Nov. 21 event will offer aspiring authors writing classes, publishing guidance, and face-to-face meetings with literary agents.
The unexpected closure of the Wyndham Cleveland Airport hotel on West 150th Street left the Cleveland Writing Workshop searching for a new home for its annual event. The Nov. 21 gathering will now take place downtown, offering aspiring authors a chance to sharpen their writing skills, and meet literary agents face to face.
The workshop, previously held at the Wyndham in Cleveland’s West Park area, will take place at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland this year.
Brian Klems, an organizer with Writing Day Workshops and a former editor at Writer’s Digest, said the Wyndham had become a reliable location for the event, offering convenient access, manageable parking, and meeting space that worked well for attendees.
“It had the perfect event space we needed,” Klems said.
After multiple successful years at the hotel, organizers hoped to return in 2026. But when Klems attempted to contact the property over the summer, his emails went unanswered. Repeated telephone calls also failed to reach anyone.
He eventually searched online and discovered indications that the hotel had closed.
“I’m really not sure what happened,” Klems said. “I just know it was a nice place for us.”
The closure presented an unexpected logistical challenge. Organizers needed to secure another venue while maintaining the workshop’s affordability, something Klems said has remained a priority even as event expenses have increased.
The convention center ultimately offered the most workable alternative.
“They were very attentative. They were wonderful,” Klems said of the convention center staff.
Although participants will now need to arrange downtown transportation or parking, Klems said the event’s capacity remains approximately 125 paid attendees. The new meeting rooms are also expected to be close together, making it easier to move between sessions and appointments.
A chance to meet literary agents in person
Beyond the venue change, one of the workshop’s biggest draws is the opportunity for writers to sit down with literary agents, discuss their manuscripts and pitch book ideas directly to publishing professionals.
“The truth is, meeting the agents face to face–there aren’t tons and tons of opportunities for these things,” Klems said.
He noted that some writers even travel by air to attend workshops where a particular agent will be available.
This year’s Cleveland lineup includes Rachel Beck, Vicki Selvaggio, Maureen Wise, and Jael Morrill, among others. Several agents will be attending the Cleveland event for the first time, giving returning participants additional opportunities to make connections.
The workshop also features classes covering both the craft of writing and the business of getting published.
One session will examine the differences between traditional publishing, small presses, and independent publishing, helping writers evaluate which route best fits their goals.
“As a writer myself, these are the kinds of things I wish I knew before,” Klems said of the publishing-focused instruction.
Attendees will also receive access to bonus prerecorded classes, including guidance on pitching literary agents at live events.
Although the Cleveland workshop is exclusively in person, registered attendees will have another opportunity to connect with agents through an online sister event in December. Participants will be able to purchase additional virtual pitch appointments without registering for the full online conference.
Klems said the arrangement allows organizers to offer more agent connections than would be practical to accommodate at a single in-person event.
Helping writers take the next step
Writing Day Workshops organizes approximately 30 in-person events nationwide each year, along with about 11 online events. Klems said attendance at in-person workshops has rebounded to roughly 75% of pre-pandemic levels, while online participation has continued to grow.
The organization has documented more than 250 success stories involving writers who connected with literary agents through its events, although Klems said that figure does not include participants who later secured representation elsewhere after gaining experience and confidence at a workshop.
For Klems, who has navigated the publishing process himself, those outcomes are a major part of the work’s appeal.
“My goal is to get more good books in the world,” he said.
He also emphasized that participants do not need a completed manuscript or extensive publishing experience to benefit. Writers at nearly any stage, from developing an initial idea to revising a finished manuscript or seeking representation, can find useful instruction and connections.
The workshop offers another benefit that extends beyond publishing contracts: the opportunity to meet others who share an interest in writing.
“That networking can be incredibly valuable,” Klems said.
And although the Wyndham’s future remains uncertain, Klems said organizers would consider returning to the West Park area if the hotel eventually reopens.
“I did love the area. I did love doing it there,” he said.
The 2026 Cleveland Writing Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. Class schedules, participating agents and registration information are available at clevelandwritingworkshop.com. Questions may be directed to Klems at wdwconference@gmail.com.