The following are ways I’m staying engaged with my local literary community this Spring. Events range from casual and free to more professional and paid. But you never know where inspiration will strike. I’m happy to meet local creative folks at any of the following events:
All the Write Stuff—A Workshop for Writers
March 17, 2018, free
Five free writing workshops taught by featured authors of the Kensington Day of the Book Festival.
Maryland Writers’ Conference 2018
March 23-24, 2018, $140-$330
Annual event hosted by the Maryland Writers’ Association (MWA). Baltimore seems to have an active writing community of its own, judging by online activity. I’m looking forward to finding inspiration from other genres like screenwriting and thrillers.
Kensington Day of the Book Festival
April 22, 2018, free
A welcoming, family-friend gathering catered towards readers and book lovers. Free books from BookCrossing are a welcome perk!
Washington Writers Conference 2018
May 4-5, 2018, $188-$280
An annual conference by the Washington Independent Review of Books. Great if you’ve got work ready to pitch to agents. I’ve already picked the ones I’m pitching to this year. Thanks The Writer’s Center you can get 10% off with the coupon WRITERSCENTER.
Conversations & Connections Conference
May 12, 2018, $75
This seems like an excellent value. Besides attendance, the registration fee earns you a featured book and a subscription to a participating literary magazine. I’m particularly looking forward to meeting the folks behind American Short Fiction, Barrelhouse, and the Gettysburg Review.
Gaithersburg Book Festival
May 19, 2018, free
Similar vibe to the Kensington Day of the Book Festival in April. Though when I last attended in 2014, there was a handy panel on submitting your work for publication. Cozy location in old town Gaithersburg.
Where else should I be going? Feel free to share events big & small in the comments.
Arsenal of Words 