Presenters & Instructors

This page will be updated as more faculty members are
confirmed for the 2026 Cincinnati Writing Workshop.

Chuck Sambuchino (@chucksambuchino) is a freelance editor, bestselling book author, and former longtime staffer for Writer’s Digest Books.

For many years he edited the GUIDE TO LITERARY AGENTS and the CHILDREN’S WRITER’S & ILLUSTRATOR’S MARKET. His Guide to Literary Agents Blog was one of the largest blogs in publishing, and he wrote the platform guidebook CREATE YOUR WRITER PLATFORM.

He is the lead director of Writing Day Workshops writers conferences, and he has taught at more than 175 writers conferences throughout his career. He is the coordinator of the Cincinnati Writing Workshop.

His humor book, HOW TO SURVIVE A GARDEN GNOME ATTACK, was optioned by Sony Pictures. Chuck’s books have been mentioned in Reader’s Digest, USA Today, the New York Times, The Huffington Post, Variety, New York Magazine, Buzzfeed, Mental Floss,New York magazine, and many more media outlets.

All his latest books are about pickleball, including ULTIMATE PICKLEBALL, a 2026 tear-off desk calendar due out in August 2025 (Sellers Publishing). His picture book, GOODNIGHT, PICKLEBALL, released from Hachette in August 2025, as was carried in Target, and hit the USA Today bestseller list.

He is a successful freelance editor of queries, synopses, and manuscripts—seeing dozens of clients get agents or book deals following his consultations/edits. He loves meeting new writers.

Jeri Fay Maynard is the author of a variety of books (children, YA, Adult, Independent Comic) but they all have one thing in common: STORY!

All her works take the reader deep into the world of her imagination filled with characters who feel real and are facing difficult choices. She invites you to join the journey! Make sure you check out Octavia and the Bug Problem (Pen It Press), Panda Girl (Amazon), Wolfe (FreeStyle Komics) and Taijitsu Gates (FreeStyle Komics) as well as a variety of short stories in anthologies including Café Macabre 2 with Leah McNaughton Lederman (editor/publisher).

At the 2026 CWW, Jeri is teaching a class.

Rachel Estep is a literary agent with D4EO Literary Agency.

At the event, she is teaching a class and meeting with attendees.

She is seeking: literary fiction; mainstream fiction; all types of middle grade and young adult (especially that centers underrepresented voices); voicey, high-stakes psychological thrillers; stories that mess with your head in the best way; gothic fiction that blends deep senses of foreboding with modern themes; true crime projects that dig deeper than the headlines and center empathy alongside the horror; queer romcoms that bring the banter, the swoon, the spice, and a whole lot of heart; historical fiction driven by complex, unforgettable women in the style of Marie Benedict.

Rachel brings a passion for sharp storytelling, vibrant voices, and fierce author advocacy. A lifelong book lover, Rachel’s path to publishing began with a pandemic-era BookTok and led to her role as a bookseller, event coordinator, and now agent. She lives on a small Ohio homestead with her husband, two kids, her parents, and an entire animal kingdom that includes dogs, cats, ducks, and a turkey. As a Jewish and Bisexual woman raised in the Midwest, and now a mom to a disabled and medically fragile child, Rachel is deeply committed to uplifting underrepresented voices and helping storytellers thrive.

Jessica Berg is a literary agent with Rosecliff Literary.

At the event, she is teaching a class and meeting with attendees.

In fiction, she seeks:

  • Alternate History/Historical Fantasy
  • Contemporary Fantasy
  • Contemporary Romance
  • Historical Fiction
  • Twisty Thrillers
  • Upmarket/Book Club Fiction
  • YA
  • Women’s Fiction

In nonfiction, she seeks:

  • Cookbooks
  • Travel Guides
  • Memoir – Military Women Adjacent
  • Self-Help with a Witchy Vibe

Jessica has always been passionate about words, channeling this love into a lifelong obsession with narrative and story. She is a member of the Association of American Literary Agents. With a strong educational background in language and an MFA in Fiction, Jessica possesses the experience to offer personalized guidance to help authors achieve their publishing dreams. Connect with her online on all the places @jesssica__berg.

Swati Hegde is a romance and YA author, as well as a freelance editor, mindset coach, and self-proclaimed coffee shop enthusiast. She lives in Bangalore, India, and can often be found at the nearest café with a hot mug of tea or singing her favorite songs off-key at karaoke night. She looks forward to a long career bringing Indian stories and voices to light.

Swati is represented by Rachel Beck at Liza Dawson Associates. Her debut romance novel Match Me If You Can is out now from Penguin Random House, with forthcoming books Can’t Help Faking in Love releasing in February 2025 and As Long as You Loathe Me releasing in 2026.

Find her on Instagram @SwatiHegdeAuthor and Twitter @SwatiHWrites.

At the workshop, Swati is offering add-on virtual manuscript critiques for attendees.

Wesley Chu is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twelve published novels, including Time Salvager, The Rise of Io, and The Walking Dead: Typhoon. He won the Astounding Award for Best New Writer. His debut, The Lives of Tao, won the Young Adult Library Services Association Alex Award.

Chu is an accomplished martial artist and a former member of the Screen Actors Guild. He has acted in film and television, worked as a model and stuntman, and summited Kilimanjaro. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Paula, and two boys, Hunter and River.

At the event, Wesley is offering add-on virtual manuscript critiques for attendees.

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Eve Porinchak is an author, as well as a former literary agent.

At the workshop, Eve is offering add-on manuscript critiques for attendees.

Since earning degrees in Biology and Psychology from UCLA, Eve has lived all over the planet and spent much of her time in and out of jail – as a creative writing teacher for teen inmates. A former agent with Jill Corcoran Literary Agency, Eve also attended medical school, served as a social worker with foster youth and homeless populations, and taught everything from first grade to college courses.

Eve writes stories featuring youth she feels have been underrepresented in children’s literature, such as those born into gang life, the abandoned, and the incarcerated who – ironically – have the most fascinating tales to tell. Her first book, the critically acclaimed ONE CUT – a haunting nonfiction story with a juvenile justice bent – launched Simon and Schuster’s new young adult true crime line, Simon True.

Tayler Hill is an editor, author, and publishing professional based in Toronto, Ontario. She works with Inimitable Books, Rising Action, and also runs her own editing company, where she help authors bring their stories to life across Adult, Middle Grade, and Young Adult genres.

“I have a background in both creative writing and publishing, and I’ve also spent time working at a literary agency, which gave me great insight into what makes a manuscript stand out in today’s market. Whether a writer is submitting to agents or planning to self-publish, I love helping them shape their work into the strongest version it can be.

“For me, editing is about more than just fixing grammar or tightening prose — it’s about partnering with the author to make sure their voice shines. I know how personal and vulnerable sharing your writing can be, and I approach every project with care, compassion, and a deep respect for the story you’re trying to tell.”

At the 2026 event, she is offering add-on critiques to attendees.