Category: WilWrite26 Schedule

  • 3 – 4PM Saturday Windsor C: Pitch for Film and TV

    Screenwriters! Come practice your pitch! We’ll help you refine and shine your film or TV pitch and talk you through your next steps to the screen.

    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

  • 2 – 2:45PM Saturday Windsor C: Short Film, Big Impact: A Case Study of The Lunch Date

    Working on your script? Join us for a deep dive to learn more about the art of screenwriting through the Oscar-winning short The Lunch Date. Watch the film before you arrive – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty_hn7l1zKE&t=118s We will explore the film’s structural genius by examining how it leverages social assumptions and a powerful narrative pivot to subvert audience expectations. Using this classic work as a catalyst, we will discuss the unique hurdles of writing in the short film format. You will leave with practical insight into how to overcome those challenges and create stories that have a lasting impact.

    Faculty

    • Dustin Morrow
      Dustin Morrow bridges the worlds of creative practice and scholarly inquiry as an Emmy-winning filmmaker, bestselling author, film festival programmer, optioned screenwriter, podcaster and educator. He is a tenured Professor in the School of Film at Portland State University. More here: https://dustinmorrow.com/biography/. Schedule

  • 2 – 3:30PM Saturday Windsor B: The Art of the Query Letter: How to Thrill Editors and Agents with a Single Page

    What makes an agent or editor stop and read your query? In this workshop, you will learn to craft a concise and compelling query letter that captures your story’s promise, conflict, and surprise. You will also receive a curated bibliography of professional examples to guide your approach and help you create a letter that stands out.

    Faculty

    • Melissa Hart
      Melissa Hart is the author of several nonfiction books and novels; her latest is Find Your Nature: 40 Ways to Deepen the Connection to Your Flora, Fauna & Community. Her short-form writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Smithsonian, CNN, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Nat Geo Kids, Orion, and numerous… Read more: Melissa Hart

  • 2 – 3:30PM Saturday Belmont C: Q&A with New York Times Bestselling Author Rosanne Parry

    Join New York Times Bestselling Author Rosanne Parry for a focused Q&A about her work, publishing life, and how she made it to the top of the New York Times Bestseller list…multiple times!

    Faculty

    • Rosanne Parry
      Rosanne Parry grew up in Oregon loving its rainy days, wild places, and many libraries.  She is the author of eight novels for young readers, including the NY Times best sellers A Wolf Called Wander and A Whale of the Wild which have been translated into more than 14 languages. Her next novel will be A Horse Named Sky–another Voice… Read more: Rosanne Parry

  • 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