may work best for their process. Pre-work involves techniques and exercises the writer completes before starting their first draft to help ease the drafting and revision process. Pre-work topics will focus on Character, Structure, and Story breakdowns and offer something for everyone, regardless of whether they outline their novels beforehand, or like to explore their story as they write.
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. Structure in Memoir (Governor 2), taught by Kate Hopper. How can the memoirist contain the messiness of life in a single manuscript? Where might the story begin and end? How does structure affect narrative urgency? In this class, we’ll discuss chronology and beginnings, weaving narrative threads, and various ways to keep your writing from feeling episodic. Kate will also share exercises that will help you find the structure that best serves your story.
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. Craft Compelling First Pages That Get Agent, Editor, and Reader Attention, taught by Michaela Whatnall. If you want people to start reading your book and not put it down, you need compelling first pages. But how do you pull agents, editors, and readers in quickly? What are agent pet peeves concerning the initial chapters? This class, taught by a literary agent, will answer those questions, and more.
BLOCK FIVE: 4:00 – 5:00
1. What Agents Wish Writers Knew (and What Writers Wish Agents Knew), taught by Krista Van Dolzer. As a traditionally published author recently turned agent, Krista knows exactly what it’s like to be on both sides of the inbox. She’ll dish on what she’s learned in her first year on the job, providing valuable insights for writers no matter where they’re at in their publishing journeys.
2. Talking Plot and Structure: 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 are 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:
- “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