Erma Bombeck Writing Competition Awards Ceremony (Virtual)
7 p.m., Wednesday, March 23

Featuring keynote speakers Kathy Kinney and Cindy Ratzlaff of Queen of Your Own Life. Sponsored by the Washington-Centerville Public Library. Free and open to the public, but registration required. Register here.

Erma’s Got Talent: The Stand-Up Auditions (Virtual)
Hosted by Nancy Berk with celebrity judges Brian Kiley, Wendy Liebman and Joel Madison

Put your business card in the ring for a chance to test your two-minute stand-up routine in front of an EBWW audience and three stand-up veterans armed with insight and constructive criticism. Whether you get the golden buzzer or just some solid advice for taking it to the next level, this pre-workshop session will help participants and non-participant attendees craft better comedy and performances. A select number of participants from these auditions will be added to the Saturday night show lineup. The remainder will be chosen randomly later this spring or summer.

Free and open to the public, but registration required. Register here. Only attendees registered for the in-person workshop are eligible to audition, but all are invited to be in the audience. Applications will be accepted through April 18.

To watch a replay of the 2020 event, click here. 

Pitchapalooza! (Virtual)
Hosted by Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry
7 p.m. (Eastern), Wednesday, Sept. 28

A workshop favorite! Pitchapalooza is American Idol for Books (only kinder and gentler). Twenty writers will be selected at random to pitch their book idea. Each writer gets one minute — and only one minute! Known as "The Book Doctors," Arielle and David will help these writers, and everyone in the audience, improve their pitches. They will critique everything from idea to style to potential in the marketplace and much more. Authors and audience come away with concrete advice as well as a greater understanding of the ins and outs of the publishing industry. Whether you’re pitching yourself, or simply listening to trained professionals critique other writers, Pitchapalooza is educational and entertaining for everyone. At the end of Pitchapalooza, Arielle and David will select a winner. The winner receives an introduction to an agent or publisher appropriate for his/her book. Numerous authors have received publishing deals due to Pitchapalooza.

To express your interest in pitching your book concept, fill out this form by Sept. 15. Names will be drawn live at the event, which is open to in-person and virtual package attendees.

(Subject to change)

2-5:30 p.m.
Attendee sign-in
Marriott at the University of Dayton (lobby)

4-6 p.m.
Networking reception
Marriott at the University of Dayton (Tradewinds and outdoor courtyard, weather permitting)
(cash bar)

4-9 p.m.
EBWW bookstore open
Tradewinds

6 p.m. — Welcome dinner with keynote Cathy Guisewite
Marriott at the University of Dayton (ballroom)

(Dinner program includes the ceremonial robing of four winners of A Hotel Room of One’s Own: Erma Bombeck | Anna Lefler Humorist-in-Residence Program.)

7:15 p.m. — live feed for virtual audience

8 p.m. — Book signing with Cathy Guisewite
Marriott at the University of Dayton (Tradewinds)

(Subject to change)

7:15-8:30 a.m. (loop)
Shuttle bus from Marriott at the University of Dayton to Daniel J. Curran Place

7:30-9 a.m.
Attendee sign-in (lobby of Daniel J. Curran Place)
Continental breakfast (Riverview Café)

7:45-8:45 a.m.

Nuts and Bolts
Optional pre-workshop sessions (for early risers!)

Publishing 101
David Braughler

Yes, You're Running a Business
Lori B. Duff

Launching and Marketing Your Book
Elysse Wagner

9-10:15 a.m. — Six concurrent sessions (choose one)

Good Naked: Wit, Wisdom and a Writing Workshop — Joni B. Cole | Marshall Room
This session also offered Saturday at 10:35 a.m.

Is There a Secret to Writing Funny? — Alan Zweibel | M2265
This session also offered Saturday at 10:35 a.m.

Ask the Agents — Panel featuring Wayne Arthurson, Margaret Danko and Naomi Eisenbeiss, moderated by Lian Dolan | M2380
This session also offered Saturday at 9 a.m.

Not Having a Podcast in 2022 Is Like Not Having a Fax Machine in 1987 (one time only) — Dave Jackson | Alumni Center North

The Power of STORY — Julie Cantrell | Meyer Room
This session also offered Saturday at 2 p.m.

The Birds and the Bees of Being an Author: (Mostly Undiscussed) Advice for New Writers (one time only) — Eva Lesko Natiello | Auditorium

Break

10:35-11:50 a.m. — Six concurrent sessions (choose one)

Adapting Your Story or Novel Into Television or Film (one time only) —Adriana Trigiani | M2265

Reflection and Takeaway: The Heart and Soul of Memoir — Brooke Warner | Auditorium
This session also offered Friday at 3:35 p.m.

When Humor Goes, There Goes Civilization: How to Use Your Gifts to Change the World (and Have a Laugh Along the Way) — Karen Walrond | Marshall Room
This session also offered Friday at 2 p.m.

Erma Would KILL on TikTok: A Writer’s Guide to Social Media Videos — Rebecca Regnier | M2380
This session also offered Saturday at 10:35 a.m.

Turn Problems Into Punchlines — Judy Carter | Alumni Center North
This session also offered Saturday at 2 p.m.

How to Plot Your Book with Ease — Ann Garvin | Meyer Room
This session also offered Saturday at 2 p.m.

Noon-1:45 p.m. — Lunch and photos with keynote Dion Flynn
Riverview Café

12:45 p.m. — live feed for virtual audience

Break

2-3:15 p.m. — Six concurrent sessions (choose one)

How to Tell Your Story — Margot Leitman | Marshall Room
This session also offered Saturday at 10:35 a.m.

Songwriting: The Healing Power of Music — Kellie Haddock | M2380
This session also offered Saturday at 10:35 a.m.

Fear Not the Blank Page! — Susan Pohlman | Meyer Room
This session also offered Saturday at 9 a.m.

How to Uncover Your Own Voice and Get It Down on Paper — Kathy Kinney and Cindy Ratzlaff | Alumni Center North
This session also offered Saturday at 2 p.m.

When Humor Goes, There Goes Civilization: How to Use Your Gifts to Change the World (and Have a Laugh Along the Way) — Karen Walrond | Auditorium
This session also offered Friday at 10:35 a.m.

Stand-Up Comedy Boot Camp — Wendy Liebman (one time only) | M2265

Break

3:35-4:50 p.m. — Six concurrent sessions (choose one)

Improvisor’s Mindset (one time only) — Dion Flynn | Meyer Room

Reflection and Takeaway: The Heart and Soul of Memoir — Brooke Warner | Auditorium
This session also offered Friday at 10:35 a.m.

Newsflash: Newsletters Work! — James Breakwell | S2006
This session also offered Saturday at 9 a.m.

Form Is Funny: [Insert Your Own Funny Subtitle Here] — Julie Schumacher | Marshall Room
This session also offered Saturday at 9 a.m.

The Art & Business of Author Platform (one time only) — Jane Friedman | M2265

Finding the Funny in Your Story — Annabelle Gurwitch | Alumni Center North
This session also offered Saturday at 10:35 a.m.

3:30-5:30 p.m.
Shuttle buses to Marriott at the University of Dayton (loop)

5-11 p.m.
EBWW bookstore open
Marriott at the University of Dayton (Tradewinds)

6 p.m. — Dinner with keynotes W. Bruce Cameron and Cathryn Michon in conversation with Adriana Trigiani
Marriott at the University of Dayton (ballroom)

(Dinner program includes recognition of the winners of the Erma Bombeck Writing Competition.)

7 p.m. — live feed for virtual audience

8:30-10 p.m. — Book signing with W. Bruce Cameron, Cathryn Michon and Adriana Trigiani (Tradewinds)

Book signing with all workshop presenters
Marriott at the University of Dayton (Tradewinds)
(cash bar)

(Subject to change)

7:15-8:30 a.m. (loop)
Shuttle bus from Marriott at the University of Dayton to Daniel J. Curran Place

7:30–9 a.m.
Attendee sign-in (lobby of Daniel J. Curran Place)
Continental breakfast (Riverview Café)

7:45-8:45 a.m.

Nuts and Bolts
Optional pre-workshop sessions (for early risers!)

Publishing 101
David Braughler

Yes, You're Running a Business
Lori B. Duff

Launching and Marketing Your Book
Elysse Wagner

9-10:15 a.m. — Six concurrent sessions (choose one)

Form Is Funny: [Insert Your Own Funny Subtitle Here] — Julie Schumacher | Alumni Center North
This session also offered Friday at 3:35 p.m.

Newsflash: Newsletters Work! — James Breakwell | M2265
This session also offered Friday at 3:35 p.m.

So You Wanna Start a Podcast: Hosts and Producers Weigh In — Panel moderated by Lian Dolan, featuring Dave Jackson and guest podcasters (one time only) | Auditorium

Fear Not the Blank Page! — Susan Pohlman | S2006
This session also offered Friday at 2 p.m.

Marketing Is Not a Four-Letter Word: Find Your Readers and Increase Sales (one time only) — Eva Lesko Natiello (one time only) | Marshall Room

Ask the Agents —Panel featuring Wayne Arthurson, Margaret Danko and Naomi Eisenbeiss, moderated by Katrina Kittle | Meyer Room
This session also offered Friday at 9 a.m.

Break

10:35-11:50 a.m. — Six concurrent sessions (choose one)

Finding the Funny in Your Story — Annabelle Gurwitch | Auditorium
This session also offered Friday at 3:35 p.m.

Good Naked: Wit, Wisdom and a Writing Workshop — Joni B. Cole | Meyer Room
This session also offered Friday at 9 a.m.

Songwriting: The Healing Power of Music — Kellie Haddock | M2265
This session also offered Friday at 2 p.m.

Erma Would KILL on TikTok: A Writer’s Guide to Social Media Videos — Rebecca Regnier | S2006
This session also offered Friday at 10:35 a.m.

Is There a Secret to Writing Funny? — Alan Zweibel | Marshall Room
This session also offered Friday at 9 a.m.

How to Tell Your Story — Margot Leitman | Alumni Center North
This session also offered Friday at 2 p.m.

Break

Noon-1:30 p.m. — Lunch with keynote Katrina Kittle
Riverview Café

12:45 p.m. — live feed for virtual audience

(Lunch program includes the awarding of Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop scholarships to University of Dayton students, funded by attendee donations.)

1:30-2 p.m. — Break and book signing with Katrina Kittle

2-3:15 p.m. — Six concurrent sessions (choose one)

How to Uncover Your Own Voice and Get It Down on Paper — Kathy Kinney and Cindy Ratzlaff | Alumni Center North
This session also offered Friday at 2 p.m.

Your Author Website: Mistakes You’re Making and How to Fix Them (one time only) — Jane Friedman | Marshall Room

The Power of STORY — Julie Cantrell | Meyer Room
This session also offered Friday at 9 a.m.

Turn Problems Into Punchlines — Judy Carter | S2006
This session also offered Friday at 10:35 a.m.

How to Plot Your Book with Ease — Ann Garvin | M2265
This session also offered Friday at 10:35 a.m.

Writing + Speaking = Bestseller (one time only) — Lian Dolan | Auditorium

Break (attendee free time, with optional activities

3:30-5:30 p.m.

Shuttle bus to Marriott at the University of Dayton (loop)

3:30 p.m.
Stand-Up Comedy Night rehearsal with Wendy Liebman and stand-up comics
Kiefaber Room, Marriott at the University of Dayton

“Erma Road Trip,” featuring a drive down Erma Bombeck Way to Woodland Cemetery to visit gravesite, followed by photo opportunities at the Erma Bombeck historical marker and commemorative tree outside St. Mary’s Hall on the University of Dayton campus, concluding with a sneak peek of the Erma Bombeck Collection in the Stuart and Mimi Rose Gallery on the first floor of Roesch Library. Shuttle bus tours available. Attendees with cars are encouraged to carpool.

3:30-5:30 p.m.
Shuttle buses to Marriott at the University of Dayton (loop)

5-9:30 p.m.

EBWW bookstore open
Marriott at the University of Dayton (Tradewinds)

6:30 p.m. — Dinner with Laraine Newman
Marriott at the University of Dayton (ballroom)

7:30 p.m. — live feed for virtual audience

8:30 p.m. Photos with Laraine Newman
Marriott at the University of Dayton (ballroom stage)

8:30-9:30 p.m. — Photo booth (share your photos on social media!)
Marriott at the University of Dayton (Tradewinds)
(cash bar)

9:30 to 11 p.m. — Attendee Stand-Up Comedy Night with host Wendy Liebman
Marriott at the University of Dayton (ballroom)