2026 Schedule
Session descriptions coming soon! Click on each session to learn more.
Friday, November 20
Check In Opens
Check in remains open all day. Coffee, tea, and water available all day.
8:30 AM
Opening Remarks
9:15-9:30 AM
9:30-10:15 AM
SONG Keynote
(Announcement coming soon!)
Signing line following presentation 10:15-10:30am
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Participants:
Carly Marlys Anderson, Women’s National Book Association
Tracey Barrett, Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators
Dr. Kemi Elufiede, Carnegie Writers
Ashley Sargeant Hagan, The Dangerous Pen Society
Marianne Manzler, The Porch
Jaden Terrell, Sisters In Crime & Mystery Writers of America
Alana White, Historical Novel Society
Location TBA
10:30-11 AM
11-11:30 AM
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Speakers: Ken Abdo & Andrei Garthoff
Description coming soon…
Location TBA
11:40 AM-12:10 PM
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Speakers: Lizzie Sider
Description coming soon…
Location TBA
12:20-12:50 PM
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Speakers: TBA
Description coming soon…
Location TBA
12:50-1:50 PM
Lunch with Networking
2:00 PM
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Speakers: Jodi Marr, Thomm Jutz
Bring your lyrics or bring that melody, or bring them both—let the experts give you feedback on the spot!
Location TBA
3-3:50 PM
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Sign ups will be in person during the day. We will update the website with more info about the affinity groups soon.
Saturday, November 22
8:30 AM
Check In Opens
Check in remains open all day. Coffee, tea, and water available all day.
9-9:30 AM
Coffee with an Agent
Join literary agents at attendance at WriterFest for a quick meet and greet coffee. While this is not a pitchfest/speed dating event, it's a wonderful way to say hello, figure out who might be worth staying in touch with later, and even ask your burning questions about how to work with agents!
9:45-10:15 AM
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Speakers: Alexander Slater & AGENT TBA
Description coming soon…
Location TBA
10:30-11:30 AM
SCREEN Keynote
(Announcement coming soon!)
Signing line following presentation 11:30-11:45 AM
Lunch with Networking
12-1 PM
1-1:30 PM
1:40-2:10 PM
2:20-2:50 PM
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Speakers: Lauren Nossett, Editor TBA
Description coming soon…
Location TBA
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Session Hosts TBA
Every creator needs a great elevator pitch, but it may be challenging to step outside of your familiarity with your writing to assess what makes it marketable. Learn from experts in film and book what makes a great pitch for your writing, and then we'll split into small groups with professionals from all areas so you can practice your pitching and get ready to show your project to the publisher, agent, or production company of your dreams.
Location TBA
3-3:50 PM
BOOK Keynote
(Announcement coming soon!)
Signing line following CLOSING REMARKS 4-4:15 PM
3:50 PM
Closing Remarks
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Details forthcoming!