After successful 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2022 events in Kansas City, Writing Day Workshops is excited to announce The 2024 Kansas City Writing Workshop — a full-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing event in Kansas City on March 16, 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 Kansas City 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 KCWW is an in-person event happening in Kansas City on March 16, 2024. See you there.)
WHAT IS IT?
This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing workshop on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Kansas City Plaza. 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 Bonnie Swanson (The Purcell Agency)
- literary agent Morgan Hughes (Fineprint Literary)
- literary agent Stephanie Hansen (Metamorphosis Literary)
- literary agent Haley Casey (Creative Media Agency)
- literary agent Kelsey Ruoff (Gold Dust Literary)
- 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 Chuck Sambuchino of Writing Day Workshops, with regional assistance from local writing groups. E-mail WritingDayWorkshops@gmail.com and say you want to register for the Kansas City event.
Special thanks to the Midwest Romance Writers (based in KC) for offering volunteers to help us on March 16. Also helping us is the Kansas City Writers Meetup Group. Check out these great organizations.
EVENT LOCATION & DETAILS:
9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, March 16, 2024 — at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Kansas City Plaza, 220 W 43rd St, Kansas City, MO 64111.
(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 KCWW is an in-person event happening in Kansas City on March 16, 2024. See you there.)
THIS YEAR’S SESSIONS & WORKSHOPS (MARCH 16, 2024):
8:30 – 9:30: Check-in and registration at the event location.
9:30 – 10:30: Understanding the Publishing Industry in 2024 — From Hybrid Publishing to Artificial Intelligence and Everything in Between. Writers today have lots of choices and options, but that doesn’t mean your publishing journey is an easy path to navigate. How are traditional publishing and self-publishing changing? What kind of writer is attractive to an agent currently? What is hybrid publishing? How will A.I. (artificial intelligence) help or hurt writers in the years to come? Which social media sites and publishing resources are worth the time and effort in 2024? All these questions, and more, will be addressed during the speech.
10:45 – 11:50: Everything You Need to Know About Literary Agents and Writing an Awesome Query Letter. This workshop is a thorough crash course in dealing with literary agents. After quickly going over what an agent is and what they do for writers, we will discuss resources for finding agents, how to ID the best agents for you, query letter writing, as well as the most important things to do and not to do when dealing with representatives.
11:50 – 1:15: Lunch is on your own during these 85 minutes.
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. Get expert feedback on your incredibly important first page, and know if your writing has what it needs to keep readers’ attention. All attendees are welcome to bring pages to the event for this session, and we will choose pages at random for the workshop for as long as time lasts. All submissions should be fiction or memoir—no prescriptive nonfiction or picture books, please. Do not send your pages in advance. You will bring printed copies with you, and instructions will be sent out approximately one week before the event.
2:45 – 3:45: How to Market Yourself and Your Books: Talking Author Social Media, Blogging, and Platform. Whether you’re traditionally published or self-published, everyone could use some helpful guidance on how to effectively market themselves and sell more books. This session includes easy-to-understand advice on social media (Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, more), blogging, and other simple ways you can market your work online cheaply and easily.
4:00 – 5:00: 10 Evergreen Keys to Writing Success. Learn 10 things you can be doing right now that will help get your book(s) published and have more control over your writing destiny. This is a general course that addresses commonsense things any writer can do to give their work the best shot at getting published, such as writing the best thing they can, stealing from themselves to generate more content, and why writing for love and money is a good idea.
At 5 p.m., the day is done. Speakers may make themselves available 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:
Haley Casey [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with Creative Media Agency. In adult fiction & nonfiction, she seeks: Women’s Fiction; Book Club Fiction; Romance (Bring me your tropes!); Contemporary; Paranormal; Nonfiction; Narrative nonfiction; Cultural, LGBTQ+ and Women’s Issues. In Young Adult, she seeks: Contemporary; Mystery/Horror; Fantasy; (Light) Science Fiction; Dystopian; and Nonfiction. In Middle Grade, she seeks: Contemporary; Mystery; Fantasy; Science Fiction; and Dystopian. I especially love anything that focuses on minority voices, including POC, LGBTQ+, disability, and mental health issues. Send me thoughtful and meaningful magical realism for any age group; manuscripts with nuanced character relationships; unique urban fantasies; clever fairytale retellings; and reimagined classics (such as Jane Austen or The Count of Monte Cristo). Learn more about Haley here.
Morgan Hughes [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] s a literary agent with FinePrint Literary. Morgan is seeking middle grade and young adult fantasy / adventure with a particular interest in graphic novels. She is also interested in YA, new adult, and adult romance. She loves unique narratives, strong voices, and impressive world-building, but is also drawn to small town vibes and sports settings. She is currently not seeking picture books, science fiction, thrillers/mysteries, or nonfiction. Learn more about Morgan here.
Bonnie Swanson [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with The Purcell Agency. She is seeking: Young adult & new adult: Issue driven, romance (anything but erotica), speculative fiction (fantasy & sci-fi), magical realism, paranormal, rom-com, suspense, mystery. (If it’s not on this list and you think I’d like it, pitch it!). In adult fiction, she seeks Romance, Speculative Fiction/Suspense (think Dean Koontz), Humor (combine all three and now we’re talking!) Always accepting LGBTQ, #ownvoices, and BIPOC. She does not want any picture book submissions right now. Learn more about Bonnie here.
Kelsey Ruoff [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with Gold Dust Literary. She is seeking: “I accept mysteries, psychological thrillers, YA sci-fi, and the occasional non-fiction that is within the mental health and lifestyle realm. Ultimately, I love a story with a twist – something that keeps me on my toes and can’t be predicted from the opening page. I especially enjoy a book that is written with unique format or perspectives; think The Silent Patient for mystery/thrillers. I enjoy inspirational storylines, humor, and spectacular world building. Not every story has a happy ending, but a book that evokes the reader to learn something about themselves is certainly worthwhile.” Learn more about Kelsey here.
Stephanie Hansen [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent and owner of Metamorphosis Literary. She represents everything fiction from children’s to adult books. She gets particularly excited about: Thrillers (YA & Adult); YA contemporary with unexpected antagonists; Prose that flows as smoothly as poetry; Unforgettable plot twists; Well-rounded characters; and Nonfiction with heart. Learn more about Stephanie here.
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ADDED ONLINE PITCHING: To ensure that writers have a robust and diverse lineup of agents & editors to pitch, 2024 Kansas City Writing Workshop attendees will have the ability to also pitch literary agents at the Writing Day Workshops *online* event that follows the 2024 KCWW on our calendar.
That event is the 2024 Online Writing Workshop of San Francisco, April 5-6, 2024, which will have 30-40 agents taking one-on-one Zoom virtual pitches.
This means that 2024 KCWW attendees can have access to pitching all those online San Francisco agents — pitches still at $29 each — without being a formal registrant for the online April 2024 WWSF. (That said, if you want to formally register for the April 5-6 WWSF and have access to all classes and panels, let us know, as there is a discount for confirmed Kansas City attendees.)
If you are interested in this added pitching opportunity, the first step is to get formally registered for Kansas City. Following the KCWW conferences on March 16, 2024, we will be in touch with all Kansas City attendees and ask them if they want to partake in pitching online agents at the 2024 WWSF (April 5-6). 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 KCWW and access to all workshops, all day. As of fall 2023, registration is now OPEN. Just email WritingDayWorkshops@gmail.com and say you want to attend the Kansas City conference.
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 Chuck Sambuchino, one of the day’s instructors. (This rate is a special event value for Kansas City 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:
- Romance, women’s fiction, mystery, thriller, upmarket, commercial (in-person critiques): Faculty member Tiffany Killoren, an author and freelance editor, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you personally at the event for 15 minutes to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
- Fantasy (both YA and adult), fantasy romance, contemporary romance, women’s fiction (virtual critiques): Faculty member Shauna Golden, a former agent, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, talk with you virtually (Zoom/phone) for 15 minutes workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes.
- 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.
- Middle grade, young adult; adult fiction in the areas of low fantasy, literary fiction, romance, contemporary fiction, women’s fiction, historical fiction, and mainstream fiction (virtual critiques): Faculty member Joel Brigham, a writing coach and author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, talk with you virtually (Zoom/phone) for 15 minutes sometime around the workshop to discuss his thoughts, and pass along written critique notes
- More critique options possibly forthcoming
How to pay/register — Registration is now open. Reach out to workshop organizer Chuck Sambuchino via email: WritingDayWorkshops@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 Chuck plans different workshops, make sure you note that you’re inquiring about the Kansas City workshop specifically.
REGISTRATION:
Because of limited space at the venue (Embassy Suites by Hilton Kansas City Plaza), 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 KCWW is an in-person event happening in Kansas City on March 16, 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 Chuck Sambuchino via email: WritingDayWorkshops@gmail.com. Chuck 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 KCWW will send out periodic e-mail updates to all registered attendees with any & all news about the event. Because Chuck plans different workshops, make sure you note that you’re inquiring about the Kansas City 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 Kansas City Writing Workshop.
Kelsey Ruoff [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with 
Haley Casey [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with 
Bonnie Swanson [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with 
Morgan Hughes [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with