After successful past writers conferences in Buffalo and across the country, Writing Day Workshops is excited to announce The 2026 Buffalo Writing Workshop — a full-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing conference in Buffalo, NY on Friday, April 10, 2026.

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 (125 total). All questions about the event regarding schedule, details and registration are answered below. Thank you for your interest in the 2026 Buffalo 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 BWW is an in-person event happening in Buffalo, NY on Friday, April 10, 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 Buffalo event.

WHAT IS IT?

This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing workshop on Friday, April 10, 2026, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Buffalo. 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 Jacqui Lipton (Tobias Literary)
• literary agent Kelsey Evans (Rosecliff Literary)
• literary agent Katie Monson (SBR Media)
• literary agent Paige Broadbent (The Purcell 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 email Chuck at WritingDayWorkshops@gmail.com and tell him you’re interested in the Buffalo event.

EVENT LOCATION & DETAILS:

9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday, April 10, 2026 — at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Buffalo, 200 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14202.

(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 BWW is an in-person event happening in Buffalo, NY on Friday, April 10, 2026. See you there.)

THIS YEAR’S SESSIONS & WORKSHOPS (APRIL 10, 2026):

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

BLOCK ONE: 9:30 – 10:30

Tackling the Dreaded Query Letter. You’ve finished your novel or completed your nonfiction proposal. Now it’s time to start pitching your project. So what do you do next? In this workshop, we will discuss the dreaded query letter, and how to write one that will get the attention of an agent or editor. What are the turn-ons and turn-offs? How do they make the judgment calls? With real-life examples of queries that do and don’t work, you will learn how you can refine your own query letter.

BLOCK TWO: 10:45 – 11:50

The Perfect Plot. Crafting a strong plot is a science. And every effective story ever told – whether in the form of a children’s picture book, or a massive adult novel – must contain a handful of essential plot beats. In this workshop, writers will understand these essential plot beats that you will need to map out a cohesive and captivating story.

LUNCH ON YOUR OWN: 11:50 – 1:15

Lunch is on your own during these 85 minutes.

BLOCK THREE: 1:15 – 2:30

“Writers Got Talent”—a Page 1 Critique Fest (room). 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.

BLOCK FOUR: 2:45 – 3:45

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers. This workshop will cover more than 50 points for consideration before submitting to an agent, editor, or indie publisher, such as how to sharpen dialogue and prose, improving characterization, complicating plot, and much more.

BLOCK FIVE: 4:00 – 5:00

What Happens After an Agent Offers Representation? Getting an agent is an incredible feat, but this is only the beginning. There are so many things that happen after you receive an offer of representation – from deciding which agency to go with, to editing your work with your new agent, to the submission process, to how deals work, to how you can aide your book’s chances throughout the process. While your focus may be on getting an agent, this workshop will provide you the landscape on what happens next. Publishing is an enigma — so find out how the industry works.

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:

Katie Monson is a literary agent with SBR Media. In kidlit, she seeks: hilarious, offbeat picture books (looking for something new that hasn’t been done before); books that want to be read over and over again by all ages; books that include penguins; middle grade that is hilarious (I’m in dire search of MG). In adult fiction, she seeks hilarious rom-coms with a 90’s feel; epic love stories (I want to swoon along with the FMC); women’s fiction with a romantic subplot that does not end happily; jaw-dropping psychological thrillers; and book club fiction. She is not seeking speculative SF/F in any way.

Katie has been self-employed, watching children in her home for the last 12 years, and has enjoyed the privilege of being home to raise her children. She recently made the decision to massively change up her life and find a different path to take while still being able to home with her kids, leading her to SBR Media. Katie has always had a passion for reading ever since she was a little girl. Over the years she developed a strong interest in reading indie romance books, which naturally led to blogging, beta reading and editing small manuscripts for authors. She is self-motivated, organized and ready to represent clients and help lead them to success. When Katie isn’t reading, sitting by the pool, or complaining about the cold Rochester winters, she can be found traveling to the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and spending time with her husband and four children in Rochester, NY.

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Jacqui Lipton is a Senior Literary Agent at The Tobias Literary Agency and head of the Adult Department, although she selectively represents children’s books, particularly middle grade and young adult novels and nonfiction.

Jacqui is open to pretty much anything but has a soft spot for genre fiction (mystery/thriller, romance, selective science fiction). Jacqui is not the best fit for high fantasy (think Game of Thrones) or books with animal protagonists. Jacqui is open to unique takes on nonfiction but is not seeking memoir currently.

Jacqui holds an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts, is the author of Law and Authors: A Legal Handbook for Writers (UC Press, 2020) and Our Data, Ourselves: A Personal Guide to Digital Privacy (UC Press, 2022).

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Kelsey Evans is a literary agent with Rosecliff Literary.

In adult fiction, she seeks romance, horror, science fiction, fantasy, suspense, mystery, thriller. In adult nonfiction, she seeks: narrative nonfiction — specifically in sports, nature, and science. In young adult fiction, she seeks: fantasy and magical realism. Generally looking for: immersive settings (fantasy or otherwise), jaw-dropping plot twists, distinctive voice, tight plotting, high concept hooks, emotional character journeys, slow burn romances, top-tier banter. 

Kelsey is a publishing professional with a background in communications, marketing, and editing. After a decade helming marketing strategy and content development for agencies with major clients like AAA, Dannon, and Target, she transitioned into publishing. She began as an editor, helping writers shape their work through developmental feedback, query critiques, and revision guidance.

Later, she moved into agenting, interning with Triada US and Creative Media Agency (CMA), where she gained hands-on experience in manuscript evaluation, submissions, and client development. Passionate about championing authors, Kelsey now combines editorial insight with marketing expertise to help writers navigate both craft and career.

She is especially excited to seek out independent voices by tracking breakout self-published successes, surfacing under-the-radar talent, and scouting the indie authors whose sales, platforms, and craft signal they’re ready to leap into traditional publishing.

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Paige Broadbent is a literary agent with The Purcell Agency. At the Buffalo event, Paige is taking pitches on behalf of herself and her agency. She is seeking pitches for the following genres and categories:

• Middle grade fiction (contemporary, coming of age, dystopian, romantic, #ownvoices, BIPOC, and LGBTQ​)
• Young adult fiction (contemporary, coming of age, dystopian, romantic, #ownvoices, BIPOC, and LGBTQ​)
• New adult fiction (contemporary, coming of age, dystopian, romantic, #ownvoices, BIPOC, and LGBTQ​)
• Adult fiction — contemporary, upmarket, women’s, book club, mainstream, romance, dystopian, #ownvoices, BIPOC, and LGBTQ
• Some memoir
• Children’s picture books
• Any fairy-tale retelling or re-imagining, especially if pulled into a contemporary setting

Paige is a storyteller and artist from southwestern Ontario, Canada, where she spent her childhood climbing trees and playing make-believe. As a nature enthusiast, Paige advocates for sustainable practices and the preservation and conservation of nature. As a creative, she champions the narrative merit of both traditional and unconventional and/or experimental storytelling techniques and is particularly interested in the narrative capabilities of environmental and non-linear storytelling in video games. Described as a ‘professional student,’ Paige is a curious individual with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. She is currently working towards an Honours BA (and yes, she spells ‘honours’ with a U) in Creative Writing & Publishing from Sheridan College in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

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

That event is the Online New England Writing Workshop, in July 2026, which will have 30-40 agents taking one-on-one Zoom virtual pitches.

This means that 2026 BWW attendees can have access to pitching all those online NEWW 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 New England conference and have access to all classes and panels, let us know, as there is a discount for confirmed Buffalo attendees.)

If you are interested in this added pitching opportunity, the first step is to get formally registered for Buffalo. Following the BWW conference on April 10, 2026, we will be in touch with all Buffalo attendees and ask them if they want to partake in pitching online agents at the 2026 NEWW (July 2026). At that time, you can communicate your pitch requests and purchase meeting time.

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        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:

$169 — EARLY BIRD base price for registration to the 2026 BWW and access to all workshops, all day. As of fall 2025, 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 Buffalo 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 Buffalo 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:

• All adult fiction genres and categories (except for sci-fi) (virtual critiques): Faculty member Tayler Hill, an author and publishing house assistant, 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.
• 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.
• Memoir, as well as children’s picture books (virtual critiques): Faculty member Eve Porinchak, a published author and former agent, will get your work in advance, critique your picture book (or 10 pages if memoir), 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).
• All types of adult fiction (except erotica); all types of young adult fiction and middle grade; Christian fiction; screenplays and TV scripts (virtual critiques): Faculty member Jaimie Engle, a screenwriter, 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 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 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, 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 Buffalo workshop specifically.

REGISTRATION:

Because of limited space at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Buffalo, 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 BWW is an in-person event happening in Buffalo, NY on Friday, April 10, 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, 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 Buffalo 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 Buffalo Writing Workshop.