6 Writing Conferences and Workshops in January 2018

In the dead of winter, writing conferences slow down. That being said, there are some noteworthy conferences in warmer climes during the month of January.

In Florida, the cities of Key West, Palm Beach and St. Petersburg host writing workshops in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, as well as panel discussions, readings, and presentations. (Please note that some of these conferences are waitlisted. I have included them so you can plan ahead for next year.)

I strongly encourage all serious writers to attend a conference. Workshops and conferences are the best way to find an agent, and they offer wonderful opportunities for networking with other writers and learning about the publishing industry from insiders.

You can find a monthly list of conferences and workshops, as well as links to help you find conferences in your area here: Writing Conferences.
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Key West Literary Seminar. January 11 - 14, 2018 (seminar) and January 15 - 19, 2018 (workshop), Key West, Florida. The seminar offers readings, lectures, and conversations with poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers. The island nations of the Caribbean have produced some of the most powerful and exciting writers of our time. For the 36th annual Key West Literary Seminar, we look across the waves to the vital literature that has emerged from this region. In bringing these writers together in Key West, we seek to both celebrate and transcend geography, in pursuit of the stories that hold us together. WAITLISTED

TMW January Jumpstart XVII. Jan 12 - 14, 2018, Oak Ridge, TN. Parallel sessions of workshops on fiction, poetry, nonfiction, writing for young people, editing, storytelling, self publishing, oral history, keeping series books fresh; panel discussions/readings; Saturday banquet. Darnell Arnoult will lead Fiction and Bill Brown returns to lead Poetry.

Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway. January 12 - 15, 2018, Galloway, New Jersey. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as craft talks, one-on-one tutorials, featured readings, and open mics. Stephen Dunn and Gregory Pardlo are the Special Guests. Tuition, which includes some meals, ranges from $490 to $690, depending on the workshop; lodging is not included.

Eckerd College Writers’ Conference. January 13 - 20, 2018, St. Petersburg, FL. Workshops, roundtables, panel discussions, Q&As, readings book signings, and receptions. The faculty includes poets Richard Blanco, Denise Duhamel, Major Jackson, and Peter Meinke; fiction writers Lan Samantha Chang, Andre Dubus III, Laura Lippman, Stewart O’Nan, Cathie Pelletier, Les Standiford, Sterling Watson; creative nonfiction writers Ann Hood and Helen Wallace; editor Colleen Lawrie (PublicAffairs); and agent Alexis Hurley (InkWell Management).

Palm Beach Poetry Festival. January 15 - 20, 2018, Delray Beach, Florida. The faculty includes poets Laure-Anne Bosselaar, Gabrielle Calvocoressi, Chard diNirod, Beth Ann Fennelly, Ross Gay, Rodney Jones, Phillis Levin, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, and Tim Seibles. The guest speaker is poet Coleman Barks. $895 includes all events, one gala seat; $495/auditor. Accepted participants may schedule a one-on-one conference at additional cost. Submit three poems of up to six pages with a $25 application fee by November 10.

The Cabins Collaborative Retreat. January 25 - 29, 2018, Norfolk, Connecticut. The retreat features master classes, social activities, and time to write for poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. Participants are provided with cabin lodging and some meals. Transportation expenses are not included. The cost of the retreat is $300 for lodging in a shared room with a shared bath, or $400 for lodging in a private room with a queen bed and shared bath. Meals and transportation are not included. To apply, submit a link to your website or links to your writing, an application, a statement of intent, and a short bio by December 26. Full and partial scholarships are available. Space is limited to nine participants; early applications are encouraged.