Winter and Spring 2024 Events for Writers of Adult and Children's Fiction
/Looking for a way to hone your writing craft in a group setting? See this is list of 18 writing conferences, retreats, workshops, and other events that are taking place January to May 2024 and are geared toward fiction writers. It’s by no means exhaustive (it doesn’t include classes) and is not necessarily limited to fiction writers (some events are for nonfiction writers and poets, too). But since I focus on editing novels for adults and children, both literary and genre, I’ve tailored this list to these writers, with events for writers of children’s books styled in italics.
As for literary festivals—I’ve included only a few below, and these happen to be some of my favorites, but please note that book festivals take almost every week in various cities across the country and around the world. For further reference, see this excellent compilation from The African American Literature Book Club (AALBC)) of Important Fairs, Festivals, and Conferences, which is searchable by state and country.
The Shit No One Told You About Writing (TSNTYAW) Deep Dive Series
Description: “Our Deep Dive Series brings you the ability to take your writing career to the next level, spend less time trying to DIY your way through a self-taught MFA, and build community with like-minded writers… Each two-and-a-half-hour weekly Tuesday session…will include an author/editor/agent/leading industry expert.”
Date & place: Jan 16–March 19, virtual
Romance Writers of America (RWA) Indie Author Weekend and Traditional Author Weekend
Description: “A two-day virtual self-publishing conference that will unleash your indie author potential” and “Unlock the door to the world of traditional publishing and set yourself up for success!”
Date & place: January 20–21 (Indie Author Weekend) and April 6–7 (Traditional Author Weekend), virtual
Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) Conference & Bookfair
Description: “The annual destination for writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers of contemporary creative writing. It includes thousands of attendees, hundreds of events and bookfair exhibitors, and four days of essential literary conversation and celebration.”
Date & place: Feb 7–10, in person in Kansas City, MO
Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) Winter Conference
Description: “Come and be inspired by renowned authors and illustrators, learn about the state of the children's book publishing industry from panels of agents, editors and art directors, dive deep into your craft with TWO three-hour Creative Labs, and get your work in front of industry professionals!”
Date & place: Feb 9–11, in person in New York, NY
Big Sur Children’s Writers Workshop
Description: “An Exclusive Workshop for Serious Children's Book Writers founded by Andrea Brown, Executive Director and President of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Inc. Through these personalized workshops, ABLA and publishing giants have had the good fortune to find new talent. Are you next?”
Date & place: February 9–11, in person in Big Sur, CA
San Francisco Writers Conference
Description: “Over the course of four days, over 500 attendees and renowned keynote authors, presenters, editors, and agents, attend SFWC, combining the best of both the traditional publishing industry with the latest technology to empower authors to publish anywhere.”
Date & place: Feb 15–18, in person in San Francisco, CA
Writer’s Digest Romance Writing Virtual Conference
Description: “Will provide expert insights from SEVEN award-winning and bestselling authors on the finer points of how to write within the romance genre. Spend the day learning techniques for honing your craft…then (if you choose) pitch your novel via query letter to a literary agent specifically looking for material in the romance genre.”
Date & place: Feb 16–18, virtual
Charlotte S. Huck Children’s Literature Festival
Description: “Each year, the festival brings together educators, librarians, parents, students, authors, illustrators, editors, and those interested in children’s literature for a unique combination of full conference and small group sessions.”
Date & place: March 1–2, in person in Redlands, CA
Description: “The biggest 4-day, online conference for women, and those who identify as women, in publishing. Our community and conference helps aspiring and published authors grow their craft, and publishing professionals expand their network and skills.”
Date & place: March 6–9, virtual
Inked Voices Retreat with the Highlights Foundation
Description: “This retreat is carved out time for you to refill your creative well, in the company of other Inked Voices writers. We’ll write for most of the day – or you can draw, doodle, hike, do yoga, or work on some other creative activity – and gather at mealtimes for conversation.”
Date & place: March 7–10, in person in Milanville, PA
Irma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop
Description: “Dubbed the ‘Woodstock of Humor’ and a ‘utopia’ for writers…the workshop's mission is simple: to encourage and inspire writers in the same way that celebrated columnist and author Erma Bombeck '49 found encouragement and inspiration at the University of Dayton.”
Date & place: April 4–6, in person in Dayton, OH
Description: “Our 21st conference offers activities for all writers—Keynote, Pitches to Agents and Editors, Q&A panels, and a separate Master Class—all in a virtual setting. Read the conference details, pick the agents & editors you want, then register!”
Date & place: April 11–13, virtual
Career Authors Writers’ Retreat
Description: “Individual attention for you and your work-in-progress from experienced professionals in this exclusive one-of-a kind a weekend of craft, creativity, and camaraderie in a gorgeous mansion (with fabulous food!)”
Date & place: April 12–14, in person at MIT’s Endicott House in Dedham, MA
Kweli Color of Children’s Literature Conference
Description: “It has been our mission to nurture emerging BIPOC writers that ‘sing the truth.’ “Kweli's annual Color of Children's Literature Conference is designed to help emerging writers hone their craft, introduce them to established authors willing to share their experiences and expertise, and connect them with editors, agents and publishers.”
Date & place: April 19-20, in-person at Columbia University Teachers College in New York, NY
The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
Description: LATFB “began in 1996 with a simple goal: to bring together the people who create books with the people who love to read them. The festival was an immediate success and has evolved to include live bands, poetry readings, film screenings and artists creating their work on-site…All outdoor events are free to attend. Indoor panels require a small fee.”
Date & place: April 20–21, in person on the USC campus in Los Angeles, CA
Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD)
Description: “Celebrates Canadian and international authors every year at its flagship festival in May. The festival includes panels, discussions, workshops, and interactive events that allow guests from across Canada and around the world to participate.”
Date & place: April 28–May 5 (location not yet announced, but in the past events were held virtually and in-person in Brampton, ON, Canada)
Description: “GrubStreet’s Muse & the Marketplace conference helps writers tell their best stories, build exciting careers, and find the audiences who will be transformed by their work. We bring writers from different backgrounds and career stages together with leading literary agents, editors, and authors.”
Date & place: May 10–12, in person in Boston, MA
Description: “Writing Day Workshops are full day ‘How to Get Published’ writing events that happen all around the United States throughout the year…These writers conferences (1-2 days, some virtual and others in person) are a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), and get your questions answered.”
Date & place: In-person workshops are being held in cities including Indianapolis (February); Austin (in March); Buffalo (in April); and Los Angeles (in May). Other workshops are virtual. See details and the full extensive list here.