Pixabay
This October there are 27 conferences, intensive workshops, retreats and book fairs from coast to coast. You will also have a chance to pitch your work to agents, meet editors, and get to know your fellow writers. Conferences provide great opportunities to network, so make the most of your experience!
I strongly recommend that you plan ahead for next year if you miss your perfect conference or workshop. Many of these conferences offer scholarships, but you have to apply early.
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.)
________________
Bookgardan: A Year's Sustenance for Writers. October 1, 2019 - October 1, 2020: Keene, NY. "Devote a year to writing your book in community with an intimate group of dedicated writers, nurtured from start to finish by acclaimed author, seasoned editor, and literary mentor Kate Moses. The program opens and closes with week-long fall residency intensives at Craigardan, a secluded artists' retreat set at a circa-1800s farm nestled in the Adirondack mountains of upstate New York. From the first residency onward Kate will provide writers the structure, tools, and guidance required to cultivate and nourish their manuscripts, with the goal of bringing projects to fruition (a full first draft, a revised draft, or meeting an individual goal) by program's end. Throughout the year, writers will receive ongoing individual and group mentorship, one-on-one monthly conferences in response to their manuscript submissions, and take part in online craft tutorials, group seminars, interviews with published writers and publishing professionals, and other opportunities for connection with like-minded artists sharing in an often solitary endeavor. Bookgardan culminates twelve months later—once again syncing with the autumn harvest—with a second Craigardan residency focused on the business of writing and publishing, the sustenance of lasting fellowship, and a deserved celebration. Limited to a maximum of 6 participants each year."
Georgia Romance Writers: Moonlight and Magnolias. October 3 – October 3, 2019: Atlanta, Georgia. Includes keynote speakers, workshops, editor/agent appointments, autographing & bookfair, awards banquet.
New York Comicon. October 3 - 6, 2019: New York, New York. New York Comic Con is the East Coast's biggest popular culture convention: Show Floor plays host to the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies and television; Panels and Autograph Sessions give Fans a chance to interact with their favorite Creators; Screening rooms feature sneak peeks at films and television shows months before they hit big and small screens.
2019 Creative Retreat for writers, photographers. October 4 - 6, 2019: Mountain View, Missouri. Relax & refuel your creativity along a scenic river, while picking up tips from professionals in writing & photography. There will be time to learn & time to create. Participants stay in rustic cabins & enjoy family-style meals in dining hall.
State Writing Conference & Convention, sponsored by The Kansas Authors Club, Oct 4 - 6, 2019, Wichita, Kansas. Writing workshops, panels, and presentations by Kevin Rabas, Jeff Broome and more.
Write on the Sound Writers' Conference and Pre-Conference. Oct 4 - 6, 2019: Edmonds, WA. WOTS offers the opportunity to explore various writing craft techniques with nationally recognized industry professionals in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.
WriteAngles. October 5, 2019: South Hadley, Massachusetts. Panels and workshops, with two keynoters, a limited number of agent meetings. Continental breakfast, and buffet lunch included. Agents: TBA
Picture Book Summit. Oct 5, 2019, Online. An online, one day live event for picture book writers including author keynotes, interviews, workshops and agent & editor panels. Recordings provided for attendees for four months post-conference.
Ozark Creative Writers Conference. Oct 10 - 12, 2019: Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Workshops by published authors, editors and agents; Publishers Row, independent publishers available to hear about your next project; Writing contests available to all participants.
Historical Writers of America Conference 2019. Oct 10 - 12, 2019: The Woodlands, Colonial Williamsburg, VA. The conference programming will focus on supporting quality historical writing – fiction and nonfiction, research, the submission process, the road to publication, and the life of a historical writer. There will be a mix of sessions on the craft of writing and genre and era specific knowledge (food, clothing, language) as well as the business side of publishing including self/indie publishing, marketing and publicity and social media techniques. While many of the sessions are geared specifically to historical writing, this year the focus is on the craft of writing - in all genres.
Imaginarium. Oct 11 - 13, 2019: Louisville KY. A three day annual event held in Louisville, Kentucky centered entirely around creative writing, including the worlds of books, movies, gaming, music, and comics/graphic novels. Imaginarium Convention features extensive programming content, with panels and workshops presented by over 150 professional guests covering everything from the craft of writing to various genres, industry-specific topics, publishing, and social media/publicity. The convention features a film festival with a full array of awards, a masquerade/costume contest, live music, gaming, an expo open to the general public, an awards banquet, a series of literary awards called the Imadjinns, and many more activities, creating a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that is content-rich and ideal for networking, promotion and personal development.
Be a Better Freelancer October 11 - 13, 2019: St Louis, MO. Annual conference for freelance writers, editors, proofreaders, indexers, graphic artists, website managers and developers, etc., with presenters offering guidance and tips on marketing, promotions, new skills and other business aspects of freelancing. Focus: Nonfiction.
Letters & Lines Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Conference. October 12 - 13, 2019: Golden, CO. Conference focus: children's and young adult books. Faculty: Molly O’Neill, Sylvie Frank, Tiffany Liao, Meredith Mundy, and many more.
James River Writers Conference. October 12 - 13, 2019: Richmond, Virginia. The conference features pitch sessions with agents and editors and panel discussions for poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. The conference will also offer preconference master classes on October 11. Participants include poets Jon Pineda and Pavana Reddy, fiction writers Nafissa Thompson-Spires and Padma Venkatraman, nonfiction writers Marita Golden and Roben Farzad, and literary agents Brenna English-Loeb (Transatlantic Agency), Anna Knutson Geller (Write View), Marie Lamba (Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency), Beth Marshea (Ladderbird), Christina Morgan (Serendipity), and Eric Smith (P.S. Literary). The cost of the conference, which includes some meals and a one-on-one meeting with an agent, is $355, or $195 for a single day. The cost of a master class is an additional $65.
Writing By Writers Workshop @ Tomales Bay. October 16 - 20, 2019: Tomales Bay, California. Manuscript and poetry workshops are limited to 12 participants and generative workshops are limited to 15 to ensure an intimate setting.
Annual Florida Writers Conference, October 17 - 20, 2019: Altamonte Springs, Florida. Four workshops and panels dedicated to help you learn how to pitch your story, and more than fifty acclaimed authors, poets, and publishing industry experts for three days of networking opportunities.
Nimrod Conference for Readers and Writers. October 18 - 19, 2019: University of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The conference features workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as readings, master classes, panel discussions, and individual manuscript consultations with faculty. Participants include poets Kim Addonizio and Jeanetta Calhoun Mish; fiction writers Rachel Hall, Margot Livesey, and Anna-Marie McLemore; nonfiction writer Rhys Martin; agent Jennifer Udden (Barry Goldblatt Literary); Nimrod International Journal of Prose and Poetry editorial board members Diane Burton, Crystal Carey, Cynthia Gustavson, and Christopher Murphy; and recent winners of the Nimrod Literary Awards. The cost of the conference is $60, which includes lunch. Scholarships are available. The deadline to register for a one-on-one manuscript consultation with an editor is October 12; general registration is first come, first served.
Northern Woodlands Writers & Readers Conference. Oct 18 - 20, 2019: Fairlee, Vermont. Sponsored by The Trust for Public Land, the conference explores how writers, artists and educators express the rich forest heritage of the Northeast: both the natural history of our region, and the interactions of people and place. The event will include writing workshops, readings, a nature illustration class, special workshops for educators, woods walks, fun talks on forest topics, and plenty of time for informal conversations over meals and around the campfire. Register by Oct 1.
Emerald City Writers' Conference. Oct 18 - 20, 2019, Bellevue, WA. Local Romance Writers of America conference, featuring film and television scouts, who will be taking pitches along with editors and agents, keynote speakers, workshops, and a master class.
Annual Rochester Writers’ Conference, October 19, 2019: Rochester, Michigan. Lectures, Workshops and Panel Discussions in fiction, non-fiction and business of writing presentations. Open to new, working and published writers of all genres. Attendees select four presentations from a dozen to tailor fit their needs.
Viable Paradise Science Fiction Writers' Workshop. Oct 20 - 25, 2019: Martha’s Vineyard, MA. Viable Paradise is a unique one-week residential workshop in writing and selling commercial science fiction and fantasy. The workshop is intimate, intense, and features extensive time spent with best-selling and award-winning authors and professional editors currently working in the field. VP concentrates on the art of writing fiction people want to read, and this concentration is reflected in post-workshop professional sales by our alumni. Applications close June 1.
Other Words Literary Conference. Oct 24 -26, 2019: University of Tampa, Florida. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as panels and readings. Their goal is "to bring together writers, editors, agents, publishers, book sellers, grant administrators, directors of writers' colonies and retreats, and other interested folk in one place. We'll be talking about the how to of the literary arts: how to write it, make it, sell it, fund it, and nurture it."
Writer's Digest Novel Writing Conference, October 24 - 27, 2019: Pasadena, CA. Experienced authors, editors, agents and publishing experts will be on hand, ready to help you develop your own craft and position yourself for success.
Gotham Writers Conference. Oct 25 - 26, 2019: NY, NY. A writing conference built by agents, for writers, with a faculty of some of the top agents in New York City. Receive focused attention within your genre from some of the best in the business.
Atlanta Writers Conference. October 25 - 26, 2019: Atlanta, Georgia. The conference features publishing panels, pitch sessions, manuscript and query letter critiques, and a workshop on creating or improving author websites. Participating publishing professionals included editors Sarah Blumenstock (Berkley), Matthew Daddona (Dey Street Books), Rachel Diebel (Wednesday Books/St. Martin’s Press), Tom Hoeler (Del Rey Books), Tiara Kittrell (Balzer + Bray), Loan Le (Atria Books), Megha Majumdar (Catapult), and Christopher Werner (Amazon Publishing), and agents Amelia Appel (Triada US), Lucy Cleland (Kneerim & Williams), Arielle Datz (Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency), Melissa Edwards (Stonesong), Wendi Gu (Janklow & Nesbit Associates), Saritza Hernández (Corvisiero Literary Agency), Tamara Kawar (ICM Partners), and Kelli Martin (Wendy Sherman Associates). The cost of a single session ranges from $50 to $170; the cost of the “All-Activities Package,” which includes two manuscript critiques, one query letter critique, two pitch sessions, a craft workshop, access to two Q&A panels, and an optional pre-conference manuscript edit, is $620. Writers who are not members of the Atlanta Writers Club must purchase a yearlong membership for an additional $50 in order to register. The deadline to register for a manuscript critique is September 24.
Magna cum Murder XXIV. Oct 25 - 27, 2019: Indianapolis, IN. 45+ authors of crime writing fiction.
Colrain Poetry Manuscript Conference. October 25 - 28, 2019: Truchas, New Mexico. The conference features evaluation and discussion of book-length and chapbook-length manuscripts with poets, editors, and publishers. The cost of the conference is $1,400, which includes lodging and meals. Using the online submission system, submit a brief bio and three to four poems.
I strongly recommend that you plan ahead for next year if you miss your perfect conference or workshop. Many of these conferences offer scholarships, but you have to apply early.
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.)
________________
Bookgardan: A Year's Sustenance for Writers. October 1, 2019 - October 1, 2020: Keene, NY. "Devote a year to writing your book in community with an intimate group of dedicated writers, nurtured from start to finish by acclaimed author, seasoned editor, and literary mentor Kate Moses. The program opens and closes with week-long fall residency intensives at Craigardan, a secluded artists' retreat set at a circa-1800s farm nestled in the Adirondack mountains of upstate New York. From the first residency onward Kate will provide writers the structure, tools, and guidance required to cultivate and nourish their manuscripts, with the goal of bringing projects to fruition (a full first draft, a revised draft, or meeting an individual goal) by program's end. Throughout the year, writers will receive ongoing individual and group mentorship, one-on-one monthly conferences in response to their manuscript submissions, and take part in online craft tutorials, group seminars, interviews with published writers and publishing professionals, and other opportunities for connection with like-minded artists sharing in an often solitary endeavor. Bookgardan culminates twelve months later—once again syncing with the autumn harvest—with a second Craigardan residency focused on the business of writing and publishing, the sustenance of lasting fellowship, and a deserved celebration. Limited to a maximum of 6 participants each year."
Georgia Romance Writers: Moonlight and Magnolias. October 3 – October 3, 2019: Atlanta, Georgia. Includes keynote speakers, workshops, editor/agent appointments, autographing & bookfair, awards banquet.
New York Comicon. October 3 - 6, 2019: New York, New York. New York Comic Con is the East Coast's biggest popular culture convention: Show Floor plays host to the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies and television; Panels and Autograph Sessions give Fans a chance to interact with their favorite Creators; Screening rooms feature sneak peeks at films and television shows months before they hit big and small screens.
2019 Creative Retreat for writers, photographers. October 4 - 6, 2019: Mountain View, Missouri. Relax & refuel your creativity along a scenic river, while picking up tips from professionals in writing & photography. There will be time to learn & time to create. Participants stay in rustic cabins & enjoy family-style meals in dining hall.
State Writing Conference & Convention, sponsored by The Kansas Authors Club, Oct 4 - 6, 2019, Wichita, Kansas. Writing workshops, panels, and presentations by Kevin Rabas, Jeff Broome and more.
Write on the Sound Writers' Conference and Pre-Conference. Oct 4 - 6, 2019: Edmonds, WA. WOTS offers the opportunity to explore various writing craft techniques with nationally recognized industry professionals in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.
WriteAngles. October 5, 2019: South Hadley, Massachusetts. Panels and workshops, with two keynoters, a limited number of agent meetings. Continental breakfast, and buffet lunch included. Agents: TBA
Picture Book Summit. Oct 5, 2019, Online. An online, one day live event for picture book writers including author keynotes, interviews, workshops and agent & editor panels. Recordings provided for attendees for four months post-conference.
Ozark Creative Writers Conference. Oct 10 - 12, 2019: Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Workshops by published authors, editors and agents; Publishers Row, independent publishers available to hear about your next project; Writing contests available to all participants.
Historical Writers of America Conference 2019. Oct 10 - 12, 2019: The Woodlands, Colonial Williamsburg, VA. The conference programming will focus on supporting quality historical writing – fiction and nonfiction, research, the submission process, the road to publication, and the life of a historical writer. There will be a mix of sessions on the craft of writing and genre and era specific knowledge (food, clothing, language) as well as the business side of publishing including self/indie publishing, marketing and publicity and social media techniques. While many of the sessions are geared specifically to historical writing, this year the focus is on the craft of writing - in all genres.
Imaginarium. Oct 11 - 13, 2019: Louisville KY. A three day annual event held in Louisville, Kentucky centered entirely around creative writing, including the worlds of books, movies, gaming, music, and comics/graphic novels. Imaginarium Convention features extensive programming content, with panels and workshops presented by over 150 professional guests covering everything from the craft of writing to various genres, industry-specific topics, publishing, and social media/publicity. The convention features a film festival with a full array of awards, a masquerade/costume contest, live music, gaming, an expo open to the general public, an awards banquet, a series of literary awards called the Imadjinns, and many more activities, creating a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that is content-rich and ideal for networking, promotion and personal development.
Be a Better Freelancer October 11 - 13, 2019: St Louis, MO. Annual conference for freelance writers, editors, proofreaders, indexers, graphic artists, website managers and developers, etc., with presenters offering guidance and tips on marketing, promotions, new skills and other business aspects of freelancing. Focus: Nonfiction.
Letters & Lines Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Conference. October 12 - 13, 2019: Golden, CO. Conference focus: children's and young adult books. Faculty: Molly O’Neill, Sylvie Frank, Tiffany Liao, Meredith Mundy, and many more.
James River Writers Conference. October 12 - 13, 2019: Richmond, Virginia. The conference features pitch sessions with agents and editors and panel discussions for poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. The conference will also offer preconference master classes on October 11. Participants include poets Jon Pineda and Pavana Reddy, fiction writers Nafissa Thompson-Spires and Padma Venkatraman, nonfiction writers Marita Golden and Roben Farzad, and literary agents Brenna English-Loeb (Transatlantic Agency), Anna Knutson Geller (Write View), Marie Lamba (Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency), Beth Marshea (Ladderbird), Christina Morgan (Serendipity), and Eric Smith (P.S. Literary). The cost of the conference, which includes some meals and a one-on-one meeting with an agent, is $355, or $195 for a single day. The cost of a master class is an additional $65.
Writing By Writers Workshop @ Tomales Bay. October 16 - 20, 2019: Tomales Bay, California. Manuscript and poetry workshops are limited to 12 participants and generative workshops are limited to 15 to ensure an intimate setting.
Annual Florida Writers Conference, October 17 - 20, 2019: Altamonte Springs, Florida. Four workshops and panels dedicated to help you learn how to pitch your story, and more than fifty acclaimed authors, poets, and publishing industry experts for three days of networking opportunities.
Nimrod Conference for Readers and Writers. October 18 - 19, 2019: University of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The conference features workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as readings, master classes, panel discussions, and individual manuscript consultations with faculty. Participants include poets Kim Addonizio and Jeanetta Calhoun Mish; fiction writers Rachel Hall, Margot Livesey, and Anna-Marie McLemore; nonfiction writer Rhys Martin; agent Jennifer Udden (Barry Goldblatt Literary); Nimrod International Journal of Prose and Poetry editorial board members Diane Burton, Crystal Carey, Cynthia Gustavson, and Christopher Murphy; and recent winners of the Nimrod Literary Awards. The cost of the conference is $60, which includes lunch. Scholarships are available. The deadline to register for a one-on-one manuscript consultation with an editor is October 12; general registration is first come, first served.
Northern Woodlands Writers & Readers Conference. Oct 18 - 20, 2019: Fairlee, Vermont. Sponsored by The Trust for Public Land, the conference explores how writers, artists and educators express the rich forest heritage of the Northeast: both the natural history of our region, and the interactions of people and place. The event will include writing workshops, readings, a nature illustration class, special workshops for educators, woods walks, fun talks on forest topics, and plenty of time for informal conversations over meals and around the campfire. Register by Oct 1.
Emerald City Writers' Conference. Oct 18 - 20, 2019, Bellevue, WA. Local Romance Writers of America conference, featuring film and television scouts, who will be taking pitches along with editors and agents, keynote speakers, workshops, and a master class.
Annual Rochester Writers’ Conference, October 19, 2019: Rochester, Michigan. Lectures, Workshops and Panel Discussions in fiction, non-fiction and business of writing presentations. Open to new, working and published writers of all genres. Attendees select four presentations from a dozen to tailor fit their needs.
Viable Paradise Science Fiction Writers' Workshop. Oct 20 - 25, 2019: Martha’s Vineyard, MA. Viable Paradise is a unique one-week residential workshop in writing and selling commercial science fiction and fantasy. The workshop is intimate, intense, and features extensive time spent with best-selling and award-winning authors and professional editors currently working in the field. VP concentrates on the art of writing fiction people want to read, and this concentration is reflected in post-workshop professional sales by our alumni. Applications close June 1.
Other Words Literary Conference. Oct 24 -26, 2019: University of Tampa, Florida. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as panels and readings. Their goal is "to bring together writers, editors, agents, publishers, book sellers, grant administrators, directors of writers' colonies and retreats, and other interested folk in one place. We'll be talking about the how to of the literary arts: how to write it, make it, sell it, fund it, and nurture it."
Writer's Digest Novel Writing Conference, October 24 - 27, 2019: Pasadena, CA. Experienced authors, editors, agents and publishing experts will be on hand, ready to help you develop your own craft and position yourself for success.
Gotham Writers Conference. Oct 25 - 26, 2019: NY, NY. A writing conference built by agents, for writers, with a faculty of some of the top agents in New York City. Receive focused attention within your genre from some of the best in the business.
Atlanta Writers Conference. October 25 - 26, 2019: Atlanta, Georgia. The conference features publishing panels, pitch sessions, manuscript and query letter critiques, and a workshop on creating or improving author websites. Participating publishing professionals included editors Sarah Blumenstock (Berkley), Matthew Daddona (Dey Street Books), Rachel Diebel (Wednesday Books/St. Martin’s Press), Tom Hoeler (Del Rey Books), Tiara Kittrell (Balzer + Bray), Loan Le (Atria Books), Megha Majumdar (Catapult), and Christopher Werner (Amazon Publishing), and agents Amelia Appel (Triada US), Lucy Cleland (Kneerim & Williams), Arielle Datz (Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency), Melissa Edwards (Stonesong), Wendi Gu (Janklow & Nesbit Associates), Saritza Hernández (Corvisiero Literary Agency), Tamara Kawar (ICM Partners), and Kelli Martin (Wendy Sherman Associates). The cost of a single session ranges from $50 to $170; the cost of the “All-Activities Package,” which includes two manuscript critiques, one query letter critique, two pitch sessions, a craft workshop, access to two Q&A panels, and an optional pre-conference manuscript edit, is $620. Writers who are not members of the Atlanta Writers Club must purchase a yearlong membership for an additional $50 in order to register. The deadline to register for a manuscript critique is September 24.
Magna cum Murder XXIV. Oct 25 - 27, 2019: Indianapolis, IN. 45+ authors of crime writing fiction.
Colrain Poetry Manuscript Conference. October 25 - 28, 2019: Truchas, New Mexico. The conference features evaluation and discussion of book-length and chapbook-length manuscripts with poets, editors, and publishers. The cost of the conference is $1,400, which includes lodging and meals. Using the online submission system, submit a brief bio and three to four poems.
RSS Feed