Below I have listed 29 conferences, workshops, and retreats in the US. Some have deadlines for registration that are fast approaching. So, if you see a conference you would like to attend, be sure to check the website for registration information.
If you miss this year's June conferences, many of these are annual events. Some of the smaller workshops are given several times a year in different locations. Quite a few offer financial aid. (Aid applications are due 1 - 3 months in advance.)
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Iowa Summer Writing Festival. June 1, 2015, Iowa City. Featuring 138 workshops with 72 instructors, including old friends John Dalton, Amber Dermont, Kelly Dwyer, Hope Edelman, Sands Hall, Katie Ford, Hugh Ferrer, Sabrina Orah Mark, Jacqueline Briggs Martin, and Michael Martone, as well as new friends Douglas Bauer, Melanie Braverman, Ashley Colley, Jennifer Colville, Katie Farris, Lauren Haldeman, Ilya Kaminsky, Matthew Lippman, Jude Nutter, Megan Stielstra, and Richard Thomas.
Clarksville Writers Conference. June 4-5, Clarksville, TN. Two days of writing workshops and presentations, a keynote banquet with the authors, and manuscript consultations.
Alcona Writers Retreat. June 4 - 7, 2015, Lincoln, MI. Three-day writing workshop Up North in Michigan with widely published authors in poetry, memoir and fiction. Relaxed setting in a lodge on a small, quiet lake at the edge of the forest. All levels of experience accepted, including those just starting.
Books-in-Progress Writers Conference, June 5-6, 2015, Lexington, KY. Craft & business workshops led by authors A.J. Verdelle, Marcia Thornton Jones, Erik Reece, Kathleen Driskell, Ben Woodard, Larry and Peggy DeKay, David Arnold, Sarah Combs, Gwenda Bond, and Writer’s Digest editor Chuck Sambuchino. Enjoy small break-out sessions & personal attention. Topics include revising for publication, children’s literature, poetry, nonfiction, fiction, selling your book, finding an agent, and more. The Carnegie Books-in-Progress Conference also offers participants the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pitch their book ideas to literary agents from New York City. Attending agents: Adriann Ranta (Wolf Literary); and Melissa Flashman (Trident Media).
Moravian Writers' Conference. June 5-7, Bethlehem PA. Workshop, two craft talks, and panel discussion; interview and Q&A with keynote speaker; faculty readings and book signing; welcome reception and two meals. Writers of all genres and at all career stages welcome. Registration deadline May 29, 2015.
Yale Writers' Conference. Session I: June 6 - 16, 2015, Session II: June 18-21, 2015, New Haven, Connecticut. The first session will focus on craft, and features workshops in fiction and creative nonfiction, as well as craft talks, master classes, readings, and panel discussions with agents, editors, and publishers. The second session will focus on specific genres, including poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, and features one-on-one manuscript critiques with faculty. The faculty for the first session includes fiction writers Kirsten Bakis, Je Banach, Amy Bloom, John Crowley, John Donatich, Trey Ellis, Molly Gaudry, Julia Glass, Gish Jen, Lisa Page, Eileen Pollack, Marian Thurm, Colm Toibin, and Teddy Wayne; and nonfiction writers Jotham Burrello, Colleen Kinder, Richard Selzer, Cheryl Strayed, and Sergio Troncoso. The faculty for the second session includes poets Richard Deming, David Gorin, and Richard Jackson; fiction writers Kirsten Bakis, Louis Bayard, Molly Gaudry, Phil Klay, and Ben H. Winters; and nonfiction writers Priscilla Gilman, Jonathan Levi, MG Lord, Lisa Page, Mishka Shubaly, and Aaron Their.
SoCal Mystery Writers of America Conference, June 6-7, 2015, Culver City, CA. Tracks on forensics, craft, industry, and marketing, along with other mystery-themed activities. A manuscript critique is available as an add-on option. Attending agents: Joshua Bilmes (JABberwocky Literary); Jessica Faust (BookEnds Literary); and Kimberley Cameron (Kimberley Cameron Literary).
The Santa Barbara Writers Conference, June 7–12, Santa Barbara, Calif. "Every summer, writers in many genres from around the world gather to participate in a magical week of intensive work focused on story, voice, craft, marketing, and networking with fellow writers and publishing professionals."
Writers at Work Conference. June 10 - 13, Alta, Utah. Workshops, manuscript consultations, and readings for poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. The faculty includes poet Alison Hawthorne Deming, fiction writer Ann Hood, nonfiction writer Judith Barrington, and poet and nonfiction writer Lance Larsen. Participating writers and publishing professionals include Emma Komlos-Hrobsky (Tin House), Michael McClane (Sugar House Review), and novelist Kirstin Scott. Registration deadline is June 8.
Wesleyan Writers Conference. June 10 - 14. One-day festival June 13. Middletown, CT. Seminars and workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as panel discussions, readings, lectures, and meetings with agents and editors. The faculty includes poet Honor Moore; fiction writers Amy Bloom, Alexander Chee, Roxana Robinson, and Salvatore Scibona; nonfiction writers William Finnegan, Lis Harris, and Hirsh Sawhney; and other publishing professionals.
67th Annual Philadelphia Writers' Conference. June 12 - 14, 2015, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Features workshops, contests and awards, critique and feedback sessions, and agent and editor speed dates. Autobiography/Memoir, Fiction, Horror, Journalism, Marketing, Non-fiction, Playwriting, Poetry, Publishing, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Screenwriting, Young Adult. Includes Sara Shepard, Stephen Fried, Dennis Tafoya, Solomon Jones, Christopher Bursk and many others.
West Virginia Writers Conference. June 12 - 14, 2015, Ripley, West Virginia. Author readings, contests and sharing your love of writing with others.
Poetry at the Frost Farm. June 12 - 14, Derry, New Hampshire. The retreat offers workshops, readings, and one-on-one consultations for formalist poets. The faculty includes poets A. M. Juster, Joshua Mehigan, Alfred Nicol, and Deborah Warren. Registration deadline is May 22.
The Writer's Center Publish Now Conference. June 13, Bethesda, Maryland. Lectures, panel discussions, and breakout sessions with agents and editors for poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers. Participating authors include poet Sid Gold and fiction writers Amin Ahmad, Robert Bausch, and Kathleen Wheaton. Participating publishing professionals include Hilary Black (National Geographic), Becky Clark (Johns Hopkins University Press), Jenny Clines (Politics & Prose), Jane Friedman (Open Road Integrated Media), Matthew McAdams (Johns Hopkins University Press), Will Murphy (Random House), and Sheila O’Shea (Random House). Participating agents include Deborah Grosvenor (Grosvenor Literary Agency), Jeff Kleinman (Folio Literary Management), and Anna Sproul-Latimer (The Ross Yoon Agency).
Kenyon Review Writers Workshops. June 13 - 20 and June 27 - July 3. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. he faculty includes poets David Baker, Carl Phillips, and Mary Szybist; fiction writers Lee K. Abbott, Caitlin Horrocks, and Nancy Zafris; creative nonfiction writers Rebecca McClanahan, Dinty W. Moore, and Roger Rosenblatt; and text artists Gretchen E. Henderson and Ellen Sheffield.
Colgate Writers’ Conference. June 14 - 20, Hamilton, New York. Morning craft talks & workshops. Individual consultation with workshop instructor in the afternoon. Late afternoon participant readings and talks on publishing, storytelling. Evening readings by instructors & guests. Late night social events. "Bring a story, a book in progress, some poems, or a novel, and work with us on developing narrative strategies, verse techniques, and methods of research. Members of the publishing profession will also be here to discuss marketplace tactics."
Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers. June 14 - 19, Sandy, Utah. Morning workshops devoted to individual work; afternoon talks on market, craft, publication; chats w/ editors and agents; keynote; book signing. For those interested, specialized workshops--Boot Camp and Full-Novel classes. Single day programs as well. Faculty: Jennifer Nielsen Fac: Kathi Appelt, AE Cannon, Lisa Mangum, Carol Lynch Williams, Dave Farland, Dean Hughes, Jennifer Adams, Natalie Whipple Julie Berry. Editor: Holly West, Feiwell and Friends. Agents: Heather Flaherty, The Bent Agency.
Chautauqua Writers’ Festival. June 18 - 21,Chautauqua, New York. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as readings, panel discussions, individual conferences with faculty members, and time to write. The faculty includes poets Tony Hoagland and Tim Seibles, fiction writers Jane McCafferty and Aimee Parkison, and creative nonfiction writers Steve Almond and Lia Purpura. Registration deadline is May 31.
Aspen Summer Words. June 21 - 26, Aspen, Colorado. Workshops, panels, and readings in fiction and creative nonfiction, as well as opportunities to meet with agents and editors. The faculty includes fiction writers Ann Hood, Richard Russo, Akhil Sharma, and Hannah Tinti; and nonfiction writers Andre Dubus III and Dani Shapiro.
Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference. June 20 - 26, Bemidji, Minnesota. Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Publishing. Faculty: Mark Doty, David Gessner - Creative Nonfiction. Tayari Jones - Fiction. Aimee Nezhukumatathil - Poetry. Matt de la Peña - YA Fiction. Joni Tevis - Creative Nonfiction.
Juniper Summer Writing Institute. June 21 - 28, Amherst, MA. Readings, craft seminars, manuscript consultations, and workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. The faculty includes poets Heather Christle, Matthea Harvey, Zachary Schomburg, and Dara Wier; fiction writers Brian Evenson, Noy Holland, and Joy Williams; and creative nonfiction writer Paul Lisicky. The writers-in-residence include Eula Biss, Christopher DeWeese, Thomas Sayers Ellis, Mitchell S. Jackson, Yannick Murphy, Okey Ndibe, Christine Schutt, James Tate, and Arisa White.
Western Writers of America Convention. June 23-27, 2015, Lubbock, Texas. Children's, Fiction, Marketing, Non-fiction, Publishing, Young Adult. History presentations at the convention include Buffalo Soldiers, the Alamo, Comanche Indians, and frontier ranch women. Other sessions will take place related to the craft of writing, book marketing, and research sources and techniques.
Jackson Hole Writers Conference, June 25-27, 2015, Jackson Hole, WY. You will have ample opportunity to share your work with a distinguished faculty as well as writers from Massachusetts to Florida, from Texas to Washington.Serious writers pour into Jackson Hole each June looking for a fresh, but critical eye on their work. This event usually has at least 4 agents to pitch.
Writing Popular Fiction Workshop. June 25 - 28, Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Workshops on writing, editing & pitching; guest speaker presentations. Faculty: Claire Eddy, Senior Editor, Tor/Forge Books; Stephen Saffel, Senior Acquisitions Editor, Titan Books; Representative from New Leaf Literary and Media.
Chuckanut Writers Conference. June 26 - 27, Bellingham, Washington. Writers conference that includes speakers, panels, breakout sessions, authors' readings, reception with authors, pitch sessions with literary agents, book signings, open mic for attendees. Autobiography/Memoir, Children's, Fiction, Nature, Non-fiction, Poetry, Publishing.
University of North Carolina Wilmington Summer Writers Conference. June 26 - 28, Wilmington, North Carolina. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, as well as craft discussions and readings. The faculty includes poet Emily Smith, fiction writer Wiley Cash, nonfiction writer Richard Krawiec, and editor Beth Staples.
Historical Novel Society Conference. June 26 - 28, Denver, Colorado. Focus on all aspects of Historical Fiction, including historical fantasy and alternative history. Sessions will cover the craft of writing, period specific information such as weaponry, language, costume, occupation, and sessions on reading appreciation. Diana Gabaldon, Karen Cushman, Chris C.C.Humphries.
The Greater Los Angeles Writers Conference, June 26-28. West Coast Writers Conferences presents a full weekend of panels, workshops and presentations by educators, noted speakers, and industry professionals focused on the craft and business of writing.
The Writers’ League of Texas 2013 Agents & Editors Conference, June 26–28, Austin, Tex. Featured Agents: Noah Ballard, Curtis Brown LTD, Melissa Flashman, Trident Media Group, Emily Forland, Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents, Inc., Erin Harris, Folio Literary Management, Jim Hornfischer, Hornfischer Literary Management, Trena Keating, Union Literary, Kirby Kim, Janklow & Nesbit Associates, Daniel Kirschen, ICM Partners, Jessica Papin, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management, Kim Perel, Wendy Sherman Associates, Will Roberts, The Gernert Company, Matt Wise, Foundry Literary + Media, Monika Woods, Inkwell Management.