Evanston Writers Workshop

05/31/2024

Join bestselling author Jody Lynn Nye for a World-Building Workshop. Explore all the fundamentals for creating a viable world that will give your story depth, touching on history, government, geography, biology, fantasy and science fiction elements. Bring your questions!

When: Sunday June 9, 2024
Where: Zoom
Register at: https://form.jotform.com/241406750139150
$20 for Evanston Writers Workshop Members
$25 for Non-Members

The Zoom link will be provided after registration.

11/11/2023

Everyone getting to know each other and interacting with our speakers. Great friends were made over the weekend. For all of you that were there, there were no pictures taken at the dinner. If anyone has any pictures, please send them my way. Thanks!

11/09/2023

Here is a slideshow of our workshops and panels. I will post them individually over the next few days. If you missed this In the Trenches With the Writer conference, mark your calendar for February 2025 for the next one.

11/06/2023

The Daily Northwestern did an article about us interviewing our own founding member Philip S. Bloch and out amazing speaker Jamie Freveletti who were both at our conference a decade ago and this past weekend!

This weekend, the Evanston Writers Workshop will host its first “In the Trenches” conference in a decade — and for Chicago-area author Philip Bloch, it arrived at just the right time. “My first novel is completed,” said Bloch, who has written short stories in the past and has attended ever...

11/04/2023

We are being talked about. What an amazing event this is

In The Trenches conference 2023 brought to you by Evanston Writers Workshop November 2-5 2023 at the Hyatt Deefield, IL. This weekend long workshop is designed to put writers in front of industry professionals. Talk to editors, learn from other writers, network and have fun!

11/03/2023

In the Trenches with the Writer conference kick-off party. Everyone had an amazing time

11/01/2023

In the Trenches with the Writer Conference this weekend has just added more small group classes in voice-over / narration from one of the leading voice acting talents working in the industry today, Carlos Ferro! After class you'll go home with your own demo reel! Learn to write better, meet agents, editors, and publishers. Have fun! Hurry, the conference starts tomorrow! Register now at https://www.inthetrenches2023.com
Carlos Ferro
A star of the award-winning, best-selling GEARS OF WAR 1-5, Ferro is known to video game fans worldwide A star of the award-winning, best-selling GEARS OF WAR 1-5, Ferro is known to video game fans worldwide the voice of COG soldier Dom Santiago. In addition to his work on GEARS, he is also known as the
voice of Michael Corleone, head of the Corleone family in THE GODFATHER II and Leonardo da
Vinci in ASSASSIN”S CREED 2, ASSASSIN’S CREED BROTHERHOOD and ASSASSIN’S
CREED ASCENDANCE. Ferro has lent his voice to such well-known properties as SHENMUE III,
FINAL FANTASY, BEWARE THE BATMAN, SCOOBY-DOO, THE CLEVELAND SHOW,
JUSTICE LEAGUE, SPAWN, REIGN: THE CONQUERER, X-MEN: NEXT DIMENSION, TONY
HAWK’S AMERICAN WASTELAND, SCARFACE: THE WORLD IS YOURS, QUANTUM OF
SOLACE, INDIANA JONES AND THE STAFF OF KINGS, RANGO THE VIDEOGAME,
PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2 as well as the popular CALL OF DUTY, SAINTS ROW and
UNCHARTED franchises. Anime fans know him as the evil Thomas Waltham from GOLGO 13:
QUEEN BEE. Ferro is also an accomplished actor, club DJ, and host, who has starred in landmark
television shows such as STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION, tours under his DJ moniker “the
Domfather," and in 2018/2019 served as Esports host at the Gears Pro Circuit in Las Vegas and Mexico
City.

10/31/2023

COUNTDOWN TO IN THE TRENCHES 2023 Writer's Conference
2 DAYS AWAY
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
DON'T MISS OUT! FOMO SUCKS!
REGISTER NOW https://www.inthetrenches2023.com .
LEARN, HAVE FUN, GET PUBLISHED!
PITCH APPOINTMENTS STILL AVAILABLE!
Take a look at our amazing line-up of authors, editors and publishers https://www.inthetrenches2023.com. We have unique programming that allows you to interact directly with our speakers in a way that no other conference is doing. Don't wait, time is running out. Register Today! For those of you attending, share this post with your friends and writers groups and help them learn and get published also!

10/30/2023

In the Trenches Writers Conference is in 3 days! Do you want to be published? Do you want to hone your craft? Do you want to be in a supportive creative environment? Do you want to have fun? This is the weekend to do it! Register Now https://www.inthetrenches2023.com

10/30/2023

COUNTDOWN TO IN THE TRENCHES 2023 Writer's Conference
3 DAYS AWAY
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
DON'T MISS OUT! FOMO SUCKS!
REGISTER NOW https://www.inthetrenches2023.com .
LEARN, HAVE FUN, GET PUBLISHED!
PITCH APPOINTMENTS STILL AVAILABLE!
Take a look at our amazing line-up of authors, editors and publishers https://www.inthetrenches2023.com. We have unique programming that allows you to interact directly with our speakers in a way that no other conference is doing. Don't wait, time is running out. Register Today! For those of you attending, share this post with your friends and writers groups and help them learn and get published also!

10/29/2023

COUNTDOWN TO IN THE TRENCHES 2023 Writer's Conference
4 DAYS AWAY
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
DON'T MISS OUT! FOMO SUCKS!
REGISTER NOW https://www.inthetrenches2023.com .
LEARN, HAVE FUN, GET PUBLISHED!
PITCH APPOINTMENTS STILL AVAILABLE!
Take a look at our amazing line-up of authors, editors and publishers https://www.inthetrenches2023.com. We have unique programming that allows you to interact directly with our speakers in a way that no other conference is doing. Don't wait, time is running out. Register Today! For those of you attending, share this post with your friends and writers groups and help them learn and get published also!

10/28/2023

Would you press any of these buttons? If so, you need to register for In the Trenches 2023 www.inthetrenches2023.com

Don't miss this opportunity to interact with our incredible speakers!

Welcome Cocktail Party: hors d'oeuvres, drinks, mingling with attendees and speakers alike.

Breakfast with the Agents/Editors/Publishers: Sit, have breakfast, and ask our esteemed industry professionals all your burning questions.

Breakfast with the Authors: Sit, have breakfast, and ask our award-winning authors all your burning questions.

Sit-Down dinner with Keynote and Raffle: Join us and our Keynote Soman Chainani for an amazing dinner. We will also be giving out fabulous raffle prizes!

Agent/Editor/Author Speed Dating: Spend 3 minutes 1 on 1 with both our industry professionals and our authors.

One-On-On Pitch Sessions: Trying to get published. Make an appointment to spend 10 - 15 minutes going over your project with an Agent, Editor or Publisher.

Time is running out!
Register Now at https://www.inthetrenches2023.com

10/28/2023

COUNTDOWN TO IN THE TRENCHES 2023 Writer's Conference
5 DAYS AWAY
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
DON'T MISS OUT!
REGISTER NOW https://www.inthetrenches2023.com .
LEARN, HAVE FUN, GET PUBLISHED!
PITCH APPOINTMENTS STILL AVAILABLE!
Take a look at our amazing line-up of authors, editors and publishers https://www.inthetrenches2023.com. We have unique programming that allows you to interact directly with our speakers in a way that no other conference is doing. Don't wait, time is running out. Register Today! For those of you attending, share this post with your friends and writers groups and help them learn and get published also!

10/27/2023

Spotlight on our Agents, Editors & Publishers Teaching, taking Pitches, and hanging out with the attendees at In the Trenches 2023 Writers Conference. Do miss this chance to network and learn. Register Now http://inthetrenches2023.com

Our own Anne Beall and her partner Judi Goshen editors and founders of Chicago Story Press Will be taking pitches for upcoming anthology collections.

Anne E. Beall is an award-winning author whose books have been featured in People Magazine, Chicago Tribune, Toronto Sun, Hers Magazine, Ms. Career Girl, and she’s been interviewed by NBC, NPR, and WGN.

Her book, Cinderella Didn’t Live Happily Ever After: The Hidden Messages in Fairy Tales won a Gold award from Literary Titan. And her Heartfelt Connections book was named one of the top 100 Notable Indie books in 2016 by Shelf Unbound, and she has published in several literary journals including Minerva Rising Press, You Might Need to Hear This, The Raven’s Perch, and Grande Dame Literary Journal.

She received her PhD in social psychology from Yale University and is the founder of the strategic market-research firm, Beall Research. You can learn more about her books on www.AnneBeall.com

Judi is an award-winning author. Her book, Fornicationally Challenged received Five-stars in Readers Favorite and was named one of the top 100 Notable Indie books in 2021 by Shelf Unbound. She has also been published in The South Loop Review and Story Salon. Several screenplays and teleplays have garnered recognition from Writer’s Digest and The Slamdance Competitions.

As a Moth winning storyteller, Judi has written and told hundreds of stories including her comedic one-woman show: Fornicationally Challenged, directed by the renown, Mark Travis, which had successful runs in Los Angeles and New York. She has a bachelor’s degree in fiction writing from Columbia College

In her day job, she works for the University of Chicago Crime Lab and Education Lab. A not-for-profit organization that provides data analysis to law enforcement, city officials, and the public-school system, making Chicago (and the rest of the country) safer and more equitable.

10/27/2023

COUNTDOWN TO IN THE TRENCHES 2023 Writer's Conference
6 DAYS AWAY
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
DON'T MISS OUT!
REGISTER NOW https://www.inthetrenches2023.com .
LEARN, HAVE FUN, GET PUBLISHED!
PITCH APPOINTMENTS STILL AVAILABLE!
Take a look at our amazing line-up of authors, editors and publishers https://www.inthetrenches2023.com. We have unique programming that allows you to interact directly with our speakers in a way that no other conference is doing. Don't wait, time is running out. Register Today! For those of you attending, share this post with your friends and writers groups and help them learn and get published also!

10/27/2023

Check out the Raffle. You could win one-on-one time with an agent. You could get your manuscript critiqued by an editor. You could get lots of goodies from our authors. Best thing, you get a ticket just for registering for the conference! See the complete list of prizes and rules at https://www.inthetrenches2023.com/raffle. You can't win if you don't join us. What are you waiting for? Register now! https://www.inthetrenches2023.com

10/26/2023

COUNTDOWN TO IN THE TRENCHES 2023
1 WEEK AWAY
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
DON'T MISS OUT!
REGISTER NOW https://www.inthetrenches2023.com .
LEARN, HAVE FUN, GET PUBLISHED.
ROOM BLOCK CLOSES TODAY and with it the $100 registration discount when you book a room.
Pitch appointments still available. Take a look at our amazing line-up of authors, editors and publishers https://www.inthetrenches2023.com. We have unique programming that allows you to interact directly with our speakers in a way that no other conference is doing. Don't wait, time is running out. Register Today! For those of you attending, share this post with your friends and writers groups and help them learn and get published also!

10/26/2023

Note from an attendee's pitch request form. Thank you for reminding me why I organize this conference. If you are an author willing to learn, register now https://www.inthetrenches2023.com. We not only promise you will learn, we promise you will have fun doing it!

10/25/2023

Support Local Book Stores. The Book Stall in Winnetka has set up a page on their website featuring the authors from our conference. Please take a look at it and pick up your copies and have them signed at the conference. We will have a limited amount of physical books on hand for sale.

After a 10 year hiatus The Evanston Writers Workshop is back and better than ever! In the trenches with the writer is designed to help you take your writing to the next level, with a weekend of intensive, hands-on workshops taught by best-selling authors and industry professionals. For more informat...

10/25/2023

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
DON'T MISS OUT!
JUST OVER A WEEK AWAY!
REGISTER NOW https://www.inthetrenches2023.com .
LEARN, HAVE FUN, GET PUBLISHED. Pitch appointments still available. Room block closes tomorrow and with it the $100 registration discount when you book a room. Take a look at our amazing line-up of authors, editors and publishers https://www.inthetrenches2023.com. We have unique programming that allows you to interact directly with our speakers in a way that no other conference is doing. Don't wait, time is running out. Register Today! For those of you attending, share this post with your friends and writers groups and help them learn and get published also!

10/24/2023

Spotlight on our Agents, Editors & Publishers Teaching, taking Pitches, and hanging out with the attendees at In the Trenches 2023 Writers Conference. Do miss this chance to network and learn. Register Now http://inthetrenches2023.com

Danielle Egan-Miller, Agent Browne & Miller Literary Associates


Danielle Egan-Miller, literary agent and president of Chicagoland-based Browne & Miller Literary Associates, has sold hundreds of books during her career, with an emphasis on adult fiction. Her roster includes many New York Times bestselling authors and numerous prize- and award-winning writers including winners of the Canadian Governor General’s Award, the Edgar Award, the Anthony Award, the Colorado Book Award, the Minnesota Book Award, the Western Spur Award, the RITA Award, and the Christy Award. She is a member of the AALA and The Author’s Guild.

10/24/2023

Debi Catenacci and Sherrill Bodine looking fabulous! They will be speaking at Evanston Writers Workshop In the Trenches 2023 Conference. If you want to get published, if you want to hone your craft, if you want to spend time with a fun and supportive community this weekend is for you! Nov 2-5 at the Hyatt Deerfield, IL. REGISTER NOW https://www.inthetrenches2023.com JUST OVER A WEEK AWAY

10/23/2023

Spotlight on our Agents, Editors & Publishers Teaching, taking Pitches, and hanging out with the attendees at In the Trenches 2023 Writers Conference. Do miss this chance to network and learn. Register Now http://inthetrenches2023.com

Sourcebooks Editor Liv Turner

Olivia Turner (Liv) is an Editorial Assistant that works for the Adult fiction and nonfiction imprints at Sourcebooks. Before going into publishing, Liv was a Barnes and Noble Bookseller, and earned her Masters in English at Loyola University Chicago. When she isn’t reading, she’s most likely hiking or snuggling with her pug, Mr. Bean.

10/21/2023

Spotlight on our Agents, Editors & Publishers Teaching, taking Pitches, and hanging out with the attendees at In the Trenches 2023 Writers Conference. Do miss this chance to network and learn. Register Now http://inthetrenches2023.com

Dan Cramer Agent and Founder Page Turner Literary

My love of reading started when I was young with The Chronicles of Narnia. I loved that I could escape into a world where magic and adventure existed. That love of books grew and has followed me into adulthood. Some of my best friends and greatest loves, through the years, have been fictional characters. They have inspired and motivated me in almost every facet of my life, from my first career as a Forensic Scientist with the FBI to owning and operating Page Turner Literary Agency.

While I love all books, my heart beats for children’s literature for many reasons, but the main reason is children’s literature is fearless. These books and their authors are not afraid to tackle tough topics, to celebrate diversity, or bring awareness to issues that others would turn their backs on. Children’s literature never ceases to surprise me with its fortitude.

I live in Burr Ridge, Illinois with my husband and our rescue dog, Henry. When I'm not reading, I enjoy the outdoors, horror movies, and baking (and I'm definitely not imagining I'm on the Great British Bake Off... ok, I'm totally doing that.)

I have two undergraduate degrees from West Virginia University: Forensic and Investigative Sciences and Psychology. I have two graduate degrees from Benedictine University: MBA and MS Management and Organizational Behavior. Prior to starting my own agency, I was an Associate Literary Agent with Flannery Literary.

10/21/2023

Spotlight on our Agents, Editors & Publishers Teaching, taking Pitches, and hanging out with the attendees at In the Trenches 2023 Writers Conference. Do miss this chance to network and learn. Register Now http://inthetrenches2023.com
Editor Gretchen Stelter - Sourcebooks

Gretchen Stelter began her career as an agent, helping launch a West Coast–based boutique agency and later moving to editorial director. In 2010, she started editing and writing full-time and worked on over 700 traditionally published books, as an independent editor, doing everything from developmental editing and ghost writing to proofreading and copyediting, working on New York Times, USA Today, and Entertainment Weekly bestsellers; NPR Best Books; ITW Thriller Awards winners; Best Books from Bustle and Paste Magazine; and those with starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal. In summer of 2023, she joined Sourcebooks as an in-house editor, acquiring for Bloom Books/Bloom YA and Casablanca.