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 2021. Dates and formats may change. Some events may be postponed or cancelled.
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.
Unfortunately, with the pandemic,
many in person events have been cancelled. Some have been replaced with virtual
events, podcasts, or online classes and lectures. Virtual events allow for a
wider audience and lower costs since attendance does not require travel and
lodging. Many plans remain up in the air as the situation shifts.
July 7 - 10, 2022 SleuthFest
at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Deerfield Beach in Boca Raton,
Florida will be held virtually this year. http://sleuthfest.com/
July 16 - 26, 2022 The
Pacific University Residency Writers Conference will be at the Pacific
University’s 170-year-old campus in Forest Grove. https://www.pacificu.edu/masters-fine-arts-writing/residency-writers-conference
July 16 - 18, 2022 Sun
Valley Writers Conference in Ketchum, Idaho. Check site for updates
and status. https://svwc.com/
July 17 - 30, 2022 Kenyon
Review Young Writers Workshop, Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio. Visit the
site for online reservation. https://www.kenyonreview.org/workshops/young-writers/
July 17 - 24, 2022 Port
Townsend Writers Conference in Fort Worden State Park, Port Townsend,
WA https://centrum.org/the-port-townsend-writers-conference/
July 20 - 23, 2022 Midwest
Writers Workshop, Muncie, Indiana, check site for up to date
information. https://www.midwestwriters.org/
July 24 - 29, 2022 Napa
Valley Writers Conference will be held in Napa California at the Napa
campus of Napa Valley College http://www.napawritersconference.org/
August 4 - 6, 2022 Mendocino
Coast Publishing Boot Camp will be an in-person event. http://mcwc.org
August 5 - 7, 2022 Greater
Los Angeles Writers Conference, Los Angeles, Hilton Los Angeles Westside,
California is a live event. http://www.wcwriters.com/aglawc/index.html
August 14 - 21, 2022 Postgraduate
Writers Conference, Vermont College of Fine Arts, Montpelier, Vermont. As
we launch the 2022 cycle, we are planning on an in-person event. If public
health and safety considerations should dictate a different course as summer
approaches, this page will provide current updates and information. https://vcfa.edu/postgraduate-writers-conference/
August 18 - 22, 2021 Killer
Nashville in Franklin, Tennessee is scheduled to be an in-person
event. https://killernashville.com/
September 8 - 11, 2022 Boucheron will
be held at the Hilton Minneapolis, Minnesota. https://www.bouchercon2022.com/
September 8 - 11, 2022 Rocky
Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold Workshop will be held at the
Hyatt -Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center. https://rmfw.org/conference-2022/
September 23 - 25, 2022 PNWA
Annual Writer's Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Lake
Washington as an in-person event. https://www.pnwa.org/page/conference
September 28 - October 2, 2022 Historical
Romance Retreat will be held at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego,
California. https://www.historicalromanceretreat.com/
If you have an annual writing event you would like to add, drop a line in the comments. It takes a ton of work and many people to arrange writing events, especially during times like these. Heartfelt gratitude for those willing to invest in the writing community. You are heroes.
