Writers Conferences 2019
Note: Be sure to check out the 2024 writing conferences list!
Check out this colossal list of writers conferences around the world in 2019.
Note: Be sure to check out the 2022 writing conferences list!
Making it as a writer isn’t as simple as locking yourself in a room and writing for days on end. There’s more to the intricate art of writing and how or what it could add to the current book market. Braving your way out there can be tricky, but not impossible. Countless writers who have trodden these paths actively help out other writers at writing conferences.
Taking part of a writing conference might be the exact kick you need into finding yourself within the writing and publishing industry. The events and activities during them can range from workshops, critique sessions, social gatherings, to pitch sessions, and meeting other writers, editors, publishers, and even agents.
If you’re lost on how to find the right writers conference for you, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Peruse this list or search by genre, with around 200 writers conferences you’re bound to the find more than a few you want to attend.
If you’re looking for a getaway or residency, check out our list of spring and summer Writers Retreats Not to Miss in 2019.
All Genres
January
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Pacific University Residency Writers Conference
Oregon, USA Jan 10 – 20
$1800 – $2600
Writers seeking to deepen their craft and expand their professional community are invited to attend the Residency Writers Conference together with MFA students, faculty and guest speakers. Join us for 10 full days of craft talks, workshops, panels, classes, readings, and more featuring some of the best minds of the literary world. This residency is a rare opportunity to engage in sustained and meaningful conversation with others who share your passion for the art of writing.
Registration is now open.
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Massachusetts, USA Jan 18 – 21
$1675
Peter Covino and Joan Houlihan
The Colrain Manuscript Intensive is a very small (maximum 8), select, highly focused, three-and-a-half-day conference designed for the evaluation and discussion of book-length (or chapbook-length) manuscripts by editors and publishers. The intensive is open only to those who have attended a previous Colrain conference and/or those whose manuscript is close to publication (semi-finalist, finalist or publisher feedback). We also consider those with previous book/chapbook publication.
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The Eckerd College Writers’ Conference: Writers in Paradise
Florida, USA Jan 19 – 26
$150 – $550
Writers in Paradise
The tranquil seaside landscape sets the tone for this informal gathering of writers, teachers, editors, and literary agents. The size and secluded location of the Eckerd College Writers’ Conference allows you the time and opportunity to share your manuscripts, critique one another’s work, and discuss the craft of writing with experts and peers who can help guide you to the next level.
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San Diego State University Writers’ Conference
California, USA Jan 31 – Feb 2
$529 – $579
Cory Doctorow and Jonathan Maberry
Whether your goal is direct feedback on your work from a top-tier agent or editor, or simply to elevate your craft and enjoy the camaraderie of a literary community, the SDSU Writers’ Conference is for you. Enjoy three full days of breakout sessions in genre- and career-focused tracks, interactive events, an exciting lineup of literary luminaries, and networking opportunities galore.
FEBRUARY
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Online Feb 8 – 10
$5 – $20
WriteOnCon is a three-day online children’s book conference for writers and illustrators of picture books, middle grade, and young adult. It was founded in 2010 and is now run by a new team of writers who are eager to hearken back to the awesomeness that they remember so fondly from being attendees over the years, while also bringing exciting new elements to the mix.
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San Miguel Writers’ Conference & Literary Festival
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico Feb 13 – 17
$105 – $875
Paul Theroux, Sandra Gulland and Jennifer Clement
SMWC is a prestigious bi-lingual, tri-cultural literary gathering in the Americas. Held in Travel & Leisure’s and Conde Nast Traveler’s #1 city in the world, San Miguel de Allende, in the central highlands of Mexico.
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San Francisco Writers Conference
California, USA Feb 14 – 18
$795
Catherine Coulter, Jane Friedman and Jose Antonio Vargas
The San Francisco Writers Conference (“SFWC”) enjoys a rich literary culture. Over the course of four days in mid-February, over 500 attendees and renowned keynote authors, presenters, editors, and agents, attend SFWC, combining the best of both the traditional publishing industry with the latest technology to empower authors to publish anywhere. Situated just north of Silicon Valley, the SFWC is truly a one-of-a-kind celebration of craft, commerce, and community.
Registration is now open.
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Annual Southern California Writers’ Conference
San Diego, USA Feb 15 – 17
$75 – $450
Huda AlMarashi, Joe Ide and Jolie Moss
Founded and run by professional writers the SCWC provides veteran and emerging talent with authoritative guidance to help distinguish those manuscripts that are ready for market consideration, having facilitated well over $4 million worth of first-time authors’ book and screen deals. With extended one-on-one evaluation of advance submissions and dozens of reading & critique and practical information workshops to choose from, the SCWC is among the only conferences specifically tailored to empower writers of every level with the vital tools, networking and industry prowess needed to sell their work.
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The Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference
Arizona, USA Feb 22 – 23
$200 – $300
The Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference creates a unique and intimate creative writing experience where writers of all backgrounds, genres, and skill levels gather together and connect through the celebration and study of literary craft, culture, and community.
MARCH
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Frankfurt, GermanyMar 2
€99 – €150
The Museum of Communication will be the stage for 7 bestselling and award-winning writers and 2 literary agents. The conference will be split in two parts. The first half of the conference will focus on the German market. The speakers will speak in German and will focus on their success in Germany. The second half of the conference will be in English and will focus on the international market in general and the English market in particular. On top of that you will receive a signed copy of a book of your choice of one of the writers speaking at the conference, a networking lunch with other aspiring writers, 2 literary agents and a representative of a publisher, and a few more extras.
Registration is now open.
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Redrock Creative Writing Seminar
Utah, USAMar 2
$15 – $65
Kimberly Johnson, Amy Jarecki and Reuben Wadsworth
Our mission is to promote the appreciation of poetry and prose in our community and to provide an environment for skill building and enjoyment of language arts by people of all ages. We envision the St. George area as a Mecca for writers and intend to do what we can to make that a living reality. The Creative Writing Seminar, is held during March of each year in St. George, Utah. In conjunction with the Redrock Seminar, come early and experience Poetry in the Park, a day of poetry workshops and writing in Zion National Park.
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Bay to Ocean Writer’s Conference
Maryland, USAMar 9
$55 – $140
The BTO conference features workshops, presentations, and panel discussions on a wide variety of topics pertaining to the craft of writing, publishing, marketing, the Internet, and the intricacies of particular genres. It provides an opportunity to meet with many writing peers in the region. Speakers include accomplished authors, poets, film writers, writing instructors, editors, and publishers.
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Florida, USAMar 14 – 17
$400 – $445
T. Jefferson Parker
The Sleuthfest Conference is an annual conference for mystery, suspense and thriller writers where you can mingle with agents, editors and your favorite authors. In addition to sessions on the craft of writing, marketing, and promoting your work, there’s a forensic track with current forensic techniques and hands-on workshops, and critiques of your 25-page manuscript submission. Get strategy sessions for your work in progress from agents and editors, as well as make appointments to pitch your finished work after sessions of pitch practice with experienced authors.
Registration is now open.
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University of North Dakota Writers Conference
North Dakota, USAMar 20 – 22
Free
The UND Writers Conference is a free and open literary festival that features readings and panel discussions by invited authors. In addition, we offer community workshops and open-mike readings. All events are free and open to the public.
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The Write Stuff Writer’s Conference
Pennsylvania, USAMar 21 – 23
$100 – $329
Ben Wolf
-The Write Stuff Writers Conference is a great opportunity to get into the mindset of writing. Along with an advanced study on speculative fiction, you get to learn more about writing and publishing books, network with other writers, editors and agents in attendance as well as pitch your book to them and get instant critique on your first page.
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New York, USAMar 21 – 24
$795 – $895
The New York Pitch Conference and writers workshop features publishing house editors from major houses such as Penguin, Random House, St. Martins, Harper Collins, Tor and Del Rey, Kensington Books and many more who are looking for new novels in a variety of genres, as well as narrative non-fiction. The event focuses on the art of the novel pitch as the best method not only for communicating your work, but for having you and your work taken seriously by industry professionals.
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Utah, USAMar 23
$79 – $99
Ally Carter and Brandon Mull
Teen Author Boot Camp is an annual teen writers conference held every spring in Provo, Utah. Nearly a thousand aspiring teen writers come to the conference to work with bestselling authors to amp up their writing skills.
Registration is now open.
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National Black Writers Conference
New York, USAMar 23
The National Black Writers Conference is a public program that provides writers, scholars, literary professionals, students, and the general public with a forum for expanding their knowledge and reading of Black literature and for engaging in dynamic and spirited conversations, panel discussions, readings, workshops, and performances on conference themes and on future trends in the literature of Black writers.
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The Oxford Conference for the Book
Mississippi, USAMar 27 – 29
Free
Surround yourself by books, writers and literary magic in a city that caters writers and book lovers. Attend panels, attend writing sessions, learn more about diverse writing styles and writers, and network with other writers.
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Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference
Oregon, USAMar 27 – 30
$50 – $315
Colson Whitehead
The AWP Conference is an essential annual destination for writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers. Each year more than 12,000 attendees join our community for four days of insightful dialogue, networking, and unrivaled access to the organizations and opinion-makers that matter most in contemporary literature. The conference features over 2,000 presenters and 550 readings, panels, and craft lectures. AWP’s is now the largest literary conference in North America.
Registration is now open.
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National Undergraduate Literature Conference
Utah, USAMar 28 – 30
$140 – $165
Michelle Kuo, Jesmyn Ward and Tom McAllister
Each year, nearly 200 undergraduate writers and poets throughout North America, and sometimes beyond, come to Weber State University to present their work and learn from some of the most important writers in contemporary literature.
Registration open 15 Feb – 28 March.
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Rochester Spring Writers’ Conference
Michigan, USAMar 30
The Rochester Writers’ Conference offers several presentations within their sessions. With three choices per session time, attendees may select the ones that best suits their needs. Fiction, non-fiction and general writing topics are presented in panel discussion, lecture or workshop style.
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Liberty States Fiction Writers Conference
New Jersey, USAMar 30 – 31
$35 – $245
Jacqueline Cutler, Sonali Dev and Deb Werksman
The Liberty States Fiction Writers Conference features a line up of more then 20 authors and industry professionals who will share their expertise and experience. Located a in New Jersey, just a short train ride from New York City, we offer a weekend of education, networking, and fun in a relaxed setting.
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Travel & Words, Northwest Travel Writers Conference
Washington, USAMar 31 – Apr 2
$150 – $225
Adam Sawyer
Kim Cooper Findling
McKenzie Tobeck
Allen CoxThe Travel & Words Conference is produced by a group of travel media and industry professionals who live and work in the Northwest and volunteer their time and skills.
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Moravian College Writers’ ConferencePennsylvania, USAMarch
With a focus on community and attention to craft, the Moravian College Writers’ Conference will provide writers of all genres and levels the opportunity to focus on their work and breathe new life into their writing. The goals of the conference are to advance the craft of writing; facilitate the exchange of ideas among writers of all levels and genres in a supportive, inspiring environment; provide a meaningful educational experience; and enhance the artistic and cultural life of the Lehigh Valley.
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Tupelo Press Writing Conference
California, USAMarch
$650
The conferences focus on advanced concepts and techniques for making more of each participant’s poetic impulses, strategies and “voice.”
APRIL
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California Dreamin’ Conference for Writers
California, USAApr 5 – 7
$325 – $450
Tessa Dare
This intimate conference is now an international favorite and occurs every other year in Southern California.
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Massachusetts, USAApr 5 – 7
$395 – 535
Luis Alberto Urrea
Our three-day literary conference educates aspiring and emerging writers on the craft of fiction and nonfiction, prepares them for the ever-changing world of publishing and promotion, and creates opportunities for meaningful networking.
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Vermont, USAApr 5 – 8
$1575
Gabriel Fried, Joan Houlihan, Jennifer Militello and Martha Rhodes.
A select group of poets will bring their completed or in-progress manuscripts to the The Arlington Inn in Arlington, Vermont. Here, in this beautiful setting, poets will work closely with conference founder Joan Houlihan, (Lesley University Low-Residency MFA Program), Gabriel Fried (Persea Books),Jennifer Militello (New England College), and Martha Rhodes (Four Way Books).
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Michigan, USAApr 6
Held every spring for the past 30 years in Lansing, Michigan, we feature 16 sessions of Michigan writers, poets, teachers, editors and publishers discussing every aspect of writing and the publishing business.
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Columbus State Community College Writers Conference
Ohio, USAApr 6
Free
David Wanczyk
The Writers Conference will offer a diverse selection of workshops with other accomplished writers.
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William Paterson University Spring Writer’s Conference
New Jersey, USAApr 6
Paul Lisicky
Join us in April for a day of workshops and readings in creative writing, literature, and publishing. We welcome participation from scholars in all disciplines, creative writers of all stripes, professional editors, secondary-, middle-, and elementary-level educators, graduate and undergraduate students, and the general public–in short, anyone interested in reading, writing and literature
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The Belize Writers’ Conference
Ambergris Caye, BelizeApr 6 – 11
$2020 – $2113
Breathe new life into your writing while building friendships with literary agents, authors, and writers at the second annual Belize Writers’ Conference. Enjoy daily manuscript critique sessions taught by literary agents——plus time to generate new writing and to enjoy excursions on your own like snorkeling, ocean kayaking, or making chocolate on a cacao farm. Daily opportunities for yoga and reflection will reset your spirit so you can write fearlessly from your deepest self. Panel discussions on the business of writing will prepare you to successfully market yourself and your book to agents, publishers, and readers.
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National Association for Poetry Therapy 39th Annual Conference
Maryland, USAApr 11 – 14
$70 – $335
Gayle Danley, Peggy Osna Heller, Wendi R. Kaplan and Mecca VerdellSafe harbors and beacons
National Association for Poetry Therapy 39th Annual Conference will be one you won’t want to miss. With 5 tracks or workshops to get you to start writing, ranging from clinical/health care setting, educational setting, social justice and spirituality. You can choose the workshop that best suits your professional needs!
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UNM Summer Writers’ Conference
New Mexico, USAApr 13
199
UNM Continuing Education offers the fifteenth annual Writers Conference. Editors and agents from New York City will join with authors and teachers to explore the latest trends in publishing including short stories, novels, narrative non-fiction, poetry and memoir. In addition individual pitch sessions with agents and editors
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USAApr 23
Tween Author Boot Camp is a non-profit event geared to youth ages 9 to 12 years old. It is formatted like a mini writing conference. Tween ABC has classes from favorite authors, including New York Times bestsellers, door prizes and a meal. At the end of the conference is a book signing. The event is sponsored by the Utah Humanities Council and Teen Author Boot Camp.
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Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets Conference
Wisconsin, USAApril 26 – 27
Heid E. ErdrichConfluence
Eighty to a hundred of the state’s most passionate poets gather to engage in workshops, readings, open mics, book fairs and a banquet/awards ceremony.
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Chanticleer Authors Conference
Vancouver, CanadaApr 26 – 28
525
J.D. BarkerScott Steindorff, Robert Scott Steindorff, Jessica Page Morrell and Chris Mottes
A unique and progressive authors conference designed to share insight and knowledge about the marketing and business side of being an author and/or a publisher.
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North Carolina Writers Network Spring Conference
North Carolina, USAApr 27
A full day of instruction and camaraderie on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Small classes, top writing faculty, and intensive Master Classes and breakout sessions inonfiction , nonfiction, poetry, and the business of books. Other features include faculty readings, on-site “lunch with an author,” publisher exhibits, Slush Pile Live!, and an open mic for conference participants.
Registration will open February 1.
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California, USAApr 27
$45 – $75
WordSpring is an annual creative writing conference that inspires writers of all kinds to plunge back into writing. This is an unparalleled event that you will not want to miss! Meet professional writers and benefit from their knowledge and experience. Make connections within your local writing community. Come to enjoy a day full of imagination and camaraderie and leave with a richer understanding of your craft.
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The 7th Self-Publishing Conference
Leicester, EnglandApr 27
£60 – £70
The Self-Publishing Conference is the UK’s only dedicated self-publishing event, offering authors a chance to find out about a wide range of publishing options, to hear from and question those who work within the thriving self-publishing world, and to network with fellow authors, many of whom will already be experienced self-publishers.
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Western Reserve Writers Conference
Ohio, USAApril
Writing and publishing a book is a long and intricate journey, which is why the Annual Western Reserve Writers Conference and Workshop will help you walk through it. From writing powerful nonfiction prose, to writing plots, plays, personal essays and a lot more, you get a diverse feel of writing techniques and genres. Not only that, you get a chance at networking, and having your work critiqued by professionals.
MAY
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Nevada, USAMay 2 – 4
$450 – $575
Amy Collins, Mary Kowal, Chuck Sambuchino and Brad Schireiber
The Las Vegas Writers Conference is dedicated to helping writers of all genres improve their craft, sharpen their business skills, and network with publishing professionals. Held each spring at the Tuscany resort in Las Vegas, the conference draws attendees from around the world. Full meals are provided at the conference on Friday and Saturday. Pitch sessions with literary agents and editors are included in the price of registration. Writers also have the opportunity to sit down for one-on-one mentoring sessions with other published authors
Registration is now open.
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Northern Colorado Writers Conference
Colorado, USAMay 3 – 4
$209 – $399
Cynthia Swanson and Jovan Mays
In 2019, the conference is celebrating 14 great years. The NCWC is one few writers’ conferences that caters to a variety of genres including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and screenwriting. Because our conference tends to be smaller than most (around 150 participants), we are able to provide a more personal and intimate experience that many larger conferences lack.
Registration will open January 9.
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Georgia, USAMay 3 – 4
$50 – $620
The 2019 Atlanta Writers Conference comes back with more guests than ever before. The goal of this conference is to give you access to eight top publishing house acquisitions editors and eight literary agents actively seeking new clients, help you get your work ready for them, and educate you with a workshop and talks by experienced authors and other industry professionals. The Conference Activities page details each activity you can register for: select them all, only one, or some number in between–it’s entirely up to you, so you can craft the conference experience that will be best for your growth, interests, and budget.a
Registration is now open.
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Turning the Page 2019 Conference
Oklahoma, USAMay 3 – 4
$125 – $250
Meg Gardiner
Founded in 1968, the Oklahoma Writers’ Federation, Inc. (OWFI) is a non‑profit federation of writers’ groups dedicated to promoting higher standards for the written word. We believe that the literary profession has come of age and merits a fair share of the critical acclaim so generously lavished on other worthwhile arts. OWFI shall seek to coordinate and encourage professional writing within and without its organization and promote the recognition of outstanding contributions to the written language.
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Colorado, USAMay 3 – 5
$415 – $485
Pikes Peak Writers Conference has a welcoming, friendly atmosphere filled with the topics that interest you the most, and perhaps a few topics that you will become interested in after. You will be surrounded by industry professionals and other dreamers who are eager to learn, connect and network. Our three-day conference is full of in-depth workshops, best-selling keynote speakers, opportunities for one-on-one time with agents and editors, the chance to read your work aloud for constructive critique, and the opportunity to socialize with fellow writers while building your network.
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ASJA’s 48th Annual Writers Conference
New York, USAMay 5 – 6
$75 – $609
Milt Toby, Caitlin Pearce and Adam Pawlus
As freelance journalists and authors, we collaborate with editors, agents, publishers, designers and multimedia experts. At the 2019 conference, we’re exploring the ways collaboration helps us succeed.
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The 9th Annual Nonfiction Writers Conference
OnlineMay 8 – 10
$125 – $490
The Nonfiction Writers Conference is presented by the Nonfiction Authors Association. Our members receive all kinds of benefits including weekly educational teleseminars and past event recordings, exclusive content added weekly (Templates, Checklists, Worksheets) and more
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LDS Storymakers Writers Conference
Utah, USAMay 9 – 11
$125 – $245
Jason Wright
The Storymakers Conference is a great opportunity for you to learn everything there is about writing a story. From non-fiction to all kinds of fictional role building sessions, agent classes, author chats and making use of reviews.
Registration will open January 23.
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Wisconsin, USAMay 10 – 11
The Lakefly Writers Conference, organized by the Wisconsin Writers Association, Inc. will take place from 10th May to 11th May 2019 at the Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center in Oshkosh, United States. The conference will offer over a dozen workshops on the craft and business of writing designed to inspire and guide your creative journey.
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Maryland, USAMay 10 – 11
$249 – $289
Our conference, now in its 7th year, will be bigger than ever! For the first time, the event will feature expert sessions with publishing pros, including editors and publicists, and up-close author talks, in addition to our pitch sessions. Whatever stage you’re in with your writing — just starting, in the middle, or ready with a manuscript — this year’s conference will offer you a chance to move forward.
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The Longleaf Writers Conference
Florida, USAMay 10 – 19
$595 – $1800
The Longleaf Writers Conference is an annual gathering of creative writers from all over the nation, featuring award-winning writers in poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction, who will offer a full week of intensive writing workshops, one-day seminars, school outreach programs, and social events.
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Cat Writers Association Conference
Texas, USAMay 16 – 18
$129 – $159
Debra F. Horwitz
Our annual CWA Conference and Awards Banquet has been a constant throughout the past quarter century and we want YOU (and your beloved kitties who like to travel) to be part of our next 25 years. For this year, we’ll be celebrating somewhere in between, the historic and charming St. Louis, Missouri. Please come and join us, both members and non-members for our cat-tastic celebration.
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Society of American Business Editors & Writers Annual Conference
Phoenix, USAMay 16 – 18
The Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing Annual Conference will be a workshop session packed event you wouldn’t want to miss. There will be a lot of networking opportunities to meet other writers and exhibitors.
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32nd Annual Pennwriters Conference
Pennsylvania, USAMay 17 – 19
Jessica Strawser and Jason Jack Miller
Pennwriters, a not-for-profit organization of more than 390 members from Pennsylvania and beyond, was established in 1988 as a networking organization for published and aspiring writers of all genres. The group offers an annual three-day writers conference and area events and has a strong internet presence, with email groups, online classes and social networks. Authors who meet set criteria are granted Published Author status.
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Austin 2019 Writers & Illustrators Working Conference
Texas, USAMay 18 – 19
Want to build your children’s book career? Don’t miss Austin SCBWI’s
2019 Writers & Illustrators Working Conference. -
The Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference
North Carolina, USAMay 19 – 23
$150 – $350
The Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference is the premier training and networking event for both seasoned and aspiring writers and speakers. This event allows participants the ideal opportunity to interact with editors, agents, professional writers and readers, offering outstanding workshops and continuing classes in a wide array of creative categories.
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Boldface Conference for Emerging Writers
Texas, USAMay 20 – 24
Welcome to Boldface, the only conference in the U.S.A. dedicated to emerging writers. Join us in May for an event like no other. Experience daily workshops, readings, craft talks, social events, and professionalism panels in an intimate and supportive environment designed specifically with the needs of emerging writers in mind.
Registration will open January 3.
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Alaska, USAMay 29 – Jun 1
375
Susan Orlean | Exploring the Frontiers of Language
“Exploring the Frontiers of Language,” the North Words Writers Symposium welcomes all to an intimate setting with just 40 participants engaging with authors in a spectacular Alaska setting.
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Bear River Writers’ Conference
Michigan, USAMay 30 – Jun 3
$645 – $905
The conference features workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as readings, discussions, nature walks, and time to write.
Registration will open February 4.
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6th Annual Bread Loaf Environmental Writers’ Conference
Vermont, USAMay 31 – Jun 6
$2025 – $2380
The 6th annual Bread Loaf Environmental Writers’ Conference is a week-long writers’ conference, based on the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference model, that’s designed to hone the skills of people interested in producing literary writing about the environment and the natural world.
Registration is now open.
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California, USAMay
Come join the thirteenth annual Gold Rush Writers Conference, May 4th, 5th, & 6th, at the historic Leger Hotel in picturesque Mokelumne Hill where writing professionals will guide you to a publishing bonanza through a series of panels, specialty talks, workshops and celebrity lectures.
Go one-on-one with successful poets, novelists, biographers, memoirists and short story writers.
The conference includes a picnic supper in a Victorian garden Friday evening, Saturday dinner and Sunday brunch. -
Northwest Georgia Writers Conference
Georgia, USAMay
The Northwest Georgia Writers Conference is an annual literary event featuring a myriad of activities for writers of all writing stages. From workshops, to marketing techniques, author panels, speed presenters, agent appointments and book sales and giveaways.
JUNE
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Rutgers-New Brunswick Writers’ Conference
New Jersey, USAJun 1 – 2
$49 – $299
Amy Tan and Colum McCann
On June 1 – 2, 2019, aspiring and established writers, agents, editors, and publishers will converge at the Rutgers Continuing Education Center at 300 Atrium Drive in Somerset, NJ (link is external) for the 3rd Annual Rutgers–New Brunswick Writers’ Conference! Enjoy keynote presentations from Amy Tan and Colum McCann, choose from concurrent sessions across six tracks, meet individually with agents, editors, and publishers, join a panel discussion on publishing options, and attend an evening reading event featuring famous authors.
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Surprise Valley Writers’ Conference
California, USAJun 1 – 5
525
Four days of writers’ workshops; Friday afternoon, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday mornings with ample time for lunch, craft lectures, writing and exploring. Evening events include a Welcome Reception, Staff Readings, Keynote Speech, Campfire Open Mic, shared meals and community building. We also encourage attendees to write and discover Surprise Valley on your own. Our staff is available to offer suggestions on local sights, drives and adventures.
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Indiana University Writers’ Conference
Indiana,USAJun 1– 5
The annual Indiana University Writers’ Conference allows writers of all skill levels to learn first-hand from prominent writers in workshops and classes focused ononfiction , poetry, and various prose narrative styles.
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The Writer’s Hotel NYC Writers Conference
New York, USAJun 5 – 11
3000
The Writer’s Hotel is a hybrid writers conference that meets each June at a floating campus between five hotels in Midtown, Manhattan. TWH is not just another writers conference. We work with each writer on their writing from the moment of acceptance.
Registration closes March 8.
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West Virginia Writers Conference
West Virginia, USAJun 7 – 9
The West Virginia Writers Summer Conference will give you the writing kick you need. These writing sessions will take you through every part of the writing process in details, spanning genres, and allowing you to get in touch with other writers, publishers and editors in the writing scene.
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California Crime Writers Conference 2019
California, USAJun 8 – 9
$285 – $355
Tess Gerritsen and Catriona McPherson
The 2019 California Crime Writers Conference will have keynote speeches by our two guests of honor, Tess Gerritsen and Catriona McPherson, also each guest of honor will also be teaching a writing workshop. Plus, we are taking advantage of our proximity to Hollywood to bring in producers and screenwriters to discuss book options, adaptations, and what to do when Hollywood calls. All of this in addition to craft panels, forensic workshops, and the fun and fellowship you’ve come to expect from CCWC.
Registration open 1 Feb – 31 May.
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Martha’s Vineyard Summer Writers’ Conference
Massachusetts, USAJun 9 – 15 & Jun 16 – 22
$1075 – $2000
Each summer, we offer two comprehensive week-long seminars at our Writers’ Conference, providing writers with the necessary time to devote to their art in the idyllic setting of the island of Martha’s Vineyard. Participants include individuals of varying ages and abilities, from published writers to skilled beginners.
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Connecticut, USAJun 12 – 16
$225 – $850
The Wesleyan Writers Conference welcomes experienced writers, new writers, and everyone interested in the writer’s craft. Our faculty of distinguished writers are generous teachers, offering careful manuscript readings and practical advice to writers at any stage of a project. The daily schedule is flexible.
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Sozopol Seminars on Creative Writing
Sozopol, BulgariaJun 13 – 17
Christopher Castellano and Andrew CouanWriting about immigration
The Elizabeth Kostova Foundation receives applications for participation in the twelfth annual edition of the Sozopol Seminars on Creative Writing , to be held from 13 to 17 June 2019 in the ancient Sozopol, Bulgaria. Writers from Bulgaria and from English-speaking countries, including but not limited to Australia, Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States, can apply for the seminar . Artistic texts are adopted in the genre of the novel and the story .
Registration closes February 25.
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Pacific University Residency Writers Conference
Oregon, USAJun 13 – 23
$1800 – $2600
Writers seeking to deepen their craft and expand their professional community are invited to attend the Residency Writers Conference together with MFA students, faculty and guest speakers. Join us for 10 full days of craft talks, workshops, panels, classes, readings, and more featuring some of the best minds of the literary world. This residency is a rare opportunity to engage in sustained and meaningful conversation with others who share your passion for the art of writing.
Registration is now open.
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Textbook & Academic Authoring Conference
Pennsylvania, USAJun 14 – 15
$110 – $245
The Textbook & Academic Authors Association (TAA) provides professional development resources, events, and networking opportunities for textbook authors and authors of scholarly journal articles and books. Established in 1987 by math author Mike Keedy, TAA is the only national, nonprofit membership association dedicated solely to assisting textbook and academic authors.
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New Hampshire, USAJun 14 – 16
From Friday, June 14 through Sunday, June 16, 2019, join a small community of people at the historic Robert Frost Farm learning, reading and writing formal poetry with contemporary award-winning poets in an intimate workshop environment. Choose your focus from a series of offerings designed to provide tools for beginning poets as well as perfect the mastery of published poets
Registration will open January.
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Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference
Alaska, USAJun 14 – 18
$395 – $450
Diane Ackerman
Held in Homer, Alaska, this nationally recognized writing conference features workshops, readings and panel presentations inonfiction , poetry, nonfiction, and the business of writing.
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Santa Barbara Writers Conference
California, USAJun 16 – 21
$150 – $650
Join us beachside for an intensive, weeklong experience dedicated to the craft of writing. Workshops cover literary fiction, mystery, sci-fi, memoir, creative nonfiction, travel writing, poetry, screenwriting, and marketing.
Registration is now open.
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New York, USAJun 16 – 22
$1000 – $1800
Our senior staff is here to talk with you about writing and the writing life, and to work with you on your creative nonfiction, novel, poetry, or short fiction. Whether you are a veteran writer or a novice, we offer a full schedule of consultations, workshops, craft talks, panel discussions, readings, and informal conversations that will sustain your long-range efforts or help you get started.
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Paris, FranceJun 16 – 22
$1350 – $1450
One-week seminar in Paris, France. You will write in the mornings in small cafes, share many great meals, enjoy walks and top-notch jazz, —and time alone. Nonfiction and creative writing. Our focus is creative nonfiction. This means creative writing about real people, real places, and really good food! We emphasize description, place, illustration, perhaps allegory, a quote or two if it’s appropriate. We study passages from literature, explore voice, revise and polish for good leads, endings, and rhythm.
Registration closes April 1.
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Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference
Minnesota, USAJun 17 – 23
$150 – $750
Terrance Hayes
Please join us in 2019 from Monday, June 17 through Sunday, June 23 for an exciting opportunity to create, collaborate, and commune in the great northwoods. This year’s workshop faculty members are Peter Orner (Fiction), Camille Dungy (Poetry), Ada Limón (Poetry), Aimee Nezhukumatathil (Poetry & Creative Nonfiction Hybrid), and Dustin Parsons (Creative Nonfiction) .
Registration open 1 Feb – 1 May.
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Historical Novel Society – North American Conference
Maryland, USAJun 20 – 22
$100 – $495
Jeff Shaara and Dolen PerkinsValdez
The conference is geared towards readers and writers of historical novels and will feature presentations, panels, preconference workshops, pitch sessions with agents and editors, and more
Registration open 16 Feb – 15 May.
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Washington, USAJun 21 – 22
$99 – $285
The 2019 Chuckanut Writers Conference is the ninth annual event hosted by Whatcom Community College and Village Books in beautiful Bellingham, Washington. At the conference, you’ll find the resources and encouragement you need to turn inspiration into action. The conference includes two days of breakout sessions, author panels, keynote addresses, and readings.
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Dublin, IrelandJun 21 – 23
$69 – $177
This conference will help you to improve your writing craft, publish successfully, and plan the marketing necessary for any author to achieve success whether traditionally published or self-published.
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The Greater Los Angeles Writers Conference
California, USAJun 21 – 23
$249 – $499
The Annual Greater Los Angeles Writers Conference (AGLAWC) uniquely presents individual tracks for Aspiring, Active, and Accomplished writers (what we call the 3-A’s). Each features a progression of educational lectures, panels, and interactive workshops, for each level of expertise. This allows you to immerse yourself in an educational and inspirational environment all weekend. Chose your level of participation and workshops based on your areas of interest, what will benefit your writing career the most. and crossover at anytime.
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Publish and Promote Your Book Conference
New York, USAJun 22
If you’re ready to find an agent and present your book to the marketplace, join our community of writers, agents, editors, marketing, and public relations professionals at this unique one-day conference designed to get your book published! If you have a completed book, or are working on your draft, don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about the publishing arena, build your network, and plan for the future of your writing.
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Outdoor Writers Association of America Conference
Arkansas, USAJun 22 – 24
$85 – $449
The 92nd annual OWAA conference is an opportunity for outdoor communicators and outdoor groups, businesses and agencies that are involved in the world of outdoor communication to learn and connect with others in the industry. It gives attendees a chance to network with other professionals, allows them to build crucial business outlets and helps improve their skills.
Registration will open January.
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Chesapeake Writers’ Conference
Maryland, USAJun 23 – 29
$800 – $1200
The Chesapeake Writers’ Conference, located on the campus of St. Mary’s College of Maryland, is in its eighth year. Each summer, we host writers at all levels of experience for a rich week of lectures, craft talks, readings, and panel discussions (including an entire day with publishing professionals), as well as daily workshops in the genre each participant has applied in–fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction.
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Washington, USAJun 25 – 29
$60 – $420
Melinda Gates, Sylvia Acevedo, Eric Klinenberg, Rick Steves, Robin DiAngelo and Isha Sesay
Meeting Highlights include:
In-depth learning and educational sessions!
Awards, announcements, and 100s of authors!
New technologies, publications, and services from expert organizations on the Exhibits Floor!
Unlimited connections with colleagues from all types of libraries! -
California, USAJun 26 – 30
Nnedi Okorafor, Melissa K. Nelson, Ursula Heise and Cherríe MoragaParadise on Fire
The Biennial ASLE Conference will be held in Davis, California, in June 2019. Following a longstanding tradition, this conference gathers scholars and artists working in a diverse array of environmental humanities projects and offers a special focus on some themes that resonate well with the location of the meeting.
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Jackson Hole Writers Conference
Wyoming, USAJun 27 – 29
$50 – $375
At the Jackson Hole Writers Conference, you will have ample opportunity to share your work, whether in the critiques or workshops or at the open mic event! Writers from Maine to California, from Texas to Alaska know their fellow attendees will listen well.
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David R. Collins Writers’ Conference
Iowa, USAJune 27 – 29
Come to the Mississippi River for three days of inspiration, writing, and community at The David R. Collins Writers’ Conference, held on the campus of St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA. Here, you can develop your writing working with award-winning authors in a variety of genres, and get publishing tips, one-on-one critiques, and pitch a manuscript, all for an affordable price. We also have an open mic reading, a faculty book sale, networking opportunities, and lots of Midwestern hospitality.
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The Writers’ League of Texas Agents & Editors Conference
Texas, USAJun 28 – 30
$419 – $519
The Writers’ League of Texas Agents & Editors Conference is one of the nation’s premier conferences for writers, bringing together more than 20 nationally-known agents and editors with award-winning and bestselling authors for three days of conversation about the craft of writing and the practical steps toward publication.
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Virginia, USAJune
The Highland Summer Writers’ Conference, held in the beautiful Selu Retreat Center will serve as a great educational opportunity. This week long class focuses on Appalachian literature and writing. With public readings by popular authors, as well as writing sessions. Both graduates and undergraduate authors can obtain a three-hour course credit by taking part in this event.
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Annual Wyoming Writers Conference
Wyoming, USAJune
Wyoming Writers, Inc. (WW, Inc.) began in 1974 following a writing workshop, as a way to continue the conversation and create a community for writers in our wide-open, sparsely populated state. An annual conference quickly became a cornerstone of the group, a foundation from which isolated writers could build relationships to further their writing endeavors
JULY
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Great Writing The International Writing Conference
London, UKJuly 6 – 7
£140
Great Writing is an international platform for both critical and creative presentations. It regularly includes research, teaching and creative writing practice topics. And more! In this 22nd year of the conference, the range of topics is likely to be as vibrant as ever.
Registration closes January 31.
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New York, USAJul 9 – 13
$75 – $1260
Welcome to ThrillerFest XIV! We’re excited to present a blockbuster line-up featuring 2019 ThrillerMaster John Sandford, 2019 Silver Bullet Recipient Harlan Coben, 2019 Thriller Legend Margaret Marbury, 2019 Spotlight Guest Lisa Unger, 2019 Spotlight Guest Stephen Hunter and 2018 Silver Bullet Recipient James Rollins! Join us for the ATF workshop, Master Class, CraftFest, PitchFest, ThrillerFest, and more. We encourage all thriller enthusiasts to join the ThrillerFest family.
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2019 Children’s Lit Conference
New York, USAJul 10 – 14
$650 – $1995
The Southampton Children’s Lit Conference provides a unique forum in which to study and discuss the craft of writing for children. World-renowned authors, illustrators and editors offer inspiration and guidance through workshops, lectures, group discussions and special presentations.
Registration closes May 1.
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Massachusetts, USAJul 11 – 14
$60 – $65
Edward Bryant, Tananarive Due & Stephen Graham Jones
Although Readercon is modeled on “science fiction conventions,” there is no art show, no costumes, no gaming, and almost no media. Instead, Readercon features a near-total focus on the written word. In many years the list of Readercon guests rivals or surpasses that of the Worldcon in quality. Readercon is the only small convention regularly attended by such giants of imaginative literature as Gene Wolfe, Samuel R. Delany, John Crowley, Barry N. Malzberg, Kit Reed, and Jonathan Lethem.
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Pennsylvania, USAJul 12 – 14
Gail Carson Levine, Ilya Kaminsky, Tyler Marshall and Yaa GyasiRefugees and Immigrants: Who We Are and How We Got Here
The Gathering at Keystone College is an annual three-day symposium on creativity and imagination featuring performances, lectures, discussions, and workshops. People from diverse backgrounds meet to explore the creative spirit that permeates science, literature, and the arts around the world.
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IWWG Summer Writers Conference 2019
Pennsylvania, USAJul 12 – 19
$50 – $1750
The conference has over two dozen workshops ranging from three to six days in length and spanning fiction, poetry, memoir, creative nonfiction, screenwriting, playwriting, writing as performance, social justice, multi-genre, and mixed media
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Tennessee, USAJul 16 – 28
$700 – $1800
The Sewanee Writers’ Conference gathers distinguished faculty to provide instruction and criticism through workshops and craft lectures inonfiction , poetry, and playwriting.
Registration will open January 5.
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Public Safety Writers Association Annual Conference
Indiana,USAJul 18 – 21
$85 – $295
The PSWA is a lively, intimate association that exists to support people involved in writing about public safety
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Sun Valley Writers’ Conference
Idaho, USAJul 20 – 23
For four days, SVWC writers and readers laugh and learn, hike and talk, and stretch the limits of their imagination. The days are filled with books, ideas, stimulation and fun. Extraordinary writers and thinkers talk with an engaged audience about their work, the world, and discuss why literature matters.
Registration will open February.
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Recanati, ItalyJul 20 – 28
875
Lou Berney, Christine O’Brien and Frederick Turner
An immersive program for new and experienced authors, the Leopardi Writing Conference consists of workshops and craft talks inonfiction , nonfiction, and poetry.
Registration is now open.
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Napa Valley Writers’ Conference
California, USAJul 28 – Aug 2
1025
Since 1981, the Napa Valley Writers’ Conference has provided literary fellowship and a craft-focused experience among the foothills and vineyards that have made this region famous.
Registration closes April 15.
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Midwest Writers Workshop Super Mini-conference
Indiana,USAJuly
199
A dynamic day-and-a-half with a decidedly different structure—shorter, smaller, less expensive, with a strong emphasis on helping you reach your writing goals.
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Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference
Texas, USAJuly
The Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference is a forum for journalists, writers, readers, students, educators and the general public to listen to, be inspired by and practice their craft at the highest possible level.
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2019 Stonecoast Summer Writers’ Conference
Maine, USAJuly
1195
The Stonecoast Writers’ Conference is now held concurrently with the Stonecoast MFA, one of the nation’s premier low-residency creative writing programs. By coordinating with the MFA program, conference attendees get unfettered access to readings, presentations, and seminar talks delivered by the award-winning writers of the Stonecoast faculty.
Registration will open March.
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Writing the Rockies Annual Conference
Colorado, USAJuly
Set in the beautiful Gunnison Valley of the central Colorado Rockies on the campus of Western Colorado University, the conference offers a wide range of workshops, lectures, seminars, readings and special events that create an intense, collegial writers’ community and retreat across four days. The conference includes a book fair featuring hundreds of titles by the speakers and presenters.
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Frost Place Conference on Poetry
New Hampshire, USAJuly
Spend a week at “intensive poetry camp” with writers who are deeply committed to learning more about the craft of writing poetry. The Frost Place Poetry Conference offers daily workshops, classes, lectures, writing and revising time in a supportive and dynamic environment.
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Green Mountain Writer’s Conference
Vermont, USAJuly
The Green Mountain Writers Conference started subversively as an effort to create a gathering of writers that would be as encouraging to new or inexperienced writers as it would be useful to those who had succeeded in publishing stories, novels, nonfiction work, and poems.
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One Story Summer Writers Conference
New York, USAJuly
The conference featured workshops inonfiction ; craft lectures; and panels with authors, editors, and agents.
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Stories From the Heart Women Writers’ Conference
Texas, USAJuly
Stories from the Heart IX will bring women from around the country to celebrate our stories and our lives. Through writing, reading, listening, and sharing, we will discover how personal narrative is a healing art, how we can gather our memories, how we can tell our stories. We welcome readers, writers, storytellers, and any woman with a past, present, and future. There will be opportunities to explore difficult or hidden issues, expand our relationships with other women, and discover different modes and media—such as art, dance, and drama—for sharing our stories. Come, learn, share, celebrate with us as we honor our stories!
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New Hampshire, USAJuly/August
Join a select community of poets for 5-1/2 days at the end of July and into August to refresh your artistic inspiration in a setting of great natural beauty. Have your poems-in-progress given generous and focused attention in this intimate setting. Our specialty is unparalleled access to a faculty of celebrated contemporary poets, and our goal is to send you home charged up to re-enter your own work.
AUGUST
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Mendocino Coast Writers Conference
California, USAAug 1 – 3
The Mendocino Coast Writers’ Conference is a vibrant gathering that offers morning workshops in a wide range of genres, relevant to differing experience levels—from a dedicated emerging writers’ workshop to a juried-in master class.
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Florida, USAAug 2 – 3
Each year, FAPA holds the FAPA Annual Conference, the premier educational and networking event for authors and publishers in Florida. The 2019 FAPA Annual Conference will be held on August 2 and 3, 2019 at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace in Orlando.
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New Jersey, USAAug 2 – 4
Wendy Corsi Staub and R. G. Belsky
New Jersey’s biggest little mystery conference, Deadly Ink, will convene this year at the Sheraton-Parsippany Hotel in Parsippany, New Jersey, from August 2-4. We have great guests lined up, and interesting plans are in the works.
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Haiku North America Conference
North Carolina, USAAug 7 – 11
Haiku North America (HNA) is a biennial conference in celebration of haiku poetry. Every two years we offer five stimulating days of papers, panels, workshops, readings, performances, book sales, cultural outings, and much socialization with fellow poets, translators, scholars, editors, and publishers. Everyone is welcome to attend HNA, the largest and oldest gathering of haiku poets in the United States and Canada
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Travel Writers & Photographers Conference
California, USAAug 8 – 11
$575 – $650
Jason & Yeganeh Rezaian, Mark Nepo, Robert Holmes & Don George
The Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conference has an extraordinary reputation among publishers, editors, and writers. Alumni have published books, articles, and photos—many as the direct result of lessons learned and contacts made at the conference. There is no finer travel conference anywhere in the world.
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Professional Writers Association of Canada 2019 Conference
Calgary, CanadaAug 9 – 11
45
Based on the success of our collaboration with CMG Freelance in 2018, PWAC’s 2019 Conference will be in conjunction with When Words Collide, the very popular annual festival held in Calgary, August 9-11, 2019. We’ll be presenting three sessions there, along with a unique opportunity especially for those of you interested in writing a fiction book – you’ll be able to network with other successful fiction authors and learn some of the tricks of their trade!
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Swanwick Writers’ Summer School
Derbyshire, EnglandAug 10 – 16
£50 – £630
The Swanwick Writers’ Summer School offers an extensive choice of courses, talks, workshops, inspirational guest speakers, optional one-to-one sessions with tutors, scriptwriting and performance opportunities and superb evening entertainment including buskers night and poetry open mic. You can also sell your books through our Book Room and win one of three free places in our short story and poetry competition.
Registration will open February 1.
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Vermont College of Fine Arts Postgraduate Writers’ Conference
Vermont, USAAug 12 – 18
$995 – $1175
The 24th annual Conference at Vermont College of Fine Arts, home of the acclaimed low-residency MFA in Writing Program, is designed for experienced writers, with graduate degrees or equivalent preparation. We emphasize craft and process through small-group workshops limited to 5 or 6 participants, and pride ourselves on creating a supportive, non-hierarchical writers’ community.
Registration will open January 15.
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Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference
Vermont, USAAug 14 – 24
$3380 – $3525
Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, founded in 1926 and boasting a rich literary and intellectual tradition, gathers together emerging writers to work closely with a diverse and talented faculty. For 10 days in August, conference attendees experience the intensity, and challenge, of working under the guidance of notable writers, including MacArthur Fellows, U.S. poets laureate, and recipients of the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award.
Registration is now open.
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Maine, USAAug 16 – 19
$625 – $1175
Richard Blanco and Arielle Greenberg
In a world in which heft often rules the day, Iota inspires an economy of words. It’s a celebration of the small, the brief, the miniature. Short essays, flash fiction, short stories, prose poems: short forms deserve their own long weekend. Iota faculty members guide participants through the crafting of short forms. Is a micro essay really a prose poem? Is a prose poem really a piece of flash fiction? Prepare to challenge your own assumptions.
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Killer Nashville’s 14th Annual Writers’ Conference
Tennessee, USAAug 22 – 25
$150- $379
David Morrell, Alexandra Ivy and Joyce Carol Oates
The Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference is a four-day event bringing together some of the world’s best authors, aspiring writers, agents, editors, and other industry professionals.
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California, USAAug 22 – 25
$500 – $575
Elizabeth George, Hallie Ephron, Cara Black & David Corbett
The four-day Book Passage Mystery Writers Conference has a strong tradition of great authors and teachers. It covers everything mystery writers need—from developing ideas and writing skills to finding a publisher. Participants work closely with mystery writers, agents, editors, and publishers as well as investigators and crime-fighting professionals.
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New York, USAAug 23 – 25
$349 – $499
N. K. Jemisin
The Writer’s Digest Annual Conference offers everything you need to advance your writing career creatively and professionally. Writers of all backgrounds and experience levels can sharpen their skills, pitch their work to literary agents and find inspiration in the words of experienced mentors. And it’s all brought to you by Writer’s Digest, the experts at nurturing and developing writers at every stage for nearly 100 years.
Registration is now open.
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Pennsylvania, USAAug 23 – 25
$399 – $479
HippoCamp: A Conference for Creative Nonfiction Writers is geared toward writers of all skill levels and backgrounds, and it offers plenty of opportunities for you to hone your craft, explore publishing options and find ways to balance your writing and “real” life, as well as chances to meet, learn from, and share with writers like you.
Registration will open February 1.
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Willamette Writers Annual Conference
Oregon, USAAugust
Willamette Writers is the largest writers organization in the Pacific Northwest. Writers of all genres and at all stages of their careers come to our meetings, annual conference, workshops, and other events to connect with their community, hone their craft, and advance their careers.
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California, USAAugust
At Catamaran Literary Reader, our artistic themes tap into the rich literary history and beautiful setting of the California Central Coast. We invite you to transform your own creative work in the scenic location of Pebble Beach, a major source of inspiration for writers from John Steinbeck to Robinson Jeffers.
SEPTEMBER
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Colorado, USASep 6 – 8
$399 – $649
Marie Force, John Gilstra and Anne Hillerman
Every year, Rocky Mountainonfiction Writers is pleased to present the Colorado Gold Conference, where hundreds of writers from all over the US and beyond gather for a full weekend of writerly camaraderie, exciting programming, and opportunities to pitch projects to the industry’s top agents and editors. Programming focuses on the following key areas such as craft improvement, genre knowledge, career management, industry savvy, and continuing education and professional development for published authors.
Registration will open May 1.
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Slice Literary Writers Conference
New York, USASep 7 – 8
$225 – $375
Mira Jacob and Kiese Laymon
Slice’s 9th annual writers’ conference will draw more than 160 agents, authors, editors, and publishing pros. Our panels and workshops will cover topics from the craft of writing (plotting, dialogue, characterization, poetry, and more) to the business of writing (pitch letters, landing a book deal, and beyond). Top editors, agents, and authors will discuss crucial steps to help launch a writer’s career. But a book deal is just the beginning of a writer’s professional journey.
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Pacific Northwest Writers Association Conference
Washington, USASep 12 – 15
$375 – $475
Since 1955, writers in the NW have been dedicated to helping writers connect to other writers, publishers, agents, and editors across the country. Zola Helen Ross and Lucille McDonald came together to form the Pacific Northwest Writers Association and since the beginning many people have dedicated their time to ensure its continuation. Over the years we have expanded our efforts so that writers receive a trusted resource within this ever-changing publishing industry while staying true to our mission of helping writers carve out their place and provide them with a platform for their literary voice. PNWA embraces diversity regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or race. We believe our individual backgrounds, perspectives, and passions help us create the stories we tell.
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Milford SF Writers’ Conference
North Wales, EnglandSep 14 – 21
£646
MILFORD is a gathering of authors who write speculative fiction (in its widest sense). It is not a school for beginners; there are no “teachers” or “students”. It is not an elitist in-group. Invitations are extended to any SF author – from relative newcomers to those may only dimly recall what rejection slips look like. Generally the workshop includes some writers who have not attended a previous Milford, and they are particularly welcome. The language of the conference is English, so all work must be submitted for critique in English.
The 2019 wait-list open.
Milford 2020 bookings open now.
Milford 2021 will open in September 2019. -
Hampton Roads Writers Annual Writers’ Conference
Virginia, USASep 19 – 21
HRW’s Tenth Annual Writers’ Conference, which takes place Sept. 19 – 21, 2019 at the Virginia Beach/Norfolk Conference center, Holiday Inn Hotel, Virginia Beach, VA, offers outstanding opportunities to network, improve your craft and marketing skills, and pitch work to agents.
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Annual Southern California Writers’ Conference
California, USASep 20 – 22
Having facilitated well over $4 million worth of first-time authors’ book and screen deals since 1986, the SCWC remains devoted to writers of all levels working to become both exceptional authors and entrepreneurial self-advocates. Through our uniquely tailored, inclusive programs the SCWC empowers writers with the vital recognition, encouragement and understanding to better succeed in today’s ever-changing transmedia marketplace.
Registration will open March 1.
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9th Annual Bread Loaf in Sicily
Sicily, ItalySep 22 – 28
$3010 – $3265
The 9th annual Bread Loaf in Sicily Conference is an intensive seven-day writers’ conference held in Erice, an ancient, hilltop town on the western coast of Sicily. Featuring five workshops with six participants in each group, the conference provides a small group of writers with a concentrated and personalized Bread Loaf experience.
Registration is now open.
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The Novelists, Inc. conference
Florida, USASep 25 – 29
$425 – $450
The Novelists, Inc. conference is a unique experience that brings together multi-published, multi-genre authors who publish traditionally, independently, or both. The speakers are selected from the top echelons of the industry and the conversations rise far and above what you’ll experience anywhere else
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Central Coast Writers Conference
California, USASep 26 – 28
Whether you are a writer in search of a publisher or have a great idea for a movie, the annual Central Coast Writers Conference (CCWC) is designed to help you get closer to your dream
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Arizona, USASep 26 – 29
$190 – $280
Gregg Levoy, Noa Baum and Usha Akella
Find your voice with workshops, performances, talking circles, celebration, and more, featuring writers, storytellers, performers, musicians, community leaders, activists, educators, and health professionals.
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San Francisco Writing for Change Conference
California, USASeptember
149
The Writing for Change Conference is devoted to bringing together agents, editors, authors, and publishing professionals in order to enable writers to learn from the experts about writing, publishing, marketing, and technology. You’ll come away knowing how to get your work published successfully, online and off.
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Conference For Writers & Illustrators
Alaska, USASeptember
$105 – $155
As a partnership between Alaska Writers Guild, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and Romance Writers of America, the 2018 Conference is set to be an all-day event of keynotes and panels, as well as tracks specifically designed for writing craft, author marketing, traditional publishing, self publishing, romance, children’s literature, memoir, and nonfiction. Optional intensives and roundtable critiques are also available all day Friday, September 21.
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TBCSeptember
$115 – $230
The annual ANWA Writers Conference is for writers of all levels, from beginners to best-selling authors. Whether you write for fun, personal use, or publication, this conference has something for you. The ANWA Writers Conference offers world-class workshops and writing classes by professionals in the industry, pitch sessions with national and local agents/editors, networking opportunities, inspiration, and fun with like-minded people.
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TBCSeptember
Our conference will offer you all that you need to refine and improve your craft, and get you on the road toward publication!
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Connecticut, USASeptember
The conference is held in historic downtown Ridgefield, Connecticut, at the Ridgefield Library, whose blend of traditional and modern architectural styles embodies the same melding of craft and art as our conference. We do this through immersive morning and afternoon workshops with accomplished faculty authors dedicated to the craft and art of writing. Our faculty are also committed to inspiring both emerging and established writers, whether new to the conference or returnees, to bring their writing, along with their vision for the work, to a new level.
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Kentucky Women Writers Conference
Kentucky, USASeptember
Kentucky Women Writers is the longest running literary festival of women in the nation, launched by UK in 1979 to showcase the talents and issues unique to female writers. Authors like Alice Walker, Joyce Carol Oates, Barbara Kingsolver, and former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove lead writing workshops, panel discussions, and readings for writers at all stages of development, who come seeking inspiration, fellowship, and practical advice about the publishing industry.
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North Coast Redwoods Writers’ Conference
California, USASeptember
North Coast Redwoods Writers’ Conference is an annual literary event you shouldn’t miss. There will be a number of varied sessions, panel discussions, readings, workshops and critique sessions. Register today.
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The Rocky Mountain Chapter Annual Letters & Lines Conference
Wyoming, USASeptember/October
The Rocky Mountain Chapter Annual Letters & Lines Conference is a great opportunity for both writers and illustrators. Don’t miss out on the chance to learn all there is about writing, from world building to body language, and the role of time within your book. Authors from big time publishing houses will make an appearance, as well, as agents and editors. For illustrators there will be chances for critiques and portfolio consultations. Don’t miss out.
OCTOBER
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Write on the Sound Writers’ Conference
Washington, USAOct 4 – 6
Write on the Sound writers’ conference (WOTS), presented the first full weekend in October in Edmonds WA, is a high quality, affordable conference focused on the craft of writing. Over 30 sessions, workshops and panel discussions are available for all levels and interests, including valuable information regarding today’s writing and publishing industry. A limited admission of approximately 275 attendees makes WOTS the perfect place to spark your creativity, share ideas and network with other writers. WOTS is a program of The City of Edmonds Arts Commission.
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Ozark Creative Writers Conference
Arkansas, USAOct 10 – 12
Jodi Thomas and Jon ChandlerWriting in the Ozarks
The Ozark Creative Writers Conference is an event taking place in one of the beautiful inns in Arkansis. From talks by bestselling authors to songwriters and agents, we guarantee an experience you’ll never forget!
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Historical Writers of America Conference
Virginia, USAOct 10 – 13
Historical Writers of America (HWA) focuses on quality historical writing, research, submissions, the road to publication, and the life of a writer of historical fiction and nonfiction. The 2 1/2 day conference offers craft and knowledge sessions, workshops, and more.
HWA provides a mix of sessions on the craft of writing, research, and era specific knowledge (food, clothing, language), publishing, and genre topics. -
Women Writing the West 2019 Conference
Texas, USAOct 10 – 13
Women Writing the West will be celebrating our 25th Anniversary at the Annual Conference, to be held in historic San Antonio, Texas. Join us to celebrate not only WWW’s Silver Anniversary, butalso the WILLA Literary Award Winners and Finalists, the LAURA Short Fiction Awards and the new DOWNING Journalism Awards Winners and Finalists.
Registration will open in the spring of 2019
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Virginia, USAOct 10 – 13
Historical Writers of America (HWA) focuses on quality historical writing, research, submissions, the road to publication, and the life of a writer of historical fiction and nonfiction. The 2 1/2 day conference offers craft and knowledge sessions, workshops, and more. HWA provides a mix of sessions on the craft of writing, research, and era specific knowledge (food, clothing, language), publishing, and genre topics.
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James River Writers Annual Writers Conference
Virginia, USAOct 12 – 13
The James River Writers Conference is a two-day writing and publishing festival with seminars and lectures for aspiring and working writers. From panels on the craft and business of writing, to first pages panels, one-on-meetings with literary agents, master classes, and pitching sessions, you’ll have a great time and your hands full with writing motivation.
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Annual Florida Writers Conference
Florida, USAOct 17 – 20
The Annual Florida Writers Conference is one of the largest conferences in the Southeast with more than 500 attendees each year. We offer over 70 workshops and panel discussions, as well as agent and editor appointments.
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New England’s Romance Reader/Writer Conference
New Hampshire, USAOct 18 – 19
$89 – $119
In the great New England tradition, this conference was started as a grassroots endeavor. It’s not part of any big organization or magazine, agency or publisher. We are simply romance authors who want to have fun with (and spoil) our wonderful readers!
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Put Your Heart in a Book Conference
New Jersey, USAOct 18 – 19
Bob Mayer, Maya Rodale, Priscilla Oliveras and Dee Davis
The Put Your Heart in a Book Conference is an annual online event that will make it easy for you to attend no matter where in the world you live. You get a chance to attend various online workshops and see presentations all from the comfort of your own home. You even a chance to see old recordings from previous years and purchase them to see what you’ve missed out on.
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Emerald City Writers’ Conference
Washington, USAOct 18 – 20
Alisha Rai, Grace Draven and Jennifer Probst
Join us for the 30th Annual Emerald City Writers’ Conference, the largest local RWA conference on the west coast. This year we’re excited to celebrate the diversity of our stories and our writers and are excited to unveil our new focus on 90-minute workshops. Whether you’re published many times over or just starting out, there’s something at ECWC for everyone.
Registration will open June 1.
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The Surrey International Writers’ Conference
British Columbia, CanadaOct 25 – 27
$75 – $649
The Surrey International Writers’ Conference is a workshop-based conference with a focus on development of skills and industry-based knowledge. From beginning writer to widely published, this is the place to hone your skills, learn more about markets and network future sales.
Registration will open in June.
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California, USAOct 25 – 27
395
Check Back
Whether you are an aspiring author who has yet to put pen to paper, someone intent on writing a book to augment your business, a writer on the cusp of submitting to agents, or someone who wants to know more about the different and ever-evolving methods of publication, the La Jolla Writer’s Conference is the place for you. For nearly two decades, community, intimate classes, personalized attention, ambiance, and a dedicated and outstanding faculty have annually converged to provide an intensive experience where writing becomes habit, habit breeds success, and writers become authors.
Registration is now open.
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Rochester Annual Fall Writers’ Conference
Michigan, USAOct 26
The Rochester Writers’ Conference offers several presentations within their sessions. With three choices per session time, attendees may select the ones that best suits their needs. Fiction, non-fiction and general writing topics are presented in panel discussion, lecture or workshop style.
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Annual Florida Youth Writers Conference
Florida, USAOctober
The Florida Youth Writers Conference is the perfect opportunity for students from sixth grade to twelfth grade to create their own inspired writing. They get signed anthologies of previous contest winners, Sunday breakfast and workshops with adult Florida Writers conference attendees, create their own book trailers, and be part of interviews with Agents, Publishers, and Authors.
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Annual Digital Author and Indie Writers Conference
California, USAOctober
The Annual Digital Author and Indie / Self-Publishing Writers Conference is ideal for every author who wants to take advantage of the “Golden Age of Publishing.” Learn how to write and sell in the Brave New World of E-Books, Audio Books, DIY & Indie Publishing.
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National Writers’ Union Annual Conference
USAOctober
Kick your career into higher gear with a day of lectures and workshops focusing on copyright protection, contract advice, branding techniques, low cost social media marketing opportunities, and much more.
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Pawleys Island Writers’ Conference
South Carolina, USAOctober
Established in 1990, the South Carolina Writers Association is a literary arts organization serving both new and established writers. Nearly every type of writing is represented from poetry to mainstream novels to short stories to non-fiction. SCWA offers a supportive environment for people to become better writers.
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Utah, USAOctober
The Kanab Writers Conference began in 2010 as “Writers of the Purple Sage,” a nod to Zane Grey and his use of Kane County as a setting in some of his westerns. With a name change and renewed focused on writing in 2013, the conference has grown from a handful of locals to a thriving community.
NOVEMBER
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North Carolina Writers’ Network Fall Conference
North Carolina, USANov 1 – 3
The Fall Conference attracts hundreds of writers from around the country and provides a weekend full of activities that include lunch and dinner banquets with readings, keynotes, tracks in several genres, open mic sessions, and the opportunity for one-on-one manuscript critiques with editors or agents. Conference faculty include professional writers from North Carolina and beyond. Held every year in a major hotel
Registration is now open.
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Hawaii, USANov 4 – 10
The Kauai Writers Conference attracts major authors of both literary and popular fiction, non-fiction, screenplay, and poetry.
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Medical Writing & Communication Conference
San Diego, USANov 6 – 9
From AMWA’s great educational workshops to the wonderful open sessions and networking events, the Medical Writing & Communication Conference offers opportunities to learn from the experts and to share your experience with your peers. After more than 30 years working in the pharmaceutical industry, I think I can safely say that AMWA is the warmest and most inviting scientific association out there, and nowhere is that more evident than at the annual conference! At this conference, you will have the opportunity to hear from some exceptional award winners, this is in addition to a phenomenal line up of education sessions that range from grant editing to writing in the digital age, and just about everything in between. And if you are new to AMWA or to medical writing, please come to the pre-conference sessions and learn how to get the most possible out of your conference experience!
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Creative Nonfiction Writers Conference
New York, USANov 7 – 10
1550
Join award-winning authors, editors, agents and marketing experts for a three day intensive writing conference focused on both the craft and the business of writing essays, biography, memoir, and narrative nonfiction.
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Detroit Working Writers Annual Conference
Michigan, USANovember
Detroit Working Writers’ Annual Conference: “Owning Your Craft”, is a conference meant to get your creative juices flowing and inspire you to get writing. From presentations to, workshops, writing competitions, and editor panel discussions with Q&A, you can learn how to make the most out of your writing experience and get your book out there, as well as network and get to know more people in the industry.
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New York, USANovember
Mosaic Literary Conference provides a platform for literature-based creative thinking and knowledge sharing. Each year we invite educators, community-based organizations, and artists to participate in various professional-development workshops. The festival also showcases panel discussions, films, and live performances.
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Sanibel Island Writers Conference
Florida, USANovember
Participants at all stages of development—from notebook scribblers to published novelists—are invited to attend a variety of workshops inonfiction , poetry, songwriting, children’s literature, journalism, screenwriting, and creative nonfiction; panels on publishing & editing; and readings, keynote addresses, & concerts. All scheduled events are presented by celebrated and experienced writers and teachers, and open to full-time registrants. The conference welcomes any aspiring writer who wants to create new work or refine a project already in progress.
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The Red Clay Writers Conference
Georgia, USANovember
Red Clay has been hosted since 2009 to encourage and inspire writers across Georgia through a full day of literary events that focus on the art and craft of writing. Speakers include authors, editors, publishers, agents, and marketing specialists who provide attendees with resources to strengthen their craft
DECEMBER
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White County Creative Writers Annual Writers Conference
Arkansas, USADecember
The White County Creative Writers’ Annual Writers Conference is meant to help writers improve their craft. The conference invites educators, authors, publishers, and editors to take part in the conference, the attendees get to form critique groups, and learn from each other’s experiences as well as the numerous workshops and discussions.
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New York, USA December 5-6
$350
Learn how to maneuver in the marketplace as an informed, empowered, professional writer. Our two-day publishing conference features panels, Agent Pitch Sessions, Query Letter Clinics, and more—specifically designed to deliver insider tips on finding a literary agent, working with an editor, publishing in literary magazines, and other valuable information about building your career as a writer.
Wrapping it up
There, you have it, a fully packed calendar of writers conferences for you to find yourself in the midst of all the chaos, or serve as a ticket to achieving your dreams! Find the conference that suits your needs and register today!
Look out for more events.
The Comprehensive List of 2024 Writing Contests
