Attending writing conferences and retreats can significantly enhance your craft, provide valuable industry insights, and expand your professional network. Here’s an extensive list of notable events tailored for authors:
1. Author Nation Conference
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
- Overview: Formerly known as 20Books Vegas, the Author Nation Conference is a premier gathering for both traditionally and independently published authors. It offers a blend of workshops, networking opportunities, and sessions led by industry professionals. The conference emphasizes the evolving landscape of publishing and equips authors with tools to succeed. Indie Author Magazine
2. Novelists, Inc. (NINC) Conference
- Location: St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA
- Overview: NINC is an organization for multi-published authors, focusing on the business aspects of writing. Their annual conference provides sessions on marketing, legal issues, and the latest publishing trends, fostering a collaborative environment for professional growth. Ninc
3. Romance Writers of America (RWA) Conference
- Location: Varies annually across the USA
- Overview: RWA’s conference is a cornerstone event for romance writers, offering workshops, networking events, and opportunities to meet with editors and agents. However, as of May 2024, RWA filed for bankruptcy due to financial challenges, leading to uncertainties about future conferences. Reuters
4. San Miguel Writers’ Conference and Literary Festival
- Location: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
- Overview: Set in a UNESCO World Heritage city, this festival offers workshops, keynote addresses, and social events. It’s renowned for its inspiring atmosphere and diverse faculty, attracting writers from around the globe.
5. Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) Conference & Bookfair
- Location: Rotates across various U.S. cities
- Overview: AWP hosts one of North America’s largest literary conferences, featuring thousands of writers, educators, and publishers. The event includes panel discussions, readings, and an extensive bookfair showcasing literary presses and journals.
6. Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference
- Location: Ripton, Vermont, USA
- Overview: Established in 1926, Bread Loaf is one of the oldest writers’ conferences in the U.S. It offers intensive workshops, lectures, and readings led by distinguished authors, fostering a tight-knit literary community.
7. Iowa Summer Writing Festival
- Location: Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Overview: Hosted by the University of Iowa, this festival provides workshops across various genres for writers at all levels. Participants can immerse themselves in a UNESCO City of Literature, enhancing their creative skills.
8. Yale Writers’ Workshop
- Location: New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Overview: Yale’s workshop offers small-group sessions, individual manuscript consultations, and panel discussions led by esteemed faculty, providing an academically rigorous environment for writers.
9. Writing Excuses Retreat
- Location: Varies (often aboard a cruise or at a serene resort)
- Overview: Organized by the hosts of the “Writing Excuses” podcast, this retreat focuses on speculative fiction and world-building, offering an immersive learning experience in unique settings.
10. Maine Writers’ and Publishers Alliance Retreats
- Location: Various locations in Maine, USA
- Overview: MWPA offers retreats and workshops throughout the year, providing personalized writing time and guidance from established authors in tranquil settings.
11. Retreats for You
- Location: Sheepwash, Devon, UK
- Overview: Nestled in the English countryside, this retreat offers a peaceful environment for writers to focus on their manuscripts, with cozy accommodations and structured writing time.
12. The Writer’s Hotel
- Location: New York City, New York, USA
- Overview: An immersive conference that provides one-on-one manuscript feedback, workshops, and pitch sessions with literary agents, emphasizing community and craft.
13. Paris Writers’ Workshop
- Location: Paris, France
- Overview: Held in the literary heart of Paris, this workshop offers week-long sessions with established authors, allowing participants to draw inspiration from the city’s rich literary history.
14. Tuscany Writers Retreat
- Location: Tuscany, Italy
- Overview: This retreat combines focused workshops with leisure time in the picturesque Tuscan countryside, offering cultural immersion alongside writing productivity.
15. Iceland Writers Retreat
- Location: Reykjavik, Iceland
- Overview: Participants engage in workshops and literary tours of Iceland’s stunning landscapes, blending travel with creative inspiration.
16. The Banff Centre’s Writing Studio
- Location: Banff, Alberta, Canada
- Overview: An intensive residency program offering a supportive environment for fiction and creative nonfiction writers amidst the Canadian Rockies.
17. Tin House Summer Workshop
- Location: Portland, Oregon, USA
- Overview: Combining workshops, lectures, and one-on-one consultations with prominent writers, this workshop is known for its inclusivity and exceptional faculty.
18. Sewanee Writers’ Conference
- Location: Sewanee, Tennessee, USA
- Overview: A two-week conference offering intensive workshops led by award-winning faculty, with opportunities to meet editors and agents in a supportive community.
19. Rising Sun Writers Retreat
- Location: Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia
- Overview: Provides a tranquil space in the stunning Blue Mountains, featuring daily workshops, group meals, and personal writing time for creative growth.
20. Writer MBA Conference + Mastermind
- Location: Hilton Riverside, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- Dates: March 16–22, 2025
- Overview: A week-long event combining a high-level mastermind and a dynamic conference experience. Designed to elevate writing careers in 2025 and beyond, the event provides attendees with expert insights, actionable strategies, and networking opportunities in the vibrant setting of New Orleans.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration, industry knowledge, networking opportunities, or simply a quiet place to focus on your craft, writing conferences and retreats offer invaluable experiences. In this guide, we explore the biggest and best events for authors around the world, from industry-renowned conferences to peaceful, creativity-nurturing retreats. Below, you’ll find information on each event, links to their websites, and important details to help you decide which one is best for you.
Best Writing Conferences and Events
O‘ahu Writers Retreat
Location: Hawai‘i
Website: Oahu Writers Retreat
At this annual retreat, two dozen writers gather at a beachfront sanctuary for six days of daily workshops, coaching, readings, and writing in the shade of ironwood trees. Instructors include nationally known novelists, poets, and memoirists. Some sessions explore new sides of our creative selves, whether through songwriting, visual storytelling, or yoga. See another side of Hawai‘i through appearances by Hawaiian musicians and cultural excursions to sacred sites.
1. Author Nation (USA)
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Website: Author Nation Conference
A gathering of bold personalities, storytellers, and creatives, Author Nation in Vegas is an electrifying mix of networking, craft, and support. This event is ideal for writers who thrive in vibrant environments filled with dynamic energy. It combines inspiring talks on creativity, masterclasses on book marketing, and engaging conversations about the challenges of being a writer today.
2. San Miguel Writers’ Conference and Literary Festival (Mexico)
Location: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Website: San Miguel Writers’ Conference
This literary festival takes place in a charming UNESCO World Heritage city, offering workshops, keynotes, and social events. With speakers including award-winning authors and agents, this conference has a reputation for fostering artistic inspiration as well as providing practical career support.
3. Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) Conference & Bookfair (USA)
Location: Rotates across cities in the USA
Website: AWP Conference
AWP is one of the largest literary conferences in North America. Thousands of writers, editors, publishers, and educators gather to participate in discussions about writing and publishing. The Bookfair showcases hundreds of literary presses, journals, and writers’ organizations.
4. Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference (USA)
Location: Ripton, Vermont
Website: Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference
Bread Loaf is one of the oldest and most prestigious writers’ conferences in the U.S. Attendees can expect intensive workshops, readings, and lectures led by distinguished writers in an idyllic setting. Bread Loaf is known for its tight-knit, community-building atmosphere.
5. Iowa Summer Writing Festival (USA)
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Website: Iowa Summer Writing Festival
The Iowa Summer Writing Festival is perfect for both beginning and seasoned writers. It offers workshops in various genres throughout the summer, each designed to nurture creativity and help you grow as a writer. Iowa City, a UNESCO City of Literature, provides an inspiring backdrop for the event.
6. Yale Writers’ Workshop (USA)
Location: New Haven, Connecticut
Website: Yale Writers’ Workshop
Yale Writers’ Workshop offers a chance to improve your craft under the guidance of faculty from Yale’s creative writing program. It provides small-group workshops, individual manuscript consultations, and panel discussions, perfect for those seeking a more academic approach to their development.
7. Writing Excuses Retreat (Various Locations)
Location: Often a cruise or a serene resort
Website: Writing Excuses Retreat
The Writing Excuses Retreat is hosted by the creators of the Writing Excuses podcast. It provides an intimate, intensive week of learning, with a focus on speculative fiction and world-building. This event is perfect for writers seeking an all-inclusive, communal learning experience.
8. Maine Writers’ and Publishers Alliance Retreats (USA)
Location: Various locations in Maine
Website: Maine Writers’ and Publishers Alliance
The MWPA offers several different writing retreats and workshops throughout the year. Attendees can enjoy personalized writing time while benefiting from the experience of established writers and instructors.
9. Retreats for You (UK)
Location: Sheepwash, Devon, UK
Website: Retreats for You
Nestled in the English countryside, Retreats for You offers a peaceful writing getaway in a picturesque village. It’s an ideal location to focus on your manuscript, offering cozy accommodations and plenty of structured writing time. It’s perfect for those seeking solitude and inspiration.
10. The Writer’s Hotel (USA)
Location: New York City, New York
Website: The Writer’s Hotel
The Writer’s Hotel is an immersive writing conference that takes place in NYC. Attendees receive one-on-one manuscript feedback, small group classes, and pitch sessions with literary agents. The event emphasizes the importance of community, constructive feedback, and the craft of writing.
11. Paris Writers’ Workshop (France)
Location: Paris, France
Website: Paris Writers’ Workshop
This event takes place in the literary heart of Paris. Writers from around the world gather for week-long workshops with established authors. There’s plenty of time for exploring the city’s literary landmarks, making it an inspirational setting for writing.
12. Tuscany Writers Retreat (Italy)
Location: Tuscany, Italy
Website: Tuscany Writers Retreat
Spend a week writing in the gorgeous Tuscan countryside. This retreat offers a combination of focused workshops and leisure time to write and explore. It’s a perfect destination for those seeking both cultural immersion and writing productivity.
13. The Iceland Writers Retreat (Iceland)
Location: Reykjavik, Iceland
Website: Iceland Writers Retreat
Held in Reykjavik, this retreat brings together writers from across the globe. With workshops, lectures, and literary tours of Iceland’s stunning landscapes, this retreat is ideal for those looking to combine travel with creative inspiration.
14. The Banff Centre’s Writing Studio (Canada)
Location: Banff, Alberta, Canada
Website: Banff Centre Writing Studio
The Writing Studio at Banff is an intensive residency program focused on helping writers develop their craft. Located in the stunning Canadian Rockies, this retreat offers a supportive and immersive environment for fiction and creative nonfiction writers.
15. Tin House Summer Workshop (USA)
Location: Portland, Oregon
Website: Tin House Summer Workshop
The Tin House Summer Workshop combines workshops, lectures, readings, and one-on-one consultations with prominent writers. With a reputation for inclusivity and exceptional faculty, this workshop provides an opportunity for focused learning and deep networking.
16. Sewanee Writers’ Conference (USA)
Location: Sewanee, Tennessee
Website: Sewanee Writers’ Conference
The Sewanee Writers’ Conference offers two weeks of intensive writing workshops, led by award-winning faculty, in a peaceful setting. Participants have the opportunity to meet with editors and agents and engage in a supportive community.
17. Rising Sun Writers Retreat (Australia)
Location: Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia
Website: Rising Sun Writers Retreat
This Australian retreat provides writers with a tranquil space in the stunning Blue Mountains. Daily workshops, group meals, and personal writing time ensure that participants find inspiration and creative growth.
18. Writers in Paradise (USA)
Location: St. Petersburg, Florida
Website: Writers in Paradise
This intimate conference provides a creative environment along the beautiful Gulf Coast of Florida. Workshops are led by highly accomplished authors, offering participants the chance to hone their skills in an inspiring setting.
19. Aspen Summer Words (USA)
Location: Aspen, Colorado
Website: Aspen Words
Aspen Summer Words is one of the most celebrated literary gatherings in the United States. This conference brings together renowned writers, agents, and publishers in the heart of Aspen, combining workshops, readings, and networking opportunities.
20. The Story Summit Writers School (Canada & USA)
Location: Online and various locations across North America
Website: Story Summit
The Story Summit offers workshops, retreats, and masterclasses, blending both online and in-person experiences. It aims to provide community-driven education for writers of all levels, with an emphasis on storytelling fundamentals.
21. Piper Writers Studio (USA)
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Website: Piper Writers Studio
Piper Writers Studio, hosted by Arizona State University, provides a series of workshops and online classes throughout the year. Their retreats include craft-focused courses, seminars, and networking events.
22. Highlights Foundation Workshops (USA)
Location: Honesdale, Pennsylvania
Website: Highlights Foundation
The Highlights Foundation offers intimate, retreat-style workshops for children’s authors and illustrators. Located in a serene, woodland environment, it’s ideal for those wanting a peaceful setting with hands-on mentorship.
23. Writing Retreats in Spain (Spain)
Location: Various locations in Spain
Website: Writing Retreats in Spain
Escape to Spain for a week of writing, creative workshops, and cultural immersion. These retreats offer writers the chance to develop their work while enjoying the rich culture, stunning landscapes, and delicious cuisine of Spain.
24. Cave Canem Retreat for Black Writers (USA)
Location: Varies (often Pennsylvania)
Website: Cave Canem
This retreat, focused on Black poets, offers an inspiring week of writing and workshops, alongside a supportive community. It’s an excellent opportunity for poets to grow their craft and connect with other writers in a powerful and uplifting environment.
25. New York Pitch Conference (USA)
Location: New York City, New York
Website: New York Pitch Conference
The New York Pitch Conference is an opportunity for writers to pitch their manuscripts directly to top publishing professionals. It provides guidance on how to develop and refine pitches and create engaging stories that can capture an editor’s attention.
This is an older video… I have new thoughts but I’ll make a fresh video soonish!
Some random musings about writing conferences (author nation review)
Recently, I was invited to speak at Author Nation, a writing conference for authors in Vegas. It was an experience like no other. Vegas itself is a maze of endless ads, all preying on fears and insecurities, designed to make you uncomfortable and constantly wanting more. The rooms are filled with bad voices, only an inch of fresh air, and long, looping commercials that never seem to end. There’s always an upcharge—everything comes with a cost. I pushed my nose through the inch-wide crack in the window, breathing in the night air, wondering what I was doing here.
But then I found myself at the conference. There was no agenda. People’s smiles were strained, eye contact too sincere. Faces were close, or maybe I was leaning in too far. Despite all this, Author Nation was full of my kind of people—bold personalities, storytellers with secret languages, clever wordplay, sly quips. The kind of people who make you feel seen. Smart, clever, awkward. Put us all in a room, add some caffeine and donuts, and we combust.
I was a little awkward and insecure, but Vegas reminded me of my brand and my value—that I have a place here, that I have solid advice, and that I keep up and pay attention. Author Nation was a place to reconnect, to support as many others as I could. Since I’ve been quiet for a while, people said things like, “I used to follow you when I started years ago” or “You used to be so cool!” and I’d joke, “I’m still around, but you’re probably selling more books than me.”
But I wasn’t disgruntled or frustrated—I’ve published about 20 novels, and most have over 1,000 reviews. I don’t talk about it in public, but I’m pretty confident I’ve got a handle on things. I was reminded by these uber-successful authors that I could be there too, that I’m one book away (or one book marketing strategy away) from having everything click. I spoke about what it means to be an author, and continue to write creatively in the face of AI, and I learned about advanced Facebook methods, but mostly, I just let myself bask in the positive energy.
I shared stories from my misadventures, the kind that make people call me a chaos agent. One time in Malta, an art dealer made me a lowball offer, and I quietly expressed my displeasure until he doubled it. At 16, I stood up for a friend at boy scout camp, challenging the boss to give him a day off for a family emergency. An adult staffer called me a force of nature. Later, I represented Malta at an international conference, studying art history and philosophy in the meantime, and moved to Barcelona for a teaching certificate while wearing oil-painted pants.
Vegas showed me I belonged. Despite the flashy lights and discomfort, Author Nation was a reminder of what community means. We were all there for each other, a network of support, kindness, and artistry. Especially now, when creativity feels more vulnerable than ever, a shared community like this is vital.
I’ve always had a complicated relationship with socializing. In Taiwan, they called me Tootzitse, the mischievous little rabbit. I emerge like a cicada every few years, bringing something new that disrupts the status quo. I’m the Joker, burning it all down, but not out of malice—just because I’m a fountain of ideas. Sometimes I’m the absent-minded professor, the guy with reckless creativity who could destroy your business overnight, or maybe help it grow beyond imagination. I could be both, depending on the day.
At Author Nation, we had a pirate party—complete with a mermaid, a rogue, and a pirate with a parrot hiding a clue under his eyepatch. Talking to people isn’t my strength, so I gave up on the game. But when others were stumped, my messy brain blurted the connection, and suddenly the riddle was solved. They retrieved the treasure, and I took none of the reward. Ideas are cheap; the people who do the work deserve the credit. That’s the memory I’m choosing.
There are smart business people who make money. Don’t follow me for business advice. Or do, because I’m a fucking genius. Just do as I say, not as I do. I don’t take my own advice. I cannot be coerced with sticks and carrots. Like Bartleby the Scrivener, I refuse. But not in a fiery confrontation—just an exhausted, “I’d rather not.”
At the conference, I realized my influence runs deeper than I often recognize. People came up to me, some unsure if I was who they thought. I wear a hat, and I’m invisible. I take it off, let out my mane, and suddenly—oh, you’re Derek Murphy. It takes a minute. I get it. I’m the same way. I might not see you at first, but when I do, we’re soulmates.
Vegas was a place of chaos, but also revelation. I see things others can’t. I know a lot about a lot. I’ve probably written a book about it already. Those TikToks you watch are likely based on ideas I teased out two decades ago, wrestling with the nature of time and reality. My ideas are out there, quietly changing things. I don’t need my name on them. The thing in itself, left without responsibility, free from entanglements.
I am a force of nature, but I’m not Goliath—I’m David, the unassuming guy with a slingshot, an arsenal of unexpected tricks, and a knack for magic. Creativindie, the agent of chaos. Devious and clever, with ideas that unexpectedly take root and flourish.
Author Nation in Vegas was a reminder that even amidst discomfort, even when everything around you is designed to prey on your insecurities, true connection and creativity can thrive. This was my community. We came together, not just to share craft and knowledge, but to support one another. And that’s the kind of community worth being part of—chaotic, brilliant, and fiercely creative.
Conclusion
Writing conferences and retreats are some of the best ways to sharpen your skills, network with industry professionals, and nurture your creativity. Whether you are seeking inspiration in Iceland, looking to hone your manuscript with Yale’s expert faculty, or wanting to pitch directly to New York agents, there’s something out there for every kind of writer.
From scenic retreats to high-energy conferences, these events are the perfect way to immerse yourself in the writing world, refine your craft, and make lifelong connections. Now, it’s just a matter of deciding where your next adventure will take you!
PS you may have noticed I’m disorganized AF so I don’t trust this information, here are some more useful links:
Finally, here are some of the castles I’ve rented for writing retreats, something I’ll probably do again in the future after I finish writing the next dozen novels or so…
Derek Murphy has a PhD in Literature, is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, and has spent over a decade helping authors write, publish, and sell books through Creativindie. When he’s not critiquing manuscripts or building writing tools, he’s probably in a castle somewhere with cats.
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