Write On! Workshop

Stephens College, Helis Communication Center
1405 E. Broadway, Columbia, MO

SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2026

Registration to come

FIRST PAGE RODEO: Call for Submissions!

We invite all aspiring writers - if not you, then perhaps someone you know - to join us at this year's festival by participating in an event called the First Page Rodeo.

The first page of any novel must do so many things – it should establish voice, it should create tension and excitement, and most of all, it should make the reader want to keep reading. What are the secrets to creating a wonderful, attention-grabbing first page?

So… if you have an unpublished novel or short story lying around in a drawer somewhere, or if you’ve always dreamed of putting pen to paper, or you’ve wondered what a publishing professional would make of your work – well, now’s your chance to find out.

But hurry! The deadline for submission is April 3!

Here's how it works. All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges, who will choose five winning entries. These will be posted to the festival website ahead of the event, and then will be discussed and evaluated in public by a panel of industry experts at “Write On!”

Rules: (because you have to have rules or it doesn’t count)

One page only, people. We cannot stress this enough. And by that we mean 12 point, single-space. (But hey, you get to choose the font.)
The work must not have been previously published (this includes self-published.)
Fiction only. Your novel/story does NOT have to be finished when you submit.
One entry per person.
By submitting your entry you approve and consent to the publication of the work on the festival website.
Submit via email to writeon@unboundbookfestival.com, with Word document attached. Please put “FIRST PAGE RODEO” in the subject line. Please include your full name, address, and telephone contact number in the email.
Deadline for submission: 5 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
The decision as to which pages make it to the final five will be final. We will only notify the winners.

We look forward to receiving your submission!

Full Schedule

TO COME

The Workshop Leaders

TO COME

Will Wifi be available?

Yes!

Do I need to be a professional writer to attend?

Absolutely not! We welcome all writers, from those who write for their own enjoyment to storied professionals. From novice to novelist, all are welcome.

Do I need prepared drafts?

Nope! Although you are welcome to bring works in progress to make notes or share something relevant to the classes, you do not need to bring a completed work. The workshops are designed to explore theory and practice, not individual drafts.

Do I need to bring supplies?

Sure! Most of the sessions will include practice exercises, so we suggest bringing a laptop with a word processor or paper and pencils.

Do you offer discounts or scholarships?

Yes! Teachers and anyone who is a member of a writing group can receive $10 off the $50 registration fee. Use code WRITERGROUP. We also recognize that cost could be a barrier to some writers, and our goal at Unbound is to make stories accessible for all. To aid in this mission, we have set aside several scholarship slots, so please reach out to writeon@unboundbookfestival.com if you’d like a scholarship to attend the workshops. We would be thrilled to have you!

Will I get to select the workshops I attend?

As much as possible! We want you to make the most of your day, and we know that might look different for everyone. However, due to limitations in classroom space, social distancing measures, and requirements for each workshop, space will be limited for each session. In between the opening and closing sessions, there will be two, 90-minute blocks of three workshops to choose from. Upon purchasing your ticket, you will choose your preferences during each block. Our volunteer staff will assign writers to workshops on a first-come, first-served basis. If the workshop(s) you chose fill up, we will notify you for an alternative selection. We will also update this website when individual workshops no longer have space available.

What if I don’t want to attend a workshop I originally signed up for?

That’s OK! We encourage you to attend, anyway, because you might be surprised at the connections you make to your own work. However, if you don’t want to attend a session, your time is your own to go offsite, reflect on your writing journey, or work on your works in progress.

Will I receive feedback on drafts?

There might be some opportunity for feedback, especially for works directly related to workshop discussions. However, these workshops are not intended to review drafts or provide peer-to-peer feedback. Instead, we encourage participants to trade contact information to swap drafts, beta read, or form writing groups!

Do you provide food and coffee throughout the day?

More info to come here!

What about location and parking?

More infö to come here!