July to December 2024 Writing Workshops

Whether a one day session, one week conference, or a month-long writing workshop, writing related events are a good way to commune with other writers. They are opportunities to network and get your name out there. In some instances, you can meet and mingle with editors and agents. Some offer critiques or pitching sessions. Nowhere will you find a higher concentration of introverts enjoying each other's company. Local conferences are a good place to meet potential critique groups or recruit members. Note that information for this list is accurate as to what was available in December 2023. Dates and formats may change. Some events continue to be virtual, which allows for a wider audience and lower costs. Others also offer online resources that were presented at conferences past.

Some are free. Some require a fee. Some are more social than others. Many are for new writers, but a few dig deep into craft. You should choose an event that speaks to your needs and desires.

Also keep in mind that some of these organizations offer year-round events, critique opportunities, groups to join, etc. You may find your tribe.

July 7 – 13, 2024 Kenyon Review Fiction Workshop, Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio offers online programs for adults and young writers. https://kenyonreview.org/writers/fiction/

July 8 – 15, 2024 Squaw Valley Writer's Conference, Olympic Valley, California. https://communityofwriters.org/workshops/writers-workshops

July 8 – 14, 2024 Fishtrap Summer Weekend, Wallowa Lake Lodge, Joseph. https://fishtrap.org/summer-fishtrap/

July 10 – 14. 2024 Southampton Writers Conference, Southampton, New York to be announced. https://www.stonybrook.edu/writers/

July 11 - 13, 2024 Midwest Writers Workshop, Muncie, Indiana, https://www.midwestwriters.org/

July 14 – 21, 2024 Tin House Summer Workshop, Portland, Oregon, https://tinhouse.com/workshop/summer-workshop-2/

July 16 – 28, 2024 Sewanee Writers’ Conference, University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee. http://www.sewaneewriters.org/

July 14 - 20, 2024 Port Townsend Writers Conference in Fort Worden State Park, Port Townsend, WA https://centrum.org/the-port-townsend-writers-conference/

July 16 – 18, 2024 Sewanee Writers Conference, Sewanee, Tennessee, http://www.sewaneewriters.org/conference/index.html

July 19 – 21, 2024 Book Passage Mystery Writer’s Conference at Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, CA 94925 https://www.bookpassage.com/mystery

July 19 – 20, 2024 Writing Heights Writers Conference Our conference sessions will take place both in-person and online. https://www.writingheights.com/page/conference

July 20 - 22, 2024 Sun Valley Writers Conference in Ketchum, Idaho. https://svwc.com/

July 31 – August 3, 2024 Romance Writers of America Conference in Austin, Texas https://www.rwa.org/

August 1 - 3, 2024 Mendocino Coast Writers Conference in Mendocino, Calfornia http://mcwc.org

August 16 0 18, 2024 When Worlds Collide Science Fiction and Fantasy Festival at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Calgary South,135 Southland Drive SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2J 5X5 https://www.whenwordscollide.org/

August 22 - 25, 2024 Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference Franklin, Tennessee, https://killernashville.com/

August 28 to September 1, 2024 Boucheron in Nashville, Tennessee https://www.bouchercon2024.com/

August 29 – September 2, 2024 Bear River Writers' Conference. Boyne City, Michigan. https://lsa.umich.edu/bearriver

September 4 – 7, 2024 GayRomLit Retreat Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront Hotel  Virginia https://www.gayromlit.com/ 

September 13 – 18, 2024 Creatures, Crimes, and Creativity Doubletree Hilton Hotel Columbia MD https://creaturescrimesandcreativity.com/

September 26 – 29, 2024 Sleuthfest at the Hilton Bayfront, St. Petersburg, Florida https://sleuthfest.com/

September 27 – 29, 2024 Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold Workshop will be held at the Hyatt -Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center. https://rmfw.org/

October 5 – 6, 2024 DFW Writers Conference (DFWCon), Dallas- Fort Worth Texas. Check site for registration dates. https://dfwcon.org/

October 24 – 26, 2024 Annual James River Writers Annual Conference. Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Virginia with a Master Class on the 23^rd. https://jamesriverwriters.org/

October 25 – 27, 2024 Surry International Writers Conference, Surry, British Columbia, Canada will be a virtual event. https://www.siwc.ca

November 11 – 17, 2024 Kauai Writers Conference Kauai There are also year-round online events. http://www.kauaiwritersconference.com

Writing events are a wonderful way to commune with other book lovers and probably the largest number of introverts in one area at one time. Don't be afraid to try them. I promise no one bites. I think, gives side-eye to Horror Writers.

 

April to June Writing Workshops

Whether a one day session, one week conference, or a month-long writing workshop, writing related events are a good way to commune with other writers. They are opportunities to network and get your name out there. In some instances, you can meet and mingle with editors and agents. Some offer critiques or pitching sessions. Nowhere will you find a higher concentration of introverts enjoying each other's company. Local conferences are a good place to meet potential critique groups or recruit members. Note that information for this list is accurate as to what was available in December 2023. Dates and formats may change. Some events continue to be virtual, which allows for a wider audience and lower costs. Others also offer online resources that were presented at conferences past.

Some are free. Some require a fee. Some are more social than others. Many are for new writers, but a few dig deep into craft. You should choose an event that speaks to your needs and desires.

Also keep in mind that some of these organizations offer year-round events, critique opportunities, groups to join, etc. You may find your tribe.

April 4 – 6, 2024 Tennessee Mountain Writers annual conference at the DoubleTree Hotel in Oakridge, Tennessee. https://tmwi.org/

April 4 – 6, 2024 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio, workshop is a hybrid in person and virtual event. https://udayton.edu/artssciences/initiatives/erma/index.php

April 11 – 14, 2024 Left Coast Crime Trouble in Tucson in Seattle, Washington http://www.leftcoastcrime.org/

April 15, 2024 A Rally For Writers Conference in Michigan. https://arallyofwriters.wordpress.com/

April 18 - 20, 2024 Chicago North RWA Spring Fling Conference Chicago Renaissance O’Hare—and online Registration begins Fall 2023. http://chicagospringfling.com/

April 18 – 21, 2024 Chanticleer Authors Conference, Four Points by Sheraton in Bellingham, Washington.https://www.chantireviews.com/chanticleer-conference/

April 19 – 21, 2024 Clockwork Alchemy Steampunk Conference at the San Mateo Marriott. Panel discussions on all things steampunk.  http://www.clockworkalchemy.com/#/about

April 25 – 28, 2024 Pikes Peak Writers Conference will be held at the Colorado Springs Doubletree Hilton Hotel. https://www.pikespeakwriters.com/ppwc

April 26 – 28, 2024 Ravencon Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention will take place at the Virginia Crossings by Hilton in Glen Allen, Virginia. http://www.ravencon.com/

April 26 – 29, 2024 Malice Domestic Bethesda Maryland, http://malicedomestic.org/

April 26 – 28, 2024 Pikes Peak Writers Conference Colorado Springs Doubletree Hotel in Colorado Springs, CO. https://conference.pikespeakwriters.org/

May 3 – 5, 2024 Gold Rush Writer Conference in Mokelumne Hill, CA. http://www.goldrushwriters.com/

May 3 – 4, 2024 Lakefly Writers Conference will be held at the Oshkosh Convention Center in Wisconsin. https://lakeflywriters.org/

May 3 – 4, 2024 Atlanta Writers Conference, is an in-person event. Westin Atlanta Airport Hotel https://atlantawritersconference.com/

May 4, 2024 Writing Conference of Los Angeles https://writingconferenceoflosangeles.com/

May 10 – 12, 2024 GrubStreet The Muse and the Marketplace Conference Boston Park Plaza Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts http://museandthemarketplace.com/

May 9 – 11, 2024 Storymakers Conference is Provo Utah Valley Convention Center Provo, Utah https://ldstorymakersconference.com/ 

May 11 - 18, 2024 Longleaf Writers' Conference, Seaside, Florida.www.longleafwritersconference.com

May 18 - 21, 2024 Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference Kachemak Bay Campus in downtown Homer, Alaska. http://writersconf.kpc.alaska.edu/

May 26 – 30, 2024 Blue Ridge Christian Writer’s Conference, Asheville, NC https://www.blueridgeconference.com/

May 29 – June 1, 2024 North Words Writers Symposium, Skagway, http://nwwriterss.com/

May 30 - June 3, 2024 ThrillerFest XVIII is at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, New York City, NY. http://thrillerfest.com/

May 30 – June 2, 2024 Stokercon Horror Conference, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley, San Diego, California https://www.stokercon2024.com/

May 31 – June 1, 2024 Pittsburgh Writing Workshop, in Pittsburgh, PA will be an online event. https://pittsburghwritingworkshop.com/

May 31-Jun 2, 2024 CrimeCon in Nashville, Tennessee, https://www.crimecon.com/

June 6 – 9, 2024 Writer’s Police Academy/Killer Con in Greenbay, Wisconsin https://writerspoliceacademy.com/ 

June 6 – 9, 2024 Indiana University Writers' Conference, Bloomington, Indiana will be an in person event this year. https://iuwc.indiana.edu/

June 26 – 28, 2025 Historical Novel Society Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada looks like they are skipping 2024. http://hns-conference.org

June 9 – 15, 2024 Kenyon Review Fiction Workshop, Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio offers online programs for adults and young writers.  https://kenyonreview.org/writers/fiction/

June 9 - 15, 2024 Santa Barbara Writers Conference, Mar Monte Santa Barbara Hotel, Santa Barbara, California. http://www.sbwriters.com/

June 16 - 22, 2024 Chesapeake Writers’ Conference at the St. Mary's College of Maryland. https://www.smcm.edu/events/chesapeake-writers-conference/

June 16 – July 27, 2024 Clarion West Six Week Workshop, Seattle, Washington, https://www.clarionwest.org/programs/summerworkshop/

June 23- July 20, 2024 New York State Summer Writers Institute, Skidmore College, New. https://www.skidmore.edu/summerwriters/

June 24 - 29, 2024 Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference, Bemidji State University, Minnesota. Conference will be in person.  http://www.northwoodswriters.org

Writing events are a wonderful way to commune with other book lovers and probably the largest number of introverts in one area at one time. Don't be afraid to try them. I promise no one bites. I think, gives side-eye to Horror Writers.

 

Writing Conferences Dates To Be Announced

 Whether a one day session, one week conference, or a month-long writing workshop, writing related events are a good way to commune with other writers. They are opportunities to network and get your name out there. In some instances, you can meet and mingle with editors and agents. Some offer critiques or pitching sessions. Nowhere will you find a higher concentration of introverts enjoying each other's company. Local conferences are a good place to meet potential critique groups or recruit members. Note that information for this list is accurate as to what was available in December 2023. Dates and formats may change. Some events continue to be virtual, which allows for a wider audience and lower costs. Others also offer online resources that were presented at conferences past.

Some are free. Some require a fee. Some are more social than others. Many are for new writers, but a few dig deep into craft. You should choose an event that speaks to your needs and desires.

Also keep in mind that some of these organizations offer year-round events, critique opportunities, groups to join, etc. You may find your tribe.

Alaska Writers Guild Conference. Check site for updated information on the 2024 event. The 2023 event was September 29-30 at Rasmuson Hall, University of Alaska in Anchorage. https://www.alaskawritersguild.com/

Annual Digital Author and Indie Publishing Writers Conference TBA http://wcwriters.com/aglawc/index.html

Boldface Conference for Emerging Writers, University of Houston, Texas details to be announced. 2023 was in May. http://boldfaceconference.com/

BookCon in Midtown Manhattan, check their site for updates regarding the 2024 event. http://www.thebookcon.com/

Book Lovers Convention,TBA https://www.bookloverscon.com/

Blue Ridge Writers Conference in Blue Ridge Georgia.https://www.blueridgewritersconference.com/

Broadleaf Writers Conference Decatur Library, Decatur, Georgia. Dates TBA http://broadleafwriters.com/

California Crime Writers Conference TBA Hilton Los Angeles Culver City, California https://ccwconference.org/

Cape Cod Writers Center Conference TBA Massachusetts https://capecodwriterscenter.org/

Castle Rock Writers' Conference, Castle Rock, Colorado.  To be announced. Check their site for updates. The 2023 event was end of September. http://castlerockwriters.com/

Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference TBA has multiple events at Arizona State https://piper.asu.edu/conference

Door County Young Writers Conference has not announced the date for the in-person event at Sturgeon Bay High School. Check their site for other online classes and events throughout the year. https://writeondoorcounty.org/

Fine Arts Residency Conference Pacific University campus, Forest Grove, Oregon. The ten-day residency takes place twice a year and is open for registration. Dates TBA. There are other workshops available as well. https://www.pacificu.edu/masters-fine-arts-writing/residency-writers-conference

Hampton Roads Writers holds events throughout the year. Check their site for schedule and details. The 2023 Conference was in November. http://hamptonroadswriters.org/

Highlights Foundation holds classes and virtual workshops throughout the year, live and virtual events. Visit their site for details. https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/upcoming-workshops/

Historical Romance Retreat TBA  in San Diego, California. https://www.historicalromanceretreat.com/

Jackson Hole Writer’s Conference TBA Jackson Hole Center for the Arts, Jackson Hole, Wyoming offers monthly workshops in addition to the conference http://jacksonholewritersconference.com

Juniper Institute for Young Writers, Amherst, Massachusetts. Event is for high school students finishing grades 9, 10, or 11. There are online events. No conference has been announced for 2024. Visit the site for more information. https://www.umass.edu/juniperyoungwriters

Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, Elizabethtown, Kentucky TBA. The 2023 conference was in October. http://www.kychristianwriters.com/

Main Crime Wave Portland, Oregon dates to be announced.

Men of Mystery Conference to be announced. https://www.menofmystery.org/

Napa Valley Writers Conference TBA will be held in Napa California at the Napa campus of Napa Valley College http://www.napawritersconference.org/

North Carolina Writers Conference holds multiple events each year. There will be a spring and summer conference as well as workshops throughout the year. https://www.ncwriters.org/programs-and-services/conferences

Odyssey Fantasy Writing Workshop, Saint Anselm College, Manchester, New Hampshire Odyssey offers three workshops a year and ongoing online resources such as classes, webinars, critiques, podcasts, etc. Check their site for dates. http://www.odysseyworkshop.org/

The Pacific University Residency Writers Conference TBA Forest Grove, Oregon https://www.pacificu.edu/masters-fine-arts-writing/residency-writers-conference

Pennwriters Annual Conference offers multiple online events. No conference data announced yet for 2024. https://pennwriters.org/

PNWA Annual Writer's Conference TBA registrations began in September 2023. https://www.pnwa.org/page/conference

Rochester Writers Conference 16^th Annual TBA Held at Oakland University.  https://rochesterwriters.com/

Sanibel Writers Conference was held in November in 2023. Dates for 2024 TBA. https://www.fgcu.edu/siwc/

Summer Writing Program at The Capitalocene Naropa University, Boulder. TBA Check their site for updates. https://www.naropa.edu/academics/swp/

Vermont College of Fine Arts Novel Retreat, Vermont College of Fine Arts, Montpelier, Vermont. will be an on-campus retreat. https://vcfa.edu/novel-retreat/

Voices of Our National Conference. Miami, Florida holds several events throughout the year. https://www.vonavoices.org

The Writer’s Digest Annual Conference, New York, NY. To Be Announced. Check site for plans for the 2024 conference. http://writersdigestconference.com/

Writers' League of Texas Agents & Editors Conference, Austin, Texas. Check site for updates on the 2024 summer conference. There are other events throughout the year. https://writersleague.org/programs/summer-writing-retreat/

Writers Studio at UCLA Extension in Westwood Village has been shifted to the summer. Check site for dates. There are other events and opportunities during the year. http://writers.uclaextension.edu/writers-studio/

Writing events are a wonderful way to commune with other book lovers and probably the largest number of introverts in one area at one time. Don't be afraid to try them. I promise no one bites. I think, gives side-eye to Horror Writers.

Writing Conferences January to March 2024

Whether a one day session, one week conference, or a month-long writing workshop, writing related events are a good way to commune with other writers. They are opportunities to network and get your name out there. In some instances, you can meet and mingle with editors and agents. Some offer critiques or pitching sessions. Nowhere will you find a higher concentration of introverts enjoying each other's company. Local conferences are a good place to meet potential critique groups or recruit members. Note that information for this list is accurate as to what was available in December 2023. Dates and formats may change. Some events continue to be virtual, which allows for a wider audience and lower costs. Others also offer online resources that were presented at conferences past.

Some are free. Some require a fee. Some are more social than others. Many are for new writers, but a few dig deep into craft. You should choose an event that speaks to your needs and desires.

 Also keep in mind that some of these organizations offer year-round events, critique opportunities, groups to join, etc. You may find your tribe.

January 7 – 11, 2024 Key West Literary Seminar and Writers' Workshop Program, Key West, Florida http://www.kwls.org/writers_workshops/

January 12 - 15, 2024 Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway at Seaview Hotel, Atlantic City, NJ There are also online events during the year. https://wintergetaway.com/

January 12 - 15, 2024 The Colrain Poetry Intensive online event via Zoom. http://www.colrainpoetry.com/

January 13 - 20, 2024 Annual Writers In Paradise Conference, Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida http://www.writersinparadise.com/

February 2 – 3, 2024 Rhode Island Romance Writers Retreat, in Middletown-Newport, Rhode Island will be an online zoom event. https://www.rirw.org/retreat/

February 3, 2024 Murder in the Magic City, Homewood Library, Birmingham, Alabama is an in-person event. http://www.mmcmysteryconference.com/

February 7 - 10, 2024 Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference & Bookfair, Kansas City, Missouri https://www.awpwriter.org/awp_conference/

February 8 -10, 2024 Superstars Writing Seminars, Colorado Springs, Colorado. There is a one-day intensive on February 7, 2024 as well. http://superstarswriting.com/

February 9 – 11, 2024 SCBWI Conference New York Hilton Midtown New York https://www.scbwi.org/events

February 15 - 16, 2024 Life, the Universe and Everything Conference Marriott Hotel in Provo, Utah. http://ltue.net/

February 15 – 18, 2024 San Francisco Writers Conference Hyatt Regency in San Francisco will be an in-person event. https://sfwriters.org/

February 15 – 19, 2024 The Savannah Book Festival  https://www.savannahbookfestival.org/

February 16 - 18, 2024 Southern California Writers Conference San Diego, California. http://writersconference.com/sd/

February 19 – 23, 2024 San Miguel Writers' Conference & Literary Festival, Hotel Real de Minas, San Miguel, Mexico https://sanmiguelwritersconference.org/ 

February 22 – 25, 2024 Coastal Magic Convention, Urban Paranormal, Fantasy, & Romance in Daytona Beach http://coastalmagicconvention.com/

February 24, 2024 Amelia Island Book Festival https://www.ameliaislandbookfestival.org/

March 4 – 10, 2024 Breakout Novel Intensive in Hood River Oregon https://www.free-expressions.com/breakout-novel-intensive-hood-river-or

March 7 - 10, 2024 Futurescapes Conference at Utah Valley University will be a virtual event. http://www.futurescapes.ink/

March 9 - 10, 2024 Tucson Festival of Books, Tucson, Arizona, University of Arizona Campus plans an in-person event this year. http://tucsonfestivalofbooks.org/

March 9, 2024 Bay To Ocean Writers Conference at Chesapeake College, Wye Mills, Maryland Writing workshops, craft sessions, readings and more every Thursday night from 7:30-9 PM on Zoom. Free & open to all. https://www.easternshorewriters.org/

March 14 - 17, 2024 New York Pitch has a live event in NYC. https://newyorkpitchconference.com

March 15 - 16, 2024 Mid-South Christian Writers Conference in-person conference at the First Baptist Church in Collierville, Tennessee https://www.midsouthchristianwriters.com/

March 16, 2024 Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival in Suffolk, Virginia https://www.suffolkmysteryauthorsfestival.com/

March 17 – 23, 2024 Sirenland Writer's Conference, https://sirenland.net/

March 19- 24, 2024 Get Away to Write Retreat, New Smyrna Beach, FL. Registration open now. There are other online events during the year. https://murphywriting.com/writing-workshops-retreats/

March 20 – 23, 2024 Wild Seeds Writers Retreat at Medgar Evers College, CUNY in Brooklyn, NY. https://centerforblackliterature.org/

March 20 - 23, 2024 The National Black Writers Conference in Brooklyn, New York. https://centerforblackliterature.org

March 22 - 24, 2024 Chicago Writers Association Conference, Warwick Allerton in Chicago, Illinois https://www.chicagowrites.org/conference

March 23, 2024 Liberty States Fiction Writers Conference at the Hilton Garden Inn, Hamilton, NJ http://www.libertystatesfictionwriters.com/conference/

March 23 - 25, 2024 54th University of North Dakota Writers  https://und.edu/writers-conference/

March 28 – 31, 2024 Norwescon Between Two Worlds SeaTac, Washington, https://www.norwescon.org/

Writing events are a wonderful way to commune with other book lovers and probably the largest number of introverts in one area at one time. Don't be afraid to try them. I promise no one bites. I think, gives side-eye to Horror Writers.

Romance Subgenres

Last week, we explored the Road Trip skeleton. This week, we break down Romance subgenres. Hands down, Romance has one of the largest audiences and there are hundreds of "flavors" from mild to spicy to choose from.

1. Contemporary romance is the highest-selling subgenre and is defined by obstacles to love that occur post World War II to modern day. It is often combined with or related to the term “women’s fiction.”

2. Historical Romance explores obstacles to love that occurred prior to World War II and may feature elements of mystery or “damsel in distress.” It includes categories such as Regency Romance. Few are published in hardcover.

2. Romantic Suspense combines the Romance structure with a subplot from the Mystery or Thriller genres. These are typically contemporary settings, but can be historical settings. Girl and boy meet, one saves the other and they end up as a couple when the ordeal is over.

3. Paranormal Romance combines the Romance structure with a Fantasy or Horror subplot. Normal or otherworldly boy meets girl and faces paranormal threats but lives happily ever after. These typically include vampires, werewolves, ghosts, zombies, or witches. They can also add elements of other subgenres such as Thriller, Mystery or Chick lit, but the focus is on the romance and the paranormal elements.

4. Science Fiction Romance combines the Romance structure with a Science Fiction subplot. The setting is in a future time or a parallel version of our own world, but the focus is on how their relationship survives the obstacles.

5. Romantic Fantasy combines the Romance structure with a Fantasy subplot that features dragons, wizards, fairies, merpeople, etc.

6. Time Travel Romance has a time travel twist, incorporating both contemporary and historical obstacles to love.

7. Christian Romance features chaste and Christian-themed obstacles to love. The story problem is influenced by, and often solved by, the character’s faith.

8. Multicultural Romance mixes ethnic, nationality, and cultural obstacles to love.

9. LGBT Romance can be set any time or place utilizing characters that are homosexual or bisexual and the obstacles they face to their love from self, society, family, etc. They can adopt obstacles from other genres as long as a main character is LGBT.

10. Erotica imbues the romance structure with sexually explicit content.

Next week, we examine the story building blocks for the Romance genre.

Check out the newly released Romance Build A Plot Workbook available in print and e-book.

For more about how to craft plots using conflict check out, Story Building Blocks: The Four Layers of Conflict available in print and e-book and explore the free tools and information about the series on my website.