Are you a nonfiction writer interested in attending a writers’ conference? Not all writers’ events give much focus to nonfiction, so we’ve rounded up a list of the best writers’ conferences for nonfiction writers. Enjoy!
American Medical Writers Association – Focused on medical writing, this organization hosts conferences in various regions across the U.S. amwa.org/page/Education
American Society of Journalists and Authors Conference – ASJA hosts an annual conference geared towards journalists, authors, and nonfiction and literary nonfiction writers. Locations vary. asja.org/For-Writers/ASJA-Events
BK Authors Conference – Focused exclusively on nonfiction book marketing and hosted by Berrett-Koehler Publishers. bkauthors.org/category/events/marketing-conference
BIO Conference – Annual conference by Biographers International Organization. Each year, BIO brings together some of the finest practitioners of the craft of biography to help guide, mentor, encourage, and advise attendees on a wide variety of topics relating to the writing, researching, and selling of biography. Locations change each year. biographersinternational.org/conference/
BlogHer – Features events exclusively for female content creators. Primarily focused on blogging and topics related to marketing online. blogher.com/
Creative Nonfiction Collective Conference – Annual Canadian conference dedicated entirely to creative nonfiction. Professional writing evaluations are also offered as part of the conference.
creativenonfictioncollective.ca/conference/
Creative Nonfiction Writers’ Conference – Annual conference held in Pittsburgh and dedicated to creative nonfiction. Customize your schedule, meet one-on-one with an agent, and/or have your manuscript reviewed by one of our professional writing instructors, while spending two+ days surrounded by 150+ other highly motivated memoirists, lyrical essayists, longform journalists, and others. creativenonfiction.org/
The Greater Los Angeles Writers Conference – This conference is unique in that it features different tracks depending on whether you’re an aspiring, active, or accomplished writer. They cover topics like marketing and speaking and offer critiques with editors and agents. wcwriters.com/aglawc/index.html
HippoCamp – Annual conference for creative nonfiction writers. This three-day Pennsylvania writing conference features 40+ notable speakers, engaging keynotes, informative sessions in four tracks, interactive all-conference panels, author and attendee readings, social activities, networking opportunities, and optional pre-conference workshops. hippocampusmagazine.com/conference/
Historical Writers of America Annual Conference – The conference programming focuses on supporting quality historical writing – fiction and nonfiction, research, the submission process, the road to publication, and the life of a historical writer. There are a mix of sessions on the craft of writing and genre and era specific knowledge (food, clothing, language) as well as the business side of publishing including self/indie publishing, marketing and publicity and social media techniques. Located in Williamsburg, Virginia. hwa.clubexpress.com
Jackson Hole Writers Conference – Annual conference located in Jackson, Wyoming. Topics covered vary each year but they do feature some nonfiction and creative nonfiction topics. jacksonholewritersconference.com
The Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference – The Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference is where aspiring and established storytellers, reporters, photographers, and narrative non-fiction writers from all walks of life learn, engage and network with the nation’s best authors journalists, editors, educators and agents through workshops, seminars and keynotes. Annual conference; located in Texas. themayborn.com/
Midwest Writers Workshop – Three-day writing event located in Muncie, Indiana. They cover fiction, nonfiction, and topics like editing and publishing. midwestwriters.org/
The Muse & The Marketplace – Three-day literary conference that educates aspiring and emerging writers on the craft of fiction and nonfiction, prepares them for the ever-changing world of publishing and promotion, and creates opportunities for meaningful networking. Located in Boston, Massachusetts. museandthemarketplace.com/
Nonfiction Writers Conference – Since 2010, the Nonfiction Writers Conference has featured popular multi-day events entirely online—no travel required! All sessions are delivered by webinar and include live Q&A with the speakers. Events are held in May and November each year, and NFWC is hosted by the Nonfiction Authors Association. NonfictionWritersConference.com
NonfictioNOW – Founded by Robin Hemley at the University of Iowa in 2005, the NonfictioNOW Conference is a regular gathering of over 400 nonfiction writers, teachers, readers, and students from around the world in an effort to explore the past, present, and future of nonfiction. Locations change and can be anywhere in the world. nonfictionow.org/about
The Pennsylvania Writers Conference – Writers conference located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Areas of focus include fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, and playwriting. wilkes.edu/pwc
Publishing University – Annual event hosted by the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA). Lots of content for nonfiction book publishers at this event. Held in April, location moves around the country. publishinguniversity.org/
Rochester Writers Conference – Fiction, non-fiction and general writing topics are presented in panel discussion, lecture or workshop style. Located in Michigan at Oakland University. rochesterwriters.com/
San Francisco Writers Conference – Honored as one of the top ten writers’ conferences in the country, the San Francisco Writers Conference is held over President’s weekend every February and features an entire nonfiction track throughout the duration of the conference. sfwriters.org
Southern California Writers Conference – Annual conference in San Diego that covers a wide variety of genres including memoir and narrative nonfiction. writersconference.com/sd/
Textbook & Academic Authoring Conference – Whether you’re a veteran textbook author or just now launching your academic writing career, this conference has something for everybody. You’ll gain valuable insights and learn tools, techniques, and strategies for improving your production and your publishing success. Annual conference location varies. taaonline.net/taa-conference
Tinker Mountain Writers Workshops – Annual one-week event located in Roanoke, Virginia. Includes workshops in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and/or romance fiction. hollins.edu/academics/workshops-online-writing-courses/tinker-mountain-writers-workshop-residential/
Wesleyan Writers Conference – Four-day conference located at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. Offers a variety of sessions including various nonfiction topics. wesleyan.edu/writing/conference/
Write on the Sound – Annual conference in Edmonds, Washington, located near Seattle. They feature a variety of topics including creative nonfiction and memoir, as well as topics like publishing, article writing, editing, and self-publishing. writeonthesound.com/
Writer’s Digest Annual Conference – Annual conference that offers the unique ability to customize your experience to meet your specific interests and needs by choosing sessions from core tracks of Craft—Fiction, Nonfiction, Screenwriting, Memoir, and Poetry—Genre, Business of Writing, and new interactive sessions to help kickstart your writing. Located in New York City. writersdigestconference.com/schedule/
Want to suggest an event for this list of best writers conferences for nonfiction authors?
Provided the event has a strong nonfiction track, please send us an email with your recommendation. Thanks!
