These writing events offer everything a writer might want: intensive workshops, pitch sessions with agents, to how to market yourself and your books, discussions - there is something for everyone.
For a full list of conferences held throughout the year see Writing Conferences. If you miss an application deadline, put it on your calendar for next year. Quite a few conferences offer scholarships, so apply early. Plan ahead!
Be sure to check out Highlights list of workshops. They offer many throughout the year.
(Image: Lake Arrowhead: Thomas Hawk: Flickr)
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Star Island Writing Retreat. September 2 - 6, 2024: Star Island, Portsmouth, NH. During our four and one-half days together, we write from prompts designed to awaken creativity you didn’t even know you had. We write by candlelight in a stone chapel. We write in rattan rockers on a wraparound porch. We write with a view of the ocean in all directions. We gather on the porch for magnificent sunsets. We write with the sound of waves and gulls. We pick up writing techniques from other writers, from the collection of articles prepared by the presenter, and from the presenter’s personal experience.
Creative Hybrid Online Writing Workshop With Sarah Giragosian. September 4 - October 9, 2024. Creative Writing in the Anthropocene. "Creative writing within the framework of the Anthropocene is relatively undertheorized, yet critical in a time when our current geological era is being shaped by humans. In this hybrid course, we will demystify approaches to poetry and creative non-fiction that address the sixth mass extinction, climate change, and the ecological crisis, as well as explore how to narrate and represent the Anthropocene. Since climate change is a byproduct of human interventions in the natural world, we will consider the nuanced entanglements of nature and culture, as well as how the environmental crisis is in many ways a crisis of language and literacy, exploring how writers can develop readers’ ecological literacy and help them to develop a more sustainable relationship to the creatures and world around them. Integral to our study will be an engagement with writing that reckons with the more-than-human-world, with the systems and creatures that help us to think beyond an anthropocentric frame. Of value to the creative writer seeking new ways to address the Anthropocene in their writing, we will read work by such authors as Lia Purpura, Rebecca Giggs, Rebecca Solnit, Daisy Hildyard, Elizabeth Bishop, Patricia Smith, Camille Dungy, Anne Haven McDonnell, and Charlotte Pence, among others. We will be reading and writing each week with the goal of generating new work in a supportive environment. This is a virtual course to be held on Zoom." Application deadline: July 30, 2024. (Put this on your calendar for next year)
The Alabama Writers' Conclave. September 6 - 8, 2024: Orange Beach, Alabama. The Conclave is today one of the oldest continuing writers' organization in the United States. Writers, aspiring writers and supporters of the writing arts may join. Sharing information, developing ideas, honing skills, and receiving practical advice are hallmarks of the annual meeting.
Cinematic Storytelling: An Introduction to Screenwriting. September 9 - October 7, 2024: Online. Led by Jennifer D. Grunin. Explore the art of visual storytelling! In just five weeks, this workshop will demystify the screenwriting process. You will develop an understanding of the foundations of screenwriting—from the conception stage of drafting compelling characters and visual stories, to the execution stage through plot development and three-act structure. You will have the opportunity to write, workshop and revise the basic building blocks of screenwriting, including character bios, loglines, mini treatments and scene breakdowns. Whether you’ve never once thought about the logistics behind screenplay development or are looking for a refresher on the fundamentals, this workshop will inspire you to create something new or adapt a current project. Limited to 12 participants.
Radical Revisions: One Poem, Infinite Possibilities. September 11, 2024. Online. Is a poem ever truly finished? In this generative workshop, participants will start with a single poem and leave with endless revision possibilities. Though that may sound overwhelming, experimenting with radical revisions can uncover what the poem truly wants to say. Drawing from contemporary poets such as torrin a. greathouse, Vanessa Angélica Villarreal, and Safia Elhillo, we will discuss and dissect the different ways a poem can be presented on the page. Participants will practice and play with erasure, line breaks, footnotes, prose poetry, formal constraints, hybrid elements, and more. Beginning writers will learn the possibilities of poetry, while experienced writers will have a chance to see their work in a new light. Participants of all levels will leave the workshop empowered to play on the page, take the skills practiced in this workshop to other writing projects, or even begin a sequence of poems based on these revisions. While there is no fee to participate in this workshop, those who are able and appreciative may make donations directly to SG Huerta.
Working Retreat: Experienced Storytellers In-Company. September 11 - 15, 2024. Boyds Mills, PA. This retreat for experienced authors and illustrators has been thoughtfully crafted to share, grow, and cultivate creativity when you've been working in the industry for a long time. Come in-company with your peers about your career, challenges, deadlines, upcoming projects, and new dreams.
A Public Space's 2024 Weekend Writers' Retreat. September 12 - 15: Tivoli, New York. The retreat will be held in person from Thursday, September 12 - Sunday, September 15, the first weekend of Kaatsbaan’s Annual Festival. Tivoli is in New York's Hudson Valley, about two hours from New York City and one hour from Albany. Participants have the option of staying on-site at Kaatsbaan, or off-site. There are several inns and hotels in the area. On-site participants will stay in Kaatsbaan's Dancers' Inn, which provides motel-style accommodations, bucolic views and private baths. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. There is no fee to apply. Applicants must be 21 years of age by September 1, 2024, to apply. Capacity is limited, and applying early is recommended.
The 2024 Online Carolina Writing Workshop. September 13-14, 2024: Online. This is a special two-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop, September 13-14, 2024. In other words, it’s two days 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. And even though this is the “Carolina” Writing Workshop, make no mistake — writers from everywhere are welcome to attend virtually. Our WDW writers conferences have helped dozens of writers find literary agent representation.
Creatures, Crimes & Creativity. September 13 - 15, 2024: Columbia, MD. A writer's and fan's conference for genre fiction covering mystery, suspense, thriller, sci-fi, fantasy, steampunk & horror.
Furious Flower IV: Celebrating the Worlds of Black Poetry. September 18-21, 2024: Harrisonburg, VA. "Through open mics, interviews, roundtable scholarly discussions, and, of course, readings by the most renowned names in poetry, the Furious Flower Poetry Conference continues to stage contemporary trends in Black literature, culture, and thought from a range of creative outlooks, as well as provide a platform for new scholarship, critical approaches, and performance strategies."
Writing By Writers Monterey Bay Workshop. September 18 - 22, 2024: Pacific Grove, CA. The Writing By Writers Monterey Bay Workshop brings emerging writers into close community with nationally known poets and writers. Classes are limited to 12 participants for manuscript critique workshops and 15 for generative workshops to ensure an intimate setting.
Writing On The Door: Washington Island Literary Festival. September 19 - 21, 2024: Washington Island, Wisconsin. "The Washington Island Literary Festival is a moveable feast of writing, reading, discussion, and thought about the written word. Writers’ workshops, author panels and presentations, readings and parties are scheduled at various quaint, historic and beautiful venues around the Island. Participants have a unique opportunity to share time with prominent authors and dedicated readers in the intimate, friendly setting of Washington Island, a half-hour by ferry from the Door County mainland, in September’s color and warmth."
Hedgebrook Writers Conference 2024. September 19 - 22, 2024: Seattle, WA. "Hedgebrook is a community of visionary women writers whose stories and ideas have shaped our culture in the past, now, and for generations to come. We have tapped into this community to collectively build Hedgebrook’s Writers Conference – a three-day intensive for writers across the globe. If you aspire to improve your craft, come learn from seasoned writers that are equipped to challenge, engage, and inform. Our illustrious alumnae instructors craft and guide participants through interconnected lessons over the course of three days, proving “No Writer Is An Island.” Will be held in person.
Algonkian Writer Conference–New York City Pitch. September 19 - 22, 2024: 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.
PNWA Conference. September 19 - 22, 2024: Seattle, Washington. Sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Writers Association. More than 50 seminars, editor/agent forums & appointments, practice pitching, keynote and featured speakers, reception, awards ceremony. Many agents and editors attending. Will be held in person.
Inkubator Writing Conference. September 20 - 21, 2024: Cleveland, OH. Literary Cleveland's Inkubator Writing Conference is one of the largest free writing conferences in the country, providing workshops, craft talks, panel discussions, readings, and more to empower writers, celebrate literary excellence, and amplify diverse voices.
49 Writers Tutka Bay Retreat. September 20 - 23, 2024: Tutka Bay, Alaska. Guest Instructor: Mieke Eerkens.
9th Annual Broadleaf Writers Conference. September 21 - 22, 2024: Decatur, Georgia. "With one of the strongest list of authors you will ever find at a conference, we’ve added even more agents, editors and publisher representatives than ever before! Combined with educational sessions and workshops, the 8th Annual Broadleaf Writers Conference will offer you all that you need to refine and improve your craft."
Okoboji Writers' in-person Retreat. September 22 - 25, 2024: West Lake, IA. The annual Okoboji Writers’ Retreat, founded in 2021, is open to all skill levels. Columnist Julie Gammack is the producer. Over 30 faculty resources will be on hand to work with participants in small-group settings. Whether you come to find out how to get started or land a book deal, this retreat is a welcoming event for all.
UCLA Extension Writing Retreat at Lake Arrowhead. Sept 22 - 27, 2024: Lake Arrowhead, CA. Join a small group of committed writers for four full days of uninterrupted writing time at UCLA’s beautiful conference center at Lake Arrowhead. Participants will enjoy private bedrooms, private baths, and three gourmet meals each day, along with complimentary beverages all day long. The Writers’ Program will coordinate some structured activities, including pre-dinner social hours and nightly open mic events, but your time will ultimately be yours to accomplish your writing goals at your own pace.
Brooklyn Book Festival. September 22 - 30, 2024: Brooklyn, NY. The mission of the Brooklyn Book Festival (BKBF) is to celebrate published literature and nurture a literary cultural community through programming that cultivates and connects readers of diverse ages and backgrounds with local, national and international authors, publishers and booksellers. To this end the Brooklyn Book Festival develops original programming that is hip, smart, diverse, and inclusive and presents free, literary, cultural events at the Brooklyn Book Festival Day & Literary Marketplace, Virtual Festival Day, and the family friendly Children’s Day. Additionally, BKBF presents Bookend events in venues across NYC and on-line, which are overwhelmingly presented free to the public.
Six Bridges Book Festival. September 23 - 29, 2024: Little Rock, Arkansas. "Prestigious award-winners, screenwriters, comedians, an expert witness, artists, and a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet are among the diverse roster of presenters who will be providing sessions." Free.
ASJA (American Society of Journalists and Authors) Writers Conference. September 24 - 26, 2024: Online. "Our fall 2024 virtual conference will emphasize national markets and content that lends itself to a screen-based format. We’ll have the same informal Snack Chats and networking opportunities featured in past virtual conferences, including an online version of Client Connections."
From Idea & Sketch to Dummy & Submission: An Author/Illustrator Online Course. September 24 - October 29, 2024: Online. If you are illustrating AND writing your own book, and wondering how to prepare your submission, this is the course for you. You will focus on the craft of writing and illustrating a picture book with an intense level of feedback from faculty.
The Crash Course in Children’s Book Publishing (Fall). September 24 - November 26, 2024: Online. Join lead faculty Harold Underdown and special guests for a Crash Course in Children's Publishing. At the end of the course, you will understand how the children’s book publishing industry works, including submitting, publishing, marketing a book for children, teens, or young adults, and beginning ideas about craft and critique.
The Algonkian Writer Retreat and Novel Workshop. September 25 - 29, 2024: 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?"
Working Retreat: Lyrical Picture Books and Poetry. September 26 - 29, 2024: Boys Mills, PA. Sudipta Bardhan-Quallan, Georgia Heard, Rebecca Kai Dotlich, and Leeza Hernandez will create and connect with you during this Working Retreat, with sessions on lyrical word choice, to rhyme (or not), leaving room for your illustrator, poetry and more.
Sleuthfest. September 26 - 29, 2024: Boca Raton, FL. Sponsored by the Florida Chapter of Mystery Writers of America a conference for writers and fans. Features writing workshops, social events, and pitch sessions, including:
* Agent Appointments to pitch your finished work
* Critiques of your 10 page manuscript submission
* Forensic track with current forensic techniques & hands-on workshops
* Social events to mingle with agents, editors and your favorite authors
* Auction to purchase critiques of your work by bestselling authors
* Sessions on the craft of writing
* Sessions on marketing and promoting your work
* Practice your Pitch sessions with experienced authors
TLA Power of Words Conference. September 26 - 29, 2024: Unity Village, MO. "Network with writers, storytellers, performers, musicians, health professionals, educators, and change-makers to connect with those who share your passion of making a difference with words. Discover diversity and experience visionary voices at keynote sessions. Get inspired with workshops in five areas: Social Transformation, Right Livelihood, Engaged Spirituality, Narrative Healing and Ecological TLA.
Colorado Gold Writers Conference. September 27 - 29, 2024: Aurora, CO. An intensive three days of workshops, presenters, agents, master classes, intensives, and more!
Colrain Classic. September 27 - 30, 2024: Online. "The Colrain Manuscript Classic is a highly focused, 3.5 day conference designed for poets with manuscripts in progress. The Classic features in-depth pre-conference work and candid, realistic evaluation and feedback from nationally-known poets, editors and publishers. In preparation, participants work at home on pre-conference assignments and then, in the workshop, review, arrange, and winnow their work based on the pre-conference work. In addition to the manuscript preparation workshop and editor sessions, there will be an editorial Q&A, and an after-conference strategy session." Will be conducted online.
Letters & Lines Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Conference. September 28 - 29, 2024: Arvada, CO. This conference offers you opportunities to learn your craft, boost your career, and get feedback on your work. The schedule includes three keynotes; a industry professionals panel; 33 breakout sessions on writing, illustrating and professional development; intensives on picture books, novels and illustration; as well as critiques, portfolio reviews and showcase, a virtual bookstore of faculty titles hosted by BookBar, and more.
Gotham Writers Children's Lit Conference. September 28 - 29, 2024: NY, NY. Panels and Presentations (Day 1) — Take a peek behind the publishing curtain with eye-opening panels and presentations. You can see the full breakdown on the conference schedule. These days are for people who are ready for publication or just gearing up to enter the publishing process. Pitching Roundtables (Day 2) — Each roundtable will have two agents and a group of pre-selected writers with book projects. You spend the session with your roundtable, with each writer reading pages, discussing their work, and receiving feedback from the agents. There will be tables specializing in middle grade/young adult novels and picture books, with room for graphic novels as well. Anyone can attend the Panels and Presentations, but you must apply and be selected to participate in the Pitching Roundtables.
Conferences with application deadlines in September
Bookgardan: A Year's Sustenance for Women Writers. October 2024 to October 2025. "Bring your book project and your literary practice to full fruition in Bookgardan, a year-long program of sustained, one-on-one mentorship and advanced craft curriculum created by an acclaimed writer, seasoned editor, and devoted & inspiring literary mentor, shared with an intimate cohort of like-minded literary artists. Hone your work-in-progress, develop your technical expertise, and refine your inimitable artistic process over twelve months bookended by two full retreat weeks as fall writers-in-residence at Craigardan, an interdisciplinary mountainside residency program for artists in the majestic Adirondacks of upstate New York. Now enrolling its fifth cohort, Bookgardan is unlike any other writing program, book incubator, or literary mentorship. Designed for women writers with book-length, literary fiction and creative nonfiction projects, created in partnership with a residential artists’ program that fosters collaboration and cross-fertilization among artists, and intentional in its goal of building a lasting, mutually supportive community of women writers, at Bookgardan’s heart is Kate Moses’ passionate dedication to helping other women writers realize their vision for their work, made manifest in the unstinting one-on-one mentorships she forges with each writer and their book." Applications due September 1, 2024.
James River Writers Conference. October 4 - 6, 2024: Richmond, Virginia. James River Writers is excited to offer both in-person and online elements for our conference this year. Join us for Master Classes online, on Friday, October 4. Then, join us at the Greater Richmond Convention Center (in Richmond, Virginia) for a full slate of programs focusing on the craft and business of writing. Look forward to lively panel discussions, live critique sessions with literary agents, fun and engaging plenary sessions, and agent one-on-one meetings (standard with your ticket). In addition, we’ve included opportunities for networking and socializing, because community is at the heart of everything we do. Since 2003, this multi-day event has been known for its inspiring, collegial atmosphere and hospitality. Whether you’re just starting out on your writing journey, or a seasoned professional, there’s something for everyone. Application Deadline: September 30, 2024.
Ossabaw Weekend Writer’s Retreat. October 25 - 27, 2024: Ossabaw Island, GA. Workshops and seminars led by nationally recognized faculty, and evening readings (special emphasis on ghost stories) by faculty and participants. Application deadline: September 30.
Futurescapes. October 10 – 13, 2024. Workshop the first 6,500 words of your Novel; 7:1 Student-Faculty Ratio; Polish Your Query Package (Query & Synopsis); Work with Top Agents & Authors in Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror. APPLY EARLY.
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