Attending a conference is one of the best things you can do for your writing career. Nothing is a better use of your time and money than networking with writers, industry professionals, and agents.
If you can’t make your ideal conference this year, plan ahead for next year. Many conferences are yearly events. Planning ahead also gives you an opportunity to apply for the scholarships offered by some of these conferences. You can find a comprehensive list of conferences throughout the year here: Writing Conferences.
MASTER CLASS. September 1–8, 2018: Austerlitz, NY. Instructors: Carole Maso, Jonny Diamond. “Join us for a week of writing workshops, publishing seminars, and manuscript evaluations at our beautiful Berkshires campus.”
Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold Conference. Sept. 6–9, 2018: Denver, CO. Keynote Speakers: James Scott Bell, Kate Moretti, and Christopher Paolini. Faculty includes a wide variety of published authors, marketers, editors, and agents. Opportunities to pitch projects to agents and editors.
2018 LoonSong Retreat. September 6 -10, 2018: Cook, Minnesota. Award winning writers and teachers: Nikki Grimes, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Bruce Coville, Marion Dane Bauer, Cheryl Klein and more in an intimate setting for those who write for Children and Young Adults.
Connecticut Fiction Fest. Sponsored by Connecticut Chapter of Romance Writers of America. Sept. 7–9, 2018: Norwalk, CT. Keynote speaker: Bob Mayer. Many agents and editors. 20+ workshops, suitable for all genres and skill levels, full suspense-mystery track, manuscript critiques, opportunities to pitch major agents and editors.
49 Writers Tutka Bay Retreat. Sept. 7–9, 2018, Tutka Bay, Alaska. Guest Instructor: Hannah Tinti.
Poets on the Coast. Sept. 7- 9, 2018: La Conner, Washington. Workshop, one-on-one mentoring, craft classes, and yoga for women poets. The faculty includes poets Kelli Russell Agodon and Susan Rich. Tuition, which does not include lodging or meals, is $429. (Until June 30)
San Francisco Writing for Change. Sept 8, 2018: San Francisco, CA. This event is for writers of nonfiction AND fiction who want to change the world for the better through their work.
Slice Literary Writers’ Conference. Sept 8–9, 2018: Brooklyn, NY. Craft workshops, panels, and one-on-one agent meetings for poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers. Participating authors include fiction writers Patricia Park and Ted Thompson and nonfiction writers Alexander Chee and Porochista Khakpour. Participating publishing professionals include agents Sarah Bowlin (Aevitas Creative Management), Michelle Brower (Aevitas Creative Management), Linda Camacho (Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency), Reiko Davis (DeFiore & Company), Stephanie Delman (Greenburger Associates), Cherise Fisher (Wendy Sherman Associates), Erin Harris (Folio Literary Management), Annie Hwang (Folio Literary Management), Jacqueline Ko (Wylie Agency), Sarah LaPolla (Bradford Literary Agency), Kate McKean (Howard Morhaim Literary Agency), Ayesha Pande (Ayesha Pande Literary), Anjali Singh (Ayesha Pande Literary), DongWon Song (Howard Morhaim Literary Agency), Saba Sulaiman (Talcott Notch Literary), and Kent D. Wolf (Friedrich Agency). The cost of the conference is $350 for both days or $250 for one day; students receive a $50 discount. Agent meetings are an additional $100 to $200; workshops are $50.
The Journey: A Crash Course in How to Write Books for Children 2018. Sept 9–12, 2018: Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Sponsored by Highlights Foundation. “Just how do you write a children’s book–where do you start? How long does it take? What are the steps to publication? How do you get started? This workshop will answer these questions, and more! Picture book author/illustrator Don Tate and picture book author Carmen Oliver, and their special guests, will give you information and tools that will encourage you to savor your process and embrace your journey to publication.”
UCLA Extension Writing Retreat at Lake Arrowhead. Sept 9–14, 2018: Lake Arrowhead, CA. Join a small group of committed writers for four full days of uninterrupted writing time at UCLA’s beautiful conference center at Lake Arrowhead. Participants will enjoy private bedrooms, private baths, and three gourmet meals each day, along with complimentary beverages all day long. The Writers’ Program will coordinate some structured activities, including pre-dinner social hours and nightly open mic events, but your time will ultimately be yours to accomplish your writing goals at your own pace.
Brooklyn Book Festival. September 10 -17, 2018: Brooklyn, NY. Readings, panels, workshops, and a book fair. This year BKBF will feature authors including Rumaan Alam, Martin Amis Jennifer Egan, Tayari Jones, Akwaeke Emezi, Laura Lippmann, Terry McMillan, Carmen Maria Machado, Joyce Carol Oates, Greg Pardlo, Hermione Hoby, A.M. Homes, April Ryan, Alexander Chee and Amber Tamblyn and hundreds more! All events are free and open to the public.
Hampton Roads Writers Tenth Annual Writers’ Conference. Sept 13 -15, 2018: Virginia Beach, Virginia. 1 evening plus 2-full days of workshops, 2 best-selling keynoters, 2 first ten-lines critique sessions, 60 workshops during 10 breakout sessions, ten-minute agent and/or publisher pitches, cash prize contests for short fiction, short nonfiction, and poetry, complimentary 90-minute cocktail social, 2-hour open mic, optional 4-hour add-on WRITER’S BOOT CAMP SESSION (pre-conference); workshops cover fiction, nonfiction, memoir, poetry, screenwriting, songwriting, marketing, and the business of getting published. A book shop, book signings, and many networking opportunities.
PNWA Conference. September 13–16, 2018, Seattle, Washington, Sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Writers Association. More than 50 seminars, editor/agent forums & appointments, practice pitching, keynote and featured speakers, reception, awards ceremony. Many agents and editors attending.
Kentucky Women Writers Conference, Sept. 13–16, 2018: Lexington, KY.The Kentucky Women Writers Conference is the longest running literary festival of women in the nation. About 1,000 individuals attend the conference each year. Daytime sessions attract about 150 writers at all stages of development, and free evening events gather a lively community of readers. Most come seeking literary sisterhood, help with a manuscript, or practical advice about the publishing industry. Many are students or beginning writers.
Florida Heritage Book Festival & Writers Conference. Sept 14–15, 2018: St. Augustine, Florida. Among this year’s scheduled presenters are Laura Lee Smith, James O. Born, Jeff Klinkenburg, Robert Macomber, Keynote Luncheon Speaker, Rod Martinez, Mary Custureri, representing Taylor and Seale Publishing Company. and Allan Marcil.
Unicorn Writers’ Conference, September 15, 2018, Purchase, NY. Make connections and get feedback with dozens of opportunities for one-on-one face time with industry insiders, including: One-on-one manuscript reading and feed-back sessions with agents and editors, Networking breakfast, lunch and dinner, After-conference networking party. Perfect Your Craft with a choice of seven workshops to attend from over thirty different sessions offered in: Fiction, Nonfiction, Memoir, Mystery, Poetry, Screenwriting, Children’s Literature, Romance, Horror/Sci-Fi. Get the insider’s edge with a vast selection of rare, how-to tutorials from every department within a publishing company, including: Marketing/Publicity, Art/Production, Contracts, Special sales, Media training, Pitching Your Work, How to appeal to agents and editors, Various writing workshops, Literary agents and editors — discussion panels.
Breakout Novel Intensive 2.0. September 17–23, 2018: Tampa, Florida. Included are new or revised units on story discovery, strong voice, standout characters, the inner journey, compelling story worlds, beautiful writing, creating resonance and finding meaning in both story and process. Breakout fundamentals are also covered: strong characters, inner conflict, personal stakes, plot layers, powerful scenes, micro-tension, practical theme techniques and much more. Instructor: Donald Maass.
Algonkian Writer Retreat and Novel Workshop. September 19–23, 2018: Sterling,Virginia. This event is now enhanced with new pre-event studies and pre-event phone consultation, a broader range of faculty, an array of vital workshops, as well as extended personal time with business professionals. “You can be as goal-oriented or as hesitant in approach as you wish. You can show us your manuscript, improve your skills, have your work read by our writer mentors, attend our workshops, pitch a literary agent or two, whatever works for you, whatever helps you grow and discover your vision as a writer.
Ridgefield Writers Conference. Sept 21, 2018: Ridgefield, CT. Faculty-led workshops; agent, editor and publisher panels; networking; readings; and post-conference resources.
North Coast Redwoods Writers’ Conference. Sept 21–22, 2018: Crescent City, CA. Workshops on writing, poetry, memoir, editing, social media, marketing, fiction, submitting.
Be a Better Freelancer Sept 21–23, 2018: Rochester NY. 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.
ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival at Boulder. Sept 21–23, 2018: Boulder, CO. Presentations, panels, readings, and musicperformances. In an uplifting celebration of the mind and heart, authors from the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Europe will take part in provocative conversations about life and society, economics and the arts, equity, freedom, and the care of our planet. In these critical times, the penetrating, intercultural dialogue exchanged speaks deeply to individuals and gives rise to the joy of community.
A Weekend For Words. Sept 21–23, 2018: Irvine, CA. 60+ working, professional authors of fiction, nonfiction & screen, editors & agents. Costs $325-$425. Manuscript critique & one-on-one consultation additional.
The Pacific Coast Children’s Novel Workshop & Retreat. Sept 21–23, 2018: Santa Cruz, CA. Intensive seminar offers editor or agent feedback on selected whole-novel manuscripts, including two in-person consults with your mentor. Editor and agent critiques on your polished, opening chapters. Faculty includes Chris Crutcher, Agent Molly Ker Hawn, and Editor Krista Vitola.
Tucson Self-Publishing Expo. September 22, 2018, Tucson, AZ. Five workshops and a display area for vendors to present products and services as well as answer questions related to self-publishing and book marketing. This year’s event will include Sandra Beckwith from Build Book Buzz, the do-it-yourself book marketing site.
2018 Flathead River Writers Conference. Sept 22–23, 2018: Kalispell, MT. Writers help writers in this two day conference packed with energizing speakers and workshops. Features:Workshops on VOICE, HOOK, Your WORLD & TRIBE, MS preparation & submission, working with agents, movie deals, media use, & children’s book publishing. Past presenters: Susan Adrian, Christine Carbo, Kathy Dunnehoff, Larry J. Martin, Jess Owen. Agents: Kate Testerman and Cindy Uh.
3rd Annual Broadleaf Writers Conference. Sept 22–23, 2018, Decatur, GA. In addition to attending sessions, you will have the opportunity to schedule a five-minute one-on-one session with an agent.
Breakout Novel Intensive 2.0. September 23–29, 2018: San Antonio, Texas. Included are new or revised units on story discovery, strong voice, standout characters, the inner journey, compelling story worlds, beautiful writing, creating resonance and finding meaning in both story and process. Breakout fundamentals are also covered: strong characters, inner conflict, personal stakes, plot layers, powerful scenes, micro-tension, practical theme techniques and much more. Instructor: Donald Maass.
Taking Your Writing & Art to New Places: Published Authors and Illustrators at Work 2018. September 24–28, 2018. Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Sponsored by Highlights Foundation. With this workshop, we are aiming for meaningful conversation about how to continue to push the boundaries of our work. How do we acknowledge the power of our recurring themes and at the same time find ways to break new ground and find innovation?
New York Pitch Conference. Sept 27–30, 2018: New York, NY. Features publishing house editors from major houses such as Penguin, Random House, St. Martins, Harper Collins, Tor and Del Rey, Kensington Books and many more who are looking for new novels in a variety of genres, as well as narrative non-fiction. The event focuses on the art of the novel pitch as the best method not only for communicating your work, but for having you and your work taken seriously by industry professionals.Workshops, homework & pitch training, agent/editor feedback, market study, publication plan.
Chattahoochee Valley Writers Conference. Sept 28–29, 2018, Columbus, GA, “Whether you write prose or poetry you can explore capturing thoughts, observations, and reflections with the written word. The sessions will be criticism free. You will be exposed to various writers and their styles, and work on editing, polishing and expanding writings into something that is reflective of your personality and talents. You should leave with a piece of original work and a sense of writing as an avenue to discovering self.”
LiTFUSE Poets’ Workshop. September 28–30, 2018, Tieton, WA. The faculty includes poets Rick Barot, Jennifer Boyden, Kimberly Burwick, Kevin Goodan, Cindy Williams Gutiérrez, Christopher Howell, Jonathan Johnson, Douglas Manuel, Kevin Prufer, Katrina Roberts, Raul Sanchez, Imani Sims, and Joanna Thomas.
GO LONG: Sonnet Crowns, Poem Sequences, and Long Poems. September 28 to October 1, 2018: Austerlitz, NY. Instructor: Danez Smith. “What happens to a poem when it explodes into many? What waits for us as writers half way through a long poem? Do we have the legs and stamina to make it to the end? What tactics can help up get there? “Go Long” is a generative workshop for built to investigate the potential of crowns, sequences, invented forms, and long poems to unveil our deeper thinking that cannot be done with brevity. Over the course of our time together, we will write, experiment, and edit towards a single, large work while guided through our group interrogations of long poems written by an array of contemporary and legendary poets.”
Wrightwood Literary Festival. September 29–30, 2018: Wrightwood, CA. Features workshops and readings by new guest faculty. A keynote address will be given by award-winning Young Adult author and poet Ron Koertge. Registration opens in the summer.
DIY Repair Kit For Writers: Get YourFixer-Upper Ready To Sell 2018. September 30 — October 3, 2018, Honesdale, PA. For published and pre-published authors who have a novel that needs to be renovated for sale. Have a fixer-upper manuscript? One with good bones but in need of some TLC? Then this workshop is for you! Join authors Mitali Perkins and Susan Campbell Bartoletti as they guide you through renovation boot camp. Each morning will begin with craft lessons focused on the foundational elements of your novel, like dialogue, character, and setting. Follow your craft sessions with mentor-directed evaluations of your work, turning from fundamental elements to big-picture questions. After muddling through the big questions, you will get to work, dividing your story scene by scene and starting your repair. You will have feedback from your mentors and peers at every step of the way at this hands-on workshop for novelists ready to deconstruct and rebuild their manuscripts.
If you can’t make your ideal conference this year, plan ahead for next year. Many conferences are yearly events. Planning ahead also gives you an opportunity to apply for the scholarships offered by some of these conferences. You can find a comprehensive list of conferences throughout the year here: Writing Conferences.
MASTER CLASS. September 1–8, 2018: Austerlitz, NY. Instructors: Carole Maso, Jonny Diamond. “Join us for a week of writing workshops, publishing seminars, and manuscript evaluations at our beautiful Berkshires campus.”
Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold Conference. Sept. 6–9, 2018: Denver, CO. Keynote Speakers: James Scott Bell, Kate Moretti, and Christopher Paolini. Faculty includes a wide variety of published authors, marketers, editors, and agents. Opportunities to pitch projects to agents and editors.
2018 LoonSong Retreat. September 6 -10, 2018: Cook, Minnesota. Award winning writers and teachers: Nikki Grimes, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Bruce Coville, Marion Dane Bauer, Cheryl Klein and more in an intimate setting for those who write for Children and Young Adults.
Connecticut Fiction Fest. Sponsored by Connecticut Chapter of Romance Writers of America. Sept. 7–9, 2018: Norwalk, CT. Keynote speaker: Bob Mayer. Many agents and editors. 20+ workshops, suitable for all genres and skill levels, full suspense-mystery track, manuscript critiques, opportunities to pitch major agents and editors.
49 Writers Tutka Bay Retreat. Sept. 7–9, 2018, Tutka Bay, Alaska. Guest Instructor: Hannah Tinti.
Poets on the Coast. Sept. 7- 9, 2018: La Conner, Washington. Workshop, one-on-one mentoring, craft classes, and yoga for women poets. The faculty includes poets Kelli Russell Agodon and Susan Rich. Tuition, which does not include lodging or meals, is $429. (Until June 30)
San Francisco Writing for Change. Sept 8, 2018: San Francisco, CA. This event is for writers of nonfiction AND fiction who want to change the world for the better through their work.
Slice Literary Writers’ Conference. Sept 8–9, 2018: Brooklyn, NY. Craft workshops, panels, and one-on-one agent meetings for poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers. Participating authors include fiction writers Patricia Park and Ted Thompson and nonfiction writers Alexander Chee and Porochista Khakpour. Participating publishing professionals include agents Sarah Bowlin (Aevitas Creative Management), Michelle Brower (Aevitas Creative Management), Linda Camacho (Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency), Reiko Davis (DeFiore & Company), Stephanie Delman (Greenburger Associates), Cherise Fisher (Wendy Sherman Associates), Erin Harris (Folio Literary Management), Annie Hwang (Folio Literary Management), Jacqueline Ko (Wylie Agency), Sarah LaPolla (Bradford Literary Agency), Kate McKean (Howard Morhaim Literary Agency), Ayesha Pande (Ayesha Pande Literary), Anjali Singh (Ayesha Pande Literary), DongWon Song (Howard Morhaim Literary Agency), Saba Sulaiman (Talcott Notch Literary), and Kent D. Wolf (Friedrich Agency). The cost of the conference is $350 for both days or $250 for one day; students receive a $50 discount. Agent meetings are an additional $100 to $200; workshops are $50.
The Journey: A Crash Course in How to Write Books for Children 2018. Sept 9–12, 2018: Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Sponsored by Highlights Foundation. “Just how do you write a children’s book–where do you start? How long does it take? What are the steps to publication? How do you get started? This workshop will answer these questions, and more! Picture book author/illustrator Don Tate and picture book author Carmen Oliver, and their special guests, will give you information and tools that will encourage you to savor your process and embrace your journey to publication.”
UCLA Extension Writing Retreat at Lake Arrowhead. Sept 9–14, 2018: Lake Arrowhead, CA. Join a small group of committed writers for four full days of uninterrupted writing time at UCLA’s beautiful conference center at Lake Arrowhead. Participants will enjoy private bedrooms, private baths, and three gourmet meals each day, along with complimentary beverages all day long. The Writers’ Program will coordinate some structured activities, including pre-dinner social hours and nightly open mic events, but your time will ultimately be yours to accomplish your writing goals at your own pace.
Brooklyn Book Festival. September 10 -17, 2018: Brooklyn, NY. Readings, panels, workshops, and a book fair. This year BKBF will feature authors including Rumaan Alam, Martin Amis Jennifer Egan, Tayari Jones, Akwaeke Emezi, Laura Lippmann, Terry McMillan, Carmen Maria Machado, Joyce Carol Oates, Greg Pardlo, Hermione Hoby, A.M. Homes, April Ryan, Alexander Chee and Amber Tamblyn and hundreds more! All events are free and open to the public.
Hampton Roads Writers Tenth Annual Writers’ Conference. Sept 13 -15, 2018: Virginia Beach, Virginia. 1 evening plus 2-full days of workshops, 2 best-selling keynoters, 2 first ten-lines critique sessions, 60 workshops during 10 breakout sessions, ten-minute agent and/or publisher pitches, cash prize contests for short fiction, short nonfiction, and poetry, complimentary 90-minute cocktail social, 2-hour open mic, optional 4-hour add-on WRITER’S BOOT CAMP SESSION (pre-conference); workshops cover fiction, nonfiction, memoir, poetry, screenwriting, songwriting, marketing, and the business of getting published. A book shop, book signings, and many networking opportunities.
PNWA Conference. September 13–16, 2018, Seattle, Washington, Sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Writers Association. More than 50 seminars, editor/agent forums & appointments, practice pitching, keynote and featured speakers, reception, awards ceremony. Many agents and editors attending.
Kentucky Women Writers Conference, Sept. 13–16, 2018: Lexington, KY.The Kentucky Women Writers Conference is the longest running literary festival of women in the nation. About 1,000 individuals attend the conference each year. Daytime sessions attract about 150 writers at all stages of development, and free evening events gather a lively community of readers. Most come seeking literary sisterhood, help with a manuscript, or practical advice about the publishing industry. Many are students or beginning writers.
Florida Heritage Book Festival & Writers Conference. Sept 14–15, 2018: St. Augustine, Florida. Among this year’s scheduled presenters are Laura Lee Smith, James O. Born, Jeff Klinkenburg, Robert Macomber, Keynote Luncheon Speaker, Rod Martinez, Mary Custureri, representing Taylor and Seale Publishing Company. and Allan Marcil.
Unicorn Writers’ Conference, September 15, 2018, Purchase, NY. Make connections and get feedback with dozens of opportunities for one-on-one face time with industry insiders, including: One-on-one manuscript reading and feed-back sessions with agents and editors, Networking breakfast, lunch and dinner, After-conference networking party. Perfect Your Craft with a choice of seven workshops to attend from over thirty different sessions offered in: Fiction, Nonfiction, Memoir, Mystery, Poetry, Screenwriting, Children’s Literature, Romance, Horror/Sci-Fi. Get the insider’s edge with a vast selection of rare, how-to tutorials from every department within a publishing company, including: Marketing/Publicity, Art/Production, Contracts, Special sales, Media training, Pitching Your Work, How to appeal to agents and editors, Various writing workshops, Literary agents and editors — discussion panels.
Breakout Novel Intensive 2.0. September 17–23, 2018: Tampa, Florida. Included are new or revised units on story discovery, strong voice, standout characters, the inner journey, compelling story worlds, beautiful writing, creating resonance and finding meaning in both story and process. Breakout fundamentals are also covered: strong characters, inner conflict, personal stakes, plot layers, powerful scenes, micro-tension, practical theme techniques and much more. Instructor: Donald Maass.
Algonkian Writer Retreat and Novel Workshop. September 19–23, 2018: Sterling,Virginia. This event is now enhanced with new pre-event studies and pre-event phone consultation, a broader range of faculty, an array of vital workshops, as well as extended personal time with business professionals. “You can be as goal-oriented or as hesitant in approach as you wish. You can show us your manuscript, improve your skills, have your work read by our writer mentors, attend our workshops, pitch a literary agent or two, whatever works for you, whatever helps you grow and discover your vision as a writer.
Ridgefield Writers Conference. Sept 21, 2018: Ridgefield, CT. Faculty-led workshops; agent, editor and publisher panels; networking; readings; and post-conference resources.
North Coast Redwoods Writers’ Conference. Sept 21–22, 2018: Crescent City, CA. Workshops on writing, poetry, memoir, editing, social media, marketing, fiction, submitting.
Be a Better Freelancer Sept 21–23, 2018: Rochester NY. 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.
ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival at Boulder. Sept 21–23, 2018: Boulder, CO. Presentations, panels, readings, and musicperformances. In an uplifting celebration of the mind and heart, authors from the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Europe will take part in provocative conversations about life and society, economics and the arts, equity, freedom, and the care of our planet. In these critical times, the penetrating, intercultural dialogue exchanged speaks deeply to individuals and gives rise to the joy of community.
A Weekend For Words. Sept 21–23, 2018: Irvine, CA. 60+ working, professional authors of fiction, nonfiction & screen, editors & agents. Costs $325-$425. Manuscript critique & one-on-one consultation additional.
The Pacific Coast Children’s Novel Workshop & Retreat. Sept 21–23, 2018: Santa Cruz, CA. Intensive seminar offers editor or agent feedback on selected whole-novel manuscripts, including two in-person consults with your mentor. Editor and agent critiques on your polished, opening chapters. Faculty includes Chris Crutcher, Agent Molly Ker Hawn, and Editor Krista Vitola.
Tucson Self-Publishing Expo. September 22, 2018, Tucson, AZ. Five workshops and a display area for vendors to present products and services as well as answer questions related to self-publishing and book marketing. This year’s event will include Sandra Beckwith from Build Book Buzz, the do-it-yourself book marketing site.
2018 Flathead River Writers Conference. Sept 22–23, 2018: Kalispell, MT. Writers help writers in this two day conference packed with energizing speakers and workshops. Features:Workshops on VOICE, HOOK, Your WORLD & TRIBE, MS preparation & submission, working with agents, movie deals, media use, & children’s book publishing. Past presenters: Susan Adrian, Christine Carbo, Kathy Dunnehoff, Larry J. Martin, Jess Owen. Agents: Kate Testerman and Cindy Uh.
3rd Annual Broadleaf Writers Conference. Sept 22–23, 2018, Decatur, GA. In addition to attending sessions, you will have the opportunity to schedule a five-minute one-on-one session with an agent.
Breakout Novel Intensive 2.0. September 23–29, 2018: San Antonio, Texas. Included are new or revised units on story discovery, strong voice, standout characters, the inner journey, compelling story worlds, beautiful writing, creating resonance and finding meaning in both story and process. Breakout fundamentals are also covered: strong characters, inner conflict, personal stakes, plot layers, powerful scenes, micro-tension, practical theme techniques and much more. Instructor: Donald Maass.
Taking Your Writing & Art to New Places: Published Authors and Illustrators at Work 2018. September 24–28, 2018. Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Sponsored by Highlights Foundation. With this workshop, we are aiming for meaningful conversation about how to continue to push the boundaries of our work. How do we acknowledge the power of our recurring themes and at the same time find ways to break new ground and find innovation?
New York Pitch Conference. Sept 27–30, 2018: New York, NY. Features publishing house editors from major houses such as Penguin, Random House, St. Martins, Harper Collins, Tor and Del Rey, Kensington Books and many more who are looking for new novels in a variety of genres, as well as narrative non-fiction. The event focuses on the art of the novel pitch as the best method not only for communicating your work, but for having you and your work taken seriously by industry professionals.Workshops, homework & pitch training, agent/editor feedback, market study, publication plan.
Chattahoochee Valley Writers Conference. Sept 28–29, 2018, Columbus, GA, “Whether you write prose or poetry you can explore capturing thoughts, observations, and reflections with the written word. The sessions will be criticism free. You will be exposed to various writers and their styles, and work on editing, polishing and expanding writings into something that is reflective of your personality and talents. You should leave with a piece of original work and a sense of writing as an avenue to discovering self.”
LiTFUSE Poets’ Workshop. September 28–30, 2018, Tieton, WA. The faculty includes poets Rick Barot, Jennifer Boyden, Kimberly Burwick, Kevin Goodan, Cindy Williams Gutiérrez, Christopher Howell, Jonathan Johnson, Douglas Manuel, Kevin Prufer, Katrina Roberts, Raul Sanchez, Imani Sims, and Joanna Thomas.
GO LONG: Sonnet Crowns, Poem Sequences, and Long Poems. September 28 to October 1, 2018: Austerlitz, NY. Instructor: Danez Smith. “What happens to a poem when it explodes into many? What waits for us as writers half way through a long poem? Do we have the legs and stamina to make it to the end? What tactics can help up get there? “Go Long” is a generative workshop for built to investigate the potential of crowns, sequences, invented forms, and long poems to unveil our deeper thinking that cannot be done with brevity. Over the course of our time together, we will write, experiment, and edit towards a single, large work while guided through our group interrogations of long poems written by an array of contemporary and legendary poets.”
Wrightwood Literary Festival. September 29–30, 2018: Wrightwood, CA. Features workshops and readings by new guest faculty. A keynote address will be given by award-winning Young Adult author and poet Ron Koertge. Registration opens in the summer.
DIY Repair Kit For Writers: Get YourFixer-Upper Ready To Sell 2018. September 30 — October 3, 2018, Honesdale, PA. For published and pre-published authors who have a novel that needs to be renovated for sale. Have a fixer-upper manuscript? One with good bones but in need of some TLC? Then this workshop is for you! Join authors Mitali Perkins and Susan Campbell Bartoletti as they guide you through renovation boot camp. Each morning will begin with craft lessons focused on the foundational elements of your novel, like dialogue, character, and setting. Follow your craft sessions with mentor-directed evaluations of your work, turning from fundamental elements to big-picture questions. After muddling through the big questions, you will get to work, dividing your story scene by scene and starting your repair. You will have feedback from your mentors and peers at every step of the way at this hands-on workshop for novelists ready to deconstruct and rebuild their manuscripts.
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