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Thursday
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8:40Opening Ceremonies: Whole group orientation, intro to the conference
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9:00Unputdownable Fiction: Part 1
Joy Peskin
Writing the Unputdownable First Chapter

We all know that feeling as readers, the experience of reading a first chapter and not being able to stop. But as writers, how does one create a first chapter that a reader--and before that, an editor--can't put down? In this two-hour session, I'll take you through some examples of unputdownable first chapters from books I've edited, and we'll unpack what makes them work. You'll have a chance to try writing a propulsive opening yourself, and you'll get feedback from your classmates and from me. I'll also give you a list of do's and don'ts when it comes to getting--and keeping--an editor's attention to your work.

(Continued on Friday)		Writing Out of the Box Pt 1
Candace Fleming

Nowadays, editors are searching for nonfiction picture books that, as one editor said, "exists no place else." That means unique perspectives, unexpected approaches, unusual slants and new ways of telling. It means writing out of the box. This fun-filled class will include presentations, writing exercises, Q & A sessions and helpful handouts.

(Continued on Friday)		Show and Tell: A Masterclass in Doing Both with Your Writing, Pt 1
Mary Kole

You’ve heard the rule—“Show, don’t tell”—but what does that mean? How do you know when to break it? In this live, masterclass with publishing expert and craft-book author Mary Kole, you’ll learn why showing and telling aren’t opposites—they’re partners.

We’ll dissect the most misunderstood writing advice in the game and give you a powerful framework for choosing the right tool at the right moment. You'll learn how to:

Diagnose flat scenes and bring them to life
Accelerate pacing and deepen character insight
Balance interiority, summary, and scene
Avoid common "showing" pitfalls

Bring your pages, your biggest questions, and your curiosity. You’ll walk away with practical tools, play-along-at-home exercises—and a permission slip to break the damn rules on purpose. (Continued on Friday)		The Business of Writing, Pt 1
Vicky Weber
Publishing 101: How the Industry Actually Works

More than just pros and cons—this session unpacks what writers really need to know about traditional and indie publishing today. We’ll cover the key players, timelines, business terms, and what matters (and doesn’t) when trying to break in. Ideal for beginners or anyone feeling overwhelmed by the noise.

(Continued on Friday)
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11:00Break
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11:10Writing the Verse Novel
Claudia Mills

This interactive workshop focuses on the exciting and popular literary form of the MG/YA verse novel. Some questions we will try to answer, referencing acclaimed texts such as Kwame Alexander’s The Crossover and Elizabeth Acevedo’s The Poet X, are: Which kinds of stories are best suited to be told in verse? What challenges does the verse format create? What rewards for both writer and reader does it make possible? How does the use of verse simplify and complicate the advancement of plot? How can it deepen and enrich character development? Expect to write a poem that might be the seed of your own verse novel!		Nailing Your Comp Titles
Paula Weiman

Almost every pitch for every book includes comp titles, but what are they for? As an agent, I've seen a lot of authors struggle to find accurate and useful comps for their query letters. Learn about comp titles and what they're used for at different stages in the life cycle of a book. We'll spend some time brainstorming together, and you'll leave with an extensive list of comp titles for your project and guidance on when to use each one in a pitch.		What Happens Next?: A Workshop on Story Questions
Laura Shovan

Novelist E. M. Forster said that the root of story is “making the audience want to know what happens next.” To do that, authors must raise a series of questions, dangling the promise of eventual answers. In this workshop, we will practice identifying and creating the questions and answers that form the backbone of a narrative and that keep readers turning pages. Come with an idea for a project or the opening of your work in progress.
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Friday
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9:00Unputdownable Fiction: Part 2
Joy Peskin
Crafting an Unforgettable Main Character

(Continued from Thursday)

Have you ever read a work of fiction about a character so real you still think of them years later and wonder how they're doing? In this two-hour session, we'll explore how to create an unforgettable main character by looking at examples from books I've edited. We'll dig into what makes these characters so strong, and you'll get to practice putting together a memorable main character of your own--and then you'll get feedback from your classmates and from me. We'll also talk about those scene-stealing secondary characters, the ones you'd like to see star in their own book one day, and we'll talk about why they matter, too. 		Writing Out of the Box Pt 2
Candace Fleming

(Continued from Thursday)		Show and Tell: A Masterclass in Doing Both with Your Writing, Pt 2
Mary Kole

(Continued from Thursday)
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11:00Break
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11:10Understanding the Query Letter
Andie Smith

What makes a strong query letter? Learn how to stand out in the slush pile. From the foundation and structure to using comparative titles, you will understand what it takes to craft an impactful query letter that encourages agents to read more. Plus, get access to an interactive workshop and oversee LIVE critiques of your cohort's query submissions! 		Crafting Stellar Scenes for the Middle-Grade Audience
Jennifer Bertmann

A well-crafted scene brings characters to life and moves the story forward. A great scene makes the reader feel like they’re right there, experiencing the events alongside the characters. In this workshop, we’ll analyze a variety of scenes to understand what makes them work and experiment with applying those techniques to our own writing.		Plotting and Scheming: Crafting Your Novel to Connect
Kiri Jorgensen

I will talk about plot structure, and how to utilize a three turning point scene map.You'll learn about connecting the character's motive to those turning point scenes. This format is very effective for writing novels for kids. I'll also provide tools to use to work through the evaluation of their manuscripts.
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Saturday
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9:00Picture Books: Juggling Pancakes While Riding a Unicycle
Shawna J.C. Tenney

In this workshop, we’ll dive into the magic of pacing, pagination, and packing a powerful punch in just 32 pages. We’ll explore how to use just the right number of words while keeping your story’s heart beating strong. You’ll discover how pictures and words dance together—and why making your own “dummy book” is a game-changer for every author.
“Be a Poet Even in Prose”: Eleven Techniques for Writing Jaw-dropping Sentences
Lance Larsen

Beginning writers sometimes focus too much on plot and character and genre expectations. By contrast, our best writers, including authors as diverse as Ursula Le Guin, Karen Russell, E.B. White, and Cormac McCarthy, have mastered those pesky building-block thingies called sentences, and in the process taken their craft to a whole new level. In this session, not only will we read multiple examples of remarkable sentences, but we’ll imitate the masters with in-class prompts.

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11:00Break
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11:10Points of No Return: How to Use 4 Plot Thresholds to Keep Your Story (and Your Character!) Moving Forward
Erin Stewart

Every plot has specific life-altering moments when your character can no longer go back to who they once were. These points of no return propel your character forward and make your reader want to turn the page. In this class, we’ll learn about when these critical threshold scenes should occur, how they should change your character, and how they work together to create a strong plot and convincing character transformation.
Small stories have a big impact: The why and how of writing effective description.
Laura Torres Newey

When you show a reader a moment in time, or "small story," via concrete or sensory detail, your message has more meaning and power. This session will be on the craft of writing in-the-moment scenes and why it works for the reader. Less is more if details are chosen carefully. We will learn effective techniques and exercises, look at professional passages, and before and after examples.		Picture Books: Unicorns in Outer Space
Kristyn Crow


Picture books are wild, wonderful creatures—equal parts poetry, play, and visual storytelling. They can be funny or quiet, lyrical or bold. They look simple… until you try to write one. Just when you think you’ve captured the craft, a new book breaks every rule—and wins every award.

We’ll explore what makes a picture book resonate with young readers. You’ll learn to write for illustrations that don’t exist, and how to craft stories that invite collaboration. Whether starting out or refining your voice, this course will help you shape stories that sing—and shine in the hands of children.
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