Are you looking to expand your writing life? Your writing community? Your exposure to literary agents, editors, and publishers? Writers conferences can provide all of these potentially life-changing benefits and more.
At writers conferences members of the literary world come together to learn, educate, network, and celebrate the magic of writing. Writers, editors, publishers big and small, literary agents, and other assorted literary professionals congregate and discuss a wide range of subjects including: trends, market data, writing and revision techniques, problems and barriers in the industry, and how to improve your chances of getting published.
Most will cover the widening world of publishing: traditional, hybrid, and self. Many will offer face-to-face pitch sessions with literary agents. Some conferences conduct master classes on specific aspects of writing – before the conference begins. These master classes are usually an additional fee but can be well worth the expense.
I’ve attended Writer’s Digest conferences in New York and Chicago, Pacific Northwest Writers Association (PNWA) conferences in Seattle, an Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) conference in Los Angeles, and the Kauai Writers Conference in Lihue. I’ve always been inspired, learned new craft ideas, increased my industry knowledge (the industry is always evolving), and developed new writing and industry contacts.
However, my greatest takeaway from my first conferences was the realization that I’d found my people. For a long time, as a writer I felt like I was on the outside looking in at the world of “real” writers. Once I made the decision to move closer to this world and attended a conference, I found I was more than closer. I was there–a member of a diverse community of individuals devoted to the craft of creative writing.
All kinds of writers attend conferences. They are not just for emerging writers. I’ve met published writers with several books out and newbies and every kind of writer in between. All writers benefit from the inspiration, networking opportunities, and current industry insight conferences offer.
At the 2019 Writer’s Digest conference in NYC, I had the exceptional experience of hearing talks by the brilliant and charismatic Min Jin Lee, Karin Slaughter, and N.K. Jemisin. All three were captivating, and I was able to chat briefly with both Lee and Slaughter during an autograph session following their individual talks. This year, the Writer’s Digest conference, slated for July 24 to 27 in Baltimore, will feature the always inspiring, critically acclaimed, and internationally best-selling writer Jean Kwok as the keynote speaker.
As a Seattle-area resident, I’ve attended several PNWA conferences. It is undoubtedly the conference where I’ve made the most lasting connections and friendships with other writers and with literary agents who invited me to stay in touch. This year’s conference runs September 11 to 14 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport.
This past March, I attended my first AWP conference in Los Angeles. I was wowed with the depth and variety of sessions offered. As a person of mixed race, I truly appreciated the opportunity to attend the discussion, “All Mixed Up: The Experience of Writing Mixed Race/Ethnicity” delivered by a panel of mixed-race authors discussing their experiences. While I’ve attended sessions on diversity in writing, I’d never attended anything like this panel and loved hearing how they handled mix-race issues in writing. The 2026 AWP Conference and Bookfair will be held March 4 to 7 in Baltimore.
The most in-depth instruction I’ve ever received at a writers conference was at the 2024 Kauai Writers Conference due to two four-day master classes (taught by award-winning authors Jean Kwok and Jess Walter) that I attended before the actual conference began. This conference offers an “all-star” list of literary rockstars teaching the master classes and presenting at the conference. They also provide strong networking opportunities by making a breakfast and/or lunch meal plan available so that you can meet someone new every time you sit down to eat during the day. The 2025 Kauai Writers Conference will run November 10 – 16 at the Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort.
When interviewed for this article, Jean Kwok, expressed her regret at not attending writers conferences when she was an unpublished writer.
“I think it would have helped me tremendously. I was just so clueless and writing is such a solitary activity. I think many of us are introverted. We don’t want to face a large crowd, especially if we might not know anyone. However, I’ve found that writers are my favorite type of people and it’s a breeze to make friends who you truly connect with. Just asking, ‘So what are you working on now?’ works for any writer at any level.
“Nowadays, I regularly go to festivals like AWP, the Tucson Festival of Books, the San Miguel Writers’ Conference, ThrillerFest, and the Kauai Writers Conference. I always learn so much about craft and the business of publishing, not to mention that I make new friends and reconnect with old ones every time. The most important thing is that I leave feeling inspired to go home to continue my solitary writing journey, and I know that I’m not truly alone.”
NYT best-selling author Danielle Trussoni whose novels are international best sellers, has been attending conferences since early in her career and believes that conferences can be life changing.
In particular, she recommends the San Miguel Writers’ Conference and Literary Festival where she serves as the director of programs. “The conference is a world-class tri-cultural literary event that brings together writers from Canada, Mexico, and the United States in a meaningful, collaborative way. The diversity and opportunities for cultural exchange, its bi-lingual aspect–all of the keynote speeches and panel discussions are simultaneously translated–and the beautiful location, make it special.” The next conference will take place February 11 to February 15, 2026.
Find the Right Conference
Writers conferences come in many varieties. It pays to research and seek conferences that offer sessions, panels, and workshops that address your individual needs, where you are in your writing career, and your particular genre.
Sara DiVello has been teaching at writing conferences since 2014 and strongly recommends them for all writers. “I’ve seen direct benefits for those who are looking to hone their craft, find an agent, broaden their industry connections, or take their careers to the next level.”
For writers interested in the mystery and thriller genre, she suggests a genre-specific conference like ThrillerFest. “I attended my first ThrillerFest in 2022 as part of a special collaboration with my Mystery and Thriller Maven Series, an author interview series that I host in collaboration with woman-owned, independent bookstore, Murder by the Book.
“I hosted a pop-up ‘Interrogation Room,’ where I ‘grilled’ authors about everything from craft to careers. I joined the staff of International Thriller Writers (ITW) later that summer and now run the Interrogation Room every year on-site, where I host all the on-site interviews.”
ThrillerFest also offers two days of one-hour workshops on all aspects of writing and publishing–from the art of the twist to the secret to a longstanding relationship with an agent–as well as masterclasses, panels, and more.
For those who aren’t quite ready to attend a writers conference, DiVello suggests they visit their nearest book festival. “While book festivals may not offer specific sessions on topics like the path to publication, they are still a great place to start to learn about the publishing industry and what it takes to begin–and sustain!–a career as an author.”
Co-chair and a board member of The Nantucket Book Festival, DiVello gives it high marks as “one of the top literary festivals in the world,” where the audience of readers and aspiring authors hears first-hand from authors about their books and their paths to publication.
She also recommends the Boston Book Festival, the San Diego Writers Festival, and the Unbound Book Festival .
Prepare Before You Go
Now that you are curious and hopefully excited to attend, before you go you must read “Jane’s Guide on How to Get the Most Out of a Writers Conference” by publishing industry expert Jane Friedman. Read it now and then again at least a couple weeks before you go. It’s full of practical suggestions such as researching the speakers you are interested in connecting with, studying the conference schedule ahead of time so you can know the sessions you want to attend, and essentials to take with you.
Based on my own experience, in addition to the items Jane mentions, I suggest you take a sweater, shawl, big scarf, or even a lap blanket for conference rooms that are too cold for comfort. I also carry water and Ricola cough drops or throat lozenges to avoid coughing during a presentation in case I get a dry throat. And you also may want to pack some easy snacks to sustain you if you don’t think you will have time to grab a bite between sessions.
Embrace Yourself as a Writer!
Still feeling like you should wait to attend a writers conference until you are further along in your writing career? It’s time to get serious about it. In a blog post from NY Book Editors “Should You Attend a Writers’ Conference?” they propose that it is the serious writers who spend the money to invest in themselves. “By attending a conference,” they write, “you’ll give yourself permission to fully embrace yourself as a writer.”
The cost to attend varies from conference to conference and location will also play a factor. Local conferences may be easier on your wallet and are a good way to get your feet wet.
- A Conversation with New York Times Best-selling Author: Jess Walter - October 8, 2025
- Get Inspired and Find Your People: Attend a Writers Conference - July 14, 2025
- There’s a New Podcast in Town… - June 13, 2025
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