Craft and Career:
A Spring Writer’s Intensive

with Alyssa Eisner Henkin and Acclaimed Author and Agent Guests

Sunday, May 17 – Friday, May 22, 2026, Online
Sunday: 7:30 – 8:30 PM EST
Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM EST

PRICE: $1750
EARLY BIRD PRICING: $1650 through April 17

The work of writing a book is about much more than putting words on a page.

It involves developing yourself as an author, understanding your creative strengths, honing your craft, and learning how your work fits into the ever-changing publishing landscape. It also requires resilience, curiosity, and the ability to keep going even when the path forward feels uncertain. New, this spring, we’re bringing you this weeklong intensive designed with all of that in mind.

Join Alyssa Eisner Henkin, the literary agent behind Wonder and many other bestselling and award-winning titles, for a six-day creative immersion that blends craft lectures, writing prompts, industry insight, and lively conversation. There will be time to write, time to think, time to ask questions, and time to connect with other writers .

Topics You’ll Explore During the Week

RUTH BEHAR is the award-winning author of almost a dozen books. Her novel, Letters from Cuba, was named a Sydney Taylor Notable Book and received an International Latino Book Award, and her novel, Across So Many Seas is a Bank Street Best Book of the year, a Newbury Honor book as well as a Sydney Taylor Honor. In addition to being the first Latina to win a MacArthur “Genius” Grant, her honors also include a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, a Fulbright Award, and being named a “Great Immigrant” by the Carnegie Corporation.

Meghan P. Browne is the award-winning author of ’23-’24 Texas Library Association’s Bluebonnet Masterlist title, Indelible Ann: The Larger-than-Life Story of Governor Ann Richards, Dorothy the Brave, and The Bees of Notre Dame. Her debut middle-grade novel, The Edge of Forever, is due out with Feiwel & Friends in Spring 2026. Meghan holds an MFA from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Lisa Greenwald is the author of almost 30 books for adults and young readers. Her first novel, My Life in Pink & Green, was published in 2009 and began the Pink & Green series. Since then, she has written multiple popular series, including The Friendship List, TBH, Seagate Summers, and Ellie’s Deli, along with several standalone novels. She holds an MFA in writing for children from The New School.

Bobby Pyron is a critically acclaimed, award-winning novelist. Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publishers’ Weekly, Booklist, Kirkus and School Library Journal and have been selected for the Junior Library Guild. Her novel Stay was nominated for 8 state literary awards, and her latest book. Octopus Moon (2025) won the ALA Schneider Family Award and was selected as a best book of the year by School Library Journal.

Monica Rodriguez is the Director of Brand Management and a senior agent with Context Literary Agency. Monica loves maximizing the career potential for authors and brainstorming new ways to discover life-long readers. Her solution-driven strategies support her clients’ books before and after they’ve hit the shelves. She represents picture book illustrators, middle-grade and YA authors, and graphic novelists. With her marketing experience, her taste tends to lean commercial, but she loves discovering new voices across all categories and genres. 

Throughout the week, Alyssa and her guest speakers will guide writers through the intersections of craft, career, and creative identity.

Topics will include:

  • Developing voice and emotional clarity

  • Writing authentic friendships and relationships for young readers

  • Using regionalism and setting to strengthen narrative momentum

  • Understanding which elements reliably capture an agent’s attention

  • Turning real-life inspiration into powerful story ideas

  • Navigating the realities of the publishing industry

  • Building a sustainable creative practice

Each session is designed to spark new insight while also creating space for reflection, experimentation, and writing.

Guest Authors and Industry Voices

Throughout the week, Alyssa will be joined by accomplished authors and publishing professionals who will share their perspectives on craft and career. Each day, a guest lecturer will focus on an area of expertise, including turning setting into character, building momentum and raising stakes, writing from lived experience, finding emotional clarity in your work, and more.

What Does a Day Look Like

Each day follows a rhythm designed to keep ideas flowing while also giving writers time to experiment on the page.

  • A short, focused writing exercise to ignite creativity and sharpen attention.

  • An in-depth lecture and discussion covering craft

  • A chance to dive deeper into the day’s lecture

  • Each day will have a different industry guest and a different workshop topic.

  • Stretch, snack, walk break

  • Get to know each other and Alyssa as participants share books, research, or inspirations connected to their work.

  • A session that brings together the day’s themes and offers practical insight into the realities of publishing. Includes prompts and discussin.

  • A fun closing session to the day, which may include breakout room discussions or Ask Me Anything questions with Alyssa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and apply.