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Several readers have asked how to find a writing conference or book festival close to where they live. Every location may not have a conference or festival within a ten mile radius, but if a person wants to find the closest one, I'm giving some ideas in this newsletter.
My newsletters cover a multitude of topics, but all are presented to help authors further their writing careers, whether as a hobby or to be published.
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Finding a Writing Conference and/or Book Festival
At one time, I was able to attend one to two writing conferences and four book festivals in my home state, Oklahoma. Now, only one full conference and a few regional book festivals are held. If I want to attend more than one of each, I have to go out of state. To host a successful conference or festival takes time, personnel, facilities, and funding. The logistics can overwhelm those attempting to put an event together. I know because I'm on the board of the Oklahoma Writers Federation Inc. (OWFI), and we have a yearly conference. I also was on the planning committee for a book festival held one year in my home town -- yes, I said one year because no one was willing to go through the ordeal again.
Therefore, I understand why people can't find conferences and festivals everywhere. Often, we need to travel to attend one. So, where do we begin?
I'm going to give a few sources to find conferences and festivals, but no list can have all those found in the U.S. or in the world. In our treasurer hunt to find conferences and festivals, Google can be our friend. If you can't find a possibility in my list, research the Internet for book festivals and conferences for writers in your state.
Allow me to give you the conferences and festivals I attend. In January, the historical society in Edmond holds a book festival for Oklahoma authors. This year over twenty authors had spots to display and sell books. In April, the North Texas Book Festival held in Denton, Texas, attracts many authors and a varying number of the public (which have free admittance).
In May, OWFI has its conference with a top keynote speaker and several sessions to help writers of all levels of experience improve. The LexiCon Writers Conference is scheduled for July in Denton, Texas. Although not as large as the OWFI conference, he offers much help for writers and authors.
The next list of events are major U.S. conferences:
Writer’s Digest Conference When: Annually in August Where: New York City
The Writer’s Digest editors bring you this annual conference with resources for craft, career and creative inspiration. More than 50 agents and editors participate in the infamous Pitch Slam, and dozens of industry experts lead educational sessions.
San Francisco Writers Conference When: Annually in February Where: San Francisco,
Held annually in February, this conference is a “celebration of craft, commerce and community.” Connect with industry experts, bestselling authors, agents, editors and leaders in both self-publishing and traditional publishing.
San Francisco Writing for Change Conference When: Annually in September
Where: San Francisco, CA
This annual one-day conference asks nonfiction writers, “Can your book change the world?” The conference brings together writers and industry experts to teach nonfiction writers about writing, publishing, marketing and technology.
Northern Colorado Writers Conference When: Annually in March Where: Fort Collins, CO
The Northern Colorado Writers group provides support and encouragement to writers of all genres and levels through this annual conference, as well as through monthly meetings, classes and other networking and social events.
The event is limited to 130 attendees, so you want to snag your registration fast!
Association of Writers and Writing Programs When: Annually in Spring Where: Various North American cities
Each year, AWP hosts the Annual Conference & Bookfair in a different city. The event celebrates authors, teachers, students, writing programs, literary centers and publishers in the region hosting the conference. With more than 13 thousand writers and readers attending in 2014, AWP is the largest literary conference in North America.
Las Vegas Writers Conference When: Annually in April Where: Las Vegas, NV
Henderson Writers Group hosts this annual conference for writers. In their own words:
“Our goal is to help aspiring writers who desire to see their works published. In 2003, the group hosted the first of our annual Las Vegas Writer’s Conferences, bringing top agents and publishers from across the country to the Vegas valley.
“Henderson Writers Group is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization. Our mission is to provide a networking and critiquing forum for writers of all skill levels with resources devoted to education and craft development.”
Midwest Writers Workshop When: Annually in July Where: Muncie, IN
“This is widely regarded as being one of the Midwest’s premiere events,” says Chuck Sambuchino, who spoke at the event in 2013.
The Midwest Writers Workshop gives writers the opportunity improve their craft, mingle with industry experts and successful writers, and network and socialize with peers and colleagues.
Writing Day Workshops When: November, 2014 and February, 2015 (various dates)
Where: Indianapolis, IN; Boulder and Denver, CO; Phoenix and Tucson, AZ; Louisville, KY; Nashville, TN
Each of these day-long workshops offers a crash course on how to get your book published, with classes and presentations on everything from writing queries to working with an agent to marketing your book.
Romance Writers of America Annual Conference When: Annually in July
Where: San Antonio, TX
Romance writers gather at this annual genre conference to learn more about the business of being an author. Get an opportunity to meet and mingle with budding and successful romance authors, as well as workshops and events to boost your author career.
Love is Murder When: Annually in February Where: Chicago, IL
Dozens of panel discussions, meet-and-greet book signings, presentations, exhibitors, book discussions, activities, entertainment, networking and pitch opportunities make this conference a must for mystery/romantic suspense/thriller authors, fans, and readers.
“There’s something about being surrounded by crime fiction readers and writers that makes me buzz with energy. Let me tell you, I have enough energy without the extra buzz. I get downright giddy and awkward at these things.” – Julie Anne Lindsey, romance/mystery/YA author
Worldcon and North American Science Fiction Convention When: Annually
Where: Various locations around the world
The World Science Fiction Convention (“Worldcon”) is an annual gathering of the science fiction and fantasy community, held in a different location around the world each year. When Worldcon is held outside of North America, the corresponding NASFC is held in North America.
This five-day international conference is attended by thousands of writers, artists, fans, editors, publishers, academics, and dealers. The event embraces “science fiction in all the forms in which it appears, including film, TV, art, comics, anime and manga, and gaming.”
Killer Nashville When: Annually in August Where: Nashville, TN
While attractive to mystery/thriller authors and screenwriters for its unique crime-focused sessions, Killer Nashville welcomes writers of all levels and genres. Conference sessions fall under seven categories: General Writing, Genre-specific Writing, Publishing, Publicity, Screenwriting, Sessions for Fans, and Forensics.
“Imagine hearing a CIA Analyst, an FBI agent on terrorism, Dr Bill Bass on The Body Farm, bestselling CJ Box on how he juggles his writing and plans his days, Heyward Gould on screenplays, and so much more. They even had a crime scene, with awards to those those who studied the clues and figured out the mystery,” mystery author C. Hope Clark reflected on her 2012 Killer Nashville experience.
Thrillerfest When: Annually in July Where: New York City
“It is the only conference where I really feel at home — and [International Thriller Writers] is truly the tribe I belong to . . . I can sit in the bar talking about ways to murder people and weapons of choice and not feel weird. I can learn from some of the biggest names in the business, whose hours of writing experience number in the many thousands.
“The education program is absolutely the best in the thriller business. I can fangirl like a geek with big name authors who are actually just a load of bookish geeks too. I can have a drink with people I have only previously worshipped from afar. I also feel absolutely accepted as an indie, with no judgement around my business choices . . . I love ITW and I absolutely loved Thrillerfest!” says Joanna Penn (thriller author J.F. Penn) at The Creative Penn.
Now, here are two URLs that may give you more locations:
http://www.newpages.com/writers-resources/writing-conferences-events
http://jodierennerediting.blogspot.com/2014/08/writers-conferences-book-festival...
If you haven't found anything possible yet, do an Internet search for conferences and festivals in your state.
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For Authors: November 11, 2015 Issue [#7308]
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