Hampton Roads Writers Conference

The 16th annual Hampton Roads Writers Conference was from November 7 to November 9 at the Holiday Inn Virginia Beach Norfolk Hotel and Conference Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The conference featured agent pitch sessions, critique sessions, and craft and publishing classes for poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers. Participating writers included poets Henry Hart and Kathy Smaltz; fiction writers Jody Hobbs Hesler, BettyJoyce Nash, and A.D. Nauman; and nonfiction writers Kate Lewis and Kyle Marie McMahon. Participating publishing professionals included agents Jackie Kruzie (Focused Artists), La Sheera Lee (SBR Media), and Nikki Terpilowski (Holloway Literary Agency). The cost of the conference, which included daily continental breakfast and lunch, a 90-minute social event, and an open mic, was $349 for members and $389 for nonmembers with registration by October 25, or $429 with registration by November 8. Online registration ended on November 6. Walk-in registration on November 9 was $215. The cost of a one-day pass was $210 for members and $250 for nonmembers; one- and two-day passes were available to full-time students for $175 and $225, respectively. Lodging was available at the Holiday Inn at a rate of approximately $162 per night (with booking by October 8); nearby motels were available at a lower cost. A limited number of full and partial scholarships were available based on financial need; requests were made by contacting the executive director via e-mail before registering or at the time of registration. Visit the website for more information.

Accessibility accommodations include elevators in all multilevel event spaces; accessible sidewalks, pathways, and doorways; accessible restrooms; reserved seating at the front of the venue’s event spaces; and accessible parking.