Sometimes you need a change of scenery to spark your creativity, and events like writing retreats, conferences, workshops often 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. Some even double as opportunities to travel to faraway destinations. If you’re thinking about attending one this year, here are some destination writing retreats and conferences to help fuel your inspiration.
San Francisco Writer’s Conference
When: February 6-9, 2025
About: The 21st annual San Francisco Writers Conference will take place at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco. Attendees will join 100+ presenters and fellow writers from across the country and around the world at this year’s event. The SFWC events are consistently rated among the top writers’ conferences anywhere. Our goal is to help writers become published authors as we help them become better at the craft of writing and the business of publishing.
The event spans four days and offers optional Pre- and Post-Event 3-hour Master Classes. There is copious networking with the very people who can advance your writing career, a glorious gala, keynotes, and continental breakfasts, lots of social interaction with other writers, our Pub Quiz, and an invaluable ‘practice your pitch’ session. Want feedback? Attendees can have a free one-on-one session with an independent editor, book coach, and marketing expert. There will be exhibitors with services and tools for writers, too.
Find more information and register here.
Writer’s Digest Writing Retreat: Florence & Tuscany
When: May 3-10, 2025
About: Writers from around the world and throughout the centuries have found inspiration from the beauty of Florence and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. Now, you can be one of them.
This writing tour includes: 4-star and 3-star+ hotels, all breakfasts and four dinners, coach transportation from Florence to San Gimignano and back to the Florence airport, admission to all museums and gardens, friendly and knowledgeable local tour guide, and dedicated writing time in a scenic Tuscan villa with your Writer’s Digest hosts.
Find more information here, including a detailed itinerary, accommodation details, and pricing.
Words in the Hills Spring Campout
When: May 16-18, 2025
About: Words In Hills will be hosted at Camp Oty’ Okwa in the beautiful Hocking Hills in Southeast Ohio. This 3-day writing retreat for adults welcomes creative writers of all genres and experience levels. Poets, novelists, songwriters, essayists, and anyone who enjoys the art of writing are invited to join in this supportive environment. You will leave refreshed and inspired!
This retreat is a place where you can explore and grow in different areas of your writing and creativity and receive support from peers in a classroom of tall trees, quiet fields, and waterfalls.
Find more information here.
Aspen Words’ Summer Words Writing Conference
When: June 22-27, 2025
About: Summer Words 2025 will return to Snowmass Village, Colorado, a vibrant community just 9 miles from Aspen, with incredible mountain vistas in addition to 2.8 million adjacent acres of wilderness open for activities and exploration. Snowmass is home to 30+ restaurants, shopping, unique special events and music.
Recognized as one of the nation’s top literary gatherings, Summer Words is a six-day celebration of words, stories and ideas held annually in an idyllic Rocky Mountain setting. The conference includes inspiring workshops, readings, and craft talks at the Viewline Resort Snowmass.
Applications for Summer Words 2025 juried workshops in fiction, memoir, and sci-fi/fantasy will open in early 2025.
Find more info here.
Writing Workshops Paris
When: July 15-20, 2025
About: Writing Workshops Paris with Ramona Ausubel, Marie-Helene Bertino, and Halimah Marcus brings together Fiction and Nonfiction writers and Poets for an intensive week of workshops, craft seminars, one-on-one conferences, and in-depth discussions on the craft and business of writing. Our program is inclusive, intentionally small, and takes place in the middle of Literary Paris, rich with history and inspiration.
Our workshops are open to writers who want to strengthen their voice, develop a greater understanding of craft, and forge a path to publication along the way. We take your writing seriously and place the highest importance on teaching the craft of writing so that students can produce meaningful and memorable work that has the opportunity to find a readership beyond the workshop. Our mission is to bring your writing out of the wilderness and into community, and for a week every July we think there is no better place to do this than in the heart of Paris, France.
Find more information and apply here.