Second Chances Spring 2026 – Business Basics

Welcome to the WLT Second Chances sale! From now until 11:59 PM CT June 30, 2026, all of our Spring 2026 class recordings are available to purchase by WLT members. Become a member here.

From learning the secrets of literary journal submissions to mastering social media, these recordings are meant to help you get a grip on the business basics of the literary world.

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a live class registration. When you register, you’ll receive access to previously recorded classes taught for a live audience. Registration includes access to any handouts, readings, and slides the instructor originally shared with students. The videos will be available for viewing immediately upon purchase, and will expire on July 31, 2026.

Descriptions for each class recording can be found below. To purchase access to the recordings, all you need to do is add your preferred tickets to your cart and check out. You’ll then receive an email containing the receipt for your purchase along with a link to the class recordings and any class materials.

To find our Fiction and Nonfiction Essentials recordings, click here.

To find our Expand Your Horizons recordings, click here.

“Submit Your Stories to Literary Journals and Magazines”
with Stephanie Macias

When submitting your short stories to literary journals and magazines, learn how to know if you’re ready, when to go back in for revision, and when to keep pushing forward.

You’ve written a story and now you’re ready to send it out into the world. But, where should you send it and how many journals and magazines should you send it to? Should you send it out in batches? What are the rules of conduct? Can you ever break them? How do you stay sane?

In this class, learn how, when, and where to submit your short stories, and how your stories are received by editors on the other side.

What students had to say about the class:

• “Stephanie provided in-depth guidance on the subject matter and detailed scenarios based on her own experience submitting to magazines and as a magazine editor.”
• “The instructor had so many good resources that it was like drinking through a fire hose. Well organized, and I loved that she gave us a road map for what the evening would look like AND built in breaks at each hour mark (VERY necessary for a three-hour night class).”

“Jack of All Platforms (Or Master of One): How to Cultivate an Online Following”
with Aaron H. Aceves

Are you trying to find your audience or make connections that’ll propel your writing career to the next level?

Social media can seem like the Wild West, a digital battleground for discourse and the source of more hot takes than the human mind was probably meant to hear, but it’s not without its advantages. In this class, you will go over the basics of navigating all the platforms you can spend too much time on (TikTok, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, Twitter [Aaron will never call it X], and Bluesky) in order to find an audience of interested readers and make lasting professional connections. Learn about building an online audience for your writing.

What students had to say about the class:

• ” I learned a LOT of practical tips on how to move forward with social media. It also helped me narrow down where I wanted to focus as far as content is concerned.”
• “This class helped me see why I’ve been struggling and gave me some strategies on how to find fans of the kind of fiction I’m writing. It also showed me that some of my other writing projects might be easier to sell [because] there is an existing fandom for those topics.”

“Get That Story Out There: Choosing Your Best Publishing Path”
with Rachel (R.L.) Toalson

Writers today can choose from multiple publishing models, but how do you know which one is right model for you?

In today’s rapidly changing publishing landscape, writers have more choices than ever. But with more choice also comes more confusion. Should you pursue a traditional book deal, embrace the control and flexibility of indie publishing, or blend the two? In this practical, research-driven class, we’ll take a deep dive into each publishing path so you can understand what they truly offer. We’ll explore timelines, financial realities, marketing responsibilities, distribution differences, and career implications, as well as the hidden pros and cons that writers often don’t discover until they’re already far down to the road.

Through guided exercises, reflective prompts, and plenty of time for questions, you’ll learn how to evaluate your goals, strengths, resources, and writing ambitions to determine which model best supports your long-term vision. You’ll leave with clarity, confidence, and a personalized sense of the publishing path that’s right for you.

What students had to say about the class:

• “Rachel was a natural presenter and the data was far reaching.”
• “Not sure what I expected, but didn’t expect a class as engaging, informative and useful as this turned out to be.”

“Crafting a Compelling Query Letter”
with Becka Oliver

Writing a query letter can be an agonizing exercise for any writer, but it’s an essential step in the process of submitting to literary agents.

This class – taught by a former literary agent – will detail the key components that make up a compelling query. Through writing exercises and small group work, attendees will tackle each component with regards to their own project and should expect to leave the class with a first draft of a query letter.

What students had to say about the class:

• “The methodical breakdown of each part of the letter, plus the ‘agent-centricity’ focus was clarifying (and a spectacular relief).”
• “I had taken this class two years ago, but I found myself gaining more perspective on writing query letters compared to the last time I attended the class.”