Attending at least one writing conference should become one of your platform-building strategies in 2014. Famous speakers, one-on-one editor chats, and writing workshops are just a few of the benefits. Not only will you receive publishing and writing advice, you’ll most likely meet numerous connections that could help you long after the conference is over. Hundreds of conferences are held each year, but these are some of our favorites.
The AWP Conference is one of the biggest and most popular conferences in the writing world. The location changes every year but in 2014, it will be held in Seattle, Washington on February 26th through March 1st. More than 12,000 writers and readers attend annually, with up to 650 exhibitors and a large book fair. The keynote speaker this year is author Annie Proulx. Make sure you register by January 22, 2014.
2. Santa Barbara Writers Conference
The Santa Barbara Writers Conference focuses on writers honing their craft and networking with other authors. It’s held during the summer in Santa Barbara, which is a nice bonus. In 2014, the conference is from June 7th to 12th, and will feature speakers: Stephen Chbosky, Elizabeth Berg, Sue Grafton, Jervey Tervalon, Thomas McGuane and more. For this sunny event, register by March 16, 2014.
3. San Francisco Writers Conference
The San Francisco Writers Conference is an event that should not be missed. From a grand opening gala to over 60 sessions with presenters, as well as pitch sessions throughout the weekend, this conference has it all. The keynote speakers will be Chitra Divakaruni, Barry Eisler, and NoViolet Bulawayo. This year it will be held from February 13th to 16th. Register by February 1, 2014 for this event.
4. Agents and Editors Conference/ Writers League of Texas
This conference is a great place to network with industry professionals and other writers, while learning everything about publishing. This year it will be held in Austin, Texas, on June 27th to 29th. You can expect panels, lectures, one-on-one meetings with editors, and opportunities for authors to pitch books to agents. Register by April 15, 2014 to claim your spot.
This conference in New Haven, Connecticut reminds us of summer camp for writers. There are two sessions; session I is an intensive nine-day long conference held June 7th to 17th, and is for writers who want to broadly explore the craft. Session II is held June 18th to 22nd, and is for writers who are focusing on a more specific genre. If you’re looking for an intimate workshop, this is a conference that will undoubtedly impact your writing career. Register by March 31st to get the workshop you want.
We attended the Writers Digest Conference West this fall and learned a ton about publishing. This is a great conference for networking and learning about the publishing industry. Nothing is confirmed yet regarding the date of the next conference, but it will likely be in Summer 2014 in New York City. We highly recommend attending!
This is a great midwestern conference that shows writers how to get published through conferences, workshops and different literary events. The date of this conference is also unconfirmed but it will be in 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.
This is the longest running literary festival of women in the nation and has over 1,000 attendees per year. At this conference you can get advice on how to improve your manuscript, speak with editors, and connect with other female writers. This year it will be held on September 12th and 13th in Lexington, Kentucky.
These are only a few of the multitude of writing conferences held each year. If these are difficult to get to, find a local conference and make it a priority to expand your network and keep informed about the industry. It’s a new year for conferences and a new year for your writing!
Have you attended any conferences in the past? Tell us which ones helped you the most!
In Boston: Grub Street’s The Muse and The Marketplace conference is excellent.
The National Writers Workshop was great, but is no longer.
If you’re a mystery thriller or crime writer, San Francisco’s Book Passage Mystery Writer’s Conference is an amazing event.
You don’t want to miss 2014 Spring Fling Writers Conference, April 25-26, 2014, at Chicago Marriott Northwest, Hoffman Estates, IL http://chicagospringfling.com
Join us for a weekend of keynote speeches, workshops, panels, publishing spotlights, pitch appointments with editors and agents, a public book signing, librarian and bookseller brunch, entertainment, and Hot Night critiques.
Please recommend writing conferences for contemp/multicultural/literature fiction writers to attend in the U.S. Thanks
No . . . but she invited me to send her the first 25 pages of a novel I wrote and gave me great feacbedk. It didn’t lead to a deal, but her advice was certainly appreciated and helpful. And if I ever have another project down the road that fits into her realm of interest, I know that I can send her a query. It’s all about making lasting contacts.
Soooo…why isn’t Bread Loaf on this list? Just curious. I’ve read a few of these “best conferences” lists and they always leave out Bread Loaf for some reason.