After successful past writers conferences in Wisconsin and across the country, Writing Day Workshops is excited to announce The 2024 Milwaukee Writing Workshop — a full-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing conference in Milwaukee, WI on Friday, June 21, 2024.
This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited seats at the event (150 total). All questions about the event regarding schedule, details and registration are answered below. Thank you for your interest in the 2024 Milwaukee Writing Workshop! We are very proud of our many success stories where attendees sign with agents following events — see our growing list of success stories here.
(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 Milwaukee on Friday, June 21, 2024. See you there.)
WHAT IS IT?
This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop on Friday, June 21, 2024, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Milwaukee Brookfield. In other words, it’s one day 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.
This event is designed to squeeze as much into one day of learning as possible. You can ask any questions you like during the classes, and get your specific concerns addressed. We will have literary agents onsite to give feedback and take pitches from writers, as well. This year’s agent and editor faculty so far includes:
- literary agent Natanya Wheeler (Nancy Yost Literary)
- literary agent Kara Grajkowski (3 Seas Literary)
- literary agent Laura Pink (SBR Media)
- literary agent Vicky Weber (The Purcell Agency)
- editor Erin McClary (Sourcebooks)
- literary agent Vanessa Taylir (SBR Media)
- editor Gretchen Stelter (Sourcebooks)
- and possibly more to come.
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 coordinator Brian Klems of Writing Day Workshops. E-mail Brian to register for the event at WDWconference@gmail.com and tell him you’re interested in the Milwaukee event.
EVENT LOCATION & DETAILS:
9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday, June 21, 2024 — at the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, 333 W Kilbourn Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203.
(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 Milwaukee on Friday, June 21, 2024. See you there.)
THIS YEAR’S SESSIONS & WORKSHOPS (JUNE 21, 2024):
8:30 – 9:30: Check-in and registration at the event location.
BLOCK ONE: 9:30 – 10:30
How to Write a Great Query Letter for Your Novel, taught by Brian Klems. This workshop is a thorough crash course in writing an awesome query letter. What things should you avoid in query writing? What beginnings are overused and don’t work? How to compose a great pitch? How do you whittle down a long query? This session will cover all those questions and more.
BLOCK TWO: 10:45 – 11:50
Common Mistakes in Opening Chapters, taught by Vicky Weber. In this session, you’ll learn what typical mistakes writers make in the beginning of a manuscript that keep agents from reading the rest of the story (and how to fix them).
LUNCH ON YOUR OWN: 11:50 – 1:15
Lunch is on your own during these 85 minutes.
BLOCK THREE: 1:15 – 2:30
“Writers Got Talent”—a Page 1 Critique Fest. 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.
BLOCK FOUR: 2:45 – 3:45
Boost Your Book Sales, taught by Vicky Weber. In this session, we’ll walk you through a 3-step action plan to help you sell more books with less time, effort, and guesswork. Plus, how to shift your mindset so you can start enjoying the marketing process!
BLOCK FIVE: 4:00 – 5:00
Getting Published in Today’s World: 10 Tips to Make You the Writer Agents and Publishers Want, taught by Brian Klems. If you want to land an agent and a book deal in today’s market, you’re going to have to do a lot more than just write a great book (though that’s a good start). In this session, former Writer’s Digest editor Brian A. Klems discusses the challenges writers face in publishing today and offers up 10 practical tips to help you break through the barriers and find success.
SESSIONS END: 5:00
At 5 p.m., the day is done. Speakers will make themselves available by the workshop’s bookstore for a short while to sign any books for attendees.
Agent & Editor Pitching: All throughout the day.
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PITCH AN AGENT OR EDITOR:
Natanya Wheeler is a literary agent with Nancy Yost Literary. Natanya is looking for literary, upmarket, and commercial fiction. She is particularly interested in books that help us understand our world. She’s looking for multicultural voices, psychological thrillers, suspense, book club fiction, romance, and humorous fiction. She loves to find new writers and does not shy away from debut talent. For nonfiction, Natanya is interested in authors with strong platforms who write about nature, the human mind, women’s issues, or animals. Learn more about Natanya here.
Laura Pink is a literary agent with SBR Media. She’s social media savvy and loves to use social media to help authors grow. “The genres I prefer are Dark Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Erotica, BDSM, LGBTQ+ Romance, Suspense, and Christian. I may consider others outside of these to represent.” Learn more about Laura here.
Erin McClary is an associate editor with Sourcebooks and Sourcebooks Landmark. In nonfiction, she seeks: Narrative nonfiction (particularly centered on women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+); history; popular science; social sciences; body, mind, and spirit; travel. In fiction, she seeks: Character-driven contemporary women’s fiction and historical fiction with a strong hook and upmarket writing, especially books with big emotions that are ultimately uplifting. Learn more about Erin here.
Kara Grajkowski is a literary agent with 3 Seas Literary. She is seeking: contemporary Middle Grade Fiction, contemporary YA Fiction, and #OwnVoices. (She is not the best fit for fantasy.) “I have a soft spot for contemporary fiction stories, especially if the main character doesn’t have it all figured out yet. I am searching for the best middle grade and YA fiction stories that have you smiling, crying, and growing right along with the characters.” Learn more about Kara here.
Vicky Weber is a literary agent with The Purcell Agency. She is seeking: Picture Books (anything heartfelt, educational, or lighthearted); Young Adult (fantasy, mystery, horror, thriller, suspense); Middle Grade (fantasy, mystery, magic); and Adult Fiction (fantasy and thrillers). Vicky specializes in picture books. She wants to be dropped into the moment and experience the story alongside the characters. She is always seeking underrepresented authors, BIPOC, LGBTQ+. Learn more about Vicky here.
Gretchen Stelter is an editor with Sourcebooks. She is seeking all kinds of young adult fiction. She also seeks most types of romance (anything except for historical). Sourcebooks Bloom seeks spicier, edgier (and mainly successfully self-pubbed) romance; while Sourcebooks Casablanca does a whole range, from dark romance to contemporary and suspense. With a long career of helping authors, both traditional and self-published, she is also always happy to spend her conference meetings answering questions. If you need need advice on your publishing path, feel free to meet with her. Learn more about Gretchen here.
Vanessa Taylir is a literary agent with SBR Media. “The genres I prefer are Women Fiction, Crime Fiction, Cozy Mysteries, and Fantasy including YA and Middle Grade. I am also interested in Non-Fiction Home Decorating, Lifestyles, Self-Help, and True Crime.” Vanessa has an eclectic taste in books including mysteries, thrillers, YA fantasy, self-help, and rom-coms with strong female leads. Learn more about Vanessa here.
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ADDED ONLINE PITCHING: To ensure that writers have a robust and diverse lineup of agents & editors to pitch, 2024 Milwaukee Writing Workshop attendees will have the ability to also pitch literary agents at the Writing Day Workshops *online* event that follows the 2024 MWW on our calendar.
That event is the Texas Writing Workshop, July 26-27, 2024, which will have 30-40 agents taking one-on-one Zoom virtual pitches.
This means that 2024 MWW attendees can have access to pitching all those online TWW agents — pitches still at $29 each — without being a formal registrant for the online July 2024 event. (That said, if you want to formally register for the Texas conference and have access to all classes and panels, let us know, as there is a discount for confirmed Milwaukee attendees.)
If you are interested in this added pitching opportunity, the first step is to get formally registered for Milwaukee. Following the MWW conference on June 21, 2024, we will be in touch with all Milwaukee attendees and ask them if they want to partake in pitching online agents at the 2024 TWW (July 26-27). At that time, you can communicate your pitch requests and purchase meeting time.
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More 2024 agents to be announced as they are confirmed. You can sign up for pitches at any time, or switch pitches at any time, so long as the agent in question still has appointments open.
These one-on-one meetings are an amazing chance to pitch your book face-to-face with an agent, and get personal, individual feedback on your pitch/concept. If the agent likes your pitch, they’ll request to see part/all of your book — sending you straight past the slush pile. It also gives you an intimate chance to meet with an agent and pick their brain with any questions on your mind.
(Please note that Agent/Editor Pitching is an add-on, separate aspect of the day, for only those who sign up. Spaces are limited for these premium meetings, and pricing/detail is explained below.)
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PRICING:
$169 — EARLY BIRD base price for registration to the 2024 MWW and access to all workshops, all day. As of fall 2023, registration is now OPEN. Just email coordinator Brian Klems and tell him you want to register for the Milwaukee event — WDWconference@gmail.com
Add $29 — to secure a 10-minute one-on-one meeting with any of our literary agents or editors in attendance. Use this special meeting as a chance to pitch your work and get professional feedback on your pitch. (Spaces limited.) If they wish, attendees are free to sign up for multiple 10-minute pitch sessions at $29/session — pitching multiple individuals, or securing 20 minutes to pitch one person rather than the usual 10. Here are four quick testimonials regarding writers who have signed with literary agents after pitching them at prior Writing Day Workshops events. (Our bigger, growing list of success stories an be seen here.)
“I met my client, Alison Hammer, at the Writing
Workshop of Chicago and just sold her book.”
– literary agent Joanna Mackenzie of Nelson Literary
“Good news! I signed a client [novelist Aliza Mann]
from the Michigan Writing Workshop!”
– literary agent Sara Mebigow of KT Literary
“I signed author Stephanie Wright from
the Seattle Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Kathleen Ortiz of New Leaf Literary
“I signed an author [Kate Thompson] that I
met at the Philadelphia Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Kimberly Brower of Brower Literary
“I signed novelist Kathleen McInnis after meeting her
at the Chesapeake Writing Workshop.”
– literary agent Adriann Ranta of Foundry Literary + Media
Add $69 — for an in-depth, personal critique of your one-page query letter from Brian Klems, one of the day’s instructors. (This rate is a special event value for Milwaukee Writing Workshop attendees only.) Registrants are encouraged to take advantage of the specially-priced critique, so they can send out their query letter with confidence following the workshop. Also, if you are meeting with an agent at the event, you’re essentially speaking your query letter aloud to them. Wouldn’t it be wise to give that query letter (i.e., your pitch) one great edit before that meeting?
Add $89 — for an in-depth personal critique of the first 10 pages of your novel. Spaces with faculty for these critiques are very limited, and participating attendees will either 1) get an in-person meeting at the workshop, if the faculty member is attending the live event, or 2) get a 10-minute phone call with the faculty member, and have notes passed along via email, if the critiquer is not attending the live event. Options:
- Women’s, mainstream, science fiction, fantasy, romance, crime, thriller, mystery (virtual critiques): Faculty member Michelle McGill-Vargas, a writing coach and author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
- All types & genres of fiction for adults and young adults (virtual critiques): Faculty member Kristi Belcamino, a published mystery author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
- All types & genres of fiction for adults, young adults, and middle grade readers (virtual critiques): Faculty member Lorin Oberweger, a writing coach and author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
- Children’s picture books and middle grade (virtual critiques): Faculty member Brittany Thurman, a published author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting. If you submit a picture book, it must be 1,000 words or fewer (can have illustrations or not).
- More possibly forthcoming
How to pay/register — Registration is now open. Reach out to workshop organizer Brian Klems via email: WDWconference@gmail.com, and he will provide specific instructions for payment and registration to get you a reserved seat at the event. Payment is by credit card, PayPal, or check. Because Brian plans different workshops, make sure you note that you’re inquiring about the Milwaukee workshop specifically.
REGISTRATION:
Because of limited space at the venue (Hyatt Regency Milwaukee), the workshop can only allow 150 registrants, unless spacing issues change. For this reason, we encourage you to book sooner rather than later.
(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 Milwaukee on Friday, June 21, 2024. See you there.)
Are spaces still available? Yes, we still have spaces available. We will announce RIGHT HERE, at this point on this web page, when all spaces are taken. If you do not see a note right here saying how all spaces are booked, then yes, we still have room, and you are encouraged to register.
How to Register: The easy first step is simply to reach out to workshop organizer Brian Klems via email: WDWconference@gmail.com. Brian will pass along registration information to you, and give instructions on how to pay by credit card, PayPal, or check. Once payment is complete, you will have a reserved seat at the event. The MWW will send out periodic e-mail updates to all registered attendees with any & all news about the event. Because Brian plans different workshops, make sure you note that you’re inquiring about the Milwaukee workshop specifically.
Refunds: If you sign up for the event and have to cancel for any reason at any time, you will receive 50% of your total payment back [sent by check or PayPal]. The other 50% is nonrefundable and will not be returned, and helps the workshop ensure that only those truly interested in the limited spacing sign up for the event. (Please note that query editing payments and manuscript editing payments are completely non-refundable if the instructor has already edited your work.)
Thank you for your interest in the 2024 Milwaukee Writing Workshop.
The 2024 Milwaukee Writing Workshop 