Florida WritersCon 2026
October 23 - 25, 2026
Orlando, FL
The Florida Writer’s Association Annual Conference is a weekend jam-packed with networking opportunities, workshops, awards, book signings, a Youth Summit, and more.
Activities include featured speakers, writing sprints, writing workshops, book signings, and an agent and publisher Q&A.
Past topics have featured fiction, non-fiction, screenwriting, poetry, craft instruction, and freelance opportunities.
Exhibitors will showcase character development, ways of giving feedback, screenwriting, comics, poetry, the power of story, and how to pitch an agent, Youth Royal Palm Literary Awards Lunch Banquet, Youth Collection Author Signing and much more.
Florida Writers Association (FWA) is a nonprofit 501(c)6 serving writers of all genres and all levels. FWA provides a professional atmosphere, a vast networking system, and valuable tools to succeed in today's publishing industry.
FWA continues to grow and encompasses some fifty chapters, two writing competitions, annual anthologies, a renowned annual writers conference, a program for youth writers, and more.
It’s motto, “Writers Helping Writers,” is demonstrated daily by their volunteers across the state of Florida and beyond. The Florida Writers Association embraces the diversity of its membership and faculty from across the State of Florida, the nation, and the globe.
Writers in Paradise
January 16 - 23, 2027
eckerd college, st. petersburg, FL
Writers in Paradise mission is to provide talented and hardworking writers of all levels and genres the opportunity to learn from and work with other writers under the guidance of masterful authors.
For an entire week, they strive to provide an open and nurturing environment where creativity, critical awareness and writing techniques can be exercised, fostered, and encouraged.
Every year they grow the conference to include new voices and ways of looking at writing and what it means to write in today’s market, while maintaining a core faculty of proven authors who are both successful in their genres and gifted in the classroom.
Their central premise has always been to help talented writers reach their intended audiences. They understand the complexities of putting together effective stories and poems, and this understanding and sensitivity makes their workshops popular and coveted.
One of their most important goals is to create community among participants, which is why the workshops are closed to all but those participants who submit manuscripts and are accepted into the workshop—one long time faculty member calls it “having skin in the game.” They believe that keeping workshops small allows for focus, productive criticism, and honesty .
SleuthFest
March 18 - 21, 2027
Orlando, FL
SleuthFest is one of the country’s premier craft conferences for writers of mystery, thriller, suspense, and crime fiction.
Hosted by the Florida Chapter of Mystery Writers of America, SleuthFest brings together aspiring authors, published writers, bestselling faculty, forensic experts, agents, editors, and industry professionals for a conference designed to help writers sharpen their craft, deepen their knowledge, and move their careers forward.
Over four days, attendees choose from a wide range of workshops, panels, interviews, presentations, and networking events. For writers seeking publication, SleuthFest also offers valuable access to the industry side of the business.
SleuthFest 2027 features an extraordinary lineup, including Guests of Honor Lisa Scottoline and Riley Sager; guest faculty Jennifer Hillier, Noelle Ihli, Stacy Willingham, and Jess Lourey; forensic experts Heather Walsh-Haney, Ph.D., and Dr. Sharon Plotkin, CCSI, Ed.D.; plus agents and editors looking for their next author to sign.
But SleuthFest is more than a schedule of panels and workshops. It is a place where writers find their people — where conversations continue after sessions, ideas spark over coffee, books are signed, friendships are formed, and attendees leave with new tools, new connections, and renewed excitement for their work.
KillerNashville
August 19 - 22, 2027
nashville, tn
Killer Nashville is the premier forum for all genres incorporating mystery, thriller, suspense, action, or romance elements; learn, present, meet agents & editors, sign books, mingle with forensic experts, and network.
The Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference was created in 2006 by author/filmmaker Clay Stafford in an effort to bring together forensic experts, writers, and fans of crime and thriller literature.
Their objective is simple: to educate and empower aspiring and established writers, and connect them with other industry professionals. They pride themselves on their intense, intimate workshops and panels, and on their close-knit community of writers.
At the conference, they try diligently to ensure that the weekend has something for every writer and lover of literature, and their sessions are structured to assist writers on multiple career levels. Their learning tracks tackle the craft of writing, business of writing, marketing, and forensics.
Killer Nashville features 140+ panels & workshops, nine breakout sessions for intense smaller group interaction, agent/editor roundtable pitch sessions, and the Killer Nashville Awards Dinner.