The Best Writing Conferences and Workshops to Attend in 2024
Writing is more than just putting words on a page. To become a successful author, you need to learn about both the writing and the publishing processes, and network with publishers and other authors. Attending writing conferences and workshops is one of the best ways to accomplish this.
If you’re serious about becoming a successful author, then attending writing conferences and workshops is a must. These events can provide you with the knowledge, skills, and connections you need to take your writing to the next level.
To find the best writing conferences and workshops to attend in 2024, use our filtering tools below to browse through our list.
Writers’ Workshop Program provides writers at all stages of
development with opportunities to explore the craft of writing. Each workshop has its own focus and
application requirements. Enrollment is limited to twelve participants per workshop to ensure individual
attention.
This year’s seminar marks the 41th year of creating world-class
literary programming in this subtropical island city. To commemorate the occasion, they’re bringing
together what may be their most accomplished roster yet, for a one-of-a-kind event celebrating Black
Literature in America.
The Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway does not have an application
process; everyone is welcome. They believe that every writer, whether they are just getting started or
already have publications or an MFA, can improve their craft with rigorous instruction and a supportive
community. Experienced writers may wish to register for an advanced workshop or try a new genre.
Colrain Classic
$1,000
The Colrain Manuscript Classic is a highly focused 4-day
conference designed for poets with manuscripts in progress. The Classic features in-depth pre-conference
work and candid, realistic evaluation and feedback from nationally-known poets, editors and publishers.
In preparation, participants work at home on pre-conference assignments and then, in the workshop,
review, arrange, and winnow their work based on the pre-conference work.
The Writers in Paradise Conference features professional writers
at the top of their form, spending quality time with motivated and talented participants seeking an
intimate, unhurried climate for learning…in paradise.
Digital Book World
$1,499-$1,799
Digital Book World is the gathering of community across the wide
world of publishing. It will feature keynotes by legendary tech journalists. It is the must-attend event
for trade publishers, independent publishers, and content creators in every sector.
Each day will feature a craft talk by one of the faculty members
and participants will split into small groups where they will dissect the art and craft of writing
through lectures, writing exercises, and class discussions. They won’t be reading and critiquing
manuscripts, but rather closely examining elements of craft with the intention of allowing participants
to see their work with deeper insight while also generating new material.
Hay Festival Jericó
From $93
The Hay Festival in Wales joins coinciding festivals around the
world to celebrate writing of all kinds through panel discussions and lectures.
The Hay Festival in Wales joins coinciding festivals around the
world to celebrate writing of all kinds through panel discussions and lectures.
The Hay Festival in Wales joins coinciding festivals around the
world to celebrate writing of all kinds through panel discussions and lectures.
National Cowboy Poetry Gathering
$40-$100
Whether you prefer watching performers on stage or on screen, or
whether it’s your first Gathering or your 39h, the 2024 National Cowboy Poetry Gathering will have
something for everyone. Join them as they take a look at life in the West across the generations.
The acclaimed Todos Santos Writers Workshop celebrates its 11th
year in the pueblo magico of Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, MX, with classes in Fiction, Memoir,
Poetry, and Strategies in Storytelling, featuring individual conferences and craft talks with guest
authors.
The speakers for the 2024 symposium discuss multiple perspectives
surrounding both the idea and the use of translation in their work. This is not just about how book
artists and writers translate the world around them, but how they are engaged with texts, transcription,
paraphrasing, or interpretation.
Pubwest
$89
PubWest is a vibrant, dynamic trade association of
small-medium-sized book publishers, printers, editors, distributors, graphic designers, binderies, and
related service companies. Established in 1977 as the Rocky Mountain Book Publishers Association,
PubWest is dedicated to helping member book publishers succeed and has grown to include members in
nearly every US state and multiple countries.
An Exclusive Workshop for Serious Children’s Book Writers. Founded
by Andrea Brown, Executive Director and President of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Inc. Through
these personalized workshops, ABLA and publishing giants have had the good fortune to find new talent.
Are you next?
The AWP Conference & Bookfair
$50-$540
The AWP Conference & Bookfair is the annual destination for
writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers of contemporary creative writing. It includes
thousands of attendees, hundreds of events and book fair exhibitors, and five days of essential literary
conversation and celebration. The AWP Conference & Bookfair has always been a place of connection,
reunion, and joy, and they are excited to offer the same experience in a new way this year. Join them
and take part in this amazing community of writers!
SCBWI brings together top professionals in the children’s
publishing world twice each year at the annual Summer and Winter Conferences. These annual events
feature renowned authors and illustrators as well as top editors, art directors, and agents in the field
of children’s publishing. The Summer & Winter Conferences are excellent networking opportunities for
those already established in and just starting to enter the world of children’s book writing and
illustrating.
Writing Day Workshops: Boston
$189.00
This is a special two-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop.
They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market
yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
This will be the 20th Celebration of Craft, Commerce, and
Community for all writers. Attendees will join 100+ presenters and fellow writers from across the
country and around the world at this year’s event. The SFWC events are consistently rated among the top
writers’ conferences anywhere.
The SCWC provides veteran and emerging talent with authoritative
feedback to help distinguish those manuscripts that are ready for market consideration. It facilitates
well over $4 million worth of first-time authors’ book and screen deals. Offering extended one-on-one
evaluation of material and dozens of interactive workshops, the SCWC is among the only conferences
specifically tailored to provide comprehensive feedback on writers’ work.
Regardless which path to publication you are pursuing, whether
you’re a writer just starting out, a writer unable to determine why your work is not working, a writer
simply in search of some answers, a writer wanting feedback on what you’ve written, or just a writer who
wants to hang with other writers and publishing professionals in a safe, supportive community, do
yourself a favor and join the 36th Annual Southern California Writers’ Conference *San Diego. Your words
are worth it!
The San Miguel Writers’ Conference & Literary Festival is the
largest and most prestigious cross-cultural, bi-lingual literary gathering in the Americas. It attracts
distinguished authors, established and emerging writers, industry experts, teaching professionals, and
avid readers from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.
Coastal Magic is a casual reader weekend, celebrating the magic of
stories and storytellers. They focus on creating opportunities for authors & readers to mingle, have
bookish fun, and create amazing memories.
This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing
workshop. They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how
to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
Gotham Writers is a creative home in New York City and online
where writers develop their craft and come together in the spirit of discovery and fellowship. They’ve
been teaching creative writing since 1993.
This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing
workshop. They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how
to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing
workshop. They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how
to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
Breakout Novel Intensive Workshop
$3,295- $3,395
Every year, writers of fiction and narrative nonfiction from
around the world, and in various stages of their writing careers, attend the Breakout Novel Intensive.
Whether attendees are new to the publishing industry or are seasoned professionals, BONI is tailored
toward helping every writer elevate his or her level of craft and reach new career heights as well.
This conference is all about writing and well-being. It is the 4th
annual Conference on Writing and Well-Being to be held in-person in Tucson, Arizona at the University of
Arizona. In addition to speeches by prominent figures, and 30+ concurrent sessions on topics ranging
from writing assignments to mindfulness, meditation to well-being curricula, inhabiting writing to
experiential learning via writing.
This is a special two-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop.
They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market
yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing
workshop. They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how
to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
This conference welcomes members to share experiences with other
writers about every facet of converting ideas, feelings, hopes, dreams, and opinions to the printed
word. Members write fiction and nonfiction for the page and for stage and screen. Some are editors and
small publishers. The members ranger from individuals who aspire to write to those who have published
all of their lives.
The New York Pitch Conference birthed a lot of careers, educated
hundreds more, and at a minimum resulted in several score fitted for the brass ring. Its array of
programs and methodology provoke aspiring authors into developing, refining, and pitching their novels
in such a manner as to greatly increase their chances of becoming published.
This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing
workshop. They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how
to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
The Writing By Writers Boulder Generative Workshop brings aspiring
writers into close community with nationally known writers for a weekend of inspiration, craft and the
generation of new work.
This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing
workshop. They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how
to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing
workshop. They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how
to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
The National Black Writers Conference (NBWC) is one of the major
programs of the Center for Black Literature. It was founded by John Oliver Killens in 1986 at Medgar
Evers College in Brooklyn, New York. It is held during the last weekend of March each year.
To celebrate the conference’s 10-year anniversary, this conference
(featuring in-person and live streamed events) will focus on different approaches for thinking about
story and story sharing.
This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing
workshop. They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how
to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
The Power of Narrative Conference
$99-$289
Attendees for this conference come from across the United States
and from many nations; they identify as writers, visual media creators, audio journalists, or all three.
They work on every imaginable platform, from newspapers to magazines, books to the web, podcasts to
multimedia, sometimes pushing the boundaries with innovative start-ups.
SAW are looking forward to once more bringing you a full lineup of
workshops to help you on your writing and publishing journey. This will be a full programme and, as
requested by members at last year’s AGM, they will be bringing you a bigger programme of workshops this
year.
The Chicago’s Writers Conference is an annual event that provides
a platform for writers to connect, learn, and grow. The conference offers a variety of events, including
keynote speeches, panel discussions, master classes, pitch sessions with agents/publishers, and live
lit.
The Liberty States Fiction Writers 12th Annual Conference features
a line-up of more published authors and industry professionals who will share their expertise and
experience. Located at the Hilton Garden Inn in Hamilton, New Jersey, they offer a full day of education
and networking for those who are published or want to be published. Workshops will focus on craft,
business, promotion and indie-publishing.
This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing
workshop. They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how
to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
It is an annual conference that brings together undergraduate
writers and poets from across North America and beyond to present their work and learn from some of the
most important writers in contemporary literature.
The mission of the Tennessee Mountain Writers, Inc. is to promote
literary arts by providing opportunities for members and the community at large to enhance individual
literary skills and appreciation through a broad spectrum of learning experiences.
This is a special two-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop.
They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market
yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing
workshop. They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how
to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
The Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop is the only one in the country
devoted to both humor and human interest writing. Through the workshop, the University of Dayton and the
Bombeck family honor one of America’s most celebrated storytellers and humorists.
This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing
workshop. They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how
to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing
workshop. They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how
to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
Festival of Faith & Writing
From $25
The CCFW capitalizes on the rich heritage of the long-running
Festival, expanding the conversations that often begin there into additional educational opportunities,
deeper community engagement, and sustained scholarship for readers of all ages.
This year – and every year – 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, this year’s conference will draw virtual
attendees from around the world. Pitch sessions with literary agents and editors are included in the
price of registration. Writers will have the opportunity for one-on-one mentoring sessions with faculty
members and other published authors. Join them, virtually, to take your writing skills to the next
level.
This is a special two-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop.
They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market
yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
A Rally of Writers features up to 16 sessions of Michigan writers,
poets, teachers, editors, and publishers discussing every aspect of writing and the publishing business.
The Chanticleer Authors Conference is unique and progressive. It’s
designed to share insight and knowledge about the marketing and business side of being an author and/or
a publisher. It’s dedicated to professional authors, offering them a chance to learn everything about
the industry.
This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing
workshop. They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how
to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
Clockwork Alchemy is the San Francisco area’s own steampunk
convention. Originally a part of FanimeCon, Clockwork Alchemy is now its own independent event
celebrating music, makers, dancing, writing, crafting, fashion, and fun related to steampunk!
Poetry at Round Top is an annual festival presenting the nation’s
most exciting and prominent poets over three days of readings, workshops, and conversations on craft.
Located on the gorgeous Festival Hill campus between Austin and Houston, in Round Top, Texas, Poetry at
Round Top presents an immersion experience like no other poetry conference or festival in the country.
This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing
workshop. They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how
to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing
workshop. They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how
to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
This conference’s mission is to advocate for, support, and educate
independent publishers and author publishers, and to improve the standards of independent publishing.
Nebraska Writers Guild Conference
$129-$279
The Nebraska Writers Guild offers a three-day conference filled
with consultations, publishing panel discussion, and much more.
A 3-day fiction-writing conference for writers of all levels,
indie and traditionally published, featuring a variety of craft and business workshops, acquiring
editors/agents and well-known authors across a variety of genres.
The Creativity Workshop in New York will help you become more
creative in your personal and professional life. They use many techniques in creative writing memoir,
art, photography, storytelling, mapmaking, mindfulness, and guided visualization to help you explore
your inner creativity.
Write Now!
$89
TAF is committed to educating, mentoring and promoting both
aspiring and established writers by connecting them with fellow writers and the vital resources and
services available to them. TAF advocates for fair compensation of writers and content creators, as well
as the ongoing professional development of those in the writing profession. To those ends, TAF hosts
monthly meetings featuring guest speakers presenting on a diverse array of topics, and presents an
annual writers conference each spring.
This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing
workshop. They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how
to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
Writing professionals will guide you through a bonanza of
presentations, workshops, and open-mic readings. This intimate event includes successful poets,
novelists, screen and play writers, memoirists, and short story writers.
The Lakefly Writers Conference, organized by the Wisconsin Writers
Association, will offer over a dozen workshops on the craft and business of writing designed to inspire
and guide your creative journey.
The goal of the Atlanta Writers Conference is to allow you to meet
eight top publishing acquisitions editors and eight literary agents actively seeking new clients. It
also helps you get your work ready for them and educate you with workshops and talks by experienced
authors and other industry professionals.
This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing
workshop. They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how
to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing
workshop. They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how
to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
The forum for training with EMWA is its annual conference, held in
a different European city each spring, which provides a wonderful opportunity for networking, plenary
lectures on key topics, strengthening your writing skills and sending out feelers to get a sense of
other areas you might have been contemplating exploring as a writer. A shorter conference is also held
each autumn.
Nonfiction Writers Conference
$197-$397
Since the Nonfiction Writers Conference began in 2010, their
mission has always been to take the traditional writers’ conference experience and deliver it online.
This allows more people to attend from around the world, saving valuable time and travel expenses. It
also delivers powerful access to speakers during LIVE learning sessions with interactive Q&A.
Storymakers Conference
$185-$285
The Storymakers Guild is a community built by writers for writers.
They created the Storymakers Conference with the goal of providing education, support, and a welcoming
community for writers at all skill levels and on all publishing paths. Each year they celebrate the
accomplishments of the writers in our community at the Whitney Awards Gala.
The Muse & the Marketplace is a three-day literary conference
that educates aspiring and emerging writers on the craft of fiction and non-fiction. It prepares them
for the ever-changing world of publishing and promotion and creates opportunities for meaningful
networking.
This is a special two-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop.
They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market
yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing
workshop. They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how
to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing
workshop. They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how
to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
Longleaf Writers Conference
$1,760
The Longleaf Writers Conference includes a full week of intensive
and generative writing workshops, one-day seminars, agent consultations, school outreach programs, and
special social events. The conference, which takes place in Seaside, Florida, provides an opportunity
for all levels of writers to celebrate writing, to network, and to hone their craft in a beautiful
setting among generous and celebrated writers and poets.
This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense
instruction over the Event of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions
answered, and more. Note that there are limited online “seats” at the event (200 total).
The Fiction Readers Summit exists to connect readers with authors,
books, and fellow believers. They hope these three days are filled with inspiration, connection, and an
even longer to–be–read list.
Small select groups of conference attendees experience working
under the guidance of notable writers. Founded in 2016 as a partnership between the Transylvania County
Library and Brevard College, this annual conference consists of writing workshops for select
participants and public readings by the workshop leaders free to the community.
Biographers International Organization (BIO) aims to promote the
art and craft of biography, cultivate a diverse community of biographers, encourage public interest in
biography, and provide educational and fellowship opportunities that support the work of biographers
worldwide.
Word on the Lake Writers’ Festival’s sessions will include both
skill development workshops and open forums with authors based on questions and answers in an intimate
setting.
Poetry by the Sea is a Global Conference that has been created in
the spirit of beginning afresh. The conference will literally take place by the sea, in an awe-inspiring
landscape, and at Mercy by the Sea, a beautiful retreat center. You will find workshops, seminars, and
panels in areas such as craft, subject/topic, and global issues.
The Hay Festival in Wales joins coinciding festivals around the
world to celebrate writing of all kinds through panel discussions and lectures.
The Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC) is the leading
festival in Asia for children’s stories and young adult (YA) fiction. Targeted at writers, illustrators,
translators, publishers, educators and media professionals, AFCC offers a series of exciting programmes,
including panel discussions, presentations, workshops, lectures, masterclasses, networking sessions and
public programmes that promote the creation and appreciation of quality children’s literature and YA
with a focus on Asian themes.
The Martha’s Vineyard Summer Writers’ Conference brings together
writers from around the world with the central belief that we can all learn from one another. Their
program offers week-long classes on the craft of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, evening
readings, panel discussions, and individualized manuscript sessions. Attendees study with award-winning
Visiting Authors & Poets and celebrate writing on the beautiful island of Martha’s Vineyard.
Thrillerfest
$567
A hub for all mystery and thriller authors, Thrillerfest includes
sessions on marketing, publishing, and honing your craft. They even have a Master Craftfest with
specialized small sessions in which successful, published authors work with you on your manuscript.
The Society for the Study of Midwestern Literature is devoted to
the study and production of Midwestern literature in whatever directions the insight, imagination, and
curiosity of the members may lead. The SSML annual symposium brings together writers, scholars, and
filmmakers to present criticism, poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction.
North Words Writers Symposium is an annual event that takes place
in Skagway, Alaska. It’s a chance for writers to connect with other writers and thinkers in a
spectacular, intimate Alaska setting.
Wyoming Writers, Inc. annual conference is in the works with some
amazing faculty lined up to learn from! Attendees get the opportunity to pitch their work to an agent or
publisher accepting pitches for their agency or publishing house.
This is a special two-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop.
They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market
yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
Join this fun, affordable, and talent-laden conference featuring
two days of writing workshops and presentations, a keynote banquet with the authors, manuscript
consultations, and more!
The Writer’s Hotel Maine “Mini MFA” is a unique, hybrid,
comprehensive writing program. The programming includes thrit TWH two-editor pre-conference Team Reading
and the conference, to be held IN-PERSON this year. TWH Directors and Editors Shanna McNair and Scott
Wolven read and consult on each writer’s full length manuscript pre-conference in their “TWH Team
Reading”.
Reader & Author Get Together
$150-$170
The RAGT is a fan-friendly event meant for readers, and open to
everyone, readers, authors, and industry alike, in different ratios! In the process, the event also
raises funds for many local causes. The incredible raffles garner thousands, and each year Lori Foster
puts out an anthology with proceeds earmarked for direct donation. Combined, the event and the anthology
go to benefit very worthwhile local charities.
Lit Camp Conference
$1295-$2595
Lit Camp was founded in 2012 to help writers get their books into
the world. Since that time, many of Lit Campers have gotten book deals from major publishers and
published their books.
The Creativity Workshop in New York will help you become more
creative in your personal and professional life. They use many techniques in creative writing memoir,
art, photography, storytelling, mapmaking, mindfulness, and guided visualization to help you explore
your inner creativity.
Indiana University Writers’ Conference
$375-$800
The Indiana University Writers’ Conference is the second oldest in
the United States. 2024 marks the 84th anniversary of the conference which, since its inception, has
stood for literary excellence.
Lit Fest
TBA
Lit Fest is an eight-day celebration of writers and readers, an
extravaganza of weeklong and weekend advanced workshops, craft seminars, readings, salons, business
panels, agent meetings, and parties.
Paris Cafe Writing
$1,700
Spend a week in Paris. Join a small group of fellow
travelers/writers for morning workshops—yes, in English!—then wander the city in the afternoon, perhaps
lingering at a cafe to write, perhaps finally climbing the Eiffel Tower. Paris Café Writing seminars are
ideal for the independent traveler who wants just a little structure to corral the creative writing
process.
The Juniper Summer Writing Institute is an inclusive literary
space that welcomes adult writers at all stages of their careers. Writers interested in participating
submit an application to their workshop of choice. Acceptance to the Institute is based upon the
strength and promise of the writing sample. They operate on a rolling admissions basis.
The Mont Blanc workshop is a one or two-week long writing
adventure where writers will have the opportunity to generate new work, receive manuscript critique,
explore Chamonix and hike in stunning French Alps. The workshops are limited to 12 participants to
ensure an intimate setting, plus plenty of time to write and enjoy France.
Bread Loaf Translators’ Conference
$2,365-2,735
The Translators’ Conference aims to strengthen the visibility and
access to high-quality literary translations in the United States, and also to acknowledge that
translators require the same training and skills as creative writers.
Bread Loaf Environmental Writers’ Conference
$2,365-2,735
The 11th annual Bread Loaf Environmental Writers’ Conference is a
week-long session designed to hone the skills of people interested in producing literary writing about
the environment and the natural world.
Since 1971, Write-to-Publish has been training, inspiring and
encouraging writers like you, connecting them with editors to help them improve their craft, with
publishers who are looking for good books to publish, and with literary agents who can represent them.
No matter where you are in your writing career—beginning the journey to becoming a published writer,
exploring the process of becoming a working writer, or an experienced professional desiring to stay
connected and growing—the Write-to-Publish Conference is your key to reaching those goals.
Youth Workshops and Activities
$400-$1200
In this workshop, high school-aged conference attendees will
explore poetry, fiction, personal narrative, and playwriting. Students will read and write in
traditional forms such as sonnets, villanelles, short stories, memoirs, and plays, as well as read and
use less traditional forms and techniques, from prose poems and automatic writing to cut-ups, magical
realism, and first-person journalism.
Join a community of writers, improve your craft, and reimagine how
you think about nature. Guided by award-winning instructors, the Orion Environmental Writers’ Workshop
provides an intimate space to connect with writers, artists, and editors, spark creativity, and renew,
illuminate, and deepen your relationship with place. This week-long workshop is cosponsored by the Omega
Center for Sustainable Living.
The Creativity Workshop in Barcelona will help you become more
creative in your personal and professional life. Many techniques will be used in creative writing
memoir, art, photography, storytelling, mapmaking, mindfulness and guided visualization to help you
explore your inner creativity.
The 2024 Chautauqua Writers’ Festival takes place over the four
days (Wednesday to Saturday) before Week One of Chautauqua Institution’s summer season commences and
will be happening in-person and on the grounds this year.
Agents & Editors Conference
$150.00 – $459.00
The WLT’s Agents & Editors Conference is one of the nation’s
premier conferences for writers. Every year, they bring together nationally-known literary agents and
book editors and other industry professionals with writers at all stages of the writing process for a
weekend of conversation and community around the craft of writing and the practical steps toward
publication.
This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing
workshop. They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how
to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing
workshop. They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how
to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
Paris Cafe Writing
$1,700
Spend a week in Paris. Join a small group of fellow
travelers/writers for morning workshops—yes, in English!—then wander the city in the afternoon, perhaps
lingering at a cafe to write, perhaps finally climbing the Eiffel Tower. Paris Café Writing seminars are
ideal for the independent traveler who wants just a little structure to corral the creative writing
process.
Established in 1968, the Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy
Writers’ Workshop is the oldest workshop of its kind and is widely recognized as a premier proving and
training ground for aspiring writers of fantasy and science fiction.
Disquiet International Literary Program aims to deepen mutual
understanding among writers from North America and writers from Portugal. The program takes its
inspiration from The Book of Disquiet, the great Lisbon poet Fernando Pessoa’s masterpiece; from the
city of Lisbon itself; and from the late Portuguese poet Alberto de Lacerda, who believed above all in
the importance of literary community.
Summer Words 2024 will return to Snowmass Village, Colorado, a
vibrant community just 9 miles from Aspen, with incredible mountain vistas in addition to 2.8 million
adjacent acres of wilderness open for activities and exploration. Snowmass is home to 30+ restaurants,
shopping, unique special events and music – all year round.
Since 2003, writers from all over the United States have gathered
in their intimate lakeside setting with award-winning authors and teachers to practice the arts of
poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. They offer five intensive week-long writing workshops and an
affordable auditor option.
The Creativity Workshop in Florence will help you become more
creative in your personal and professional life. Many techniques will be used in creative writing
memoir, art, photography, storytelling, mapmaking, mindfulness and guided visualization to help you
explore your inner creativity.
This evolving research network brings writers, readers,
publishers, and emerging scholars together to discuss investigations on the nature and forms of
information and publishing practices as distinctive modes of social knowledge and cultural production.
Conference attendees have a range of session types and presentation options that allow opportunities for
networking and learning more about key issues in the industry.
This is a special two-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop.
They’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market
yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more.
The Chuckanut Writers Conference is an annual conference that aims
to inspire and empower writers of various genres and levels of experience. It is presented by Whatcom
Community College and Village Books in Bellingham, Washington.
The Creativity Workshop in Prague will help you become more
creative in your personal and professional life. Many techniques will be used in creative writing
memoir, art, photography, storytelling, mapmaking, mindfulness and guided visualization to help you
explore your inner creativity.
The Canterbury Arts Conference welcomes artists in all disciplines
and media, academics and students, historians, and other professionals. Participants have the
opportunity to share and publish research and network with peers. The conference includes creative
writing and visual art workshops, as well as presentations of art in a variety of media.
Readercon 33
$75
Readercon is an annual conference or convention devoted to
“imaginative literature” — literary science fiction, fantasy, horror, and the unclassifiable works often
called “slipstream.” It features over 150 writers, editors, publishers, and critics, attracting
prominent figures from across the U.S., and from Canada, the U.K., and occasionally even Australia and
Japan.
The mission of MWW is to nurture aspiring and accomplished writers
to improve their craft and achieve their writing and publishing goals in an inclusive community that
welcomes and uplifts all voices.
The UK’s Great International Creative Writing Conference is a
place to share creative and critical work, to explore creative writing, and to discuss those
explorations with creative writing colleagues from around the world. Launched 26 years ago, each year
the conference welcomes creative writers from all over the world–many of whom work in universities and
colleges, or are undertaking graduate degrees in creative writing.
The Tin House Summer Workshop is a weeklong intensive that
consists of curated workshops with limited participants (eight to ten per class), one-on-one meetings
with faculty and industry guests, craft lectures, author conversations, generative exercises, and
readings. There will be plenty of opportunities for mingling, happy hours, and, of course, karaoke.
Sewanee Writers Conference
$2,000
Offering workshops in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and
playwriting, the Conference invites talented writers to come to Sewanee each summer to learn from each
other in a welcoming and supportive environment. We’re grateful to Tennessee Williams, whose generous
gift of the Walter E. Dakin Memorial Fund allows us to give every participant assistance that covers
two–thirds of the actual costs to attend. Additional funding is awarded to fellows and scholars.
Writing Heights Writers Conference
$225-$425
Over the years, WHWC have worked hard to maintain the intimate
feel that their conference is known for. They create a solid agenda, featuring writing craft, business
and marketing sessions, as well as Pre-Conference Intensives that will give attendees a chance to dive
deep. Writing conferences can feel overwhelming, so they aim for quality over quantity, hand-picking a
diverse and talented faculty who will guide you on your writing journey.
SOMOS, the Society of the Muse of the Southwest, supports and
nurtures the literary arts, in both written and oral tradition, honoring cultural diversity in the
Southwest.
The Imaginarium Convention, now in its 10th year, is a unique
event for writers and storytellers of all genres, including filmmakers, game developers, artists,
musicians, poets, cosplayers, and many other creatives, and their fans. The convention features three
days of extensive panel and workshop programming, an expo, a film festival, live entertainment, literary
and film awards, cosplay, and much more!
The Sun Valley Writers’ Conference strives to bring together
readers, writers, and artists of diverse ages, backgrounds, and experiences to be informed, enlightened,
challenged, and inspired by a world-class literary program in the great outdoors.
The Macondo Writers Workshop is an association of socially-engaged
writers working to advance creativity, foster generosity, and serve the community. Founded in 1995 by
poet and writer Sandra Cisneros and named after the town in Gabriel García Marquez’s One Hundred Years
of Solitude, the workshop gathers writers from all genres who work on geographic, cultural, economic,
gender, and spiritual borders.
Writing Through the Lifespan is a collaboration with dozens of
scholars around the world who are committed to sharing related and complementary research studies
focused on key conceptual and developmental aspects of writing across one’s life (lifespanwriting.org).
This is the perfect way to begin your journey as a freelance
writer, staff journalist, fiction or nonfiction author, public relations writer, social media expert,
editor, and more. Classes are designed for beginners and professionals alike. You’ll have opportunity to
meet one-on-one with a publishing professional to pitch your manuscript, get feedback, get advice, or
just chat.
The Creativity Workshop in New York will help you become more
creative in your personal and professional life. They use many techniques in creative writing memoir,
art, photography, storytelling, mapmaking, mindfulness, and guided visualization to help you explore
your inner creativity.
National Writers’ Conference
From £40
Join this conference for a friendly day of presentations and panel
discussions, focusing on how writers can develop their talents. Subjects will include how publishing
works, working as a writer in residence, writing for television and film, and many more. Come along, ask
questions, share answers and be part of a vibrant network of writers form across the country, working in
many forms and genres.
At the RWA Annual Conference, you’ll experience four days filled
with education, career enhancement, and networking with your peers and industry professionals.
Willamette Writers is the largest writers organization in the
Pacific Northwest. Writers of all genres and at all stages of their careers come to the meetings, annual
conference, and workshops to connect with their community, develop their craft, and advance their
career.
At Author Advantage Live, you’ll be rubbing shoulders and
collaborating with some of the top Self Publishing School coaches, the entire Self-Publishing School
team, and your fellow authors and community members so that you can see what it takes to write and
publish a bestselling book, build a six and seven-figure business, and create a platform that allows you
to scale your income, influence, and impact.
The Mendocino Coast Writers’ Conference is a vibrant gathering
that offers morning workshops in a wide range of genres. Afternoons are packed with craft seminars,
panels, one-on-one consultations, and open mics; and every evening offers an opportunity to enjoy the
camaraderie and connection that make this conference, in the words of one participant, “life changing.”
The National Book Club Conference places readers in an upscale,
intimate environment with some of their favorite authors–and introduces attendees to new talent to add
to their reading lists. The panel discussions on how to publish your book, the dynamics of the
publishing industry and Black women’s health lend invaluable information that is lasting.
FAPA Conference
TBA
Attendees can choose from six 75-minute workshops on Friday
afternoon—some for beginners to the publishing industry and some for those who are more experienced.
These workshops will deal with specific topics and are priced separately, allowing you to customize your
conference experience and focus on what is most important to you.
The Writers’ Summer School — known simply as ‘Swanwick’ — is
legendary for the warmth of its welcome. If you love writing, then Swanwick offers you the opportunity
to learn new skills and hone existing ones. You’ll explore your creativity, make new friends, perform
your poetry, sing, act, dance, laugh, and write.
With a rich literary and intellectual tradition, the 99th annual
Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference brings together emerging writers to work closely with a diverse and
talented faculty. For ten days in August, you’ll 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.
Readers, writers, editors, publishers, agents, and other artists
attend the When Words Collide Festival, which highlights commercial and literary fiction. When Words
Collide welcomes writers of most genres, including fiction, YA, children’s books, non-fiction, and
poetry.
The Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference was created
in 2006 by author/filmmaker Clay Stafford in an effort to bring together forensic experts, writers, and
fans of crime and thriller literature.
Whatever stage of your writing career you are in, Bouchercon can
be a good fit for you. If you are unpublished but are writing in the fields of
mystery/suspense/thriller/crime, you will get to meet many authors in your field. You will also get to
know readers who might some day be reading yours books.
The Hay Festival in Wales joins coinciding festivals around the
world to celebrate writing of all kinds through panel discussions and lectures.
This conference aims to gather readers and writers of all genre
fiction; including mystery, suspense, romance, thriller, horror, sci-fi, fantasy and paranormal, etc.
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 who
may only dimly recall what rejection slips look like. Generally, the workshop includes some writers who
have not attended a previous Milford event, and they are particularly welcome. The main language for the
conference is English, so all work must be submitted for critique in English.
Kingston WritersFest is an annual literary festival that takes
place in Kingston, Canada. The festival hosts more than 60 local, regional, national, and international
writers in a series of events designed to delight, inspire, and inform readers of all ages and
interests.
SleuthFest
TBA
Sleuthfest features sessions on the craft of writing, marketing,
and promoting your work. There are social events to mingle with agents, editors, and your favorite
authors. There’s also an auction to purchase great writing stuff from bestselling authors and editors.
The Writing Sisters Summit was born in 2018 as a way for writers
of color to come together and share what they have learned about the craft and business of writing and
help mentor less-experienced writers on their journey to become published authors.
Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers
$449-$599
The RMFW Board Conference Committee is excited to announce that
their Colorado Gold Writers Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver. The conference
will feature keynote speeches by Chuck Wendig, the New York Times bestselling author of Wanderers, and
Beverly Jenkins, the recipient of the 2018 Michigan Author Award by the Michigan Library Association.
The conference will also offer master classes with some of your favorite presenters.
This conference aims to inspire fresh intellectual and artistic
engagement with a range of relevant texts, while extending ongoing experimentations in western
literature and transcending the boundaries of literary genres and temporal contexts.
The DFW Writers Conference is a great opportunity for you to meet
professionals from the publishing industry and build on your mastery of the craft and business of
writing.
The Women Writing the West Annual Conference is an annual
conference featuring respected writers, agents, publishers and other book professionals, plus
camaraderie and just plain fun. It offers a supportive and welcoming community of writers and other
writing professionals who share a passion for the stories of the Women’s West, and will happily answer
questions, lend their expertise, and will sympathize, motivate and celebrate with you on your writing
journey.
Orlando Reads Books
$253
Orlando Reads Books is a four-day event that includes workshops,
panels and social events for indie, hybrid, and traditionally-published authors. It features sessions on
craft and marketing, as well as events that let you mingle with readers and fellow authors.
The Steamboat Springs Writers Conference is an annual event. It’s
designed to sharpen the skills of writers from all backgrounds and experiences. Writers of all genres
and levels of experience are welcome to read their unpublished works. They offer a seminar-type
workshops for all levels, beginning to professional. Topics change each year.
Participants come to Iota to study all forms of short prose
writing, including essays, prose poems, short stories, flash fiction and nonfiction, micro essays, and
much more. “Short” is a relative term, of course, and our students work onsite on pieces that vary in
length from flash to novellas. The conference is generative, and we know that some pieces begun at Iota
have grown into much longer projects once the authors got back home.
Share your perspective, expertise, challenges, and successes at
the 2024 Medical Writing & Communication Conference. They are seeking content at the applied and
strategic levels to address the needs of medical communicators at mid- to advanced level of their
careers.
The Surrey International Writers’ Conference is a workshop–based
conference with a focus on the development of skills and industry-based knowledge. From beginner writers
to published writers, this is the place to hone your skills, learn more about publishing markets, and
network for future sales.
The Hay Festival in Wales joins coinciding festivals around the
world to celebrate writing of all kinds through panel discussions and lectures.
Join bestselling authors and agents in an intimate, oceanfront
setting, with an emphasis on fiction, memoir, thrillers, and screenwriting. The conference includes
in-depth sessions on craft, publishing, and the writing life, with opportunities for agent/editor
feedback.
Paris Cafe Writing
$1,700
Spend a week in Paris. Join a small group of fellow
travelers/writers for morning workshops—yes, in English!—then wander the city in the afternoon, perhaps
lingering at a cafe to write, perhaps finally climbing the Eiffel Tower. Paris Café Writing seminars are
ideal for the independent traveler who wants just a little structure to corral the creative writing
process.
For over 30 years, Hay has brought readers and writers together to
share stories and ideas in live sustainable events around the world, from the beaches of Cartagena de
Indias to the cities of Beirut and Mumbai, reaching more than five million people across five
continents. Thier festivals inspire, examine and entertain.
Writing can be a solitary process, but it doesn’t have to be! Attending a writing conference or workshop can help you hone your craft, connect with other writers, and learn from industry professionals. There are many events to choose from in 2024, so you’re sure to find one that suits your interests and schedule.
.
Read More
Amazing Writing Retreats to Attend in 2024
The 2024 International Book Fairs Calendar
The Comprehensive List of 2024 Writing Contests
