There’s nothing quite like a writing workshop, conference, or retreat to get writing inspiration flowing and help overcome writer’s block. They provide a change of pace, a chance to relax and unwind, and space to focus on your craft. These events can also offer opportunities to connect with other writers and build community and a network of support. If you’re thinking about going to a writing retreat or conference this year, here are some options that involve traveling to new places which will certainly allow you to step out of the everyday norm and into a new creative headspace.
The Writing by Writers Tomales Bay Workshop
When: October 26-30, 2022
Where: The Marconi Conference Center is located along the east shore of Tomales Bay near the quaint community of Marshall, California. The location provides dramatic views of the bay and lush inland hills of the Point Reyes Peninsula.
This writing workshop in California brings emerging writers into close community with nationally known poets and writers. Classes are limited to 12 participants for manuscript critique workshops and 15 for generative workshops to ensure an intimate setting. Workshops are held each morning for four consecutive days. The workshops allow participants to work closely with a nationally known writer, to receive constructive feedback from their peers, and to spend four intensive days dedicated to creativity. Afternoons are reserved for panels by our faculty on craft, student readings, and time to write. Evenings feature readings by faculty and special guests.
Find additional information regarding pricing, what is included, and more here.
Writer’s Digest Annual Conference
When: July 28-31, 2022
Where: New York City, NY
Writer’s Digest Annual Conference offers everything you need to advance your writing career creatively and professionally. Gain invaluable tips to improve your craft, explore publishing options and learn how to establish a sustainable career—all while being inspired by successful authors and your fellow attendees. It’s all brought to you by Writer’s Digest, the experts at nurturing and developing writers at every stage of their career for over 100 years.
Find more information and register here.
Paris Writers Retreat
When: May 30-June 3, 2022
Where: Private loft in the heart of Paris’ 4th arrondissement, one of the most beautiful areas of Paris known as Ile Saint Louis.
Join us for our 12th year. Story and manuscript development come alive at this acclaimed, professional workshop for authors of fiction and nonfiction. It is held at our private loft in the heart of Paris. Develop your book, fine tune your manuscript, and perfect your writing in progress. Writers of all levels attend to generate new material, develop ideas, or shape their stories. At the conference, participating writers are guided through the creation process, fine tuning and perfecting their work—from the seed of an idea to a high-quality draft. The conference includes all sessions and a light lunch. There is an optional networking soiree and group dinner each evening. Also offered are optional outings and dinners with the attending authors.
Find more information here. (Rohm Literary also has a Greece Writers Retreat from June 13-17, 2022, and a Palm Springs Writers Retreat from December 12-16, 2022)
Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference
When: August 18-21, 2022
Where: Franklin, TN
The Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference was created in 2006 by author/filmmaker Clay Stafford in an effort to bring together forensic experts, writers, and fans of crime and thriller literature.
“Our objective is simple: to educate and empower aspiring and established writers, and connect them with other industry professionals. We pride ourselves on our intense, intimate workshops and panels, and on our close-knit community of writers.
“At the conference, we try diligently to ensure that the weekend has something for every writer and lover of literature, and our sessions are structured to assist writers on multiple career levels. Our learning tracks tackle the craft of writing, business of writing, marketing, and forensics.
“In addition to its 60+ conference sessions, Killer Nashville features nine breakout sessions for intense smaller group interaction, an authors’ bar (free for hotel guests), a moonshine and wine tasting, agent/editor roundtable pitch sessions, a mock crime scene designed by special agents and other law enforcement professionals, cocktail receptions, the Killer Nashville Awards Dinner, film previews, live music performances and—of course—all the great activities one can enjoy in downtown Nashville.”
Find more information here.
Napa Valley Writers’ Conference
When: July 24-29, 2022
Where: The Napa campus of Napa Valley College in California
In a literary culture often dominated by concerns of business and marketing, the Napa Valley Writers’ Conference has maintained its emphases on process and craft, featuring a faculty as renowned for the quality of their teaching as for their work. Small workshops foster an unusual rapport between faculty writers and conference participants, who find the Napa Valley experience nurturing and challenging. The conference is suited to experienced writers, but enthusiastic beginners are also encouraged to apply.
Participants register for either the poetry, fiction, or translation workshops, which meet for two hours daily over five days. The schedule also includes talks by faculty writers, special panels, and readings by the faculty at Napa Valley wineries.
Visit their website here for information about applying for the conference, FAQs, and more
Writeaway in Italy
When: October 15-22, 2022
Where: Villa Cini and Villa Casanova in Bucine, Tuscany, Italy
Writeaways are weeklong writing workshops designed to liberate you from your day-to-day responsibilities so you can devote your full attention to writing. We facilitate the kinds of discussions that encourage you to keep writing, and indulge you with fabulous food and wine along the way. We believe that the combination—stunning locations, relief from daily cares, marvelous comforts and a supportive community—inspires you to produce your best writing. Here’s the best news: because Writeaways workshops are project-based, they are designed to work for writers of all genres and ability levels.
Includes individual writing consultations and daily writing workshops, all meals, wine and after-dinner drinks, plus a cooking class and excursion.
Find more information here.
Writing and Listening — an Interview with Brooke Randel
As a young girl Brooke Randel knew little about the Holocaust—just that it was a catastrophe in which millions were murdered, and that her grandma Golda Indig barely escaped that fate. But her Bubbie never spoke about what happened, and the two spent most of their time together making pleasant memories: baking crescent roll cookies, playing gin rummy, and watching Baywatch. Until an unexpected phone call when Golda said, out of the blue: “You should write about my life. What happened in the war.” What results is a fascinating memoir—about one woman’s harrowing survival, and another’s struggle to excavate theRead more…