Upcoming Writing Contests and Conferences in and Around Arkansas

It’s that time of year – time to get your contest submissions ready for fall writing conferences! Here is a list of some upcoming conferences and contests in and around Arkansas (I’m listing them in order of contest submission deadline):

 

Arkansas SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators) Retreat

This retreat is mainly for children’s book writers (picture book up through young adult books). There is usually an editor or an agent who critiques manuscripts (submitted in advance) and sometimes takes pitches. At some point in the weekend, the editor or agent usually speaks to the group, and there is usually at least one hands-on workshop. It is open to any children’s book writers (published or unpublished), but it costs more to attend if you are not a member of SCBWI.

Retreat Dates: October 18-20, 2013 – Fort Smith, Arkansas

Registration Deadline/Manuscript Submission Date: TBD (It will be posted on the website once the retreat opens for registration.)

Website: http://www.arkansasscbwi.org/retreat.html

Poets Roundtable of Arkansas (PRA) Fall Poetry Day Conference

This is the annual fall gathering of poets. There is usually either a speaker or a workshop. Often you can submit poems in advance for the speaker to critique. Non-member can attend. There is no charge for the conference, but there is a registration fee for the contests. Some of the contests are only open to PRA members, but contests 10-22 this year are open for entries from poets everywhere. Contests are listed on the website.

Conference Date: October 26, 2013 – Hot Springs, Arkansas

Postmark date for contest entries: August 15, 2013

Website: http://poetsroundtable.webs.com/contests

 

Ozark Creative Writers (OCW) Conference

This conference focuses on the various types of creative writing – everything from poetry and memoirs to genre fiction and song writing. There is usually at least one special speaker who speaks on various topics several times throughout the weekend. Typically they try to get an agent and/or and editor to speak and take pitches at the conference. Pitch sessions go fast, so sign up early. Hotel rooms in Eureka Springs also go fast in October, so book your room early, too. For the keynote sessions, they only have one speaker during that time slot, but they also have break-out sessions throughout the day where you can pick from two or three sessions and attend the one more relevant to you and your interests. Some of the sessions are workshops; some are not. You do have to register to attend the conference in order to enter the contests because the registration fee includes both. You can register after the contest entry date, but the registration fee goes up, and you can’t enter the contests after that date. They also have a book room where authors can sell their books.

Conference Date: October 10-12, 2013 – Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Postmark date for contest entries: August 31, 2013

Website: http://ozarkcreativewriters.com/

 

Ozarks Writers League (OWL) November Conference

This conference and its contests are only open to OWL members. A guest can attend the conference for $10, but cannot enter the contests. However, it is only $25 to become an OWL member for the year. Friday night is usually an awards dinner and Saturday is a speaker and/or workshop. They have tables where authors can sell their books. Contest details are on their website.

Conference Date: November 15-16, 2013 – Branson, Missouri

Postmark date for contest entries: September 1, 2013

Website: http://www.ozarkswritersleague.com/#!contests/coug

 

Maumelle Writers Conference

This will be the first year this conference has been held in a few year. The focus of this conference will be e-publishing. There are 5 contests associated with the conference and contest winners will be published in MauMag – The Maumelle Magazine.

Conference Date: November 2, 2013 – Maumelle, Arkansas

Postmark date for contest entries: September 7, 2013

Registration deadline: October 10, 2013 – You can register for the conference at the door, but lunch will not be included.

Website: http://www.maumellewritersconference.org/contests.htm

 

Missouri SCBWI Fall Conference

The Missouri branch of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators will host this conference. It will focus on children’s books from picture books through young adult and illustration. They will have an agent, an editor, and an illustrator speaking and handling critiques. They are only taking the first 150 people who register. I think non-SCBWI members can attend, but it costs more.

Conference Date: November 2-3, 2013 – St Charles, Missouri

Submission deadline for manuscript critiques: September 20, 2013

Registration deadline: October 15, 2013

Website: http://www.moscbwi.org/Fall_Conference/Index.html

 

If you live in another part of the US, visit http://writing.shawguides.com/ for a list of conferences in your area.

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