These writing events offer everything a writer might want: intensive workshops, pitch sessions with agents, how to market your books, discussions - there is something for everyone.
I have included conferences with deadlines that have already passed on this list to give you advance notice. 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!
For a full list of conferences held throughout the year see Writing Conferences.
Be sure to check out Boyds Mills list of workshops. They offer many throughout the year.
[Image: Colorado Springs: Jasen Miller: Flickr]
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Rananim online classes Courses run for eight weeks from April through May. "Participants receive personalized feedback on assignments from their instructor, as well as responses from classmates on discussion board forums. All instructors are university professors and/or working professional writers, who have experience teaching at the Taos Summer Writers’ Conference. Classes are limited to 15 students who will engage in conversation with you and your work. Firm deadlines and feedback help keep you writing and improving your work throughout the class." International students accepted.Norwescon. April 2 - 5, 2026: Sea Tac, WA. Norwescon is one of the largest regional Science Fiction and Fantasy conventions in the United States.
The Creativity Workshop in New York. April 3 - 6, 2026: New York, New York. "The Creativity Workshops take away the fear of writing and open the way to new ideas. They are especially helpful for writers in fiction, poetry, memoir, theatre and film to get over writing blocks. In our Creativity Workshop Retreats you will generate both new work and ideas for the work you are in the midst of creating. We use many different techniques to help you find your way through the novel, essay, poem, memoir, or script you are writing or hope to write. In The Creativity Workshop you will be doing free writing, writing from guided visualizations, collaborative writing, journaling and memoir work and even some rudimentary drawing, collage and photography."
Writing the Speculative Diaspora. April 8, 2026: Online. Every story is a diaspora story, and every diaspora story is speculative in nature. In this craft talk and workshop, open to all genres, students will gain an appreciation for diaspora stories and be able to spot and understand the presence of the speculative within them. We’ll discuss perspectives on diaspora narratives from authors such as Ocean Vuong, Viet Thanh Nguyen, R.F. Kuang, and Ling Ma; diaspora stories’ role in challenging western storytelling conventions; and how diaspora pushes against genre, concepts of truth and authenticity, and the confines of individuality and representation. We’ll then discover the speculative diaspora form and its potential, and explore the speculative diaspora through writing prompts such as truth/lie (“speculative truth”)/dream activities and a collective storytelling exercise.
The 2026 Sacramento Writing Workshop. April 10, 2026: Sacramento, CA. A full-day “How to Get Published” event. "This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more."
Buffalo Writing Workshop. April 10, 2026: Buffalo, NY. This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing workshop at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Buffalo. 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.
Ohio Writing Workshop. April 10 - 11, 2026: Online. This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited online “seats” at the event (200 total). Will be held virtually.
The 2026 Minnesota Writing Workshop. April 11, 2026: St. Paul, MN. "This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop. 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."
Liberty States Fiction Writers Conference. April 11, 2026: Hamilton, NJ. "In addition to our wonderful and diverse keynote speakers, we have a number of editors and agents who will be attending to take pitches as well as some awesome writer and reader workshops!"
The 2026 Minnesota Writing Workshop. April 11, 2026: St. Paul, MN. "This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop. 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."
Rally of Writers Conference. April 11, 2026: Lansing, Michigan. Michigan authors and educators in 15 breakout sessions and workshops on all aspects of writing, including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, the Nuts & Bolts of manuscript submissions, and more.
San Antonio Book Festival. April 11, 2026: San Antonio, TX. The San Antonio Book Festival is a FREE, annual, daylong event that unites readers and writers in a celebration of ideas, books, libraries, and literary culture. Featuring more than 80 nationally and regionally acclaimed authors, the Festival offers programming for all ages.
The 2026 Writing Workshop of San Francisco. April 11, 2026: San Francisco, CA. A full-day “How to Get Published” event. "This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more."
Writing a Picture Book 101: Get to the Heart of Your Story. April 14 - 16, 2026: Online. Start your picture book writing journey here and explore formats and structures for turning your spark of an idea into a wonderful story!
Novels in Verse: Creating an Image System. April 15 - May 6, 2026: Online. Learn how to use an image system to give your verse novel clarity, cohesion, and emotional resonance through purposeful, recurring imagery.
Chicago-North RWA's Spring Fling. April 16 - 18, 2026: Oak Brook, IL. Three day Biennial writer's conference geared towards both aspiring and established writers of any genre but focused on romantic fiction. Bookseller/Blogger/Librarian event, Masterclass in Craft and Marketing, Closing Gala. Biennial conference.
Chanticleer Authors Conference. April 16 - 19, 2026: Bellingham, Wash. Sessions with a special focus on the business of being a working writer on topics such as marketing, publicity, platform, sales tools & strategies, publishing, production, distribution, organization, storycraft, editing, and more.
Embrace Your Inner Intuitive Writer to Fuel Your Writing. April 16 - 23: Online. Whether you outline carefully, or write by feel, this workshop invites you to explore ways to embrace and cultivate your writing intuition.
Florida Writing Workshop. April 17 (Orlando) and 18 (Tampa), 2026. Two separate full-day “How to Get Published” writing events in Florida. These writing events are a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited seats at the events."
The Pikes Peak Writers Conference. April 17 - 19, 2026: Colorado Springs, Colorado. "The three-day conference is full of topical, in-depth workshops, dynamic keynote speakers, opportunities for one-on-one time with agents and editors, the chance to read your work aloud for constructive critique, plus time to socialize with fellow writers. Will be held in person.
Poetry at Round Top Festival. April 17 - 19, 2026: Round Top, Texas. Poetry at Round Top is an annual festival presenting the nation’s most exciting and prominent poets over three days of readings, workshops, and conversations on craft. Located on the gorgeous Festival Hill campus between Austin, San Antonio, and Houston, Poetry at Round Top is an immersive experience like no other poetry gathering.
North Carolina Writers’ Network Spring Conference. April 18, 2026: Asheville, North Carolina. Features intensive workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as publisher exhibits, on-site "lunch with an author" readings, and an open mic.
Poetic Flow Studio: Generative Writing Sessions for Poets. April 20, 2026: Online. Dive into exercises and prompts that will help you develop creative flow and explore the power of poetry to connect with your roots, ignite new ideas, and transform your writing.
ASJA (American Society of Journalists and Authors) Writers Conference. April 20 - 22, 2026: Online. The ASJA Virtual conference will have three tracks: Journalism, Books and Content writing with 12 50-minute sessions per track. There will be, three keynotes (one per day) as well as networking and social experiences. Sessions will run from 11:00 am to 6 or 7 pm EST. Attendees who cannot attend live will be able to watch recordings for a limited time. Our signature event, Client Connections will be held April 23 and 24.ASJA will once again offer scholarships to cover conference registration."
Las Vegas Writer’s Conference April 23 – 25, 2026: Las Vegas, Nevada. Join writing professionals, agents publishers and marketing experts for a weekend of workshops and enlightening discussions about the publishing industry. A chance to pitch your manuscript and ideas to agents.
Nebraska Writers Guild Annual Conference and Writing Retreat. April 23 - 25, 2026: Omaha, NE. Workshops, pitch sessions with an agent and writing sessions followed by evening keynote speakers.
Kentucky Writing Workshop, April 24, 2026: Louisville, KY. This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop. 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.
Malice Domestic. April 24 - 26, 2026: Bethesda, MD. Malice Domestic™ is an annual fan convention in the metropolitan DC area that celebrates the traditional mystery, books best typified by the works of Agatha Christie. The genre is loosely identified as mysteries which contain no explicit sex, or excessive gore, or violence.
Monadnock Pastoral Poetry and Writers Retreat. April 24 - 26, 2026. Greenfield, NH. Includes workshops, individual conferences, participant & mentor readings; hiking & kayaking (weather permitting). Each workshop uses dual mentors.
Tennessee Writing Workshop. April 25, 2026: Nashville, TN. This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop. 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.
Philadelphia Writing Workshop. April 25, 2026: Philadelphia, PA. This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop. 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.
Annual PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature. April 29 - May 2, 2026 at various locations in New York City and Los Angeles. With more than 80 writers from 30 countries, the 2026 festival will celebrate great writing and the power of storytelling against the current headwinds of attacks by those who seek to censor and silence. This gathering of writers from every part of the globe is a potent reminder—in fact, an antidote in an era of censorship—that books drive culture and identity, while empowering and transforming our lives. The PEN World Voices Festival was founded by Salman Rushdie, Michael Roberts, and Esther Allen.
Whole Novel Workshop: A Virtual Course for Middle Grade and Young Adult Writers. April 30 - June 25, 2026: Online. A transformative opportunity to have your entire draft (up to 80,000 words) of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and a private consultation provided. This online program is for any writer of a middle grade or young adult novel.
EVENTS WITH APPLICATION DEADLINES IN APRIL
Odyssey Writing Workshop. June 1, 2026 (6 weeks): Online. Since its inception in 1996, Odyssey has become one of the most highly respected workshops for writers of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. Will be held online. Application deadline April 10.
The Writer’s Hotel Maine “Mini MFA”. June 10 - 16, 2026: Boothbay Harbor, Maine. "The Writer’s Hotel Maine “Mini MFA” is a unique, hybrid, comprehensive writing program. Our programming includes our TWH two-editor pre-conference Team Reading and our conference, to be held in person, June 4-10, 2025. We have even built in a free day so that attendees can enjoy the surrounds. Space is extremely limited. From our virtual pre-reading process through to conference, TWH takes writers and their writing to the next level. It's an extraordinary opportunity." Deadline to apply to TWH is April 6, 2026.
Hedgebrook’s Writer-in-Residence Program supports writers from all over the world for residencies of two to four weeks. The cottage, all meals, and the entire residency experience at Hedgebrook is free to selected writers. Travel is not included and is the responsibility of the writer to arrange and pay for. Up to 6 writers can be in residence at a time, each housed in their own handcrafted cottage. They spend their days in solitude – writing, reading, taking walks in the woods on the property or on nearby Double Bluff beach. In the evenings, “The Gathering” is a social time for residents to connect and share over their freshly prepared meals. Writers must be women, which is inclusive of transgender women and female-identified individuals. Because gender inequity still occurs in all spaces including literary ones, it is part of our explicit mission to support and promote women’s voices. Deadline: Applications open February 17 - April 17 for 2027 Residency.
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