Writing Conferences and Retreats
Click here for an extensive list of writing conferences and retreats around the state and the country.
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2026 Book Passage Mystery Writers Conference
Friday, July 17 – Sunday, July 19, 2026
$675
In 2026, the Book Passage Mystery Writers Conference will be celebrating its 32nd year, and its reputation among writers continues to grow. It covers everything mystery writers need, from developing ideas and writing skills to finding an agent and publisher.
The Conference’s collegial atmosphere really sets it apart. From the opening session to the closing reception, participants and faculty spend a lot of time together in meals, informal gatherings, and evening presentations. Participants come to the Conference from all over the country to learn the craft of mystery writing, and many of them return to hone their craft in repeat visits.
Here’s what you’ll find at this 3-day Conference:
- Authors offer classes on setting, dialogue, and character development.
- Editors, agents, and publishers tell participants what they need to know to get published.
- Writers in the various mystery genres show how to write about private eyes, amateur sleuths, cyber-crimes, and police protagonists, as well as stories in historical settings.
- Participants learn how to work with editors, agents, and publicists.
- Conferees meet with panels of detectives, forensic experts, prosecutors, defense lawyers and other crime-fighting professionals who share their expertise and help authors bring realism to their writing.
- Optional, private evaluations of manuscripts can be arranged for Conference participants.
- Many delicious and healthy meals are included in the conference, served on our beautiful outdoor patio.
To register and for details on schedule, conference faculty and pre-conference classes: bookpassage.com/mystery
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Napa Valley Writer’s Conference Literary Events
Sunday-Friday, July 26-31, 2026
Readings, craft workshops, and community classes are open to the public. Craft talks are on poetry and fiction. Readers and presenters include Jane Hirshfield, Lan Samantha Chang, Paul Harding, Dana Levin and others.
Literary events schedule: napawritersconference.org/public-events
Each daytime event takes place on the Napa Valley College main campus, at 2277 Napa Vallejo Hwy, Napa.
2026 PRICING for public admission (tickets sold on-site prior to each Reading and Craft Talk, no tickets sold in advance or online)
Individual reading: $20
Individual craft talk: $25
Full week pass (all craft talks and readings): $275
Lectures-only pass (all 9 craft talks): $200
Readings-only pass (all 5 readings): $90
Single-day pass (two lectures and one reading): $65
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Mendocino Coast Writers Conference
July 30-August 1, 2026
The Mendocino Coast Writers’ Conference is a vibrant gathering that offers Morning Workshops in a wide range of genres. Afternoons are packed with craft seminars, panels, one-on-one consultations, and open mics; and every evening offers an opportunity to enjoy the camaraderie and connection that make this conference, in the words of one participant, “life changing.”
Questions can be directed to MCWC Operations Manager Charity Yoro at info@mcwc.org and Executive Director Lisa Locascio Nighthawk at director@mcwc.org.
General registration opened in April of 2026. For more information please visit mcwc.org.
Spring Seminar Series:
The Mendocino Coast Writers’ Conference will be hosting a virtual Spring Seminar Series to support fundraising for the 2026 conference, featuring Jeanne Thornton, MJ Jones, Susanna Kwan, Emily Lloyd-Jones, Roberto Lovato and more. Look for these writing seminars on our Workshops page and here: mcwc.org/spring-generative-series
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Life in Small Bites: Memoir for Busy People
A Short Form Memoir Workshop with Susan Bono at ArtStays
Session II: September 16-20
For over 100 years, Emandal Farming Resort has offered summer getaways in a pristine setting on the Eel River near Willitts. At its annual ArtStays creativity camps for adults, skilled instructors offer classes in basketmaking, glass mosaic, quilting, writing, birding, and more. ArtStays campers enjoy outstanding, farm-grown, organic meals, private cabins or farmhouse rooms, comfortable beds, hiking trails, perfect swimming holes, warm days and starry nights, and best of all, time and encouragement to create.
The theme for Susan Bono’s Short Form Memoir workshop September 16-20 is “Day and Night.” In this workshop we’ll explore how time of day—and the particular light it casts—shapes memory and meaning. Learn how attending to the way light falls can enrich your scenes and reveal what has been previously hiding in broad daylight, deepest night, and every hour between.
Long-time editor, writing teacher, and workshop leader Susan Bono is the author of What Have We Here: Essays about Keeping House and Finding Home. She edited and published Tiny Lights: A Journal of Personal Narrative from 1995-2015. She’s taught at ArtStays since its inception in 2014.
For ArtStays info and registration: Emandal ArtStays. For questions about the class, contact Susan: sbono@tiny-lights.com
Want to be fed while you work on your own? A limited number of writers and artists with independent projects can attend this session at a reduced rate. Contact director Tam Adams through the Emandal website.
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Better Books: A Craft-Based Workshop for Middle Grade & Young Adult Writers
October 24–27, 2026
Better Books Marin has a few spots remaining for its October 24–27, 2026 workshop at the Vallombrosa Center, Menlo Park. So many middle grade and young adult writers credit the workshop for helping them improve their craft, expand their community, find their critique mates, polish their manuscripts, and/or meet their agent or editor.
Limited to fewer than 25 seasoned writers, Better Books is designed to provide deep immersion in craft, discussion, and high-level critique. You need not be published, but we ask that you’ve completed at least one middle-grade or YA manuscript. Workshop fee includes food, lodging, informative sessions, and a written and oral critique of 25 pages. Faculty this year: Gary D. Schmidt, Newbery and Prince Honor; Irene Vázquez, Editor at Levine Querido; Sheyla Knigge, agent with High Line Literary Collective; and Hannah Teachout, literary assistant at Folio Literary Management.
Details and application instructions can be found at betterbooksmarin.com. One scholarship for underrepresented voices is still available. Any questions, you can reach out to Darcey at darceyr@comcast.com.
