Category: WilWrite26 Saturday

  • 2 – 3:30PM Saturday Belmont B: All Play, No Pressure: A Generative Poetry-Writing Workshop

    Writer’s block often comes from putting too much pressure on ourselves and our writing. In this 90-minute generative poetry workshop with keynote Christopher Diaz, you’ll explore playful approaches that shift your mindset from critical to curious, helping you write without judgment, surprise yourself, and even have fun. You’ll walk away with new tools to move through writer’s block and a mindset that encourages playful experimentation for a healthier, more sustainable writing practice. This workshop is perfect for beginning writers looking for consistency, seasoned writers wanting to shake up their process, or anyone open to trying something new or playful. We’ll experiment with approaches for when you’re stuck on what to write, unsure how to start, or ready to stretch your voice and try something different.

    Faculty

    • Christopher Diaz
      Christopher Diaz (he/him) is an indigenous CHamoru from the Pacific Island of Guåhan. As a writer, performer, and photographer, he’s been featured by NBC News, Poets & Writers.org, and more. Recently he was awarded a fellowship with Indigenous Nations Poets and an artist grant from the Washington State Arts Commission. In 2025, he was the… Read more: Christopher Diaz

  • 2 – 3:30PM Saturday Belmont A: Editing Toolbox: Strategies that Actually Work

    Struggling to make your drafts shine? Join veteran authors and skilled editors to learn practical, results-driven techniques to tackle every stage of the editing process. This panel covers strategies for refining structure, polishing language, and strengthening character and plot, giving you actionable tools to make your work shine!

    Faculty

    • Brian W. Parker
      Brian grew up in Alaska, then Mississippi, and has always been in love with storytelling in every medium. He earned a BFA in graphic design & illustration and an MA in writing & publishing. He’s an adjunct professor of children’s publishing at Portland State University. He is the co-owner and creative director of Believe In… Read more: Brian W. Parker
    • Eric Witchey
      Eric Witchey has sold stories under several names and in 14 genres. His tales have been translated into multiple languages, and his credits include over 170 stories, including 5 novels and two collections. His work has received recognition from New Century Writers, Writers of the Future, Writer’s Digest, Independent Publisher Book Awards, International Book Awards,… Read more: Eric Witchey
    • Suzy Vitello
      Suzy Vitello’s award-winning short pieces have appeared in The Rumpus, The Southampton Review, Mississippi Review and other journals. Her next novel, Griftopia, releases May 05, 2026. Her recent release, The Bequest, has been called “a riveting, fast-paced crime caper.” Other novels include Bitterroot, Faultland, The Moment Before, The Empress Chronicles, and The Keepsake. She works… Read more: Suzy Vitello

  • 12:30 – 1:45PM Saturday Belmont A/B & Zoom One: Saturday Keynote

    It’s time! The ballroom doors are open. Join us in person or on Zoom for Saturday’s Keynote with publishing expert and celebrated author Jane Friedman. Then, meet the next generation of young writers as they read their work, showcasing fresh voices and exciting new ideas.

    About Jane Friedman

    Jane Friedman headshot

    Jane Friedman has spent 25 years working in the book publishing industry, with a focus on author education and industry reporting. In 2023, she was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World.

    She is the author of The Business of Being a Writer, which received a starred review from Library Journal. In addition to serving on grant panels for the NEA and the Creative Work Fund, she works with organizations such as The Authors Guild to bring transparency to the business of publishing.

    Find out more at JaneFriedman.com

  • 12:30 – 1:45PM Saturday Boxwood Cafe: Screenwriter’s Lunch

    Writing for the script or screen? Join us for a casual lunch designed to connect screenwriters at all levels. Share ideas, swap stories, and talk craft in a relaxed, informal setting.

  • 11:30AM – 12:30PM Saturday Belmont Foyer: Lunch

    It’s lunchtime! If you’ve registered for a boxed lunch, then come to the Belmont Foyer and pick up your meal. If not, check your folder for our list of neighborhood options, prepared for you by President Emerita Gail Pasternack.

  • 10:30 – 11:30AM Saturday Zoom 2: Bring Your Story World to Life

    World-building can turn a story from “just OK” into something readers can’t put down. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to create immersive, believable worlds that draw readers in and support your story. Julie Artz will guide you through practical techniques to make your story world feel vivid and alive.

    Faculty

    • Julie Artz
      Julie Artz helps writers who are almost there across the finish line. She is an Author Accelerator-certified Founding Book Coach and a sought-after writing instructor and speaker. She regularly contributes to Jane Friedman and Writers Helping Writers, and has taught for SCBWI, AuthorsPublish, Jane Friedman, IWWG, and many local writing groups. A consummate social justice… Read more: Julie Artz

  • 10:30 – 11:30AM Saturday Zoom 1: Fund Your Muse: Applying for Grants, Fellowships, & Residencies

    Are you planning to apply for a literary grant, fellowship, scholarship, or artists’ residency in 2026 or 2027? This strategy-packed workshop will show you how to position yourself as a competitive candidate, demonstrate a rising trajectory, and craft clear, concise personal statements. You’ll also learn where to find legitimate funding opportunities, what selection committees look for, and complete hands-on activities to strengthen your application.

    • Lyzette Wanzer
      Lyzette Wanzer’s work appears in over thirty literary journals, magazines, and books. Her book, Trauma, Tresses, & Truth: Untangling Our Hair Through Personal Narratives (Chicago Review Press) appears on Library Journal’s 2022 Top 10 Best Social Sciences Books list, and was a 2023 Black Women’s Studies Association Selection. Lyzette is a contributor to The Lyric… Read more: Lyzette Wanzer

  • 10:30 – 11:30AM Saturday Windsor C: The Power of Picture Books

    Picture books are a critical part of children’s reading development and social and emotional learning. In this workshop, literary agent CoCo Freeman will show you how to create an engaging and memorable read aloud experience using sensory language and rich visual storytelling.

    Faculty

    • CoCo Freeman
      CoCo is a graduate of Bard College with a B.A. in Written Arts. Before joining Linda Chester, she worked for Tom Yoon Productions developing projects and editing existing material. She is very happy to have entered the world of her first love, books. Find out more at https://lindachester.com. Schedule

  • 10:30 – 11:30AM Saturday Windsor B: Adaptability: Bringing Books to the Screen

    Ever wonder how to squeeze 300 pages of a novel into a 100-page script? In this workshop with Randall Jahnson, you’ll learn how to turn books into compelling movies or series. You’ll explore how to assess a book’s cinematic potential, extract the real story, and shape it into a pitch and script that grabs the audience’s attention. We’ll tackle the tough questions: what to cut, what to keep, and when it’s okay to combine characters or add new material. You’ll leave with practical strategies and the confidence to adapt any novel or IP for the screen, with real-world examples from Randall’s scripts: The Doors, The Mask of Zorro, and Flashbacks.

    Faculty

    • Randall Jahnson
      Randall Jahnson has been a professional screenwriter since 1985. He’s worked with such amazing filmmaking talent as Stephen Spielberg, Penelope Spheeris, Spike Lee, and the late Jonathan Demme. His credits include the punk rock Western Dudes, The Doors, The Mask of Zorro, Sunset Strip, and episodes of the classic HBO comedy-horror series, Tales from the… Read more: Randall Jahnson

  • 10:30 – 11:30AM Saturday Belmont C: The Book Distribution Playbook: Visibility, Positioning, and Sales

    Getting your book published is one thing. Getting it sold is another. In this session, Keri-Rae Barnum, marketing strategist and CEO of New Shelves Books, breaks down publishing distribution and how books reach bookstore shelves, Amazon, and library systems. We’ll look at what makes a book commercially viable, how buying decisions happen, and the strategies that increase visibility and drive stronger sales.

    Faculty

    • Keri-Rae Barnum
      Keri-Rae Barnum has empowered hundreds of authors to launch and grow their writing careers with confidence and real-world results. She is the owner and CEO of New Shelves Books, where she partners with publishers and authors alike to strengthen production, distribution, and visibility in bookstores and libraries. She is also the author of Tough Love… Read more: Keri-Rae Barnum