Writing Conferences First Quarter 2011

This is a list of writing conferences and workshops for the first quarter of 2011. Please feel free to add you personal comments about any of these conferences that you have attended or would like to attend. Also, please list any conferences that you know of taking place in the first quarter of 2011 that were missed here.

Arizona –

Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference: http://www.asu.edu/piper/conference/2011/index.html On Arizona State University campus. Emphasis on developing fiction, nonfiction, and poetry in a community of writers.

California –

International Women’s Writing Guild California Conference: http://www.iwwg.org/ Rachel de Baere, Richelle McClain, and Mary Reynolds Thompson “The Alchemy of Language: Turning Simple Words into Shimmering Works.”

San Francisco Writers Conference: http://www.sfwriters.org/ Nearly 100 agents, authors, editors and book industry professionals. A ‘Celebration of Craft, Commerce and Community’ for writers.

Southern California Writers Conference: http://www.writersconference.com/ Founded and run by professional writers, the SCWC provides veteran and emerging talent with guidance to help distinguish manuscripts that are ready for the publishing market.

Write and Pitch Conference: http://writeandpitchconference.com/Developed by the editors and authors at Algonkian Writer Conferences to provide aspiring authors with network connections and hands-on experience using craft, insider advice, and hard-to-swallow facts to get a first novel published.

Writers Studio Conference: http://www2.uclaextension.edu/writers/detail.php?sID=studio Part of the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program.  Ten workshops offered, participants choose one. Classes limited to no more than 18 people. 

Connecticut-

Unicorn Writers’ Conference: http://www.unicornwritersconference.com/Unicorn_Writers_Conference.html Workshops on the inside workings of book publishing. Plus editorial workshops for fiction, non-fiction, memoir, children’s books, mystery writing, screenwriting, and more. 2011 Key Note Speaker: Mary Higgins Clark

Florida –

Blue Flower Arts Writers’ Conference: http://www.bfawwc.com/ Hosted by Atlantic Center for the Arts. Faculty in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction/memoir. Inspirational workshops, readings, panels, and discussion.

Pitchfest 2011: www.swfrw.org Southwest Florida Romance Writers. Presenters: Roxanne St. Claire, Julie Leto and Kristen Painter. Acquiring agents and editors.

Southern Lights Conference: Light Up Your Career: http://www.firstcoastromancewriters.com/ First Coast Romance Writers conference. Featured speaker C.L. Wilson. Workshops, editor and agent appointments, industry panel, critiques, raffles and lunch.

Illinois –

Love is Murder: http://www.loveismurder.net/ Targeted to mystery, suspense and thriller writers. 2011 Featured Authors: Rhys Bowen, Joseph Finder, Carolyn Haines, Joan Johnston, Jon Land and F. Paul Wilson

Louisiana –

2011 Written in the Stars Conference: www.nolastars.com Multi-track workshops, agent and editor appointments. Romance Writers of America chapter conference.

Massachusetts-

The Muse & the Marketplace Conference: http://bostonauthors.com/index.php?id=173 

Mexico –

San Miguel Writers’ Conference: http://www.sanmiguelwritersconference.org/ A Bi-Lingual Writers’ Conference featuring Sandra Cisneros.

Missouri –

Missouri Writers’ Guild Just Write! Conference: http://www.missouriwritersguild.org/mwg_conferencenews.shtml Keynote Speakers:  Mary Troy and Elaine Viets. Agents and book editors taking pitches.

New Jersey –

Liberty States Fiction Writers Conferences: http://www.libertystatesfictionwriters.com/lsf-writers-conference/  Multi-genre writing organization. 2011 Keynote Speaker, MaryJanice Davidson.

New York –

2011 CNYRWA MiniCon: http://www.dm.net/~cnyrw/conference/index.html Central NY Romance Writers. Presenters: Anna DeStefano and literary agent Michelle Grajkowski.

International Women’s Writing Guild Big Apple Conference: http://www.iwwg.org/ “Writing and Metaphor, From the Visible to the Invisible” with Susan Tiberghien. Plus meet with agents.

Travel Writing Workshop: http://www.travelwritingworkshop.org/ Workshop by contributing editor of Frommers.com, Bob Fisher presents “How to shape your writing and then market it successfully.”

Pennsylvania –

Getaway to Gettysburg: http://www.marylandromancewriters.org/ Presenters: Alexandra Sokoloff, Screenwriting Tricks for Authors. Optional ghost tour.

Wisconsin –

Writers’ Institute (How To Write Shop’s Lori Devoti will be presenting this year.): http://www.dcs.wisc.edu/lsa/writing/awi/ Beginner or advanced, fiction or nonfiction. Three days to mingle with other writers and agents and talk about what matters—your writing and the writing life.