There are always writing contests, conferences, and other events for aspiring writers. Here are a few interesting events that have recently arrived in NAIWE’s inbox.
Malice Domestic Conference
Malice Domestic™ is an annual fan convention in the metropolitan DC area that celebrates the traditional mystery, books best typified by the works of Agatha Christie. The genre is loosely identified as mysteries which contain no explicit sex, or excessive gore, or violence.
Be sure to register for Malice Domestic 30 before midnight on 12.31.17 in order to be eligible to nominate your favorite books and stories for the 2017 Agatha Awards! Everyone who is either a Registered Attendee/Author or a Friend of Malice 30 will receive an Agatha Nomination Ballot via email in January 2018.
Virginia Festival of the Book
The 2018 Virginia Festival of the Book will feature more than 300 authors, illustrators, and publishing professionals that span all genres. The Festival is a signature program of Virginia Foundation for the Humanities (VFH) and the Virginia Center for the Book. It brings readers and writers together for a five-day program of mostly free events including author readings, book signings, panel discussions, programs for children, and more. The 24th annual Festival will be held March 21-25, 2018, in Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia.
Jackson Hole Writers Conference
At the Jackson Hole Writers’ Conference, writers “with a passion for words and stories have been coming to Wyoming and to Grand Teton National Park’s backyard for the Jackson Hole Writers Conference for almost three decades. Our distinguished speakers, editors and agents join a resident faculty which includes award-winning fiction writers, like Nina McConigley and Susan Marsh at Jackson Hole Center for the Arts. You’ll find agents and editors who are young and hungry for new voices, new stories. We promise three days of engaging dialogue, collaboration and the opportunity for all of us to raise the stakes on our work.”
Conference Registration: $375
Accompanying Teen Writer: $160
Regular Manuscript Submissions: (Three 15-minute critiques): $50
Extended Critiques: $125
Day Passes Available For Conference: $150 June 28, $175 June 29, $200 June 30
San Francisco Writers Conference
The 15th San Francisco Writers Conference is on President’s Day Weekend — February 15-18, 2018. This Celebration of Craft, Commerce and Community is for all writers. Attendees will join with 100+ presenters and fellow writers from across the country and around the world. Our goal is to help writers become published authors as we help them become better at the craft and business of writing. Come learn with us.
Writing and Illustrating for Kids 2018 (wik’18)
The Southern Breeze Chapter (Alabama, Georgia, and the Florida panhandle) of SCBWI announces WIK’18, noting that it offers “something for everyone, including Two Terrific Editors, Four Awesome Agents, & an Early Bird Discount, as well as critiques, intensives, one-on-one slots, mentorships, and quickfire portfolio reviews.”
Don’t wait until it is too late — We want to see you in Birmingham in March! $25 Off – Early Bird Registration.
The Disquiet Prize
Disquiet, an International Literary Program in Lisbon, Portugal announces that “Submissions are now open for The Disquiet Prize for writing in any genre. Three winners will be published on Granta.com (fiction), NinthLetter.com (
Read the contest guidelines or apply at Submittable.
Ventura County Writers Club 17th Annual Poetry Contest
All genres and subjects of poetry are welcome. The organizer writes, “Our not for profit organization was established in 1933. We have about 100-125 members who write in all genres. We offer writing opportunities, publishing opportunities, speakers and workshop critique groups. Contest winners are eligible to be published in our beautiful hardbound anthology, newsletter and website. Please consider entering! You may contact our poetry chair with questions or go to our website.”
