23 Diversity-Centered Events to Attend in 2023
/As Lee & Low’s Diversity Baseline surveys, PEN America’s "Race, Equity, and Book Publishing" report and this New York Times piece all confirm, the book publishing industry prioritizes those who are straight, white, cisgender, neurotypical, and non-disabled, both in terms of employees and the books that are published. Although many publishers are making efforts to diversify both their workforces and author lists, the industry remains challenging to break into, much less succeed in, particularly for writers who aren’t part of the dominant culture.
Fortunately, several outside literary organizations offer events that are specifically designed for, or feature the work of, writers who have historically been placed on the margins. Here is a list of 23 such events, including conferences, book fairs, festivals, and retreats, all scheduled for 2023. It’s by no means a complete list, and it doesn’t cover classes and workshops. If you are aware of an event that’s at least one day long and isn’t mentioned below, please make a comment and I will update this list again in the upcoming months.
JANUARY
Black Ink: A Charleston African American Book Festival
Website description: “The first and only annual celebration of African American literature in the Charleston area. Black Ink serves as a platform to support local Black writers, creating a space for them to share their work, discuss their craft, and expose readers of all ages to the great variety of African-American authors in the area.”
Date(s): January 12-14, 2023
Location: Virtual and in-person in Charleston, South Carolina
Registration information: For the pitch session, tickets are $50 and include up to two appointments with participating agents. The festival itself is free.
Additional notes: Sadly, it’s too late to attend this festival in 2023. But it appears to be an annual event, so please look out for it again next January.
FEBRUARY
Wild Seeds Retreat for Writers of Color
Website description: “The Retreat strives to provide writers of color with an opportunity to meet other writers; to workshop their writing among peers; and to engage with published writers about concerns and issues related to writing and publishing…The Retreat provides the public with an opportunity to become knowledgeable about the range and diversity of the work produced by writers of color.”
Date(s): February 23-26, 2023
Location: Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, NY
Registration information: Must apply by January 31, 2023. Application fee is $25 and retreat tuition is $500. Limited scholarships are available.
Neurodivergent Publishing Conference
Website description: “A virtual writing and publishing conference designed for and by neurodivergent people. Our goals are simple: to create a neurodivergent space in the publishing world, discuss the unique challenges and triumphs of neurodivergent people, and to discuss tools, solutions, and options that exist for neurodivergent members of the publishing community.”
Date(s): February 17-19, 2023
Location: Online
Registration information: “Attendance is capped at 300 people, and tickets [$34-$40] are first come, first serve!”
MARCH
The National Black Writers Conference Biennial Symposium
Website description: “As a national conference, this public gathering is dedicated to the exploration of emerging themes, trends and issues in Black American literature, African diasporic literature, and African literature. Over the decades, it has attracted thousands of writers, readers, scholars, editors, agents, faculty, students, literary activists, and all lovers of Black literature.”
Location: Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, NY
Date(s): March 31-April 1, 2023
Registration information: “The registration donation is $25 for the public. The awards program is free to attend.”
Website description: “Publishing in Color conferences foster relationships between writers of color and representatives from the spiritual publishing industry. Several literary agents and acquisition editors will attend, looking for new writers of color. The conference is particularly focused on serving under-represented groups such as African Americans, Latinx Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans.”
Date(s): March 13-17, 2023
Location: Online
Registration information: $49 “includes all presentations, Q&A, the ability to sign up for virtual 1-on-1 meetings, open mic, and other conference features.”
Website description: “A celebration centered on underrepresented voices through a showcase of literary works that feature Black, Indigenous, People of Color and other creatives of marginalized communities. Curated with diversity in mind, the festival combines the nostalgia of the book fairs we knew and loved as children with unique programming, panels, readings, vendors, book-related memorabilia, poetry performances and more!”
Date(s): May 13, 2023
Location: Asia Society of Texas
Registration: “Tickets available soon”
Additional notes: The organizers of the BIPOC Book Fest are continuing their mission’s momentum by also holding Little BIPOC Book Fest, for children ages 3-10, on March 11, 2023. This event, to take place at Discovery Green in Houston, is free of charge.
APRIL
Kweli Color of Children’s Literature Conference
Website Description: “Our annual spring conference is an excellent opportunity for BIPOC writers and illustrators to learn, get inspired, and network with others in the industry. The conference honors the legacies of Walter Dean Myers, Eloise Greenfield, Floyd Cooper, and more as it celebrates and supports our unique voices, our nuanced stories, and our collective truth telling.”
Date(s): March 31-April 2, 2023
Location: Virtual and in-person (at Barnard College in New York, NY)
Registration information: The registration fee to attend both the Saturday and Sunday sessions is $250. The fee to attend one day of the conference is $150. Several add-ons such as manuscript critiques and master class sessions are also available.
Additional notes: Kweli, which means “truth” in Swahili, also hosts an international literary festival during the summer (date to be determined), as well as retreats.
Also look out for:
National Antiracist Book Festival
Website description: “The National Antiracist Book Festival is the first and only book festival that brings together, showcases, and celebrates the nation’s leading antiracist writers. It is hosted every April by the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research.”
Additional notes: Information is not yet available about a 2023 festival, but last year it was held online, and tickets could be purchased for $15 per panel. As Publishers Weekly reported, the first National Antiracist Book Festival was held in 2019 at American University in Washington, D.C.
MAY
Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD)
Website description: “The Festival of Literary Diversity is Canada’s first festival for diverse authors and storytellers, held in historic downtown Brampton. The FOLD provides one-of-a-kind events for kids and adults that engage readers, inspire writers, and empower educators by highlighting important and underrepresented voices.”
Date(s): April 30-May 7, 2023
Location: Virtual and in-person (in Brampton, ON, Canada)
Registration information: Not yet available
Additional notes: Applications for the Pitch Perfect component of FOLD, for writers of both fiction and nonfiction, are due on February 1 and cost $40 per session. Writers of children’s literature are being asked to submit to Pitch Perfect at the FOLD Kids Book Fest, which is typically held in the fall.
Asian and Asian American Voices: An In-Community Retreat
Website description: “An in-person retreat for creatives from the Asian and Asian American Communities writing and/or illustrating for kids and teens” with the Highlights Foundation. “During the retreat, you will guide your time to work on your own stories and connect with fellow creatives. Lodging and meals are included.”
Date(s): May 4-May 7, 2023
Location: The Barn at Boyd Mills in Boyd Mills, PA
Registration information: Tuition is $799. The retreat is currently full, but a waitlist is available.
Additional notes: The Highlights Foundation is also offering a Native Creatives In-Community Retreat “for Native creatives who currently (or wish to) write and/or illustrate for kids and teens” September 28-October 1.
JUNE
Schomberg Center Literary Festival
Website description: “Our new Schomburg Center Literary Festival expands our long tradition of championing authors of African descent from across the globe and publications that celebrate Black history and culture. The day-long book festival will feature exhibitors, readings, panel discussions, workshops and more for all ages.”
Date(s): June 17, 2023
Location: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, New York
Registration information: Not yet available
Website description: “Six nationally renowned Asian American poets and fiction writers conduct craft classes and mentorship meetings. Readings, writing circles, and informal social gatherings are also scheduled. Through this Retreat, Kundiman hopes to provide a safe and instructive environment that identifies and addresses the unique challenges faced by emerging Asian American writers.”
Date(s): June 21-25, 2023
Location: Fordham University in Bronx, New York
Registration information: “Anyone who self-identifies as Asian American can apply to the Retreat” by sending a cover letter and brief writing sample. The non-refundable tuition fee is $375. The application fee is $25.
Additional notes: Unfortunately, it’s too late to attend this year’s Kundiman Retreat since the application deadline was January 15, but applications for the 2024 retreat should open in December 2023. Kundiman also hosts workshops, classes, and other events throughout the year.
Also look out for:
Page Turner: The Asian American Writers’ Workshop Publishing Conference
Website description: “Our publishing conference will center the work and experiences of writers of color, and aims to demystify the often opaque business of publishing and writing, convening experts and authors across industries and genres to share candid insights, advice, and experiences.”
Additional notes: Information about a 2023 Page Turner conference is not yet available, but last year it was held virtually on June 18; it is a “a signature program” of the Asian American Writers Workshop, which hosts in-person events in New York City and virtually throughout the year.
JULY
Golden Crown Literary Society Conference
Website description: “The GCLS’s annual conference is the premier literary event for both authors and readers. The event brings together readers, fans, writers, editors and publishers to celebrate women-loving-women and sapphic literature.”
Date(s): June 28-July 2, 2023
Location: Denver, CO
Registration information: Tickets are $255 (not including lunch) and $355 (including lunch), plus a service fee. Sale ends May 14, 2023.
Also look out for:
Website description: “There is no space in America for Native artists to talk publicly about our work with each other. This festival will be that place, open to anyone interested in this extraordinary conversation.”
Additional notes: Information is not yet available about a 2023 James Welch Native Lit Festival, but last year it was held July 28-30 in Missoula, MT, and the festival was profiled in the Los Angeles Times.
AUGUST
Lambda Literary - Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices
Website description: “The Writer’s Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices is the nation’s premier LGBTQ writing residency. It is the only multi-genre writing residency devoted exclusively to emerging LGBTQ writers. The Retreat is an unparalleled opportunity to develop one’s craft and find community.”
Date(s): July 30-August 5, 2023.
Location: Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, PA
Registration information: Tuition is $1,875. Full and partial scholarships are available. Applications close January 31.
Also look out for:
Website description: “[margins.] conference is created by and for marginalized writers & creatives of all genres and stages of career…the conference offers 3 primary tracks: writing craft, publishing tools, and community for writers from the margins.” Organized by The Word.
Additional notes: Information is not yet available about a 2023 [margins.] conference, but last year it was held August 5-7 in-person in Denver and online. Several different registration rates were offered for the [margins.] conference, and the [margins.] festival—"with readings, performance events, and a public book fair”—was free and open to the public.
SEPTEMBER
Website description: “The Harlem Book Fair is the United States’ largest African-American book fair and the nation’s flagship Black literary event. Held annually in Harlem, NY, the Harlem Book Fair features exhibition booths, panel discussions, book sales, and workshops.”
Date(s): September 22-23, 2023
Location: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Friday) and the Harlem State Office Building Plaza (Saturday) in New York, NY
Registration information: Free and open to the public
OCTOBER
Website description: “The National Black Book Festival (NBBF) is an annual event, sponsored by Cushcity.com, one of the largest online sources for African-American authors and literature. The event attracts a wide array of authors, publishers, book clubs, libraries and individual readers from the Southwest U.S. and nationwide.”
Date(s): October 26-28, 2023
Location: Fallbrook Church, Houston, TX
Registration information: Tickets must be purchased for the Welcome Reception ($40), Get Acquainted Breakfast ($30), and Networking Breakfast ($30), but the Children’s Festival on October 28 is free and open to the public.
Also look out for:
Website description: “The Latinx KidLit Book Festival was created in 2020 during the COVID pandemic by members of Las Musas Books. Our aim was to connect Latinx authors and illustrators with readers and educators in classrooms around the globe.”
Additional notes: Information about a 2023 Latinx KidLit Book Festival is not yet available, but last year it was livestreamed for free October 13-14. Additional events for writers and educators were held online in September.
Website description: “The annual literary celebration will bring together Black women writers & readers for a full day of panels, workshops, and editor roundtables.”
Additional notes: Information about a 2023 Well-Read Black Girl Festival is not yet available, but last year it was held October 28-29 in Washington, D.C. and virtually.
NOVEMBER
Look out for:
Leimert Park Village Book Fair
Website description: “The largest African American book fair on the west coast. It is centered in one of the most historic and cultural areas of Los Angeles…[and] has become a lively cultural tradition in the community of Los Angeles providing authors and aspiring writers the opportunity to share their latest works and engage their fans up close and personal.”
Additional notes: Information is not yet available about a 2023 Leimert Park Village Book Fair (LPVBF), but the 15th annual LPVBF was held virtually on November 5, 2022.
Indo-American Arts Council Literary Festival
Website description: Features “celebrated and emerging voices from India and the Indian diaspora…IAAC strongly believes in sustaining community to help create a world where literature can thrive.”
Additional notes: Information is not yet available about a 2023 IAAC literary festival, but last year it was held in in-person in New York City the weekend of November 12. These sessions were complemented by a series of recorded programs that were launched on the organization’s online platform November 7-11, 2022.
