5 Writers' Conferences in January 2016

Winter is in full swing above the 40th parallel, which is why it is not entirely surprising that half of January's conferences are in Florida.

While there isn't a lot going on the first month of the year, these conferences offer as much as they do in the summer: pitch sessions with agents, workshops, presentations, readings, and ample opportunity to hobnob with writers and industry professionals (hopefully, on a beach).

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Key West Literary Seminar, January 7 - 15, 2016, Key West, Florida. The seminar, January 7 - 10, offers readings, lectures, and conversations with poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers. The 2016 theme is “Shorts: Stories, Essays & Other Briefs.” The writers' workshop offers workshops and craft discussions for poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers. The faculty includes poet Billy Collins; fiction writers Ann Beattie, Kristen-Paige Madonia, Daniel Menaker, and Antonya Nelson; and nonfiction writer Diana Abu-Jaber. The cost of the seminar is $575; the cost of the writers’ workshop is $550.

Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway, January 15 - 18, 2016, Galloway, New Jersey. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as craft talks, one-on-one tutorials, featured readings, and open mics. The faculty includes poets Stephen Dunn, Thomas Lux, Laura McCullough, and James Richardson; fiction writers Carol Plum-Ucci and Pamela Swallow; and creative nonfiction writers Barbara Hurd and Mimi Schwartz. Tuition, which includes some meals, ranges from $490 to $690, depending on the workshop; lodging is not included.

Eckerd College Writers’ Conference, January 16-23, 2016, St. Petersburg, FL. Workshops, roundtables, panel discussions, Q&As, readings book signings, and receptions. Faculty and guests include: Pulitzer Prize winner Gilbert King, MacArthur “Genius Grant” Poet Campbell McGrath, Andre Dubus III, Ann Hood, Dennis Lehane, Laura Lippman, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Stewart O’Nan, Les Standiford, Scott Ward, Sterling Watson, and more.

Palm Beach Poetry Festival, January 18-23, 2016, Delray Beach, Florida. Eight poetry workshops taught by Laure-Anne Bosselaar, Carl Dennis, Denise Duhamel, Carol Frost, Thomas Lux, Tom Sleigh, Mary Szybist and Kevin Young. Participant tuition includes workshop participation, and admission to all festival events. Special Guest is Robert Hass, U.S. Poet Laureate (1995-1997), Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner. Other featured poets include Dominique Christina and Marc Kelly Smith, and conference faculty, Sally Bliumis-Dunn, and Ginger Murchison.  $795 includes all events, one gala seat; $395/auditor. Accepted participants may schedule a one-on-one conference at additional cost.

Write on the Red Cedar, Jan 22 - 23, 2016, East Lansing MI. Workshops, speakers, panels, manuscript reviews, networking, and pitch appointments with literary agents Carly Watters and Ann Byle. Regular Registration $120 ($140 after Dec. 20) Includes Friday night cocktail party and full slate of workshops on Saturday. Full Conference $195 ($225 after Dec. 20).