Guide to Literary Agents: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published (Market) (2015)

CONFERENCES

Attending a writers’ conference that includes agents gives you the opportunity to learn more about what agents do and to show an agent your work. Ideally, a conference should include a panel or two with a number of agents to give writers a sense of the variety of personalities and tastes of different agents.

Not all agents are alike: Some are more personable, and sometimes you simply click better with one agent versus another. When only one agent attends a conference, there is a tendency for every writer at that conference to think, “Ah, this is the agent I’ve been looking for!’’ When the number of agents attending is larger, you have a wider group from which to choose, and you may have less competition for the agent’s time.

Besides including panels of agents discussing what representation means and how to go about securing it, many of these gatherings also include time—either scheduled or impromptu—to meet briefly with an agent to discuss your work.

If they’re impressed with what they see and hear about your work, they will invite you to submit a query, a proposal, a few sample chapters, or possibly your entire manuscript. Some conferences even arrange for agents to review manuscripts in advance and schedule one-on-one sessions during which you can receive specific feedback or advice regarding your work. Such meetings often cost a small fee, but the input you receive is usually worth the price.

Ask writers who attend conferences and they’ll tell you that, at the very least, you’ll walk away with new knowledge about the industry. At the very best, you’ll receive an invitation to send an agent your material!

Many writers try to make it to at least one conference a year, but cost and location can count as much as subject matter when determining which one to attend. There are conferences in almost every state and province that can provide answers to your questions about writing and the publishing industry. Conferences also connect you with a community of other writers. Such connections help you learn about the pros and cons of different agents, and they can also give you a renewed sense of purpose and direction in your own writing.

SUBHEADS

Each listing is divided into subheads to make locating specific information easier. In the first section, you’ll find contact information for conference contacts. You’ll also learn conference dates, specific focus, and the average number of attendees. Finally, names of agents who will be speaking or have spoken in the past are listed along with details about their availability during the conference. Calling or e-mailing a conference director to verify the names of agents in attendance is always a good idea.

Costs: Looking at the price of events, plus room and board, may help writers on a tight budget narrow their choices.

Accommodations: Here conferences list overnight accommodations and travel information. Often conferences held in hotels will reserve rooms at a discount rate and may provide a shuttle bus to and from the local airport.

Additional Information: This section includes information on conference-sponsored contests, individual meetings, the availability of brochures, and more.

At the beginning of some listings, you will find one or more of the following symbols:

Conference new to this addition

Canadian Conference

International Conference

Find a pull-out bookmark with a key to symbols on the inside cover of this book.

ALASKA WRITERS CONFERENCE

Alaska Writers Guild, PO Box 670014, Chugiak AK 99567. E-mail: bahartman@me.com; alaskawritersguild.awg@gmail.com. Website: alaskawritersguild.com. Contact: Brooke Hartman. Annual event held in the fall—usually September. Duration: 2 days. There are many workshops and instructional tracks of courses. This event sometimes teams up with SCBWI and Alaska Pacific University to offer courses at the event. Several literary agents are in attendance each year to hear pitches and meet writers.

COSTS 2013 costs: Up to $275, though discounts for different memberships brings down that number.

ACCOMMODATIONS Crowne Plaza Hotel in Anchorage. Conference room rates available. Several scholarships are available (see the website).

ALGONKIAN FIVE DAY NOVEL CAMP

2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 443, Washington DC 20006. E-mail: algonkian@webdelsol.com. Website: fwwriters.algonkianconferences.com. Conference duration: 5 days. Average attendance: 12 students maximum per workshop. “During 45+ hours of actual workshop time, students will engage in those rigorous narrative and complication/plot exercises necessary to produce a publishable manuscript. Genres we work with include general commercial fiction, literary fiction, serious and light women’s fiction, mystery/cozy/thriller, SF/F, young adult, and memoir/narrative nonfiction. The three areas of workshop emphasis will be PREMISE, PLATFORM, and EXECUTION. Site: “The Algonkian Park is located 30 miles from Washington, D.C. A good map and directions can be found here. It is 12 miles from Dulles International Airport (the perfect place to fly into—cab fares from Dulles to Algonkian are about $25). The cottages are fully furnished with TV, phones, linens, dishes, central air and heat. All cottages feature fireplaces, decks with grills, equipped kitchens, cathedral ceilings, and expansive riverside views of the Potomac. Participants each have their own room in the cottage. The address of the Algonkian Park Management headquarters is 47001 Fairway Drive, Sterling, Virginia, and their phone number is 703-450-4655. If you have any questions about the cottages or facilities, ask for Lawan, the manager.”

AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCES

P.O. Box 110390, Nashville TN 37222-0390. (800)219-7483. Fax: (615)834-7736. E-mail: acwriters@aol.com. Website: www.acwriters.com. Contact: Reg Forder, director. Estab. 1981. ACW hosts dozens of annual two-day writers conferences and mentoring retreats across America taught by editors and professional freelance writers. These events provide excellent instruction, networking opportunities, and valuable one-on-one time with editors. Annual conferences promoting all forms of Christian writing (fiction, nonfiction, scriptwriting). Conferences are held between March and November during each year.

COSTS Costs vary based on conference. Prices also depend on whether it is a conference or a mentoring retreat.

ACCOMMODATIONS Special rates are available at the host hotel (usually a major chain like Holiday Inn).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Send an SASE for conference brochures/guidelines.

ANTIOCH WRITERS’ WORKSHOP

c/o Antioch University Midwest, 900 Dayton St., Yellow Springs OH 45387. (937)769-1803. E-mail: info@antiochwritersworkshop.com. Website: www.antiochwritersworkshop.com. Contact: Sharon Short, director. Estab. 1986. Average attendance: 80. Programs are offered year-round; see the website for details. The dates of the 2014 conference are July 12-18. Workshop concentration: fiction, poetry, personal essay, memoir. Workshop located at Antioch University Midwest in the Village of Yellow Springs. 2014 summer program keynoter and Sunday morning craft class leader is Andre Dubus III. Faculty for morning classes and afternoon seminars through rest of the week include Hallie Ephron, Marly Youmans, Gayle Brandeis, Tara Ison, Mike Mullin, and many other authors as well as visiting literary agents. Writers of all levels (beginner to advanced) of fiction, memoir, personal essay, and poetry are warmly welcomed to discover their next steps on their writing paths—whether that’s developing craft or preparing to submit for publication. An agent and an editor will be speaking and available for meetings with attendees.

COSTS (registration fee plus tuition) Full week: $735, non-local, first time attendees; $675, alumni/locals; $575 for Ohio College/University students and faculty. Optional ms critique is $75[$85] for Full Week attendees. A la carte: $125 [$150], Saturday Seminar; $375, Morning Only classes; $375, Afternoon Only Focus on Form seminar.

ACCOMMODATIONS Accommodations are available at local hotels and bed & breakfasts.

ART WORKSHOPS IN GUATEMALA

4758 Lyndale Ave. S, Minneapolis MN 55419-5304. (612)825-0747. E-mail: info@artguat.org. Website: www.artguat.org. Contact: Liza Fourre, director. Estab. 1995. Annual. Workshops held year-round. Maximim class size: 10 students per class.

COSTS See website. It includes tuition, lodging, breakfast, ground transportation.

ACCOMMODATIONS All transportation and accommodations included in price of conference.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Conference information available now. For brochure/guidelines visit website, e-mail or call. Accepts inquiries by e-mail, phone.

ASPEN SUMMER WORDS LITERARY FESTIVAL & WRITING RETREAT

Aspen Writers’ Foundation, 110 E. Hallam St., #116, Aspen CO 81611. (970)925-3122. Fax: (970)925-5700. E-mail: info@aspenwriters.org. Website: www.aspenwriters.org. Contact: Natalie Lacy, programs coordinator. Estab. 1976. 2014 dates: June 14-18. ASW is one part laboratory and one part theater. It is comprised of two tracks—the Writing Retreat and the Literary Festival—which approach the written word from different, yet complementary angles. The Retreat features introductory and intensive workshops with some of the nation’s most notable writing instructors and includes literature appreciation symposia and professional consultations with literary agents and editors. The Writing Retreat supports writers in developing their craft by providing a winning combination of inspiration, skills, community, and opportunity. The Literary Festival is a booklover’s bliss, where the written word takes center stage. Since 2005, each edition of the Festival has celebrated a particular literary heritage and culture by honoring the stories and storytellers of a specific region. Annual conference held the fourth week of June. Conference duration: 5 days. Average attendance: 150 at writing retreat; 300+ at literary festival.

COSTS Check website each year for updates.

ACCOMMODATIONS Discount lodging at the conference site will be available. 2014 rates to be announced (see website). Free shuttle around town.

ATLANTA WRITERS CONFERENCE

E-mail: awconference@gmail.com. E-mail: gjweinstein@yahoo.com. Website: atlantawritersconference.com. Contact: George Weinstein. The Atlanta Writers Conference happens twice a year (every 6 months) and invites several agents, editors and authors each time. There are instructional sessions, and time to pitch professionals.

ACCOMMODATIONS Westin Airport Atlanta Hotel.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION There is a free shuttle that runs between the airport and the hotel.

BALTIMORE COMIC-CON

Baltimore Convention Center, One West Pratt St., Baltimore MD 21201. (410)526-7410. E-mail: general@baltimorecomiccon.com. Website: www.baltimorecomiccon.com. Contact: Marc Nathan. Estab. 1999. Annual. September 5-7, 2014. Conference “promoting the wonderful world of comics to as many people as possible.” The Baltimore Comic-Con welcomes the return of The Harvey Awards: “The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry’s oldest and most respected awards. The Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories, ranging from Best Artist to The Hero Initiative Lifetime Achievement Award. They are the only industry awards both nominated by and selected by the full body of comic book professionals.”

ACCOMMODATIONS Does not offer overnight accommodations. Provides list of area hotels or lodging options.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION For brochure, visit website.

BALTIMORE WRITERS’ CONFERENCE

English Department, Liberal Arts Building, Towson University, 8000 York Rd., Towson MD 21252. (410)704-3695. E-mail: prwr@towson.edu. Website: baltimorewritersconference.org. Estab. 1994. “Annual conference held in November at Towson University. Conference duration: 1 day. Average attendance: 150-200. Covers all areas of writing and getting published. Held at Towson University. Session topics include fiction, nonfiction, poetry, magazine and journals, agents and publishers. Sign up the day of the conference for quick critiques to improve your stories, essays, and poems.”

COSTS 2013 costs: $75-95 (includes all-day conference, lunch and reception). Student special rate of $35 before mid-October, $50 thereafter.

ACCOMMODATIONS Hotels are close by, if required.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Writers may register through the BWA website. Send inquiries via e-mail.

BAY TO OCEAN WRITERS’ CONFERENCE

P.O. Box 544, St. Michaels MD 21663. (443)786-4536. E-mail: info@baytoocean.com. Website: www.baytoocean.com. Estab. 1998. Contacts include Diane Marquette, Mala Burt, Judy Reveal (coordinators).

COSTS Adults $155, students $55. A paid manuscript review is also available—details on website. Includes continental breakfast and networking lunch.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Mail-in registration form available on website in December prior to the conference. Pre-registration is required, no registration at door. Conference usually sells out one month in advance. Conference is for all levels of writers.

BIG SUR WRITING WORKSHOP

Henry Miller Library, Highway One, Big Sur CA 93920. (831)667-2574. Website: bigsurwriting.wordpress.com. Annual workshops focusing on children’s and young adult writing (picture books, middle grade, and young adult). (2014 dates: both March 7-9 and Dec. 5-7.) Workshop held in Big Sur Lodge in Pfeiffer State Park. Cost of workshop: $770; included meals, lodging, workshop, Saturday evening reception; $600 if lodging not needed. www.henrymiller.org. This event is helmed by the literary agents of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, which is the most successful agency nationwide in selling kids books. All attendees meet with at least 2 faculty members, so work is critiqued.

BLOCKBUSTER PLOT INTENSIVE WRITING WORKSHOPS (SANTA CRUZ)

Santa Cruz CA E-mail: contact@blockbusterplots.com. Website: www.blockbusterplots.com. Contact: Martha Alderson M.A. (also known as the Plot Whisperer), instructor. Estab. 2000. Held 4 times per year. Conference duration: 2 days. Average attendance: 20. Workshop is intended to help writers create an action, character, and thematic plotline for a screenplay, memoir, short story, novel, or creative nonfiction. Site: Conference hall.

COSTS $95 per day.

ACCOMMODATIONS Provides list of area hotels and lodging options.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Brochures available by e-mail or on website. Accepts inquiries by e-mail.

BLOODY WORDS MYSTERY CONFERENCE

E-mail: 2014.bloodywords.com/contact. E-mail: chair@bloodywords.com. Website: www.2014.bloodywords.com. Contact: Cheryl Freedman, chair. Estab. 1999. 2014 info: June 6-8 in Toronto. Theme: Danse Macabre: Historical Mysteries and the Dance of Death. “This is a conference for both readers and writers of mysteries, the only one of its kind in Canada. Programming includes presentations by experts in forensics, criminology, and publishing; panels with authors discussing a range of topics; workshops; Friday night special event; and more. See About Us on our website for details.”

COSTS $190 Canadian (includes the opening reception, special event and banquet, all panels, readings, dealers’ room, workshops, chance to meet with an agent, and more).

ACCOMMODATIONS Offers block of rooms at the Hyatt Regency on King. Check website for details.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Sponsors short mystery story contest (blind judging)—5,000 word limit; judges are experienced editors of anthologies; fee is $5 (entrants must be registered for conference). Also sponsors The Bony Blithe Award for light mysteries; see website for details. Conference information is available now on our website. Agents and editors participate in conference.

BLUE RIDGE CHRISTIAN “AUTUMN IN THE MOUNTAINS” NOVELISTS RETREAT

(800)588-7222. E-mail: ylehman@bellsouth.net. Website: www.lifeway.com/novelretreat. Contact: Yvonne Lehman, director. Estab. 2007. Annual retreat held in October at Ridgecrest/LifeWay Conference Center near Asheville NC. (2014 dates: October 19-22, 2014.) For beginning and advanced novelists. Site: LifeWay/Ridgecrest Conference Center, 20 miles east of Asheville, NC. Faculty: Yvonne Lehman (director, over 50 novels, editor Lighthouse Publishing of Carolinas), Lynette Eason (best-selling suspense, 20 books), Ann Tatlock (two-time Christy winner), Diana Flegal (Hartline Literary Agent), Edie Melson (novelist, social media expert), Ron & Janet Benrey (Mystery/suspense, Greenbrier publishers/editors).

COSTS Before April 1 tuition: $275. After April 1: $325. Lodging $69-$89 per night. To register: 1-800-588-7222.

BOOKS-IN-PROGRESS CONFERENCE

Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning, 251 West Second Street, Lexington KY 40507. (859)254-4175. E-mail: ccll1@carnegiecenterlex.org; lwhitaker@carnegiecenterlex.org. Website: carnegiecenterlex.org/events/books-in-progress-conference/. Contact: Laura Whitaker. Estab. 2010. This is an annual writing conference at the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning in Lexington, KY. “The conference will offer writing and publishing workshops and includes a keynote presentation.” Literary agents are flown in to meet with writers and hear pitches. Website is updated several months prior to each annual event.

COSTS As of 2013, costs were $175.

ACCOMMODATIONS Several area hotels are nearby.

BOOMING GROUND ONLINE WRITERS STUDIO

Buch E-462, 1866 Main Mall, UBC, Vancouver BC V6T 1Z1 Canada. Fax: (604)648-8848. E-mail: contact@boomingground.com. Website: www.boomingground.com. Contact: Robin Evans, director. Writer mentorships geared toward beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels in novel, short fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and children’s writing, and more. Open to students. Online mentorship program—students work for 6 months with a mentor by e-mail, allowing up to 120-240 pages of material to be created. Program cost: $500 (Canadian). Site: Online and by e-mail.

BREAD LOAF IN SICILY WRITERS’ CONFERENCE

Middlebury College, Middlebury VT 05753. (802)443-5286. Fax: (802)443-2087. E-mail: ncargill@middlebury.edu; BLSICILY@middlebury.edu. Website: www.middlebury.edu/blwc/SICILY. Contact: Michael Collier, Director. Estab. 2011. Annual conference held in September. Conference duration: 7 days. Offers workshops for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Agents and editors will be in attendance. 2014 dates: Sept. 21-27. Average attendance: 32.

COSTS $2,790—includes tuition, housing.

ACCOMMODATIONS Hotel Villa San Giovanni in Erice, Sicily (western coast of the island).

BREAD LOAF ORION ENVIRONMENTAL WRITERS’ CONFERENCE

Middlebury College, Middlebury VT 05753. (802)443-5286. Fax: (802)443-2087. E-mail: ncargill@middlebury.edu; BLORION@middlebury.edu. Website: www.middlebury.edu/blwc/BLOrion. Contact: Michael Collier, Director. Estab. 2014. Annual conference held in June. Conference duration: 7 days. Offers workshops for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Agents and editors will be in attendance. 2014 dates: June 9-15. Average attendance: 60.

COSTS $1,995—includes tuition, housing.

ACCOMMODATIONS Mountain campus of Middlebury College.

BREAD LOAF WRITERS’ CONFERENCE

Middlebury College, Middlebury College, Middlebury VT 05753. (802)443-5286. Fax: (802)443-2087. E-mail: ncargill@middlebury.edu. E-mail: blwc@middlebury.edu. Website: www.middlebury.edu/blwc. Contact: Michael Collier, Director. Estab. 1926. Annual conference held in late August. Conference duration: 10 days. Offers workshops for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Agents and editors will be in attendance.

COSTS $2,935 (includes tuition, housing).

ACCOMMODATIONS Bread Loaf Campus in Ripton, Vermont.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 2014 Conference Dates: August 13-23. Location: Mountain campus of Middlebury College. Average attendance: 230.

THE BUSINESS OF PET WRITING CONFERENCE

The Pet Socialite, Prince Street Station, PO Box 398, New York NY 10012. (212)631-3648. E-mail: info@petwritingconference.com. Website: www.petwritingconference.com. Contact: Charlotte Reed, director. Estab. 2008. Conference duration: 1 day. Next workshop held spring 2014. Average attendance: 100. Annual conference caters to authors and journalists with interest in writing about animals. Offers seminars and workshops that “help pet writers increase their visibility with better blogging, column writing, and hosting internet radio shows; learning more about narrative and creative nonfiction; building their freelance portfolio with newspaper, magazine, and blog clips; and creating successful book marketing campaigns. Offers opportunity to meet with two top agents and editors on an individualized basis. Also welcomes a variety of notable veterinarians and prominent representatives from the pet food industry who are eager to assist pet writers with their research, book and article ideas, contact information, additional educational opportunities, and access to materials (studies, reports, press releases, newsletters, etc). Featured agents have included Kate Epstein, Jeffrey Kleinman, and Meredith Hays.

COSTS Varies by year. 2014 costs not yet clear.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Brochures and guidelines available on website.

BYRON BAY WRITERS FESTIVAL

Northern Rivers Writers’ Centre, P.O. Box 1846, 69 Johnson St., Byron Bay NSW 2481 Australia. 040755-2441. E-mail: jeni@nrwc.org.au. Website: www.byronbaywritersfestival.com. Contact: Jeni Caffin, director. Estab. 1997. Annual festival held the first weekend in August at Byron’s Bay Belongil Fields. Festival duration: 3 days. Celebrate and reflect with over 100 of the finest writers from Australia and overseas. Workshops, panel discussions, and literary breakfasts, lunches, and dinners will also be offered. The Byron Bay Writers Festival is organised by the staff and Committee of the Northern Rivers Writers’ Centre, a member-based organisation receiving core funding from Arts NSW.

COSTS See costs online under Tickets. Early bird, NRWC members and students, kids.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION “2014 Festival dates are August 1-3 with workshops beginning July 28 and discounted Early Bird passes are on sale from April 4 at our website or 02 6685 6262. Full program on sale June 9.”

CALIFORNIA CRIME WRITERS CONFERENCE

Co-sponsored by Sisters in Crime/Los Angeles and the Southern California Chapter of Mystery Writers of America, E-mail: sistersincrimela@gmail.com. Website: www.ccwconference.org. Estab. 1995. Biennial. Conference held in June. Average attendance: 200. Two-day conference on mystery and crime writing. Offers craft, forensic and career-buildings sessions, 2 keynote speakers, author, editor, and agent panels and book signings. Breakfast and lunch both days included.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Conference information is available at www.ccwconference.org.

CAPE COD WRITERS CENTER ANNUAL CONFERENCE

P.O. Box 408, Osterville MA 02655. E-mail: writers@capecodwriterscenter.org. Website: www.capecodwriterscenter.org. Contact: Nancy Rubin Stuart, executive director. Duration: 3 days; first week in August. Offers workshops in fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, poetry, writing for children, memoir, pitching your book, screenwriting, digital communications, getting published, ms evaluation, mentoring sessions with faculty. Held at Resort and Conference Center of Hyannis, Hyannis, MA.

COSTS Vary, depending on the number of courses selected.

CAPON SPRINGS WRITERS’ WORKSHOP

2836 Westbrook Drive, Cincinnati OH 45211-0627. (513)481-9884. E-mail: beckcomm@fuse.net. Estab. 2000. No conference scheduled for 2014. There is a tentative 2015 event; check the website often for updates. Conference duration: 3 days. Covers fiction, creative nonfiction, and publishing basics. Conference is held at Capon Springs and Farms Resort, a secluded 5,000-acre mountain resort in West Virginia.

COSTS Check in 2015.

ACCOMMODATIONS Facility has swimming, hiking, fishing, tennis, badminton, volleyball, basketball, ping pong, etc. A 9-hole golf course is available for an additional fee.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Brochures available for SASE. Inquire via e-mail.

CELEBRATION OF SOUTHERN LITERATURE

Southern Lit Alliance, 3069 S. Broad St., Suite 2, Chattanooga TN 37408-3056. (423)267-1218. Fax: (866)483-6831. E-mail: srobinson@southernlitalliance.org. Website: www.southernlitalliance.org. Contact: Susan Robinson. “The Celebration of Southern Literature stands out because of its unique collaboration with the Fellowship of Southern Writers, an organization founded by towering literary figures like Eudora Welty, Cleanth Brooks, Walker Percy, and Robert Penn Warren to recognize and encourage literature in the South. The 2015 celebration marked 26 years since the Fellowship selected Chattanooga for its headquarters and chose to collaborate with the Celebration of Southern Literature. More than 50 members of the Fellowship will participate in the 2015 event, discussing hot topics and reading from their latest works. The Fellowship will also award 11 literary prizes and induct new members, making this event the place to discover up-and-coming voices in Southern literature. The Southern Lit Alliance’s Celebration of Southern Literature attracts more than 1,000 readers and writers from all over the U.S. It strives to maintain an informal atmosphere where conversations will thrive, inspired by a common passion for the written word. The Southern Lit Alliance (formerly The Arts & Education Council) started as 1 of 12 pilot agencies founded by a Ford Foundation grant in 1952. The Alliance is the only organization of the 12 still in existence. The Southern Lit Alliance celebrates Southern writers and readers through community education and innovative literary arts experiences.”

CHICAGO WRITERS CONFERENCE

E-mail: ines@chicagowritersconference.org; mare@chicagowritersconference.org. E-mail: ines@chicagowritersconference.org; mare@chicagowritersconference.org. Website: chicagowritersconference.org. Contact: Mare Swallow. Estab. 2011. This conference happens every year in the fall. 2014 dates: Oct 24-26. Find them on Twitter at @ChiWritersConf. The conference brings together a variety of publishing professionals (agents, editors, authors) and brings together several Chicago literary, writing, and bookselling groups.

CLARION WEST WRITERS WORKSHOP

P.O. Box 31264, Seattle WA 98103-1264. (206)322-9083. E-mail: info@clarionwest.org. Website: www.clarionwest.org. “Contact us through our webform.” Contact: Nelle Graham, workshop director. Clarion West is an intensive 6-week workshop for writers preparing for professional careers in science fiction and fantasy, held annually in Seattle WA. Usually goes from mid-June through end of July. Conference duration: 6 weeks. Average attendance: 18. Held near the University of Washington. Deadline for applications is March 1. Instructors are well-known writers and editors in the field.

COSTS $3,600 (for tuition, housing, most meals). Limited scholarships are available based on financial need.

ACCOMMODATIONS Workshop tuition, dormitory housing and most meals: $3,600. Students stay on-site in workshop housing at one of the University of Washington’s sorority houses. “Students write their own stories every week while preparing critiques of all the other students’ work for classroom sessions. This gives participants a more focused, professional approach to their writing. The core of the workshop remains speculative fiction, and short stories (not novels) are the focus.” Conference information available in Fall. For brochure/guidelines send SASE, visit website, e-mail or call. Accepts inquiries by e-mail, phone, SASE. Limited scholarships are available, based on financial need. Students must submit 20-30 pages of ms with 4-page biography and $40 fee ($30 if received prior to February 10) for applications sent by mail or e-mail to qualify for admission.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION This is a critique-based workshop. Students are encouraged to write a story every week; the critique of student material produced at the workshop forms the principal activity of the workshop. Students and instructors critique mss as a group. Conference guidelines are available for an SASE. Visit the website for updates and complete details.

CLARKSVILLE WRITERS CONFERENCE

1123 Madison St., Clarksville TN 37040. (931)551-8870. E-mail: artsandheritage@cdelightband.net; burawac@apsu.edu. E-mail: artsandheritage@cdelightband.net; burawac@apsu.edu. Website: www.artsandheritage.us/writers/. Contact: Ellen Kanervo. Annual conference held in the summer. The conference features a variety of presentations on fiction, nonfiction and more. Past attendees include: Darnell Arnoult, Earl S. Braggs, Christopher Burawa, Susan Gregg Gilmore, James & Lynda O’Connor, Katharine Sands, George Singleton, Bernis Terhune, p.m. terrell. Our presentations and workshops are valuable to writers and interesting to readers. This fun, affordable, and talent-laden conference is presented at Austin Peay State University and the Clarksville Country Club.

COSTS Costs available online; prices vary depending on how long attendees stay and if they attend the banquet dinner.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Multiple literary agents are flown in to the event every year to meet with writers and take pitches.

CONFERENCE FOR WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS OF CHILDREN’S BOOKS

Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera CA 94925. (415)927-0960, ext. 239. E-mail: bpconferences@bookpassage.com. Website: www.bookpassage.com. Contact Kathryn Petrocelli, conference coordinator. Writer and illustrator conference geared toward beginner and intermediate levels. Sessions cover such topics as the nuts and bolts of writing and illustrating, publisher’s spotlight, market trends, developing characters/finding voice in your writing, and the author/agent relationship. Four-day conference held each summer. Includes opening night dinner, 3 lunches and a closing reception.

CRESTED BUTTE WRITERS CONFERENCE

P.O. Box 1361, Crested Butte CO 81224. E-mail: coordinator@conf.crestedbuttewriters.org. Website: www.crestedbuttewriters.org/conf.php. Contact: Barbara Crawford or Theresa Rizzo, co-coordinators. Estab. 2006.

COSTS $330 nonmembers; $300 members; $297 Early Bird; The Sandy Writing Contest Finalist $280; and groups of 5 or more $280.

ACCOMMODATIONS The conference is held at The Elevation Hotel, located at the Crested Butte Mountain Resort at the base of the ski mountain (Mt. Crested Butte, CO). The quaint historic town lies nestled in a stunning mountain valley 3 short miles from the resort area of Mt. Crested Butte. A free bus runs frequently between the 2 towns. The closest airport is 30 miles away, in Gunnison CO. Our website lists 3 lodging options besides rooms at the event facility. All condos, motels and hotel options offer special conference rates. No special travel arrangements are made through the conference; however, information for car rental from Gunnison airport or the Alpine Express shuttle is listed on the conference FAQ page.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION “Our conference workshops address a wide variety of writing craft and business. Our most popular workshop is Our First Pages Readings—with a twist. Agents and editors read opening pages volunteered by attendees—with a few best selling authors’ openings mixed in. Think the A/E can identify the bestsellers? Not so much. Each year one of our attendees has been mistaken for a bestseller and obviously garnered requests from some on the panel. Agents attending: Carlie Webber—CK Webber Associates and TBDs. The agents will be speaking and available for meetings with attendees through our Pitch and Pages system. Editors attending: Christian Trimmer, senior editor at Disney Hyperion Books, and Jessica Williams of Harper Collins. Award-winning authors: Mark Coker, CEO of Smashwords; Kristen Lamb, social media guru, Kim Killion, book cover designer; Jennifer Jakes; Sandra Kerns; and Annette Elton. Writers may request additional information by e-mail.”

DESERT DREAMS CONFERENCE: REALIZING THE DREAM

P.O. Box 27407, Tempe AZ 85285. E-mail: desertdreams@desertroserwa.org; desertdreamsconference@gmail.com. Website: www.desertroserwa.org. Contact: Conference coordinator. Estab. 1986. Last conference held April 2012. Next conference April 4-6, 2014. Average attendance: 250. Desert Dreams Writers’ Conference provides authors of all skill levels, from beginner to multi-published, with the tools necessary to take their writing to the next level. Sessions will include general writing, career development, genre-specific, agent/publisher spotlights, as well as an agent/editor panel. There will also be one-on-one appointments with editors or agents, a book signing, and keynote addresses. Site: Tempe Mission Palms Resort & Hotel, Tempe, AZ.

COSTS Vary each year; approximately $200-235 for full conference.

ACCOMMODATIONS Hotels may vary for each conference; it is always a resort location in the Phoenix area.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Sponsors contest as part of conference, open to conference attendees only. For brochure, inquiries, contact by e-mail, phone, fax, mail or visit website. Agents and editors participate in conference.

DETROIT WORKING WRITERS ANNUAL WRITERS CONFERENCE

Detroit Working Writers, Box 82395, Rochester MI 48308. E-mail: conference@detworkingwriters.org. Website: dww-writers-conference.org/. Estab. 1961. 2014 dates: May 17. The theme in 2014 is “A Writer’s Worth.” Location is the main branch of the Clinton-Macomb Public Library in Clinton Twp, MI. Conference is one day, with breakfast, luncheon and keynote speaker, 4 breakout sessions, and three choices of workshop session. Much more info available online. Detroit Working Writers was founded on June 5, 1900, as the Detroit Press Club, The City of Detroit’s first press club. Today, more than a century later, it is a 501 (c)(6) organization, and the State of Michigan’s oldest writer’s organization. In addition to the Conference, DWW hold quarterly workshops on craft-related topics such as the elements of poetry, finding the perfect agent, and memoir development.

COSTS $60-150, depending on early bird registration and membership status within the organization.

ERMA BOMBECK WRITERS WORKSHOP

University of Dayton, 300 College Park, Dayton OH 45469. E-mail: erma@udayton.edu. Website: humorwriters.org. Contact: Teri Rizvi. This is a specialized writing conference for writers of humor (books, articles, essays, film/TV). It happens every two years. The 2014 conference is from April 10-12. The Bombeck Workshop is the only one in the country devoted to both humor and human interest writing. Through the workshop, the University of Dayton and the Bombeck family honor one of America’s most celebrated storytellers and humorists. Over the past decade, the workshop has attracted such household names as Dave Barry, Art Buchwald, Nancy Cartwright, Don Novello, Garrison Keillor, Gail Collins, Connie Schultz, Adriana Trigiani and Alan Zweibel. The workshop draws approximately 350 writers from around the country and typically sells out very quickly, so don’t wait once registration opens.

FESTIVAL OF FAITH AND WRITING

Department of English, Calvin College, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids MI 49546. (616)526-6770. E-mail: ffw@calvin.edu. Website: festival.calvin.edu. Estab. 1990. Biennial festival held in April. Conference duration: 3 days. The festival brings together writers, editors, publishers, musicians, artists, and readers to discuss and celebrate insightful writing that explores issues of faith. Focuses on fiction, nonfiction, memoir, poetry, drama, children’s, young adult, academic, film, and songwriting. Past speakers have included Katherine Paterson, Wally Lamb, Eugene Patterson, Marilynne Robinson, Joyce Carol Oates, Salman Rushdie and Michael Chabon. Agents and editors attend the festival.

COSTS Consult festival website.

ACCOMMODATIONS Shuttles are available to and from local hotels. Shuttles are also available for overflow parking lots. A list of hotels with special rates for conference attendees is available on the festival website. High school and college students can arrange on-campus lodging by e-mail.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Online registration is open up to approx. 1 month before the event. (2014 online registration is open through March 14.) Accepts inquiries by e-mail and phone. Next festival is April 10-12, 2014.

FLATHEAD RIVER WRITERS CONFERENCE

P.O. Box 7711, Kalispeil MT 59904-7711. (406)881-4066. E-mail: answers@authorsoftheflathead.org. Website: www.authorsoftheflathead.org/conference.asp. Estab. 1990. Two-day conference packed with energizing speakers. After a focus on publishing the past two years, this year’s focus is on writing, getting your manuscripts honed and ready for your readers. Highlights include two literary agents who will review 12 manuscripts one-on-one with the first 24 paid attendees requesting this opportunity, a synopsis writing workshop, a screenwriting workshop, poetry, and more.

COSTS Check the website for updated cost information.

ACCOMMODATIONS Rooms are available at a discounted rate.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Watch website for additional speakers and other details. Register early as seating is limited.

FLORIDA CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE

530 Lake Kathryn Circle, Casselberry FL 32707. (386)295-3902. E-mail: FloridaChristianWritersConf@gmail.com. Website: floridacwc.net. Contact: Eva Marie Everson, Mark Hancock. Estab. 1988. Annual conference held in February/March. Conference duration: 4 days. Average attendance: Limited to 250 people. “The Florida Christian Writers Conference 2014 meets under the stately oaks of Lake Yale Conference Center near Leesburg, Florida. The conference is designed to meet the needs of beginning writers to published authors. This is your opportunity to learn more about the publishing industry, to build your platform, and to follow God’s leading to publish the message He has given you. We offer 90 one-hour workshops and 9 or more six-hour classes.”

COSTS $675 (includes tuition, meals).

ACCOMMODATIONS We provide a shuttle from the Orlando airport. $725/double occupancy; $950/single occupancy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION “Each writer may submit 2 works for critique. We have specialists in every area of writing. Brochures/guidelines are available online or for a SASE.”

FUN IN THE SUN

Florida Romance Writers, P.O. Box 550562, Fort Lauderdale FL 33355. E-mail: FRWfuninthesun@yahoo.com. Website: frwfuninthesunmain.blogspot.com. Estab. 1986. Biannual conference held in January/February on a cruise ship. (2015 details: Jan. 22-26, on the Liberty of the Seas by Royal Carribean.) Features intensive workshops on the craft of writing taught by an array of published authors; a marketing and publicity boot camp; an open-to-the-public book signing for all attending published authors; one-on-one editor/agent pitch sessions; and special events.

COSTS See website for updates, depending on membership status and registration date. Early bird discounts is before Feb. 14, 2014.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Ours is the longest-running conference of any RWA chapter. Brochures/registration are available online, by e-mail, or for a SASE.

GENEVA WRITERS CONFERENCE

Geneva Writers Group, Switzerland. E-mail: info@GenevaWritersGroup.org. Website: www.genevawritersgroup.org. Estab. 1993. Biennial conference (even years) held at Webster University in Bellevue/Geneva, Switzerland. (The 2014 dates were Jan. 31-Feb. 2.) Conference duration: 2.5 days, welcoming more than 200 writers from around the world. Speakers and presenters have included Peter Ho Davies, Jane Alison, Russell Celyn Jones, Patricia Hampl, Robert Root, Brett Lott, Dinty W. Moore, Naomi Shihab Nye, Jo Shapcott, Wallis Wilde Menozzi, Susan Tiberghien, Jane Dystel, Laura Longrigg, and Colin Harrison.

GREAT LAKES WRITERS FESTIVAL

Lakeland College, P.O. Box 359, Sheboygan WI 53082-0359. E-mail: elderk@lakeland.edu. Website: www.greatlakeswritersfestival.org. Estab. 1991. Annual. Last conference held November 7-8, 2013. Conference duration: 2 days. “Festival celebrates the writing of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction.” Site: “Lakeland College is a small, 4-year liberal arts college of 235 acres, a beautiful campus in a rural setting, founded in 1862.” No themes or panels; just readings and workshops. 2013 faculty included Nick Lantz and Allyson Goldin Loomis.

COSTS Free and open to the public. Participants may purchase meals and must arrange for their own lodging.

ACCOMMODATIONS Does not offer overnight accommodations. Provides list of area hotels or lodging options.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION All participants who would like to have their writing considered as an object for discussion during the festival workshops should submit it to Karl Elder electronically by October 15. Participants may submit material for workshops in 1 genre only (poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction). Sponsors contest. Contest entries must contain the writer’s name and address on a separate title page, typed, and be submitted as clear, hard copy on Friday at the festival registration table. Entries may be in each of 3 genres per participant, yet only 1 poem, 1 story, and/or 1nonfiction piece may be entered. There are 2 categories—high school students on 1 hand, all others on the other—of cash awards for first place in each of the 3 genres. The judges reserve the right to decline to award a prize in 1 or more of the genres. Judges will be the editorial staff of Seems (a.k.a. Word of Mouth Books), excluding the festival coordinator, Karl Elder. Information available in September. For brochure, visit website.

GREEN MOUNTAIN WRITERS CONFERENCE

47 Hazel St., Rutland VT 05701. (802)236-6133. E-mail: ydaley@sbcglobal.net. E-mail: yvonnedaley@me.com. Website: vermontwriters.com. Contact: Yvonne Daley, director. Estab. 1999. “Annual conference held in the summer. Covers fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, journalism, nature writing, essay, memoir, personal narrative, and biography. Held at The Mountain Top Inn and Resort, a beautiful lakeside inn located in Chittenden, VT. Speakers have included Grace Paley, Ruth Stone, Howard Frank Mosher, Chris Bohjalian, Yvonne Daley, David Huddle, David Budbill, Jeffrey Lent, Verandah Porche, Tom Smith, and Chuck Clarino.”

COSTS $500 before May 1; $550 and up after May 1. Partial scholarships are available.

ACCOMMODATIONS Dramatically reduced rates at The Mountain Top Inn and Resort for attendees. Close to other area hotels, b&bs in Rutland County, Vermont.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Participants’ mss can be read and commented on at a cost. Sponsors contests. Conference publishes a literary magazine featuring work of participants. Brochures available on website or e-mail. “We offer the opportunity to learn from some of the nation’s best writers at a small, supportive conference in a lakeside setting that allows one-to-one feedback. Participants often continue to correspond and share work after conferences.”

GULF COAST WRITERS CONFERENCE

P.O. Box 35038, Panama City FL 32412. (850)628-6028. E-mail: PottersvillePress@mchsi.com. Website: www.gulfcoastwritersconference.com/. Estab. 1999. Annual conference held in September in Panama City, Fla. Conference duration: 2 days. Average attendance: 100+. This conference is deliberately small and writer-centric with an affordable attendance price. (The 2013 event was the first time the conference was completely free.) Speakers include writers, editors and agents. Cricket Freeman of the August Agency is often in attendance. A former keynote speaker was mystery writer Michael Connelly.

HAMPTON ROADS WRITERS CONFERENCE

P.O. Box 56228, Virginia Beach VA 23456. E-mail: hrwriters@cox.net. Website: hamptonroadswriters.org. Workshops cover fiction, nonfiction, screenplays, memoir, poetry, and the business of getting published. A bookshop, book signings, and many networking opportunities will be available. Multiple literary agents are in attendance each year to meet with writers. Much more information available on the website.

COSTS Up to $255. Costs vary. There are discounts for members, for early bird registration, for students and more.

HEDGEBROOK

PO Box 1231, Freeland WA 98249-9911. (360)321-4786. Fax: (360)321-2171. Website: www.hedgebrook.org. Contact: Vito Zingarelli, residency director. Estab. 1988. “Hedgebrook is a retreat for women writers on Whidbey Island on 48 beautiful acres, near Seattle, where writers of diverse cultural backgrounds working in all genres, published or not, come from around the globe to write, rejuvenate, and be in community with each other. Located on beautiful Whidbey Island near Seattle, Hedgebrook offers one of the few residency programs in the world exclusively dedicated to supporting the creative process of women writers, and bringing their work to the world through innovative public programs.”

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Go online for more information.

HOLLYWOOD PITCH FESTIVAL

Fade In Magazine, P.O. Box 2699, Beverly Hills CA 90213. (800)646-3896. E-mail: inquiries@fadeinonline.com. Website: hollywoodpitchfestival.com/. Estab. 1996. 2014: August 1-3, Los Angeles. Register online or call to register (800) 646-3896. Conference duration: Three days. This is a pitch event that provides non-stop pitch meetings over a two-day period—with 200 of Hollywood’s top buyers/representatives under one roof. HPF only has one class—a pitch class taught by a professional A-list filmmaker on Saturday morning, and it is optional. Each attendee will receive by e-mail a list of the companies/industry representatives attending, what each company is currently looking to produce (i.e., genre, budget), along with each company’s credits. We also post a genre list at each event for cross-reference.

COSTS Our ticket prices are flat fees that cover each attendee’s entire weekend (including food and drink). There are no other extra, added costs (i.e., no per pitch meeting fees) involved (unless you’re adding hotel rooms).

HOUSTON WRITERS GUILD CONFERENCE

HOUSTON WRITERS GUILD CONFERENCE 31160, Houston TX 77231. (713)721-4773. E-mail: HoustonWritersGuild@Hotmail.com. E-mail: HoustonWritersGuild@Hotmail.com. Website: houstonwritersguild.org. 2014 date: Saturday, April 12. This annual conference, organized by the Houston Writers Guild, has concurrent sessions and tracks on the craft and business of writing. Each year, multiple agents are in attendance taking pitches from writers.

COSTS Costs are different for members and non-members. 2014 costs: $100 members, $125 non-members.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION There is a writing contest at the event. There is also a for-pay pre-conference workshop the day before the conference.

HOW TO BE PUBLISHED WORKSHOPS

P.O. Box 100031, Irondale AL 35210-3006. E-mail: mike@writing2sell.com. Website: www.writing2sell.com. Contact: Michael Garrett. Estab. 1986. Workshops are offered continuously year-round at various locations. Conference duration: 1 session. Average attendance: 10-15. Workshops to “move writers of category fiction closer to publication.” Focus is not on how to write, but how to get published. Site: Workshops held at college campuses and universities. Themes include marketing, idea development, characterization, and ms critique. Special critique is offered, but advance submission is not required. Workshop information available on website. Accepts inquiries by e-mail.

COSTS $79-99.

INTERNATIONAL MUSIC CAMP CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP

111-11th Ave. SW, Minot ND 58701. (701)838-8472. Fax: (701)838-1351. E-mail: info@internationalmusiccamp.com. Website: www.internationalmusiccamp.com. Contact: Christine Baumann and Tim Baumann, camp directors. Estab. 1956. Annual. Conference held in June. Average attendance: 35. “The workshop offers students the opportunity to refine their skills in thinking, composing, and writing in an environment that is conducive to positive reinforcement. In addition to writing poems, essays, and stories, individuals are encouraged to work on their own area of interest with conferencing and feedback from the course instructor.” Site: International Peace Garden on the border between the US and Canada. “Similar to a university campus, several dormitories, classrooms, lecture halls, and cafeteria provide the perfect site for such a workshop. The beautiful and picturesque International Peace Garden provides additional inspiration to creative thinking.” Instructor: Melissa Cournia & Andrea Nell.

COSTS $395, includes tuition, room and board. Early bird registration (postmarked by May 1) $370.

ACCOMMODATIONS Airline and depot shuttles are available upon request. Housing is included in the fee.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Conference information is available on the website. Welcomes questions via e-mail.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S FICTION FESTIVAL

Via Cappuccini 8E, Matera 75100 Italy. (39)0835-312044. Fax: (39)0835-312093. E-mail: e.jennings@womensfictionfestival.com. Website: www.womensfictionfestival.com/. Contact: Elizabeth Jennings. Estab. 2004. Annual conference usually held in September. 2014 dates: Sept. 25-28, 2014. Conference duration: 3.5 days. Average attendance: 100. Sessions on fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, writing for children, poetry, etc. International writers conference with a strong focus on fiction and a strong focus on marketing to international markets.

COSTS 220 euros.

ACCOMMODATIONS Le Monacelle, a restored 17th century convent. A paid shuttle is available from the Bari Airport to the hotel in Matera.

JAMES RIVER WRITERS CONFERENCE

ArtWorks Studios 136, 320 Hull St., #136, Richmond VA 23224. (804)433-3790. Fax: (804)291-1466. E-mail: info@jamesriverwriters.com; fallconference@jamesriverwriters.com. Website: www.jamesriverwriters.com. Contact: Katharine Herndon, exec. director. Estab. 2003.

COSTS In 2013, the cost was up to $240, though less expensive options were available. See the website for all pricing options.

ACCOMMODATIONS Richmond is easily accessible by air and train. Provides list of area hotels or lodging options. “Each year we arrange for special conference rates at an area hotel.”

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Workshop material is not required; however, we have offered an option for submissions: the first pages critique session in which submissions are read before a panel of agents and editors who are seeing them for the first time and are asked to react on the spot. No additional fee. No guarantee that a particular submission will be read. Details posted on the website, www.jamesriverwriters.com. Information available in June. For brochure, visit website. Agents participate in conference. Editors participate in conference. Both meet with writers to take pitches. Previous agents in attendance include April Eberhardt, Deborah Grosvenor, Victoria Skurnick, and Paige Wheeler.

JOURNEY INTO THE IMAGINATION: A FIVE-DAY WRITING RETREAT

995 Chapman Rd., Yorktown NY 10598. (914)962-4432. E-mail: emily@emilyhanlon.com. Website: www.thefictionwritersjourney.com/Spring_Writing_Retreat.html. Contact: Emily Hanlon. PO Box 536 Estab. 2004. Annual. 2014 dates: May 6-11. Average attendance: 8-12. “Purpose of workshop: fiction, memoir, short story, creativity, and the creative process.” Site: Pendle Hill Retreat Center in Wallingford, PA (just north of Philadelphia). “Excellent food and lovely surroundings and accommodations. The core of this weekend’s work is welcoming the unknown into your writing. We will go on a magical mystery tour to find and embrace new characters and to deepen our relationship to characters who already may people our stories. Bring something on which you are already working or simply bring along your Inner Writer, pen and a journal, and let the magic unfold!”

COSTS 2014: 5 nights—$1150 if you register before March 1. $1250 after March 1. All rooms are private with shared bath.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION For brochure, visit website.

KACHEMAK BAY WRITERS CONFERENCE

Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay Campus, 533 East Pioneer Ave., Homer AK 99603. E-mail: iyconf@uaa.alaska.edu. Website: writersconference.uaa.alaska.edu. Annual writers conference held in the summer (usually June). 2014 dates: June 13-17; keynote speaker is Alice Sebold. Sponsored by Kachemak Bay Campus - Kenai Peninsula College /UAA. This nationally recognized writing conference features workshops, readings and panel presentations in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and the business of writing. There are “open mic” sessions for conference registrants; evening readings open to the public; agent/editor consultations, and more.

COSTS Some scholarships available; see the website.

ACCOMMODATIONS Homer is 225 miles south of Anchorage, Alaska, on the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula and the shores of Kachemak Bay. There are multiple hotels in the area.

KENTUCKY WOMEN WRITERS CONFERENCE

University of Kentucky College of Arts & Sciences, 232 E. Maxwell St., Lexington KY 40506. (859)257-2874. E-mail: kentuckywomenwriters@gmail.com. Website: womenwriters.as.uky.edu/. Contact: Julie Wrinn, director. Estab. 1979. Conference held in second or third weekend of September. The 2014 dates are Sept. 12-13. The 2014 location is the Carnegie Center for Literacy in Lexington, Ky. Conference duration: 2 days. Average attendance: 150-200. Conference covers all genres: poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, playwriting. Writing workshops, panels, and readings featuring contemporary women writers. The 2014 conference will feature Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Tracy K. Smith as its keynote speaker.

COSTS $175 early bird discount before Aug 1, $195 thereafter; $30 for undergraduates and younger; includes boxed lunch on Friday; $20 for Writers Reception. Other meals and accommodations are not included.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Sponsors prizes in poetry ($200), fiction ($200), nonfiction ($200), playwriting ($500), and spoken word ($500). Winners also invited to read during the conference. Pre-registration opens May 1.

KENTUCKY WRITERS CONFERENCE

Western Kentucky University and the Southern Kentucky Book Fest, Western Kentucky University Libraries, 1906 College Heights Blvd., Bowling Green KY 42101. (270)745-4502. E-mail: kristie.lowry@wku.edu. Website:www.sokybookfest.org/KYWritersConf. Contact: Kristie Lowry. This event is entirely free to the public. (2014 dates: April 25-26.) Duration: 1 day. Precedes the Southern Kentucky Book Fest the next day. Authors who will be participating in the Book Fest on Saturday will give attendees at the Writers Conference the benefit of their wisdom on Friday. Free workshops on a variety of writing topics will be presented during this day-long event. Sessions run for 75 minutes and the day begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. The conference is open to anyone who would like to attend including high school students, college students, teachers, and the general public.

KENYON REVIEW WRITERS WORKSHOP

Kenyon College, Gambier OH 43022. (740)427-5207. Fax: (740)427-5417. E-mail: kenyonreview@kenyon.edu; writers@kenyonreview.org. Website: www.kenyonreview.org. Contact: Anna Duke Reach, director. Estab. 1990. Annual 8-day workshop held in June. Participants apply in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, literary hybrid/book arts or writing online, and then participate in intensive daily workshops which focus on the generation and revision of significant new work. Held on the campus of Kenyon College in the rural village of Gambier, Ohio. Workshop leaders have included David Baker, Ron Carlson, Rebecca McClanahan, Meghan O’Rourke, Linda Gregorson, Dinty Moore, Tara Ison, Jane Hamilton, Lee K. Abbott, and Nancy Zafris.

COSTS $1,995; includes tuition, room and board.

ACCOMMODATIONS The workshop operates a shuttle to and from Gambier and the airport in Columbus, Ohio. Offers overnight accommodations. Participants are housed in Kenyon College student housing. The cost is covered in the tuition.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Application includes a writing sample. Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. Workshop information is available online at www.kenyonreview.org/workshops in November. For brochure send e-mail, visit website, call, fax. Accepts inquiries by SASE, e-mail, phone, fax.

KEY WEST LITERARY SEMINAR

718 Love Lane, Key West FL 33040. (888)293-9291. E-mail: mail@kwls.org. Website: www.kwls.org. “The mission of KWLS is to promote the understanding and discussion of important literary works and their authors; to recognize and support new voices in American literature; and to preserve and promote Key West’s literary heritage while providing resources that strengthen literary culture.” The annual seminar and writers’ workshop program are held in January. Scholarships are available to teachers, librarians, and students. Awards are given to emerging writers. See website for details.

COSTS $575/seminar; $450/writers’ workshops.

ACCOMMODATIONS A list of nearby lodging establishments is made available.

KILLER NASHVILLE

P.O. Box 680759, Franklin TN 37068-0686. (615)599-4032. E-mail: contact@killernashville.com. Website: www.killernashville.com. Jaden Terrell, Exec. Dir. Contact: Clay Stafford, founder. Estab. 2006. Annual. Next events: Aug. 21-24, 2014. Conference duration: 3 days. Average attendance: 400+. Conference designed for writers and fans of mysteries and thrillers, including fiction and nonfiction authors, playwrights, and screenwriters. There are many opportunities for authors to sign books. Killer Nashville’s 2014 writers conference will have over 60 sessions, 2 guests of honor, agent/editor/publisher roundtables, 5 distinct session tracks (general writing, genre specific writing, publishing, publicity & promotion, and forensics), breakout sessions for intense study, special sessions, manuscript critiques (fiction, nonfiction, short story, screenplay, marketing, query), realistic mock crime scene for guests to solve, networking with bestselling authors, agents, editors, publishers, attorneys, publicists, representatives from law and emergency services, mystery games, authors’ bar, wine tasting event, two cocktail receptions, guest of honor dinner and awards program, prizes, free giveaways, free book signings, and more.

COSTS Early Bird Registration: $210 (February 15); Advanced Registration: $220 (April 30); $230 for three day full registration.

ACCOMMODATIONS The Hutton Hotel has all rooms available for the Killer Nashville Writers’ Conference.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Additional information about registration is provided online.

KINDLING WORDS EAST

VT Website: www.kindlingwords.org. Annual retreat held in late January near Burlington, Vermont. A retreat with three strands: writer, illustrator and editor; professional level. Intensive workshops for each strand, and an open schedule for conversations and networking. Registration limited to approximately 70. Hosted by the 4-star Inn at Essex (room and board extra). Participants must be published by a CCBC listed publisher, or if in publishing, occupy a professional position. Registration opens August 1 or as posted on the website, and fills quickly. Check website to see if spaces are available, to sign up to be notified when registration opens each year, or for more information.

LA JOLLA WRITERS CONFERENCE

P.O. Box 178122, San Diego CA 92177. (858)467-1978. E-mail: akuritz@san.rr.com. Website: www.lajollawritersconference.com. Contact: Jared Kuritz, director. Estab. 2001. Annual conference held in October/November. Conference duration: 3 days. Average attendance: 200. The LJWC covers all genres and both fiction and nonfiction as well as the business of writing. We take particular pride in educating our attendees on the business aspect of the book industry and have agents, editors, publishers, publicists, and distributors teach classes. There is unprecedented access to faculty at the LJWC. Our conference offers lecture sessions that run for 50 minutes, and workshops that run for 110 minutes. Each block period is dedicated to either workshop or lecture-style classes, with 6-8 classes on various topics available each block. For most workshop classes, you are encouraged to bring written work for review. Literary agents from prestigious agencies such as The Andrea Brown Literary Agency, The Dijkstra Agency, The McBride Agency and Full Circle Literary Group, the Zimmerman Literary Agency, the Van Haitsma Literary Agency, the Farris Literary Agency and more have participated in the past, teaching workshops in which they are familiarized with attendee work. Late night and early bird sessions are also available. The conference creates a strong sense of community, and it has seen many of its attendees successfully published.

COSTS Information available online at website.

LAS VEGAS WRITERS CONFERENCE

Henderson Writers’ Group, 614 Mosswood Dr., Henderson NV 89015. (702)564-2488; or, toll-free, (866)869-7842. E-mail: marga614@mysticpublishers.com. Website: www.lasvegaswritersconference.com. Annual. Held in April. Conference duration: 3 days. Average attendance: 150 maximum. “Join writing professionals, agents, industry experts, and your colleagues for 3 days in Las Vegas as they share their knowledge on all aspects of the writer’s craft. While there are formal pitch sessions, panels, workshops, and seminars, the faculty is also available throughout the conference for informal discussions and advice. Plus, you’re bound to meet a few new friends, too. Workshops, seminars, and expert panels will take you through writing in many genres including fiction, creative nonfiction, screenwriting, journalism, and business and technical writing. There will be many Q&A panels for you to ask the experts all your questions.” Site: Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall in Las Vegas.

COSTS $425 until 1/14/14; $475 starting 1/15/14; $500 at door; $300 for one day.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Sponsors contest. Agents and editors participate in conference.

LAURA THOMAS JUNIOR WRITERS AUTHORS CONFERENCE

Laura Thomas Communications, Delta British Colombia V6X 2M9 Canada. (604)307-4971. E-mail: laura@laurathomascommunications.com. Website: laurathomascommunications.com/conference/. Contact: Laura Thomas. Estab. 2013. New conference held in the fall and spring each year. Conference duration: 1 day, 9-5. Covers poetry and writing for children and young adults, ages 9-21. Fall 2013 conference held in Richmond at Sandsman Signature Hotel & Resort. Spring 2014 conference held at the Manor House Hotel, Guildford, Surrey, UK, in May. Speakers have included Michelle Barker (author and editor), Deneka Michaud (journalist and communications professional), Lois Peterson (author), Darlene Foster (author), and George Opacic (author and publisher).

COSTS $89 single ticket and $79 sibling rate. Includes workshops and meals, scholarships are available.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Writers may request information by e-mail.

THE MACDOWELL COLONY

100 High St., Peterborough NH 03458. (603)924-3886. Fax: (603)924-9142. E-mail: admissions@macdowellcolony.org. Website: www.macdowellcolony.org. Estab. 1907. Open to writers, playwrights, composers, visual artists, film/video artists, interdisciplinary artists and architects. Applicants submit information and work samples for review by a panel of experts in each discipline. Application form submitted online at www.macdowellcolony.org/apply.html.

COSTS Travel reimbursement and stipends are available for participants of the residency, based on need. There are no residency fees.

MENDOCINO COAST WRITERS CONFERENCE

1211 Del Mar Dr., second address is P.O. Box 2087, Fort Bragg CA 95437. (707)485-4032. E-mail: info@mcwc.org. Website: www.mcwc.org. Estab. 1988. Annual conference held in July. Average attendance: 80. Provides workshops for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Held at a small community college campus on the northern Pacific Coast. Workshop leaders have included Kim Addonizio, Lynne Barrett, John Dufresne, John Lescroart, Ben Percy, Luis Rodriguez, Peter Orner, Judith Barrington and Ellen Sussman. Agents and publishers will be speaking and available for meetings with attendees.

COSTS $525+ (includes panels, meals, 2 socials with guest readers, 4 public events, 3 morning intensive workshops in 1 of 6 subjects, and a variety of afternoon panels and lectures).

ACCOMMODATIONS Information on overnight accommodations is made available.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Emphasis is on writers who are also good teachers. Registration opens March 15. Send inquiries via e-mail.

MIDWEST WRITERS WORKSHOP

Ball State University, Department of Journalism, Muncie IN 47306. (765)282-1055. E-mail: midwestwriters@yahoo.com. Website: www.midwestwriters.org. Contact: Jama Kehoe Bigger, director. Annual workshop held in late July in eastern Indiana. Writer workshops geared toward writers of all levels. Topics include most genres. Faculty/speakers have included Joyce Carol Oates, George Plimpton, Clive Cussler, Haven Kimmel, James Alexander Thom, William Zinsser, Phillip Gulley, Lee Martin, and numerous bestselling mystery, literary fiction, young adult, and children’s authors. Workshop also includes agent pitch sessions, ms evaluation and a writing contest. Registration tentatively limited to 200.

COSTS $150-375. Most meals included.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Offers scholarships. See website for more information.

MISSOURI WRITERS’ GUILD CONFERENCE

St. Louis MO E-mail: mwgconferenceinfo@gmail.com. Website: www.missouriwritersguild.org. Contact: Tricia Sanders, vice president/conference chairman. Writer and illustrator workshops geared to all levels. Open to students. Annual conference held early April or early May each year. Annual conference “gives writers the opportunity to hear outstanding speakers and to receive information on marketing, research, and writing techniques.” Agents, editors, and published authors in attendance.

ACCOMMODATIONS 2014: Ramada Plaza Hotel downtown.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The primary contact individual changes every year, because the conference chair changes every year. See the website for contact info.

MONTROSE CHRISTIAN WRITERS’ CONFERENCE

218 Locust St., Montrose PA 18801. (570)278-1001 or (800)598-5030. Fax: (570)278-3061. E-mail: mbc@montrosebible.org. Website: montrosebible.org. Estab. 1990. “Annual conference held in July. Offers workshops, editorial appointments, and professional critiques. We try to meet a cross-section of writing needs, for beginners and advanced, covering fiction, poetry, and writing for children. It is small enough to allow personal interaction between attendees and faculty. Speakers have included William Petersen, Mona Hodgson, Jim Fletcher, and Terri Gibbs.” Held in Montrose, from July 20-25, 2014.

COSTS Tuition is $180.

ACCOMMODATIONS Will meet planes in Binghamton, NY, and Scranton, PA. On-site accommodations: room and board $325-370/conference; $75-80/day including food (2014 rates). RV court available.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION “Writers can send work ahead of time and have it critiqued for a small fee.” The attendees are usually church related. The writing has a Christian emphasis. Conference information available in April. For brochure, visit website, e-mail or call. Accepts inquiries by phone or e-mail.

JENNY MCKEAN MOORE COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS

English Department, George Washingtion University, 801 22nd St. NW, Rome Hall, Suite 760, Washington DC 20052. (202) 994-6180. Fax: (202) 994-7915. E-mail: lpageinc@aol.com. Website:www.gwu.edu/~english/creative_jennymckeanmoore.html. Contact: Lisa Page, Acting Director of creative writing. Estab. 1976. Workshop held each semester at the university. Average attendance: 15. Concentration varies depending on professor—usually fiction or poetry. The Creative Writing department brings an established poet or novelist to campus each year to teach a writing workshop for GW students and a free community workshop for adults in the larger Washington community. Details posted on website in June, with an application deadline at the end of August or in early September.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Admission is competitive and by ms.

MUSE AND THE MARKETPLACE

Grub Street, 160 Boylston St., 4th Floor, Boston MA 02116. (617)695.0075. E-mail: info@grubstreet.org. Website: grubstreet.org/. The conferences are held in the late spring, such as early May. (2014 dates are May 2-4.) Conference duration: 3 days. Average attendance: 400. Dozens of agents are in attendance to meet writers and take pitches. Previous keynote speakers include Jonathan Franzen. The conference has workshops on all aspects of writing.

COSTS Varies, depending on if you’re a member or non-member (includes 6 workshop sessions and 2 Hour of Power sessions with options for the Manuscript Mart and a Five-Star lunch with authors, editors and agents). Other passes are available for Saturday-only and Sunday-only guests.

NAPA VALLEY WRITERS’ CONFERENCE

Napa Valley College, 1088 College Ave., St. Helena CA 94574. (707)967-2900, x1611. E-mail: writecon@napavalley.edu. Website: www.napawritersconference.org. Contact: John Leggett and Anne Evans, program directors. Estab. 1981. Established 1981. Annual weeklong event, 2014 dates: July 27 - Aug. 1. Location: Upper Valley Campus in the historic town of St. Helena, 25 miles north of Napa in the heart of the valley’s wine growing community. Excellent cuisine provided by Napa Valley Cooking School. Average attendance: 48 in poetry and 48 in fiction. “Serious writers of all backgrounds and experience are welcome to apply.” Offers poets workshops, lectures, faculty readings, ms critiques, and meetings with editors. “Poetry session provides the opportunity to work both on generating new poems and on revising previously written ones.”

COSTS Total participation fee is $900. More cost info (including financial assistance info) is online.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The conference is held at the Upper Valley Campus of Napa Valley College, located in the heart of California’s Wine Country. During the conference week, attendees’ meals are provided by the Napa Valley Cooking School, which offers high-quality, intensive training for aspiring chefs. The goal of the program is to provide each student with hands-on, quality, culinary and pastry skills required for a career in a fine-dining establishment. The disciplined and professional learning environment, availability of global externships, low student-teacher ratio and focus on sustainability make the Napa Valley Cooking School unique.

NASHVILLE SCREENWRITERS CONFERENCE

(615)254-2049. E-mail: info@nashscreen.com. Website: www.nashscreen.com. 2014 dates: May 30-June 1. The entire lineup of speakers and panelists is online. This is a three-day conference dedicated to those who write for the screen. Nashville is a city that celebrates its writers and its creative community, and every writer wants to have a choice of avenues to increase their potential for success. In this memorable weekend, conference participants will have the opportunity to attend various writing panels led by working professionals and participate in several special events.

NATCHEZ LITERARY AND CINEMA CELEBRATION

P.O. Box 1307, Natchez MS 39121-1307. (601)446-1208. Fax: (601)446-1214. E-mail: carolyn.smith@colin.edu. Website: www.colin.edu/nlcc. Estab. 1990. Annual conference held in February. Conference duration: 5 days. Conference focuses on all literature, including film scripts. Each year’s conference deals with some general aspect of Southern history. Speakers have included Eudora Welty, Margaret Walker Alexander, William Styron, Willie Morris, Ellen Douglas, Ernest Gaines, Elizabeth Spencer, Nikki Giovanni, Myrlie Evers-Williams, and Maya Angelou.

NATIONAL WRITERS ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION CONFERENCE

10940 S. Parker Rd., #508, Parker CO 80138. (303)841-0246. E-mail: natlwritersassn@hotmail.com. Website: www.nationalwriters.com. Contact: Sandy Whelchel, executive director. Estab. 1926. Annual conference held the second week of June in Denver. Conference duration: 1 day. Average attendance: 100. Focuses on general writing and marketing.

COSTS Approximately $100.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Awards for previous contests will be presented at the conference. Brochures/guidelines are online, or send an SASE.

NETWO WRITERS CONFERENCE

Northeast Texas Writers Organization, P.O. Box 411, Winfield TX 75493. (469)867-2624 or Paul at (903)573-6084. E-mail: jimcallan@winnsboro.com. Website: www.netwo.org. Estab. 1987. Annual conference held in April. (2014 dates are April 25-26.) Conference duration: 2 days. Presenters include agents, writers, editors, and publishers. Agents in attendance will take pitches from writers. The conference features a writing contest, pitch sessions, critiques from professionals, as well as dozens of workshops and presentations.

COSTS $60+ (discount offered for early registration).

ACCOMMODATIONS Online, we have posted information on lodging—motels and hotels. As the conference has moved to the Mount Pleasant Civic Center, we no longer have the “dorm accommodations” available in 2011 and before. The NETWO Writers Conference is at the Mount Pleasant Civic Center, in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. Located on U.S. Business 271 just one block south of Interstate 30, it is easily accessible from north, south, east and west. It offers excellent facilities: climate control, large rooms, excellent sound systems, ability to handle Power Point presentations, ample room for the on-site lunch which is part of the conference, improved restroom facilities, and private rooms for the one-on-one interviews with agents, editor and publisher. There is ample parking available. Several motels are within two blocks.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Conference is co-sponsored by the Texas Commission on the Arts. See website for current updates.

NEW JERSEY ROMANCE WRITERS PUT YOUR HEART IN A BOOK CONFERENCE

P.O. Box 513, Plainsboro NJ 08536. E-mail: dmcomfort@aol.com. Website: www.njromancewriters.org. Estab. 1984. Annual conference held in October. Average attendance: 500. Workshops are offered on various topics for all writers of romance, from beginner to multi-published. Speakers have included Nora Roberts, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Patricia Gaffney, Jill Barnett and Kay Hooper. Appointments are offered with editors/agents.

ACCOMMODATIONS Special rate available for conference attendees at the Sheraton at Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel in Iselin, New Jersey.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Conference brochures, guidelines, and membership information are available for SASE. Massive book fair is open to the public with authors signing copies of their books.

NIMROD ANNUAL WRITERS’ WORKSHOP

800 S. Tucker Dr., Tulsa OK 74104. (918)631-3080. E-mail: nimrod@utulsa.edu. Website: www.utulsa.edu/nimrod. Contact: Eilis O’Neal, editor-in-chief. Estab. 1978. Annual conference held in October. Conference duration: 1 day. Offers one-on-one editing sessions, readings, panel discussions, and master classes in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, memoir, and fantasy writing. Speakers have included Ted Kooser, Colum McCann, Molly Peacock, Peter S. Beagle, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Philip Levine, and Linda Pastan. Full conference details are online in August.

COSTS Approximately $50. Lunch provided. Scholarships available for students.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Nimrod International Journal sponsors Nimrod Literary Awards: The Katherine Anne Porter Prize for fiction and The Pablo Neruda Prize for poetry. Poetry and fiction prizes: $2,000 each and publication (1st prize); $1,000 each and publication (2nd prize). Deadline: must be postmarked no later than April 30.

NORTH CAROLINA WRITERS’ NETWORK FALL CONFERENCE

P.O. Box 21591, Winston-Salem NC 27120. (336)293-8844. E-mail: mail@ncwriters.org. Website: www.ncwriters.org. Estab. 1985. Annual conference held in November in different NC venues. Average attendance: 250. This organization hosts 2 conferences: 1 in the spring and 1 in the fall. Each conference is a weekend full of workshops, panels, book signings, and readings (including open mic). There will be a keynote speaker, a variety of sessions on the craft and business of writing, and opportunities to meet with agents and editors.

COSTS Approximately $250 (includes 4 meals).

ACCOMMODATIONS Special rates are usually available at the Conference Hotel, but conferees must make their own reservations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Available at www.ncwriters.org.

NORTHERN COLORADO WRITERS CONFERENCE

108 East Monroe Dr., Fort Collins CO 80525. (970)556-0908. E-mail: kerrie@northerncoloradowriters.com. Website: www.northerncoloradowriters.com. Estab. 2006. Annual conference held in the spring (usually March or April) in Colorado. Conference duration: 2-3 days. The conference features a variety of speakers, agents and editors. There are workshops and presentations on fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, children’s books, staying inspired, and more. Previous agents who have attended and taken pitches from writers include Jessica Regel, Kristen Nelson, Rachelle Gardner, Andrea Brown, Ken Sherman, Jessica Faust, Jon Sternfeld, and Jeffrey McGraw. Each conference features more than 30 workshops from which to choose from. Previous keynotes include Chuck Sambuchino, Andrew McCarthy and Stephen J. Cannell.

COSTS $295-445, depending on what package the attendee selects, and whether you’re a member or non-member.

ACCOMMODATIONS The conference is hosted at the Fort Collins Hilton, where rooms are available at a special rate.

ODYSSEY FANTASY WRITING WORKSHOP

P.O. Box 75, Mont Vernon NH 03057. E-mail: jcavelos@sff.net. Website: www.odysseyworkshop.org. Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, New Hampshire 03102. Estab. 1996. Annual workshop held in June (through July). Conference duration: 6 weeks. Average attendance: 15. A workshop for fantasy, science fiction, and horror writers that combines an intensive learning and writing experience with in-depth feedback on students’ mss. Held on the campus of Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire. Speakers have included George R.R. Martin, Elizabeth Hand, Jane Yolen, Harlan Ellison, Melissa Scott and Dan Simmons.

COSTS In 2014: $1,965 tuition, $812 housing (double room), $1,624 (single room); $35 application fee, $450-600 food (approximate), $550 processing fee to receive college credit.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Students must apply and include a writing sample. Application deadline April 8. Students’ works are critiqued throughout the 6 weeks. Workshop information available in October. For brochure/guidelines, send SASE, e-mail, visit website, or call. Accepts inquiries by SASE, e-mail, phone.

OKLAHOMA WRITERS’ FEDERATION, INC. ANNUAL CONFERENCE

3800 Bonaire Place, Edmond OK 73013. Website: www.owfi.org. Contact: Christine Jarmola, president. Annual conference held just outside Oklahoma City. Held first weekend in May each year. Writer workshops geared toward all levels. Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc. is open and welcoming to writers of all genres and all skill levels. Our goal is to help writers become better and to help beginning writers understand and master the craft of writing. The theme of our conference is to create good stories with strong bones. We will be exploring cultural writing and cultural sensitivity in writing. This year we will also be looking at the cutting edge of publishing and the options it is producing.

COSTS $175 before April; $200 after April. Cost includes awards banquet and famous author banquet. Three extra sessions are available for an extra fee. Visit our website for a complete faculty list and conference information.

OREGON CHRISTIAN WRITERS SUMMER CONFERENCE

Red Lion Hotel on the River, 909 N. Hayden Island Dr., Portland OR 97217-8118. E-mail: summerconf@oregonchristianwriters.org. Website: www.oregonchristianwriters.org. Contact: Lindy Jacobs, OCW Summer Conference Director. Estab. 1989. Held annually in August at the Red Lion Hotel on the River, a full-service hotel. Conference duration: 4 days. 2014 dates: August 4-7; 2015 dates: August 10-13. Average attendance: 225 (175 writers, 50 faculty). Top national editors, agents, and authors in the field of Christian publishing teach 12 intensive coaching classes and 30 workshops plus critique sessions. Published authors as well as emerging writers have opportunities to improve their craft, get feedback through manuscript reviews, meet one-on-one with editors and agents, and have half-hour mentoring appointments with published authors. Classes include fiction, nonfiction, memoir, young adult, poetry, magazine articles, devotional writing, children’s books, and marketing. Daily general sessions include worship and an inspirational keynote address. Each year contacts made during the OCW summer conference lead to publishing contracts. 2014 conference theme will be “Writing with God: Take Heart,” based on Psalm 27:14. 2014 Keynote speakers: Allen Arnold and Dan Walsh. Agents: Chip MacGregor, Mary Sue Seymour, Sue Brower, Bill Jensen, and Sandra Bishop. Other speakers/teachers: Susan May Warren, James Rubart, Randy Ingermanson, Jeff Gerke, Mary DeMuth, Jill Williamson, Leslie Gould, Susan Meissner, Joanna Echols, and Susan King. Past speakers have included: Liz Curtis Higgs, Francine Rivers, Bill Myers, Jeff Gerke, Angella Hunt, James L. Rubart, Susan May Warren, and James Scott Bell.

COSTS $475 for OCW members, $495 for nonmembers. Registration fee includes all classes, workshops, and 2 lunches and 3 dinners. Lodging additional. Full-time registered conferees may also pre-submit three proposals for review by an editor through the conference, plus sign up for a half-hour mentoring appointment with an author.

ACCOMMODATIONS Conference is held at the Red Lion on the River Hotel. Conferees wishing to stay at the hotel must make a reservation through the hotel. Some conferees commute. A block of rooms has been reserved at the hotel at a special rate for conferees and held until mid-July. The hotel reservation link will be posted on the website in late spring. Shuttle bus transportation will be provided by the hotel for conferees from Portland Airport (PDX) to the hotel, which is 20 minutes away.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Conference details will be posted online beginning in January. All conferees are welcome to attend the Cascade Awards ceremony, which takes place Wednesday evening during the conference. For more information about the Cascade Writing Contest, please check the website.

OUTDOOR WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

615 Oak St., Suite 201, Missoula MT 59801. (406)728-7434. E-mail: info@owaa.org. Website: owaa.org. Contact: Jessica Pollett, conference and membership coordinator. Outdoor communicator workshops geared toward all levels. Annual three-day conference. Craft improvement seminars; newsmaker sessions. 2014 conference to be held in McAllen, TX. Cost of workshop: $425-449; includes attendance at all workshops and most meals. Visit owaa.org/2014conference for additional information

OZARK CREATIVE WRITERS, INC. CONFERENCE

P.O. Box 424, Eureka Springs AR 72632. E-mail: ozarkcreativewriters@gmail.com. Website: www.ozarkcreativewriters.org. Open to professional and amateur writers, workshops are geared to all levels and all forms of the creative process and literary arts. Sessions sometimes include songwriting, with presentations by best-selling authors, editors, and agents. The OCW Conference promotes writing by offering competition in all genres. The annual event is held in October at the Inn of the Ozarks, in the resort town of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Approximately 200 attend each year; many also enter the creative writing competitions.

PACIFIC COAST CHILDREN’S WRITERS WHOLE-NOVEL WORKSHOP: FOR ADULTS AND TEENS

P.O. Box 244, Aptos CA 95001. (831)684-2042. Website: www.childrenswritersworkshop.com. Estab. 2003. 2014 dates: Oct. 17-19. “Our seminar offers semi-advanced through published adult writers an editor and/or agent critique on their full novel or 15-30 page partial. (Mid-book and synopsis critique may be included with the partial.) A concurrent workshop is open to students age 13 and up, who give adults target-reader feedback. Focus on craft as a marketing tool. Team-taught master classes (open clinics for manuscript critiques) explore such topics as “Story Architecture and Arcs.” Continuous close contact with faculty, who have included Andrea Brown, agent, and Simon Boughton, VP/executive editor at 3 Macmillan imprints. Past seminars: Oct. 10-12, 2013. Registration limited to 16 adults and 10 teens. For the most critique options, submit sample chapters and synopsis with e-application by mid May; open until filled. Content: Character-driven novels with protagonists ages 11 and older. Collegial format; 90 percent hands-on. Our pre-workshop anthology of peer manuscripts maximizes learning and networking. Several enrollees have landed contracts as a direct result of our seminar. Details: Visit our website and e-mail Director Nancy Sondel via the contact form.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST WRITER ASSN. SUMMER WRITER’S CONFERENCE

PMB 2717, 1420 NW Gilman Blvd., Ste. 2, Issaquah WA 98027. (425)673-2665. E-mail: pnwa@pnwa.org. Website: www.pnwa.org. Writer conference geared toward beginner, intermediate, advanced and professional levels. Meet agents and editors. Learn craft from renowned authors. Uncover new marketing secrets. PNWA’s 59th Annual Conference will be held July 17-20, 2014, at the Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center, at the Hyatt Regency, Bellevue, WA 98004. This event usually has 10-20 literary agents in attendance taking pitches from writers.

PENNWRITERS CONFERENCE

RR #2, Box 241, Middlebury Center PA 16935. Website: www.pennwriters.org/prod/. Estab. 1987. The Mission of Pennwriters Inc. is to help writers of all levels from the novice to the award-winning and multi-published, improve and succeed in their craft. The annual Pennwriters conference is held every year in May in Pennsylvania, switching between locations —Lancaster in even years and Pittsburgh in odd years. 2014 event: May 16-18 at Eden Resort in Lancaster.

ACCOMMODATIONS See website for current information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Sponsors contest. Published authors judge fiction in various categories. Agent/editor appointments are available on a first-come, first serve basis.

PHILADELPHIA WRITERS’ CONFERENCE

P.O. Box 7171, Elkins Park PA 19027-0171. (215) 619-7422. E-mail: info@pwcwriters.org. E-mail: info@pwcwriters.org. Website: pwcwriters.org. Estab. 1949. Annual. Conference held in June. Average attendance: 160-200. Conference covers many forms of writing: novel, short story, genre fiction, nonfiction book, magazine writing, blogging, juvenile, poetry.

ACCOMMODATIONS Wyndham Hotel (formerly the Holiday Inn), Independence Mall, Fourth and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2170. “Hotel offers discount for early registration.”

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Accepts inquiries by e-mail. Agents and editors attend conference. Visit us on the web for further agent and speaker details. Many questions are answered online.

PIKES PEAK WRITERS CONFERENCE

Pikes Peak Writers, PO Box 64273, Colorado Springs CO 80962. (719)244-6220. E-mail: info@pikespeakwriters.com. Website: www.pikespeakwriters.com. Estab. 1993. Annual conference held in April. Conference duration: 3 days. Average attendance: 300. Workshops, presentations, and panels focus on writing and publishing mainstream and genre fiction (romance, science fiction/fantasy, suspense/thrillers, action/adventure, mysteries, children’s, young adult). Agents and editors are available for meetings with attendees on Saturday.

COSTS $300-500 (includes all meals).

ACCOMMODATIONS Marriott Colorado Springs holds a block of rooms at a special rate for attendees until late March.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Readings with critiques are available on Friday afternoon. Also offers a contest for unpublished manuscripts; entrants need not attend the conference. Deadline: November 1. Registration and contest entry forms are online; brochures are available in January. Send inquiries via e-mail.

POETRY WEEKEND INTENSIVES

40 Post Ave., Hawthorne NJ 07506. (973)423-2921. Fax: (973)523-6085. E-mail: mariagillan@verizon.net. Website: www.mariagillan.com; www.mariagillan.blogspot.com. Contact: Maria Mazziotti Gillan, executive director. Estab. 1997. Usually held 2 times/year in June and December. Average attendance: 26.

COSTS $425, including meals. Offers a $25 early bird discount. Housing in on-site facilities included in the $425 price.

ACCOMMODATIONS Location: generally at St. Marguerite’s Retreat House, Mendham, NJ; also several other convents and monasteries.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Individual poetry critiques available. Poets should bring poems to weekend. Registration form available for SASE or by fax or e-mail. Maria Mazziotti Gillan is the director of the Creative Writing Program of Binghamton University- State University of New York, exec. director of the Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College, and edits Paterson Literary Review. Laura Boss is the editor of Lips magazine. Fifteen professional development credits are available for each weekend.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN FICTION WRITERS COLORADO GOLD

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, P.O. Box 735, Confier CO 80433. E-mail: conference@rmfw.org. Website: www.rmfw.org. Estab. 1982. Annual conference held in September. Conference duration: 3 days. Average attendance: 350. Themes include general novel-length fiction, genre fiction, contemporary romance, mystery, science fiction/fantasy, mainstream, young adult, screenwriting, short stories, and historical fiction. Speakers have included Margaret George, Jodi Thomas, Bernard Cornwell, Terry Brooks, Dorothy Cannell, Patricia Gardner Evans, Diane Mott Davidson, Constance O’Day, Connie Willis, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Michael Palmer, Jennifer Unter, Margaret Marr, Ashley Krass, and Andren Barzvi. Approximately 8 editors and 5 agents attend annually.

COSTS Available online.

ACCOMMODATIONS Special rates will be available at conference hotel.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Editor-conducted workshops are limited to 8 participants for critique, with auditing available. Pitch appointments available at no charge. Friday morning master classes available. Craft workshops include beginner through professional levels. New as of 2013: Writers’ retreat available immediately following conference; space is limited.

ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA NATIONAL CONFERENCE

14615 Benfer Road, Houston TX 77069. (832)717-5200. Fax: (832)717-5201. E-mail: info@rwa.org. Website: www.rwa.org/conference. Estab. 1981. Annual conference held in July. (2014 conference: July 23-26 in San Antonio.) Average attendance: 2,000. More than 100 workshops on writing, researching, and the business side of being a working writer. Publishing professionals attend and accept appointments. The keynote speaker is a renowned romance writer. “Romance Writers of America (RWA) is a nonprofit trade association, with a membership of more than 10,000 romance writers and related industry professionals, whose mission is to advance the professional interests of career-focused romance writers through networking and advocacy.”

COSTS $385-610 depending on your membership status as well as when you register.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Annual RTA awards are presented for romance authors. Annual Golden Heart awards are presented for unpublished writers. Numerous literary agents are in attendance to meet with writers and hear book pitches.

RT BOOKLOVERS CONVENTION

55 Bergen St., Brooklyn NY 11201. (718)237-1097 or (800)989-8816, ext. 12. Fax: (718)624-2526. E-mail: jocarol@rtconvention.com. E-mail: nancy@rtbookreviews.com. Website: rtconvention.com. Annual conference held May 13-18. 2014 Convention will be in New Orleans at the Marriott Center on Canal Street. Features 125 workshops, agent and editor appointments, a book fair, and more.

COSTS See website for pricing and other information.

ACCOMMODATIONS Rooms available nearby.

SALT CAY WRITERS RETREAT

Salt Cay Bahamas. (732)267-6449. E-mail: admin@saltcaywritersretreat.com. Website: www.saltcaywritersretreat.com. Contact: Karen Dionne and Christopher Graham. 5-day retreat held in the Bahamas in October. “The Salt Cay Writers Retreat is particularly suited for novelists (especially those writing literary, upmarket commercial fiction, or genre novelists wanting to write a break-out book), memoirists and narrative nonfiction writers. However, any author (published or not-yet-published) who wishes to take their writing to the next level is welcome to apply.” Speakers have included or will include editors Chuck Adams (Algonquin Books), Amy Einhorn (Amy Einhorn Books); agents Jeff Kleinman, Michelle Brower, Erin Niumata, Erin Harris (Folio Literary Management); authors Robert Goolrick, Jacquelyn Mitchard.

COSTS $2,450 through May 1; $2,950 after.

ACCOMMODATIONS Comfort Suites, Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas.

SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY WRITERS’ CONFERENCE

SDSU College of Extended Studies, 5250 Campanile Dr., San Diego State University, San Diego CA 92182-1920. (619)594-2517. Fax: (619)594-8566. E-mail: sdsuwritersconference@mail.sdsu.edu. Website: ces.sdsu.edu/writers. Estab. 1984. Annual conference held in January/February. Conference duration: 2.5 days. Average attendance: 350. Covers fiction, nonfiction, scriptwriting and e-books. Held at the Doubletree Hotel in Mission Valley. Each year the conference offers a variety of workshops for the beginner and advanced writers. This conference allows the individual writer to choose which workshop best suits his/her needs. In addition to the workshops, editor reading appointments and agent/editor consultation appointments are provided so attendees may meet with editors and agents one-on-one to discuss specific questions. A reception is offered Saturday immediately following the workshops, offering attendees the opportunity to socialize with the faculty in a relaxed atmosphere. Last year, approximately 60 faculty members attended.

COSTS Approximately $399-435.

ACCOMMODATIONS Attendees must make their own travel arrangements. A conference rate for attendees is available at the Doubletree Hotel.

SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE

1029 Jones St., San Francisco CA 94109. (415)673-0939. Fax: (415)673-0367. E-mail: Barbara@sfwriters.org. Website: sfwriters.org. Contact: Barbara Santos, marketing director. Estab. 2003. “Annual conference held President’s Day weekend in February. Average attendance: 400+. Top authors, respected literary agents, and major publishing houses are at the event so attendees can make face-to-face contact with all the right people. Writers of nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and specialty writing (children’s books, cookbooks, travel, etc.) will all benefit from the event. There are important sessions on marketing, self-publishing, technology, and trends in the publishing industry. Plus, there’s an optional 4-hour session called Speed Dating for Agents where attendees can meet with 20+ agents. Speakers have included Jennifer Crusie, Richard Paul Evans, Jamie Raab, Mary Roach, Jane Smiley, Debbie Macomber, Firoozeh Dumas, Zilpha Keatley Snyder, Steve Berry, Jacquelyn Mitchard. More than 20 agents and editors participate each year, many of whom will be available for meetings with attendees.”

COSTS Check the website for pricing on later dates. 2014 pricing was $650-795 depending on when you signed up and early bird registration, etc.

ACCOMMODATIONS The Intercontinental Mark Hopkins Hotel is a historic landmark at the top of Nob Hill in San Francisco. The hotel is located so that everyone arriving at the Oakland or San Francisco airport can take BART to either the Embarcadero or Powell Street exits, then walk or take a cable car or taxi directly to the hotel.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION “Present yourself in a professional manner and the contact you will make will be invaluable to your writing career. Brochures and registration are online.”

SAN FRANCISCO WRITING FOR CHANGE CONFERENCE

1029 Jones St., San Francisco CA 94109. (415)673-0939. E-mail: Barbara@sfwriters.org. Website: SFWritingforChange.org. Contact: Barbara Santos, marketing director; Michael Larsen, co-director. Estab. 2004. Annual conference to be held September 6, 2014 at Unitarian Universalist Center in San Francisco. Average attendance: 100. Early discounts available. Includes panels, workshops, keynote address, editor and agent consultations.

COSTS Costs to be announced. Please visit the website.

ACCOMMODATIONS Check website for event details, accommodations, directions, and parking.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION “The limited number of attendees (150 or fewer) and excellentpresenter-to-attendee ratio make this a highly effective and productive conference. The presenters are major names in the publishing business, but take personal interest in the projects discovered at this event each year.” Guidelines available on website [sfwritingforchange.org].

SASKATCHEWAN FESTIVAL OF WORDS

217 Main St. N., Moose Jaw SK S6J 0W1 Canada. Website: www.festivalofwords.com. Estab. 1997. Annual 4-day event, third week of July (2014 dates: July 17-20). Location: Moose Jaw Library/Art Museum complex in Crescent Park. Average attendance: about 4,000 admissions. “Canadian authors up close and personal for readers and writers of all ages in mystery, poetry, memoir, fantasy, graphic novels, history, and novel. Each summer festival includes more than 60 events within 2 blocks of historic Main Street. Audience favorite activities include workshops for writers, audience readings, drama, performance poetry, concerts, panels, and music.”

ACCOMMODATIONS Information available at www.templegardens.sk.ca, campgrounds, and bed and breakfast establishments. Complete information about festival presenters, events, costs, and schedule also available on website.

SCBWI—CANADA EAST

Canada. E-mail: canadaeast@scbwi.org. Website: www.canadaeast.scbwi.org. Contact: Lizann Flatt, regional advisor. Writer and illustrator events geared toward all levels. Usually offers one event in spring and another in the fall. Check website Events pages for updated information.

SCBWI COLORADO/WYOMING (ROCKY MOUNTAIN) EVENTS

E-mail: denise@rmcscbwi.org; todd.tuell@rmcscbwi.org. Website: www.rmc.scbwi.org. Contact: Todd Tuell and Denise Vega, co-regional advisors. SCBWI Rocky Mountain chapter (CO/WY) offers special events, schmoozes, meetings, and conferences throughout the year. Major events: Fall Conference (annually, September); Summer Retreat, “Big Sur in the Rockies” (bi- and triannually). More info on website.

SCBWI—MIDATLANTIC, ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE

P.O. Box 3215, Reston VA 20195. E-mail: teaganek@hotmail.com; valopttrsn@verizon.net. Website: midatlantic.scbwi.org/. Contact: Erin Teagan and Valerie Patterson, conference co-chairs; Ellen R. Braff, advisor. For updates and details visit website. Registration limited to 275. Conference fills quickly. Cost: $145 for SCBWI members; $175 for nonmembers. Includes continental breakfast and boxed lunch. Optional craft-focused workshops and individual consultations with conference faculty are available for additional fees.

SCBWI WINTER CONFERENCE ON WRITING AND ILLUSTRATING FOR CHILDREN

8271 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90048. (323)782-1010. Fax: (323)782-1892. E-mail: scbwi@scbwi.org. Website: www.scbwi.org. Contact: Stephen Mooser. Estab. 2000 (formerly SCBWI Midyear Conference). Society of Children’s book Writers and Illustrators. Annual. Conference held in February. Average attendance: 1,000. Conference is to promote writing and illustrating for children: picture books; fiction; nonfiction; middle grade and young adult; network with professionals; financial planning for writers; marketing your book; art exhibition; etc. Site: Manhattan.

COSTS See website for current cost and conference information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SCBWI also holds an annual summer conference in August in Los Angeles. Visit website for details.

THE SCHOOL FOR WRITERS FALL WORKSHOP

The Humber School for Writers, Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, 3199 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Toronto ON M8V 1K8 Canada. (416)675-6622. E-mail: antanas.sileika@humber.ca; hilary.higgins@humber.ca. Website: www.humber.ca/scapa/programs/school-writers. The School for Writers Workshop has moved to the fall with the International Festival of Authors. The workshop runs during the last week in October. Conference duration: 1 week. Average attendance: 60. New writers from around the world gather to study with faculty members to work on their novels, short stories, poetry, or creative nonfiction. Agents and editors participate in the conference. Include a work-in-progress with your registration. Faculty has included Martin Amis, David Mitchell, Kevin Barry, Rachel Kuschner, Peter Carey, Roddy Doyle, Tim O’Brien, Andrea Levy, Barry Unsworth, Edward Albee, Ha Jin, Julia Glass, Mavis Gallant, Bruce Jay Friedman, Isabel Huggan, Alistair Mac-Leod, Lisa Moore, Kim Moritsugu, Francine Prose, Paul Quarrington, Olive Senior, and D.M. Thomas, Annabel Lyon, Mary Gaitskill, M. G. Vassanji.

COSTS Around $850 (in 2014). Some limited scholarships are available.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Accepts inquiries by e-mail, phone, and fax.

SCHOOL OF THE ARTS AT RHINELANDER UW-MADISON CONTINUING STUDIES

21 N Park St., 7th Floor, Madison WI 53715-1218. (608)262-7389. E-mail: lkaufman@dcs.wisc.edu. Website: continuingstudies.wisc.edu/lsa/soa/. Estab. 1964. “Each summer for 50 years, more than 250 people gather in northern Wisconsin for a week of study, performance, exhibits, and other creative activities. More than 50 workshops in writing, body/mind/spirit; food and fitness; art and folk art; music; and digital media are offered. Participants can choose from any and all 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-day classes to craft their own mix for creative exploration and renewal.” Dates: July 19-23, 2014. Location: James Williams Middle School and Rhinelander High School, Rhinelander, WI. Average attendance: 250.

COSTS Ranges from $20-$300 based on workshops.

ACCOMMODATIONS Informational available from Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce.

SEWANEE WRITERS’ CONFERENCE

735 University Ave., 119 Gailor Hall, Stamler Center, Sewanee TN 37383-1000. (931) 598-1654. E-mail: allatham@sewanee.edu. Website: www.sewaneewriters.org. Contact: Adam Latham. Estab. 1990. Annual conference. 2014 dates: July 22-Aug. 3. Average attendance: 150. “The University of the South will host the 25th session of the Sewanee Writers’ Conference. Thanks to the generosity of the Walter E. Dakin Memorial Fund, supported by the estate of the late Tennessee Williams, the Conference will gather a distinguished faculty to provide instruction and criticism through workshops and craft lectures in poetry, fiction, and playwriting. During an intense twelve-day period, participants will read and critique each other’s manuscripts under the leadership of some of our country’s finest fiction writers, poets, and playwrights. All faculty members and fellows give scheduled readings; senior faculty members offer craft lectures; open-mic readings accommodate many others. Additional writers, along with a host of writing professionals, visit to give readings, participate in panel discussions, and entertain questions from the audience. Receptions and mealtimes offer opportunities for informal exchange. This year’s faculty includes fiction writers John Casey, Tony Earley, Adrianne Harun, Randall Kenan, Margot Livesey, Jill McCorkle, Alice McDermott, Christine Schutt, Allen Wier, and Steve Yarbrough; and poets Claudia Emerson, B.H. Fairchild, Debora Greger, William Logan, Maurice Manning, Charles Martin, Mary Jo Salter, and A.E. Stallings. Daisy Foote and Dan O’Brien will lead the playwriting workshop. Diane Johnson and Wyatt Prunty will read from their work. The Conference will offer its customary Walter E. Dakin Fellowships and Tennessee Williams Scholarships, as well as awards in memory of Stanley Elkin, Horton Foote, Barry Hannah, John Hollander, Donald Justice, Romulus Linney, Howard Nemerov, Father William Ralston, Peter Taylor, Mona Van Duyn, and John N. Wall. Additional scholarships have been made possible by Georges and Anne Borchardt and Gail Hochman. Every participant—whether contributor, scholar, or fellow—receives assistance. The Conference fee reflects but two-thirds of the actual cost to attend. Additional funding is awarded to fellows and scholars.”

COSTS $1,000 for tuition and $800 for room, board, and activity costs.

ACCOMMODATIONS Participants are housed in single rooms in university dormitories. Bathrooms are shared by small groups.

SOCIETY OF CHILDREN’S BOOK WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS ANNUAL SUMMER CONFERENCE ON WRITING AND ILLUSTRATING FOR CHILDREN

8271 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90048-4515. (323)782-1010. Fax: (323)782-1892. E-mail: scbwi@scbwi.org. Website: www.scbwi.org. Estab. 1972. Annual conference held in early August. Conference duration: 4 days. Average attendance: 1,000. Held at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. Speakers have included Andrea Brown, Steven Malk, Ashley Bryan, Bruce Coville, Karen Hesse, Harry Mazer, Lucia Monfried, and Russell Freedman. Agents will be speaking and sometimes participate in ms critiques.

COSTS Approximately $450 (does not include hotel room).

ACCOMMODATIONS Information on overnight accommodations is made available.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Ms and illustration critiques are available. Brochure/guidelines are available in June online or for SASE.

SOUTH CAROLINA WRITERS WORKSHOP

4840 Forest Drive, Suite 6B: PMB 189, Columbia SC 29206. E-mail: scwwliaison@gmail.com; scww2013@gmail.com. Website: www.myscww.org/. Estab. 1991. Conference in October held at the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC. Held almost every year. (2014 dates: Oct. 24-26.) Conference duration: 3 days. The conference features critique sessions, open mic readings, presentations from agents and editors and more. The conference features more than 50 different workshops for writers to choose from, dealing with all subjects of writing craft, writing business, getting an agent and more. Agents will be in attendance.

ACCOMMODATIONS Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort.

SOUTH COAST WRITERS CONFERENCE

Southwestern Oregon Community College, P.O. Box 590, 29392 Ellensburg Ave., Gold Beach OR 97444. (541)247-2741. Fax: (541)247-6247. E-mail: scwc@socc.edu. Website: www.socc.edu/scwriters. Estab. 1996. Annual conference held Presidents Day weekend in February. Conference duration: 2 days. Covers fiction, poetry, children’s, nature, songwriting, and marketing. Melissa Hart is the next scheduled keynote speaker, and presenters include Robert Arellano, Bill Cameron, Tanya Chernov, Heidi Connolly, Kelly Davio, Tawna Fenske, Kim Cooper Findling, Stefanie Freele, and songwriter Chuck Pyle.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION See website for cost and additional details.

SOUTHEASTERN WRITERS ASSOCIATION- ANNUAL CONFERENCE

161 Woodstone, Athens GA 30605. E-mail: purple@southeasternwriters.org. Website: www.southeasternwriters.com. Contact: Amy Munnell & Sheila Hudson, presidents. Estab. 1975. Open to all writers. (2014 dates: June 13-17.) Contests with cash prizes. Instruction offered for novel and short fiction, nonfiction, writing for children, humor, inspirational writing, and poetry. Manuscript deadline April 1st, includes free evaluation conference(s) with instructor(s). Agent in residence. Annual 4-day workshop held in June. Cost of workshop: $445 for 4 days or lower prices for daily tuition. (See online.) Accommodations: Offers overnight accommodations on workshop site. Visit website for more information and cost of overnight accommodations. E-mail or send SASE for brochure.

ACCOMMODATIONS Multiple hotels available in St. Simon’s Island, GA.

SPACE COAST WRITERS GUILD ANNUAL CONFERENCE

(321)956-7193. E-mail: scwg-jm@cfl.rr.com; stilley@scwg.org. Website: www.scwg.org/conference.asp. Annual conference held last weekend of January along the east coast of central Florida. Conference duration: 2 days. Average attendance: 150+. This conference is hosted each winter in Florida and features a variety of presenters on all topics writing. Critiques are available for a price, and agents in attendance will take pitches from writers. Previous presenters have included Debra Dixon, Davis Bunn (writer), Ellen Pepus (agent), Jennifer Crusie, Chuck Sambuchino, Madeline Smoot, Mike Resnick, Christina York, Ben Bova, Elizabeth Sinclair.

COSTS $180-220. Agent and editor appointments cost more.

ACCOMMODATIONS The conference is hosted on a beachside hotel, with special room rates available.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Agents are in attendance taking pitches every year.

SPACE (SMALL PRESS AND ALTERNATIVE COMICS EXPO)

Back Porch Comics, P.O. Box 20550, Columbus OH 43220. E-mail: bpc13@earthlink.net. Website: www.backporchcomics.com/space.htm. Next conference/trade show to be held April 12-13, 2014. Conference duration: 2 days. “The Midwest’s largest exhibition of small press, alternative, and creator-owned comics.” Site: Held at Ramada Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, 4900 Sinclair Rd., Columbus, OH 43229. Over 150 small press artists, writers, and publishers.

COSTS Admission: $5 per day or $8 for weekend.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION For brochure, visit website. Editors participate in conference.

SQUAW VALLEY COMMUNITY OF WRITERS

P.O. Box 1416, Nevada City CA 95959-1416. (530)470-8440. E-mail: info@squawvalleywriters.org. Website: www.squawvalleywriters.org. Contact: Brett Hall Jones, executive director. Estab. 1969.

COSTS Tuition is $995, which includes 6 dinners.

ACCOMMODATIONS The Community of Writers rents houses and condominiums in the Valley for participants to live in during the week of the conference. Single room (1 participant): $700/week. Double room (twin beds, room shared by conference participant of the same sex): $465/week. Multiple room (bunk beds, room shared with 2 or more participants of the same sex): $295/week. All rooms subject to availability; early requests are recommended. Can arrange airport shuttle pick-ups for a fee.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Admissions are based on submitted ms (unpublished fiction, 1 or 2 stories or novel chapters); requires $35 reading fee. Submit ms to Brett Hall Jones, Squaw Valley Community of Writers, P.O. Box 1416, Nevada City, CA 95959. Brochures are available online or for an SASE in February. Send inquiries via e-mail. Accepts inquiries by SASE, e-mail, phone. Agents and editors attend/participate in conferences.

STORY WEAVERS CONFERENCE

Oklahoma Writer’s Federation, (405)682-6000. E-mail: president@owfi.org. Website: www.OWFI.org. Contact: Linda Apple, president. Oklahoma Writer’s Federation, Inc. is open and welcoming to writers of all genres and all skill levels. Our goal is to help writers become better and to help beginning writers understand and master the craft of writing.

COSTS Cost is $150 before April. $175 after April. Cost includes awards banquet and famous author banquet. Three extra sessions are available for an extra fee: How to Self-Publish Your Novel on Kindle, Nook, and iPad (and make more money than being published by New York), with Dan Case; When Polar Bear Wishes Came True: Understanding and Creating Meaningful Stories, with Jack Dalton; How to Create Three-Dimensional Characters, with Steven James.

ACCOMMODATIONS The site is at the Embassy Suite using their meeting halls. There are very few stairs and the rooms are close together for easy access.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION “We have 20 speakers, five agents, and nine publisher/editors. For a full list and bios, please see website.”

SUMMER WRITING PROGRAM

Naropa University, 2130 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder CO 80302. (303)245-4862. Fax: (303)546-5287. E-mail: swpr@naropa.edu. Website: www.naropa.edu/swp. Contact: Kyle Pivarnik, special projects manager. Estab. 1974. Annual. 2014 Workshops held June 1-28. Workshop duration: 4 weeks. Average attendance: 250. Offers college credit. Accepts inquiries by e-mail, phone. With 13 workshops to choose from each of the 4 weeks of the program, students may study poetry, prose, hybrid/cross-genre writing, small press printing, or book arts. Site: All workshops, panels, lectures and readings are hosted on the Naropa University main campus. Located in downtown Boulder, the campus is within easy walking distance of restaurants, shopping, and the scenic Pearl Street Mall.

COSTS In 2013: $500/week, $2,000 for all 4 weeks (non-credit students).

ACCOMMODATIONS Housing is available at Snow Lion Apartments. Additional info is available on the housing Website: naropa.edu/student-life/housing/.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Writers can elect to take the Summer Writing Program for noncredit, graduate, or undergraduate credit. The registration procedure varies, so consider whether or not you’ll be taking the SWP for academic credit. All participants can elect to take any combination of the first, second, third, and/or fourth weeks. To request a catalog of upcoming programs or to find additional information, visit naropa.edu/swp. Naropa University also welcomes participants with disabilities. Contact Andrea Rexilius at (303)546-5296 or arexilius@naropa.edu before May 15 to inquire about accessibility and disability accommodations needed to participate fully in this event.

SURREY INTERNATIONAL WRITERS’ CONFERENCE

SIWC, P.O. Box 42023 RPO Guildford, Surrey BC V3R 1S5 Canada. E-mail: kathychung@siwc.ca. Website: www.siwc.ca. Contact: Kathy Chung, proposals contact and conference coordinator. Annual writing conference outside Vancouver, CA, held every October. Writing workshops geared toward beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. More than 70 workshops and panels, on all topics and genres. Blue Pencil and Agent/Editor Pitch sessions included. Different conference price packages available. Check our website for more information. This event has many literary agents in attendance taking pitches.

TAOS SUMMER WRITERS’ CONFERENCE

Department of English Language and Literature, MSC 03 2170, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque NM 87131-0001. (505)277-5572. Fax: (505)277-2950. E-mail: taosconf@unm.edu. Website: www.unm.edu/~taosconf. Contact: Sharon Oard Warner. Estab. 1999. Annual conference held in July. Offers workshops and master classes in the novel, short story, poetry, creative nonfiction, memoir, prose style, screenwriting, humor writing, yoga and writing, literary translation, book proposal, the query letter and revision. Participants may also schedule a consultation with a visiting agent/editor.

COSTS Weeklong workshop registration $650, weekend workshop registration $350, master classes between $1,250 and $1,525.

ACCOMMODATIONS Held at the Sagebrush Inn and Conference Center.

TEXAS CHRISTIAN WRITERS’ CONFERENCE

7401 Katy Freeway, Houston TX 77092. (713)686-7209. E-mail: dannywoodall@yahoo.com. Contact: Danny Woodall. Estab. 1990. Open conference for all interested writers, held the first Saturday in August. “Focus on all genres.” Sponsors a contest for short fiction; categories include articles, devotionals, poetry, short story, book proposals, drama. Fees: $8-15. Conference information available with SASE or e-mail to Danny Woodall. Agents participate in conference. Senior discounts available.

COSTS $65 for members of IWA, $80 nonmembers, discounts for seniors (60+) and couples, meal at noon, continental breakfast and breaks.

ACCOMMODATIONS Offers list of area hotels or lodging options.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Open conference for all interested writers. Sponsors a contest for short fiction; categories include articles, devotionals, poetry, short story, book proposals, drama. Fees: $8-15. Conference information available with SASE or e-mail to Danny Woodall. Agents participate in conference. (For contest information, contact patav@aol.com.)

TEXAS WRITING RETREAT

Grimes County, TX. E-mail: PaulTCuclis@gmail.com. E-mail: PaulTCuclis@gmail.com. Website: www.texaswritingretreat.com. Contact: Paul Cuclis, coordinator. Estab. 2013. The Texas Writing Retreat is an intimate event with a limited number of attendees. Held on a private residence ranch an hour outside of Houston, it has an agent and editor in attendance teaching. All attendees get to pitch the attending agent. Meals and excursions and amenities included. This is a unique event that combines craft sessions, business sessions, time for writing, relaxation, and more.

COSTS Costs vary per year. Check the website for latest updates. There are different pricing options for those staying onsite vs. commuters.

ACCOMMODATIONS Private ranch residence in Texas.

THRILLERFEST

P.O. Box 311, Eureka CA 95502. E-mail: infocentral@thrillerwriters.org. Website: www.thrillerfest.com. Contact: Kimberley Howe, executive director. Grand Hyatt New York, 109 E. 42nd St., New York, NY 10017. Estab. 2006. Annual. 2014: July 8-12 in Manhattan. Conference duration: 5 days. Average attendance: 900. Workshop/conference/festival. “A great place to learn the craft of writing the thriller. Classes taught by NYT best-selling authors. A fabulous event for fans/readers to meet and spend a few days with their favorite authors and packed with terrific programming.” Speakers have included David Morrell, James Patterson, Sandra Brown, Ken Follett, Eric Van Lustbader, David Baldacci, Brad Meltzer, Steve Martini, R.L. Stine, Steve Berry, Kathleen Antrim, Douglas Preston, Gayle Lynds, Harlan Coben, Lee Child, Lisa Scottolini, Katherine Neville, Robin Cook, Andrew Gross, Kathy Reichs, Brad Thor, Clive Cussler, Donald Maass, M.J. Rose, and Al Zuckerman. Two days of the conference are CraftFest, where the focus is on the craft of writing, and 2 days are ThrillerFest, which showcase the author-fan relationship. Also featured: AgentFest—a unique event where authors can pitch their work face-to-face to 50 top literary agents, and the International Thriller Awards and Banquet.

COSTS Price will vary from $300-1,100, depending on which events are selected. Various package deals are available offering savings, and Early Bird pricing is offered beginning September of each year.

ACCOMMODATIONS Grand Hyatt in New York City.

TMCC WRITERS’ CONFERENCE

Truckee Meadows Community College, 5270 Neil Rd., Reno NV 89502. (775)829-9010. Fax: (775)829-9032. E-mail: wdce@tmcc.edu. Website: wdce.tmcc.edu. Estab. 1991. Annual conference held April 27. Average attendance: 150. Conference focuses on strengthening mainstream/literary fiction and nonfiction works and how to market them to agents and publishers. Site: Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nevada. “There is always an array of speakers and presenters with impressive literary credentials, including agents and editors.” Speakers have included Chuck Sambuchino, Sheree Bykofsky, Andrea Brown, Dorothy Allison, Karen Joy Fowler, James D. Houston, James N. Frey, Gary Short, Jane Hirschfield, Dorrianne Laux, and Kim Addonizio.

COSTS $119 for a full-day seminar; $32 for a 10-minute one-on-one appointment with an agent or editor.

ACCOMMODATIONS Contact the conference manager to learn about accommodation discounts.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION “The conference is open to all writers, regardless of their level of experience. Brochures are available online and mailed in January. Send inquiries via e-mail.”

TONY HILLERMAN WRITER’S CONFERENCE

1063 Willow Way, Santa FE NM 87505. (505)471-1565. E-mail: wordharvest@wordharvest.com. Website: www.wordharvest.com. Contact: Jean Schaumberg, co-director. Estab. 2004. Annual event held in November. Conference duration: 3 days. Average attendance: 100. Site: Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza. First day: Pre-Conference Workshops, hands-on and interactive, taught by published authors who are also wonderful teachers. Second day: The New Book/New Author Breakfast where author attendees have a chance to talk about their new books. A full day of presentations on the craft of writing. We honor the winner of the $10,000 Tony Hillerman Prize for best first mystery at the Hillerman luncheon. A flash critique session—Writing With the Stars—is open to any interested attendee and adds to the fun and information. Third day: A full day of presentations on the business of writing. A book signing/reception is followed by the keynote dinner.

COSTS Previous year’s costs: $395 per registration.

ACCOMMODATIONS Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza offers $119 single or double occupancy. November 6-10. Book online with the hotel.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Sponsors a $10,000 first mystery novel contest with St. Martin’s Press. Submission deadline for the Hillerman Mystery Competition is June 1. Visit the website for more guidelines.

UMKC WRITING CONFERENCE

5300 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City MO 64110. (816)235-2736. Fax: (816)235-5279. E-mail: wittfeldk@umkc.edu. Website: www.newletters.org/writers-wanted/nl-weekend-writing-conference. Contact: Kathi Wittfeld. New Letters Weekend Writing Conference will be held June 27-29, 2014, at Diastole. New Letters Writer’s Conference is geared toward all levels—beginner, intermediate, advanced and professional levels. Conference open to students and community. Annual workshops. Workshops held in Summer. Cost of workshop varies. Write for more information. Mark Twain Writers Workshop will not be held in 2014.

UNICORN WRITERS CONFERENCE

P.O. Box 176, Redding CT 06876. (203)938-7405. E-mail: bookings@unicornwritersconference.com; unicornwritersconference@gmail.com. Website: www.unicornwritersconference.com. This writers conference draws upon its close proximity to New York City and pulls in many literary agents and editors to pitch each year. There are sessions, tracks, pitch gatherings, query/manuscript review sessions, and more.

ACCOMMODATIONS Held at Saint Clements Castle in Connecticut. Directions available on event website.

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA WRITERS CONFERENCE

Department of English, 110 Merrifield Hall, 276 Centennial Drive, Stop 7209, Grand Forks ND 58202. (701)777-2393. Fax: (701)777-2373. E-mail: crystal.alberts@email.und.edu. Website: und.edu/orgs/writers-conference/. Contact: Crystal Alberts, director. Estab. 1970. Annual conference. 2014 dates: April 2-4. Offers panels, readings, and films focused around a specific theme. Almost all events take place in the UND Memorial Union, which has a variety of small rooms and a 1,000-seat main hall. Past speakers include Art Spiegelman, Truman Capote, Sir Salman Rushdie, Allen Ginsberg, Alice Walker, and Louise Erdrich.

COSTS All events are free and open to the public. Donations accepted.

ACCOMMODATIONS All events are free and open to the public. Accommodations available at area hotels. Information on overnight accommodations available on website.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Schedule and other information available on website.

UW-MADISON WRITERS’ INSTITUTE

21 North Park St., Room 7331, Madison WI 53715. (608)265-3972. Fax: (608)265-2475. E-mail: lscheer@dcs.wisc.edu. Website: www.uwwritersinstitute.org. Contact: Laurie Scheer. Estab. 1989. Annual. Conference usually held in April. Site: Madison Concourse Hotel, downtown Madison. Average attendance: 350-500. Conference speakers provide workshops and consultations. For information, send e-mail, visit website, call, fax. Accepts inquiries by SASE, e-mail, phone, fax. Agents and editors participate in conference.

COSTS $160-260; includes materials, breaks.

ACCOMMODATIONS Provides a list of area hotels or lodging options.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Sponsors contest.

VIRGINIA CENTER FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS

154 San Angelo Dr., Amherst VA 24521. (434)946-7236. Fax: (434)946-7239. E-mail: vcca@vcca.com. Website: www.vcca.com. Estab. 1971. Offers residencies year-round, typical residency lasts 2 weeks to 2 months. Open to originating artists: composers, writers, and visual artists. Accommodates 25 at one time. Personal living quarters include 22 single rooms, 2 double rooms, bathrooms shared with one other person. All meals are served. Kitchens for fellows’ use available at studios and residence. The VCCA van goes into town twice a week. Fellows share their work regularly. Four studios have pianos. No transportation costs are covered. “Artists are accepted into the VCCA without regard for their ability to contribute financially to their residency. Daily cost is $180 per fellow. We ask fellows to contribute according to their ability.”

COSTS Application fee: $30. Deadline: May 15 for October-January residency; September 15 for February-May residency; January 15 for June-September residency. Send SASE for application form or download from website. Applications are reviewed by panelists.

WESTERN RESERVE WRITERS & FREELANCE CONFERENCE

7700 Clocktower Dr., Kirtland OH 44094. (440) 525-7812. E-mail: deencr@aol.com. Website: www.deannaadams.com. Contact: Deanna Adams, director/conference coordinator. Estab. 1983. Biannual. Last conference held September 28, 2013. Conference duration: 1 day or half-day. Average attendance: 120. “The Western Reserve Writers Conferences are designed for all writers, aspiring and professional, and offer presentations in all genres—nonfiction, fiction, poetry, essays, creative nonfiction, and the business of writing, including Web writing and successful freelance writing.” Site: “Located in the main building of Lakeland Community College, the conference is easy to find and just off the I-90 freeway. The Fall 2013 conference featured top-notch presenters from newspapers and magazines, along with published authors, freelance writers, and professional editors. Presentations included developing issues in today’s publishing and publishing options, turning writing into a lifelong vocation, as well as workshops on plotting, creating credible characters, writing mysteries, romance writing, and tips on submissions, getting books into stores, and storytelling for both fiction and nonfiction writers. Included throughout the day are one-on-one editing consults, Q&A panel, and book sale/author signings.”

COSTS Fall all-day conference includes lunch: $95. Spring half-day conference, no lunch: $69.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Brochures for the conferences are available by January (for spring conference) and July (for fall). Also accepts inquiries by e-mail and phone. Check Deanna Adams’ website for all updates. Editors and agents often attend the conferences.

WHIDBEY ISLAND WRITERS’ CONFERENCE

P.O. Box 1289, Langley WA 98260. E-mail: admin@nila.edu; wiwc@nila.edu. Website: www.nila.edu/wiwc/. This is an annual writing conference in the Pacific Northwest. There are a variety of sessions on topics such as fiction, craft, poetry, platform, agents, screenwriting, and much more. Topics are varied, and there is something for all writers. Multiple agents and editors are in attendance. The schedule and faculty change every year, and those changes are reflected online.

WILLAMETTE WRITERS CONFERENCE

2108 Buck St., West Linn OR 97068. (503)305-6729. Fax: (503)344-6174. Website: www.willamettewriters.com/wwc/3/. Estab. 1981. Annual conference held in August. (2014 dates: Aug. 1-3.) Conference duration: 3 days. Average attendance: 600. “Willamette Writers is open to all writers, and we plan our conference accordingly. We offer workshops on all aspects of fiction, nonfiction, marketing, the creative process, screenwriting, etc. Also, we invite top-notch inspirational speakers for keynote addresses. We always include at least 1 agent or editor panel and offer a variety of topics of interest to both fiction and nonfiction writers and screenwriters.” Agents will be speaking and available for meetings with attendees.

COSTS Pricing schedule available online.

ACCOMMODATIONS If necessary, arrangements can be made on an individual basis through the conference hotel. Special rates may be available. 2014 location is the Lloyd Center DoubleTree Hotel.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Brochure/guidelines are available for a catalog-sized SASE.

WINCHESTER WRITERS’ CONFERENCE, FESTIVAL AND BOOKFAIR, AND IN-DEPTH WRITING WORKSHOPS

University of Winchester, Winchester Hampshire WA S022 4NR United Kingdom. 44 (0) 1962 827238. E-mail: judith.heneghan@winchester.ac.uk. Website: www.writersfestival.co.uk. The 34th Winchester Writers’ Festival will be held on June 20-22 at the University of Winchester, Winchester, Hampshire S022 4NR. Joanne Harris, internationally acclaimed author of Chocolat, will give the Keynote Address and will lead an outstanding team of 60 best-selling authors, commissioning editors and literary agents offering day-long workshops, 40 short talks and 500 one-to-one appointments to help writers harness their creative ideas, turn them into marketable work and pitch to publishing professionals. Participate by entering some of the 12 writing competitions, even if you can’t attend. Over 120 writers have now reported major publishing successes as a direct result of their attendance at past conferences. This leading international literary event offers a magnificent source of support, advice, inspiration and networking opportunities for new and published writers working in all genres. Enjoy a creative writing holiday in Winchester, the oldest city in England and only one hour from London. To view Festival programme, including all the competition details, go to: writersfestival.co.uk.

WISCONSIN BOOK FESTIVAL

Madison Public Library, 201 W. Mifflin St., Madison WI 53703. (608)266-6300. E-mail: bookfest@mplfoundation.org. Website: www.wisconsinbookfestival.org. Estab. 2002. Annual festival held in October. Conference duration: 5 days. The festival features readings, lectures, book discussions, writing workshops, live interviews, children’s events, and more. Speakers have included Isabel Allende, Jonathan Alter, Paul Auster, Michael Chabon, Billy Collins, Phillip Gourevitch, Ian Frazier, Tim O’Brien, Elizabeth Strout.

COSTS All festival events are free.

WOMEN WRITERS WINTER RETREAT

Homestead House B&B, 38111 West Spaulding, Willoughby OH 44094. (440)946-1902. E-mail: deencr@aol.com. Website: www.deannaadams.com. Estab. 2007. Annual—always happens the last weekend in February. Conference duration: 3 days. Average attendance: 35-40. Retreat. “The Women Writers’ Winter Retreat was designed for aspiring and professional women writers who cannot seem to find enough time to devote to honing their craft. Each retreat offers class time and workshops facilitated by successful women writers, as well as allows time to do some actual writing, alone or in a group. A Friday night dinner and keynote kick-starts the weekend, followed by Saturday workshops, free time, meals, and an open mic to read your works. Sunday wraps up with 1 more workshop and fellowship. All genres welcome. Choice of overnight stay or commuting.” Site: Located in the heart of downtown Willoughby, this warm and attractive bed and breakfast is easy to find, around the corner from the main street, Erie Street, and behind a popular Arabica coffee house. Door prizes and book sale/author signings throughout the weekend.

COSTS Single room: $315; shared room: $235 (includes complete weekend package, with B&B stay and all meals and workshops); weekend commute: $165; Saturday only: $125 (prices include lunch and dinner).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Brochures for the writers retreat are available by December. Accepts inquiries and reservations by e-mail or phone. See Deanna’s website for additional information and updates.

WOMEN WRITING THE WEST

8547 E. Araphoe Rd., Box J-541, Greenwood Village CO 80112-1436. E-mail: conference@womenwritingthewest.org. Website: www.womenwritingthewest.org. 2014 dates: Oct 16-20 in Denver, Colo. “Women Writing the West is a nonprofit association of writers, editors, publishers, agents, booksellers, and other professionals writing and promoting the women’s West. As such, women writing their stories in the American West in a way that illuminates them authentically. In addition, the organization provides support, encouragement, and inspiration to all women writing about any facet of the American West. Membership is open to all interested persons worldwide. Open to students. Cost of membership: Annual membership dues $65. Publisher dues are $65. International dues are $70. In addition to the annual dues, there is an option to become a sustaining member for $100. Sustaining members receive a WWW enamel logo pin, prominent listing in WWW publications, and the knowledge that they are assisting the organization. Members actively exchange ideas on a list e-bulletin board. WWW membership also allows the choice of participation in our marketing marvel, the annual WWW Catalog of Author’s Books. An annual conference is held every fall. Our blog, Facebook and ListServ publish current WWW activities; features market research, and experience articles of interest pertaining to American West literature and member news. Sponsors annual WILLA Literary Award, which is given in several categories for outstanding literature featuring women’s stories, set in the West. The winner of a WILLA literary Award receives a cash award and a trophy at the annual conference. Contest open to non-members. Annual conference held in third weekend in October. Covers research, writing techniques, multiple genres, marketing/promotion, and more. Agents and editors will be speaking and available for one-on-one meetings with attendees. Conference location changes each year.”

COSTS See website. Discounts available for members, and for specific days only.

ACCOMMODATIONS See website for location and accommodation details.

WORDS & MUSIC

624 Pirate’s Alley, New Orleans LA 70116. (504)586-1609. Fax: (504)522-9725. E-mail: info@wordsandmusic.org. Website: www.wordsandmusic.org. Estab. 1997. Annual conference held in November. 2014 conference: 20-24. Conference duration: 5 days. Average attendance: 300. Presenters include authors, agents, editors and publishers. Past speakers included agents Deborah Grosvenor, Judith Weber, Stuart Bernstein, Nat Sobel, Jeff Kleinman, Emma Sweeney, Liza Dawson and Michael Murphy; editors Lauren Marino, Webster Younce, Ann Patty, Will Murphy, Jofie Ferrari-Adler, Elizabeth Stein; critics Marie Arana, Jonathan Yardley, and Michael Dirda; fiction writers Oscar Hijuelos, Robert Olen Butler, Shirley Ann Grau, Mayra Montero, Ana Castillo, H.G. Carrillo. Agents and editors critique manuscripts in advance; meet with them one-on-one during the conference.

COSTS See website for a costs and additional information on accommodations. Website will update closer to date of conference.

ACCOMMODATIONS Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans.

WRITE-BY-THE-LAKE WRITER’S WORKSHOP & RETREAT

21 N. Park St., 7th Floor, Madison WI 53715. (608)262-3447. E-mail: cdesmet@dcs.wisc.edu. Website: www.dcs.wisc.edu/lsa/writing. Contact: Christine DeSmet, director. Open to all writers and students; 12 workshops for all levels. Includes 2 Master Classes for full-novel critique. Held the third week of June on UW-Madison campus. Registration limited to 15; fewer in Master Classes. Writing facilities available; computer labs, wi-fi in all buildings and on the outdoor lakeside terrace.

COSTS $365 before May 20; $415 after May 20. Additional cost for Master Classes and college credits. Cost includes instruction, welcome luncheon, and pastry/coffee each day.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION E-mail for more information. “Registration opens every December for following June. See web pages online.”

WRITE CANADA

The Word Guild, P.O. Box 1243, Trenton ON K8V 5R9 Canada. E-mail: info@thewordguild.com. E-mail: writecanada@rogers.com. Website: www.writecanada.org. Conference duration: 3 days. Annual conference. 2014 dates: June 12-14 in Guelph, Ontario, for writers who are Christian of all types and at all stages. Offers solid instruction, stimulating interaction, exciting challenges, and worshipful community.

WRITERS@WORK CONFERENCE

P.O. Box 711191, Salt Lake City UT 84171-1191. (801)996-3313. E-mail: jennifer@writersatwork.org. Website: www.writersatwork.org. Estab. 1985. Annual conference held in June. (The 2014 conference is June 4-8.) Conference duration: 5 days. Average attendance: 250. Morning workshops (3-hours/day) focus on novel, advanced fiction, generative fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and young adult fiction. Afternoon sessions will include craft lectures, discussions, and directed interviews with authors, agents, and editors. In addition to the traditional, one-on-one manuscript consultations, there will be many opportunities to mingle informally with agents/editors. Held at the Alta Lodge in Alta Lodge, Utah. Speakers have included Steve Almond, Bret Lott, Shannon Hale, Emily Forland (Wendy Weil Agency), Julie Culver (Folio Literary Management, Chuck Adams (Algonquin Press), and Mark A. Taylor (Juniper Press).

COSTS $690-1,005, based on housing type and consultations.

ACCOMMODATIONS Onsite housing available. Additional lodging and meal information is on the website.

WRITER’S DIGEST CONFERENCES

F+W Media, Inc., 10151 Carver Road, Suite 200, Blue Ash OH 45242. E-mail: jill.ruesch@fwmedia.com. E-mail: phil.sexton@fwmedia.com. Website: www.writersdigestconference.com. Estab. 1995. The Writer’s Digest conferences feature an amazing lineup of speakers to help writers with the craft and business of writing. Each calendar year typically features multiple conferences around the country. In 2014, the New York conference will be Aug. 1-3, while the Los Angeles conference will be Aug. 15-17. The most popular feature of the east coast conference is the agent pitch slam, in which potential authors are given the ability to pitch their books directly to agents. For the 2014 conference, there will be more than 50 agents in attendance. For more details, see the website.

COSTS Cost varies by location and year. There are typically different pricing options for those who wish to stay for the entire event vs. daylong passes.

ACCOMMODATIONS A block of rooms at the event hotel is reserved for guests.

WRITERS’ LEAGUE OF TEXAS AGENTS CONFERENCE

Writers’ League of Texas, 611 S. Congress Ave., Suite 200 A-3, Austin TX 78704. (512)499-8914. Fax: (512)499-0441. E-mail: conference@writersleague.org. E-mail: jennifer@writersleague.org. Website:www.writersleague.org. Estab. 1982. Established in 1981, the Writers’ League of Texas is a nonprofit professional organization whose primary purpose is to provide a forum for information, support, and sharing among writers, to help members improve and market their writing skills, and to promote the interests of writers and the writing community. The Writers’ League of Texas Agents & Editors Conference is for writers at every stage of their career. Beginners can learn more about this mystifying industry and prepare themselves for the journey ahead. Those with completed manuscripts can pitch to agents and get feedback on their manuscripts from professional editors. Published writers can learn about market trends and network with rising stars in the world of writing. No matter what your market, genre, or level, our conference can benefit you.

COSTS Rates vary based on membership and the date of registration. The starting rate (registration through January 15) is $309 for members and $369 for nonmembers. Rate increases through later dates. See website for updates.

ACCOMMODATIONS 2013 event was at the Hyatt Regency Austin, 208 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX 78704. Check back often for new information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 2014 event held from June 27-29, 2014. Contests and awards programs are offered separately. Brochures are available upon request.

WRITERS WEEKEND AT THE BEACH

P.O. Box 877, Ocean Park WA 98640. (360)262-0160. E-mail: pelkeyjc@hotmail.com. E-mail: bobtracie@hotmail.com; pelkeyjc@hotmail.com. Contact: John Pelkey. Estab. 1992. Annual conference held in April. Conference duration: 2 days. Average attendance: 45. A retreat for writers with an emphasis on poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Held at the Ocean Park Methodist Retreat Center & Camp. Speakers have included Miralee Ferrell, Leslie Gould, Linda Clare, Birdie Etchison, Colette Tennant, Gail Dunham, and Marion Duckworth.

COSTS $200 for full registration before March 1 and $215 after March 1.

ACCOMMODATIONS Offers on-site overnight lodging.

WRITE ON THE RIVER

8941 Kelsey Lane, Knoxville TN 37922. E-mail: bob@bobmayer.org. Website: www.bobmayer.org. Contact: Bob Mayer. Estab. 2002. Held several times a year. Conference duration: 2 days. Held at a private residence.

COSTS Varies; depends on venue. Please see website for any updates.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Limited to 4 participants, and focused on their novel and marketability.

THE WRITERS’ WORKSHOP

387 Beaucatcher Rd., Asheville NC 28805. (828)254-8111. E-mail: writersw@gmail.com. Website: www.twwoa.org. Estab. 1984. Biannual writing retreat at Folly Beach, SC. 2014 dates: May 15-18. Kurt Vonnegut said: “God bless The Writers’ Workshop of Asheville!” He and Don De Lillo, Peter Matthiessen, E.L. Doctorow, Eudora Welty, John le Carre and many other distinguished authors have given benefit readings for us. We offer classes, contests, retreats, and other events. Workshops in all genres of writing, for beginning or experienced writers, are held in Asheville and Charlotte, NC. Our in-house Renbourne Editorial Agency offers the highest quality editing and revising services for writers of all genres.

COSTS Vary. Financial assistance available to low-income writers. Information on overnight accommodations is made available.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION We also sponsor these contests, open to all writers: Annual Poetry Contest, Prizes from $100-300 (Deadline: Feb. 28); Hard Times Writing Contest, Prizes from $100-300, (Deadline: May 30); Fiction Contest, Prizes from $150-350 (Deadline: Aug. 30); Annual Memoirs Competition, Prizes from $150-350 (Deadline: Nov. 30). Contests for young writers are posted at our website.

WRITE-TO-PUBLISH CONFERENCE

WordPro Communication Services, 9118 W. Elmwood Dr., Suite 1G, Niles IL 60714-5820. (847)296-3964. Fax: (847)296-0754. E-mail: lin@writetopublish.com. Website: www.writetopublish.com. Contact: Lin Johnson, director. Estab. 1971. Annual. Conference held June 4-7, 2014. Average attendance: 200. Conference is focused for the Christian market and includes classes on writing for children. Writer workshops geared toward all levels. Open to students. Site: Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL (Chicago).

COSTS approximately $475; includes conference and banquet.

ACCOMMODATIONS In campus residence halls. Cost is approximately $280-360.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Optional ms evaluation available. College credit available. Conference information available in January. For details, visit website, or e-mail brochure@writetopublish.com. Accepts inquiries by e-mail, fax, phone.

WRITING AND ILLUSTRATING FOR YOUNG READERS CONFERENCE

1480 East 9400 South, Sandy UT 84093. E-mail: staff@wifyr.com. Website: www.wifyr.com. Estab. 2000. Annual workshop held in June 2014. Conference duration: 5 days. Average attendance: 100+. Learn how to write, illustrate, and publish in the children’s and young adult markets. Beginning and advanced writers and illustrators are tutored in a small-group workshop setting by published authors and artists and receive instruction from and network with editors, major publishing house representatives, and literary agents. Afternoon attendees get to hear practical writing and publishing tips from published authors, literary agents, and editors. Held at the Waterford School in Sandy, UT. Speakers have included John Cusick, Stephen Fraser, Alyson Heller, and Ruth Katcher.

COSTS Costs available online.

ACCOMMODATIONS A block of rooms are available at the Best Western Cotton Tree Inn in Sandy, UT at a discounted rate. This rate is good as long as there are available rooms.

THE HELENE WURLITZER FOUNDATION

P.O. Box 1891, Taos NM 87571. (575)758-2413. Fax: (575)758-2559. E-mail: hwf@taosnet.com. Website: www.wurlitzerfoundation.org. Contact: Michael A. Knight, executive director. Estab. 1953.

ACCOMMODATIONS “Provides individual housing in fully furnished studio/houses (casitas), rent and utility free. Artists are responsible for transportation to and from Taos, their meals and materials for their work. Bicycles are provided upon request.”

WYOMING WRITERS CONFERENCE

Various cities in Wyoming E-mail: pfrolander@rangeweb.net. Website: wyowriters.org. Contact: Patricia Frolander. This is a statewide writing conference for writers of Wyoming and neighboring states. Last conference: June 6-8, 2014, in Sheridan, WY. Each year, multiple published authors, editors and literary agents are in attendance. The city/location of the conference varies from year to year around the state. Locations have included Sheridan, Casper, Cody, and more.