The 2025 Oklahoma Writing Workshop: March 22, 2025

After coordinating many successful past events around the country, Writing Day Workshops is excited to announce The 2025 Oklahoma Writing Workshop — a full-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing event in Oklahoma City, OK on March 22, 2025.

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 (125 total). All questions about the event regarding schedule, details and registration are answered below. Thank you for your interest in the 2025 Oklahoma 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 OWW is an in-person event happening in OKC on March 22, 2025. See you there.)

To register, click the button above, or email Chuck at WritingDayWorkshops@gmail.com and tell him you’re interested in the Oklahoma event.

WHAT IS IT?

This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Residence Inn Oklahoma City Airport. 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 Kesia Lupo (Donald Maass Literary Agency)
  • literary agent Samantha Fabien (Root Literary)
  • literary agent Nicole Payne (Copps Literary)
  • literary agent Hunter Strickland (Focused Artists)
  • 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 Oklahoma event.

EVENT LOCATION & DETAILS

9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, March 22, 2025: Residence Inn Oklahoma City Airport, 804 S Meridian Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73108.

(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 OWW is an in-person event happening in OKC on March 22, 2025. See you there.)

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE (MARCH 22, 2025):

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

9:30 – 10:30: How to Raise the Stakes in Your Writing, taught by literary agent Kristina Sutton Lennon. This class will teach you how to elevate your writing through a mindset shift. We’ll review how thinking about your protagonist’s journey can spark change in a story, influence pacing, and enhance reader investment in your book.

10:45 – 11:45: How to Land a Literary Agent, taught by literary agent Kesia Lupo. 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.

11:45 – 1:15: Lunch on your own. There are several restaurants within quick driving distance on the block.

1:15 – 2:30: “Writers’ Got Talent: A First Page Critique-Fest.” 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 our 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.)

2:45 – 3:45: Writing Advice You Take, Advice You Should Consider, and Advice You Should Ignore, taught by author Amy Lillard. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, this workshop will help you navigate the vast ocean of writing advice—from the tried-and-true to the unbelievable. This interactive class will give you the tools to make informed decisions about what truly benefits your writing. Come with questions, leave with answers, and discover how to to filter out the noise to focus on your writing and build your career.

4:00 – 5:00: Writing With Intent, taught by author Amy Lillard. is a workshop designed for writers of all types—whether you’re a pantser (writing by the seat of your pants) or a plotter (meticulously outlining ahead of time). The workshop aims to help you organize your thoughts and ideas effectively, so you can make the most out of your writing time. Whether you’re a full-time author or balancing writing with a day job, this session offers strategies to streamline your process and stay focused on your goals.

All throughout the day: Agent & Editor Pitching.

(The class schedule is subject to change.)

PITCH AN AGENT!

Samantha Fabien is a literary agent with Root Literary. Samantha is always looking for high-concept commercial and upmarket fiction for adult, young adult, and middle grade readers that features diverse, marginalized, and/or underrepresented voices with all-or-nothing stakes. She represents book club fiction, contemporary romance, rom-coms, mysteries, thrillers, suspense, horror, speculative fiction, fantasy, and women’s fiction. She also welcomes innovative genre-blending. Learn more about Samantha here.

Kesia Lupo [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with Donald Maass Literary Agency. “I’m an omnivore in my reading taste and I would love my list to reflect that – so, while I’ve tried to be exhaustive, if you have something that doesn’t quite fit then please don’t hesitate to query anyway! In general, I’m looking for fiction for middle-grade, YA and adult readers – with a smattering of popular, accessible nonfiction. Across age groups, I’m a big fan of original fantasy, accessible but smart science fiction, paranormal or creepy horror, thrillers (especially if they have a shocking twist!), dark academia and basically all stories that help me escape or make me question everything. I majored in History so I love a bit of historical fiction too, as long as it’s done in a fun and accessible way – and I enjoy romance. For nonfiction, I’m looking at narrative nonfiction with broad appeal – I love books about psychology and big political, cultural or historical topics.” Learn more about Kesia here.

Nicole Payne is a literary agent with Copps Literary. “In general, I represent young adult and adult fiction novels, preferably in romance, women’s fiction, literary fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller, and speculative fiction. They hold a special place in my heart. As I slowly delve into nonfiction, I would love to see more science-based books, especially biology and forensic, as well as medicine, travel, and cookbooks in my queue. I’m also actively seeking diverse voices and stories across the board. Give me all the books!” Learn more about Nicole here.

Hunter Strickland is a literary agent with Focused Artists. Hunter, a member of the Cherokee Nation, has always had many passions in life, one of them being books, which has led her here. Hunter’s list of interests are just as extensive as her background. While she has previous experience in the sports world and historical nonfiction, she is also drawn to fantasy worlds with unique elements. Hunter is currently seeking: fantasy, romance, historical fiction, women’s fiction, young adult, new adult. Hunter is particularly drawn to anything mythology based or inspired. Learn more about Hunter here.

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ADDED ONLINE PITCHING: To ensure that writers have a robust and diverse lineup of agents & editors to pitch, 2025 Oklahoma Writing Workshop attendees will have the ability to also pitch literary agents at a specific Writing Day Workshops *online* event that follows the 2025 OWW on our calendar.

That event is the 2025 (Online) California Writing Workshop, June 13-14, 2025, which will have 30-40 agents taking one-on-one Zoom virtual pitches.

This means that 2025 OWW 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 2025 CWW. (That said, if you want to formally register for the June 13-14 California Writing Workshop and have access to all classes and panels, let us know, as there is a discount for confirmed Oklahoma attendees.)

If you are interested in this added pitching opportunity, the first step is to get formally registered for Oklahoma. Following the conference on March 22, 2025, we will be in touch with all Oklahoma attendees and ask them if they want to partake in pitching online agents at the 2025 CWW (June 13-14). At that time, you can communicate your pitch requests and purchase meeting time.

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         More 2025 agents may be added at any time.

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

$169 — EARLY BIRD registration pricing! This is the complete base price for registration to the 2025 OWW and access to all workshops, all day. As of fall 2024, registration is now open.

To register, click the button above, or email Chuck at WritingDayWorkshops@gmail.com and tell him you’re interested in the Oklahoma event.

Add $29 — to secure a 10-minute one-on-one meeting with any of our literary agents 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 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 can 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 instructor Chuck Sambuchino, one of the day’s coordinators. (This rate is a special event value for Oklahoma 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:

  • 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).
  • Children’s picture books and middle grade (virtual critiques): Faculty member Brittany Thurman, a published 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. If you submit a picture book, it must be 1,000 words or fewer (can have illustrations or not).
  • Commercial women’s fiction, thriller/suspense, thriller with romantic elements, cozy mystery, YA thriller, young adult in general, middle-grade, literary fiction, and fantasy (virtual critiques): Faculty member Amberly Finarelli, a former literary agent and current writing coach, 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.
  • Science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, young adult SFF, urban fantasy (virtual critiques): Faculty member Wesley Chu, a published novelist, 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 his thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
  • More critique options 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 OWW 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 Oklahoma workshop specifically.

REGISTRATION

Because of limited space at the venue of Residence Inn Oklahoma City Airport, the workshop can only allow 125 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 OWW is an in-person event happening in OKC on March 22, 2025. 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 OWW 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 Oklahoma workshop specifically.

Refunds: If you sign up for the event and have to cancel for any reason, 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 are completely non-refundable if the instructor has already edited your letter.)

Thank you for your interest in the 2025 Oklahoma Writing Workshop.