Beltway RESOURCE BANK Mid-Atlantic Regional Writers' Conferences and Festivals Artscape Annual festival of the literary, visual, and performing arts in Baltimore in July. Baltimore Book Festival Annual event in September includes readings, book fair, food, family events. Baltimore Playwrights Festival Annual summer event. Public readings and full productions of works by MD playwrights. Bay to Ocean Writers' Conference Annual winter conference in February in Easton, MD. Speakers, networking lunch, manuscript review service. Fees charged. Bethesda Literary Festival Annual event in April in Bethesda, MD includes readings, performances, exhibits, and book fairs. The Writers' Center hosts its annual Small Press Book Fair at the same time. Bread Loaf Writers' Conference Although based in Vermont, the conference director, Michael Collier, is local. Breadloaf is one of the oldest and most established literary conferences in the US. Bucknell Seminar for Younger Poets Annual summer retreat at Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Open ony to undergraduate poets. Workshops, lectures, readings, individual conferences. No fees, but entry is competitive. Celebration of Children's Literature Annual day-long conference in April in Chevy Chase, MD. Keynote speakers, workshops, illustrator's gallery, booksales, and lunch. Fees charged. Chautauqua Writers' Center Annual summer festival and conference in Chautauqua, NY. Workshops and readings; fees charged by the week. Conversations and Connections Annual day-long conference in May on publishing and marketing for creative writers, with panels, breakouts, keynote address, and speed dating with the editors. Fees charged. Creative Nonfiction Festival Annual event with readings, panel discussions, workshops, and a literary showcase. Takes place in early November in Pittsburgh, PA. Fall for the Book Annual literary festival at the end of September at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. Events including speakers, readings, poetry slams, and family events. F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference Annual conference in October in Rockville, MD. Readings, workshops, competitions, individual critiques, and the naming of the Fitzgeral Award for Outstanding Achievement in American Literature. Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Hosts a bi-annual poetry festival in Newark, NJ. Gettysburg Review Conference for Writers Summer conference with small, intensive workshops (each limited to 10 participants), panel discussions, and public readings.Takes place in June in Gettysburg, PA. Highland Summer Writers' Conference Annual summer event in June at Radford University, Radford, VA. Lectures, seminars, workshops. Fees charged. Hofstra University Summer Writing Workshops Annual summer conference in Hamstead, NY. Fees charged. Hurston/Wright Writers' Week Annual summer conference for African American writers at American University in DC. Workshops, individual conferences. Fees charged. International Day of the Book Street festival in April in Kensington, MD includes readings, musical performances, and family activities. James River Writers Festival Annual two-day festival in September hosted by the Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA. Readings, lectures, panels. Fees charged. John Milton Memorial Celebration of Poets and Poetry Annual one-day festival in Milton, DE that takes place on the weekend closest to Milton's birthday on December 9. Readings, workshops, panels, open mic, student events. Kundiman Retreat for Emerging Asian American Poets Annual one-week retreat in June at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Workshops and mentoring. Fees charged; some scholarships available. Maryland Writers' Association Conference Annual two-day conference in Baltimore in May. Keynote speaker, panels, workshops. Mid-Atlantic Creative Nonfiction Writers' Conference Annual 5-day conference in August on memoir, personal essay, and other forms of creative nonfiction, at Goucher College in Baltimore. Workshops, readings, manuscript evaluations, mentorships. Fees charged. National Book Festival Festival with readings, book signings, family events held every September on the National Mall in Washington, DC. New York State Summer Writers Institute Annual summer conference at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. Workshops, tutorials. Fees charged. Nightsun Writers Conference Annual weekend-long conference in Frostburg, MD. Offers workshops in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction. Omega Institute Offers workshops in a variety of subjects, including writing, year-round in Rhinebeck, NY. The focus is on "holistic studies" for wellness and personal growth. Most workshops 3-8 days. Fees charged. Pennsylvania Writers Conference Annual summer conference in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Seminars, readings, visiting editors and agents. Fees charged. Potomac Celtic Festival Annual event in Leesburg, VA includes poetry, drama, and storytelling along with performances, crafts, food, geneology. Celebrates the cultures of Cornwall, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Galicia, Asturies, and Brittany. "Pure Sea Glass" Writers Conference Annual two-day Spring conference in March at Dewey Beach, DE. Workshops, readings, discussions. Fees charged. Sarah Lawrence College Summer Seminar for Writers Annual summer conference in Bronxville, NY. Lectures, readings, workshops for writers age 21 and over. Fees charged; academic credit available. Small Press Festival Annual festival in Frostburg, MD, sponsored by the Frostburg State Center for Creative Writing and the Allegany County Libraries. Showcase and panels. Sotto Voce Poetry Festival Annual Fall festival in Shepherdstown, WV. Readings, workshops, family events. Split This Rock Poetry Festival Held in DC in even-numbered years, this national festival celebrates poetry of witness and provocation, with readings, panels, and more. Fees charged; some scholarships available. Spring Into Writing Annual writers' retreat co-hosted by the CityLit Project and the Frostburg State Center for Creative writing. Summer Writers Colony at the New School Annual summer 3-week workshop in NYC in June offered for academic credit or non-credit. Workshops, visiting faculty readings and discussions, private conferences, and excursions to literary venues. Fees charged. Tinker Mountain Writers' Workshop Annual summer conference at Hollins University in Roanoke, VA. Fees charged. Virginia Festival of the Book Annual conference on book art and small presses in March in Charlottesville, VA. Washington Writers' Conference Annual event sponsored by Washington Independent Writers, held in June in Washington, DC. Workshops, seminars, readings, networking. Fees charged. West Chester University Poetry Conference Annual summer conference in West Chester, PA. Fees charged. West Virginia Writers' Workshop Annual summer conference at West Virginia University in Morgantown. Workshops, individual conferences, lectures on craft, panels on publishing. Fees charged. William Patterson University Spring Writers Conference Annual one-day event in April in Wayne, NJ. Plenary reading and workshops. Fees charged. Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway Writing workshops one weekend every January in Cape May, NJ. Organized by Peter Murphy. Zen Mountain Retreats Zen relaxation, visualization, and mediation teachings, followed by writing exercises. Most workshops last 3 days; fees charged. Workshops offered year-round in Mt. Tremper, NY.   See Also: Mid-Atlantic Artist Retreats See http://washingtonart.com/beltway/resid.midatlantic.html   Last updated: 12/28/11