The Publishing Times
Conferences, workshops, conventions, and retreats for self-published authors and the publishing community. Subscribe to individual event reminders so you never miss a registration deadline.
Reedsy's series of live virtual events covering all aspects of self-publishing, from writing and editing to marketing and distribution.
["Expert-led webinars","Q&A with publishing professionals","Self-publishing how-to sessions","Free and paid tiers","On-demand replay access"]
A fantasy and gaming convention with strong crossover appeal for fantasy authors and readers. Features author panels alongside gaming events.
["Fantasy author panels","Gaming and fiction crossover programming","Author signings","Fantasy community networking","Dealer's room"]
Intimate writing workshops focused on children's and young adult literature. Held at the beautiful Highlights Foundation campus in Pennsylvania.
["Small group workshops (8-15 writers)","Children's and YA literature focus","Craft-intensive sessions","Beautiful rural Pennsylvania campus","Year-round workshop schedule"]
The IBPA Publishing University conference for independent publishers and self-published authors. Covers distribution, marketing, and the business of independent publishing.
["Independent publishing business sessions","Distribution and retail strategy","Marketing and publicity workshops","IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards","Community of independent publishers"]
The Alliance of Independent Authors' annual virtual conference. Covers the global self-publishing landscape, rights, and author business strategies.
["Global indie publishing perspectives","Rights and contracts sessions","Author business strategy","International distribution","ALLi community networking"]
The virtual version of the 20Books conference, bringing indie publishing education to authors worldwide. Covers KDP strategy, marketing, and income diversification.
["Live and recorded sessions","Global attendance from 50+ countries","KDP and wide distribution strategy","Marketing and advertising workshops","Community Q&A with top indie authors"]
The largest book trade show in North America. Brings together publishers, booksellers, librarians, agents, and authors. Critical for rights deals and industry networking.
["Publisher booth exhibits","Advance reader copy distribution","Rights and licensing meetings","Author signings","Bookseller and librarian networking"]
Mark Dawson's annual virtual event for indie authors. Covers Facebook Ads, Amazon Ads, and the full indie publishing business model.
["Facebook and Amazon Ads deep dives","Indie author income strategies","Guest speakers from the SPF community","Live Q&A sessions","Recorded access for ticket holders"]
The most prestigious science fiction and fantasy writing workshop in the world. An intensive 6-week residential program at UC San Diego.
["6-week intensive residential program","Instruction from award-winning SF/F authors","Daily critique workshops","Small cohort of 18 writers","Life-changing writing community"]
The American Library Association's annual conference. Important for authors seeking library distribution, speaking engagements, and institutional sales.
["Library market access","Author program opportunities","Advance reader copies","Librarian networking","Library distribution strategy sessions"]
The annual convention of International Thriller Writers, featuring CraftFest, PitchFest, and ThrillerFest. The only event dedicated exclusively to the thriller genre.
["CraftFest intensive workshops","PitchFest — pitch to agents directly","ITW Thriller Awards","Panels with bestselling thriller authors","Networking with the thriller writing community"]
An intensive two-week residential workshop for science fiction and fantasy writers. Taught by Walter Jon Williams and Nancy Kress.
["Two-week intensive residential workshop","SF/F genre focus","Expert instruction from published authors","Daily critique sessions","Small cohort for personalized feedback"]
The premier conference for romance writers, covering craft, business, and the romance publishing industry. Includes the prestigious RITA Awards ceremony.
["RITA Awards ceremony","Agent and editor appointments","Genre-specific craft workshops","Self-publishing track for romance authors","Literacy autographing event open to public"]
One of the most prestigious writing conferences in the US, covering craft, publishing, and the business of writing for both traditional and self-published authors.
["Agent pitch sessions","Craft workshops from bestselling authors","Publishing industry panels","Self-publishing track","Networking with agents and editors"]
One of the largest writing conferences on the West Coast, covering all genres and publishing paths including self-publishing, traditional, and hybrid.
["Agent pitch appointments","Craft workshops across all genres","Self-publishing track","Screenwriting sessions","Pacific Northwest writing community"]
One of the oldest and most prestigious literary writing conferences in the US. Held at the Bread Loaf campus in Vermont, it focuses on literary fiction, poetry, and nonfiction.
["10-day residential writing retreat","Workshops with literary fiction authors","Agent and editor meetings","Scholarship opportunities","Historic Vermont campus setting"]
A mystery, thriller, and suspense writers' convention in Nashville. Features the Silver Falchion Awards and a welcoming community for both new and established authors.
["Silver Falchion Awards","Agent and editor pitch sessions","Mystery and thriller craft workshops","Law enforcement and forensics panels","Welcoming community for new authors"]
The World Science Fiction Convention, home of the Hugo Awards. The oldest and most prestigious SF/F fan and professional convention in the world.
["Hugo Awards ceremony","Professional and fan programming","Dealer's room and art show","Masquerade costume competition","International SF/F community"]
One of the largest fan conventions in the world, covering science fiction, fantasy, gaming, comics, and more. A major venue for genre authors to meet readers.
["Author track programming","Reader-author meetups","Dealer's room","Cosplay and masquerade","Multi-genre fan community"]
The world's largest mystery fan and author convention. Named after Anthony Boucher, it brings together mystery writers, fans, agents, and publishers.
["Anthony Awards ceremony","Author panels and readings","Agent and editor meetings","Fan-author interaction","Mystery genre community networking"]
The Writing Excuses podcast's annual writing retreat aboard a cruise ship. Features intensive workshops with Brandon Sanderson, Mary Robinette Kowal, and other SF/F authors.
["Intensive craft workshops at sea","Brandon Sanderson and co-hosts as instructors","Small group critique sessions","Caribbean cruise setting","SF/F genre focus"]
Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers' annual conference. Strong craft focus with agent pitch sessions and a welcoming community for writers at all stages.
["Agent pitch sessions","Craft workshops","Colorado Gold writing contest","Indie publishing track","Rocky Mountain writing community"]
Publishers Weekly's annual summit for self-published authors. Covers discovery, marketing, and building a sustainable indie author career.
["Publishers Weekly editorial insights","Indie author marketing strategies","Distribution and retail access","Industry trend analysis","Networking with PW editors and staff"]
A professional conference exclusively for multi-published novelists. Covers the business side of fiction writing with a strong indie publishing focus.
["Business-focused sessions for working authors","Indie publishing deep dives","Contract and rights negotiation workshops","Income diversification strategies","Exclusive to published novelists"]
The premier professional convention for fantasy writers, editors, agents, and publishers. Known for the World Fantasy Awards and intimate professional networking.
["World Fantasy Awards","Professional networking with editors and agents","Fantasy genre panels","Small press and indie publishing discussions","Intimate professional atmosphere"]
The largest indie author conference in the world. Formerly known as 20Books Vegas. Thousands of self-published authors gather to learn marketing, craft, and business strategies.
["Largest indie author event globally","Expert panels on KDP, marketing, and income","Networking with 3,000+ authors","Workshops on ads, covers, and publishing strategy","Vendor hall with publishing service providers"]
The original 20Books conference focused on writing 20 books to financial independence. Now merged with AuthorNation but retains its own brand and community.
["Write-to-market strategy sessions","Income diversification workshops","Kindle Unlimited deep dives","Rapid release publishing tactics","Community of high-volume indie authors"]
The self-publishing community gathers at dozens of conferences, workshops, and conventions throughout the year. From the flagship AuthorNation conference in Las Vegas to intimate genre-specific retreats, these events offer networking, craft development, and direct access to industry professionals.
Major events like 20Books Vegas, Writer's Digest Conference, and Romance Writers of America attract thousands of authors and provide unparalleled opportunities for learning and community building. Virtual events have expanded access for authors worldwide.
Subscribe to individual event reminders to receive email notifications 30 days, 7 days, and 1 day before each event begins. Download .ics files to add events directly to Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or Outlook.
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