North Carolina Writers’ Network Fall Conference

The 2024 North Carolina Writers’ Network Fall Conference was held from November 1 to November 3 at the DoubleTree Asheville-Biltmore hotel in Asheville, North Carolina. The conference featured classes in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as conversations and panel discussions on the craft and business of writing, open mic sessions, faculty readings, and one-on-one manuscript critiques with agents or editors. The faculty included poets Brandon Amico, Mildred Barya, Keith Flynn, Ross White, and Annie Woodford; fiction writers Tessa Fontaine, Robert Gipe, Heather Newton, and Zackary Vernon; and creative nonfiction writers Rachel M. Hanson, Jeremy B. Jones, Ronni Lundy, Jennifer McGaha, and Alysia Li Ying Sawchyn. Participating publishing professionals included agent Lucy Cleland (Calligraph), publicists Caroline Green Christopoulos and Lauren Harr (Gold Leaf Literary Services), and publishers Meg Reid (Hub City Press) and Alyson Sinclair (Rumpus). The cost of the full conference was $495 ($345 for NCWN members). General registration was available through October 25. To apply for a manuscript critique, writers submitted up to 20 pages of poetry or prose with an additional $175 by October 18. A limited number of full and partial scholarships were available; to apply, writers submitted a curriculum vitae and a statement of intent along with the standard application materials by October 11. Lodging was available at the conference hotel at a nightly rate of $150. Visit the website for more information.

Accessibility accommodations include accessible sidewalks, pathways, and doorways; accessible restrooms and event spaces; accessible parking; and closed captioning for online programming. ASL interpretation and conference materials in Braille or large print are available with advance request by October 20. Contact the NCWN staff at mail@ncwriters.org for additional accessibility details.