After many previous successful Florida events, Writing Day Workshops is excited to announce The 2026 Florida Writing Workshops — two separate full-day “How to Get Published” writing events in Florida — Orlando (April 17, 2026) and Tampa (April 18, 2026).
These writing events are 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 events. All questions about the events regarding schedule, details and registration are answered below. Thank you for your interest in the 2026 Florida Writing Workshops! 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 these are in-person events. We at Writing Day Workshops plan both online/virtual as well as in-person events. This next FWW conferences are in-person events happening in Orlando on Friday, April 17, 2026; and Tampa on Saturday, April 18, 2026. See you there.)
To register, click the button above, or email Chuck at WritingDayWorkshops@gmail.com and tell him you’re interested in the Florida event.
WHAT ARE THE EVENTS?
These are a pair of special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshops on Friday, April 17, 2026 (Orlando) at the Crowne Plaza Orlando-Downtown; and Saturday, April 18, 2026 (Tampa) at the Hyatt House Tampa Airport Westshore. In other words, the workshops are both 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 Erica Bauman (Aevitas Creative Management) – ORLANDO
- literary agent Andie Smith (Creative Media Agency) – ORLANDO
- literary agent Kelly Thomas (Serendipity Literary) – ORLANDO
- literary agent Laurie Dennison (Creative Media Agency) – ORLANDO & TAMPA BOTH
- literary scout Erika Staiger (Spencerhill Associates) – ORLANDO & TAMPA BOTH
- literary agent Shelly Romero (Azantian Literary) – ORLANDO & TAMPA BOTH
- literary agent Sarah Fisk (Tobias Literary) – ORLANDO & TAMPA BOTH
- literary agent Robert Wilson (Wilson Media) – TAMPA
- literary agent Esty Loveing-Downes (Howland Literary) – TAMPA
- literary agent Ritu Anand (D4E0 Literary) – TAMPA
- 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.
To register, click the button above, or email Chuck at WritingDayWorkshops@gmail.com and tell him you’re interested in the Florida event.
EVENT LOCATIONS & DETAILS:
(Please note that these are in-person events. We at Writing Day Workshops plan both online/virtual as well as in-person events. This next FWW conferences are in-person events happening in Orlando on Friday, April 17, 2026; and Tampa on Saturday, April 18, 2026. See you there.)
FRIDAY. APRIL 17, 2026: Crowne Plaza Orlando-Downtown, an IHG Hotel, 304 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32801. Click here for a booking link to hotel guest rooms.
* * * * *
SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026: Hyatt House Tampa Airport / Westshore. 5308 Avion Park Dr, Tampa, FL 33607. (813) 207-9500.
* * * * *
ORLANDO CLASSES (FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2026):
What you see below is a quick layout of the days’ events (Orlando first, then Tampa). The topics below are mostly set, but subject to change. You can see a more detailed layout of the day’s classes on the Schedule Page here.
There will be 1-3 classes/workshops going at all times during the day, so sometimes you may have your choice of what class you attend. Classes are subject to change.
8:30 – 9:30: Check-in and registration at the event location.
BLOCK ONE: 9:30 – 10:30
1. How to Write a Query Letter That Gets Agent Attention.
2. Beyond the Book Deal: How to Navigate Social Media and Build an Effective Brand.
BLOCK TWO: 10:45 – 11:50
1. Conquering the Novel.
2. Plotting Arcs and Compelling Narratives.
LUNCH ON YOUR OWN: 11:50 – 1:15
Lunch is on your own during these 85 minutes.
BLOCK THREE: 1:15 – 2:30
1. “Writers Got Talent”—a Page 1 Critique Fest
2. How to Sell a Nonfiction Book Proposal.
BLOCK FOUR: 2:45 – 3:45
1. Open Agent Q&A Panel
2. Lost In Revisions—How to Self-Edit Your Manuscript.
BLOCK FIVE: 4:00 – 5:00
1. Make Your First Five Pages Amazing.
2. Story Lessons from Hollywood.
SESSIONS END: 5:00
(What you see here is a quick layout of the day’s events. Classes are subject to change. See a full layout of the day’s sessions, with detailed descriptions, on the official Schedule Page here.)
Agent & Editor Pitching: All throughout the day.
———————————–
TAMPA CLASSES (SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026):
The topics below are subject to change. You can see a more detailed layout of the day’s classes on the Schedule Page here.
There will be 1-3 classes/workshops going at all times during the day, so sometimes you may have your choice of what class you attend.
8:30 – 9:30: Check-in and registration at the event location.
BLOCK ONE: 9:30 – 10:30
1. Inspiration as an Author.
2. Anatomy of a Successful Query.
BLOCK TWO: 10:45 – 11:50
1. Revision and Self Editing: Get Your Work Ready for an Agent.
2. Knock ’em Dead: Tips on Writing Mystery, Thriller, and Crime.
LUNCH ON YOUR OWN: 11:50 – 1:15
Lunch is on your own during these 85 minutes.
BLOCK THREE: 1:15 – 2:30
1. “Writers Got Talent”—a Page 1 Critique Fest
2. Nonfiction Intense: Book Proposal Tips.
BLOCK FOUR: 2:45 – 3:45
1. Open Agent Q&A Panel.
2. Creating Compelling Conflict in Your Fiction.
BLOCK FIVE: 4:00 – 5:00
1. Twenty Questions You Need Answered Before You Seek an Agent or Self-Publish Your Book.
2. Tips on How to Write Like the Pros.
SESSIONS END: 5:00
(What you see here is a quick layout of the day’s events. Classes are subject to change. See a full layout of the day’s sessions, with detailed descriptions, on the official Schedule Page here.)
Agent & Editor Pitching: All throughout the day.
PITCH AN AGENT OR EDITOR:
Kelly Thomas (ORLANDO) is a literary agent with Serendipity Literary. Kelly considers herself a generalist who is drawn to lyrical writing and strong voices. She is interested in nonfiction (narrative nonfiction, memoirs, true crime, self-help, business, travel writing, photography, medical, STEM, psychology, health and fitness, music, food & drinks, cooking) and adult fiction (psychological thrillers, suspense, comedies). She enjoys working with musicians, television personalities, athletes, and other pop culture figures to help translate their stories or expertise onto the page. She also represents children’s books including picture books, middle grade, and young adult. The truth is often stranger than fiction, so Kelly is actively looking for the next great true crime manuscript with a murderous and methodical plot. Learn more about Kelly here.
Erica Bauman (ORLANDO) is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. Erica represents a wide variety of authors across middle grade, young adult, and commercial adult fiction. She is most interested in commercial novels that feature an exciting premise and lyrical, atmospheric writing; imaginative, genre-blending tales; speculative worlds filled with haunting, quietly wondrous magic; fresh retellings of mythology, ballet, opera, and classic literature; sharply funny rom-coms; graphic novels for all ages; fearless storytellers that tackle big ideas and contemporary issues; and working with and supporting marginalized authors and stories that represent the wide range of humanity. Learn more about Erica here.
Andie Smith (ORLANDO) is a literary agent at Creative Media Agency. Andie is currently open to Middle Grade, Young Adult and Adult. In adult fiction, she likes fantasy, romantasy, romance, dark captivating stories, sci-fi, fantasy, and speculative. In young adult fiction, she seeks eco-fiction, contemporary, thriller, and fantasy. In middle grade, she likes mystery, contemporary, and fantasy. Learn more about Andie here.
Laurie Dennison (ORLANDO & TAMPA BOTH) is a literary agent with Creative Media Agency. In adult books, Laurie seeks: Romance, Contemporary, Light fantasy/paranormal grounded in the real world, Book Club Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Domestic Suspense, Commercial Mystery/Thriller, Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative, Women’s Issues. In Young Adult books, she seeks: Contemporary, Suspense/Thriller/Mystery, Light Fantasy/Paranormal, Light Science Fiction. and Nonfiction. Learn more about Laurie here.
Shelly Romero (ORLANDO & TAMPA BOTH) is a literary agent with Azantian Literary Agency. She is seeking: science fiction; speculative fiction; horror (almost all subgenres & especially for all age categories); Honduran authors; stories by Latine/x authors from Central America and the Caribbean (including Afro-Latine & Indigenous Latine stories); playing with formatting such as mixed-media & epistolary novels that give the story a “found footage” type of vibe; anything comped to Guillermo del Toro, David Cronenberg, Clive Barker, John Carpenter, or Wes Craven; Catholic horror; gothic romance; grounded fantasy; midwestern gothic; southern gothic; vampires; Jewish stories especially if they are intersectional with BIPOC and/or queer characters; thrillers/mysteries (with non-cop protagonists); commercial fiction; slice-of-life a la One Tree Hill, OG Gossip Girl, The Sandlot, Real Women Have Curves, What We Do in the Shadows; historical fiction set during: Regency, Edwardian, & Victorian eras; post-WWII; 80s – 00s…but featuring BIPOC and/or queer characters; adult erotic fiction, especially featuring BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA characters in kink spaces; set during college and non-college bound post-high school. Learn more about Shelly here.
Erika Staiger (ORLANDO & TAMPA BOTH) is a literary assistant with Spencerhill Associates. She is acting as a literary scout for her agency at the events. On behalf of her co-agent, Erika is scouting for commercial fiction — new women’s fiction, romance, historical fiction, thrillers and horror. She is seeking exciting new voices that utilize elements of different genres to tell their story. Learn more about Erika here.
Sarah N. Fisk (ORLANDO & TAMPA BOTH) is a literary agent with The Tobias Literary Agency, and is open to pitches for young adult of all genres, middle grade of all genres, adult romance, science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, and select nonfiction. They also take pitches for mysteries and thrillers via conferences only. Sarah especially loves fiction that is compulsively readable and social justice issues woven into commercial plots. Particular areas of interest include atmospheric fantasies, speculative mysteries, books that challenge societal norms, especially gender norms. Learn more about Sarah here.
Robert Wilson (TAMPA) is a literary agent with Wilson Media. His specialty is nonfiction. Of particular interest are works related to American history, sports, biography, memoir, religion/faith, politics, current affairs, music, and pop culture. In recent years the agency has expanded its focus to include fiction. Many titles represented by the agency have achieved bestseller status, most notably Bill Madden’s STEINBRENNER, a New York Times hardcover bestseller for 12 consecutive weeks. Learn more about Robert here.
Ritu Anand (TAMPA) is a literary agent with D4E0 Literary. In Kidlit, she seeks: Picture books, Middle Grade and Young Adult Novels. In Literary Fiction, she seeks: Drama, Fairy Tales and Fiction in Verse. In General Fiction, she seeks: Women’s Fiction, Drama, Humor, Realistic Fiction, Satire and Tragedy. In Historical Fiction, she seeks: Women’s Historical Fiction, Historical Romantic Fiction and Historical Fantasy. Diverse and underrepresented Voices are encouraged to submit. Learn more about Ritu here.
Esty Loveing-Downes (TAMPA) is a literary agent with Howland Literary. Esty is looking for romance in adult, new adult, or young adult spaces, upmarket fiction, adult or YA grounded fantasy, and literary fiction. Before working in publishing, Esty worked as a pediatric LPN. At home, she has five children, three dogs, one husband, and a partridge in a pear tree. What She Doesn’t Want: high fantasy, strict sci-fi. horror, thrillers, mystery, erotica, police/legal procedurals, mysteries, anything ageist/ableist/racist/misogynistic, or anything where queer people die in the end. Learn more about Esty here.
* * * * *
* * * * *
ADDED ONLINE PITCHING: To ensure that writers have a robust and diverse lineup of agents & editors to pitch, 2026 Florida Writing Workshop attendees will have the ability to also pitch literary agents at a specific Writing Day Workshops *online* event that follows the 2026 FWWs on our calendar.
That event is the 2026 (Online) New England Writing Workshop, July 24-25, 2026, which will have 30-40 agents taking one-on-one Zoom virtual pitches.
This means that 2026 FWW attendees can have access to pitching all those online New England WW agents — pitches still at $29 each — without being a formal registrant for the online July 2026 event. (That said, if you want to formally register for the July 24-25 New England Writing Workshop and have access to all classes and panels, let us know, as there is a discount for confirmed Florida attendees.)
If you are interested in this added pitching opportunity, the first step is to get formally registered for a Florida conference. Following the conferences on April 17-18, 2026, we will be in touch with all Florida attendees and ask them if they want to partake in pitching online agents at the 2026 NEWW (July 24-25). At that time, you can communicate your pitch requests and purchase meeting time.
* * * * *
More 2026 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.)
———
PRICING:
$189 — EARLY BIRD base price for registration to either 2026 FWW event and access to all workshops, all day. Pricing is the same for both workshops. As of fall 2025, registration is now OPEN. The $189 price is the same for both separate events: Orlando (April 17, 2026) and Tampa (April 18, 2026).
To register, click the button above, or email Chuck at WritingDayWorkshops@gmail.com and tell him you’re interested in the Florida event.
$309 — EARLY BIRD discounted base price for registration to BOTH the April 17 Orlando event and the April 18 Tampa event. To register, email coordinator Chuck Sambuchino at WritingDayWorkshops@gmail.com and tell him you’re interested in the Florida events.
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 Mai Nguyen at the Toronto Writing Workshop
and sold her manuscript to Simon & Schuster for six figures.”
– literary agent Carly Watters of P.S. Literary Agency
“I signed Sarah G. Pierce from the Seattle Writing Workshop,
and we recently sold her book to Orbit/Redhook.”
– literary agent Pam Gruber of Highline Literary Collective
“I met Amber Cowie at a Writing Day Workshops conference. We sold
her best-selling crime novel to Lake Union / Amazon.”
– literary agent Gordon Warnock of Fuse Literary
“I met my client, Dana Corbit Nussio, at the Michigan Writing Workshop.
Dana signed a new three-book contract with Harlequin Romantic Suspense.”
– literary agent Rachel Beck of Liza Dawson Associates
“I signed Nedda Lewers from a Writing Day Workshops event. Her debut
novel from Putnam Children’s was an Indie’s Introduce Best Book of 2024.”
– literary agent Kelly Dyksterhouse of Tobias Literary Agency
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 Florida 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 15-minute phone call with the faculty member, and have notes passed along via email, if the critiquer is not attending the live event. Options:
- All types of middle grade; all types of young adult; and adult fantasy, sci-fi, and historical fiction (no horror or thriller) (virtual critiques): Faculty member Jillian Boehme, 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.
- Fantasy, historical fiction, horror, literary fiction, magical realism, mystery, romance, sci-fi, thriller, upmarket, women’s fiction, memoir, and young adult (virtual critiques): Faculty member Victoria Griffin, 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 (virtual critiques): Faculty member Rosie Pova, a published author, will get your work in advance, critique your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime around 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).
- Romance, women’s fiction, domestic suspense, and young adult fiction (virtual critiques): Faculty member Swati Hegde, an author and freelance editor, 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.
- More critique options possibly forthcoming.
How to pay/register — Registration is now open.
To register, click the button above. Or reach out to workshop organizer Chuck Sambuchino via email: WritingDayWorkshops@gmail.com. He 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 FWW 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 Florida workshop specifically.
REGISTRATION:
Because of limited space at the venues, each one-day workshop can only allow 150 registrants. For this reason, we encourage you to book sooner rather than later.
Please note that these are in-person events. We at Writing Day Workshops plan both online/virtual as well as in-person events. This next FWW conferences are in-person events happening in Orlando on Friday, April 12, 2026; and Tampa on Saturday, April 18, 2026. 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:
To register, click the button above. Or reach out to workshop organizer Chuck Sambuchino via email: WritingDayWorkshops@gmail.com. He 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 FWW 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 Florida 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 2026 Florida Writing Workshops.
Kelly Thomas (ORLANDO EVENT ONLY) is a literary agent with 
