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: James River, Flickr)
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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.
Travel & Words: Northwest Travel Writers Conference. October 1 - 3, 2024: Tacoma, Washington. TRAVEL & WORDS offers a multi-faceted conference for travel journalists interested in exploring Northwest destinations. The primary focus of the conference is to connect journalists with destinations throughout the Northwest. Attendees will have one-on-one meetings with destination marketers to learn about their destination and lay a foundation for productive working relationships. In addition, attendees will enjoy expert presentations about current topics in travel content publishing and have plenty of opportunities for networking and exploring the host destination. In more than a decade of conferences, Travel & Words has become an important force in the Northwest travel industry. Travel & Words is by invitation only. There is no registration fee for journalists. If you would like to be considered for an invitation to the next Travel & Words conference, email Allen Cox at editor@nwtravelmag.com.
Georgia Romance Writers: Moonlight and Magnolias. October 3 – 5, 2024: Atlanta, Georgia. Includes keynote speakers, workshops, editor/agent appointments, autographing & bookfair, awards banquet.
Eerie Elixir 2024. October 3 - 6, 2024: Bethlehem, PA. Ghosts, goblins, and ghouls! Oh my! Join us for a special spoooooooky Elixir Writing Retreat! Co-hosted by professional ghost hunter turned literary agent, Stacey Graham, Eerie Elixir will surprise and inspire you. And maybe scare you just a bit! Eerie Elixir 2024 features:
• Daily dedicated writing time
• Expert instruction on craft and the business of writing
• A community of writers at all stages of their career
And if we’re lucky, we’ll enjoy a paranormal experience or two ourselves!
The 2024 Online Florida Writing Workshop. October 4-5, 2024: Online. This is a special two-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop, October 4-5, 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 “Florida” 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.
Flathead River Writers Conference. October 4 - 6, 2024: Kalispell, MT. Writers help writers in this two day conference packed with energizing speakers and workshops. Features: Workshops, MS preparation & submission, working with agents, movie deals, media use, & children's book publishing.
Write on the Sound Writers' Conference and Pre-Conference. Oct 4 - 6, 2024: Edmonds, WA. Founded in 1985, Write on the Sound writers’ conference (WOTS) is a small, affordable conference focused on the craft of writing. A variety of sessions, workshops and panel discussions are available for all levels and interests, including valuable information regarding today’s writing and publishing industry.
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. (If you missed the deadline, put this on your calendar for next year.)
State Writing Conference & Convention, sponsored by The Kansas Authors Club, Oct 4 - 6, 2024: Junction City, KS. Theme: Words Take Flight: Choose Your Own Adventure. Writing workshops, panels, and presentations.
The Creativity Workshop in New York. October 4 - 7, 2024: NY, NY. "The Creativity Workshop is an experiential course of doing and experimenting. Our exercises and instructors’ talks focus on helping you learn practical techniques to stimulate your imagination and innovative thinking."
Central Coast Writers' Conference. October 5, 2024: San Luis Obispo, CA. "Unlike other Writers' conferences, this year's conference has been expanded to encompass the wider 'Content Creator Community.' Our goal is to amplify the connection of content creators on the Central Coast and beyond including bloggers, podcasters, YouTubers, influencers, authors, narrators, journalists, artists, screenwriters, musicians, and of course - writers of all genres! As the medium for literary work has expanded beyond the book, content creators from all walks of life are encouraged to attend. There will be 16+ expert panels, featuring 50+ experts & thought leaders."
Picture Book Summit. Oct 5, 2024: Online. A one day live event for picture book writers including author keynotes, interviews, workshops and agent & editor panels. Recordings provided for attendees for four months post-conference.
DFW Writers Conference. October 5 - 6, 2024: Hurst, TX. Featuring pitch sessions with literary agents, advanced classes, engaging panels, interactive workshops.
Working Retreat: Novels in Verse. October 6 - 9, 2024: Boyds Mills, PA. Verse Novelists, Novelists, and Poets, join Rajani LaRocca and Chris Baron for time to create and connect. Ideal for those working on a verse novel at any level, even in the idea stage.
Crafting Meaningful Contemporary Novels: An Online Course with Editor Kat Brzozowski. October 8 - 29, 2024: Online. Join editor Kat Brzozowski to develop the essential elements of character and voice that will help you craft a deeply meaningful contemporary novel for today's readers. The course features weekly live discussions and writing exercises, Q&A sessions, 1:1 feedback, and more.
Writing More Than One Place: A Generative Workshop. October 9, 2024: Online. Exploring the ecology and history of diaspora, this class turns to the work of Catherine Chen, Leslie Sainz, and Xiao Yue Shan to examine our personal connections to place in the context of colonialism. What happens when we celebrate the “exotic” cultivar, but not the body who imagined it? How do we interpret displaced species in the context of climate change? Through generative exercises, we’ll study language formed in the ecotone between home and homeland, offices and public spaces.
Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference. October 10 - 12, 2024: 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."
Ozark Creative Writers Conference. October 10 - 12, 2024: Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Workshops by published authors, editors and agents; Publishers Row, independent publishers available to hear about your next project.
Women Writing the West 2024 Conference. October 10 – 12, 2024: Denver, CO. Twelve Workshops and Panels will be presented during the conference. Our guest Editors and Agents will present a panel on the state of the publishing industry, and be available for Pitch Appointments.
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.
Emerald City Writers' Conference. October 12 - 13, 2024: Online. Local Romance Writers of America conference, featuring film and television scouts, who will be taking pitches along with editors and agents, keynote speakers, workshops, and a master class.
Working Retreat: Chapter Books and Early Readers. October 13 - 16, 2024: Boyds Mills, PA. Join Debbi Michiko Florence, Kashmira Sheth, and guests for time to create and connect. This working retreat is open to all who are writing for newly independent readers, including those beginning their creative journeys and those who have more experience.
Why Horror: A Two-Part Mini on Haunted Tales for MG Readers. October 15 - 17, 2024: Online. Join award-winning middle grade author Ally Malinenko for this short course in (as Ally says), "Crafting stories that show readers how to recognize the monsters on the page so that one day, when they inevitably come in real life, they know how to slay them!"
Youngstown Fall Literary Festival. October 17 - 19, 2024: Youngstown, Ohio. This year's festival will feature 145 accomplished presenters from California to Maryland and Rhode Island to Florida, presenting on understanding, writing, teaching, translating, editing and publishing literature. Discover your new favorite writer; peruse the dozens of bookfair tables; get a jump on a new piece of writing; join a discussion on writing programs in the community college, publishing as a small press, nature and eco writing, coming to writing late in life, and so much more.
Writer's Digest Annual Conference. October 17 - 20, 2024: NYC. Writer's Digest Annual Conference offers everything you need to advance your writing career creatively and professionally. Gain invaluable tips to improve your craft, explore publishing options and learn how to establish a sustainable career—all while being inspired by successful authors and your fellow attendees. It’s all brought to you by Writer’s Digest, the experts at nurturing and developing writers at every stage of their career for over 100 years.
New York Comicon. October 17 - 20, 2024. "New York Comic Con is your event. Where you can feel unafraid to geek out. Where you’re accepted and embraced for being yourself. Where you can experience the best in pop culture because no matter what fandom you’re passionate about, we have it waiting here for you. Be inspired by award-winning comic artists and Japanese anime creators. Get star struck over your favorite TV and film idols. Treat yourself to exclusive fandom gear and unique artwork. But most importantly, create all of those memories with the people you care about the most. Because this event is for you. To embrace your inner hero or root for the villain. To geek out as a family. To celebrate a weekend together you’ll never forget."
Whole Novel Workshop: An In-Person Retreat for Novelists (October). October 17 - 22, 2024: Boyds Mills, PA. This intensive, transformative Whole Novel Workshop offers writers the rare opportunity to have the entire draft (up to 80,000 words) of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and two private consultations provided. Attention in an intimate setting makes this program one that guarantees significant progress in preparation for submission. Application deadline July 31. (Put this on your calendar for next year)
Annual Florida Writers Conference. October 18 - 20, 2024: Altamonte Springs, Florida. Over 75 workshops, major speakers, agent interviews, professional manuscript critiques, lively social events, and much more.
Steamboat Springs Writers Conference. October 18 - 19, 2024: Steamboat Springs, CO. Two instructors, seminar-type workshops for all levels, beginning to professional. Topics change each year. Limited enrollment.
The Rochester Writers Fall Conference. October 19, 2024: Rochester, MI. Lectures, Workshops, and Panel Discussions with a focus on nonfiction. Open to new writers, working journalists, and published authors. Professional development to move writers to the next level.
Annual Maryland Writer’s Conference. October 19 - 20, 2024: Baltimore, MD. The Brain to Bookshelf Annual Conference offers over 20 workshops and agent panels. Agent pitches and critiques are available, but agent slots are limited, so register early. Keynote each day from award-winning best-selling author Moriah Richard.
Craft of Writing Conference. October 19 - 20, 2024: Tulsa, Oklahoma. "Our theme this year is The Power of Storytelling and we will highlight Native American storytelling and Native American writers will be presenting one track of sessions on Saturday. We will have even more breakout sessions and are adding a second day on Sunday that will be a standalone focus on publishing and marketing your work. You’ll be able to register for just one or both days – whichever fits your needs best!"
Viable Paradise Science Fiction Writers' Workshop. Oct 20 - 25, 2024: Martha’s Vineyard, MA. Viable Paradise is a unique one-week residential workshop in writing and selling commercial science fiction and fantasy. The workshop is intimate, intense, and features extensive time spent with best-selling and award-winning authors and professional editors currently working in the field. VP concentrates on the art of writing fiction people want to read, and this concentration is reflected in post-workshop professional sales by our alumni. Closed. Application deadline May 15. (Put this on your calendar for next year)
Research Techniques: A Two-Night Mini. October 22 - October 24: Online. Research is the backbone of nonfiction. It also adds depth, detail, and accuracy to fiction. Join authors Stephanie Gibeault, Jolene Gutiérrez, and Anita Yasuda as they share the tools and strategies writers need to dig into research with confidence. Whether you’re writing for the trade market, the educational market, or magazines, understanding how to conduct and organize your research matters.
Medical Writing and Communication Conference. October 23 - 26, 2024: New Orleans, LA. Workshops in medical writing, designing materials for patients, analysis, clinical reports, and more.
Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference. October 25 - 26, 2024: Dallas, 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.
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. (Put this on your calendar for next year)
Kentucky State Poetry Society. October 25 - 27, 2024: Online. Readings, workshops, panels, and keynote. "The Kentucky State Poetry Society seeks to inspire, encourage, and develop Kentucky’s poets through a wide variety of workshops, lectures, and publishing opportunities. The Kentucky State Poetry Society publishes the biannual literary journal Pegasus, offers a student and adult poetry contest, and hosts an annual poetry conference." Note: Membership not limited to Kentucky residents. Registration: $15. Will be conducted via Zoom.
American Literary Translators Association (ALTA) Conference. October 25 - 28, 2024: Milwaukee, WI. Panels, workshops, readings, a book fair, and opportunities to meet with editors for translators. "The ALTA Annual Conference is a refreshingly collegial gathering of amateurs and professionals alike, both within the profession and outside it, all wholeheartedly committed to fostering, furthering, and supporting the practice of literary translation." Will be held in person.
Latinx Voices: An In-Community Retreat for Storytellers. October 27 - 30, 2024: Boyds Mills, PA. Join M. García Peña, NoNieqa Ramos, and Alex Villasante for their fifth annual, in-community retreat designed exclusively for Latinx writers and illustrators.
Breakout Novel Intensive. October 29 - December 10, 2024: Online. Included are new or revised units on story discovery, strong voice, standout characters, the inner journey, compelling story worlds, beautiful writing, creating resonance and finding meaning in both story and process. Breakout fundamentals are also covered: strong characters, inner conflict, personal stakes, plot layers, powerful scenes, micro-tension, practical theme techniques and much more. Instructor: Donald Maass.
Writing By Writers Manuscript Boot Camp. October 30 - November 3, 2024: Sundance Mountain Resort, Utah. The Writing By Writers Manuscript Boot Camp is for the writer who has a full, book-length manuscript (novel, memoir, short story or essay collection) and would like to engage with a small group for a serious and productive response. The extended weekend will include an intimate manuscript workshop, craft panels, readings, and individual meetings – the perfect pre-publication boot camp for any manuscript. Classes are limited to 5 participants.
Rainbow Retreat: An In-Community Retreat for Storytellers. October 31 - November 3, 2024: Boyds Mills, PA. Experience our in-community Rainbow Retreat that warmly welcomes queer and questioning authors and illustrators who are crafting stories for children and teen audiences. Our goal is to provide a lightly structured retreat for you to explore your creativity and share your stories while fostering connections with a diverse and accepting community. Embrace your authentic self, make progress on your stories, and find ways to amplify fellow creatives.
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