After many successful Chicago events, Writing Day Workshops is excited to announce The 2026 Online Writing Workshop of Chicago — a two-day online “How to Get Published” writing event December 4-5, 2026. (Writers are welcome to attend virtually from everywhere and anywhere.)

This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of two days, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited online “seats” at the event (200 total). All questions about the event regarding schedule, details and registration are answered below. Thank you for your interest in the 2026 Online Writing Workshop of Chicago!

(ONLINE: Writing Day Workshops plans both in-person and virtual/online conferences. This Winter 2026 WWOC is an Online Conference, December 4-5, 2026. Online events are easy and awesome, and the virtual events we’ve done thus far have received wonderful feedback. You do not have to be tech-savvy to do this, and understand we are keeping all aspects of a traditional in-person event, including one-on-one agent & editor pitching, which will now be done by Zoom or phone. Learn all details about what it means to have a writers conference online.)

To register, click the button above, or email Brian at WDWconference@gmail.com and tell him you’re interested in the Chicago event.

WHAT IS IT?

This is a special two-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop, December 4-5, 2026. In other words, it’s two days 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. And even though this is the “Chicago” Writing Workshop, make no mistake — writers from everywhere are welcome to attend virtually. Our WDW writers conferences have helped dozens of writers find literary agent representation — see our growing list of success stories here.

This event is designed to squeeze as much into two days of learning as possible. You can ask any questions you like during the online classes, and get your specific concerns addressed. We will have literary agents online to give feedback and take pitches from writers, as well. This year’s 2026 WWOC agent & editor faculty so far includes:

• literary agent Celsie Moseley (Context Literary)
• literary agent Lindsey Aduskevich (Martin Literary)
• literary agent Olivia Emerick (Metamorphosis Literary)
• literary agent Reiko Davis (DeFiore)
• literary agent Elisa Moles (Painted Fire Literary)
• literary agent Alex Land (Mad Woman Literary)
• literary agent Morgan Hughes (FinePrint Literary)
• literary agent Kim Carson Bodie (Susan Schulman Literary)
• literary agent Erica Bauman (Aevitas Creative Management)
• literary agent Tali Shammas (Storm Literary)
• literary agent Renee Runge (Spencerhill Associates)
• literary agent Megan Frayser (Creative Media Agency)
• literary agent Des Salazar (Metamorphosis Literary)
• literary agent Cathie Hedrick Armstrong (Marsal Lyon Literary)
• literary agent Diego Harrison (SBR Media)
• literary agent Kaylyn Aldridge (Metamorphosis Literary)
• literary agent Eric Smith (Neighborhood Literary)
• literary agent Mindi St. Peter (BAMbooks)
• literary agent Rachel Estep (D4E0)
• literary agent Paul Levine (Paul Levine Literary)
• literary agent Nicole Payne (Confluence Literary)
• literary agent Bridgette Kam (Westwood Creative Artists)
• literary agent Hailey Stephens (Rosecliff Literary)
• literary agent Gabrielle Harbowy (Corvisiero Literary)
• literary agent Bethany Jett (MacGregor & Luedeke)
• literary agent Monica Rodriguez (Context Literary)
• literary agent Annie Romano (Olswanger Literary)
• literary agent Maureen Wise (Metamorphosis Literary)
• literary agent AJ Van Belle (Booker Albert Literary)
• literary agent Kelsey Evans (Rosecliff Literary)
• literary agent Jane Chun (Transatlantic Agency)
• editor Leticia Gomez (Dafine and Kensington)
• literary agent Najla Mamou (Savvy Literary)
• literary agent Jessica Larios-Zarate (Wave Literary)
• literary agent Shelly Romero (Azantian Literary)
• literary agent Ruth Gila Berger (Red Sofa Literary)

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 coordinators Brian Klems and Chuck Sambuchino of Writing Day Workshops.

To register, click the button above, or email Brian at WDWconference@gmail.com and tell him you’re interested in the Chicago event.

EVENT LOCATION & DETAILS:

(ONLINE: Writing Day Workshops plans both in-person and virtual/online conferences. This Winter 2026 WWOC is an Online Conference, December 4-5, 2026. Online events are easy and awesome, and the virtual events we’ve done thus far have received wonderful feedback. You do not have to be tech-savvy to do this, and understand we are keeping all aspects of a traditional in-person event, including one-on-one agent & editor pitching, which will now be done by Zoom or phone. Learn all details about what it means to have a writers conference online.)

THIS YEAR’S SESSIONS & WORKSHOPS (DEC. 4-5, 2026):

What you see below is a quick layout of the day’s events. See a full layout of the day’s sessions, with detailed descriptions, on the official Schedule Page here.

Agent pitches and critique consultations overlap with Saturday sessions. The schedule of presentation topics below is subject to change and updates:

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2026

9:30 – 10:30: The Author/Agent Relationship. In this session, literary agent Kaitlyn Johnson goes through the “need to know” details from when you get THE CALL all the way to when your agent sends you to editors. Learn how to research agents, target agents, talk with them, and more.

10:45 – 11:45: Navigating the Road to Publication and a Book Deal. The world of publishing can be confusing, and the fact that you receive that long-awaited book contract doesn’t seem to clear up any mysteries! This workshop will explain the entire process between the time you submit a query to an agent and the time your book is published.

11:45 – 1:15: Break

1:15 – 2:30: Editing for the Eye, the Ear, and the Hand. After your first draft is complete, the REAL work begins! With a completed manuscript, it’s time to delve deeper into the elements of a story, while considering editing in the written stage, the visual stage, and the audible stage.

2:45 – 3:45: Query Like a Pro. This class, taught by a literary agent, examines how to write an awesome query letter that gets agent attention and requests to see more of your writing.

4:00 – 5:00: Using Screenplay Techniques to Write Your Novel. This session will cover the fundamental elements of screenplay writing and how novelists can use them to build exciting plots, quicken the pace, and craft moments that stick with your readers long after they set the book aside.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2026

9:30 – 10:30: Revise Like the Pros — How to Use Beta Readers in Your Life and Make Your Writing Better. In this class, attendees will understand how to use beta readers to compose a better novel or book, seek out 5-star reviews online, and attract loyal readers.

10:45 – 11:45: Fine-Tune Your Submission Package to Get to Yes. Literary Agent Sarah N. Fisk will discuss the small tweaks that often need to be made in query letters and first pages to get to that Yes.

11:45 – 1:15: Break

1:15 – 2:30: “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.

2:45 – 3:45: Open Agent Q&A Panel. Several attending literary agents will open themselves up to open Q&A from WWOC attendees. Bring your questions and get them answered in this popular session.

4:00 – 5:00: Create an Engaging Social Media Platform. This class will cover the most essential social media websites to use to create a well performing platform.

Agent pitches and critique consultations overlap with Saturday sessions. The schedule of presentation topics below is subject to change and updates:

(What you see here is a quick layout of the day’s events. See a full layout of the day’s sessions, with detailed descriptions, on the official Schedule Page here.)

Agent & Editor Pitching: All throughout the day.

PITCH AN AGENT OR EDITOR:

Najla Mamou is a literary agent with Savvy Literary Services. In nonfiction, Najla gravitates towards narrative nonfiction, true crime, memoir, biography, identity, business/economics, leadership, and stories inspired by lesser known people, professions and crafts (builders, designers, architects), musicians/artists/creators, daredevils, athletes, etc. In fiction, she seeks adult and new adult. She is prioritizing realistic sci fi thriller, military sci fi, unique sleuth mystery, intergenerational stories, strong female leads, migration/immigration, underrepresented protagonists (especially from marginalized communities), stories set in distant futures wanting to return to Earth and experiencing humanity, alternating timelines, backwards timelines, or dual timeline that interweaves a present-day investigation with a historical crime. In both fiction and nonfiction, she seeks underrepresented stories and writers across all genres. She is not requesting young adult, middle grade or children’s. Learn more about Najla here.

Maureen Wise is a literary agent with Metamorphosis Literary Agency. Maureen is looking for mysteries, climate fiction, women’s fiction, and selected Christian devotionals. Maureen writes mystery novels under the pen name Iris March and nonfiction under her own name.Maureen previously served as a literary agent assistant/ apprentice at Linda S. Glaz Literary Agency and has worked in the sustainability field her entire career. An Ohio native, Maureen enjoys running, hiking, and reading. Learn more about Maureen here.

Hailey Stephens is a literary agent with Rosecliff Literary. In general, Hailey is only looking for Adult novels, but she will selectively take on Middle Grade books if the manuscript will inspire a passion for reading. She would also love to champion authors from rural areas, especially authors from BIPOC, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and/or any other community that tends to be overlooked in rural areas. (This doesn’t mean the manuscript itself has to be based in a rural setting, although she always appreciates a good rural horror.) For Literary, Upmarket, and Contemporary fiction, Hailey wants vivid stories that pull the reader in right away, immersing them in the work the author has created. For thriller and horror, she wants stories that linger in the corners of the mind, with characters that feel like they’re in the room with the reader (for better or worse). Hailey will also selectively take on Adult Romance, and is hopeful there are still love story tropes out there that can be discovered or re-explored in a way that redefines the genre. In nonfiction, she is looking for both trade and literary proposals. She is especially interested in memoirs that play with the concept of time and structure. Learn more about Hailey here.

Nicole Payne is a literary agent with Confluence Literary. “In general, I represent young adult and adult fiction novels, preferably in romance, women’s fiction, literary fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller, and speculative fiction. They hold a special place in my heart. As I slowly delve into nonfiction, I would love to see more science-based books, especially biology and forensic, as well as medicine, travel, and cookbooks in my queue. I’m also actively seeking diverse voices and stories across the board. Give me all the books!” Learn more about Nicole here.

Jessica Larios-Zarate is a literary agent with Wave Literary. In regards to fiction, Jessica gravitates towards: commercial fiction, contemporary upmarket fiction, literary fiction, mystery/thrillers, and speculative fiction. She is particularly invested in stories that feature LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and/or disabled protagonists, especially when the books are not issue-driven. As for nonfiction, Jessica is interested in: narrative nonfiction and historical nonfiction. In terms of historical nonfiction, she seeks: Ancient History, Historical Expeditions, Civil Rights Movements, and Indigenous History Books; no War History, please. Learn more about Jessica here.

Alex Land is a literary agent with Mad Woman Literary Agency. She is seeking adult fiction, young adult fiction, and middle grade fiction in the areas of: Action/Adventure, BIPOC Literature, Fantasy, Folklore, Gothic, Historical, Horror, Humor, LGBTQ, Magical Realism, Mystery, New Adult, Psychological Thriller, Romcom, Science Fiction, South East Asian Literature, Speculative, Thriller. She is always enthusiastic about representing diverse writers. Learn more about Alex here.

Elisa Moles is a literary agent with Painted Fire Literary Agency. “My tastes are wide-ranging, but I’m especially excited by upmarket and genre-defying works across categories, including but not limited to speculative, mystery/suspense/thriller, paranormal, historical fiction, cross-cultural, and contemporary and book club fiction. I have a soft spot for smart and elevated romcoms. I’m particularly on the lookout for sci-fi/fantasy with rich, consequential worldbuilding (cozy to epic) and innovative hooks. When it comes to literary fiction, I am most drawn to projects with timely subject matter and precisely drawn characters.” Learn more about Elisa here.

Diego Harrison is a literary agent with SBR Media. He is seeking romantasy, horror (love zombies!), thriller (domestic, crime, high concept — not paranormal), young adult (including YA across genres), middle grade, children’s picture books from author-illustrators, nonfiction and memoir with a properly construction prospectus / front matter, romance and romantic suspense, military action, crime fiction, mystery and cozies. He will consider select fantasy and science fiction if it has exceptional writing and a high concept pitch. Learn more about Diego here.

Rachel Estep is a literary agent with D4EO Literary Agency. She is seeking: literary fiction; mainstream fiction; all types of middle grade and young adult (especially that centers underrepresented voices); voicey, high-stakes psychological thrillers; stories that mess with your head in the best way; gothic fiction that blends deep senses of foreboding with modern themes; true crime projects that dig deeper than the headlines and center empathy alongside the horror; queer romcoms that bring the banter, the swoon, the spice, and a whole lot of heart; historical fiction driven by complex, unforgettable women in the style of Marie Benedict. Learn more about Rachel here.

Olivia Emerick is a literary agent with Metamorphosis Literary Agency.  With her experience in the literary and theatrical spaces, she values collaboration, communication, and human stories. She is passionate about advancing authors’ careers while respecting their artistic visions. Outside work, she enjoys writing poetry and attending local theatre productions. Under the umbrella of commercial fiction for young adult and adult audiences, she is looking for manuscripts in the romance, fantasy, mythology, dark academia, dystopian, horror, and thriller genres. Learn more about Olivia here.

Paul S. Levine is a literary agent and the founder of Paul S. Levine Literary. He is also an attorney. His fiction interests include adventure novels, mainstream fiction, mysteries, romance, thrillers, and women’s fiction. His nonfiction interests include business/commerce, pop culture, how-to, self-help, politics/law, relationships, and sports. With almost 40 years of experience in the entertainment and book industries, Levine is one of the few lawyers on the West coast who also understands the world of book publishing; as such, he is able to act as both literary agent and publishing attorney for his clients. Learn more about Paul here.

Leticia Gomez is the editorial director for Kensington Books and Dafina. Leticia is the Editorial Director for Dafina Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing Corp., which focuses on high-quality fiction and nonfiction that centers on race, identity, and its impact on our experiences. Launched in 2000 as the first African-American imprint, Dafina has led the market for more than twenty years in highlighting voices of color. Leticia is actively seeking to acquire multicultural fiction and nonfiction of all genres, including literary fiction, commercial fiction, historical fiction, romance, mystery, and narrative nonfiction of all genres with a focus on authors of color (BIPOC) hailing from all walks of life, as well as specific nonfiction projects for marginalized communities. As a literary agent, Savvy Literary is now an industry leader specializing in Self-help, Narrative Non-fiction, Memoir, True Crime, Spiritual/Inspirational, Political/Current Affairs, Suspense/Thriller, Family Drama, and the Young Adult market. Championing the work of minority writers continues to be a top priority for the agency. Blending her experience as an author, literary/film/television agent and acquisition editor, she is truly excited to spearhead her very own Hispanic book imprint Café con Leche Books. Learn more about Leticia here.

Mindi St. Peter is a literary manager at BAMbooks. In fiction, she seeks: action/adventure, children’s, commercial, crime, domestic thriller, erotica, family saga, fantasy, general, graphic novel, historical, horror, humor, LGBTQ, literary, middle grade, mystery, new adult, picture books, psychological thriller, romance, thriller, women’s fiction, young adult. In nonfiction, she seeks: humor, LGBTQ, memoir, pop culture. Favorite sub-genres: contemporary romance, contemporary YA, literary, middle grade, magical realism, narrative nonfiction, psychological thrillers. Learn more about Mindi here.

Shelly Romero is a literary agent with Azantian Literary Agency. She is seeking: science fiction; speculative fiction; horror (almost all subgenres & especially for all age categories); Honduran authors; stories by Latine/x authors from Central America and the Caribbean (including Afro-Latine & Indigenous Latine stories); playing with formatting such as mixed-media & epistolary novels that give the story a “found footage” type of vibe; anything comped to Guillermo del Toro, David Cronenberg, Clive Barker, John Carpenter, or Wes Craven; Catholic horror; gothic romance; grounded fantasy; midwestern gothic; southern gothic; vampires; Jewish stories especially if they are intersectional with BIPOC and/or queer characters; thrillers/mysteries (with non-cop protagonists); commercial fiction; slice-of-life a la One Tree Hill, OG Gossip Girl, The Sandlot, Real Women Have Curves, What We Do in the Shadows; historical fiction set during: Regency, Edwardian, & Victorian eras; post-WWII; 80s – 00s…but featuring BIPOC and/or queer characters; adult erotic fiction, especially featuring BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA characters in kink spaces; set during college and non-college bound post-high school. Learn more about Shelly here.

Ruth Gila Berger is a literary agent with Red Sofa Literary. She is seeking: adult and young adult fiction that has a hook, nuance and heart; essay collections that show up in the wrong outfit, take a circuitous or unexpected route to writing, and question assumptions; narrative nonfiction with a story – especially if it marries two seemly disparate fields like art and mathematics, physics and cooking, birds and language, etc. I want to read experts who can charm and surprise me, make me laugh and never take a tone of intellectual superiority; memoir is where my heart lives but you have to knock my socks off and be connected to something in the larger world (must have a platform to sell) and graphic Novels, only if they are original, beautiful and funny. Learn more about Ruth here.

Kaylyn Aldridge is a literary agent at Metamorphosis Literary seeking commercial, upmarket, and literary fiction for adult and new adult audiences. In particular, romances with dark psychological or thriller elements, dark comedies and satires centered on women’s issues or sociopolitical themes, and women-centered horror. Outside these genres, she seeks fiction that is strange, sharp, emotionally raw, fearless, and voice-driven. Stories centering Black/POC and LGBT+ characters are a plus, as well as unreliable narrators and characters who are plain terrible.​ Learn more about Kaylyn here.

Renee Runge is a literary agent at Spencerhill Associates. She is actively building her list in all genres of middle grade and young adult fiction. Her taste can be summed up as “eclectic,” and she is drawn to high-concept commercial projects with a literary aura, unexpected hooks, strong A/B plots, and distinct voices. She’s especially passionate about supporting diverse and underrepresented creators from all backgrounds, with the hope that every child can one day see themselves in the pages of a book. A lover of anthropomorphic characters, she dreams of repping the next blockbuster animal novel or series. Her favorite feeling is being moved to tears by a book’s last chapter. Learn more about Renee here.