Publishing 101: A Panel For Writers of Shorts Stories, Essays, & Books (Complimentary)
Tuesday, November 10th
6:30-8:00pm
ONLINE
COMPLIMENTARY COMMUNITY OUTREACH WORKSHOP
The business side of writing can feel vast and ever-changing. While there is a lot of information online, it can feel overwhelming to navigate. To help us all sort through advice, best practices, strategies, and debunk common myths, we have gathered a wide range of industry professionals. Whether you want to submit your first essay or story to a literary journal or you’re ready to query a literary agent with your completed manuscript, this panel will provide useful and practical tips. Amanda Parrish Morgan will ask the burning questions on all of our minds and some you didn’t even know you needed to know. There will be plenty of time for your questions as well. Join us for an inspired and educational evening!
Moderated by Executive Director, Amanda Parrish Morgan
Panelists:
- Jaclyn Gilbert – Author & Literary Agent at Drift(less) Literary
- Katie Henken Robinson – Author & Deputy Editor of Electric Lit.
- Tommy Dean – Agent, Editor, Teacher, Writer
- Maris Dyer – editor at Knopf
Jaclyn Gilbert received her MFA from Sarah Lawrence College and BA from Yale University. She is the recipient of a research fellowship from the New York Public Library, a 2019 artist in residence at the Byrdcliffe Colony in Woodstock, a 2023 and 2025 fellow at the Vermont Studio Center, and a contributor to the Bread Loaf, Tin House, and Colgate Writers’ Conferences, and her work has appeared in Post Road Magazine, Tin House, Lit Hub, and elsewhere. She has led writing workshops at the Valhalla Correctional Facility, and the Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College. Most recently, she founded Drift(less) Literary. Late Air (Little A, 2018) is her first novel.
Tommy Dean is an associate literary agent with Rosecliff Literary, the author of two flash fiction chapbooks, Special Like the People on TV (Redbird Chapbooks, 2014) and Covenants (ELJ Editions, 2021), and a full flash collection, Hollows (
Maris Dyer is an editor at Knopf who publishes both fiction and nonfiction. Her list includes published and forthcoming books from authors such as Rayne Fisher-Quann, Kerry Howley, Hope Jahren, Kimberly King Parsons, Natalie Rose Richardson, Annakeara Stinson, and Ana Karina Zatarain. Before Knopf, she assisted literary agent Amanda Urban at CAA and worked in the publicity department of Simon and Schuster. She is originally from Shingle Springs, a small town in Northern California.
Katie Henken Robinson is the Deputy Editor at Electric Literature and the author of TERRESTRIALS, forthcoming from Harper in 2028. Her writing has appeared in The Southwest Review, Ninth Letter, and Split Lip Magazine, among others. Named a 2025 Masters Review Best Emerging Writer and winner of the Tennessee Williams Festival Fiction Contest, her short stories have been named finalists for numerous prizes and awards, including The Stephen Dixon Fiction Prize, The Perkoff Prize, and the American Literary Review Awards. She is based in Brooklyn.
Tuesday
Meet the Instructor
Westport Writers' Workshop
Select your order quantity above, then click the button to Register. You must be logged in to register.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know what workshop is right for me?
Begin by reading the course descriptions carefully. If you have questions, email us at [email protected] or call the office at (203) 227-3250, and we are happy to help place you in the class that best fits your writing goals and needs.
Our beginner/introductory classes are for writers just starting out or who haven’t written in a very long time and crave more instruction. The intermediate classes are for writers who have taken a few workshops either with us or elsewhere and are ideal for writers who’ve already developed a foundation in the craft. Our advanced classes require the permission of the instructor and a short manuscript submission. Please contact the office if you are interested in registering for advanced classes.
We also offer a number of open level classes. Instructors will cater these classes to varying skill levels and students will benefit from working with writers at different stages of the process.
How many writers are in each workshop?
At Westport Writers’ Workshop, we believe creativity is fostered in small classes. To maintain this intimate creative environment, we cap each workshop at seven participants. Our workshops that focus on the business and marketing side of writing and do not involve sharing work may include up to ten participants. Our one-time lectures and Intro. to Craft series may include up to fifty students.
Will I have the opportunity to read my work aloud?
In most workshops, writers read their work aloud, followed by feedback and extensive discussion among workshop participants and the instructor. The exception to this is specific offerings that focus on the business and marketing side of writing or craft lectures.
How often will I be able to share my work in an Advanced workshop?
You can expect to share work every week.
I can’t afford these prices. Do you offer scholarships?
We are pleased to provide a limited number of need-based partial scholarships for our classes. To apply, please visit our SCHOLARSHIPS page and submit the form.
I am not sure I am ready for a workshop yet. Do you offer coaching and editing?
Yes, all of our instructors are available for coaching and editing. Visit our Coaching and Editing page to learn more about our large menu of services, from query letters to full manuscript critiques and everything in between. Instructors are also available for multi-week, one-on-one Mentoring .
Do you offer refunds?
Students who withdraw more than two weeks prior to the start date of the workshop are eligible to receive a refund or a credit applicable toward a future workshop. No refunds will be issued for withdrawals made within two weeks of the workshop start date or after the first session has occurred, regardless of attendance. Failure to attend a workshop does not constitute an official withdrawal. In the event that Westport Writers’ Workshop or an instructor cancels a session, a makeup will be scheduled; if a makeup session cannot be arranged, a pro-rated refund will be issued. Credits issued in lieu of a refund will remain valid for one year from the original date of purchase. Westport Writers’ Workshop reserves the right to remove any participant who fails to comply with the organization’s code of conduct; in such cases, no refund or credit will be provided.
What are your policies?
Refunds and Credit Policy
Students who withdraw more than two weeks prior to the start date of the workshop are eligible to receive a refund or a credit applicable toward a future workshop. No refunds will be issued for withdrawals made within two weeks of the workshop start date or after the first session has occurred, regardless of attendance. Failure to attend a workshop does not constitute an official withdrawal. In the event that Westport Writers’ Workshop or an instructor cancels a session, a makeup will be scheduled; if a makeup session cannot be arranged, a pro-rated refund will be issued. Credits issued in lieu of a refund will remain valid for one year from the original date of purchase. Westport Writers’ Workshop reserves the right to remove any participant who fails to comply with the organization’s code of conduct; in such cases, no refund or credit will be provided.
Code of Conduct
Our workshop fosters an environment where writers can achieve their artistic goals without fear of unwanted exposure, uninvited criticism, or plagiarism. Students may not discuss or provide information about another writer's work to anyone outside the workshop without the writer's express permission.
Students are expected to be respectful at all times toward instructors and fellow participants, including, but not limited to, being attentive and courteous. Instructors and Westport Writers’ Workshop reserve the right to remove any student who is disruptive, including instances of belligerence, unwelcome contact either in person or via email/phone, inebriation, or other behavior deemed inappropriate by staff.
Attendance
There are no refunds if a student cannot attend a regularly scheduled class or make-up class. Out of respect for our students’ privacy, weekly workshops are not recorded and are not available for absent students to review.
Age Policy
Our workshops are a forum for students to share a broad range of life experiences and creative concepts which may include mature topics. All students attending our standard programming must be a minimum of 18 years of age. Younger students may join our specialized teen and youth programming.
Schedule/Holidays
Workshop meeting dates are listed on our website under each specific course. Occasionally, dates may change due to extenuating circumstances. In the event of an unforeseen cancellation, a makeup class will be scheduled. If a makeup cannot be offered, the workshop fee will be prorated to reflect the reduced number of sessions. Westport Writers’ Workshop observes holidays and breaks in alignment with the Westport Public School calendar.
Weekly Newsletter &
Receive 10 Free Prompts
for our
