2024 Best Writing Conferences
Writing conferences are professional gatherings of writers over 1-3 days. Like many other pro conferences, these meetings feature panels, socializing, and a keynote speech. I chose some of the best writing conferences available across the United States for genre diversity, years in existence, and recognition across the field.
National conferences are the likely way to go if you’re working within a genre—for example, mystery-writer conferences do deep dives into macabre subjects like forensics. Other genres focus on Christian, romance, sci-fi/horror, and other topics.
Another type of writer gathering is called a writer’s workshop, with more information about those at the end of this article.
2024 Conferences
Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP)
February 7–10, 2024
Kansas City, Missouri
2024 Conference Rate: $250-$540; virtual rates only $50-$85.
Primarily focused on the academic market, this conference changes locations every year and welcomes 8000+ contemporary creative writing teachers, students, editors, and publishers. Writing conference scholarships and discounts are available.
Many small presses and literary magazines pay to have tables in AWP’s book fair, which is worth perusing. Thousands of attendees converge on a new city every year to gorge on panels, engage in conversation, and shop the book fair exhibitors. I once wrote a snarky article about AWP, which made the organizers mad at me, but it was worth it.
Learn more about AWP 2024.
The San Francisco Writers Conference
February 15–18, 2024
San Francisco, California
2024 Conference Rate: $695-$945
This four-day weekend is the Conference’s 20th Celebration of Craft, Commerce, and Community. The Conference will involve 100+ presenters, 20+ literary agents and acquiring editors, and 80+ classes, sessions, and lectures. Special breakout sessions will focus on poetry and screenwriting. Optional pre- and post-event 3-hour Master Classes are available at extra cost. More about the 2024 San Francisco Writers Conference.
San Miguel Writers’ Conference and Literary Festival
February 19–23, 2024
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
2024 Conference Rate: $580-$1,245
This tri-cultural exchange of ideas brings together the U.S., Canada and Mexico. English and Spanish language programs include events, master classes and workshops. This conference is a bit different, and you can create your own package, so read the details carefully. Virtual options are available for less, and you can also volunteer (if you apply far in advance) or compete for a scholarship. Learn more about the 2024 San Miguel Writers’ Conference and Literary Festival.
Las Vegas Writers Conference
April 11-13, 2024
All-virtual
2024 Conference Rate: TBA
Workshop sessions with Q&A opportunities, 10-minute agent and editor pitch sessions included with your registration, feedback from industry experts, and a keynote speech. Notable for being all online. Learn more about the 2024 Las Vegas Writers Conference.
Midwest Writers Workshop
July 11 – 13, 2024
Muncie, Indiana
2024 Conference Rate: $219(virtual)–$289(in-person)
Manuscript evaluations, Interactive sessions and panels with established authors across genres for four days. Consignment bookstore (to sell books) and vendors are also on-site. Learn more about the Midwest Writers Workshop.
SWA 2024 Writers Conference
June 7-11, 2024
St. Simon's Island, Georgia
2024 Conference Rate: TBA
This low-key summer conference for Southeast-based writers features book signing, socializing, and workshops on writing, publishing, and marketing works. Learn more about the SWA 2024 Writers Conference.
Pikes Peak Writing Conference
April 26-28, 2024
Colorado Springs, Colorado
2024 Conference Rate: $424–$524
This regional three-day fiction-focused conference gathers new and established writers across varying publishing platforms. Workshops focus on craft and business while acquiring editors and agents mix with attendees. Each year features a theme, and 2024’s theme will focus on a 1920s jazz-era theme. Learn more about the Pikes Peak Writing Conference.
ThrillerFest XIX
May 28–June 1, 2024
New York, New York
2024 Conference Rate: $327–$1,445
Notable thriller writers like Dennis Lehane will join other experts to offer Master Classes, workshops, pitches, panel discussions, and more. The conference’s PitchFest and QueryFest offer opportunities for self-published authors, traditionally published authors, and unpublished authors seeking query letter or manuscript help. Pricing is via day passes, per event, or with packages. Learn more about ThrillerFest XIX.
Romance Writers of America Annual Conference
July 31–Aug. 3, 2024
Austin, Texas
2024 Conference Rate: TBA
This conference includes 20+ workshops tailored to romance writers on character development, subgenres of romance (Gaslamp?!), legal protections, rom-com, pitching and publishing and, of course, “meet cute.” Registration also includes informal meetup sessions on host-lead topics, guest speaker events, and food. Registration scholarships are available for up to 25 people. Learn more about the 2024 Romance Writers of America Annual Conference.
Writer’s Digest Annual Conference
August 2024
New York, New York
2024 Conference Rate: TBA
This conference gathers experts from creative fiction and nonfiction fields for pre-conference and conference workshops. Broadly, categories include craft, genre fiction, indie publishing, nonfiction, promotion and platform, inspiration and productivity, and the publishing business.
Because it’s based in New York, expect higher-tier names to show up here for keynotes and workshops. Register separately for pre-conference workshops and the pitch slam. Learn more about the Writers Digest Annual Conference.
Write on the Sound
October 4–6th, 2024
Edmonds, WA
2024 Rates: $90 to $600
Many years ago, I gave a talk to a packed room at this popular three-day conference, which seems to be going strong every fall in the lovely small city of Edmonds, about half an hour north of Seattle. Learn more on their website.
Killer Nashville
August 22–25, 2024
Nashville, Tennessee
2024 Conference Rates: $434-$454
Conference proceedings include a dizzying array of choices thanks to more than 150+ presentations and panelists focused on crime-related topics such as law enforcement, CIA intrigue, government agencies, romantic suspense, and getting your firearm descriptions correct.
In addition, you can pay extra for three-hour Master Classes, breakout workshops, agent roundtables and critiques, and three-minute pitch sessions. Conference registration discounts are available. Learn more about Killer Nashville.
American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) Annual Conference
September 5–8th, 2024
New Orleans, Louisiana
2024 Conference Rate: $380-$830
Writing and publishing conference with a Christian angle, featuring a strong emphasis on craft topics and marketing. An all-online mini-conference runs from February 23-24, 2024. Learn more about the ACFW 2024 Annual Conference.
Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Conference
September 27–29, 2024
Denver, Colorado
2024 Conference Rate: $399-$599
Enjoy keynote presentations from regional authors, literary agents and editors, pitching opportunities, market insights and trends, manuscript feedback, and plenty of networking. Social events include banquets and brunches. Scholarships available. Learn more about the 2024 Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Conference.
Kauai Writers Workshop
November 11-17, 2024
Lihue, Kauai
This workshop is offers two sessions with remarkably impressive faculty, such as Lauren Groff, Billy Collins, and Meg Wolitzer. Authors who they have surely lured, in part, with the wonderful location! I'd assume that attendees are also partially lured by the same location. It is a great sadness in my life that I have not yet been invited to participate. There are 20 Master Classes, November 11 – 14; then, a conference from November 15 – 17, including panels on the craft and business of writing, agent pitch sessions, publishing industry consultations, and much more. Learn more about the Kauai Writers Workshop.
About Writers Conferences vs Workshops
Writers’ conferences are often confused with Writers’ Workshops, or Residencies, and other types of experiences a writer might want to have. Unfortunately, the same words are often used to mean completely different things, but for this post, I’m talking about conferences, which are usually short (1-3 days) and are NOT by application (anyone can attend if they pay the fee), which typically culminate in a keynote address.
Conferences are cheaper than workshops—like Bread Loaf, and Sewanee—which often last a week or more, and are usually be application only. I have a separate post about workshops.
Some conferences are more regionally focused, hyping local talented authors, agents, and publishers. Others primarily draw national attendees, panelists, and additional participants. If you’re new to writing, a smaller regional conference may feel more approachable and appealing, with the opportunity to make new friends and meet publishers, or sometimes even agents. Let’s face it, writing can be a lonely business.
You may be able to defray costs by winning a writing award, earning a scholarship, or volunteering on-site. Some groups qualify for special discounts such as students and people 65 and older.
