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The Top 25 Writers’ Conferences in 2022
By Author Phoebe A. Lee
Another year means another year of writers conferences! Below is a list of 2022's best in-person and virtual writers conferences, workshops and retreats in North America to help you along your writing journey.
*Note: Please check COVID-19 rules and restrictions before booking any in-person tickets.
1. Pacific Oregon University Residency Writers Conference
Writers looking to improve their craft will be in residency with MFA students, faculty and guest speakers. Presentations and events include craft talks, workshops, classes and readings.
The residency includes lunches and lodging at Best Western Ocean View Resort in Seaside. Students and faculty will have their own private rooms.
When: January 6-16, 2022; June 16-26, 2022
Where: January – on the northern Oregon Coast in the small, resort town of Seaside June – on Pacific University’s campus in Forest Grove
2. 2022 North Island Writers Conference
Throughout the month of January, notable Canadian writers of all genres will host a writing workshop. Options to register for individual sessions.
Check for prices – some sessions are free and others are not. Open to the public.
When: January 7-23, 2022
Where: Virtual
3. 2022 Moravian Writers’ Conference
A free conference for writers, activists, medical practitioners and narrative medicine specialists on writing about health, healthcare and justice.
When: March 18-19, 2022
Where: Online and in-person (Moravian University, 1200 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA)
4. Let’s Just Write! An Uncommon Writers Conference
Presented by the Chicago Writers Association, the conference features two-days of in-person conference in Chicago with over 20 presenters, workshops, sessions, and panels on storytelling, publicity, and all other things that a writer needs to know, even a panel on what writers can learn from sports psychology.
When: March 19-20, 2022
Where: The Warwick Allerton Hotel, 701 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
5. Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference
For writers, teachers, students, editors and publishers. One of the biggest and prestigious writing conferences in North America, attracting thousands of attendees.
Events include panels, discussion rooms, pedagogy events and readings. There are in-person and virtual events, or a virtual-only registration option.
When: March 23-26, 2022
Where: Virtual and in-person (Pennsylvania Convention Centre, 1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA)
6. University of North Dakota Writers Conference
A three-day conference featuring six to eight authors, who will be discussing their work and engaging with the community. Past authors include Gwendolyn Brooks, Tommy Orange and Colson Whitehead. All events are free and open to the public.
When: March 24-26, 2022
Where: In-person and online
7. Breakout Novel Intensive 2.0
Taught by literary agent and author, Donald Maass of the Donald Maass Literary Agency. Ideal for new writers or writers starting a new project, the breakout fundamentals will cover strong characters, inner conflict, personal stakes, plot layers, powerful scenes and more. In-person and virtual options.
In-person
When: April 18-24, 2022
Where: Hood River, Oregon
Virtual
When: June 13-19, 2022
Where: Virtual
8. Nebraska Writers Guild Annual Conference
A three-day event with a writers retreat and breakout classes. Experts in the industry teach and share their insights on the writing business and craft. More details to be announced.
When: April 21-23, 2022
Where: Comfort Inn and Suites, 7007 Grover Street, Omaha, NE
9. Nonfiction Writers Conference
Taking the traditional writers conference model and redesigning it specifically for nonfiction authors, the Nonfiction Writers Conference helps nonfiction writers find the best publishing path, marketing methods, uncover business and revenue opportunities, and build a powerful platform. Held entirely online.
When: May 4-6, 2022
Where: Virtual
10. Atlanta Writers Conference
The Atlanta Writers Club is presenting the 26th Atlanta Writers Conference in-person with virtual options. Writers will be given a chance to access 18 top publishing acquisitions editors and literary agents who are actively seeking new clients. There will be Q&A panels and help with getting your work ready.
When: May 6-7, 2022
Where: Westin Atlanta Airport Hotel, 4736 Best Road, Atlanta, GA
11. 2022 Washington Writers Conference
Attendees get to pitch to three literary agents, as well as network with industry professionals and fellow writers and attend expert sessions.
When: May 13-14, 2022
Where: Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Centre, 5701 Marinelli Road, Rockville, MD
Want to learn how to become a freelance writer? Book a 1-on-1 consultation with Freelance Writer Mike Pietrzak.
12. Annual BIO Conference
Hosted by the Biographers International Organization, seasoned biographers will be present to help guide, mentor and advise attendees on various topics related to the craft of biography writing.
When: May 13-15, 2022
Where: CUNY Graduate Centre (Tentative), 365 5th Avenue, New York, NY
13. The Writer’s Hotel New York City Writers Conference
The programming has two components: two editor pre-conference team readings and the in-person conference in New York City. The team readings are a comprehensive consultation on each writer’s full-length manuscript, followed by a phone call to discuss strategy on the next steps.
The conference itself features workshops, lectures and one-on-one pitch sessions with literary agents. There is also an industry session for poets. Applications are on a first-come first-serve basis and will close once it’s full.
When: June 8-14, 2022
Where: Various hotels
14. Yale Writers’ Workshop
A seven-day workshop taught by seasoned instructors with strong publication credits. Featuring craft talks, readings and individual meetings with workshop leaders, workshops are done in small groups of 10-12 people.
Participants with book-length manuscripts will be invited to join in pitch sessions.Open to applicants over 18 years old. Admissions are based solely on the writing sample. See website for more details on application process. There is also a workshop for high school students.
On-campus
When: June 4-11, 2022
Where: 55 Whitney Avenue, Fourth Floor, New Haven, CT
Virtual
When: June 12-18, 2022
Where: Virtual
15. Bread Loaf Environmental Writers’ Conference
A week-long conference for anyone interested in writing about the environment and the natural world. Featuring small, focused workshops and specialized classes, participants receive individualized attention from workshop leaders.
Established editors, literary agents and publishers will also be present to give advice on how to place work in magazines and the publishing world.
When: June 13-19, 2022
Where: Bread Loaf Campus of Middlebury College, 75 Franklin Street, Middlebury, VT
16. SleuthFest
For writers and fans of mystery, suspense and thriller fiction. Featuring workshops, craft talks, panels, forensic classes and a cocktail party. Agents and editors will also be accepting pitches.
When: July 7-10, 2022
Where: TBD
17. Imaginarium Convention
Imaginarium is part film festival, part writing conference, part cosplay — an expo for all creatives, including writers and creators of all genres. Panelists include authors, editors, publishers, filmmakers, screenwriters, game designers, comic creators, artists, actors, and all other creatives.
When: July 8-10, 2022
Where: Holiday Inn Louisville East, 1325 South Hurstbourne Parkway, Louisville, KY
18. The Greater Los Angeles Writers Conference
A conference for writers of all genres, including screenwriters and graphic novel writers. Open to writers in all stages of their career, from aspiring first-time writers to already established writers.
Workshops include one-on-one with agents and publishers to prepare writers for pitch meetings, which are also included in the conference.
When: August 5-7, 2022
Where: Hilton Los Angeles Westside, 6161 West Centinela Avenue, Culver City, CA
19. When Worlds Collide
A festival to connect readers, writers, artists and publishers of commercial and literary fiction of all genres, with public readings, master classes and other workshops on the business of writing.
When: August 12-14, 2022
Where: Delta Hotels by Marriott Calgary South, 135 Southland Drive SE, Calgary, AB
20. Fernie Writers’ Conference
A week-long intensive writing workshops, panel discussions and performances in the Rocky Mountains. There will also be opportunities to mix and mingle with editors, literary agents and notable writers who will also be workshop leaders.
When: August 15-21, 2022
Where: Lizard Creek Lodge, Fernie Alpine Resort, 5346 Highline Drive, Fernie, BC
21. Pacific Northwest In-Person Conference
Featuring writing contests in all genres for a chance to win a free critique. There are master classes and pitching sessions. There are also membership options for conference pricing discount.
When: September 23-25, 2022
Where: TBD
22. GayRomLit Retreat
For writers, readers and publishers of LGBT literature. More details coming soon.
When: October 19-23, 2022
Where: Renaissance Portsmouth Norfolk Waterfront Hotel, 425 Water Street, Portsmouth, VA
23. Surrey International Writers’ Conference
A professional development event for writers of all genres, featuring master classes, workshops and pitch sessions.
When: October 21-23, 2022; Master classes – October 20, 2022
Where: TBD
24. Indie Romance Convention
A smaller setting that provides attendees a chance to get to know each other. Three days of learning, workshops, panels, and fun events at night.
When: November 2-5, 2022
Where: TBD
25. The Sarah Lawrence College Publish and Promote Your Book Virtual Conference
Featuring interactive panel discussions with prominent New York City literary agents, major publishing house editors and public relations professionals, author talks, Q&A’s and pitch sessions.
When: TBD
Where: Virtual
26. WriteOnCon
A favourite for kidlit, middle grade, and YA writers. Perfect if you want to learn everything from how to land an agent, to how to market your book, to how to improve your craft.
When: July 15-17, 2022
Where: Virtual
Want to learn how to become a freelance writer? Book a 1-on-1 consultation with Freelance Writer Mike Pietrzak.
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