Atlanta Writers Conference

The fall 2024 Atlanta Writers Conference, sponsored by the Atlanta Writers Club, was held on November 1 and November 2 at the Westin Atlanta Airport Hotel. The conference included a book fair featuring attendees’ books; presentations on the craft and business of writing, including a workshop on “The Biggest Mistakes Writers Make” led by editor Tiffany Yates Martin (FoxPrint Editorial); agent and editor pitch sessions; manuscript sample critiques; query letter critiques; and Q&A panels for poetry, fiction, and nonfiction writers. Virtual participation was available for all agent and editor pitch sessions, query letter critiques, and manuscript sample critiques. Participating publishing professionals included editors Claire Cheek (St. Martin’s Press), Jennica Dotson (Literary Wanderlust), Sierra Fang-Horvath (Gallery Books), Brittany Groves (Feiwel & Friends), Evan Hansen-Bundy (Algonquin Books), Mike Hilbig (Madville Publishing), Marc A. Jolley (Mercer University Press), and Olivia Turner (Sourcebooks) and literary agents Christine Gross (Purcell Agency), Mara Hollander (FinePrint Literary Management), Ameerah Holliday (Serendipity Literary Agency), Carrie Howland (Howland Literary), Kesia Lupo (Bindery Literary Agency), Kimberly Peticolas (Rudy Agency), Isabelle Radler (Codex Literary Agency), and Morgan Wilson (Belcastro Agency). The cost of a single event ranged from $50 to $180; the cost of the full conference was $660. Registration for a table to sell merchandise at the book fair was $40. For nonmembers of the Atlanta Writers Club, an additional $60 membership fee was required. Lodging at the conference hotel was offered at a discounted rate of $159 per night until October 10. General registration was rolling through November 2; the deadline to submit a manuscript for critique was September 29. Attendees participating virtually submitted a query letter for critique by October 29 and one for pitch sessions by November 1. Visit the website for more information.

Accessibility accommodations include elevators in all multilevel event spaces; accessible sidewalks, pathways, and doorways; accessible bathrooms; accessible parking; closed captioning for virtual programming; and signage in Braille. Reserved seating and ASL interpretation are available with advance request. Contact the conference director via phone or e-mail by October 18 for requests or additional accessibility details.