From the Agent’s Desk: Queries, Submissions, and the Fiction Market in 2026 In this session, writers will get a glimpse of publishing from the agent’s perspective. What subgenres are editors asking for (or avoiding)? What kinds of books tend to stick out in agents’ inboxes? Why does it take everyone so long to reply to … Read more
Regardless of a writer’s preferences and talents, each of us uses a combination of organizational skills to produce the materials we write. Scrivener is a tool that simultaneously stimulates our productivity AND imagination. Some writers only use a few of its features; others embrace a wealth of the software’s components. In this presentation, Linda shares … Read more
Workshop: Do you have some big aspirations for 2026? Maybe you want to: Hiring an intern, when done right, helps sharpen skills and next steps for all involved. Come get the approachable steps to understand the process and examine how “mentorn-shipping” might work for you. Bio: Rebekah received her MFA in Children’s Literature with an … Read more
Workshop: Join us for a special interview-style conversation with Nebula and Lodestar Awardwinning author Moniquill Blackgoose. Rather than a traditional presentation, this session will be an engaging discussion exploring her journey from early science fiction and fantasy writing to award-winning publication. We’ll talk craft, worldbuilding, writing across genres, navigating the publishing landscape, and her perspective … Read more
Workshop: Trying to build press and partnerships? Small business owners, writers and online entrepreneurs easily find a wealth of social media suggestions at their fingertips! But what about the “old school” strategy of getting into newspapers, magazines, news interviews and building community partnerships? Solid tips and publicity support can feel like shouting into the void … Read more
Workshop: Midpoint Challenges Speaker’s Bio: Daniel David Wallace is a writer, teacher, PhD researcher, and book editor. He creates easy-to-implement techniques that help you master the craft of fiction. He has given lectures on plot at the AWP conference and other writing festivals around the US, and his work has been read at the Iowa … Read more
Workshop: Are you starting a novel and want to create a solid foundation? Have you written a draft and want to make sure it’s structurally sound? Kristina Stanley will show you the five crucial story arc scenes already lurking within your manuscript or that you need to write. Knowing these scenes will help you transform your … Read more
Using your characters to unlock the plot. Struggling to fix your plot? Start with your character. In this session, we’ll explore how your protagonist’s specific desire on page one contains the seeds of your entire story arc. When you understand who they are and what they want most, your plot begins to emerge naturally—from the … Read more
“Styles Make Fights”: It’s a phrase used in boxing. The fighting style often determines the outcome as much as the actual skill level. For writing, sometimes you design a fighting style based on the character’s personality. In this workshop we’ll talk about how to use fight scenes to advance your plot and develop your characters by … Read more
Workshop: During RIRW’s 2023-2024 program year, Renita did a presentation on writing inclusively. She was scheduled for a follow-up last May (2024), but got sick. So we rescheduled her for this April. In her initial presentation she shared a slide deck with lots of information about terms for skin tones and such…and it went by … Read more