25 Writing Conferences in May 2020

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Like the May flowers that are the product of April showers, spring is usually when writing conferences start popping up.

In spite of the pandemic, you can still attend these conferences. Quite a few will be held virtually, including the famous Nebula conference, and others have been postponed. You may be self-quarantined, but don't give up on your writing career.

Plan ahead! Conferences often offer scholarships, but these have deadlines. If one of these conferences interests you, put the scholarship deadline date on your calendar for next year, or for whenever the conference rolls around again.

For a full list of conferences, organized by month, see Writing Conferences. While nearly all of these are in the United States, you can find links on that page that will take you to world-wide conference lists.

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Malice Domestic. May 1 - 3, 2020, 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. Rescheduled for April 29 - May 2, 2021.

Gold Rush Writers Conference. May 1 - 3, 2020, Mokelumne Hill, CA. "Writing professionals will guide you to a publishing bonanza through a series of panels, specialty talks, workshops and celebrity lectures. Go one-on-one with successful poets, novelists, biographers, memoirists and short story writers." Writing workshops in Autobiography/Memoir, Children's, Fiction, Marketing, Non-fiction, Poetry, Publishing, Romance, Travel, Young Adult. Individual sessions available. Rescheduled for October 2 - 4, 2021.

Hedgebrook VORTEXT Salon. May 1 - 3, 2020, Whidbey Institute on Whidbey Island, about 35 miles northwest of Seattle. Workshops, panel discussions, lectures, open mics, and time to write in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction for women writers. Postponed.

Colrain Classic. May 1 - 4, 2020. Arlington, Vermont. "The Arlington Inn is a village estate built in 1847 that was later turned into a summer hotel in Arlington, Vermont. Today, the inn encompasses four buildings throughout four acres. This includes three buildings, 16 guest rooms and a restaurant. Located in the heart of The Shires of Vermont on The Shires By-Way, the Arlington Inn is just a short drive from Manchester and Bennington, Vermont; Massachusetts, and New York. Please note that we will make all reservations and arrangements for conference participants. Other details will be sent to all registrants along with the pre-conference materials." Here you will work with poet-editors Joan Houlihan and Martha Rhodes. Will be conducted online.

Write Now!  May 2, 2020, Raleigh, NC. One day writing conference hosted by Triangle Association of Freelancers.Sessions include screenwriting, financial tips for writers, pillars of freelance success, copyediting, trade pubs, column writing, publishing tips and more. Cost: $89; $75 for students with ID, seniors 65+ and retired/active duty military; $109 at the door. Canceled.

Austin SCBWI 2020 Writers & Illustrators Working Conference. May 2 - 3, 2020: Austin, TX. Conference on children's books with keynotes; general sessions; breakout sessions for writing, professional development and illustration; intensives for novels, picture books and illustration; critiques; pitches and more. Will be held online.

Travel & Words: Northwest Travel Writers Conference. May 3 - 5, 2020. Bend, OR. Workshops, panels, networking and Writer Matchmaking: Writers attending Travel & Words are looking for story ideas and possibly press trips. These “speed dating” sessions connect destination marketers with freelance writers and bloggers on the “Experienced” track. Postponed until Fall 2020.

Annual PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature. May 4 - 9, 2020 at various locations in New York City and Los Angeles. "Join more than 125 writers and artists representing over 50 nationalities in New York City for the 2019 PEN World Voices Festival: Open Secrets. In 60+ events in venues across New York City, the 15th anniversary of New York’s first international literary festival will gather nonfiction and fiction writers, thinkers, and activists to discuss what we reveal and what we withhold, and the opportunities and dangers inherent in the rapid reconfiguring of the public and the private in the literary, cultural, social, and political realms." Canceled.

Columbus State Community College Writers Conference. May 6, 2020, Columbus, Ohio. Workshops in Autobiography/Memoir, Business/Technical, Fiction, Journalism, Marketing, Non-fiction, Playwriting, Poetry, Publishing, Screenwriting. This one-day conference is free of charge. Rescheduled for July 18, 2020.

10th Annual Nonfiction Writers Conference. May 6 - 8, 2020: Conducted online.

Lakefly Writers Conference. May 8 - 9, 2020, Premier Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Workshops, talks, and a book fair for poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers. Presenters: Beth Amos, Malinda Andrews, Valerie Biel, Rebekah Bryan, R. R. Campbell and more. Rescheduled for May 6-7, 2021.

Atlanta Writers Conference. May 8 - 9, 2020, Atlanta, GA. The conference features publishing panels, pitch sessions, manuscript and query letter critiques, and a workshop on author branding for fiction writers, nonfiction writers, and graphic novelists. Participating publishing professionals include editors Lashanda Anakwah (Simon & Schuster), Sean deLone (Atria Books), Sarah Grill (St. Martin’s Press), Carolina Ortiz (HarperCollins), and Melissa Ann Singer (Tor), and agents Lisa Abellera (Kimberley Cameron & Associates), Ashley Lopez (Waxman Literary Agency), Ann Rose (Prospect Agency), Eva Scalzo (Speilburg Literary Agency), and Saba Sulaiman (Talcott Notch Literary Services). The cost of a single session ranges from $50 to $170, depending on the activity; the cost of the full conference is $620. For nonmembers of the Atlanta Writers Club, an additional $50 membership fee is also required. Lodging is available at the conference hotel for a discounted rate of $125 per night until April 16. The deadline to register for a manuscript critique is April 7. Space is limited; registration is first come, first served. The general registration deadline is May 7. May be held online (?)

Washington Writers Conference 2020. May 8 - 9, 2020: Bethesda, MD. Pitch sessions, expert sessions, author talks, and a luncheon, plus panels on how to query, how to pitch, and more publishing pros’ insights, are just some of the highlights. Past speakers include Bob Woodward, Bob Schieffer, Kitty Kelley, Judith Viorst, Alice McDermott, Ron Charles, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Susan Coll, E.J. Dionne, and Jeffery Deaver. Canceled.

Big Sur on Cape Cod. May 8 - 10, 2020, North Falmouth MA. Faculty: Andrea Brown and four of her agents, four editors and four authors. Children's writing. FULL. Rescheduled for September 11 - 13, 2020.

The Loft's Wordplay Conference. May 9, 2020, Minneapolis MN. "The Loft’s Wordplay aims to be Minnesota's largest celebration of readers, writers, and great books. Imagine a weekend full of famous authors and celebrated books; a weekend of readings, conversations, workshops, kids’ activities, demonstrations, and one-of-a-kind happenings with outdoor stages, cooking stages, book signings, quiet reading corners, boisterous parties, food trucks, beer tents, and books, books, books." Will be held online.

Longleaf Writers Conference. May 9 - 16, 2020: Seaside, Florida. "Formerly the Seaside Writers Conference, Longleaf Writers Conference is an annual gathering of creative writers from all over the nation, featuring award-winning writers in poetry and fiction and screenwriting who will offer a full week of intensive writing workshops, one day seminars, school outreach programs, and social events. This event occurs every year in May, and offers the opportunity for beginning, intermediate and advanced writers to celebrate writing, to network with other writers, and to hone their craft. There will also be seminars hosted by professional editors and literary agents who will offer one-on-one consultations. All participants who pay the full conference tuition fee will be able to take part in all daily activities, while those paying a la carte pricing will have the pick of which classes and workshops they would like to attend. The Longleaf Writers Conference is one of the only conferences in the nation to take place on one of the most beautiful beaches in the US, and every year will feature notable guest writers, literary agents, and professional editors."

Pennwriters Conference. May 14 - 17, 2020: Pittsburgh, PA. The 32nd Annual Pennwriters Conference features three days of workshops, panels, networking and learning to help you learn, grow, soar! Friday, Saturday and Sunday feature an open attendance slate of one-hour workshops on all things writing. The schedule is structured with open attendance, so you can take whichever classes appeal to you. Attendees will have 40+ hours of sessions to choose from. Our faculty is comprised of published authors, literary agents and editors, and other writing industry professionals. Pitch appointments are available at no additional fee. Postponed until 2021.

Novel-In-Progress Bookcamp. May 17 - 23, 2020: West Bend WI. 6-day, residential workshop-retreat for writers in all genres working on a novel or creative nonfiction book. Workshops in Autobiography/Memoir, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Non-fiction, Publishing, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult. Registration is limited to 30 people.

Boldface Conference for Emerging Writers. May 18 - 22, 2020: Houston, Texas. Daily workshops, readings, craft talks, social events and professionalism panels in an intimate and supportive environment designed specifically with the needs of emerging writers in mind.

Balticon 54. May 22 - 25, 2020: Baltimore, MD. Balticon is sponsored by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society (BSFS). BSFS presents the Compton Crook Award, the Robert A. Heinlein Award, and the winner of the annual Jack L. Chalker Young Writer's Contest annually at this event. Faculty: Guest of Honor: Catherine Asaro. Multiple tracks of Programming over the four day weekend, featuring authors, artists, scientists, musicians, podcasters, publishers, editors, costumers and other creative SF luminaries. Will be held online.

Crafting Successful Author Visits. May 26 - May 30, 2020, Honesdale, PA. School visits are a powerful way to get your book into the hands of readers. But how do you take what you’ve written or illustrated and turn it into an attention-grabbing presentation for kids? This workshop will give you strategies for creating and delivering engaging talks, information on developing materials for teachers and students, and guidelines for developing other promotional tools. May be canceled.

Nebula Conference. May 28th - 31st, 2020, Los Angeles, CA. SFWA members and other individuals who are interested in the field of science fiction and fantasy are welcome to attend SFWA’s Nebula Conference. Attendees may participate in workshops, programming and special events throughout the weekend. You do not need to be a member of SFWA to attend. Will be held online.

Bear River Writers’ Conference. May 28 - June 1, 2020: Camp Michigania on Walloon Lake, near Petoskey, Michigan. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as readings, discussions, nature walks, and time to write.

Sundress Academy for the Arts Summer Poetry Writing Retreat. May 29 - 31, 2020: Knoxville, Tennessee. The three-day, two-night camping retreat will be held at SAFTA's own Firefly Farms in Knoxville, Tennessee. All SAFTA retreats focus on generative poetry writing, and this year's poetry retreat will also include break-out sessions on writing political poetry, writing confession, kicking writer's block, publishing, and more.

Tallahassee Writers Conference.  "Whether you are a beginner or an advanced writer of poetry, fiction, or nonfiction, you will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with other writers, editors, agents, cover designers, publishers and more!" Dates TBD.

6 Agents Seeking LGBTQ Fiction and Nonfiction

Updated 12/9/25

Here are six agents interested in LGBTQ fiction and nonfiction. Kiana Nguyen focuses primarily on YA Contemporary, but would love to work with low/high Fantasy (not-western/European based) and Sci-fi. Jessica Alvarez is looking for romance, rom coms, upmarket fiction, women's fiction, mysteries, thrillers, and suspense as well as a wide range of prescriptive and narrative nonfiction. Andrew Dugan is open to queries with particular interest in LGBTQ+ stories, gothic fiction, stories with a rich sense of humor, and literary fiction with a compelling hook. On the nonfiction end, he has a love for language-driven memoir and essay collections. Monica Rodriguez is looking for all genres of fiction. Analieze Cervantes is currently is looking for stories in YA and Adult Fiction. She specializes in Sci-Fi, Romance, Thriller, Suspense, and Mystery. Analieze is especially open to BIPOC and LGBTQ voices. Ayla Zuraw-Friedland is interested in literary fiction and nonfiction that inspect big questions about queer identity, class, community, and art & technology through a personal lens, as well as poetry and a limited number of graphic or hybrid projects.

Always check the agency website and agent bio before submitting. Agents can switch agencies or close their lists, and submission requirements can change.

You can find a full list of agents actively seeking new clients here: Agents Seeking Clients

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Mr. Andrew Dugan of Dystel Goderich & Bourret LLC

NO LONGER LISTED ON AGENCY WEBSITE

Andrew Dugan joined DG&B in 2020 as an assistant in business accounting and subsidiary rights. Originally from the Philadelphia suburbs, he completed his B.A. in English at Drew University with coursework in Arabic and International Relations. After interning in magazines and attending the Columbia Publishing Course’s inaugural virtual session, he was fascinated by the symbiotic relationship between agent and author.

What he is seeking: Andrew is open to queries with particular interest in LGBTQ+ stories, gothic fiction, stories with a rich sense of humor, and literary fiction with a compelling hook. On the nonfiction end, he has a love for language-driven memoir that balances propulsive narrative with huge vulnerability. He’s also seeking narrative nonfiction that has strong elements of social justice and is interested in popular science. 

How to submit: Send your query to adugan@dystel.com

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Kiana Nguyen of Donald Maass

Kiana Nguyen joined Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2016, where she assisted several agents, and is now building her own client list.

She is seeking YA fiction across genres, particularly those with POC and queer voices. She is also interested in Adult romance and domestic suspense thrillers.

How to submit: Use her querymanager HERE.

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Jessica Alvarez of Bookends

Jessica is looking for romance, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, as well as some limited suspense. She is also always happy to hear from authors looking for subrights representation. Across the board, she's looking for books that celebrate diversity in all its forms, and would love to see novels with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ characters.

How to submit: To submit to Jessica, please go to the following link: https://querymanager.com/query/JessicaAlvarez

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Ayla Zuraw-Friedland of the Goldin Agency

Ayla Zuraw-Friedland joined the Frances Goldin Literary Agency in 2022 after starting her agenting career at The David Black Agency in 2019. Previously, she worked as an editorial assistant and assistant editor at Beacon Press in Boston, and as a development editor for encyclopedias at Oxford University Press. She received her BA in English and Creative Writing from Connecticut College in 2015, and her writing can be found or is forthcoming in The Drift, Excerpts Magazine, The Financial Times, GAY the Magazine, Publishers Weekly, and The Cape Cod Poetry Review. She is interested in literary fiction and nonfiction that inspect big questions about queer identity, class, community, and art & technology through a personal lens, as well as poetry and a limited number of graphic or hybrid projects.

What she is seeking: She is interested in literary fiction and nonfiction that inspect big questions about queer identity, class, community, and art & technology through a personal lens. Please note that she does not represent Young Adult, Middle Grade, or Picture Books.

How to submit: Send your query to azf@goldinlit.com For fiction, memoir, essays, or narrative nonfiction, please send a query letter and the first 10-15 pages in the body of your email. For all other nonfiction (e.g. history, biography, technology, etc.), please send a query letter. If you have a proposal prepared, please send it as an attachment. Word is preferred but not required.

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Ms. Monica Rodriguez of Context Literary Agency 

Monica started her marketing career supporting non-profits and the arts. After gaining experience at an advertising agency, she worked on advertising campaigns within the tourism industry. "I got into agenting with a mission to help uplift underrepresented voices in publishing, specifically within the Latinx community. If you identify as (but not limited to) a person of color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, or have a disability, please send your query my way!"

What she is seeking: Fiction: Action/Adventure, Children's, Commercial, Family Saga, Fantasy, General, Graphic Novel, Historical, Horror, Humor, LGBTQ, Literary, Middle Grade, Mystery, New Adult, Picture Books, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Young Adult Non-Fiction: Cookbooks, Humor, Journalism, LGBTQ, Memoir, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Travel.

Favorite sub-genres: Monica gravitates towards stories about identity, family relationships, and travel. She is looking to uplift underrepresented voices, including, (but not limited to) authors who identify as People of Color (BIPOC), disabled, neurodiverse, and LGBTQ+. In children’s literature, she is actively looking for PB, MG, YA & Graphic Novels. She is also open to adult and non-fiction submissions.

How to submit: Please send a short description, short bio, and 5-10 pages of text pasted into the body of the email. No attachments.​ querymonica@contextlit.com

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Ms. Analieze Cervantes of Rees Literary Agency

NO LONGER LISTED ON AGENCY WEBSITE

Analieze is a graduate from Cal State San Bernardino where she studied English: Creative Writing along with a minor in Screenwriting. She has also worked as an Editorial Freelancer for Independent Authors. She started her career as an intern at a New York Literary Agency and was mentored by Saritza Hernandez. She then joined the Harvey Klinger Literary Agency in 2020. 

What she is seeking: Analieze is currently building her own list and is looking for stories in YA and Adult Fiction. She specializes in Sci-Fi, Romance, Thriller, Suspense, and Mystery. Analieze is especially open to BIPOC and LGBTQ voices.

How to submit: Use her form here: https://querymanager.com/query/AnaliezeCervantes

3 New Agents Seeking YA, Kidlit, Fiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Cookbooks and more

Updated 9/8/23

Here are three new agents seeking clients. New agents are a boon to writers. They are actively building their lists, and will go the extra mile for their clients. Eryn Kalavsky is interested in narrative nonfiction, personal growth, parenting, health & fitness, cookbooks, spirituality and pop culture. Laura Mazer represents adult nonfiction with a focus on women’s issues, intelligent pop culture, counterintuitive self-help, packaged gift or “concept” books, and books that take us on geeky deep dives into fascinating facets of everyday life. She adores history, biography, and celebrations of literary legacies, especially when they offer fresh stories about women. She also represents select upmarket fiction.. Michael L Joy accepts queries in the following genres: In Adult Fiction: Mystery, Crime, Suspense, Thrillers, and Graphic Novels (in script form). In Non-Fiction: Art, Music, Pop Culture, True Crime, Business Self-Help, Graphic Novels. 

Always check the agency website and agent bio before submitting. Agents can switch agencies or close their lists, and submission requirements can change.

You can find a full list of agents actively seeking new clients here: Agents Seeking Clients

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Laura Mazer of Wendy Sherman, Associates

Before joining the book-publishing industry, Laura oversaw editorial operations for Creators Syndicate, a global news agency representing some of the most influential opinion writers and editorial cartoonists of the day, including Hillary Clinton, Arianna Huffington, Molly Ivins, Ann Landers, and Mike Luckovich. Laura was also a senior editor at Brill’s Content magazine and the special sections editor at the Los Angeles Times.

What she is seeking: Laura specializes in adult nonfiction with a focus on women’s issues, intelligent pop culture, counterintuitive self-help, packaged gift or “concept” books, and books that take us on geeky deep dives into fascinating facets of everyday life. She adores history, biography, and celebrations of literary legacies, especially when they offer fresh stories about women. She also represents select upmarket fiction.

How to submit: Please send all e-mail submissions to submissions@wsherman.com.  Include your last name, title, and the name of the agent you are submitting to in the subject line. They will not open attachments unless they have been requested.  For non-fiction, please include your query letter and author bio.

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Ms. Eryn Kalavsky of Salky Literary Management

Eryn Kalavsky is a veteran of the book publishing industry, having built the foundation of her career in publicity, marketing and international sales at HarperCollins Publishers. Prior to joining SLM, she worked with a list of authors and entrepreneurs as a publishing consultant strategically helping develop their book ideas while simultaneously growing their brands and platforms. She is based in Los Angeles and her approach to representation is with a long-term view of building a client’s career within the publishing world and beyond.

What she is seeking: Her specific areas of focus are: narrative nonfiction, cooking, lifestyle, psychology, sports (currently seeking projects in skiing and baseball), nature, spirituality, wellness, humor and pop culture. She is always partial to projects with a southern sensibility or a west coast vibe.

How to submit: Use the query form HERE.

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Michael L. Joy of Seymour Agency

Closed to queries

Michael L Joy is a graduate of the Stonecoast MFA Creative Writing program and a board member of the Florida Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America, where he is the co-chair of their annual mystery writing conference, SleuthFest. (SleuthFest.com). He is a professor of English, musician and recovering programmer living in Southwest Florida.

What he is seeking: Fiction: "I’m looking for character-driven commercial fiction in mystery/crime/suspense/thriller – including graphic novel script format. I’m excited to read new perspectives – #OwnVoices, race, gender, LGBTQ, or sub-culture - different POVs, obstacles and outcomes. Situational humor is good, but not required. Cozies will be a tough sell unless the “community” is something extremely different. No talking or communicative animals. No Romance."

Non-Fiction: "I’m looking for art, music, pop-culture or sub-culture topics, including positive mental and physical health for artist. True crime. Business Self-Help: How to survive and keep positive while starting a business, running a business or working a high-pressure job. I’d be excited to look at graphic novel formats for non-fiction also. No politics or religion."

How to submit: Use his form HERE.

47 Calls for Submissions in April 2020 - Paying markets

Pxfuel

There are more than three dozen calls for submissions in April. All of these are paying markets, and none charge submission fees. As always, every genre, style, and form is wanted, from short stories to poetry to essays.

I post the following month's calls for submissions toward the end of every month. But as I am collecting them, I post them on my page, Calls for Submissions. You can get a jump on next month's calls for submissions by checking that page periodically throughout the month. (I only post paying markets.)

Also see Paying Markets for hundreds of paying markets arranged by form and genre.

Happy submitting!

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West Branch. Genres: Poetry, fiction, CNF. Payment: $50 per poem, 5 cents per word for prose. Deadline: April 1, 2020.

Hybrid: Future//Tense: Gender. Genre: Transfuturistic science-fiction. "Rhe stories will explore the way gender, transition, and trans issues may change over time, from the near future to far, on Earth or other planets, in humans or those from the stars. transfuturistic science-fiction. The stories within will explore the way gender, transition, and trans issues may change over time, from the near future to far, on Earth or other planets, in humans or those from the stars." Payment: 2½¢ per word (maximum $100 per story). Deadline: April 1, 2020.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Listen to Your Dreams. Genre: True stories. "We want to know about your dreams. What have you learned from your dreams? Did you listen? Did any of your dreams come true? Did a dream strengthen your faith or help you change the direction your life was headed in? Did some miraculous insight serve as a warning about something that was going to happen?" Payment: $200. Deadline: April 3, 2020.

*Space and Time. Genre: Speculative fiction and poetry. Payment: 1 cent/word. Deadline: April 3, 2020.

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction 300 - 1,000 words on theme of The MacGuffin. Payment: Pays for anthologies only. Deadline: April 5, 2020. See accepted genres.

Excession Press. Genre: Horror, science fiction, weird western, or dark fantasy manuscripts, 30,000 - 60,000 words. Payment: $300 advance and royalties. Deadline: April 5, 2020.

*Flame Tree: Strange Lands Anthology. Genre: Gothic fantasy. "‘Strange Lands Short Stories: Packed with strange and distant places, from underground cities, undiscovered islands, ancient lands, hidden continents, civilisations on the moon and Mars this new book will bring together the tales of Washington Irving, H.G. Wells, Otis Kline, with Homer, Samuel Butler and a generation of modern writers for a thrilling read of speculative fiction." Payment: 8 cents/6 pence for each word for new stories and 6 cents/4 pence for reprints. Deadline: April 5, 2020.

*Voiceworks. Restrictions: Open to residents of Australia under the age of 25. Genre: Nonfiction. Payment: $100. Deadline: April 5, 2020.

Scum. Genre: Feminist-friendly work of any variety, but as a general rule your piece should be under 2000 words (50 lines for poetry, max. 3 poems) and able to be classified as “fiction”, “culture”, “memoir”, “column”, “poetry”, and/or “review”. Payment: $60 AUD. Deadline: April 7, 2020. Opens to submissions on April 1.

*Grindhouse Books: Worst Laid Plans – An Anthology of Vacation Horror. Genre: Horror about summer vacations gone wrong. Length: 2,000-6,000 words. Payment: $0.01/word. Deadline: April 10, 2020.

*Voiceworks. Restrictions: Open to residents of Australia under the age of 25. Genre: Fiction.  Payment: $100. Deadline: April 12, 2020.

The Other Stories (Audio). Genre: Horror on theme of Big Brother. Payment: $5. Deadline: April 13, 2020.

Cricket Media: Faces: New Zealand. Genre: Nonfiction articles, fiction, activities for children. Send query only. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: April 13, 2020.

Narrative. Genre: Nonfiction articles, fiction, poetry. Send query only. Payment: $150 to $350 for 500 to 2,000 word manuscripts. $350 to $1,000 for 2,000 to 15,000 word manuscripts. $50 minimum for each accepted poem and audio piece. ($25 for poetry reprints.)  Deadline: April 14, 2020.

Epoch Magazine is edited by faculty at Cornell University. Genres: Poetry in all forms, including the long poem; send up to five poems, fiction, essays, cartoons, screenplays, graphic art, and graphic fiction. Payment: $50 per poem, and $150 per short story, more for longer stories. Deadline: April 15, 2020. Snail mail submissions only.

The Rush. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, art. "We're looking for high-energy pieces that reflect the rush of life." Payment: Not specified. Deadline: April 15, 2020.

Translunar Travelers Lounge. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: $0.03 USD per word with a minimum payment of $20. Deadline: April 15, 2020.

*Ghost Anthology. Genre: Supernatural, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Noir, Crime, or Horror.   Payment: $35. Deadline: April 15, 2020.

*Trench Coat Chronicles. Genre: Murder mysteries. Must include a trench coat! Payment: $10.  Deadline: April 15, 2020.

Rattle: Service Workers. Genre: Poetry. Their Fall 2020 issue will feature a tribute to service workers. "This is a field broadly interpreted, but for our purposes we're defining service workers as those who are employed in direct service to customers, typically for the purposes of convenience or leisure. This may include those in the hotel, lodging, food service, tourism, or customer service industries, as well as many others. Poems may be written on any subject, in any length, but the poet must currently be, or have been, employed as a service worker for a significant period of time (years, not months)." Payment: $50. Deadline: April 15, 2020.

Catapult: Genre: Nonfiction: Queer Life. "Pieces in this series feature queer writers examining the experience of what it means to be a queer person in the world today. Often, the essays we publish are a mix of memoir, cultural criticism, and/or reporting, though we welcome new formats as well." Payment: Not specified. Deadline: April 17, 2020.

Catapult: Genre: Nonfiction: On Writing. "Pieces in this series feature writers on their favorite topic—writing." Payment: Not specified. Deadline: April 17, 2020.

Catapult: Genre: Nonfiction: 15 Minutes. "Pieces in this series are hybrid profile-essays that feature people of interest to the writers and often explore the subjects' relationships to their communities, cultures—even the writers themselves." Payment: Not specified. Deadline: April 17, 2020.

Human/Kind. Genre: Poetry, prose and art on themes. (See site for themes.) Payment: $5 for each poem, prose, art, video, experimental or hybrid piece and $3 for each micropoem. Deadline: April 21, 2020.

*Falling Star: Twenty. Genre: Short stories on theme of twenty. Payment: $20. Deadline: April 22, 2020.

*Story Seed Vault. Genre: Short tweet-length fiction based on science. (Up to 200 characters). Payment: Short Fiction (<150CH) $3AUD per story. Long Fiction (>150CH/<200CH) $2AUD per story. Deadline: April 24, 2020. Opens on April 10th.

The Fiddlehead. Genre: Fiction, excerpts from novels, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Payment: $60 CAD per published page, plus two complimentary copies of the issue with your work. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas Is in the Air. Genre: True stories. "We are now collecting stories for our HOLIDAY 2020 book and we are looking for stories about the entire December holiday season, including Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, and New Year’s festivities too." Payment: $200. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

The Massachusetts Review. Genre: Poetry up to 100 lines. Submit up to six poems. Also fiction and essays. Payment: $50 for work published in a single issue. Deadline: April 30, 2020. Translations, including poetry, are accepted year-round. No fee for mailed submissions.

FIYAH. Genre: Speculative fiction, art, and poetry about African Diaspora. Length: Short fiction 2,000 – 7,000 words and novelettes up to 15,000 words. Payment: $150 per story. $50 per poem. $300 per novelette. Deadline: April 30, 2020. (Check this)

JMS Books: LGBTQ Second Chances. Genre: LGBTQ stories about finding love the second time around. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Pole to Pole Publishing: Twenty Thousand Leagues Remembered. Genre: Short stories. "The anthology will contain short stories that pay tribute in some way to Jules Verne’s ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea’. " Payment: $0.02/word. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Antioch Review. Genre: Poetry geared to an educated audience. Payment: $20/page. Deadline: April 30, 2020. Snail mail submissions only.

Colorado Review. Genre: Poetry of any style, fiction and nonfiction. Submit no more than five poems with a maximum of 15 pages. Payment: $10 per page ($30 minimum) for poetry and $200 for short stories and essays. Deadline: April 30, 2020. No submission fee for mailed submissions.

Queer Around & Around the World: LGBTQ+ True Stories Anthology. Genre: Short personal memoirs in prose, poetry and dramatic form up to 3,500 words on the themes of travel, immigration and multiculturalism from a LGBTQ+ perspective. Payment: $5/page. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Room Magazine. Genre: Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and art by women (cisgender and transgender), transgender men, Two-Spirit and nonbinary people. They also accept pitches for book reviews. Payment: CAD50-150. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Quommunicate Publishing: Queer Around & Around the World Anthology. Genre: Short personal memoirs in prose, poetry and dramatic form up to 3,500 words on the theme of travel from an LGBTQ+ perspective. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Subterrain. Genre: Creative nonfiction, fiction and poetry on theme of Disobedience. Payment: Poetry: $50 per poem; Prose: $.10 per word (to a maximum of $500). Deadline: April 30, 2020. No fee if submitted by mail. Journal is located in Canada.

*Madness Heart: Devouring Earth. Genre: Speculative fiction. "We want your stories of massive monsters causing mayhem, from strange things rising from the ocean to dragons emerging from subway tunnels. We crave destruction on a scale that only the Kaiju can bring." Payment: $5.  Deadline: April 30, 2020.

*Kissing Dynamite. Genre: Poem on theme of Punk. Payment: $10. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

*87 Bedford: Historic Fantasy Anthology. Genre: Literary fantasy short stories between 1000 and 5000 words. Payment: $0.08 per word. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

*Smoking Pen Press: Time Travel. Genre: Sci-Fi, Romance, Comedy, Fantasy, Adventure, etc. Payment: $20 or 2 copies. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

*Unidentified Funny Objects. Genre: Funny science fiction and fantasy. Length: 500-5,000 words. Payment: $0.10/word. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

*Dark Ink Books: The Half That You See – Nightmares, Deliriums, and Illusions. Genre: Literary horror stories that contain major plot elements of nightmares, illusions, hallucinations, delusions, or waking dreams. Length: 1,500-6,500 words. Payment: $0.01/word, up to 7,000 words. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

*Decoded: a SFFH story for every day of Pride month. Genre: Queer science fiction, fantasy, and horror by queer authors. Length: Up to 7,500 words for fiction. Payment: $25-200 for fiction; $75 for comics. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

*Corrugated Sky Publishing: Pixies, Fae and Sprites – A Mythical Rebellion. Genre: Short stories that deal with the theme of rebellious pixies, fae, and sprites. Length: Up to 10,000 words. Payment: $25. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

New Rivers Press. Genre: Book-length literary manuscripts. Payment: Royalties (?) Please inquire. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

And on May 1, 2020...

The First Line. Genre: Stories that use a first line provided by the journal. (See journal for first lines.) Also 500-800 word critical essays about your favorite first line from a literary work.  Payment:  $25.00 - $50.00 for fiction, $5.00 - $10.00 for poetry, and $25.00 for nonfiction (all U.S. dollars).  Deadline: May 1, 2020.

Songs of Eretz Poetry Review. Genre: Poetry and art on theme of Love. Payment: $5. Deadline: May 1, 2020. Opens April 10.

Hybrid Ink. Genre: Transfuturistic science-fiction. "The stories within will explore the way love, relationship, and identity issues may change over time, from the near future to far, on Earth or other planets, in humans or those from the stars." Payment: 2½¢ per word (maximum $100 per story.) Deadline: May 1, 2020.

Bloodbath: Vampires. Genre: Horror fiction, poetry and art on theme of Vampires. "Note: For this issue, we will not be accepting work by straight, white, cisgender men." Payment: £30. Deadline: May 1, 2020.

The Evil Cookie: Brewtality – Alcohol Infused Extreme Horror. Genre: Horror. Length: Up to 3,000 words. Payment: $0.03/word. Deadline: May 1, 2020.

Black Beacon Books: Murder and Machinery. Genre: Horror. "Send us your terrifying tales of machinery old or new used as a means of murder or menace. We're looking for suspense, technological horror, even a little sci-fi or steampunk for this one." Length: Short stories between 2,500 and 7,000 words. Payment: 43 pounds for short stories and 12 pounds for reprints. Deadline: Until filled.

Claw & Blossom: Theme: FLAME. Genre: Flash fiction and poetry on theme of flame. The work must contain elements of the natural world. Length: Up to 1,000 words for prose, one poem.  Payment: $25. Deadline: ?

35 Writing Contests in April 2020 - No entry fees

Pickpik

This April there are more than two dozen contests calling for every genre and form, from poetry, to creative nonfiction, to completed novels. Prizes range from $100,000 to publication. None charge entry fees. 

Some of these contests have age and geographical restrictions, so read the instructions carefully.

If you want to get a jump on next month's contests go to Free Contests. Most of these contests are offered annually, so even if the deadline is past, you can prepare for next year.

Good luck!

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Alpine Fellowship. Genre: Pieces of any genre up to 2500 words on the theme of “Forgiveness and Retribution.”  Prize: The first place winner receives £3000 and an invitation to enter the symposium in Venice (two runners-up also receive the invitation). Deadline: April 1, 2020.

The Great American Think-Off. Genre: Essay on the theme: “Which is more important: to win or to play by the rules?” Entrants should take a strong stand agreeing or disagreeing with this topic, basing their arguments on personal experience and observations rather than philosophical abstraction. Essay should be no more than 750 words. Prize: One of four $500 cash prizes. Deadline: April 1, 2020.

The Marguerite and Lamar Smith Fellowship for Writers. Carson McCullers Center for Writers and Musicians awards fellowships for writers to spend time in McCullers' childhood home in Columbus, Georgia. The fellowships are intended to afford the writers in residence uninterrupted time to dedicate to their work, free from the distractions of daily life and other professional responsibilities. Award: Stipend of $5000 to cover costs of transportation, food and other incidentals. Fellowship recipients will be required to introduce or advance their work through reading or workshop/forum presentations. The Fellow will work with the McCullers Center Director to plan a presentation near the end of the residency. Deadline: April 1, 2020. 

Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest. Now in its 18th year, this contest seeks today's best humor poems, published and unpublished. Please enter one poem only, 250 lines max. Prize: $2,250 in prizes, including a top prize of $1,000, and publication on Winning Writers. Deadline: April 1, 2020. 

Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction. Restrictions: The writer must be Canadian, and an entry must be the writer's first or second published book of any type or genre and must have a Canadian locale and/or significance. Genre: Print books and ebooks of creative non-fiction published in the previous calendar year. Prize: C$10,000.00. Deadline: April 1, 2020. (Check this deadline)

The Waterston Desert Writing Prize. Genre: Literary nonfiction, desert theme. Prize: $1,500.  Deadline: April 1, 2020.

Wick Poetry Center High School Poetry Competition. Restrictions: Open to Ohio high school seniors. Genre: Poetry: 3 poems, maximum 100 lines per poem, and one-page essay describing your interest in poetry. Prize: One-time $1,500 scholarship to Kent State University. Second and third prize: $1,000 and $500 one-time scholarships. Deadline: April 1, 2020.

William Saroyan Writing Contest. Restrictions: Open to students in 1st grade through college.  Genre: Short story, 2 pages. Prize: $50 - $100. Deadline: April 1, 2020.

Eliza So Finish-Your-Book Fellowship. Restrictions: This fellowship is for Native Americans.   Genre: A novel, collection of stories, or memoir in progress (100 pages minimum) or poetry collection in progress (30 pages minimum). Prize: The 2020 Eliza So Fellowship will include lodging in Missoula, along with a $1,000 stipend for food and travel. Fellows will stay in a private house on the Clark Fork river trail, just blocks from downtown, grocery shopping, farmers markets, parks, restaurants, coffee shops, and more. Deadline: April 5, 2020.

“You Will Be Found” Essay Challenge. Genre: Essay. "Write a college-application style essay (no longer than 650-words) that describes how “You Will Be Found” resonates with and inspires you. Did it prompt you to challenge your thinking or actions in some way? Was it a catalyst for personal growth? Explain the song’s significance to you and the impact on your life. Essays should be specific, have a clear narrative arc, and adhere to the theme of the challenge." Prize: $1,500 college scholarship a and free Gotham writing class. Deadline: April 6, 2020.

Parsec Short Story Contest. Restrictions: Open to non-professional writers. Genre: Speculative fiction. The theme for the 2018 contest is: Forging. This can be conveyed in the setting, plot, characters, dialogue…the only limit is your imagination. The theme must be integral to the story in some way and not just mentioned in passing. Prize: $200 and publication. Deadline: April 15, 2020.

Gary Fincke Creative Writing Prize. Restrictions: Open to undergraduates. Genre: Poetry and prose. Prize: $100. Deadline: April 15, 2020.

Everything Change Climate Fiction Contest 2020. Genre: All genres. Stories about climate change. "We are looking for short stories that help us imagine how humans can live within Earth’s planetary boundaries—at the individual level, yes, but more importantly at the level of organizations, communities, and societies, and at the level of a global human civilization. What would our world look like if we actually respected and lived within planetary boundaries?" Length: Up to 5,000 words. Prize: $1,000 and nine prizes of $100 each. Deadline: April 15, 2020.

Scotiabank Giller Prize. Restrictions: Open to books published in Canada in English. Books must be published in Canada in English between March 1, 2020 and April 30, 2020 to be eligible for the 2019 Prize. Must  be nominated by publisher. Genre: Fiction. Full-length novel or collection of short stories published in English, either originally, or in translation. Prize: $100,000 to the winner and $10,000 to each of the finalists. Deadline: April 17, 2020.

Queer Sci Fi: Innovation. Genre: Science fiction, fantasy, paranormal, or horror LGBTQIA stories of up to 300 words on the theme of Innovation. Prize: $75, $50, and $25. Deadline: April 17, 2020.

Proud to Be: Writing by American Warriors. Created by the Missouri Humanities Council, the Warrior Arts Alliance, and Southeast Missouri State University Press, this series of anthologies preserves and shares military service perspectives of our soldiers and veterans of all conflicts and of their families. It is not only an outlet for artistic expression but also a document of the unique aspects of wartime in our nation's history. Genres: Poetry, Short Fiction, Essay, Photography, Interview with a Warrior. Prize: $250 and publication. Deadline: April 17, 2020 (postmarked).

Sunlight Press Flash Fiction Contest. Genre: Flash fiction, 1000 words max. Prize: $125 and publication. Deadline: April 17, 2020.

Green Stories Writing Competition. Genre: Screenplay about building a sustainable society. Prize: £750: 1st prize £500, 2nd prize £100, third prize £50 plus £50 for best student submission (18-25 years) and £50 for best < 18 year submission. Deadline: April 18, 2020.

The Lucien Stryk Asian Translation Prize. Genre: Book-length translation of Asian poetry into English. Both translators and publishers are invited to submit titles. Book must have been published in previous year. Prize: $5,000. Deadline: April 20, 2020.

American Literary Translators Association Italian Prose in Translation Award. Genre: Translation of a recent work of Italian prose (fiction or literary non-fiction). Both translators and publishers are invited to submit titles. Book must have been published in previous year. Prize: $5,000. Deadline: April 20, 2020.

Whiting Foundation Creative Nonfiction Grant. Restrictions: Open to US citizens and residents only. Genre: Creative nonfiction. Whiting welcomes submissions for works of history, cultural or political reportage, biography, memoir, the sciences, philosophy, criticism, food or travel writing, and personal essays, among other categories. Writers must be completing a book of creative nonfiction that is currently under contract with a publisher. Prize: $40,000. Deadline: April 20, 2020. 

Science Me A Story. Genre: Scientific stories for children (ages 6-12) of up to four pages by authors over age 18. Stories can be in English or Spanish. Prize: £150, £100 or £50. Deadline: April 20, 2020.

Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Prize for Canadian Youth. Restrictions: Open to Canadian citizens or residents attending junior high or high school. Genre: Poetry. Prize: C$400 in each of two age categories: Junior (grades 7-9) and Senior (grades 10-12). Deadline: April 20, 2020.

Is Royalty Relevant? Poetry Competition. Genre: Poetry. "We invite you to write a poem about a member or members of royal families from countries around the world. You can write about any aspect of royalty: their role, actions, dress sense, sense of duty, scandals, economic relevance, artistic or sporting interests, their dogs and other pets or even their handbag (what's in it?). You can be a royalist or staunch republican, that's all fine, as long as, we are moved, excited, amused, annoyed or inspired by your poem." Prize: 200 pounds and online publication. Deadline: April 27, 2020.

The John Byrne Award. Restrictions: Open to residents of Scotland. Genre: A piece of creative work on a chosen theme or value (written work must be no more than 15,000 words in length). Prize:  £7500. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

E-waste Scholarship. Restrictions: You must be a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior or a current or entering college or graduate school student of any level. Home schooled students are also eligible. There is no age limit. You must also be a U.S. citizen or legal resident. Genre: 500- to 1,000-word essay about e-waste. Prize: $1000 scholarship. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

SA Writer’s College Short Story Award. Restrictions: Open to unpublished writers in South Africa. Genre: Short stories. Prizes: 1st – R 10 000; 2nd – R 5 000; 3rd – R 2 000. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Toronto Book Awards. Genres: All genres accepted. Restrictions: Submission "must evoke the city itself, that is, contain some clear Toronto content (this may be reflected in the themes, settings, subjects, etc.). Authors do not necessarily have to reside in Toronto. Ebooks, textbooks and self-published works are not eligible. Prize: A total of $15,000 CD will be awarded. Each shortlisted author (usually 4-6) receives C$1,000 and the winning author is awarded the remainder. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowships. Restrictions: Applicants must reside in the U.S. or be U.S. citizens. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and no older than 31 years of age as of April 30, 2020. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $25,800.  Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Irene Adler Prize for Women Writers. Restrictions: Open to Canadian women. Genre: Creative nonfiction. Prize: $1,000 scholarship. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Friends of Falun Gong, Poetry Contest. Genre: Poem Submit one or two poems of no more than 50 lines each. Poems must encompass at least one of the following themes: Advocate for Falun Gong practitioner’s fundamental human rights. Expose the crimes against Falun Gong perpetrated by the Chinese Communist Party. Share in the beauty, peacefulness and good nature of Falun Gong. Prizes: $500, $250, $100. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Al Blanchard Crime Award. Restrictions: New England residents only. Genre: Crime short story. Prize: $100. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Daisy Utemorrah Award for Indigenous Authors. Restrictions: Open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writer currently residing in Australia. Genre:  Junior/YA full-length fiction manuscript intended for readers aged 8-18. Length: 40,000 and 100,000 words. Prize: AU$15,000 and possible publication. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Claudia Ann Seaman Awards For Young Writers. Restrictions: High school students. Genre: Stories and poems. Prize: $200. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Preservation Foundation Essay Contest for Unpublished Writers. Restrictions: The contest is open to writers whose creative writing has never produced revenues of over $750 in any single year. Genre: General Nonfiction. Stories must be between 1000--10,000 words in length. Prize: First prize in each category will be $200. Runners-up will receive $100. Finalists will receive $50. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Secret Attic. Genre: Short stories. Prize: £25 + Publication. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

30 Writing Conferences in April 2020

Needpix

April is normally a great month for conferences. But due to the coronavirus pandemic, many have been canceled. (Two are online.) I’ve indicated which conferences have been canceled, and some have already been rescheduled. Keep these events on your radar for upcoming changes.

All of these conferences and workshops charge tuition, but some offer financial assistance. There are deadlines for applying for aid, so if any of these looking appealing, plan ahead for next time.

For a month-by-month list of conferences throughout the year see: Writing Conferences. (You will also find links to resources that can help you find conferences in your area on that page.)

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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. Cost: $400 per class.

IBPA Publishing University. April 3 - 4, 2020, Redondo Beach, CA. The Independent Book Publishers Association offers 30+ educational sessions including experiential learning labs, insightful keynotes, a gala book award ceremony, networking events, and so more! Cost: $195-$475. Canceled.

Liberty States Fiction Writers Conference. April 4, 2020: Clark, NJ. "We are so excited about what promises to be a very special, educational, and entertaining 11th Anniversary Conference. 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!" Canceled. New date October 10.

Tennessee Mountain Writers Annual Conference, Apr 2 - 4, 2020: Oak Ridge, TN. Speakers and session leaders include Joseph Bathanti, Karen Salyer McElmurray, Tracy Barrett, and more! Canceled. New date April 8 - 10 2021.

Las Vegas Writer’s Conference is sponsored by the Henderson Writers’ Group, Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, Las Vegas, Nevada. April 2 – 4, 2020. 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. This Year’s Conference is ONLINE Thursday thru Saturday April 2-4, 2020.

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Retreat. April 2 - 5, 2020, Colorado Springs, CO. An intensive 3-day writing retreat. Canceled.

Grub Street Muse and the Marketplace Conference. April 3 - 5, 2020, Boston, Massachusetts. The Muse and the Marketplace is a three-day literary conference designed to give aspiring writers a better understanding about the craft of writing fiction and non-fiction, to prepare them for the changing world of publishing and promotion, and to create opportunities for meaningful networking. On all three days, prominent and nationally-recognized established and emerging authors lead sessions on the craft of writing—the "muse" side of things—while editors, literary agents, publicists and other industry professionals lead sessions on the business side—the "marketplace." Canceled.

New York Writers Workshop Fiction Pitch Conference. April 3 – 5, 2020: Ripley-Grier Studios (NY Spaces) 520 Eighth Ave (36th/37th), 16th Fl. Participants polish their pitches with the help of conference leaders who are members of the New York Writers Workshop faculty, then they present them to three different editors from major New York publishing houses. Editors provide feedback and may request proposals and manuscripts after the conference.

San Antonio Book Festival. April 4, 2020, 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. Next fair will be held on April 10, 2021.

Great Plains Writers Conference. April 4, 2020: South Dakota State University. "Intimate conversations about the writing craft."

Rally of Writers Conference. April 4, 2020, 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. Canceled. New date April 17, 2021.

Breakout Novel Intensive 2.0. April 6 - 12, 2020: Hood River, Oregon. "Writers of commercial fiction who wish to soar out of category, as well as literary novelists who want to learn how to make powerful story principles work for them, will find the Breakout Novel Intensive 2.0 an idea-packed and career enriching experience. This workshop is as ideal for those just beginning a new project as it is for those embarking on a revision of a completed work. Breakout fundamentals are also covered: strong characters, inner conflict, personal stakes, plot layers, powerful scenes, micro-tension, practical theme techniques and much more."

Norwescon. April 9 - 12, 2020: Sea Tac, WA. Norwescon is one of the largest regional Science Fiction and Fantasy conventions in the United States. Canceled.

WonderCon. April 10 - 12, 2020, Anaheim, CA. HUGE comic book convention. Canceled.

Chanticleer Authors Conference. April 17 - April 19, 2020: Bellingham, Washington. 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. Canceled. Rescheduled for September 4 – September 6, 2020.

The Pikes Peak Writers Conference. April 17 - 19, 2020. 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. Canceled.

William Paterson University Spring Writer’s Conference.  April 18, 2020: Wayne, New Jersey.  Readings and workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Featuring the poet Brenda Shaughnessy. Canceled.

North Carolina Writers’ Network Spring Conference. April 18, 2020, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, 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.

ASJA (American Society of Journalists and Authors) Writers Conference, April 19  - 20, 2020 NYC, NY. Focus on Autobiography/Memoir, Business/Technical, Humor, Journalism, Marketing, Nature, Non-fiction, Publishing, Religion, Screenwriting, Travel. Attending: more than 100 editors, authors, literary agents, and publicists. Canceled.

Six Bridges Book Festival. April 23 - 26, 2020: 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. Canceled.

Ozarks Writers League Conference. April 24 - 25, 2020: Branson, MO. The Ozarks Writers League is a group of like-minded individuals dedicated to promoting writing, literacy, photography, and art. Since 1983, OWL has welcomed individuals at all stages of their development.

Idaho Writers Guild Conference. April 24 - 25, 2020, Boise, Idaho. Meet with agents, editors, and authors. Panel discussions, workshops, and a keynote speaker. Your registration - $195 for IWG members, $225 for non-members. Canceled. Rescheduled for May 21 - 22, 2020.

Poetry at Round Top Festival. April 24 - 26, 2020. Round Top, Texas. he faculty includes Mark Doty, Allison Joseph, Alicia Ostriker, ire’ne lara silva, Mary Szybist, Edward Vidaurre, and Jenny Xie. The cost of the conference is $150 ($50 for students) or $75 for Saturday only. Workshops are an additional $40. Private manuscript consultations are available for an additional $70. Canceled. Rescheduled for April 16 - 18, 2021.

Monadnock Pastoral Poetry Retreat. Apr 24 - 26, 2020. Greenfield, NH.  Includes workshops, individual conferences, participant & mentor readings; hiking & kayaking (weather permitting). Each workshop uses dual mentors.

The Spring Writers' Conference. April 25, 2020: 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.

Northeast Texas Writers Organization. April 25, 2020, Jefferson, TX. One-day bootcamp.

Michigan Writers Conference, April 25, 2020, Detroit, MI. This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Detroit Livonia Novi. 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.

Writing in the Pines. April 25, 2020, Stockton University, Galloway, NJ. Choose from workshops in memoir, poetry and revision. Each workshop will meet for 6 hours and will offer craft discussion, writing prompts, writing time, sharing and inspiration.

Chicago-North RWA's Spring Fling. April 30 - May 2, 2020, 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. Canceled.

Northern Colorado Writers Conference. April 30 -  May 2, 2020, Fort Collins, CO. Workshops, seminars, speakers, entertainment, agent roundtables, pitch sessions, networking with authors and industry professionals.

4 UK Agents seeking Nonfiction, Thrillers, Memoir, Literary Fiction and more

Updated 12/11/25

Here are four UK literary agents seeking writers. All are from established agencies with good track records. Alice Saunders is actively looking for new talent in crime, thrillers, epic family sagas; book club literary fiction, and memoir. Stephanie Glencross is looking for commercial and upmarket fiction, including accessible literary fiction/ contemporary fiction, crime & thrillers, psychological suspense and legal thrillers/court-room dramas. Toby Mundy is looking for gripping narrative non-fiction, and well written, mind-expanding works in the areas of history, biography, memoir, current affairs, sport, popular culture and popular science. He also represents a small number of thriller writers and literary novelists. Carrie Plitt is actively building a list of authors writing non-fiction and fiction, with a focus on debuts.

Always check the agency website and agent bio before submitting. Agents can switch agencies or close their lists, and submission requirements can change.

You can find a full list of agents actively seeking new clients here: Agents Seeking Clients

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Ms. Alice Saunders of The Soho Agency

Alice loves storytelling, in all its forms. Whether it’s fiction or narrative non-fiction. Alice is active in all types of representation - literary, audio, live audiences, film and television.

What she is seeking: She is actively looking for new talent in crime, thrillers, epic family sagas; book club literary fiction, memoir – in fact everything apart from science fiction and fantasy. Asides from tight narratives and compulsive characters, she’d love to see writing with bundles of humor, heart and unusual takes on the everyday.

How to submit: Send your query to: sohoagencysubmissions@gmail.com and attach the first three chapters or first thirty pages of your manuscript, in word format, along with a synopsis. (Address your query to Ms. Saunders.)

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Mr. Toby Mundy of Aevitas Creative Management

Before becoming a literary agent, Toby founded Atlantic Books Limited, where he served as chief executive and publisher from 2000 to 2014, publishing a significant number of number of bestsellers and prize-winning titles. He won ‘Editor of the Year’ and Atlantic Books also won ‘Imprint of the Year’ (2005, 2008) and ‘Independent Publisher of the Year’ (2008) at the British Book Awards.

What he is seeking: He is looking for gripping narrative non-fiction, and well written, mind-expanding works in the areas of history, biography, memoir, current affairs, sport, popular culture and popular science.

How to submit: Follow instructions on the agency website HERE.

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Ms. Stephanie Glencross of David Higham Associates Ltd

Stephanie Glencross joined David Higham Associates in January 2018, having previously been the Editor at Gregory & Company.  Before joining Gregory & Company Stephanie was at the BBC for a number of years, first in the Radio Drama department then in the Story Department of EastEnders. During that time Stephanie learned an enormous amount about the power of characterization and cliffhangers. Stephanie has been a judge on the CWA Debut Dagger Award for three years and continues to have a love affair with crime fiction that started with Nancy Drew and was nurtured by Sara Paretsky.

What she is seeking: I would love to find a crime/ thriller/ dark commercial or book club fiction novel with a powerful love story within. I would also love to be taken into a setting or environment that’s a little unfamiliar in the genre, such as Dubai. I am intrigued by crime/ thriller that has a supernatural element, but would ideally be surprised by the take on that supernatural element. I am also interested in crime/ thriller that leans into a nostalgia vibe in some way (for example a grown up, messed up Nancy Drew). I am also searching for something really clever – something escapist but layered and surprising.

How to submit: If you would like to submit your work to Stephanie, please email stephanieglencross@davidhigham.co.uk. You should include a covering letter in the body of your email and attach a synopsis and the first three chapters (in Word, double-spaced and with page numbers) of your book. Please put your name and the title of your manuscript in the subject line of your email.

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Ms. Carrie Plitt of Felicity Bryan Literary Agency

What she is seeking: In non-fiction, I love to represent expert authors who are passionate about their subject, who have something new to say, and who can convey their argument in a clear and invigorating manner. I have a particular interest in books about the issues our society faces today, narrative non-fiction, investigative journalism, popular science, popular psychology, big ideas, nature writing, history and travel. I also love book-length essays or cohesive essay collections, and memoirs that explore wider themes like freedom or education.

In fiction, the books I represent range from the very literary to those you might read in a book club. Besides excellent writing, I am often drawn to emotionally complex novels; coming of age stories; sprawling narratives about love, friendship or families; and stories that capture the zeitgeist in some way – even when they are set in the past. I love a good short story collection, especially if the stories are linked together.

How to submit: Read guidelines HERE. This agency prefers writers in the UK and Ireland.