34 Fabulous Writing Conferences in July 2019

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Summer is in full swing, and so are writing conferences. This July there are conferences, intensive workshops, retreats and book fairs from coast to coast. You will also have a chance to pitch your work to agents, meet editors, and get to know your fellow writers. Conferences provide great opportunities to network, so make the most of your experience!

I strongly recommend that you plan ahead for next year if you miss your perfect conference or workshop. Many of these conferences offer scholarships, but you have to apply early.

If you want to get a jump on next month's contests go to Free Contests. Most of these contests are offered annually, so even if the deadline has passed, you can prepare for next year.


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Fine Arts Work Center Summer Workshops (poetry, fiction, art, and creative nonfiction). June 16 - August 23, 2019, Provincetown, Massachusetts. The faculty includes David Baker, Samiya Bashir, Jill Bialosky, Sophie Cabot Black, Gabrielle Calvocoressi, Martha Collins, Kate Daniels, Nick Flynn, Vievee Francis, Gabriel Fried, Jorie Graham, Marie Howe, Major Jackson, Fred Marchant, Gail Mazur, Jane Mead, John Murillo, Eileen Myles, Matthew Olzmann, Gregory Pardlo, Carl Phillips, Rowan Ricardo Phillips, Victoria Redel, Martha Rhodes, Brenda Shaughnessy, Nicole Sealey, Alan Shapiro, Carmen Giménez Smith, Craig Morgan Teicher and many more. Tuition ranges from $600 to $725. (See individual workshops for dates.)

Idyllwild Arts Summer Program Writers Week. July 1 - 5, 2019, Idyllwild, California. Workshops, craft talks, readings, and one-on-one consultations in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. The faculty includes poets Samiya Bashir, Victoria Chang, Katie Ford, and Ed Skoog; fiction writer Vu Tran; and nonfiction writers Wendy C. Ortiz and David Ulin. Participants include poets Brendan Constantine, Katie Marie Darling, and Javier Zamora; fiction writers Janet Fitch, Ben Loory, and Marie Mutsuki Mockett; and editor Halimah Marcus (Electric Literature). Tuition is $775, which includes daily lunches. Full meal plans are available for an additional $100. Campus dormitory housing for the week, which includes all meals, is $545 for a double room or $760 for a single room. Six scholarships covering tuition, lodging, and meals are available; submit up to 10 pages of poetry or prose with a $25 entry fee by April 16. General registration is first come, first served.

New York State Summer Writers Institute at Skidmore College. July 2 - 27, 2019: 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. The faculty includes poets Peg Boyers, Henri Cole, Campbell McGrath, Carol Muske-Dukes, Vijay Seshadri, and Rosanna Warren; fiction writers Elizabeth Benedict, Adam Braver, Jonathan Dee, Farth Greenwell, Adam Haslett, Amy Hempel, Claire Messud, Rick Moody, Howard Norman, Victoria Redel, Joanna Scott, and Danzy Senna; and creative nonfiction writers Phillip Lopate and James Miller. Tuition is $3,260 for four weeks, and $1,630 for two weeks. Lodging and meals are included. Submit two to three poems or 5 to 20 pages of prose with a $60 application fee. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Wake Up and Write Writer's Retreat Workshop. July 1 - 10, 2019: Boise, Idaho. Workshops, marketing sessions, and one-on-one with agent Lisa Abellera. This is a craft-oriented workshop with the focus squarely on your work-in-progress. The workshop will be limited to 25 students in order to provide each student an opportunity for several one-on-one consultations with our staff. In addition, there are classes for all students, optional informal sessions on a variety of topics, and diagnostic sessions in small groups, plus plenty of writing time.

Peripatetic Writing Workshop and Retreat. July 5 - 15, 2019: 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.

Frost Place Conference on Poetry. July 6 - 12, 2019: 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 7 - 14, 2019, 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 Kaveh Akbar, Natalie Diaz, Maureen N. McLane, D. A. Powell, and Patricia Smith; fiction writers Jamel Brinkley, Lan Samantha Chang, Ingrid Rojas Contreras, Danielle Evans, Kaitlyn Greenidge, Garth Greenwell, Kelly Link, Rebecca Makkai, Jim Shepard, Karen Shepard, Justin Torres, and Laura van den Berg; creative nonfiction writers Mitchell S. Jackson, Terese Marie Mailhot, and Michelle Tea; and graphic narrative writer Kristen Radtke. Tuition is $1,600; the fee for lodging and meals is $300. Workshops may be audited for $400. Scholarships are available; the deadline for scholarship applications is March 10. Submit a writing sample of up to four poems, 5,000 words of prose, or up to 15 pages of graphic narrative with a $30 application fee by April 7.

Young Writers Workshop. July 7 - 27, 2019, 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.

Summer Fishtrap Gathering of Writers. July 8 - 14, 2019: 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 9–13, 2019, 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 9 - 15 and 16 - 22, 2019, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Workshops in poetry and fiction, one-on-one manuscript consultations, panel discussions, and readings. Offers fellowships.

Southampton Writers Conference. July 10–21, 2019, 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 11 - 14, 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.

IWWG Summer Writers Conference. July 12 - 19, 2019: 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 12 - 26, 2019, 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.

The Gathering. July 12 - 14, 2019, 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."

Port Townsend Writers’ Conference. July 14 - 21, 2019, 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."

Sewanee Writers’ Conference. July 16- 28, 2019: 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.

North Carolina Writers' Network Squire Summer Writing Residency. July 18 - 19, 2019: Greenville, North Carolina. An intensive course in a chosen genre (fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry), with ten hour-and-a-half sessions over the four days of the program. Registrants work in-depth on their own manuscript samples, as well as their colleagues’, while also studying the principles of the genre with their instructor. Other features include faculty readings, panel discussions, and open mic sessions for residents. The cost of the residency ranges from $425 - $675, depending on membership and housing preferences.

Saskatchewan Festival of Words. July 18 - 21, 2019, 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.

Cascade Three-day Writing Workshop. July 19 –21, 2019: Bremerton, WA. "Current speakers for the 2019 workshop include editor Diana M. Pho,agent Jennie Goloboy (of the Donald Maass Agency), editor Carl Engle-Laird, author Cat Rambo, author Wendy Wagner, author David Levine, author Curtis Chen, editor and author Jaym Gates, author John Pitts, and author Randy Henderson!"

Gemini Ink Writers Conference. July 19 - 21, 2019: San Antonio, Texas."For we all know that the idea of ‘place’ and the conversations that surround it continue to evolve and present new challenges as we search for our location. It can mean the chair we sit in to do our writing, the various settings that our words seek to evoke, or the way we engage with our perception of this beautiful, turbulent world. As we explore the internal and external landscapes that shape our stories on the page, we sometimes need a guide to help us find our way."

Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference. July 19 - 21, 2019, 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.

The Cleveland Writing Workshop. July 20, 2019, 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."

Where to Begin: A Memoir Workshop. July 21 -26: Cape Cod, MA. "One of the hardest aspects of writing memoir is knowing where your story begins. Some memoirs begin with the meeting of the writers’ parents. Others start at the end of the story. And others begin with a central question posed by a traumatic event. Of course, with a first draft, it’s more important to actually get started than to find the perfect beginning. With that in mind, this workshop will focus on helping students locate the different doorways into their stories and how where they begin is an opportunity to define that story’s voice, setting, characters and scope. We’ll read and discuss the beginnings of various published works and experiment with different approaches through daily writing exercises. This class is suitable for generating new material, or for revising the beginning of an existing work. Class discussions will assume a fundamental understanding of craft including scene, summary, detail and description, but no prior workshop experience is necessary." Waitlisted

Juniper Institute for Young Writers. July 21 - 28, 2019: 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. Workshops and craft sessions are led by MFA candidates from the renowned University of Massachusetts MFA Program for Poets and Writers who design curricula especially for the Institute setting.

Romance Writers of America. July 24 - 27, 2019, NY, NY. 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.

Midwest Writers Workshop. July 25 - 27, 2019, Muncie, Indiana. Craft and business sessions, agent pitches, manuscript evaluations. MWW includes quality instruction by a faculty of authors, agents, editors, and specialists.

Mississippi Writers Guild 2019 Conference. July 26 - 27, 2019: Meridian, Mississippi. Speakers: Fred Cannon, Rose Drake, Michael Farris Smith, Tricia Walker, Michael Hicks Thompson, Diane Williams.

Confluence-SFF. July 26 - 28, 2019: 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.

Bookstock Literary Festival. July 26 - July 28, 2019: 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."

Napa Valley Writers’ Conference. July 28 - August 2, 2019, St. Helena, California. The faculty includes poets Eavan Boland, Forrest Gander, Jane Hirshfield, and Major Jackson; fiction writers Lan Samantha Chang, Ryan Harty, Mitchell S. Jackson, and Julie Orringer; and translator Howard Norman. The cost of the conference is $1,025, which includes tuition, daily breakfast and lunch, two dinners, and wine tastings. Lodging is available at nearby hotels for discounted rates. Limited financial aid is available. Submit five poems, 10 to 15 pages of fiction, or a translation of up to three poems or 1,500 words of prose; a brief personal statement; and a $25 application fee by April 15.

Green Mountain Writers Conference. July 29 - August 2, 2019: 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, Dede Cummings, Gary Margolis, Elle Aviv Newton, and Verandah Porche; fiction writers Jensen Beach, Ann Braden, and Elizabeth Inness-Brown; and creative nonfiction writers Chuck Clarino and Yvonne Daley. Tuition is $600 before May 1, $650 until June 1, and $700 thereafter. The registration deadline is July 15. Lodging is available at the Mountain Top Inn for $800, which includes breakfast, lunch, and a discounted dinner rate.

Revision Retreat. July 31 – August 4, 2019: Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Sponsored by Highlights Foundation. In this working retreat, Harold Underdown and editor Eileen Robinson will teach proven techniques for self-editing and revising and help writers try them out on their manuscripts. Mornings will be dedicated to revision techniques and afternoons to model critique groups, individual meetings, and writing time.

10 Speculative Magazines Accepting Submissions NOW - Paying markets

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Here are ten literary magazines currently open to submissions of speculative fiction and poetry. They are seeking a wide variety of subgenres: Quantum Fiction, Cyberpunk, Alternative Histories, Steampunk, Dark Fantasy, Horror, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Myth, Folklore, Surrealism, Slipstream and Weird Fiction.

All of these are paying markets. Some accept reprints. None charge a submission fee.

For an extensive list of paying markets organized by genre see: Paying Markets.

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Unfit Magazine: Stories that bend the rules of science fiction

Unfit publishes Quantum Fiction, Cyberpunk, Alternative Histories and Steampunk.

Length: 500-3,000 words

Payment: $0.03/word for fiction; $0.01/word for nonfiction. Reprints are paid at $.01/word. Payments are only made to your PayPal account. They only pay for what appears in print, not for online publication.

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Unreal Magazine

Unreal publishes Fantasy, Magical Realism, Experimental Fiction

Length: 500 to 5,000 words

Payment: $.03/word for fiction. For nonfiction, $.01/word. Reprints are paid at $.01/word. Payments are only made to your PayPal account. They only pay for what appears in print, not for online publication.

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Alban Lake Publishing: Midnight in the Witch’s Kitchen

"Everyone depends on Granny Barnes. The side door to her old house is the direct entry to her kitchen. During the day, she’s a grandmother whose family and friends flock to her house daily for meals or her sage advice. Everyone seeks both her wisdom and her recipes. However, Granny’s kitchen becomes something else after midnight. Those who knock on her kitchen door then have come for another reason altogether. Granny is witch . . . and those who come to her for help after dark should never enter her kitchen without serious pause as to the cost or the consequences. What the editor will be looking for from all other writers is that their short stories must have a paranormal, horror or fantasy/dark fantasy aspect and must involve a witch."

Length: 4,000-10,000 words

Payment: $20

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Through the Gate: Fantastical poetry

"We are looking for fantastical poetry of literary and emotional depth from a diversity of voices and perspectives. Our definition of fantastical is quite fluid, encompassing fantasy, magic realism, myth, folklore, surrealism and slipstream. We desire poetry that is atypically beautiful, unconventionally imaginative, and boundary-crossing. We are not interested in work that is strictly science fiction or mainstream, but poetry that blurs the lines between such genres and the fantastical is welcome."

Length: Up to three poems

Payment: $20 per poem

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New Myths

"NewMyths.com publishes speculative fiction of every stripe except graphic horror. We like each issue to have an eclectic variety of stories:  funny, frightening, hard and soft sci-fi, adventure, thoughtful, etc. Every issue includes at least one nonfiction piece dealing with some aspect of science, myth, folklore, or literature as it relates to speculative fiction, usually of the well-researched essay variety rather than opinion or editorial. Speculative poetry is welcome. We tend to receive a lot of free verse and not enough "form" poetry. We also buy one piece of artwork per issue, and occasionally commission one. We publish book reviews of recent releases about every two weeks. If you have written a review, or have a book coming out soon, please contact us."

Length: Up to 10,000 words.

Payment: 1.5 cents/word with a minimum payment of $30 for all submissions, fiction, flash fiction, nonfiction and poetry.

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Three-lobed Burning Eye

"Original speculative fiction: horror, fantasy, and science fiction. We're looking for short stories from across the big classifications and those shadowy places between: magical realism, fantastique, slipstream, interstitial, and the Weird. We will consider suspense or western, though we prefer it contain some speculative element. We like voices that are full of feeling, from literary to pulpy, with styles unique and flowing, but not too experimental. All labels aside, we want tales that expand genre, that value imagination in character, narrative, and plot. We want to see something new and different."

Length: Short fiction 1000–7000 words, Flash fiction 500–1000 words, (2000–5000 preferred)

Payment: $100 for short fiction, $30 for flash fiction; + 1 print annual

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Electric Spec

"We prefer science fiction, fantasy, and the macabre, but we're willing to push the limits of traditional forms of these genres. We do not consider poetry, stories with over-the-top sex or violence, serials, novels, fan fiction, or non-fiction. We don't accept multiple submissions; in other words, only submit one story at a time and wait for a response before submitting another. We accept simultaneous submissions as long as you let us know up front and tell us as soon as it's accepted elsewhere. We do not publish reprints, including anything that has appeared on a website."

Length: 250 to 7000 words

Payment: $20

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The Dark

The Dark publishes dark fantasy and horror. "Don’t be afraid to experiment or to deviate from the ordinary; be different—try us with fiction that may fall out of “regular” categories. However, it is also important to understand that despite the name, The Dark is not a market for graphic, violent horror."

Length: 2,000 – 6,000 words.

Payment: 6 cents/word for original fiction up to 6,000 words on publication for first world rights; and 1 cent/word for reprint fiction up to 6,000 words on publication for nonexclusive reprint rights.

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Nowhereville: Weird is Other People

"We want diverse stories with modern sensibilities from many different voices that show the immense and diverging possibilities for weird fiction, fearlessly exploring the new and the strange. We are actively seeking submissions from writers from underrepresented populations. (This includes, but is not limited to, writers of any race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, class, and physical or mental abledness.)"

Length: Short stories of 3,000-7,500 words

Payment: 8 cents/word

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Daily Science Fiction

"Daily Science Fiction (DSF) is a market accepting speculative fiction stories. By this we mean science fiction, fantasy, slipstream, etc. We will consider flash series--three or more flash tales built around a common theme."

Length:100 to 1,500 words

Payment: 8 cents/word

4 UK Literary Agents Seeking Literary Fiction, Nonfiction, YA, thrillers and Children’s Books

Here are four UK agents actively building their client lists. Annabel Merullo represents literary and commercial writers of fiction and non-fiction. Holly Faulks is seeking literary fiction and biography. Amy Fitzgerald is particularly interested in crime thrillers, reading group fiction, accessible literary fiction, YA, memoir and smart narrative non-fiction with a commercial edge. Hannah Weatherill handles the full spectrum of children’s books.

Always check the agency website and agent bio before submitting. Agents can switch agencies or close their lists.

You can find a full list of agents actively seeking new clients here: Agents Seeking Clients

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Ms. Annabel Merullo of Peters Fraser & Dunlop

Annabel Merullo is a Senior Agent at PFD. Before joining Peters Fraser and Dunlop, Annabel ran her own literary agency, having also worked as a publisher and television documentary producer. She has also compiled and co-edited several books including The Explorer’s Eye, The Eye of War, The Russian Century, The Chinese Century and The British Century.

What she is seeking: She represents literary and commercial writers of fiction and non-fiction. Annabel represents a list of non-fiction writers and has a growing fiction list.

How to submit: Please send the first three chapters of your novel or non-fiction project, as well as a full synopsis to amerullo@pfd.co.uk. In the body of the email, please write a query letter, including brief details about your writing career.



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Holly Faulks of Greene & Heaton Ltd

Holly studied French and Italian at Bristol and joined Greene & Heaton shortly after graduating in 2015. She works alongside all the agents, supporting their clients on both the literary and media sides of the agency and she is building her own list.

What she is seeking: "In fiction I read across a variety of genres, though my taste tends towards the literary. My favourite books are those that are intimate in their conception, yet far-reaching in thematic scope. In non-fiction I am looking for stories of unusual lives told in an original way.  In all genres I’m keen to hear from under-represented voices and to champion stories that may have been overlooked."

How to submit: Submissions should be sent by email to submissions@greeneheaton.co.uk. Please attach a synopsis and the first three chapters (or about fifty pages) and mention the name of your preferred agent in the subject line of your email.

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Amy Fitzgerald of The Blair Partnership

Before joining The Blair Partnership, Amy worked in the literary department at WME supporting a wide range of bestselling and debut authors. Prior to this she spent three years as a Development and Production Editor at Nelson Thornes, an educational publisher which is now part of Oxford University Press.

 What she is seeking: Amy is building her list in both fiction and non-fiction. She is on the lookout for compelling voices and engaging storytelling that grips her from the first page. She is particularly interested in crime thrillers, reading group fiction, accessible literary fiction, YA, memoir and smart narrative non-fiction with a commercial edge.

How to submit: Please send the first three chapters of your manuscript with a one page synopsis, or, in the case of non-fiction, your proposal document alongside a writing sample, to: submissions@theblairpartnership.com

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Hannah Weatherill of Northbank Talent Management

Hannah has extensive experience of the book market both in the UK and internationally, having previously worked as a literary scout for the UK market on behalf of production companies and foreign language publishers and as both an editor and translator.

What she is seeking: Hannah is responsible for Northbank’s fiction and children’s books representation, spanning all genres of adult, young adult and middle grade commercial fiction and children’s non-fiction.

How to submit: Please send a cover letter, synopsis and the first three chapters of your submission as Word or Open Document attachments to childrens@northbanktalent.com.

3 Agents Seeking Nonfiction, Kidlit, Speculative Fiction, Memoir & more

Here are three agents actively seeking clients. Nicole Geiger is focusing on both fiction and nonfiction in board books, picture books, young chapter books, and middle grade. Chris Rogers is seeking exclusively nonfiction, including promising, eloquent, scholarly authors with general readership cross-over potential in all fields of history. Jade Wong-Baxter wants literary/upmarket fiction, speculative fiction, and narrative nonfiction, especially in the areas of memoir, cultural criticism, history, and pop culture.

Always check the agency website and agent bio before submitting. Agents can switch agencies or close their lists.

You can find a full list of agents actively seeking new clients here: Agents Seeking Clients

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Nicole Geiger of Full Circle Literary, LLC

Nicole Geiger has 30 years of experience in publishing and has worked in just about every capacity in the industry. For 18 years, first as VP and Publisher of Ten Speed Press/Tricycle Press then VP and Publisher of Random House/Tricycle Press, Nicole was the primary acquirer and directed the production and marketing of up to 30 children’s titles yearly.

What she is seeking: She is focusing on both fiction and nonfiction in board books, picture books, young chapter books, and middle grade: Engaging and idiosyncratic nonfiction, both prescriptive and descriptive; Books about the power and excitement of the natural world; Slices of life: Small moments, well-drawn characters, humor galore in any of my requested formats; Magic embedded in the “real” world; Graphic novels with emotion and heart; Illustrators.

How to submit: Use the online form HERE.

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Jade Wong-Baxter of Massie & McQuilkin Literary Agents

Jade got her start in publishing at Writers House, W. W. Norton, and Folio Literary Management. A graduate of Vassar College, she joined MMQ in 2017.

What she is seeking: Jade seeks literary/upmarket fiction, speculative fiction, and narrative nonfiction, especially in the areas of memoir, cultural criticism, history, and pop culture.

How to submit: Please send queries (with the first 5-10 pages) to jade@mmqlit.com. Please note that she only responds to queries in which she is interested. If you haven’t heard from her in 4-6 weeks, your project is not a good fit for her.

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Chris Rogers of Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency

Chris Rogers began his publishing life as a college sales rep in 1978 with Random House after completing his doctorate in English Literature. His editorial career started in 1984 as the college history editor at Alfred A. Knopf/Random House where he was fortunate enough to work as a rookie with history greats John Hope Franklin, R.R. Palmer, Frank Freidel, Aland Brinkley, James McPherson, James West Davidson,  and many other talents. In 2016, Chris retired, after a forty year career in the editorial vineyards, from Yale University Press where he was the Editorial Director and Executive History Editor.

What he is seeking: Chris is seeking exclusively nonfiction, including promising, eloquent, scholarly authors with general readership cross-over potential in all fields of history: American, European, Indigenous, Asian, African, etc. as well as psychology, the environment, and biography.

How to submit: Query letters preferred via email (mail@dclagency.com). Below your query letter, please paste the first ten pages of your manuscript. Please do not send attachments.

35 Calls for Submissions in June 2019 - Paying markets

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There are more than two dozen calls for submissions in June. All of these are paying markets, and none charge submission fees.

As always, every genre, style, and form is wanted, from speculative fiction to poetry to personal essays.

NOTE: I post upcoming calls for submissions at the end of every month. But as I am collecting them, I post them on my page, Calls for Submissions.

You can get a jump on upcoming calls for submissions by checking that page periodically. (I only post paying markets.)
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Eternal Haunted Summer. Genre: Original poetry and short fiction about the Planets and Stars. Also reviews, interviews, and essays. Payment: $5. Deadline: June 1, 2019.

Claw & Blossom: Gnaw. Genre: Poetry and flash fiction (1000 words max). Payment: $25. Deadline: June 6, 2019.

Into the Void. Genre: Short fiction, poetry, CNF, art. Payment: $5 per printed page. Deadline: June 7, 2019.

Contrary. Genre: Original commentary, fiction, and poetry. Payment: $20. Deadline: June 1, 2019.

Mslexia. Genre: Stories, poems and script on the theme of journey. Length: Stories up to 2,200 words, poems up to 40 lines, and short scripts up to 1,000 words (including character names and stage instructions). Payment: £25. Deadline: June 10, 2019.

Across the Universe – Beatles Spec Fic Anthology. Genre: Speculative fiction. The theme of the anthology is ‘Beatles – What if?’ Their guidelines say, ” What if Brian Epstein hadn’t managed the band? What if George Harrison hated sitar music? What if Ringo had been the true star of the band all along? What if the Beatles had been aliens? Or magic users? Or zombies? Or American?” Length: 1,000-4,000 words. Payment: 5 cents/word. Deadline: June 14, 2019.

Stormy Island Publishing: Romantic Fantasy. Genre: Romantic Fantasy. Payment: $20. Deadline: June 14, 2019.

Transmundane Press. Genre: Short stories exploring Time. Payment: $15-20, depending on length. Deadline: June 15, 2019.

Darkhouse Books: Fearrington Road. Genre: Short stories in a Lovecraftian / Steam Punk / Diesel Punk vein. Payment: 50% of royalties. Deadline: June 15, 2019. Some reprints accepted.

The Journal of Compressed Creative Arts. Genre: Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, mixed media, visual arts, "and even kitchen sinks, if they are compressed in some way." Payment: $50. Deadline: June 15, 2019.

Transmundane Press: Time Anthology. Genre: Fantasy, horror, erotic, and science fiction tales. Length: 3,000-7,000 words. Payment: $10-20, depending on length, and author copies: one physical and one electronic. Deadline: June 15, 2019.

Eye to the Telescope: Infection. Genre: Poetry that addresses all aspects of the dark in the speculative realm. Poems should show the dark in some way and be of darker content. Payment: US 3¢/word. Deadline: June 15, 2019.

Longreads w/Writing Our Lives. Genre: Essays about the myths, ideologies & complexities of mother love for a series. (E.g. fraught mom-daughter relationships, “other” moms, relationships that change). Essays should be >1,200 words. Pieces can be personal, reported, researched, or a mix. We encourage submissions from women, femmes, & non-binary writers. Email drafts + short summary to Danielle and @Vanessa_LaLoba at: motherwound@longreads.com. cc:@writersofcolor Payment: $500. Deadline: Deadline: June 17, 2019.

Thuggish Itch. Genre: Horror and speculative fiction on the theme of Hospitality. Length: 1,000-6,000 words. Payment: AU$5.00 for stories under 2000 words / AU$10.00 for anything above 2000 words. Deadline: June 24, 2019.

SubTerrain Magazine. Genre: Fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, essays, and commentary. Payment: Poetry: $50 per poem; Prose: $.10 per word (to a maximum of $500.) Canadian dollars. Deadline: June 24, 2019. Charges fee for online submissions; no fee for snail mail.

The Puritan. Genres: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry. Payment: $100 per nonfiction piece, $50 fiction, $15 per poem. Deadline: June 25, 2019.

Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores. Genre: Speculative stories. Payment: 6 cents/word for original work. 2 cents/word for reprints. Deadline: June 28, 2019.

Allegory. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: $15. Deadline: June 30, 2019. Accepts reprints.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Stories about Miracles. Genre: True stories. "We are looking for true stories of no more than 1,200 words for this multi-faith book that will awe you with examples of amazing events and unexplained happenings. Share your inspirational stories with us to remind us that each day holds hope and to never give up. A miracle can happen at any time." Payment: $200. Deadline: June 30, 2019.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Golden Years or Second Wind. Genre: True stories. "We are looking for stories about the humorous or serious sides of life after 60." Payment: $200. Deadline: June 30, 2019.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Forgiveness Fix. Genre: True stories. "We are looking for stories that will show our readers how forgiving someone or being forgiven by someone changed your life in a positive way. Were you able to reestablish a relationship after forgiving or being forgiven? Did letting go of your hurt feelings heal you and bring you a sense of peace? Help others find the same resolution by sharing your story." Payment: $200. Deadline: June 30, 2019.

Helios Magazine. Genres: Horror, science fiction, and fantasy. Payment: Poetry: Any length paid $50USD per poem. Fiction: 100-7500 words paid $0.06USD per word. Reprints: Any length of poetry paid $15USD and 100-7500 words of fiction paid $0.01USD per word. Deadline: June 30, 2019.

Snafu: Military Horror. Genre: Military horror. Theme: Last stand military horror. "Think 300, the Alamo, the Battle of Mirbat, the First Battle of Mogadishu, the Battle of Hel, or Custer’s Last Stand (but with unnatural monsters)… anything that can be called a high-action potentially-last stand monster story. For level of unnatural creature we will give priority to, think Dog Soldiers or Aliens. We want lots of monster goodness." 2000-10,000 words. Payment: AUD4c/word and one contributor copy. Deadline: June 30, 2019.

Eraserhead Press. Genre: Bizarro fiction novels and novellas. "We want surprising, unique, well-crafted weird stories with compelling plots, eccentric characters, and never-before-seen concepts." Length: 20,000 - 100,000 words. Payment: Royalties.  Deadline: June 30, 2019.

Black Lawrence Press. Genre: Novel, novella, short story collection (full-length and chapbook), poetry (full-length and chapbook), biography & cultural studies, translation (from the German), and creative nonfiction. Payment: Royalties.  Deadline: June 30, 2019.

Gallery of Curiosities. Genre: Speculative fiction up to 7,500 words. "WW2." Payment: Originals, 3 cents/word; reprints 1 cent/word. Deadline: June 30, 2019. Magazine and podcast.

Allegory. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: $15. Deadline: June 30, 2019.

Downstate Story. Genre: Short stories. Payment: $50. Deadline: June 30, 2019. Snail mail only.

Deadite Press. Genre: Extreme horror and splatterpunk. Length: 20,000 to 100,000 words. Payment: 50% royalties. Deadline: June 30, 2019. No simultaneous submissions.

Jolly Horror Press. Genre: Horror.Your story must prominently feature some kind of cursed item. Payment: $25. Deadline: June 30, 2019.

Foundry. Genre: Poetry. Payment: $20. Deadline: June 30, 2019.

Blood Bound Books: Chew On This! Genre: Horror about food. Length: 3,000-7,000 words.  Payment: 3 cents/word. Deadline: June 30, 2019.

Mud Season Review. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, art. Payment: $50. Deadline: June 30, 2019.

Kissing Dynamite. Genre: Poetry anthology. Payment: $10. Deadline: June 30, 2019.

Split Lip. Genre: Fiction (flash and short stories), memoir, and poetry. Payment: $50. Deadline: June 30, 2019.

50 Writing Contests in June 2019 - No entry fees

Pixnio

June is a great month for writing contests. There are nearly four dozen contests this month, and none charge entry fees. Prizes range from tens of thousands of dollars to publication. As always, read the restrictions to make sure you qualify.

If you want to get a jump on next month's contests go to Free Contests. Most of these contests are offered annually, so even if the deadline has passed, you can prepare for next year.

Good luck!

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Southern Fried Karma. Genre: Unpublished book-length fiction "with a Southern accent."   Prize: $1500 advance on a book publishing contract with SFK Press. All finalists will be eligible for contracts as well. Deadline: June 1, 2019.

Dan Veach Prize for Younger Poets. Restrictions: Open to poets aged 18-23. Genre: Poetry. Prize:  $100 and publication in the Atlanta Review. Deadline: June 1, 2019. 

Stony Brook Short Fiction Prize. Restrictions: Only undergraduates enrolled full time in United States and Canadian universities and colleges for the academic year 2017-18 are eligible. "This Prize has traditionally encouraged submissions from students with an Asian background, but we urge all students to enter." Genre: Fiction of no more than 7,500 words. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: June 1, 2019. 

ABA Journal/Ross Writing Contest for Legal Short Fiction. Sponsored by the American Bar Association. Restrictions: Entrants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.  Genre: Original works of short fiction that illuminate the role of the law and/or lawyers in modern society. 5000 words max. Prize: $3,000 and publication in ABA Journal. Deadline: June 1, 2019.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Contest. Restrictions: The competition is open to all citizens and residents of the Commonwealth aged 18 and under. Genre: Essay. The theme of the contest is "A Connected Commonwealth." Prize: Past prizes have included certificates, resources for winner's school, visits to Cambridge University, a trip to London and a week of activities, work experience at international organisations, and having your entry featured in worldwide media. Deadline: June 1, 2019.

Governor General's Literary Awards. Restrictions: Books must have been written by Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. They do not need to be residing in Canada. Genre: The Governor General’s Literary Awards are given annually to the best English-language book in each of the seven categories of Fiction, Literary Non-fiction, Poetry, Drama, Young People’s Literature (Text), Young People’s Literature (Illustrated Books). Prize: $25,000. Deadline: June 1, 2019.

Amy Awards. Poets & Writers presents the Amy Award each year to recognize promising women poets, age 30 and under, living in the New York City metropolitan area or on Long Island. Winners receive a modest honorarium and give a reading in New York City. The award was established in 1995 by Paula Trachtman and Edward Butscher of East Hampton, New York, in memory of Ms. Trachtman's daughter, Amy Rothholz, an actor and poet. Genre: Poetry. Deadline: June 1, 2019.

CINTAS Creative Writing Fellowship. Restrictions: Open to any Cuban author (including those of direct Cuban lineage; need not reside in Cuba). Genre: Novel excerpts, short stories, plays, or poems of up to 25 pages. Prize: $20,000 fellowship. Deadline: June 1, 2019.

Creative Futures. Restrictions: Open to under-represented UK writers. Genre: Fiction, poetry. Prize: £100. Deadline: June 2, 2019.

RBC Taylor Prize. Restrictions: Open to citizens or residents of Canada. Must be published author. Genre: Literary nonfiction. Prize: $25,000 (CAN). Deadline: June 3, 2019 for books published between November 1, 2018 and May 31, 2019.

Literary Taxidermy. Genre: Short story, must begin and end with lines from one of three chosen novels. Prize: Up to $1500 and publication. Deadline: June 4, 2019. Note: There is a voluntary $10 fee. Entrants are encouraged to pay the fee, but the fee will be waived in the case of financial hardship.

The Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting. Restrictions: An address in the UK or Republic of Ireland or British Overseas Territory or British Forces Post Office. OR an entry code shared with you for submission to the International Award. Genre: Play. Prize: £16,000. Deadline: June 5, 2019.

Little, Brown Emerging Artist Award. Genre: High-quality picture books that resonate with readers of diverse backgrounds and experience. Diversity includes literal or metaphorical inclusion of characters of underrepresented ethnicity, religious background, gender identity, class, mental or physical disability, or any other nondominant populations. Prize: American Express® gift cards totaling $1,500, round trip travel to New York City, and the honor of a one-day mentorship with a Little, Brown Books for Young Readers’ professional children’s book design and editorial team. Submission will be reviewed for publication. Deadline: June 7, 2019.

BAME Short Story Prize. Restrictions: Open to a black, Asian, or minority ethnic writer aged 18+ living in the UK or Ireland. Genre: Previously unpublished story, 6,000 words maximum.  Prize: £1,000.00 and publication on the Guardian website. Deadline: June 7, 2019.

The Pandeism Collegiate Writing Competition. Restrictions: Open to undergraduate and graduate collegiate students of philosophy, theology, religious studies, social sciences, arts, literature, applied sciences, or comparable disciplines. Genre: Article presenting original thought in exploring implications of the modern theological theory of Pandeism (pantheistic Deism, belief in a Creator wholly becoming our Universe, proposed to be discernible by application of logic and reason). Papers written for course credit are acceptable. Submissions do not need to take a position in favor of or opposed to Pandeism as a theory, but must present original thought about its relative possibility, relation to other areas of theology, or implications for areas such as epistemology, ethics and morality, or science. Submissions must be a minimum of 3,000 words and a maximum of 6,000 words. Only one (1) article may be submitted by each student. Prize: $250 Amazon gift card and publication.  Deadline: June 7, 2019.

Sapiens Plurum. Genre: Short stories that personalize the consequences of climate change so readers feel as well as know them. But stories must offer hope, at least a possibility, for without hope people rarely act. This year, the contest asks brilliant imaginers such as you "Can you rewrite our children's history?" Prize: 1ST PRIZE: $1000; 2ND PRIZE: $500; 3RD PRIZE: $300. Deadline: June 9, 2019. Read rules here.

The Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award. Sponsored by Sisters in Crime. Restrictions: Open to emerging writers of color. An unpublished writer is preferred, although publication of one work of short fiction or academic work will not disqualify an applicant. Prize: $1,500. Deadline: June 9, 2019.

The Vilcek Foundation Awards. Restrictions: Applicant must have been born outside the United States; Applicant must not be more than 38 years old as of December 31, 2019 (born on or after January 1, 1981); Applicant must: be a naturalized citizen or permanent resident (green card holder) of the United States; be a holder of an H1B or O-1 visa and have been living and working in the United States for at least 5 years; or have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA); Applicant must not be enrolled as a full-time student; Applicant must have published at least one full-length book (not self-published); Applicant must intend to pursue a professional career in the United States; Applicant must not be a past winner of the Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Prize: $50,000. Deadline: June 10, 2019.

Neltje Blanchan/Frank Nelson Doubleday Memorial Awards. Restrictions: Wyoming writers. Genres: The Frank Nelson Doubleday Award is given for the best poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or script written by a woman writer. The Neltje Blanchan Memorial Writing Award is given annually for the best poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or script which is informed by a relationship with the natural world. Prize: $1,000.00. Deadline: June 12, 2019.

Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Program. Restrictions: Debuting authors and writers with fewer than three previously published books who have yet to receive a major literary award are eligible for consideration. Exceptions are sometimes made for authors who have published more titles, but have yet to break out to a larger audience. Submissions must be original publications, penned by one author. Self-published works not allowed. Genres: Published or scheduled to be published fiction and literary nonfiction. Prize: $10,000 in each genre and in-store marketing/merchandising from Barnes & Noble. 2nd Place $5,000 in each genre, 3rd Place $2,500 in each genre. Deadline: June 13, 2019.

Daily Mail First Novel Competition (UK/IRE). Restrictions: Open to any UK/Ireland author aged 16 or older. Genre: First novels for adults of manuscript length (submit 3000-word sample and synopsis). All genres except science fiction, fantasy, and sagas are accepted. Book cannot have been self-published or previously published. Prize: £20,000 and potential Random House UK publication. Deadline: June 14, 2019.

Arablit Story Prize. Genre: Short story, in any genre, newly translated from Arabic into English. Translators must have rights to the work, and translations must be previously unpublished. Prize: $500. Deadline: June 15, 2019.

Scotiabank Giller Prize. Restrictions: Open to books published in Canada in English. Must  be nominated by publisher. Genre: Fiction. Full-length novel or collection of short stories published in English, either originally, or in translation. Prize: $100,000 to the winner and $10,000 to each of the finalists. Deadline: Books published between May 1, 2019 and June 30, 2019 must be received on or before June 15, 2019.

American-Scandinavian Foundation Translation Prizes. Genre: English translations of poetry, fiction, drama, or literary prose originally written in Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, or Swedish by a Scandinavian author born after 1800. Prize: $2,500. Deadline: June 15, 2019.

Towson University Prize for Literature. Restrictions: Open to Maryland writers. Genre: Book-length manuscript of fiction, poetry, drama or imaginative non-fiction. The work must have been published within the three years prior to the year of nomination or must be scheduled for publication within the year in which nominated. Self-published works will not be considered. Prize: $1,000.  Deadline: June 15, 2019.

Norton Writer's Prize. Sponsored by W.W. Norton & Company. "The Norton Writer’s Prize will be awarded annually for an outstanding essay written by an undergraduate. Literacy narratives, literary and other textual analyses, reports, profiles, evaluations, arguments, memoirs, proposals, mixed-genre pieces, and more: any excellent writing done for an undergraduate writing class will be considered." Genres: Creative Nonfiction, Scholarly Essay. Prize: $1,500. Two runner-up prizes of $1,000. Deadline: June 15, 2019.

Goi Peace Foundation International Essay Contest for Young People. Restrictions: Open to people 25 years of age or less. Genre: Essay (max 700 words). Theme: “Creating a Society Full of Kindness.” Prize: 1st US$840, 2nd US$420. Deadline: June 15, 2019.

Vermont Studio Center – Full Fellowship Awards. The Vermont Studio Center offers 54 fellowships; open to anyone in the world. Deadline: June 15, 2019.

Bard Fiction Prize. Genre: Published fiction book. Prize: $30,000 and a one-semester appointment as writer-in-residence at Bard College. Deadline: June 17, 2019.

Ocean Awareness Youth Contest. Restrictions: Open to students in grades 6 - 12. Genre: Art, poetry, prose, film. "Create a piece about a coastal/marine species, place, or system that will be threatened, altered, or lost due to climate change."  Prizes: $100 - $1,500. Deadline: June 17, 2019.

Peter Blazey Fellowship.  Restrictions: Applicants must either be an Australian citizen or have Australian residency. Genre: Non-fiction in the fields of autobiography, biography or life writing. Prize: $15 000, and a one-month writer-in-residency at The Australia Centre. Deadline: June 17, 2019.

Maine Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowships. Restrictions: Open to writers who have lived in the state of Maine for at least one year. Genre: Fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction. Prize: $5,000.   Deadline: June 20, 2019.

A Midsummer Tale Narrative Writing Contest. Theme: Secrets. Length: 1,000 words minimum; 5,000 words maximum. Prize: $35 - $50 Amazon gift card. Deadline: June 21, 2019.

Eugene C. Pulliam Fellowship for Editorial Writing. Genre: Editorial writing. The Eugene C. Pulliam Fellowship was established to enable a mid-career editorial writer or columnist to have time away from daily responsibilities for study and research. Freelancers may also apply. Fellowship:  $75,000. Deadline: June 21, 2019.

Artist Trust. Restrictions: Open to poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers who are residents of Washington State. Students enrolled in a degree-granting program are ineligible. Submit a writing sample of up to 12 pages with a project description, synopsis, budget, and résumé. Grant: $1,500.  Deadline: June 24, 2019.

Great Lakes Colleges New Writers Award. Restrictions: Open to Americans and Canadians.  Genre: Poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction. In each category, the submitted work must be an author’s first published volume. Prize: $500. Deadline: June 25, 2019.

Costa Book Awards. Restrictions: Prize is for books first published in the UK or Ireland by authors who have lived in the UK or Ireland for at least six months of each of the preceding three years. Books must be published between November 1 of the previous year and October 31 of the current year. Self-published works not allowed. Books are entered by publishers only. Genre: Five categories - First Novel, Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children's Book. Prize: £30,000.00 across all genres. 5,000 pounds in each category (poetry, novel, first novel, biography, children's book). Deadline: June 26, 2019.

Louise Meriwether First Book Prize. The Feminist Press has partnered with TAYO Literary Magazine to launch a contest seeking the best debut books by women and nonbinary writers of color. Genres: Fiction, including novels and short story collections, or narrative memoir, of 50,000 to 80,000 words. Prize: $5,000 and a publishing contract from the Feminist Press. Deadline: June 28, 2019.

Undiscovered Voices Fellowship. "The Writer’s Center seeks promising writers in the Washington area earning less than $25,000 annually to apply. This program will provide complimentary writing workshops to the selected applicant for a period of one year, but not to exceed 8 workshops in that year (and not to include independent studies). We expect the recipient will use the year to make progress toward a completed manuscript of publishable work." Deadline: June 28, 2019.

James White Award. Restrictions: Non-professional authors from anywhere in the world. Genre: Previously unpublished science fiction stories of 6000 words or less, but the stories must be written in English. Prize: £200 plus publication in Interzone. Deadline: June 28, 2019.

Linda Flowers Literary Award. Restrictions: Entrants must live in North Carolina. "The North Carolina Humanities Council invites original, unpublished entries of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry for the Linda Flowers Literary Award. Submissions should detail examinations of intimate, provocative, and inspiring portraiture of North Carolina, its people and cultures, bringing to light real men and women having to make their way in the face of change, loss, triumph, and disappointments." Prize: $1,500. Deadline: June 28, 2019.

Green Stories Writing Competition. Genre: Stage play about building a sustainable society. Prize: £750: 1st prize £500, 2nd prize £100, third prize £50 plus £50 for best student submission (18-25 years) and £50 for best < 18 year submission. Deadline: June 30, 2019.

Writers' HQ Flash Quarterly Contest. Genre: Unpublished flash fiction, 500 words max. Prize: 450 pounds. Top three winners win membership to Writers' HQ, a British writing resource site, and admission to three WHQ writing retreats. Winners outside the UK can substitute a manuscript critique for the retreats. Deadline: June 30, 2019.

Blue Mountain Poetry Card Contest. Genre: Poetry. "Poems can be rhyming or non-rhyming, although we find that non-rhyming poetry reads better. We suggest that you write about real emotions and feelings and that you have some special person or occasion in mind as you write." Prize: First prize $300. Second prize $150. Third prize $30. Deadline: June 30, 2019.

L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest. Restrictions: Contest is open only to those who have not professionally published a novel or short novel, or more than one novelette, or more than three short stories, in any medium. Professional publication is deemed to be payment and at least 5,000 copies (or 5,000 hits for online publication). Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi or Horror.  17,000 words max. Prize: $1,000 1st Prize awarded each quarter; one of those winners also receives the $5,000 annual "Golden Pen Award" grand prize. 2nd Prize $750, 3rd Prize $500. Deadline: June 30, 2019.

Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry, Griffin Poetry Prize. Restrictions: One prize goes to a living Canadian poet or translator, the other to a living poet or translator from any country, which may include Canada. Genre: Poetry. Books must have been published in English during the calendar year preceding the year of the award. Prize: C$200,000, is awarded annually in two categories – International and Canadian. Each prize is worth C$65,000. Deadline: June 30, 2019.

Letheon. Genre: Poetry related to the perioperative setting. "Are you a medical professional or related to one? Perhaps you have been anesthetized recently, or you are overly acquainted with the waiting room. If you are connected to the world of anesthesia, we encourage you to share your experience with us." Prize: $500. Deadline: June 30, 2019.

Drue Heinz Literature Prize. Restrictions: The award is open to writers who have published a book-length collection of fiction or a minimum of three short stories or novellas in commercial magazines or literary journals of national distribution. Online and self-publication does not count toward this requirement. Genre: A manuscript of short stories; two or more novellas (a novella may comprise a maximum of 130 double-spaced typed pages); or a combination of one or more novellas and short stories. Novellas are only accepted as part of a larger collection. Prize: $15,000 and publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press under its standard contract. Deadline: June 30, 2019.

African American Voices in Children's Literature Contest. Restrictions: The award is open to writers of African American heritage who are residents of Minnesota and at the time of entry are at least 18 years of age and residing in Minnesota. Genre: Fiction or nonfiction board books for ages 0-4 (50-125 words) and picture books for ages 4-8 (300-800 words) featuring contemporary African American characters and culture and focusing on one or more of the following topics: character development, self-esteem, diversity, getting along with others, engaging with family and community, or other topics related to positive childhood development. Deadline: June 30, 2019.

Ekphrasis Prize for Poetry. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $500. Deadline: June 30, 2018.

55 Fabulous Writing Conferences in June 2019

Baltimore Book Festival (Wikimedia Commons)

June is bustin' out all over. This month there are more than four dozen excellent opportunities to network, pitch your work, and attend stimulating workshops from coast to coast.

I strongly urge you to plan ahead if you are thinking of attending a writing conference. Many offer scholarships that can significantly reduce the cost. And all of the intensive writing workshops have application deadlines.

For a month-by-month list of conferences throughout the year see: Writing Conferences. (You will also find links to resources that can help you find conferences in your area on that page.)

I have included some sold out workshops so you can plan ahead for next year!

____________________

Red Ink Conference. June 1, 2019: Charlotte, NC. "Here are some topics we'll cover: From the Page to the Stage: Turning Your Bestselling Book into a Script, Self-Publishing Industry Secrets, How to Create a Bestselling Bio, The Bestseller Book Synopsis, Marketing to Make Money."

Indiana University Writers’ Conference. June 1 - 5, 2019, Indiana University in Bloomington. The conference features workshops in poetry and fiction, as well as craft classes, readings, and panels for poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers. The cost of the conference is $385, or $635 with a workshop. Lodging and meals are not included; lodging is available in campus dormitories and in the campus hotel. The registration fee is $30; general registration is first come, first served. To attend a workshop, submit 8 to 10 pages of poetry or 15 to 25 pages of prose; admissions are made on a rolling basis.

Yale Writers' Conference. June 1 - 6 and 8 - 11, 2019: New Haven, CT. Visiting Faculty: Amy Bloom, Michael Cunningham, Lev Grossman, Claudia Rankine, Edmund White, MG Lord, Sarah Darer Littman Resident Faculty: Kirsten Bakis, Je Banach, Sybil Baker, Marc Fitten, Trey Ellis, and more. Director: Terence Hawkins. Application deadline: March 15, 2019.

Odyssey Writing Workshop. June 3 - July 12, 2019: Manchester, NH. Since its inception in 1996, Odyssey has become one of the most highly respected workshops for writers of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. Top authors, editors and agents serve as guests, and 59% of graduates go on to professional publication. Application deadline: April 1, 2019.

West Chester University Poetry Conference. June 5 - 8, 2019: West Chester, PA. The conference offers poetry workshops and features a keynote speaker, critical seminars, panel discussions, faculty readings, and an opportunity for participants to have conferences with workshop leaders and resident poets.

The Writer's Hotel. June 5 - 11, 2019, NYC. To apply, send the first 5000 words of a prose manuscript or the first 15 poems of a poetry manuscript. We work with writers of fiction, poetry and nonfiction. We do not work on scripts. International applications are welcome. It is $30 to apply. The fee for the 2018 conference is $3,000 and includes the pre-conference TWH Team Reading and NYC in-town events. Early acceptance not only reserves a writer's spot at an intimate conference, it means writers will have ample time to revise before the NYC pitch meetings. Deadline for application: March 22, 2019.

Clarksville Writers Conference. June 6 - 7, 2019: Clarksville, TN. Two days of writing workshops and presentations, a keynote banquet with the authors, and manuscript consultations.

Annual Philadelphia Writers' Conference. June 7 - 9, 2019: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Features workshops, contests and awards, critique and feedback sessions, and agent and editor speed dates. Autobiography/Memoir, Fiction, Horror, Journalism, Marketing, Non-fiction, Playwriting, Poetry, Publishing, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Screenwriting, Young Adult.

West Virginia Writers Conference. June 7 - 9, 2019: Ripley, West Virginia. Author readings, contests and sharing your love of writing with others.

Wyoming Writers Conference. June 7 - 9, 2019: Laramie, WY. The conference features workshops in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and self-publishing, as well as agent and editor pitch sessions, roundtable critiques, and open mics. Participating writers include poet Jovan Mays, fiction writers Tasha Alexander and Andrew Grant, and nonfiction writer Page Lambert. Participating publishing professionals include editor Eric Campbell (Down & Out Books) and agents Stephanie Hansen (Metamorphosis Literary Agency) and Angie Hodapp (Nelson Literary Agency). Fiction writer Brad Watson will deliver the keynote. The cost of the conference is $235 until May 1 and $275 thereafter, and includes a one-year membership to Wyoming Writers, Inc. Lodging is available at the conference hotel for a discounted rate of $104 per night.

Spring Writing Intensive. June 8, 2019: Annapolis MD. "In this one-day writing intensive, participants will have the opportunity to join other writers for a day devoted to writing instruction, discovery, and inspiration. Working under the guidance of award-winning authors, attendees may select four workshops from seven choices. By choosing from a menu of craft options that will include memoir, fiction, nonfiction, and publishing advice, participants will select the subjects that address their most challenging writing issues and will leave armed with new skills, understanding, and motivation. All levels are welcome." Tuition: $175.

Tinker Mountain Writers’ Workshop. June 9 - 14, 2019: Roanoke, Virginia. The conference features workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as craft seminars, individual conferences with faculty members, and readings. The faculty includes poet Rebecca Lindenberg; fiction writers Pinckney Benedict, Michele Claudio, and Fred Leebron; multi-genre writers Khris Baxter, Lisa Brevard, James McKean, Thorpe Moeckel, Daniel Mueller, and Maxine Swann; agent Rachel Ekstrom Courage (Folio Literary Management); and editor Barbara Jones (Henry Holt). The cost of tuition is $795. Housing is available on campus for $225 for the week or in nearby hotels beginning at $65 per night. A campus meal plan is available for $200.

Naropa Summer Writing Program. June 9 - June 29, 2019: Boulder, CO. This is the 45th Summer Writing Program of the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa University. "With the title Against Atrocity we mean to signal both a committed antagonism, and a fact of relation: we live, and think, and write in an era of unrelenting ecological and political atrocity; it is the situation, the context, the defining field we’re up against. Examples of its many violences come too readily to mind, to screen, to our communities of care and concern––a vampiric regime of extraction and extinction, of cages, borders, and (surplus) populations all the more on the move, on the lam from lawless law. And as a first principle we’ll try to stand with Amié Césaire, and reject the “sterile attitude of the spectator” as the terrible array of devastations wrought through the history of racialized capitalism hurtles on and on; as artists, thinkers, and language-workers we’ll try and press our imaginations forward and against atrocity.”

Iowa Summer Writing Festival. June 9 -  July 26, 2019, Iowa City. Featuring 138 workshops with 60 instructors. Registrations for weeklong and weekend workshops are accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Class size is limited to twelve. It is a good idea to register early.

California Crime Writers Conference. June 10, 2019: Culver City, California. Faculty: William Kent Krueger: Keynote Speaker. Hallie Ephron: Keynote Speaker. "Sisters in Crime/Los Angeles and SoCal Mystery Writers of America invite emerging and established mystery writers for a weekend of invaluable guidance, insight, and community at the 2017 California Crime Writers Conference. Whether your novel is brewing in your imagination, ready to publish, or you already have several published books under your belt, our workshops, presented by agents, editors, award-winning authors, and crime investigation professionals, are geared to elevate your mystery writing skills and foster relationships on your path to publication and beyond."

Interlochen Writer’s Retreat. June 10 - 13, 2019: Interlochen, Michigan. The retreat features workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as craft talks, readings, time to write, one-on-one manuscript consultations, and a dinner. The retreat also offers a practicum that includes additional consultations, lectures, and panel discussions on publishing. The faculty includes poet Fleda Brown, fiction writer Rebecca Makkai, fiction and nonfiction writers Eric Charles May and Rebecca McClanahan, poet and nonfiction writer Anne-Marie Oomen, and multi-genre writer Christine Maul Rice. The cost of the conference is $520. Lodging and meals are not included; lodging is available on campus for discounted rates. Registration is first come, first served.

Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers. June 10 - 14, 2019: Sandy, Utah. Offers one-, two-, three- and five-day workshops. Morning workshops devoted to individual work; afternoon talks on market, craft, publication; chats w/ editors and agents; keynote; book signing. For those interested, specialized workshops--Boot Camp and Full-Novel classes. Single day programs as well.

Wesleyan Writers Conference. June 12 - 16, 2019: Middletown, CT. The conference offers workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as master classes, craft sessions, panel discussions, readings, lectures, and manuscript consultations with agents and editors. The program includes a choice of daily seminars focused on the novel, short story, poetry, and nonfiction (memoir, short- and long-form nonfiction, and journalism). The faculty includes poet Honor Moore, fiction writers Amy Bloom and Salvatore Scibona, and nonfiction writers William Finnegan and Lis Harris. Tuition is $850, which includes access to all classes and events, plus an optional manuscript consultation. A one-day program is also available on June 16 for $225, which includes lunch and dinner; manuscript consultations are available for an additional $100. Lodging is available on campus for $50 per night or $200 for four nights, or at area hotels and inns. A meal plan is available for $275. General registration is first come, first served; workshop space is limited. To register for a manuscript consultation, submit 10 poems or up to 35 pages of prose by May 23. Scholarships and teaching fellowships are available; submit a work sample of any length, a letter of intent, and a résumé by March 15. Visit the website for the registration form and complete guidelines.

The Algonkian Writer Retreat and Novel Workshop, June 12 - 16, 2019: Algonkian Park, Virginia. "You can show us your manuscript, improve your skills, clear your head, have your work read by our writer mentors, whatever works for you, whatever helps you grow and discover your vision as a writer. You discuss with us ahead of time via the Algonkian Writer Retreat Application the goals you wish to accomplish, and we'll work with you to make it happen. Do you desire a review? A line edit? Do you wish to discuss the reality of the current fiction market, your novel project, plot and characters, or perhaps get feedback on the opening hook or a few sample chapters? Or would you simply like a relaxed and productive dialogue about your goals as a writer?"

Pacific University Master of Fine Arts in Writing Residency Writers Conference. June 13 - 23, 2019: Forest Grove, Oregon. 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.

Gateway to Publishing Conference and Convention. June 14 - 16, 2019: St. Louis, Missouri. Workshops, literary agents, publishers, book fair, and authors. Cost: Writer’s Conference: SLWG Member $220; Students/Affiliated Organizations $230; Regular Registration $250; Gateway Con Masterclass $50 per class; Author Hall Rates: SLWG Members $125; Affiliated Organizations $145; Regular Registration $175.

Poetry at the Frost Farm. June 14 - 16, 2019:  Derry, New Hampshire. The retreat offers workshops, readings, and one-on-one consultations for formalist poets. "Join a small community of people at the historic Robert Frost Farm learning, reading and writing formal poetry with contemporary award-winning poets. Choose your focus from a series of offerings designed to provide tools for beginning poets as well as perfect the mastery of published poets."

Mountain Heritage Literary Festival. June 14 - 16, 2019, Cumberland Gap, TN. "Every year writers gather at the ancient and beloved Cumberland Gap to celebrate writing, music, and Appalachian heritage. Events include workshops, panels, readings, concerts, lectures, open mic, and more."

Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference. June 14 - 18, 2019: Homer, Alaska. Daily workshops, panel presentations, readings and craft talks. Keynote speaker: Diane Ackerman. Costs: $375. Includes luncheons, opening dinner; manuscript review $65. Post-conference workshop $400.

Get Published Conference. June 15, 2019: Bozeman, Montana. This conference is devoted to book writing, marketing and getting published. Faculty includes experienced writers who share their methods for planning, writing and finishing their books, along with practical marketing and promotional information.

The Santa Barbara Writers Conference, June 16 – 21, 2019: Santa Barbara, Calif. "Every summer, writers in many genres from around the world gather to participate in a magical week of intensive work focused on story, voice, craft, marketing, and networking with fellow writers and publishing professionals."

Aspen Summer Words. June 16 - 21, 2019: Aspen, Colorado. Workshops, panels, and readings in fiction and creative nonfiction, as well as opportunities to meet with agents and editors. "Aspen Summer Words is the Rocky Mountain gateway to the literary world. Recognized as one of the country’s pre-eminent literary conferences, Summer Words welcomes visitors and locals alike to celebrate writing and writers in Aspen for a week each June. The exceptional faculty and awe-inspiring mountain scenery combine to make this a writing retreat like no other."

Colgate Writers’ Conference. June 16 - 22, 2019: Hamilton, New York. Morning craft talks & workshops. Individual consultation with workshop instructor in the afternoon. Late afternoon participant readings and talks on publishing, storytelling. Evening readings by instructors & guests. Late night social events. "Bring a story, a book in progress, some poems, or a novel, and work with us on developing narrative strategies, verse techniques, and methods of research. Members of the publishing profession will also be here to discuss marketplace tactics."

Kenyon Review Writers Workshops. June 16 - July 13, 2019: Gambier, Ohio. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction led by an accomplished faculty. Genre workshops (Fiction, Literary Nonfiction, and Poetry) are held for three hours each morning. (See individual workshops for dates.)

Fine Arts Work Center Summer Workshops (poetry, fiction, art, and creative nonfiction). June 16 - August 23, 2019, Provincetown, Massachusetts. The faculty includes David Baker, Samiya Bashir, Jill Bialosky, Sophie Cabot Black, Gabrielle Calvocoressi, Martha Collins, Kate Daniels, Nick Flynn, Vievee Francis, Gabriel Fried, Jorie Graham, Marie Howe, Major Jackson, Fred Marchant, Gail Mazur, Jane Mead, John Murillo, Eileen Myles, Matthew Olzmann, Gregory Pardlo, Carl Phillips, Rowan Ricardo Phillips, Victoria Redel, Martha Rhodes, Brenda Shaughnessy, Nicole Sealey, Alan Shapiro, Carmen Giménez Smith, Craig Morgan Teicher and many more. Tuition ranges from $600 to $725. (See individual workshops for dates.)

Manhattanville College Summer Writers' Week. June 17 - 21, 2019: Purchase, New York. Each day begins with a workshop, then afternoons feature craft panels and events. Evenings feature faculty readings and a keynote reader, and these evening readings are free and open to the public. For an immersive experience, housing is available on campus for workshop participants.

Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference. June 17 - 23, 2019: Bemidji, Minnesota. Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Publishing. Faculty: The faculty includes poets Camille Dungy, Ada Limón, and Aimee Nezhukumatathil; fiction writer Peter Orner; and nonfiction writer Dustin Parson. The 2019 Distinguished Visiting Writer is poet Terrance Hayes. The cost of the conference, which includes a five-day workshop, seminars, and five meals, is $650 until April 1 and $750 thereafter. Half-hour manuscript consultations are available for an additional $60. An auditor option, which includes all conference events and amenities except a workshop, is available for $150. Lodging is available on campus for $225 for the week. Using the online application system, submit 5 to 10 pages of poetry or 10 to 25 pages of prose by May 1. Workshops are capped at 12 and applications are processed first-come, first-served until workshops are filled. 

Chautauqua Writers’ Festival. June 19 - 22, 2019: Chautauqua, New York. The conference features workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as readings, panel discussions, individual conferences with faculty members, open mics, and time to write. The theme of the conference is “Writing and Reclamation.” The faculty includes poets Jill McDonough and Khadijah Queen, fiction writers Marie-Helene Bertino and Michael Martone, and nonfiction writer Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich. The keynote speaker is poet Jericho Brown. The cost of the full conference, which includes workshops, breakfasts, and shuttle transportation from the airport, is $500 until March 15 and $550 thereafter; the registration deadline is May 31. The cost of the conference without a workshop is $200; the registration deadline is June 19. The registration deadline is May 31.

Western Writers of America Convention. June 19 - 22, 2019: Tucson, Arizona. Children's, Fiction, Marketing, Non-fiction, Publishing, Young Adult. History presentations at the convention include Cats in the Old West, Border Wars/Law and Order, Mark Twain Literary Contributions, and more. Other sessions will take place related to the craft of writing, book marketing, and research sources and techniques.

Fordham University Retreat. June 19 - 23, 2019, New York City. "In order to help mentor the next generation of Asian American writers, Kundiman sponsors an annual Retreat in partnership with Fordham University. During the Retreat, nationally renowned Asian American poets and writers conduct Master Classes and manuscript consultations with fellows. Readings, writing circles and informal social gatherings are also scheduled. Through this Retreat, Kundiman hopes to provide a safe and instructive environment that identifies and addresses the unique challenges faced by emerging Asian American writers." Application Deadline: January 15th, 2019.

7th Historical Novel Society North American Conference. June 20 - 22, 2019: Oxon Hill, MD. Registration $475 (members), $550 (nonmembers) includes welcome reception, two breakfasts and lunches, and Saturday evening banquet.

Algonkian Writer Conference–New York City Pitch. June 20 - 23, 2019: Ripley-Grier Studios in New York City. The New York Pitch Conference and writers workshop is held four times a year and 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.

Chuckanut Writers Conference. June 21 - 22, 2019: Bellingham, Washington. Writers conference that includes speakers, panels, breakout sessions, authors' readings, reception with authors, pitch sessions with literary agents, book signings, open mic for attendees. Autobiography/Memoir, Children's, Fiction, Nature, Non-fiction, Poetry, Publishing. 

Shore Thing Writing Getaway: A One Day Retreat for Poets and Writers. June 22, 2019, Atlantic City, NJ. "Join us for this boardwalk-inspired getaway, designed for writers of fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry. Trigger your imagination and compose new work that will surprise and please you. Spend the day immersed in the literary life: discussing writing, doing your own writing and sharing some of your new drafts." Faculty: Peter E. Murphy. Cost: $85.

Publish & Promote Your Book Conference. June 22, 2019: Bronxville, New York. "If you’re ready to find an agent and present your book to the marketplace, come join our community of educators, writers, agents, editors, and publishers at a one day conference designed to help you succeed in your publishing ventures. In addition to panel discussions, participants can register for Pitch Sessions and discuss their book with up to three agents/editors for 10 minutes each. If you're thinking of attending a Pitch Session, consider signing up for one of our Prep For Your Pitch sessions"

DFW Writers Conference. June 22 - 23, 2019: Fort Worth TX. Featuring pitch sessions with literary agents, advanced classes, engaging panels, interactive workshops.

Bread Loaf Orion Environmental Writers' Conference. June 23 - 28, 2019: Ripton, VT. The Bread Loaf Orion Environmental Writers' Conference is a week-long writers’ conference designed to hone the skills of people interested in producing literary writing about the environment and the natural world. The conference is co-sponsored by the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, Orion magazine, and Middlebury College’s Environmental Studies Program. Application deadline: May 23, 2019.

Community of Writers at Squaw Valley: Poetry Workshop. June 22 - June 29, 2019: Olympic Valley, California. "We work together to create an atmosphere in which everyone might feel free to try anything. In the mornings we meet in workshops to read to each other the work of the previous twenty-four hours; each participant also has an opportunity to work with each staff poet. In the late afternoons we gather for a conversation about some aspect of craft. On several afternoons staff poets hold brief individual conferences." Registration deadline: April 1, 2019.

Chesapeake Writers' Conference at St. Mary's College of Maryland. June 23 - 29, 2019: St. Mary's City, Maryland. "Join us on Maryland’s Western Shore-for the 8th Annual Chesapeake Writers’ Conference for a week of craft talks, lectures, panel discussions, and readings, as well as daily workshops in fiction, poetry, screenwriting, translation, songwriting, or creative nonfiction. Our excellent faculty include Liz Arnold (poetry), Matt Burgess and Patricia Henley (fiction), Angela Pelster (creative nonfiction) and Matthew Henry Hall (youth workshop). In 2019, we’ll offer three new workshops: screenwriting (with Richard Wiebe), songwriting (with Crystal Brandt), and translation (with Heather Green)."

Science Fiction & Fantasy Novel Writers Workshop. June 23 - July 5, 2019, University of Kansas, Kansas. "This summer, in conjunction with the Gunn Center for the Study of Science Fiction and the SF Writing Workshop, Kij Johnson teaches a two-week intensive workshop on writing novels. The goal of this workshop is to help writers in the early stages of a novel create compelling, coherent plots and openings for their books. Due to a scheduling conflict for Kij, we've swapped the traditional Novel Workshop and "Repeat Offenders" Novel Workshop for writers who have already taken the traditional workshop, and this year is hosted by the ever-awesome Kevin McNeil."

Clarion West Speculative Fiction Writers Workshop. June 23 - August 2, 2019: Seattle, Washington. "Every summer, Clarion West holds an intensive six-week workshop in Seattle’s University District, geared to help you prepare for a professional career as a writer of speculative fiction. Each workshop is limited to 18 students, and each week features a different instructor, a highly regarded author or editor offering their unique perspective on the field. Short fiction is the workshop’s focus, with an emphasis on science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Come prepared to write several new stories, to experiment and take artistic risks, and to give and receive constructive criticism. FULL

Stonecoast Writers’ Conference. June 24 - 29, 2019, 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.

2019 ASLE Biennial Conference. June 25-29, 2019: US Davis, CA.

Steamboat Springs Writers Conference. July 26 - 27, 2019: Steamboat Springs, CO. Two instructors, seminar-type workshops for all levels, beginning to professional. Topics change each year. Limited enrollment.

Jackson Hole Writers Conference, June 27 - 29, 2019: Jackson Hole, WY. You will have ample opportunity to share your work with a distinguished faculty as well as writers from Massachusetts to Florida, from Texas to Washington.Serious writers pour into Jackson Hole each June looking for a fresh, but critical eye on their work. This event usually has at least 4 agents to pitch.

DRC Conference Faculty & Workshops. June 27 - 29, 2019: Davenport, Iowa. Daily workshops, critiques, pitches, evening events, keynote. With five three-day workshops, book pitches with a publisher and an agent, author luncheon, concluding luncheon, free evening faculty reading and keynote address, there’s something for everyone!

In Your Write Mind Workshop. June 27 - 30, 2019, Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Workshops on writing, editing & pitching; guest speaker presentations. A writer's workshop for all writers and aspiring writers! The writer's conference, hosted by Seton Hill University’s Writing Popular Fiction program alumni, attracts writers interested in commercial and genre fiction for a weekend of writing, pitches with publishing industry guest agents and editors, and critique session. The conference also includes a costume ball on Friday night and an author  book signing event featuring dozens of alumni authors on Saturday night. The 2019 theme for the costume ball is Lost in Space (sci-fi)!

The Writers’ League of Texas Agents & Editors Conference. June 28 – June 30, 2019: Austin, Tex. The conference features panel discussions, lectures, pitch sessions, receptions, and one-on-one consultations with agents and editors. Participating agents include Lauren E. Abramo (Dystel, Goderich & Bourret), Reiko Davis (DeFiore and Company), Serena Hakim (Ayesha Pande Literary), Marya Spence (Janklow & Nesbit), Paul Stevens (Donald Maass Literary Agency), Cindy Uh (Thompson Literary Agency), Kristin van Ogtrop (InkWell Management), and Kent D. Wolf (Friedrich Agency). The cost of the conference, which includes a one-on-one consultation with an agent or editor, is $479 ($419 for Writers’ League members) until April 2 and $519 ($459 for members) thereafter. Lodging is available at the conference hotel for discounted rates. Registration is first come, first served.

Colrain Classic. June 28 - July 1, 2019: Leicester, Massachusetts. The conference will be held at the beautiful Barred Owl Retreat, a 15-room, 1920′s colonial home located just outside the city of Worcester, Massachusetts. The retreat’s lovingly landscaped acreage hosts an orchard, a brook, two ponds and an abundance of wildlife including herons, beavers, otters, deer, and of course, barred owls. The property abuts a secluded 114-acre nature preserve so on the grounds one might feel away from it all, yet Barred Owl Retreat is just four miles from downtown Worcester. Here, you will work with poet-editor-educators Joan Houlihan, Rusty Morrison, and Ellen Dore Watson.

Chicago Writing Workshop. June 29, 2019: Chicago, IL. "This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop on Saturday, June 29, 2019, at the historic Congress Plaza Hotel, just south of the downtown area. In other words, it’s 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." Features over two dozen attending agents.