Conferences for Writers in 2015
By Brad
R Cook
One of
the best places to learn about the craft and business of writing is at a writer’s
conference. Below, I have listed a few being held this year.
A
couple of suggestions:
Research
the conference to see what workshops they are having and who is presenting.
I’ve tried to include the websites for each conference.
Go
where the professionals are. Conferences can be a great place to meet literary agents
and publishers. However, if you’re looking to improve your craft then research
the instructors.
Choose
a conference you want to go to, don’t feel pressured, there are all kinds of
different conferences and each one is different. So find the one that speaks to
you.
Get the
most out of the conference. Sign up for the extras if you want, but you don’t
have too. If you can stay for the whole conference, do.
Talk to
people. Find out what conferences other writers are attending. Make sure to network
with attendees before, during, and after the conference.
Looking
for advice on how to pick a conference? Check out Chuck Sambuchino’s blog: http://thewritelife.com/which-writers-conferences-are-the-best-to-attend/
Let’s
start with the big ones – If you want to go to the super bowl of pitching visit
the Pitch Slam at the Writer’s Digest Conference.
Writer’s Digest Conference East 2015
http://www.writersdigestconference.com/ehome/index.php?eventid=83905&tabid=181342& : Writer’s Digest
Conference East
THE
ROOSEVELT HOTEL • New York, NY • JULY 31 – AUGUST 2, 2015
Need some
mystery in your life… or just a mystery writer?
Killer Nashville Writers’ Conference
October 29-November 1, 2015
At the Omni Hotel in downtown Nashville, TN
October 29-November 1, 2015
At the Omni Hotel in downtown Nashville, TN
Bouchercon 2015
Raleigh,
North Carolina - October 8-11, 2015
Looking
for a little romance… or maybe just romance writers.
RWA 2015 – The Romance Writers of America
Romance
Writers of America® 35th Annual Conference
New York Marriott Marquis, New York, New York
July 22–25, 2015
New York Marriott Marquis, New York, New York
July 22–25, 2015
RT 2015
– Romantic Times annual conference
Dallas,
Texas – May 12-17
Writing
books for kids, check out the Society for Children’s Book Writers and
Illustrators.
SCBWI National Conference 2015
New
York City – Feb 6-8 2015
SCBWI Regional Conferences
Check their
website for a region near you. www.scbwi.org
A lover
of historical fiction then you might stop by the HNS International Conference.
Historical Novel Society
June
25-28 2015 in Denver, Colorado
Here
are some great regional conferences, less price, smaller crowds, but you still
get great authors, publishers, and agents.
Kentucky Writing Conference
Tennessee Writers Conference
Portland Writing Workshop
Seattle Writers Workshop
Chesapeake Writing Conference
Carolina Writing Workshop Conferences
Milwaukee Writers Conference
Chicago Writers Workshop
Jackson Hole Writers Conference
Books by the Banks Book Festival
Are you
in St. Louis or Missouri? Check out these regional conferences:
Writers in the Park 2015
The
sixth annual festival of the writer
August
2015 in St. Louis, Missouri
All Write Now Conference
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Missouri
http://allwritenowconfere.wix.com/allwritenow
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Missouri
http://allwritenowconfere.wix.com/allwritenow
Penned Con
July 23-25, 2015
St.
Louis, Missouri
There
are more, so many more conferences to check out.
I recommend
checking Shaw Guides at www.shawguides.com
Do you
have a favorite conference? Let us know in the comments.
Very good advice! Different conferences for different needs and likes. I enjoy the smallish Ozarks Creative Writers Conference held annually in October, in Eureka Springs AR. It's not always polished and shiny, but it is friendly, inclusive, and chock full of useful sessions. There are open mics, a jam session, tons of contests, as well as approachable agents and professional guidance. It is three days but schedule at least one extra day to visit the unique village and area. Also very affordable.
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend the Antioch Writers' Workshop in Yellow Springs, Ohio - great faculty for how-to-write sessions, intense workshop groups, and wonderful faculty readings/keynotes...plus agents/publishers to pitch to.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm slightly biased since I'm Assistant Director, but I'm also a six-time alum!
http://www.antiochwritersworkshop.com/
The Kauai Writers Conference, May 1-3, 2015, is a wonderful event in beautiful Kauai. We have an amazing faculty, focusing on fiction and memoir, with an emphasis on craft. We also have wonderful literary agents and editors with supportive and personalized opportunities to pitch and to receive critique. And there's plenty of information on the pathways to publishing. Full disclosure: I'm the conference director.
ReplyDelete