Best 2024 California Writing Conferences
California is known for its writing conferences and writing retreats. After all, the Golden State’s vibrant literary, genre, and screenwriting scenes may stem from the spectacular landscapes and laid-back vibe. It’s perfect for the writing life, even as a visitor.
Consider a few of these California conferences, which I’ll add to as I can. I’ve put in the 2024 dates, and 2025 if possible—many sell out or fill long in advance.
I’ve tried to select the better, community-focused options that don’t appear to be a cash-grab or filled with red-flag agents. You’ll find the following:
Writing conferences: Some short-term classes, some one-on-one meetings with agents, and some community building. Anyone can attend if they pay the fee for admission.
Writing retreats and workshops: These selective experiences are focused on generating new work—primarily literary fiction, nonfiction and poetry—critiquing work and getting feedback. These often require applications (and application fees), far in advance of the actual experience.
Literary festivals: Some have writing-focused mini-classes, but these are often more like giant bookfairs celebrating new releases and the experience of reading. Anyone can attend, and the festivals may even roll out kids’ events, too.
Bay Area Writing Conferences
These conferences take place in and around San Francisco and the Bay Area, a literary hub with a long history of successful writers and writing culture. The region makes for a fascinating and inspirational retreat or conference location.
The San Francisco Writers Conference
San Francisco, California
The San Francisco Writing Conference attracts writers of various genres and experience levels, offering workshops, panels, pitch sessions, and networking opportunities with industry professionals. Notably, even if you missed the conference, the main site provides speaker handouts free of charge. Next date: February 6 to 9, 2025.
The Bay Area Book Festival
Berkeley, California
A Bay Area free-admission festival celebrating books and literature with a heavy focus on readings and author talks. But you’ll also find panel discussions and writing workshops for youth and adults. There’s one large adult program stage, a robust children’s area with activities and readings, and more than 100 exhibitors and food vendors. Next date: June 1 to 2, 2024.
Vision Christian Writers Conference
Mount Hermon, California
California’s most spiritual writing experience, this conference features morning craft tracks, mentoring, agents and editors, workshops, Christian worship sessions, and more. Next Date: March 22 to March 26, 2024.
Book Passage Travel Writing Conference
Corte Madera, California
A 4-day conference focused solely on travel writing and photography. This Bay Area conference features workshops, panels, evening activities, pre-conference classes, and opportunities to get private consultations with faculty—established travel writers and photographers. Next date: August 8 to August 11, 2024.
Coastal California Writing Conferences
These conferences have the unique draw of location, with one-on-one agent meetings, writing workshops, and expert seminars presented all along the California coastline. It’s not surprising that so many writing conferences and workshops are stationed at instantly recognizable vacation destinations.
The Santa Barbara Writers Conference
Santa Barbara, California
This conference offers craft workshops, agent pitch sessions, publishing and marketing seminars, novelist panel discussions, keynote speeches, and networking opportunities for writers across genres. Next conference: June 9 through June 14, 2024.
Catamaran Writing Conference
Pebble Beach, California
This California writing conference/retreat is more focused on developing your writing talents. Four days of literary workshops on poetry, fiction and nonfiction, craft talks, and small group writing workshops. Next conference: 2025.
Mendocino Coast Writers Conference
Fort Bragg, California
This is an actual literary writing conference featuring 12-participant morning writing workshops. You’ll also participate in craft seminars and attend publishing-advice classes. You must apply for this California conference, but scholarships can help defray the costs. Multi-genre tracks include fiction, screenwriting, mystery, middle-grade/young adult, poetry, and speculative fiction. Next conference: August 1-3, 2024.
The Central Coast Writers Conference
San Luis Obispo, California
This low-key, affordable, one-day conference at a San Luis Obispo County community college features workshops, presentations, and one-on-one consultations with industry professionals. The conference has a yearly theme. In 2024, the conference celebrates its 40th anniversary. Next conference: October 5, 2024.
Esalen
Big Sur, California
Make like Don Draper for your 4- to 5-day Esalen writing workshops, which may also integrate yoga, mindfulness, tantra, states of altered consciousness, and other New Age experiences. Conferences include “Writing and Mindfulness” (May 13-17, 2024), “Poetry and the Page” (June 3-7, 2024), and others.
Wine Country Writing Conferences and Workshops
Both of these writing experiences are more exclusive. You must apply and be accepted to attend both.
The Napa Valley Writers' Conference
St. Helena, California
This literary writers' conference isn’t quite like many others—more like a writing retreat with MFA-level instruction that runs throughout a series of weekdays. It brings together renowned authors, poets, and participants for workshops and lectures, and you must apply and be accepted. Some readings are open to the public. Next conference: July 21 to July 26, 2024.
Northern California Writers Retreat
Carmel Valley, California
An application-and-acceptance-only retreat for 18 writers. You’ll have 5 days and 4 nights of fiction writing, food, wine, and workshops with a published artist-in-residence, agents, and an independent editor. Next retreat: April 3rd-7th, 2024.
Southern California Writing Conferences
Rancho Mirage Writers Festival
Rancho Mirage, California
Every January, more than 60 authors and 1,000 readers visit the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory in Palm Springs Valley. It’s a chance to meet and listen to expert authors and get a book signed. Despite the title, this festival is more focused on writing workshops or educational opportunities and more on the community of readers. Next festival: February 5-7, 2025 (sold out, already!).
The Writers' Weekend at UCLA Extension
Los Angeles, California
This weekend-only Southern California event at the beautiful UCLA campus focuses on screenwriting and creative writing. You’ll enjoy writing prompts and exercises, workshops and panels. Look for discussions led by writing instructors and industry professionals. Next conference: August 1-4, 2024.
The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
Los Angeles, California
This annual, enormous festival is hosted by the Los Angeles Times at the University of Southern California. The event brings together authors, poets, musicians, publishers, and readers for panel discussions, readings, and book signings. Less heavily focused on educational opportunities. Next festival: April 20-21, 2024.
Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers’ Workshop
San Diego, California
Stay at the UC San Diego campus for six weeks immersed in writing science fiction, fantasy, and horror at this Writers’ Workshop. Clarion participants are selected from high-potential applicants. In the morning, workshop manuscripts. In the afternoons, evenings, and on weekends, spend time on your writing, completing class assignments, social activities, and meeting with the current writer-in-residence. Tuition is significant, but scholarships range from $500 to $1500. Next conference: June 23, 2024 – August 3, 2024.
The California Crime Writers Conference
Culver City, California
This conference is heavily focused on writing workshops concerning crime and mystery writing. Hosted by the Sisters in Crime Los Angeles Chapter, the California conference also features keynote speakers, book signings, and networking opportunities for writers in the genre. This conference sells out. Next conference: June 10-11, 2024.
Other California Writing Conferences
Writers Workshops in Fiction, Nonfiction, and Memoir
Olympic Valley, California
Around 110 writers attend this California literary writing retreat offering daily morning smal-group workshops, craft lectures, panel discussions on editing and publishing, staff readings, and brief individual conferences. In a Sierra Nevada ski resort, close to the north shore of Lake Tahoe. You must apply and be selected for participation. Next conference: July 8-15, 2024.
FAQ About Writing Conferences
What is a Writing Conference?
Unfortunately, the word “conference” has a few different meanings. As an umbrella term, a conference is an event where writers gather. However, the audience may differ (writers, readers or both), along with the conference’s intent (the business of books, generating new writing, networking with other writers)
Are California writing conferences worth it?
Yes, if you know what you’re looking for. If you want to generate new work or continue working on a project, you’ll probably look more for a retreat- or workshop-type conference. If you’re seeking a community and an agent, focus on finding a conference that offers workshops and one-on-one opportunities to meet with agents. If you head to a California writing conference, you’ll enjoy the additional benefit of a beautiful, warm setting for your next thriller, short story or long-form essay.
How Much Do California Writing Conferences Cost?
California writing conferences can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Costs depend on the price to attend, hotels or other lodging, meals, car travel, and other incidentals. Some conferences charge more for manuscript reviews or to meet with agents.