If you’re tired of learning about interesting opportunities just a little too late, bookmark this list of annual writers conferences (both in the United States and international) for future planning, so you can join in on the mingling, learning, and inspiration.
While many of these conferences are on location, there are also online options so be sure to check those out too!
Here are 55+ writers conferences to check out
We’ve broken the list of writers conferences into categories, including blogging, freelancing, fiction, and more to help you narrow down on what interests you most.
Writers Conferences to Consider
General Interest
Ready to connect with literary agents, editors, and fellow writers at a writers conference or writing retreat?
WriterCon
When: Annually in August
Where: Oklahoma City, OK
WriterCon is a community of writers working together to build skills, exchange knowledge, make connections, and achieve their writing dreams. The conference aims to provide knowledge and opportunities designed to push you forward along your writer’s journey.
San Francisco Writers Conference
When: Annually in February
Where: San Francisco, CA
Held annually in February, the San Francisco Writers Conference is a “celebration of craft, commerce and community.” Connect with industry experts, bestselling authors, agents, editors and leaders in both self-publishing and traditional publishing.
Northern Colorado Writers Conference
When: Annually in July
Where: Fort Collins, CO and online
The Northern Colorado Writers Conference provides support and encouragement to writers of all genres and levels. The group also offers monthly meetings, classes and other networking and social events.
The in-person events are open to limited attendees, so you’ll get a more intimate experience.
Association of Writers and Writing Programs
When: Annually in February
Where: Various North American cities
Each year, the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) hosts the Annual Conference & Bookfair in a different city. The event celebrates authors, teachers, students, writing programs, literary centers and publishers in the region hosting the conference. With more than 12,000 writers and readers attending each year, AWP is the largest literary conference in North America.
Las Vegas Writers Conference
When: Annually in April
Where: Las Vegas, NV
Each year, Henderson Writers Group hosts the Las Vegas Writers Conference. The organization also hosts three meetings per week in Las Vegas. They’re open to the public, and members can read their writing for critique by attendees.
Midwest Writers Workshop Super Mini-Conference
When: Annually
Where: Muncie, IN and online
The Midwest Writers Workshop is a day-and-half conference and one of the more affordable option for writers at all levels. They offer a variety of in-depth small sessions in craft taught by published authors. You’ll also get to mingle with other writers and industry experts.
Writing Day Workshops
When and Where: Year-round throughout the U.S. and Canada (in person and online)
Writing Day Workshops presents day-long workshops offering a crash course on how to get your book published, with classes and presentations on everything from writing queries to working with an agent to marketing your book.
Missouri Writers Guild Conference
When: Annually
Where: St. Louis, MO
The Missouri Writers Guild is a 100+-year-old organization for professional writers in all genres across the Midwest. Join the Missouri Writers Guild Conference for writers at all levels for breakout sessions and masterclasses covering the craft and business of creative writing.
Fiction Conferences
Romance Writers of America Annual Conference
When: Annually in July/August
Where: Location varies
Romance writers gather at the Romance Writers of America Annual Conference to learn more about the business of being an author. Get an opportunity to meet and mingle with budding and successful romance authors, as well as workshops and events to boost your author career.
SleuthFest
When: Annually
Where: Boca Raton, Florida
SleuthFest is an annual conference for mystery, suspense and thriller writers sponsored by the Florida chapter of Mystery Writers of America.
This conference includes writing and marketing workshops, networking events, and pitch sessions with guest agents and editors. It even includes hands-on forensic workshops!
Worldcon and North American Science Fiction Convention
When: Annually
Where: Various locations around the world
The World Science Fiction Convention (“Worldcon”) is an annual gathering of the science fiction and fantasy community, held in a different location around the world each year. When Worldcon is held outside of North America, the corresponding NASFiC is held in North America.
This five-day international conference is attended by thousands of writers, artists, fans, editors, publishers, academics and dealers. The event embraces science fiction in all the forms, including film, TV, art, comics, anime and manga, and gaming.
Killer Nashville
When: Annually in August
Where: Nashville, TN
While attractive to mystery/thriller authors and screenwriters for its unique crime-focused sessions, Killer Nashville welcomes writers of all levels and genres.
“Imagine hearing a CIA Analyst, an FBI agent on terrorism, Dr Bill Bass on The Body Farm, bestselling CJ Box on how he juggles his writing and plans his days, Heyward Gould on screenplays, and so much more. They even had a crime scene, with awards to those who studied the clues and figured out the mystery.”
Mystery author C. Hope Clark, reflecting on her 2012 Killer Nashville experience
Virtual Winter Thrills (Thrillerfest)
When: Annually
Where: Manhattan, New York and online
“It is the only conference where I really feel at home—and [International Thriller Writers] is truly the tribe I belong to…. I can talk about ways to murder people and weapons of choice and not feel weird. I can learn from some of the biggest names in the business, whose hours of writing experience number in the many thousands.”
Thriller author J.F. Penn at The Creative Pen
Virtual Winter Thrills is the latest iteration of the popular Thrillerfest writers conference from International Thriller Writers. It includes the perennial Practice PitchFest sessions and Master Class with best selling authors, plus a new series of craft and business classes called Winter Thrills MBA.
Blogging
We All Grow Weekend Fest
When: Annually in the spring
Where: Near Los Angeles, CA
We All Grow is a unique professional conference for Latinas working in the digital space. If you’re an online influencer or creative entrepreneur, this conference can help you network with others, learn strategies for personal and business growth, and connect with brands that want to reach your community.
Alt Summit
When: Annually in March
Where: Palm Springs, CA
Originally the Altitude Design Summit for design bloggers, Alt Summit has expanded since its founding in 2009 to include thousands of creative entrepreneurs, content creators, artists, and influencers. The emphasis is on connecting and collaborating with fellow creatives, and you’ll also get to attend keynotes, panels, and TED-style talks from high-caliber celebrities of popular culture and the online business world.
South by Southwest
When: Annually in March
Where: Austin, TX and online
South by Southwest has become the country’s premier event for the music, comedy, film and digital technology industries—basically, any creative person or fan! In 2021, they launched the first SXSW Online, a digital extension of the massive convention. In October 2023, Australia hosted its first South by Southwest conference.
“What I love about SXSW—it always brings out my spontaneous side. I don’t make any plans until five minutes beforehand, and I love it.”
Jenny Blake, Life After College, The Number One Tip for SXSW Newbie
BlogHer Creators Summit
When: Annually in summer
Where: Various cities in the United States
Previously known simply as BlogHer, the reimagined Creators Summit promises to bring all the heat of thought leaders and influencers that the conference has been known for for nearly two decades. Attend workshops, panels and keynotes for anyone who wants to level up their online business. You’ll even get to engage with popular beauty and wellness brands.
Freelancing
American Society of Journalists and Authors Annual Conference
When: Annually
Where: Various cities in the United States
Attend the American Society of Journalists and Authors annual one-day conference to learn how to manage a freelance business or publish a book in the new media environment.
You can also find other one-day events throughout the year, covering various topics relevant to nonfiction writers, journalists, and authors. For example, in January 2024 there was a national convention of professional ghostwriters called Gathering of the Ghosts, a collaboration between ASJA and Gotham Ghostwriters.
Society for Professional Journalists Spring Conference Series
When: Annually in Spring
Where: Various cities in the United States
The Society for Professional Journalists day-long professional development meetings take place across 12 regions throughout the United States. They draw pros, students and educators for networking and training in topics ranging from writing skills to using new technologies.
Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing
When: Annually in Spring
Where: Various cities in the United States
Learn about new media for journalists, writing for various industries, managing your freelancing business, and more in this three-day conference from the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing for journalists, business writers, and editors. Also keep an eye out for focused virtual and in-person trainings around the country.
Children’s Book Writing and Illustrating
SCBWI Annual Conferences
When: Various dates
Where: Various locations
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) hosts a slew of regional conferences around the world throughout the year, including the Annual Summer Conference in Los Angeles each August, and the Annual Winter Conference in New York each February.
Christian Writing
Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference
When: Annually
Where: near Asheville, NC
Held annually at LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center nestled in the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference is the premier training and networking event for both seasoned and aspiring writers and speakers.
Renewal Conference
When: Annually in April
Where: Bothell, WA
This annual conference by the Northwest Christian Writers Association celebrates and cultivates writers who are Christians. Hone your craft and engage your faith at the same time through keynotes, workshops, Q&A panels, networking events, and one-on-one appointments with professional writers and industry leaders.
Indie Publishing and Self-Publishing
Author Advantage Live
When: Annually
Where: Online
Author Advantage Live is a three-day interactive virtual experience contains all the information you’ll need to be successful as a self-published author—no matter your genre or goals! Author Advantage Live brings a vast list of expert speakers to the table. For example, Jenna Kutcher and Steven Pressfield were keynote speakers in 2022 and Amy Porterfield was the keynote speaker in 2023.
SelfPubCon: The Self-Publishing Advice Conference
When: Annually in Spring and Fall
Where: Online
SelfPubCon is for authors interested in self-publishing. It runs fringe to the London Book Fair and Digital Book World.
The conference is free and contains 24 sessions—one an hour for 24 hours. You can register to learn how to attend the next conference, and you can attend sessions live or catch up on your own time.
Orlando Reads Books
When: Annually in Fall
Where: Orlando, FL
Orlando Reads Books is a four-day event that includes workshops, panels and social events for indie, hybrid, and traditionally-published authors. It features sessions on craft and marketing, as well as events that let you mingle with readers and fellow authors.
Writer’s Digest Annual Conference
When: Annually
Where: Various locations
The Writer’s Digest editors bring you the Writer’s Digest Conference with resources for craft, career and creative inspiration. Nearly 50 agents and editors participate in the infamous Pitch Slam, and dozens of industry experts lead educational sessions.
International Writers Conferences (Outside of the United States)
Canada
Surrey International Writers’ Conference
When: Annually in October
Where: Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
The Surrey International Writers’ Conference is the “most comprehensive professional development conference of its kind in Canada.” Open to writers of all levels and genres, the conference offers an opportunity to show off your work to the international literary marketplace as well as to hone your craft and business skills.
Vancouver Writers Festival
When: Annually in October
Where: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
In the cultural heart of Vancouver, B.C., on Granville Island, the Vancouver Writers Festival invites authors, poets, spoken word performers and graphic novelists to celebrate the art of the story. It takes place for six days each October and continues throughout the year through special events and the Incite reading series.
“The Vancouver Writers Fest turns reading into a community experience, bringing people together to share thoughts, explore ideas and witness brilliant conversations.”
Vancouver Writers Fest
Kingston WritersFest
When: Annually in September
Where: Kingston, Ontario, Canada
At Kingston WritersFest, writers and readers in attendance will get to participate in thought-provoking discussions and unique events that champion artistic expression and development.
Hosted in a notably literary city, this festival is all about “the power of the written word to create a strong, engaged community.”
WordFest
When: Annually in April and October
Where: Calgary, Alberta
A not-for-profit charitable arts organization, WordFest “brings readers and writers together through a premier international writers festival and year-round literary events.” Throughout the year, book clubs and other activities are available to those who want to engage with fellow writers and readers. Guests can enjoy readings, workshops, panel discussions and presentations that work toward connecting Calgarians through transformative ideas.
Blue Metropolis Montreal International Literary Festival
When: Annually in April
Where: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
The Blue Metropolis Montreal International Literary Festival is a bilingual (English/French) festival features programming for adults and children. Attendees enjoy workshops, readings and lectures from speakers across genres of writing and art.
The festival is free to attend, but you’ll have to pay a fee for select activities.
gritLIT
When: Annually in April
Where: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
gritLIT is a four-day festival is a celebration of Canadian authors. Its purpose is to highlight local writers and engage with the community.
“gritLIT brings the best contemporary Canadian writers to Hamilton to engage with local booklovers, to inspire and to be inspired by Hamilton authors, to promote a love of reading in young audiences and to celebrate the exchange of diverse ideas, experiences, and viewpoints. ”
gritLIT
International Festival of Authors
When: Annually in October
Where: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Since 1974, the International Festival of Authors has highlighted authors of contemporary literature. It includes 11 days of readings, interviews, artist talks, round-table discussions, book signings and several special events.
IFOA features novelists, poets, playwrights, short story writers and biographers from Canada and around the world.
The Toronto Star called this Canada’s “premier literary festival” and “a top destination for both international superstars and up-and-coming writers.”
Lakefield Literary Festival
When: Annually in July
Where: Lakefield, Ontario, Canada
The Lakefield Literary Festival includes author readings and masterclasses in writing for all ages. Admission price per event ranges.
“[The festival is] a celebration of the rich literary heritage of Lakefield and the surrounding area which includes the works of Catharine Parr Traill, Susanna Moodie and Isabella Valancy Crawford, among others, all of who lived and wrote in Lakefield.”
Lakefield Literary Festival
LitFest Alberta
When: Annually in October
Where: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
LitFest Alberta celebrates nonfiction through readings, lectures, panel discussions and workshops. It covers diverse topics—from food writing to feminism. Several events are free.
Ottawa International Writers Festival
When: Annually in October and May
Where: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
The Ottawa International Writers Festival celebrates ideas and imagination! Programming includes a poetry cabaret, town-hall style discussion, and fiction and nonfiction readings. To celebrate writing “outside the pages of books,” the festival often includes staged play readings, feature films, documentaries, CD launches and songwriter circles.
“Twice a year, we convene an international celebration of ideas to recharge our imaginations. From politics to poetry, science to music, history to thrillers, we celebrate the full diversity of the word and the gifted writers who guide us in our exploration of the world.”
The Ottawa International Writers Festival
When Words Collide
When: Annually in August
Where: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Readers, writers, editors, publishers, agents and other artists attend this festival, which highlights commercial and literary fiction. When Words Collide welcomes writers of most genre fiction, YA, children’s books, nonfiction, and poetry.
UK and Ireland
The London Book Fair
When: Annually in Spring
Where: Olympia, London
The London Book Fair brings together authors, publishers and readers in the cultural hub of London to explore and understand the rapidly-changing publishing world.
“The London Book Fair is the global marketplace for rights negotiation and the sale and distribution of content.”
The London Book Fair
The International Dublin Writers’ Festival
When: Annually in June
Where: Dublin, Ireland
From open mic readings to illuminating presentations, The International Dublin Writers’ Festival will give you the opportunity to attend training sessions led by renowned authors and industry experts, where you’ll learn about the craft and business of writing, as well as connect with fellow writers.
“This conference will help you to improve your writing craft, publish successfully, and plan the marketing necessary for any author to achieve success whether traditionally published or self-published. This conference provides practical support, valuable training and an opportunity to meet and get to know fellow writers in one of the world’s great literary cities.”
The International Dublin Writers’ Festival hosted by Books Go Social
Listowel Writers’ Week
When: Annually in May/June
Where: Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland
Running nearly 50 years, Listowel Writers’ Week is an annual literary festival for YA literature. It includes writing workshops, readings, interviews, forums, book launches and masterclasses. Enjoy tours of the historic Irish town and access to local and international writers.
The festival also includes several writing competitions for novel, short story, humor, and playwriting. Awards even exist for sports journalism, writing for readers with special needs and writing in prisons.
Stoke Newington Literary Festival
When: Annually in June
Where: London, UK
The Stoke Newington Literary Festival celebrates the diverse, “radical, rabble-rousing and literary history” of the Stoke Newington area of Hackney in London. Free and paid events feature readings and performances across genres and media. Admission to paid events ranges from £3 to £10.
Strokestown International Poetry Festival
When: Annually during the first weekend in May
Where: Strokestown, County Roscommon, Ireland
The Strokestown International Poetry Festival has been celebrating poetry since 1999. Its mission is to “showcase contemporary poetry, local, national and international, foster the development of emerging writers and consolidate poetry in local cultural life bringing it to the widest possible audience.”
The weekend includes readings from several established and up-and-coming poets, a poetry workshop and poetry competitions for poems in English and Irish.
Hay Festival
When: Annually in Fall and Spring
Where: Hay-on-Wye, Wales
President Bill Clinton dubbed this festival “Woodstock of the mind,” according to The Telegraph.
The Hay Festival in Wales joins coinciding festivals around the world to celebrate writing of all kinds through panel discussions and lectures.
“Hay celebrates great writing from poets and scientists, lyricists and comedians, novelists and environmentalists, and the power of great ideas to transform our way of thinking.”
Hay Festival
Kent Arts Conference
When: Annually in July or August
Where: Canterbury, Kent, UK
Originally the Warnborough College Conference on the Arts and previously the Canterbury Arts Conference, the Kent Arts Conference has grown to accommodate an international audience. It welcomes artists in all disciplines and media, academics, students, historians and other professionals.
Participants have the opportunity to share and publish research, and network with peers. The conference includes creative writing and visual art workshops, as well as presentations of art in a variety of media.
Ledbury Poetry Festival
When: Annually in July
Where: Ledbury, UK
The Daily Mail called this festival, launched in 1997, “the world’s most diverse poetry festival.”
It really has something for everyone. The Ledbury Poetry Festival features an array of community events to celebrate the writing and performance of poetry. Attend readings, writing workshops, panel discussions, musical performances, craft seminars and open mics in the “lively and picturesque market town” of Ledbury.
It also includes programs for new writers and a poetry competition.
Europe
Geneva Writers Group
When: Various dates throughout the year
Where: Various locations in Geneva, Switzerland
The Geneva Writers Group is brimming with opportunity. It offers several informative events throughout the year: the biennial Geneva Writers’ Conference; a “Meet the Agents” weekend on alternate years; monthly Saturday workshops from September to June that include masterclasses and critiquing sessions; coordinated writing groups; and an annual literary cruise on Lake Geneva.
Whether you’re an established author or just starting out, GWG welcomes writers from around the world and offers a supportive community that encourages creative writing.
Paris Café Writing
When: Various dates in April and November
Where: Le Marais, Paris
Patricia Tennison, a professor and author of award-honored books, leads a small group of eight writers in a week-long workshop. Accompanied by her husband Joseph Prendergast, a poet and teacher, Tennison guides writers of all experience levels through five morning seminars and a private writing session.
Some meals and activities are included in the registration fee for Paris Cafe Writing, but guests are responsible for lodging and transportation.
Frankfurt Writers’ Conference
When: Annually in March
Where: Höchst, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
The Frankfurt Writers’ Conference began in 2018 and anticipates organizing an even bigger and better event each year. In two fun-filled days, the conference hosts an interactive workshop and discussions led by an accomplished list of German and English-speaking literary agents, publishing representatives and writers.
Expect to learn ways to improve your pitch, receive insider knowledge on the world of publishing and more.
Middlebury Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference
When: Annually in September
Where: Erice, Sicily
Middlebury Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference is a seven-day writers conference in the beautiful, ancient town of Erice.
Attendance is limited to just five groups of six participants for an intimate experience. The conference includes small-group workshops, plus classes and lectures for all attendees. It’s open to fiction, poetry and nonfiction writers.
For additional options, check out sister Bread Loaf conferences in Ripton, Vermont.
Information, Medium & Society: International Conference on Publishing Studies
When: Annually in July
Where: Venice, Italy
Since 2003, this evolving research network has brought writers, readers, publishers, emerging scholars and more together to discuss “investigations on the nature and forms of information, and publishing practices as distinctive modes of social knowledge and cultural production.”
When you attend the International Conference on Publishing Studies, make sure to attend a range of sessions and presentations that allow opportunities for networking and learning more about key issues in the industry.
Iceland Writers Retreat
When: Annually in Spring
Where: Reykjavik, Iceland
Whether you’re an aspiring, published or hobby writer, you’re welcome to join the Iceland Writers Retreat. It includes small-group workshops, dinner and receptions for networking, and tours of the area.
This program focuses on literary fiction and nonfiction books, so it’s not a good fit if you want to learn more about freelancing, online writing, genre fiction, poetry, or other media.
Asia and Oceania
NonfictioNOW
When: Annually in December
Where: Wellington, New Zealand
NonfictioNOW features roundtable discussions and keynote speakers that highlight a variety of nonfiction, including memoir, essay and literary journalism. There are also multimedia presentations, including graphic and video essay.
“The NonfictioNOW Conference is a regular gathering of over 400 nonfiction writers, teachers and students from around the world in an effort to explore the past, present, and future of nonfiction.”
NonfictioNOW
Melbourne Writers Festival
When: Annually in late August/early September
Where: Melbourne, Australia
The Melbourne Writers Festival is for readers, writers, and thinkers and engages participants through, storytelling, discussion, intellectual debate, educational programs, live performance, music, and art events.
Enjoy writing workshops, lectures and panel discussions on all forms of creative writing.
Asian Festival of Children’s Content
When: Annually in May or September
Where: Various Southeast Asian countries
Guests joining the Asian Festival of Children’s Content get to have unique and culturally rich experiences, hosted in a different Southeast Asian country each year. Workshops, masterclasses, presentations, panels and other events organized by the Singapore Book Council explore the world of children’s publishing, from creation and distribution to consumer consumption.
Whether you’re an academic, a writer, editor, agent, publisher, teacher, parent or anything in between, guests are encouraged to partake in the celebration of Asian content for children and young adults, plus take advantage of opportunities to network and hone their craft.
Central and South America
San Miguel Writers’ Conference and Literary Festival
When: Annually in February
Where: San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Established and emerging writers are welcome at the San Miguel Writers’ Conference and Literary Festival.
Attendees will get the chance to network with writers from around the world at this prestigious multicultural, bilingual (English/Spanish) writers’ conference and literary festival. Prepare to hone your craft through workshops, masterclasses, keynote presentations, panel discussions and seminars.
And don’t forget the beautiful location! Bill Maxwell, opinion columnist at Tampa Bay Times, said of his experience in San Miguel:
“Rarely have I fallen in love with a landlocked city. … This is a magical place, starting with its colonial architecture. Many of its large and colorful homes are nestled among jacaranda and decorated with bougainvillea. As I walked the narrow cobblestone streets, music and gaiety greeted me.”
Bill Maxwell, opinion columnist at Tampa Bay Times
Storyteller Within
When: Annually
Where: Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
The Storyteller Within Women’s Retreat is a nine-day conference specifically for women. It includes daily yoga and writing sessions and encourages women to do self-reflective, inner healing work. Conference participants are selected through an application process.
Cuenca International Writers Conference
When: Annually in August (note: we’re unable to verify if this conference is still happening)
Where: Cuenca, Ecuador
Ready to learn, network and recharge? At this conference, “you’ll laugh, you’ll learn, you’ll meet new friends who understand the writing life, and you’ll return home with a fresh perspective that allows new ideas to flourish.”
Tucked away in what’s considered one of the most beautiful cities in South America, the Cuenca International Writers Conference provides writers of all backgrounds intimate networking opportunities with distinguished presenters, stimulating workshops, and unforgettable cultural experiences.
This is an updated version of a story that was previously published. We update our posts as often as possible to ensure they’re useful for our readers.
Photo via Matej Kastelicg/ Shutterstock
