Beltway RESOURCE BANK
Mid-Atlantic Regional Writers' Conferences and Festivals
Artscape
Annual festival of the literary, visual, and performing arts in Baltimore in July.
http://www.artscape.orgBaltimore Book Festival
Annual event in September includes readings, book fair, food, family events.
http://www.bop.orgBaltimore Playwrights Festival
Annual summer event. Public readings and full productions of works by MD playwrights.
http://www.baltimoreplaywrightsfestival.orgBaltimore Shakespeare
Annual summer festival, plus artist-in-residence programs in public schools and productions of individual plays.
http://www.baltimoreshakespeare.orgBay to Ocean Writers' Conference
Annual winter conference in February in Easton, MD. Speakers, networking lunch, manuscript review service. Fees charged.
http://www.talb.lib.md.us/baytooceanBethesda 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.
http://www.bethesda.orgBucknell 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.
http://www.departments.bucknell.edu/stadler_center/Capital BookFest
Annual Fall festival in Prince George's County, MD. Readings, panels, family events, small press fair.
http://www.capitalbookfest.comCelebration 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.
http://www.childrensbookguild.org/Chautauqua Writers' Center
Annual summer festival and conference in Chautauqua, NY. Workshops and readings; fees charged by the week.
http://www.ciweb.orgConversations 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.
http://writersconnectconference.com/wordpress/Creative Nonfiction Festival
Annual event with readings, panel discussions, workshops, and a literary showcase. Takes place in early November in Pittsburgh, PA.
http://www.creativenonfiction.orgDelaware Book Fair
Held in November in Dover at the Firat State Heritage Park. Includes readings and book signings.
http://www.state.lib.de.us/Center_For_The_Book/Festival/festival.pdfFall 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.
http://www.fallforthebook.orgF. 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.
http://www.peerlessrockville.org/FSFGeraldine R. Dodge Foundation
Hosts the largest poetry event in North America: four days of special events for students and teachers, and some of the top American poets reading and leading workshops. Biennial festival in September in Waterloo, NJ.
http://www.grdodge.org/poetryGettysburg 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.
http://www.gettysburgreview.comHighland Summer Writers' Conference
Annual summer event in June at Radford University, Radford, VA. Lectures, seminars, workshops. Fees charged.
http//www.radford.eduHofstra University Summer Writing Workshops
Annual summer conference in Hamstead, NY. Fees charged.
http://www.hofstrra.edu/ucce/summerwritingHurston/Wright Writers' Week
Annual summer conference for African American writers at American University in DC. Workshops, individual conferences. Fees charged.
http://www.hurston-wright.orgInternational Day of the Book
Street festival in April in Kensington, MD includes readings, musical performances, and family activities.
http://www.dayofthebook.comJames River Writers Festival
Annual two-day festival in September hosted by the Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA. Readings, lectures, panels. Fees charged.
http://www.jrwf.orgJohn 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. Modest fee charged.
http://www.miltonpoetryfest.orgKundiman 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.
http://kundiman.orgLigonier Valley Writers Conference
Annual weekend writing workshop in July with seminars, social events, and networking. Open to writers at all stages and levels.
http://ligoniervalleywriters.orgManhattanville Summer Writers' Week
Annual 5-day workshop in Purchase, NY in June. Morning workshops, afternoon special events (including seminars, readings, and panel with editors and agents). Fees charged.
http://www.mville.edu/AcademicsandResearch/DowdOGormanWritingCenter/SummerWritersWeek/Default.aspxMaryland Writers' Association Conference
Annual two-day conference in Baltimore in May. Keynote speaker, panels, workshops.
http://www.marylandwriters.org/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.
http://www.goucher.edu/cnfMontgomery County Community College Annual Writers Conference
2-day conference in November in Blue Bell, PA. Keynote, panels, workshops, agent appointments, book signings. Fees charged.
http://www.mc3.edu/writers-conf/National Book Festival
Festival with readings, book signings, family events held every September on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
http://www.loc.gov/bookfestNew York State Summer Writers Institute
Annual summer conference at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. Workshops, tutorials. Fees charged.
http://www.skidmore.eduOmega 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.
http://www.eomega.org/Pennsylvania Writers Conference
Annual summer conference in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Seminars, readings, visiting editors and agents. Fees charged.
http://www.wilkes.eduPotomac 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.
http://www.potomaccelticfest.org"Pure Sea Glass" Writers Conference
Annual two-day Spring conference in March at Dewey Beach, DE. Workshops, readings, discussions. Fees charged.
http://www.writersatthebeach.comSarah 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.
http://www.slc.edu/summerSotto Voce Poetry Festival
Annual Fall festival in Shepherdstown, WV. Readings, workshops, family events.
http://www.somondocopress.com/sottovoceSouthampton College Writers Conference
Annual conference of 5-12 days in July and August in the Hamptons in New York State. Workshops, lectures, readings, small group discussions. Open to new and established writers, teachers, and editors. Fees charged.
http://www.southampton.liu.edu/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.
http://www.newschool.edu/summerwriters/Tinker Mountain Writers' Workshop
Annual summer conference at Hollins University in Roanoke, VA. Fees charged.
http://www.hollins.edu/tmwwVirginia Festival of the Book
Annual conference on book art and small presses in March in Charlottesville, VA.
http://www.vabook.orgWashington Writers' Conference
Annual event sponsored by Washington Independent Writers, held in June in Washington, DC. Workshops, seminars, readings, networking. Fees charged.
http://www.washwriter.orgWest Chester University Poetry Conference
Annual summer conference in West Chester, PA. Fees charged.
http://www.wcupa.edu/_ACADEMICS/sch_cas/poetry/West Virginia Book Festival
Fall festival in October in Charleston, WV includes readings, free book appraisals, panels.
http://www.wvhumanities.org/bookfest/bookfest2.htmWest Virginia Writers' Workshop
Annual summer conference at West Virginia University in Morgantown. Workshops, individual conferences, lectures on craft, panels on publishing. Fees charged.
http://www.as.wvu.edu/english/cwWilliam Patterson University Spring Writers Conference
Annual one-day event in April in Wayne, NJ. Plenary reading and workshops. Fees charged.
http://euphrates.wpunj.edu/faculty/parrasj/Conference/default.htmWinter Poetry & Prose Getaway
Writing workshops one weekend every January in Cape May, NJ. Organized by Peter Murphy.
http://www.wintergetaway.comZen 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.
http://www.mro.org/zmm/retreats/
See Also:
Mid-Atlantic Artist Retreats
See http://washingtonart.com/beltway/resid.midatlantic.html