After many successful past events in Colorado, Writing Day Workshops is excited to announce The 2026 Colorado Writing Workshop — a full-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing event in Denver, CO on March 21, 2026.

This in-person 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 (200 total). All questions about the event regarding schedule, details and registration are answered below. Thank you for your interest in the 2026 Colorado 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 CWW is an in-person event happening in Denver on March 21, 2026. See you there.)

WHAT IS IT?

This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Hampton Inn & Suites Denver Downtown-Convention Center. 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 Kate Testerman (KT LIterary)
• literary agent Paige Terlip (Starling Literary + Media)
• literary agent Trinica Sampson-Vera (New Leaf Literary & Media)
• literary agent Sara Megibow (Megibow Literary)
• literary agent Becky LeJeune (Bond Literary)
• literary agent Kimberly Peticolas (The Rudy Agency)
• literary scout Angie Hodapp (Nelson Literary)
• literary agent Rachelle Gardner (Gardner Literary)
• literary agent Helen Masvikeni (Megibow Literary)
• literary agent Chelsey Emmelhainz (Copps Literary Services)
• literary agent Haley Moe (The Rudy Agency)
• 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 E-mail Chuck at WritingDayWorkshops@gmail.com and tell him you’re interested in the Colorado event.

EVENT LOCATION & DETAILS:

9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, March 21, 2026 — at the Hampton Inn & Suites Denver Downtown-Convention Center, 550 15th St, Denver, CO 80202.

 

(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 CWW is an in-person event happening in Denver on March 21, 2026. See you there.)

THIS YEAR’S SESSIONS & WORKSHOPS (MARCH 21, 2026):

What you see below is a quick layout of the day’s events. 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.

Please Note: There will be 2-3 classes/workshops going at all times during the day, so you will have your choice of what class you attend at any time. The final schedule of topics is subject to change, but here is the current layout:

8:30 – 9:30: Check-in and registration at the event location.

BLOCK ONE: 9:30 – 10:30

1. Mastering the Art of Dialogue. This presentation will help writers learn how to format their dialogue, how to find your characters’ voices, how to make it sound natural, and how to avoid five big mistakes that writers often make.

2. How to Get a Literary Agent and Write a Query Letter. Learn the ins and outs of finding agents, contacting them, and securing representation for your work.

BLOCK TWO: 10:45 – 11:50

1. The Writer’s Journey. This class is a deep examination of the publishing process and what it’s like to make a living as a writer and find success in a multifaceted industry.

2. Writing for Young Adult and Middle Grade Audiences. In this class, you’ll learn who your audience is, hear about the “musts” of YA and MG fiction, review publication trends, and discover the pitfalls to avoid when crafting a novel for the middle grade and young adult worlds.

(What you see here is a quick layout of the day’s events. See a full layout of the day’s sessions, with detailed descriptions, on the official Schedule Page here. The schedule is subject to change.)

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. This is a chance to get your first page read (anonymously — no bylines given) with attending agents & editors commenting on what was liked or not liked about the submission.

2.  How to Sell a Nonfiction Book Proposal. This session focuses on effective strategies for writing a nonfiction book proposal on any topic.

BLOCK FOUR: 2:45 – 3:45

1. Open Agent and Editor Q&A Panel. Several attending literary agents will open themselves up to open Q&A from CWW attendees. Bring your questions and get them answered in this popular session.

2. Time Management For Writers. This session will give you hands-on practical methods for avoiding distraction while racking up that word count. Your bag of tools will include proven tricks and techniques for starting to write and then maintaining focus on your work

(What you see here is a quick layout of the day’s events. See a full layout of the day’s sessions, with detailed descriptions, on the official Schedule Page here.)

BLOCK FIVE: 4:00 – 5:00

1. The Agent/Author Relationship. This workshop, taught by a literary agent, details the happenings from “The Call” all the way to going on submission. Understand how to be a great client, how to effectively communicate with your agent, how to know what to expect in the process, and more.

2. From A to Z: Strategies for Plotting, Pacing and Structure. This class will begin with a detailed introduction to the three-act structure that lends itself to theoretical preparation for novel-writing and outlining, and then identify different tools for plot consideration.

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.

PITCH AN AGENT OR EDITOR (IN PERSON):

Kate Testerman is a literary agent and the founder of KT Literary. At the 2026 event, Kate is not open to book pitches. However, she is happy to take meetings with attendees who want their pitch reviewed, a quick query letter critique, or AMA (“ask me anything”) questions answered. Kate is currently the co-chair of the AALA’s Small Business Committee, a member of the SCBWI, a supporter of Publishing Professionals Against Book Bans, and committed to mentoring the next generation of publishing stars in order to bring greater diversity to the industry. Learn more about Kate here.

Kimberly Peticolas is a literary agent with The Rudy Agency. She has a passion for immersive fiction, and content-rich non-fiction. She also has a soft spot for military history. She earned an MA in Museum Studies. In nonfiction, she seeks: Business, Leadership, Self-Help, Lifestyle, History, Military History, Children’s. In fiction, she seeks: Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Historical, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, YA, Children’s. Learn more about Kimberly here.

Paige Terlip is a literary agent with Starling Literary + Media. Paige represents all categories of children’s books from picture books to young adult, as well as select adult fiction —  including thrillers / psychological suspense, fantasy / science fiction, horror, upmarket fiction, romance, and mysteries, and platform-based nonfiction. Regardless of genre, she is seeking inclusive, intersectional voices and gorgeous line-level writing with emotionally compelling narratives. Learn more about Paige here.

Trinica Sampson-Vera is a literary agent with New Leaf Literary & Media. Trinica is accepting children’s and adult fiction and nonfiction. Across age groups, she loves adventurous, character-driven stories with largely emotional stakes. Trinica is passionate about championing diverse and marginalized voices. Some of the things she is specifically seeking include: speculative fiction (especially horror, cozy-to-high fantasy, hopepunk, and near future science fiction); romance and romcoms (especially featuring sapphic/queer relationships); Caribbean (especially Trinidad & Tobago) characters/settings; reality TV premises; and retellings. Learn more about Trinica here.

Sara Megibow  is a literary agent and founder of Megibow Literary. Sara is the President and Senior Literary Agent of Megibow Literary Agency. She has worked in publishing since 2006 and represents New York Times bestselling authors including Margaret Rogerson, Roni Loren, Jason M. Hough and Jaleigh Johnson. “I represent authors who write picture books (fiction and nonfiction/ all sub-genres), middle grade (all sub-genres), young adult (all sub-genres), adult romance (all sub-genres) and science fiction/ fantasy/ horror for the adult market.” Learn more about Sara here.

Becky LeJeune is a literary agent with Bond Literary Agency. Following her time at the Denver Publishing Institute, she spent two years working as the managing editor for a cookbook imprint, and then five years as an acquisitions editor at The History Press before joining  BLA in 2014. She is interested in adult and teen general fiction, horror, mystery/thriller, historical fiction, science fiction and fantasy, and cookbooks. Learn more about Becky here.

Rachelle Gardner is a literary agent and president of Gardner Literary. She is taking pitches on behalf of her whole agency. “If you’re writing nonfiction, we can’t sell it unless you have a platform.” Nonfiction wishlist: SME’s (subject matter experts) on any topic; interesting historical topics; mind-body-spirit; psychology and self-help; racial issues, LGBTQ+ issues, and all social issues; behind-the-scenes in any profession or walk of life; cultural criticism; faith related; feminism and women’s issues; memoir; hearth & home, gardening, sustainable living; marriage, parenting, family; travel (including memoir, with a strong platform); art/faith topics (art history, intersection of art and faith, creativity, photography); deeper spirituality and prayer; journals, guided journals, gifty devotionals; other gift-type books for occasions such as graduation thoughtful nonfiction on just about any topic — show us what you’ve got! Adult Fiction wishlist (no kidlit please): contemporary women’s fiction; romance and rom-com; suspense or romantic suspense; historical or historical romance; Southern fiction; thrillers, esp psychological or medical. Learn more about Rachelle here.

Angie Hodapp is a literary scout for Nelson Literary. At the 2026 event, Angie is taking pitches on behalf of Nelson Literary agents Kristin Nelson and Joanna MacKenzie. The agency is seeking: action/adventure, chick lit, commercial, contemporary, crime/detective/police, family saga, fantasy, historical, horror, LGBTQ+, literary fiction, magical realism, multicultural, mystery, new adult, romance, science fiction, suspense, thriller, upmarket, women’s fiction, and young adult contemporary and fantasy. Learn more about Angie here.

Chelsey Emmelhainz is a literary agent with Copps Literary Services. Chelsey is building a highly selective list, focused mainly on adult fiction and nonfiction. Regardless of genre, she is always looking for authentic storytelling and to elevate diverse voices. At the 2026 event, Chelsey is not open to book pitches. However, she is happy to take meetings with attendees who want their pitch reviewed, a quick query letter critique, or AMA (“ask me anything”) questions answered. Learn more about Chelsey here.

Haley Moe is a literary agent at The Rudy Agency. She is drawn to stories with flawed and complex characters, plots that challenge traditional tropes, and worlds carved of original imagination. In fiction, she is seeking: fantasy, adult fantasy, science fiction, new takes on mythology, adventure, children’s, young adult, and new adult. She also welcomes nonfiction projects that bring fresh perspectives and engaging education. For nonfiction, she is seeking projects in science, health, business, leadership, and children’s topics. Learn more about Haley here.

Helen Masvikeni is a literary agent with Megibow Literary. “I represent authors who write adult thriller, adult mystery, adult crime, adult non-fiction and memoir, anything ‘folklore’, picture books (fiction and nonfiction/ all sub-genres), and adult romance (all sub-genres).” As a literary agent, she is focused on combining her own experience as an artist with the business side of publishing to support authors from creation through publication and beyond. Learn more about Helen here.

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* * * * *

ADDED ONLINE PITCHING: To ensure that writers have a robust and diverse lineup of agents & editors to pitch, 2026 Colorado Writing Workshop attendees will have the ability to also pitch literary agents at a specific Writing Day Workshops *online* event that follows the 2026 CWW on our calendar.

That event is the 2026 (Online) California Writing Workshop, June 12-13, 2026, which will have 30-40 agents taking one-on-one Zoom virtual pitches.

This means that 2026 Colorado attendees can have access to pitching all those online California agents — pitches still at $29 each — without being a formal registrant for the online June 2026 CALWW. (That said, if you want to formally register for the June 12-13 California Writing Workshop and have access to all classes and panels, let us know, as there is a discount for confirmed Colorado attendees.)

If you are interested in this added pitching opportunity, the first step is to get formally registered for Colorado. Following the conference on March 21, 2026, we will be in touch with all Colorado attendees and ask them if they want to partake in pitching online agents at the 2025 California event (June 12-13). 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.)

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PRICING:

$199 — EARLY BIRD base price for registration to the in-person 2026 CWW and access to all workshops, all day. As of fall 2025, registration is now OPEN.

To register, click the button above, or email coordinator Chuck Sambuchino at WritingDayWorkshops@gmail.com and tell him you want to sign up for the Colorado event.

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 Colorado 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 options possibly coming soon

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, 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 Colorado workshop specifically.

REGISTRATION:

Because of limited space at the venue (Hampton Inn & Suites Denver Downtown-Convention Center), the workshop can only allow 200 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 CWW is an in-person event happening in Denver on March 21, 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. 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 CWW 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 Colorado 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.)

Trinica Sampson-Vera is a literary agent with New Leaf Literary & Media.

Trinica is accepting children’s and adult fiction and nonfiction. Across age groups, she loves adventurous, character-driven stories with largely emotional stakes. Trinica is passionate about championing diverse and marginalized voices.

She is seeking:

• Speculative fiction (especially horror, cozy-to-high fantasy, hopepunk, and near future science fiction)
• Romance and romcoms (especially featuring sapphic/queer relationships)
• NA campus stories (especially dark academia)
• Caribbean (especially Trinidad & Tobago) characters/settings
• Reality TV premises
• Unreliable narrators
• Stories that support women’s wrongs
• Found family (give me the intensity of the Fast & the Furious franchise)
• Messy, doomed, heartbreakingly passionate tragic romances featuring people who make each other worse (I want the intensity of the relationship between Will/Hannibal, iykyk)
• Retellings – I prefer retellings that are “inspired by” rather than faithful retellings. I love to be surprised by a twist or a new way of imagining an old story.

Fun facts about me:

• I play online Survivor (like the CBS show!) and have won twice.
• My name comes from Trinidad and California, where each of my parents was born.
• I’ve cooked my way through two cookbooks and am always looking for new recipes to try!

Trinica graduated from Antioch College with a degree in Creative Writing and French. After several editorial internships during college, she moved to Austin and found an unexpected home in social services, where she worked for five years as a case manager to those experiencing chronic homelessness. Prior to beginning at New Leaf, she worked as an independent editor with Salt & Sage Books and Writing Diversely.