36 Writing Conferences in July 2018

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In July, writing conferences are in full swing. This month there are nearly three dozen writing conferences that span the country from one coast to the other. There are conferences that focus on the craft of writing, pitch conferences with agents and editors, and retreats for those who just need to get away.

Conferences that include intimate coaching sessions tend to fill up quickly. I have included these, even if they are full, so you can plan ahead for next year. Planning ahead also gives you an opportunity to apply for the scholarships offered by some of these conferences. You can find a comprehensive list of conferences throughout the year here: Writing Conferences.
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Fine Arts Work Center Summer Workshops (poetry, fiction, art, and creative nonfiction). June 17 - August 24, 2018, Provincetown, Massachusetts. The faculty includes Marisa Silver, Ariel Levy, Julia Glass, Henri Cole, Marie Howe, Marie Ponsot, Vijay Seshadri, Dean Albarelli, Kimiko Hahn, David Updikel, Pam Houston, Julia Glass, Alice Mattison. Tuition ranges from $600 to $725.

Idyllwild Arts Summer Program Writers Week. July 2 - 6, 2018, Idyllwild, California. Workshops, craft talks, readings, and one-on-one consultations in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. "For decades Idyllwild Arts has been a gathering place for some of the world's finest poets and writers - among them Ray Bradbury, Norman Corwin, Lucille Clifton, Sharon Olds, Maxine Kumin, Billy Collins, Ted Kooser, Philip Levine, Luis J. Rodriguez, David St. John and Natasha Trethewey. That fine tradition continues with our second annual Writers Week, a gathering of talented writers from Idyllwild Arts and beyond."

New York State Summer Writers Institute at Skidmore College. July 2 - 27, 2018: Saratoga Springs, NY. Workshops on Mon, Wed, Fri. Q & As with visiting writers on Tues and Thurs. Readings & presentations by visiting and staff writers. Symposia and student readings on weekends. Extra Manuscript Tutorials in fiction novels, and book-length non-fiction and poetry. Faculty: Danzy Senna, Amy Hempel, Adam Haslett, Joanna Scott, Claire Messud, Phillip Lopate, Campbell McGrath, Vijay Seshadri, Carol Muske-Dukes, Rosanna Warren, Victoria Redel, Garth Greenwell, Rick Moody, Jonathan Dee, Peg Boyers, Henri Cole and others.

IWWG Summer Writers Conference. July 6 - 13, 2018: Allentown, PA. The International Women's Writing Guild sponsors this residential writing program for women. Features: 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; Critique sessions in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and playwriting; A multimedia open studio and Two book fairs.

The Summer Writers Institute. July 6 - 20, 2018, St. Louis, Missouri. The Washington University Summer Writers Institute is an intensive, two-week program featuring workshops in fiction, micro fiction, modern humor, personal narrative, playwriting, and poetry, as well as reading and individual conferences with instructors. Adult writers of all levels of experience work together with published authors and exceptional teachers in a supportive, non-competitive format that allows for personalized attention and constructive feedback.

Frost Place Conference on Poetry. July 8 - 14, 2018: Franconia, NH. 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.

Tin House Summer Workshop. July  8 - 15, 2018, Portland, Oregon. Workshops with afternoon craft seminars and career panels. Evenings are reserved for author readings and revelry. Tin House editors and guest agents are available to meet individually with students throughout the week. Participating writers include poets Matthew Dickman, Dorianne Laux, Ada Limón, Shane McCrae, and Tommy Pico; fiction writers Dorothy Allison, Lesley Nneka Arimah, Robert Boswell, Alexander Chee, Lauren Groff, Randa Jarrar, Tayari Jones, Antonya Nelson, Chinelo Okparanta, Benjamin Percy, Wells Tower, and Lidia Yuknavitch; and creative nonfiction writers Melissa Febos, Lacy M. Johnson, and Kiese Laymon. Tuition is $1,200; the fee for lodging and meals is $600. Scholarships are available. Workshops may be audited for $300. The deadline for scholarship applications is March 18. Cost: $1200. Application deadline: April 29, 2018.

Young Writers Workshop. July 8 - 28, 2018, Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Restrictions: For students completing grades 9, 10, 11. Three 90-minute workshop sessions daily, including imaginative writing activities and discussion of readings. Weekly individual meetings with workshop instructor. Focus is on using various forms of creative writing to develop language and thinking skills.

Stonecoast Writers’ Conference. July 9 - 14, 2018, Portland, ME. Workshops in poetry, short fiction, novel, and nonfiction/memoir, and a mixed-genre Creative Writing Bootcamp. The Stonecoast Writers’ Conference is open to students of all experience levels. However, admission is selective. Writing sample and deposit required.

Summer Fishtrap Gathering of Writers. July 9 - 15, 2018: Wallowa Lake, Oregon. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as panel discussions, readings, and open mics. "Held each July at Wallowa Lake in northeast Oregon, Summer Fishtrap gathers writers for a week of inspired writing workshops and culminates with a weekend of passionate discussion on a key issue facing the West."

ThrillerFest XIII. July 10–14, 2018, New York City. This is the annual conference of the International Thriller Writers. The ThrillerFest conference has four main components: Master CraftFest, CraftFest, PitchFest, and ThrillerFest. Master CraftFest was designed as an educational tool for aspiring writers as well as debut and midlist authors to gain advanced training from the masters of the craft in an intimate, day-long training session. CraftFest was designed for all writers to learn from bestselling authors and subject experts who kindly offer their advice and assistance to advance attendees’ writing techniques and further their careers. PitchFest was designed to match writers with agents, editors, publishers, and producers. ThrillerFest, the final two days of the conference, is intended to offer readers a chance to meet the best authors in the industry and be introduced to debut and midlist authors. Expect innovative panels, spotlight interviews, and workshops to educate and inspire.

Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing Summer Seminar. June 10 - 16 and 17 - 23, 2018, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Workshops in poetry and fiction, one-on-one manuscript consultations, panel discussions, and readings. Offers fellowships. Deadline April 21, 2018.

Southampton Writers Conference. July 11–22, 2018, Long Island, NY. The conference features workshops in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and publishing, as well as readings, lectures, and a master class series. Creative writing workshops are the heart and soul of the summer experience, meeting four afternoons or mornings throughout the session. Enrollment is limited to 13 lucky writers who have applied with writing samples. Those accepted have the privilege of sharing their work in an intimate, rigorous and friendly setting.

Green River Writers Workshops:Turning Memory into Story: Memoir Writing Workshop. July 12 - 15, 2018, Las Vegas, New Mexico. Using memory as a starting point, Green River Writers Workshops focus on the craft of storytelling through memoir, fiction, historical writing, and poetry. Both experienced and beginning writers are welcome.

The Gathering. July 13 - 15, 2018, La Plume, Pennsylvania. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as lectures and performances. "Each year The Gathering is structured around a theme that relates everyday experiences to broader issues. The purpose of The Gathering is to promote understanding and empathy to bridge cultural, social, and economic gaps. Lecturers include authors, poets, scientists, philosophers, musicians, performers, and artists who help shape contemporary thought in their field. A reading list gets us thinking ahead of time about the issues we’ll be immersed in at The Gathering. Our presenters have included Salman Rushdie, Gregory Maguire, Billy Collins, Ted Kooser, Diane Ackerman, Chris Abani, Susan Jacoby, Katherine Paterson, Peter Bohlin, Nancy Willard, Victor Navasky, Sandy Tolan, and many others. Their availability for conversation during meals and breaks and at social gatherings offers important opportunities for participants to gain new insights into the speakers’ work."

Peripatetic Writing Workshop and Retreat. July 13 - 18, 2018: Deal, Kent, England. The first week of the conference features daily workshops, discussions, readings, and time to write. The second week of the conference features writing time, discussions, readings, and individual manuscript tutorials. The workshop will be led by NYU teachers and authors Maureen Brady and Martha Hughes.

The Cleveland Writing Workshop. July 14, 2018, Cleveland, OH. A full-day “How to Get Published” writers conference. "One day full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’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. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome."

Antioch Writers' Workshop. July 14 - 20, 2018, Yellow Springs, Ohio. Featuring Keynoter  and Sunday Morning Craft Class Instructor, Connie Schultz.  Connie Schultz is a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and professional in residence at Kent State University's school of journalism. Morning classes and afternoon seminars in fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry for all levels of writers--beginning to advanced. The workshop includes opportunities to give readings, receive professional critiques, interact with faculty, and meet with a visiting agent.

Port Townsend Writers’ Conference. July 15 - 22, 2018, Port Townsend, Washington. workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as craft lectures, readings, open mics, and time to write. "The Port Townsend Writers’ Conference has been since 1974 at the wild heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. With a focus on community and rigorous attention to craft, the Conference offers morning workshops, afternoon workshops, residencies, guided freewrites, and a vibrant readings and lectures series presented by vital, contemporary writers."

Green Mountain Writers Conference. July 16 - 20, 2018, Chittenden, Vermont. The program features workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as one-on-one consultations, lectures, publishing discussions, and readings. The faculty includes poets Justen Ahren, Chard deNiord, Gary Margolis, Verandah Porche, and Kate Rushin; fiction writers T. Greenwood, Elizabeth Inness-Brown, and Stephen Kiernan; and creative nonfiction writers Chuck Clarino and Yvonne Daley. Tuition is $650 before June 1 and $675 thereafter.

Sewanee Writers’ Conference. July 17- 29, 2018: Sewanee, TN. Faculty will give readings and provide instruction and criticism through workshops and craft lectures, as well as meet individually with participants to discuss their manuscripts. The Conference will offer five fiction workshops, four poetry workshops, and a playwriting workshop supported by two professional actors. In addition, a substantial number of literary agents will attend.

Romance Writers of America. July 18 - 21, 2018, Denver, CO. The RWA Conference is the place where career-focused romance writers meet, mingle, and get down to the business of being an author. Conference highlights include the “Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing; the Keynote speech; hearing from great speakers; book signings; and the Awards Ceremony. At the conference, career-focused romance writers can anticipate: education and information, networking with fellow writers, interaction with editors, agents, publishers, booksellers, and other romance publishing industry professionals.

Writing the Rockies. July 18 - 22, 2018: Gunnison, Colorado. Workshops, readings, panels, seminars and other events in poetry, genre fiction, screenwriting and publishing. One-to-one visits with faculty for critiques & pitches. Sponsored by Graduate Program in Creative Writing, Western State Colorado University.

Saskatchewan Festival of Words. July 19 - 27, 2018, Moose Jaw, Canada. Workshops for all ages, reading sessions, concerts, film, panel discussions, interviews, music, theatre, a slam poetry competition as well as workshops and author readings.

North Carolina Writers' Network Squire Summer Writing Residency. July 19 - 27, 2017: Raleigh, North Carolina. The conference features workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as a presentation and readings. The faculty includes Paul Cuadros, Rob Greene, and Elaine Neil Orr. The cost of the residency ranges from $425 - $675, depending on membership and housing preferences.

Cascade Writers Critique and Pitches. July 20 –22, 2018: Tacoma, WA. Milford-Style critiques, agent pitches and query information, panels on writing, editing, self-publishing, and more. "Join us for our three-day event this July with editors and/or publishers John Joseph Adams, author Christie Yant, agent DongWon Song, author Spencer Ellsworth, author Randy Henderson, author John J.A.Pitts, author David D. Levine, author Rachael K. Jones, and author Liz Coleman. More to come!"

Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference. July 20 - 22, 2018, Grapevine, Texas. 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. Every year, the Mayborn Conference gathers some of the most talented storytellers in the country to share their stories, life-changing experiences and expertise with aspiring writers through three days of lectures, panels, one-on-one sessions, and student classes. In addition, the conference includes a variety of writing contests for anyone from high school students to Pulitzer prize winning professionals, who receive hand-made trophies, more than $26,000 in cash awards and have their work published in Mayborn's journal, Ten Spurs, or anthology, Best American Newspaper Narratives.

Gemini Ink Writers Conference. July 20 - 22, 2018: San Antonio, Texas. In this moment of social and historic flux, Gemini Ink’s Writers Conference will contemplate the role writing can play in reflecting and driving social, aesthetic and personal change. Participate in panels, roundtables, workshops, and readings. Engage in dynamic conversations on writing as an agent for change.

Juniper Institute for Young Writers. July 22 - 29, 2018:  Amherst, MA. For high school students. Daily workshops in poetry, fiction, & nonfiction; interactive craft sessions that include discussions & writing exercises; evening readings by faculty & writers-in-residence. The faculty includes poets Dorothea Lasky, Rickey Laurentiis, Camille Rankine, Bianca Stone, and Dara Wier; fiction writers Noy Holland, Mitchell S. Jackson, and Joy Williams; and creative nonfiction writer Eileen Myles. Visiting writers include poets Terrance Hayes, Lisa Olstein, Evie Shockley, Safiya Sinclair, and Matthew Zapruder; fiction writers Stephen Graham Jones, Margaret Wilkerson Sexton, and Leni Zumas; and creative nonfiction writer Paul Lisicky. Tuition, which includes some meals, is $1,600. Manuscript consultations are available for an additional $150. Several lodging options are offered, from $48 per night for a dorm room to $140 per night for a private room at a nearby campus hotel. Scholarships and grants are available. Scholarships available.

Mountain Maryland Writers' Institute. July 26 - 29, 2018: McHenry, MD. MMWI is a 3-day camp for adult writers of all abilities. Morning and afternoon writing sessions focusing on research, topic selection, poetry, destination travel guide. Guided by local and regional authors in a combination of indoor and outdoor venues. Faculty: Dr. Neal Brooks, Jess Daddeio, Jack DuBose, Rose Gordy, James Rada, Jr., and Ellouise Schoettler.

Midwest Writers Workshop. July 27 - 28, 2018, Muncie, Indiana. Craft and business sessions, agent pitches, manuscript evaluations. MWW includes quality instruction by a faculty of authors, agents, editors, and specialists.

Bookstock Literary Festival. July 27 - July 29, 2018: Woodstock, Vermont. From Poets & Writers: "The festival features workshops, readings, discussions, and a book fair for poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. Participating writers have included poets Benjamin Aleshire, Laura Foley, Pamela Harrison, April Ossmann, and Elizabeth Powell; fiction writers Jean Hanff Korenlitz and Roland Merullo; and nonfiction writers Jabari Asim, Bruce Coffin, and Sarah Prager. All events and workshops are free and open to the public."

Confluence-SFF. July 27 - 29, 2018: Pittsburgh, PA. Located at the birthplace of the Ohio River, Confluence is Pittsburgh’s longest-running literary conference with a strong focus on science fiction, fantasy and horror. Award-winning authors, editors, artists and song-writers gather for three full days.

Napa Valley Writers’ Conference. July 29 - August 3, 2018, St. Helena, California. Workshops in poetry and fiction, craft lectures, panels, and evening readings with wine receptions at venues around Napa Valley. Conference will feature poets Camille Dungy, Brenda Hillman, Jane Mead, and Carl Phillips, and fiction writers Lan Samantha Chang, Lauren Groff, Mat Johnson, and Howard Norman.

Pennsylvania Writers Conference. July 29 - August 4, 2018: Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. PWC includes workshops in creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and screenwriting. The conference will offer pitch sessions with agents, as well as certificate programs in publishing and arts advocacy and education.

VQR Conference. July 30 - August 4, 2018: Charlottesville, VA. This conference focuses on writing. Conference participants pay $1,100, which includes lodging and meals. For participants who do not need housing, the cost is $950. Deadline: Once admitted to the conference, a nonrefundable deposit of $200 is due by June 15.