10 Great Writing Conferences in February 2021

February might be "nasty, brutish and short" but it features nine great conferences for writers. These conferences offer everything from intensive workshops and panels, to pitch sessions with agents, to how to market yourself and your books. This month there is something for everyone.

For a full list of conferences held throughout the year see Writing Conferences. During the pandemic most of these are being held virtually at reduced rates. Quite a few offer scholarships, so apply early.

(Photo credit: Shutterstock)

_____________________________

Kaz Conference Keep Writing: Playwriting Intensive for Women Writers. Feb 7 - March 15, 2021. Workshops include developmental workshops as well as talks on the practical training of writers with input from editors, publicists, agents, social media experts and productivity coaches. Because reading and reviewing other work helps to strengthen ones own writing, peer review is a requirement of all sessions. Just 10 to 16 writers are accepted for each cohort. Will be held online.

Keep Writing Virtual Nonfiction Writers Conference. February 10 - March 17, 2021. "The Kaz Conference offers two to four intensive seminars for writers each spring and fall: Advanced Manuscript Boot Camp (fiction/nonfiction); Creative Nonfiction Writers Conference; Comedy Writing for Women Intensive (all genres) and Script Lab (Plays/Screenplays). All workshops include developmental workshops as well as talks on the practical training of writers with input from editors, publicists, agents, social media experts and productivity coaches. Because reading and reviewing other work helps to strengthen ones own writing, peer review is a requirement of all sessions. Just 10 to 16 writers are accepted for each cohort. The Kaz Conference Writing Workshop is committed to diversity and our faculty reflect an all-encompassing and equal world. Our goal is to challenge, inspire and foster a writers community that continues beyond the workshops." Will be held online.

Southern California Writers’ Conference (and Retreat). February 12 - 14, 2021: San Diego, CA. Faculty: 60+ working, professional authors of fiction, nonfiction & screen, editors & agents. "Founded and run by professional writers the SCWC provides veteran and emerging talent with authoritative guidance to help distinguish those manuscripts that are ready for market consideration." Cost: $350-$425. Manuscript critique & one-on-one consultation additional. Limited to 125 conferees.

San Francisco Writers Conference, February 11 -14, 2021, San Francisco, CA. Attendees will join with 100+ presenters and fellow writers from across the country and around the world at this year’s event. The SFWC events are consistently rated among the top writer’s conferences anywhere. "Our goal is to help writers become published authors as we help them become better at the craft and business of writing. The SFWC is also one of the friendliest conferences. Presenters this year will include bestselling authors, literary agents, editors, and publishers from major publishing houses. There will be experts on self-publishing, book promotion, platform building, social media, and author websites. The San Francisco Writers Conference has one of the largest faculties of any writer’s conference to ensure the best networking with the people who can help you get published." Will return in 2022.

Minnesota Writers Workshop. February 12 - 13, 2021: St. Paul, MN. This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop on Saturday, March 2, 2019, at the Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront. 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. Will be held online.

Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference. February 18 - 20, 2021: Tempe, AZ. "The Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference creates a unique and intimate creative writing experience where writers of all backgrounds, genres, and skill levels gather together and connect through the celebration and study of literary craft, culture, and community. Featuring over 25 faculty members teaching more than 50 sessions, we seek to create a warm and welcoming environment that meets people wherever they are, where writers can learn from and support each other as they work toward their goals. Beyond regular programming, we also feature advanced pre-conference workshops, an exhibitor fair, scholarships, and fellowships. We also offer opportunities to advertise with or sponsor the conference as well." Will be held online.

The Writers Studio, sponsored by the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, February 18 - 21, 2021, Los Angeles, CA. The conference offers workshops in fiction and creative nonfiction, as well as writing for television and film. Offered by the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, the Writers Studio brings together a community of writing students to workshop with some of Southern California’s most accomplished writers and teachers. From among the 10 offered, participants choose one workshop in which they work closely with a professional writer in classes limited to no more than 15 people. Will be held online.

Wild Seeds Writers Retreat, Winter 2021 (A Virtual Event). February 18 - 21, 2021. The Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College, CUNY (CBL) and the English Department at SUNY, Plattsburgh present the Wild Seeds Writers Retreat. The Retreat encourages published and emerging writers of color to participate in writing workshops focused on fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry. They will focus on the craft of writing and engage in cross-cultural conversations around literature created by writers of the African Diaspora. For the winter 2021 session, faculty leaders will be Cheryl Boyce-Taylor (poetry) and Nicole Dennis-Benn (fiction). 

Publishing Workshop. February 20 - 21, 2021: Hammonton, NJ. "Do you want to publish your writing but struggle with a lack of know-how and fear of rejection? Join us for this hands-on workshop where we will guide you through the process from blank page to published piece. If you are an aspiring author you will learn how and where to submit your work. If you are experienced you will discover new markets and resources to expand your readership. Whether you are working on a novel, memoir, short stories, personal essays or poetry, you will go home with an action plan and the tools to carry it out." Will be held online.

California Creative Writers Conference. February 26 - March 6, 2021: Los Angeles, CA.  Educational and inspirational guidance from more than 40 literary agents, veteran educators, industry professionals, professional editors, and publishers in the craft and business of writing fiction, nonfiction, and screenwriting taught by Hollywood veterans. Over three days, you can learn how to take your writing to the next level and what it takes get published. Will be held online.