Genre: Poetry

The 22nd annual James River Writers Conference was held online and in person from October 4 to October 6 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond. The conference started with online master classes on October 4; the following two days of programming included in-person pitch sessions with literary agents, first page and query letter critiques, workshops, panels, networking opportunities, and a poetry showcase for poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers. Participating writers included poets Courtney LeBlanc, Joanna S. Lee, and Junious “Jay” Ward; fiction writers Cheryl A.

The tenth annual Inkubator Writing Conference, sponsored by Literary Cleveland, was held on September 20 and September 21 at the Cleveland Public Library in downtown Cleveland. The conference featured workshops, craft talks, panel discussions, and readings for poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers to help “empower writers, celebrate literary excellence, and amplify diverse voices.” The 2024 theme was “Create Dangerously.” Participating writers included poet Yalie Saweda Kamara, fiction writers Peter Ho Davies and Madeline ffitch, and nonfiction writer Loung Ung.

The 2024 Texas Book Festival was held on November 16 and November 17 in downtown Austin. The festival featured panels and discussions with more than 250 authors and hosts nearly 100 exhibitions from magazines, presses, and other literary organizations. Participating writers included poet and nonfiction writer KB Brookins, fiction writer Rachel Khong, fiction and nonfiction writer Danzy Senna, and nonfiction writers Xochitl Gonzalez, Megan Kimble, and Sarah Smarsh. Most of the festival’s events were free and open to the public; the cost of tickets for select events ranged from $30 to $40.

The Djerassi Resident Artists Program offers monthlong residencies from February through November to poets, fiction writers, creative nonfiction writers, and translators on a 583-acre ranch in the Santa Cruz Mountains, approximately 37 miles south of San Francisco. Residents are provided with lodging, meals, and studio space. To apply for residencies in 2025, writers submitted up to 10 pages of poetry (excerpts of a longer poem are accepted) or no more than 30 pages of prose and a curriculum vitae with a $40 application fee by October 1.