Ready to connect with literary agents, editors and other writers at a writers conference?
If you’re tired of learning about interesting opportunities just a little too late, bookmark this list of annual writers conferences for future planning, so you can join in on the mingling, learning and inspiration in years to come!
General interest
1. Writer’s Digest Conference
When: Annually in August
Where: New York City
The Writer’s Digest editors bring you this annual conference with resources for craft, career and creative inspiration. More than 50 agents and editors participate in the infamous Pitch Slam, and dozens of industry experts lead educational sessions.
2. San Francisco Writers Conference
When: Annually in February
Where: San Francisco, CA
Held annually in February, this conference is a “celebration of craft, commerce and community.” Connect with industry experts, bestselling authors, agents, editors and leaders in both self-publishing and traditional publishing.
3. San Francisco Writing for Change Conference
When: Annually in September
Where: San Francisco, CA
This annual one-day conference asks nonfiction writers, “Can your book change the world?” The conference brings together writers and industry experts to teach nonfiction writers about writing, publishing, marketing and technology.
4. Northern Colorado Writers Conference
When: Annually in May
Where: Fort Collins, CO
The Northern Colorado Writers group provides support and encouragement to writers of all genres and levels through this annual conference, as well as through monthly meetings, classes and other networking and social events.
The event typically has just 130 to 150 attendees, so you’ll get a more intimate experience.
5. Association of Writers and Writing Programs
When: Annually in Spring
Where: Various North American cities
Each year, the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) hosts the Annual Conference & Bookfair in a different city. The event celebrates authors, teachers, students, writing programs, literary centers and publishers in the region hosting the conference. With more than 12 thousand writers and readers attending each year, AWP is the largest literary conference in North America.
6. Las Vegas Writers Conference
When: Annually in spring
Where: Las Vegas, NV
Henderson Writers Group hosts this annual conference for writers.
The organization also hosts 150 meetings a year in Las Vegas. They’re open to the public, and members can read their writing for critique by attendees.
7. Midwest Writers Workshop Super Mini-conference
When: Annually in July
Where: Muncie, IN
This day-and-half conference is a more affordable option for writers at all levels.
The Midwest Writers Workshop gives writers the opportunity improve their craft, mingle with industry experts and successful writers, and network and socialize with peers and colleagues.
8. Writing Day Workshops
When and Where: Year-round throughout the U.S.
Each of these day-long workshops offers a crash course on how to get your book published, with classes and presentations on everything from writing queries to working with an agent to marketing your book.
9. Show Me Writers Masterclass Minis
When: Throughout the year
Where: Columbia, MO
Replacing the annual masterclass, Missouri Writers’ Guild and Mizzou Publishing present these workshops for writers of all genres. Past topics include character development, how to prioritize point of view and Pitching 101. Follow Show Me Writers Masterclass on Facebook for upcoming events.
10. Writer’s Winter Escape Cruise
When: Annually February-March
Where: Departs from Miami, FL for the Bahamas
Join this unique writers’ conference… at sea.
For five days, writers can enjoy the beauty of the Caribbean Sea while networking and learning about the publishing industry.
Genre fiction
11. Romance Writers of America Annual Conference
When: Annually in July
Where: Location varies
Romance writers gather at this annual genre conference to learn more about the business of being an author. Get an opportunity to meet and mingle with budding and successful romance authors, as well as workshops and events to boost your author career.
12. SleuthFest
When: Annually in February-March
Where: Boca Raton, Florida
SleuthFest is an annual conference for mystery, suspense and thriller writers sponsored by the Florida chapter of Mystery Writers of America.
This conference includes writing and marketing workshops, networking events, and pitch sessions with guest agents and editors. It even includes hands-on forensic workshops!
13. Worldcon and North American Science Fiction Convention
When: Annually
Where: Various locations around the world
The World Science Fiction Convention (“Worldcon”) is an annual gathering of the science fiction and fantasy community, held in a different location around the world each year. When Worldcon is held outside of North America, the corresponding NASFC is held in North America.
This five-day international conference is attended by thousands of writers, artists, fans, editors, publishers, academics and dealers. The event embraces science fiction in all the forms, including film, TV, art, comics, anime and manga, and gaming.
14. Killer Nashville
When: Annually in August
Where: Nashville, TN
While attractive to mystery/thriller authors and screenwriters for its unique crime-focused sessions, Killer Nashville welcomes writers of all levels and genres. Conference sessions fall under seven categories: general writing, genre-specific writing, publicity, and crime and detection.
“Imagine hearing a CIA Analyst, an FBI agent on terrorism, Dr Bill Bass on The Body Farm, bestselling CJ Box on how he juggles his writing and plans his days, Heyward Gould on screenplays, and so much more. They even had a crime scene, with awards to those those who studied the clues and figured out the mystery,” mystery author C. Hope Clark reflected on her 2012 Killer Nashville experience.
15. Thrillerfest
When: Annually in July
Where: New York City
“It is the only conference where I really feel at home — and [International Thriller Writers] is truly the tribe I belong to . . .says Joanna Penn (thriller author J.F. Penn) at The Creative Penn. “I can sit in the bar talking about ways to murder people and weapons of choice and not feel weird. I can learn from some of the biggest names in the business, whose hours of writing experience number in the many thousands.
“The education program is absolutely the best in the thriller business. I can fangirl like a geek with big name authors who are actually just a load of bookish geeks too. I can have a drink with people I have only previously worshipped from afar. I also feel absolutely accepted as an indie, with no judgement around my business choices . . . I love ITW and I absolutely loved Thrillerfest!”
Blogging
16. BlogHer
When: Annually in Summer
Where: Various U.S. cities
“During keynote speaker presentations some people will snicker under their breath, while others will find themselves crying. Which only goes to demonstrate the subjectivity of the entire business of blogging. You can’t appeal to everyone,” says Janie Emaus in her post Top 10 Things I Learned at Last Year’s BlogHer Conference.
17. We All Grow Summit
When: Annually in March
Where: Near Los Angeles, CA
We All Grow is a unique professional conference for Latinas working in the digital space. If you’re an online influencer or creative entrepreneur, this conference can help you network with others, learn strategies for personal and business growth, and connect with brands that want to reach your community.
18. World Domination Summit
When: Annually in July
Where: Portland, OR
Well-known in the blogosphere for delightful surprises like 2012’s $100 investment, WDS is a gathering of thousands of unconventional thinkers — bloggers, entrepreneurs, travelers and more.
Join sessions to learn how to live a good life, travel around the world or write your first book — whatever your “big dream” may be.
19. South by Southwest
When: Annually in March
Where: Austin, TX
South by Southwest has become the country’s premier event for the music, comedy, film and digital technology industries — basically, any creative person or fan! Bloggers should keep an eye on the details for SXSW Interactive, the festival’s “incubator for cutting-edge technologies and digital creativity.”
“What I love about SXSW — it always brings out my spontaneous side. I don’t make any plans until five minutes beforehand, and I love it,” says Jenny Blake in a post on Life After College, The Number One Tip for SXSW Newbie.
Freelancing
20. American Society of Journalists and Authors Annual Conference
When: Annually in Spring
Where: New York City, plus occasional one-day events throughout the year in other U.S. cities
More than 150 speakers and 650 attendees join this annual event for “insights and inspiration for emerging and established nonfiction writers” Speakers and events cover writing business topics like storytelling, custom content, self-publishing and negotiating.
21. Society for Professional Journalists Spring Conference Series
When: Annually in Spring
Where: Various U.S. cities
These day-long professional development meetings take place across 12 regions throughout the U.S. They draw pros, students and educators for networking and training in topics ranging from writing skills to using new technologies.
22. Society of American Business Editors and Writers
When: Annually in Fall and Spring
Where: Fall in New York City, Spring in Various U.S. cities
Learn about new media for journalists, writing for various industries, managing your freelancing business, and more in this two-day conference for journalists and business writers and editors.
Children’s book writing and illustrating
23. SCBWI Annual Conferences
When: Various dates
Where: Various locations
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators hosts a slew of regional conferences around the world throughout the year, including the Annual Summer Conference in Los Angeles each August, and the Annual Winter Conference in New York each February.
24. WriteOnCon
When: Annually in February
Where: Online, WriteOnCon.org
WriteOnCon is an online-only writers’ conference for children’s writers. You can access keynote events and critique forums for free and the rest of the conference content for a fee starting at $5. You’ll also have an opportunity to buy critiques from industry professionals. Publisher’s Weekly describes the features of this unique virtual conference experience:
“Without incurring travel expenses, lining up childcare and battling crowds, more than 11,000 aspiring children’s and young adult authors attended WriteOnCon, a free online writing conference . . . From the comfort of home, they were able to log onto the conference’s Web site and view blogs, vlogs, panel discussions, workshops and live streaming presented by literary agents, editors and published authors.”
Christian writing
25. Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference
When: Annually in May
Where: near Asheville, NC
Held annually at LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center nestled in the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina, The Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference is the premier training and networking event for both seasoned and aspiring writers and speakers.
International (Outside of U.S.)
26. The London Book Fair
When: Annually in Spring
Where: London, UK
In its own words: “The London Book Fair is the global marketplace for rights negotiation and the sale and distribution of content across print, audio, TV, film and digital channels.”
LBF brings together authors, publishers and readers in the cultural hub of London to explore and understand the rapidly-changing publishing world.
27. Surrey International Writers’ Conference
When: Annually in October
Where: Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
The Surrey International Writers’ Conference is the “most comprehensive professional development conference of its kind in Canada.” Open to writers of all levels and genres, the conference offers an opportunity to show off your work to the international literary marketplace as well as to hone your craft and business skills.
28. The Vancouver International Writers & Readers Festival
When: Annually in October
Where: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
In the cultural heart of Vancouver, B.C., on Granville Island, this festival invites authors, poets, spoken word performers and graphic novelists to celebrate the art of the story. It takes place for six days each October and continues throughout the year through the Incite reading series.
In its own words: “Our mission is to bring readers and writers together to reimagine our lives and our world.”
Indie publishing and self-publishing
29. Self Publishing Advice Conference (SPACON)
When: Annually in spring and fall
Where: Online
This online conference for authors interested in self-publishing runs fringe to the London Book Fair and Digital Book World.
The conference is free and runs 24 sessions — one an hour for 24 hours. You can register to learn how to attend the next conference, and you can attend sessions live or catch up on your own time.
30. Indie Bookfest
When: Annually in fall
Where: Orlando, FL
This four-day event includes workshops, panels and social events for indie, hybrid and traditionally-published authors. It features sessions on craft and marketing, as well as events that let you mingle with readers and fellow authors.
This post originally ran in September 2014. We updated it in August 2018 so it’s more useful and relevant for our readers!
Have you been to any of these writers conferences? Or did we miss your favorite event? Share your advice in the comments!
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