Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall, city or country, national or international, find the writing conference you desire. Our selective, searchable list of conferences features many of our published authors.

Algonkian Writer Retreat and Novel Workshop

MARCH 26—30, 2025

ALGONKIAN PARK, VA

Our ultimate goal is to realistically increase your odds of becoming a published author by showing you how to inhabit that upper percentile of writers who will have their work taken seriously by professionals in the business.

Faculty: Carol Mitchell, Michael Neff, Christine Stewart, Art Taylor, Richard Washer, Emily Williamson

Genres Offered: Fiction

Contact: @email

Angelo State University Writers’ Conference

MARCH 6—7, 2025

SAN ANGELO, TX

The ASU Writers Conference brings award-winning authors from all genres to campus to share their works and their creativity with the ASU community and the public. Featured speakers have included renowned authors, such as Manuel Muñoz, Brandon Hobson, Naomi Shihab Nye, Craig Johnson, Leslie Marmon Silko, Art Spiegelman and Tim O’Brien.

Faculty: Jenny Browne

Genres Offered: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry

Contact: @email

Association of Writers & Writing Programs

MARCH 26—29, 2025

LOS ANGELES, CA (ONLINE & IN PERSON)

The AWP Conference & Bookfair is an essential annual destination for writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers. Each year more than 12,000 attendees join our community for four days of insightful dialogue, networking, and unrivaled access to the organizations and opinion makers that matter most in contemporary literature.

Faculty: Roxane Gay

Genres Offered: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry

Contact: @email

Bay Area Book Festival

MAY 31—JUNE 1, 2025

BERKELEY, CA (IN PERSON & ONLINE)

The Bay Area Book Festival is a two-day event complete with literary sessions presenting top authors from this region, the nation, and the world, along with an outdoor fair with hundreds of literary exhibitors. The Festival kicked off in 2015 with the mission to create a free, inclusive, world-class literary event in the Bay Area. Since then, the Festival has welcomed more than 800 authors and is approaching 100,000 attendees.

Faculty: Judith Butler, MK Chavez, micha cárdenas, Tara Dorabji, Kinsale Drake, Rosa Kwon Easton, Huda Fahmy, Garrett Felber, Roxane Gay, Carolina Ixta, David Jay, Tomas Moniz, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Clare Osongco, john a powell, Greg Sarris, Kim Shuck, Gene Luen Yang

Genres Offered: Fiction, Poetry, Science Fiction, Memoir, History, Philosophy

Contact: @email

Book Passage Mystery Writers’ Conference

JULY 18—AUGUST 20, 2025
CORTE MADERA, CA

The four-day Book Passage Mystery Writers’ Conference has a strong tradition of great authors and teachers. It covers everything mystery writers need—from developing ideas and writing skills to finding a publisher.

Faculty: Cara Black, Rhys Bowen, Susan Breall, Tony Broadbent, Elvis Chan, Joe Clifford, Michael Connelly, Brian Copeland, Samantha Downing, George Fong, Rachel Howzell Hall, Naomi Hirarhara, Laurie R. King, Jon Lindstrom, Tim Maleeny, Kelli Stanley

Genres Offered: Fiction, Mystery

Contact: @email.

Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference

AUGUST 13—23, 2025
RIPTON, VT

Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, founded in 1926 and boasting a rich literary and intellectual tradition, gathers together emerging writers to work closely with a diverse and talented faculty. For ten days in August, conference attendees experience the intensity—and challenge—of working under the guidance of notable writers.

Faculty: Laura van den Berg, Christopher Castellani, Camille T. Dungy, Stacey D’Erasmo, Danielle Evans, Elisa Gabbert, Amina Gautier, Ishion Hutchinson, Mat Johnson, Victor LaValle, Claire Messud, Marie Mutsuki Mockett, Valzhyna Mort, Tomás Q. Morín, V. Penelope Pelizzon, Carl Phillips, Paisley Rekdal, Carter Sickels, Paul Yoon

Genres Offered: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry

Contact: @email

Virtual Breakout Novel Intensive

MARCH 18—APRIL 22, 2025, NOVEMBER 11—DECEMBER 16, 2025

ONLINE

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. While writers at all level of craft are welcome, we assume a basic understanding of fiction craft.

Faculty: Donald Maas, Lorin Oberweger, Veronica Rossi, Brenda Windberg

Genres Offered: Fiction

Contact: Lorin Oberweger @email

The Colrain Classic

MAY 16—19, 2025

ONLINE

A select group of poets will bring their completed or in-progress manuscripts to the The Arlington Inn in Arlington, Vermont, a village estate built in 1847 that was later turned into a summer hotel. In this beautiful setting, poets will work closely with conference faculty.

Faculty: Joan Houlihan, Jeff Shotts

Genres Offered: Poetry

Contact: Joan Houlihan @email

Community of Writers

JUNE 21—27, 2025, JULY 7—14, 2025

OLYMPIC VALLEY, CA

These workshops assist serious writers by exploring the art and craft as well as the business of writing. The week offers daily morning workshops, craft lectures, panel discussions on editing and publishing, staff readings, and brief individual conferences. In addition to their workshop manuscripts, participants may have a second manuscript read by a staff member who meets with them in individual conferences.

Faculty: Lisa Alvarez, Thomas Barbash, Lou Berney, Venita Blackburn, Anthony Cody, Frances Dinkelspiel, Brian Eule, Rickey Fayne, Jamie Ford, Samuel Freedman, Forrest Gander, Charlie Haas, Sands Hall, Katy Hays, Brenda Hillman, Vanessa Hua, Rhoda Huffey, Louis B. Jones, Michelle Latiolais, Jane Miller, Maceo Montoya, Wayétu Moore, Sameer Pandya, Gregory Pardlo, Kirstin Valdez Quade, Robin Romm, Evie Shockley, Julia Flynn Siler, Gregory Spatz, Amy Tan, Amy Waldman, Bernice Yeung

Genres Offered: Fiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Poetry

Contact: https://communityofwriters.org/contact/

Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference

OCTOBER 9—11, 2025

TEMPE, AZ

Featuring over 25 award-winning writers, editors, agents, educators, and other internationally recognized creative writing professionals, our faculty are here to do more than expand your skill set or open new ways of thinking about your work. They're here to share their experiences, answer questions, and spend time connecting with conference attendees.

Faculty: Sally Ball, Matt Bell, Sherwin Bitsui, Ingrid Rojas Contreras, Vanessa Hua, Alberto Álvaro Ríos, Solmaz Sharif

Genres Offered: Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction

Contact: @email

Eckerd College Writers’ Conference:
Writers in Paradise

JANUARY 18—25, 2025

ST. PETERSBURG, FL

Located on the beautiful waterfront campus of Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, this writers’ conference features professional writers at the top of their form spending quality time with motivated and talented participants seeking an intimate, unhurried climate for learning . . . in paradise.

Faculty: Emily Bernard, Ann Hood, Laura Lippman, Ana Menéndez, Gloria Muñoz, Thisbe Nissen, Dzvinia Orlowsky, Ann Patchett, Richard Russo, David Yoo

Genres Offered: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction

Contact: Marina Pruna @email

Flathead River Writers’ Conference

OCTOBER 3—5, 2025

KALISPELL, MT

The Annual Flathead River Writers’ Conference is a nationally acclaimed two-day event giving members and guests the opportunity to learn from and mingle with published authors, agents, editors, and publishers from all over the country.

Faculty (previous): Leslie Budewitz, Maggie Doherty, Kathy Dunnehoff, Debra Magpie Earling, Keir Graff, Carl Stevens, Danica Winters

Genres Offered: Fiction, Nonfiction, Screenwriting

Contact: http://www.authorsoftheflathead.org

Haiku North America

SEPTEMBER 24—28, 2025

CINCINNATI, OH

Haiku North America (HNA) is a biennial conference in celebration of haiku poetry. Every two years we offer five stimulating days of papers, panels, workshops, readings, performances, book sales, cultural outings, and much socialization with fellow poets, translators, scholars, editors, and publishers. Everyone is welcome to attend HNA, the largest and oldest gathering of haiku poets in the United States and Canada.

Faculty (previous): Garry Gay, Deborah P. Kolodji, Paul Miller, Michael Dylan Welch

Genres Offered: Poetry

Contact: http://www.haikunorthamerica.com/contact-us.html

Iceland Writers Retreat

APRIL 23—27, 2025

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND

Join us for a series of workshops and panels led by an esteemed team of international writers. Between intimate workshops and lectures, we’ll offer the chance to tour the spectacular Golden Circle, sit in the cozy cafés of Reykjavík, soak in geothermal hot springs, listen to new Icelandic music, meet contemporary Icelandic writers, and learn about the country’s rich literary tradition.

Faculty: Jann Arden, Kevin Chong, Yrsa Daley-Ward, Thordis Elva, Pedro Gunnlaugur Garcia, Rick Jervis, Meng Jin, Jonas Hassen Khemiri, Helen Macdonald, Danny Ramadan, Curtis Sittenfeld

Genres Offered: Fiction, Nonfiction

Contact: @email

Jackson Hole Writers Conference

OCTOBER 23—25, 2025

JACKSON HOLE, WY

Jackson Hole Writers Conference’s intimate size means writers meet each other and the faculty, share ideas along with a glass of beer or wine, and make new contacts in a workshop.

Faculty: Elana K. Arnold, Jericho Brown, Matt Daly, Kevin Grange, Mark Hummel, Maria Kelson, Mira Landry, Susan Marsh, Nathaniel Teal Minton, Téa Obreht, Matteo Pistono, Parini Schroff, Dan Sheehan, Katherine Standefer, Nanci Turner Steveson, Nikki Terpilowski, Maw Shein Win, Shana Youngdahl

Genres Offered: Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction, Childrens's Literature

Contact: Anne Marie Wells @email

James River Writers Annual Conference

OCTOBER 3—5, 2025

RICHMOND, VA

Since 2003, the James River Writers Conference has attracted award-winning authors and highly regarded editors and agents from around the country to share their wisdom about the craft and business of writing and publishing.

Faculty (previous): Nancy Agabian, Kristi Tuck Austin, Catherine Baab-Muguira, Craig Belcher, Bill Blume, Lyn Liao Butler, John Copenhaver, Joan B. Davis, Camille DeAngelis, Wendy DeGroat, Ana Edwards, Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Genres Offered: Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction

Contact: https://jamesriverwriters.org/contact/

Kauai Writers Conference

NOVEMBER 10—16, 2025

LIHUE, HI

The Kauai Writers Conference offers keynote talks by distinguished authors, one-on-one workshops led by literary agents, editors, and other publishing experts, and intensive master classes to inspire writers of fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, screenplays, and poetry, and help all conference participants find their path to publication.

Faculty: Janelle Brown, Lyn Liao Butler, Patti Callahan, Jeanine Cummins, Ali Hazelwood, Sadeqa Johnson, Christina Bake Kline, Jean Kwok, Ariel Lawhon, Laura Lentz, Rebecca Makkai, Paula McLain, Joshua Mohr, Liz Moore, Priya Parmar, Steven Rowley, John Searles, Tim Seibles, Curtis Sittenfeld, Danielle Trussoni, Meg Wolitzer

Genres Offered: Fiction, Nonfiction, Memoir, Screenwriting, Poetry

Contact: @email

Key West Literary Seminar
and Writers’ Workshop Program

JANUARY 8—11, 2026

KEY WEST, FL

Each year, the Key West Literary Seminar explores a particular literary theme. In 2020, for the first time, we’ll look at writing about sports. For “Reading Between the Lines: Sports and Literature,” we focus on literature that gets at the heart of why sports matter so much to so many, and explores the roles sports play in momentous social issues, personal transformation, and cultural change.

Faculty: Forrest Gander, Rachel Kushner, Claire Messud, Richard Russo, Gary Shteyngart, James Wood

Genres Offered: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Playwriting, Screenwriting

Contact: https://www.kwls.org/contact/

Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference

AUGUST 21—24, 2025

NASHVILLE, TN

At the conference, we try diligently to ensure that the weekend has something for every writer and lover of literature, and our sessions are structured to assist writers on multiple career levels. Our learning tracks tackle the craft of writing, business of writing, marketing, and forensics.

Faculty previous: Alicia Brooks, John DeDakis, Kemper Donovan, Tara Gelsomino, Ronald Gerber, Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong, Dean Krystek, Amber Meyer, James Mustelier, Sara Paretsky, Caitlin Rother, Clay Stafford, Helen Thornton-Gussy

Genres Offered: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, Live Storytelling

Contact: https://www.killernashville.com/contact-us

Las Vegas Writers’ Conference

APRIL 3—5, 2025

LAS VEGAS, NV (ONLINE & IN PERSON)

Throughout the weekend, you will be able to meet and socialize with our faculty, pitch to agents and publishers, and learn from experts in fields connected to writing and publishing.

Faculty: James Abbate, Meredith Bernstein, Sue Brown-Moore, Michael Carr, Lori Culwell, Laurie Dennison, Sam Hiyate, Michael Jamin, Tavia Kowalchuk, La Sheera Lee, Connie Mableson, Rhonda Penders, James Rollins, Amanda Skenandore, Latoya C. Smith-Wharton, Bruce Wawrzyniak, Jo A. Wilkins

Genres Offered: Fiction, Nonfiction

Contact: @email

Liberty States Fiction Writers’ Conference

APRIL 5, 2025

CLARK, NJ

A multigenre organization, the Liberty States Fiction Writers is dedicated to the education and support of all fiction writers. We provide workshops, networking events, and promotional opportunities to aid both published and yet-to-be published writers.

Faculty: Samantha Ann, Jo Ann Brown, M. Flagg, Rona Gofstein, Christine Gunderson, Jeannie Moon, Barbara Newhart, Caridad Pineiro, Blue Saffire, Paula Chaffee Scardamalia, Stacey Wilk

Genres Offered: Fiction

Contact: https://www.libertystatesfictionwriters.com/contact/

Listowel Writers’ Week

MAY 28—JUNE 1, 2025

LISTOWEL, IRELAND

Listowel Writers’ Week is an internationally acclaimed literary festival devoted to bringing together writers and audiences at unique and innovative events in the historic and intimate surroundings of Listowel County Kerry.

Faculty (previous): Joanna Briscoe, June Caldwell, Elizabeth Day, Eilís Ní Dhuibhne, Tishani Doshi, Carol Drinkwater, Neil Hegarty, Liz Nugent, Lemn Sissay, Richard Skinner, Kit De Waal, Sarah Webb

Genres Offered: Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction

Contact: @email

Longleaf Writers Conference

MAY 10—17, 2025

SEASIDE, FL

The Longleaf Writers Conference is an annual gathering of creative writers from all over the nation, featuring award-winning writers in poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction, who will offer a full week of intensive writing workshops, one-day seminars, school outreach programs, and social events.

Faculty: Matt Bondurant, Andre Dubus III, Kayla Lightner, Charlotte Pence, Khadijah Queen, Sheila Sundar, Mark Sundeen, Seth Brady Tucker, Brian Turner, Latoya Watkins

Genres Offered: Fiction, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction, Flash Fiction/Poetry

Contact: @email

Napa Valley Writers’ Conference

JUNE 20—JULY 25, 2025

NAPA, CA

Since 1981, the Napa Valley Writers’ Conference has provided literary fellowship and a craft-focused experience among the foothills and vineyards that have made this region famous.

Faculty: Victoria Chang, Lan Samantha Chang, Caroline Goodwin, Robert Hass, Brenda Hillman, Major Jackson, Mitchell S. Jackson, Didi Jackson, Margot Livesey, Sarah Thankam Mathews, ZZ Packer, Brian Teare

Genres Offered: Fiction, Poetry, Translation

Contact: @email

Nebraska Writers Guild Annual Conference

APRIL 24—26, 2025

OMAHA, NE

Nebraska Writers Guild’s Annual Conference includes a writing retreat, breakout classes, socializing with fellow writerws, and a Saturday keynote.

Faculty: Allen Arnold

Genres Offered: Fiction, Nonfiction

Contact: Wayne Anson: @email Brook Brouillette: @email

New York Pitch Conference

JUNE 26—29, 2025

NEW YORK, NY (IN PERSON & ONLINE)

The New York Pitch Conference and writers’ workshop is held four times a year and features publishing house editors from major houses such as Penguin, Random House, St. Martins, HarperCollins, Tor and Del Rey, Kensington Books, and many more that are looking for new novels in a variety of genres, as well as narrative nonfiction.

Faculty: Vanessa Aguirre, Ken Atchity, Mary Baker, Susan Breen, Jackie Cantor, Adam Chromy, Jane Cleland, Tom Colgan, Amy Collins, Marisa Corvisiero, Gemma Creffield, Renee Fountain, Sareer Khader, Marilyn Kretzer, Ezra Kupor, Patrick LoBrutto, Anna Michels, Paula Munier, Michael Neff, Hannah O'Grady, April Osborn, Gabbie Pachon, Hadley Ramsay, Matt Rusin, Katharine Sands

Genres Offered: Fiction, Upmarket, Crime, Chick Lit, Nonfiction, Young Adult

Contact: @email

Nonfiction Writers Conference

MAY 7—9, 2025

ONLINE

Since our inception in 2010, our goal has always been to take the traditional writers’ conference experience and deliver it online. And year after year, we have a high percentage of repeat attendees—many who weren’t initially sure they’d like the online format but ultimately discovered that they appreciated the convenience of attending from home and on their own terms, without the time and expense involved in traveling.

Faculty: Roxane Gay

Genres Offered: Nonfiction

Contact: @email

Ottowa International Writers Festival

MAY 1—4, 2025, MAY 14—16, 2025, OCTOBER 22—26, 2025

OTTOWA, CANADA

The imagination is our most valuable renewable resource. So twice a year we convene an international celebration of ideas to recharge our imaginations. From politics to poetry, science to music, history to thrillers, we celebrate the full diversity of the word and the gifted writers who guide us in our exploration of the world.

Faculty: Omar El Akkad, Mark Bourrie, Ronald J. Deibert, Clémence Dumas-Côté, Farah Ghafoor, Scaachi Koul, Ben Ladouceur, Ann-Marie MacDonald, A. F. Moritz, Karen Solie

Genres Offered: Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction

Contact: @email

Ozark Creative Writers Conference

OCTOBER 9—11, 2025

EUREKA SPRINGS, AR

Workshops by published authors, editors, and agents; Publishers Row, independent publishers available to hear about your next project; writing contests available to all participants; something for everyone from the widely published professional to the aspiring writer!

Faculty: R.H. Burkett, R. J. Carter, Renee George, Terry Zahniser McDermid, Jan Morrill, Duke Pennell, Tim Ritter, Margarite Stever

Genres Offered: Fiction, Nonfiction

Contact: @email

Pacific University Residency Writers Conference

JANUARY 5—15, 2025, JUNE 15—25, 2025

SEASIDE AND FOREST GROVE, OR

Writers seeking to deepen their craft and expand their professional community are invited to attend the Residency Writers Conference, together with MFA students, faculty, and guest speakers. Join us for ten full days of craft talks, workshops, panels, classes, readings, and more featuring some of the best minds of the literary world. This residency is a rare opportunity to engage in sustained and meaningful conversation with others who share your passion for the art of writing.

Faculty: Chris Abani, Ellen Bass, Sanjiv Bhattacharya, Eduardo C. Corral, Claire Davis, Kwame Dawes, Claire Dederer, Jack Driscoll, Vievee Francis, Pete Fromm, Pete Fromm, Frank X. Gaspar, Molly Gloss, Debra Gwartney, Laura Hendrie, Tyehimba Jess, Cate Kennedy, E. J. Koh, Scott Korb, Stephen Kuusisto, Valerie Laken, Danusha Laméris, Dorianne Laux, David Long, David Long, Mike Magnuson, Shara McCallum, John McNally, Joseph Millar, Mahtem Shiferraw, Mary Helen Stefaniak, Meera Subramanian, Willy Vlautin, Kellie Wells, De’Shawn Charles Winslow

Genres Offered: Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction

Contact: @email

Pikes Peak Writers Conference

MAY 2—4, 2025

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

Pikes Peak Writers are people who write. Join us to improve your craft, learn about the business of writing, connect with other writers, share successes and failures, and grow as a writer.

Faculty: Alexandra Diaz, Ricardo Fayet, Avery Flynn, John Gilstrap, David Slayton

Genres Offered: Fiction, Nonfiction

Contact: @email

Poetry and Prose Getaway

JANUARY 16—19, 2026

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ

A participant-focused writers’ conference. Advance your craft and energize your writing at the 32nd annual Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway. Join us January 16-19, 2026 at the historic Seaview Hotel near Atlantic City. Enjoy challenging and supportive workshops, insightful feedback and an encouraging community. Choose from workshops in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, memoir, songwriting and more.

Faculty (Previous): Cynthia Arrieu-King, Cynthia Arrieu-King, Marina Budhos, Roberta Clipper, John Cotter, R.G. Evans, Roberto Carlos Garcia, Lois Marie Harrod, Anndee Hochman, Mike Ingram, Shawn R. Jones, Jade Jones, Davon Loeb, Peter E. Murphy, Nancy Reddy, Christine E. Salvatore, J. C. Todd

Genres Offered: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Playwriting, Screenwriting, Children's Literature

Contact: @email

Poets on the Coast

SEPTEMBER 5—7, 2025

LA CONNER, WA

This retreat has been designed for women writers of all levels, from beginning poets to well published ones. Sessions on creativity, generating work, publication, a master class workshop, and one-on-one mentoring are included, as well as morning yoga.  

Faculty: Elizabeth Bradfield, Susan Landgraf, Susan Rich

Genres Offered: Poetry

Contact: Susan Rich and Kelli Russell Agodon @email

The Power of Narrative Conference

MARCH 28—29, 2025

BOSTON, MA

The Power of Narrative Conference has convened in several places under several names since its founding at Boston University in 1998. Our mission remains constant as storytelling journalism goes digital: helping narrative journalists to strengthen their craft skills, puzzle out the complex ethics of intimate journalism, and impart the down-to-earth humanity that is the genre’s strength.

Faculty: Dugan Arnett, Julia Barton, Hannah Beech, Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins, Connie Chung, Ariel Curry, Mike DeSocio, Max Esposito, Meghann Garcia, Adrienne Greene, Rachel Kolb, Andrew Leland, Craig LeMoult, Melissa Ludtke, Pete Luna, Brendan McCarthy, Naseem Miller, Liz Morrow, Kristin Nelson, Brendan O'Meara, Susan Orlean, Ben Reininga, Dionicia V. Roberson, Darcel Rockett, Connie Schultz, Joel Simon, Diamond Naga Siu, Amory Sivertson, Line Vaaben, Dan Zak

Genres Offered: Journalism, Nonfiction

Contact: Sarah Kess @email

San Miguel Writers’ Conference

FEBRUARY 11—15, 2026

SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, MEXICO (IN PERSON & ONLINE)

As the largest and most prestigious cocultural, bilingual literary gathering in the Americas, each February the San Miguel Writers’ Conference & Literary Festival attracts distinguished authors, established and emerging writers, industry experts, teaching professionals, and avid readers from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.

Faculty (Previous): Kaveh Akbar, Jennifer Clement, Percival Everett, Amy Gottlieb, Jorge F. Hernández, John Irving, Deepa Rajagopalan, Ruth Reichl, John Vaillant

Genres Offered: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, Live Storytelling

Contact: www.sanmiguelwritersconference.org/contact/

Sewanee Writers' Conference

JULY 15—27, 2025

SEWANEE, TN

Workshop sessions combine lectures and informal exchanges in a group meeting with the aim of encouraging members to discuss their work and the craft of writing. Each participant is assigned to a workshop led by two faculty members. Workshops meet five times, on alternating days, to form the core of the 12-day program.

Faculty (previous): Chris Bachelder, Eula Biss, Venita Blackburn, Cortney Lamar Charleston, Kirstin Chen, Cusi Cram, Jaquira Díaz, Adrian Einspanier, Tarfia Faizullah, Melissa Febos, Vanessa Hua, Lacy M. Johnson, Holly Goddard Jones, Donika Kelly, R.O. Kwon, Nate Marshall, Talene Monahon, Leigh Newman, Kirstin Valdez Quade, Akhil Sharma, A.E. Stallings, Luis Alberto Urrea, Jesús I. Valles, Felicia Zamora

Genres Offered: Fiction, Poetry, Playwriting

Contact: @email

Sirenland Writers Conference

MARCH 23—29, 2025
POSITANO, ITALY

Each day features intensive, small-group workshops with writers Dani Shapiro, Jess Walter, and Jim Shepard, private writing time, and talks about living the writer’s life. Evenings will include student and instructor readings, visits from guest writers, and fantastic meals overlooking the beauty of the Tirreno Sea.

Faculty: Rumaan Alam, Amy Bloom, Michael Maren, Dani Shapiro, Jim Shepard, Karen Shepard, Hannah Tinti

Genres Offered: Fiction, Memoir

Contact: http://sirenland.net/contact/

Southampton Writers’ Conference

JULY 9—13, 2025

SOUTHAMPTON, NY

Since 1976, writers have gathered every July in Southampton to take workshops with some of the country’s most distinguished authors of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. The Southampton Writers Conference, as it has long been known, began with just a few offerings but has gradually grown to include dozens of creative writing workshops and hundreds of participants.

Faculty: Melissa Bank, Billy Collins, Carmen Giménez, Chloé Cooper Jones, Matthew Klam, Kekla Magoon, Lincoln Michel, Lesléa Newman, Azareen Van Der Vliet Oloomi, Frederic Tuten

Genres Offered: Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction, Memoir, Generative, Children's Literature

Contact: @email

Southern California Writers’ Conference

FEBRUARY 14—16, 2025

SAN DIEGO, CA

Founded and run by professional writers, the SCWC provides veteran and emerging talent with authoritative guidance to help distinguish those manuscripts that are ready for market consideration, having facilitated some $4 million worth of first-time authors’ book and screen deals.

Faculty: Ann Bancroft, Gayle Carline, Matt Coyle, Dennis Crosby, Kristi Fox, Michael Steven Gregory, KC Grifant, Tway Huynh, Elle Jauffret, Henry Lien

Genres Offered: Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction

Contact: Michael Steven Gregory @email

Surrey International Writers’ Conference

OCTOBER 24—26, 2025
SURREY, CANADA

The Surrey International Writers’ Conference is a workshop-based conference with a focus on development of skills and industry-based knowledge. Whether you are a beginning writer or widely published, this is the place to hone your skills, learn more about markets, and network future sales. SiWC runs annually the third weekend in October, Friday through Sunday.

Faculty (previous): Cathy Ace, Carleigh Baker, Nicole Blades, Elizabeth Boyle, Jason Brick, Dani Collins, Eileen Cook, Delilah S Dawson, Sonali Dev, Piper J. Drake, kc dyer, Hallie Ephron, Debbi Michiko Florence, Lee Edward Födi, Diana Gabaldon, Kevin Hearne, C.C Humphreys, Crystal Hunt, Susanna Kearsley, Rukhsana Khan, Mary Robinette Kowal, Doretta Lau, Owen Laukkanen, John Mavin, Denise Mina, Liza Palmer, Anne Perry, Cat Rambo, Renée Saklikar, Michael Slade, Monique Gray Smith, Sam Wiebe, Ian Williams, Jan Wong

Genres Offered: Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction

Contact: @email

The International Dublin Writers’ Festival

SEPTEMBER 19—22, 2025

DUBLIN, IRELAND

This conference will help you to improve your writing craft, self-publish successfully, and plan the marketing necessary for any author to achieve success, whether traditionally published or self-published.

Faculty previous: Keith Carreiro, Liza Costello, Joanne Curran, Mark Granier, Gerald M Kilby, Laurence O’Bryan, Mary O’Kane, Geraldine Walsh, Cathleen Young

Genres Offered: Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction

Contact: @email

The Port Townsend Writers Conference

JULY 13—20, 2025

PORT TOWNSEND, WA

The Port Townsend Writers’ Conference has been since 1974 at the wild heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. With a focus on community and rigorous attention to craft, the conference offers morning workshops, afternoon workshops, residencies, guided freewrites, and a vibrant readings and lectures series presented by vital, contemporary writers.

Faculty: Alice Anderson, Bryce Andrews, Dawn Pichon Barron, Erica Bauermeister, Reginald Dwayne Betts, Ryler Dustin, Debra Magpie Earling, Bryan Fry, Tess Gallagher, Terrance Hayes, Tessa Hulls, Kathryn Hunt, Claudia Castro Luna, Valerie Miner, Nicole Persun, Anna Quinn, Peter Quinn, Robert Stubblefield, Elizabeth Thorpe

Genres Offered: Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction

Contact: Jordan Hartt @email

Tin House Summer & Winter Workshops

JULY 13—20, 2025, FEBRUARY 21—24, 2025
PORTLAND, OR (IN PERSON & ONLINE)

These weekend workshops combine the rugged beauty of the Oregon Coast with a weekend immersed in all things literary. The program consists of morning workshops with no more than six writers per class, one-on-one meetings with faculty, afternoon craft discussions, and/or generative exercises. Evenings are reserved for conversations by the fire and coastal revelry.

Faculty: Camille Acker, ‘Pemi Aguda, Omar El Akkad, Farah Ali, John Manuel Arias, Kristen Arnett, Olufunke Grace Bankole, KB Brookins, Chen Chen, Franny Choi, Nicole Chung, Ingrid Rojas Contreras, Lucy Corin, Mac Crane, Carla Crujido, Lilly Dancyger, Shira Erlichman, Kali Fajardo-Anstine, Sidik Fofana, Kim Fu, Edgar Gomez, Jean Chen Ho, Talia Lakshmi Kolluri, Nina LaCour, Julián Delgado Lopera, Isle McElroy, Angel Nafis, Diana Khoi Nguyen, Nadia Owusu, Deesha Philyaw, Jake Skeets, Danez Smith, Shruti Swamy, Natalia Sylvester, Lena Khalaf Tuffaha, Jeannie Vanasco, Vanessa Angélica Villarreal, Kawai Strong Washburn

Genres Offered: Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction

Contact: @email

Tinker Mountain Writers

JUNE 8—13, 2025

ROANOKE, VA

Since 2005, Tinker Mountain Writers has been nurturing and empowering a wide range of writers through workshops in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. We gather some of the best teachers of writing, who work alongside you to hone your craft and take your work to the next level.

Faculty: Rachel Beanland, Amanda Cockrell, Dorothy Hassan, Fred Leebron, Rebecca Lindenberg, James McKean, Dan Mueller, The Middle Place, Laura Ruby

Genres Offered: Fiction, Poetry, Memoir

Contact: @email

University of North Dakota Writers Conference

MARCH 19—21, 2025

GRAND FORKS, ND (IN PERSON & ONLINE)

Founded in 1970, the UND Writers Conference is free and open to the public. Past participants have included William H. Gass, Salman Rushdie, Truman Capote, Allen Ginsberg, William S. Burroughs, N. Scott Momaday, and many, many others.

Faculty: Kenzie Allen, Lillian-Yvonne Bertram, KT Duffy, Lisa Ko, Eugene Lim, Kristen Radtke

Genres Offered: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry

Contact: Crystal Alberts @email

The Vancouver Writers Fest

OCTOBER 20—26, 2025

VANCOUVER, CANADA

Our activities to achieve this include both year-round programming and our flagship, annual literary festival: one of the largest, and most prestigious, in North America, which brings tens of thousands of audience members to see events with local and international authors during one week in October.

Faculty (previous): Elif Batuman, Emma Donoghue, Adam Gopnik, Aleksandar Hemon, Deborah Landau, Lauren Markham, Chigozie Obioma

Genres Offered: Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction

Contact: Zoe Grams @email

Writer’s Digest Conference

JULY 24—27, 2025

NEW YORK, NY

The Writer’s Digest Annual Conference offers everything you need to advance creatively and professionally as a writer—no matter what stage of your career you are at. And it’s all brought to you by Writer’s Digest, the experts at nurturing and developing new writers for more than ninety years.

Faculty: Yasmin Angoe, E.A. Aymar, J.D. Barker, Jessica Berg, Ryan Van Cleave, Amy Collins, Rob Hart, Paula Rizzo

Genres Offered: Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction

Contact: @email

The Writer’s Hotel

JUNE 4—10, 2025

NEW YORK, NY

The Writer’s Hotel “Mini MFA” is a one-of-a-kind conference. The Writer’s Hotel editors read and consult on each writer’s full length manuscript pre-conference, followed by a week-long conference in June. Workshops, lectures, and agent pitch sessions take place at three hotels in Midtown, NYC.

Faculty: Elyssa East, Jeff Ford, Elizabeth Hand, James Patrick Kelly, Shanna McNair, Lewis Robinson, Debra Spark, Scott Wolven

Genres Offered: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry

Contact: @email

Conferences