Beltway RESOURCE BANK Mid-Atlantic Regional Writers' Conferences and Festivals Artscape Annual festival of the literary, visual, and performing arts in Baltimore in July. Baltimore Book Festival Annual event in September includes readings, book fair, food, family events. Baltimore Playwrights Festival Annual summer event. Public readings and full productions of works by MD playwrights. Baltimore Shakespeare Annual summer festival, plus artist-in-residence programs in public schools and productions of individual plays. Bay to Ocean Writers' Conference Annual winter conference in February in Easton, MD. Speakers, networking lunch, manuscript review service. Fees charged. Bethesda Literary Festival Annual event in April in Bethesda, MD includes readings, performances, exhibits, and book fairs. The Writers' Center hosts its annual Small Press Book Fair at the same time. Bucknell Seminar for Younger Poets Annual summer retreat at Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Open ony to undergraduate poets. Workshops, lectures, readings, individual conferences. No fees, but entry is competitive. Capital BookFest Annual Fall festival in Prince George's County, MD. Readings, panels, family events, small press fair. Celebration of Children's Literature Annual day-long conference in April in Chevy Chase, MD. Keynote speakers, workshops, illustrator's gallery, booksales, and lunch. Fees charged. Chautauqua Writers' Center Annual summer festival and conference in Chautauqua, NY. Workshops and readings; fees charged by the week. Conversations and Connections Annual day-long conference in May on publishing and marketing for creative writers, with panels, breakouts, keynote address, and speed dating with the editors. Fees charged. Creative Nonfiction Festival Annual event with readings, panel discussions, workshops, and a literary showcase. Takes place in early November in Pittsburgh, PA. Delaware Book Fair Held in November in Dover at the Firat State Heritage Park. Includes readings and book signings. Fall for the Book Annual literary festival at the end of September at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. Events including speakers, readings, poetry slams, and family events. F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference Annual conference in October in Rockville, MD. Readings, workshops, competitions, individual critiques, and the naming of the Fitzgeral Award for Outstanding Achievement in American Literature. Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Hosts the largest poetry event in North America: four days of special events for students and teachers, and some of the top American poets reading and leading workshops. Biennial festival in September in Waterloo, NJ. Gettysburg Review Conference for Writers Summer conference with small, intensive workshops (each limited to 10 participants), panel discussions, and public readings.Takes place in June in Gettysburg, PA. Highland Summer Writers' Conference Annual summer event in June at Radford University, Radford, VA. Lectures, seminars, workshops. Fees charged. Hofstra University Summer Writing Workshops Annual summer conference in Hamstead, NY. Fees charged. Hurston/Wright Writers' Week Annual summer conference for African American writers at American University in DC. Workshops, individual conferences. Fees charged. International Day of the Book Street festival in April in Kensington, MD includes readings, musical performances, and family activities. James River Writers Festival Annual two-day festival in September hosted by the Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA. Readings, lectures, panels. Fees charged. John Milton Memorial Celebration of Poets and Poetry Annual one-day festival in Milton, DE that takes place on the weekend closest to Milton's birthday on December 9. Readings, workshops, panels, open mic, student events. Kundiman Retreat for Emerging Asian American Poets Annual one-week retreat in June at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Workshops and mentoring. Fees charged; some scholarships available. Ligonier Valley Writers Conference Annual weekend writing workshop in July with seminars, social events, and networking. Open to writers at all stages and levels. Manhattanville Summer Writers' Week Annual 5-day workshop in Purchase, NY in June. Morning workshops, afternoon special events (including seminars, readings, and panel with editors and agents). Fees charged. Maryland Writers' Association Conference Annual two-day conference in Baltimore in May. Keynote speaker, panels, workshops. Mid-Atlantic Creative Nonfiction Writers' Conference Annual 5-day conference in August on memoir, personal essay, and other forms of creative nonfiction, at Goucher College in Baltimore. Workshops, readings, manuscript evaluations, mentorships. Fees charged. Montgomery County Community College Annual Writers Conference 2-day conference in November in Blue Bell, PA. Keynote, panels, workshops, agent appointments, book signings. Fees charged. National Book Festival Festival with readings, book signings, family events held every September on the National Mall in Washington, DC. New York State Summer Writers Institute Annual summer conference at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. Workshops, tutorials. Fees charged. Omega Institute Offers workshops in a variety of subjects, including writing, year-round in Rhinebeck, NY. The focus is on "holistic studies" for wellness and personal growth. Most workshops 3-8 days. Fees charged. Pennsylvania Writers Conference Annual summer conference in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Seminars, readings, visiting editors and agents. Fees charged. Potomac Celtic Festival Annual event in Leesburg, VA includes poetry, drama, and storytelling along with performances, crafts, food, geneology. Celebrates the cultures of Cornwall, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Galicia, Asturies, and Brittany. "Pure Sea Glass" Writers Conference Annual two-day Spring conference in March at Dewey Beach, DE. Workshops, readings, discussions. Fees charged. Sarah Lawrence College Summer Seminar for Writers Annual summer conference in Bronxville, NY. Lectures, readings, workshops for writers age 21 and over. Fees charged; academic credit available. Sotto Voce Poetry Festival Annual Fall festival in Shepherdstown, WV. Readings, workshops, family events. Southampton College Writers Conference Annual conference of 5-12 days in July and August in the Hamptons in New York State. Workshops, lectures, readings, small group discussions. Open to new and established writers, teachers, and editors. Fees charged. Split This Rock Poetry Festival Held in DC in even-numbered years, this national festival celebrates poetry of witness and provocation, with readings, panels, and more. Fees charged; some scholarships available. Summer Writers Colony at the New School Annual summer 3-week workshop in NYC in June offered for academic credit or non-credit. Workshops, visiting faculty readings and discussions, private conferences, and excursions to literary venues. Fees charged. Tinker Mountain Writers' Workshop Annual summer conference at Hollins University in Roanoke, VA. Fees charged. Virginia Festival of the Book Annual conference on book art and small presses in March in Charlottesville, VA. Washington Writers' Conference Annual event sponsored by Washington Independent Writers, held in June in Washington, DC. Workshops, seminars, readings, networking. Fees charged. West Chester University Poetry Conference Annual summer conference in West Chester, PA. Fees charged. West Virginia Book Festival Fall festival in October in Charleston, WV includes readings, free book appraisals, panels. West Virginia Writers' Workshop Annual summer conference at West Virginia University in Morgantown. Workshops, individual conferences, lectures on craft, panels on publishing. Fees charged. William Patterson University Spring Writers Conference Annual one-day event in April in Wayne, NJ. Plenary reading and workshops. Fees charged. Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway Writing workshops one weekend every January in Cape May, NJ. Organized by Peter Murphy. Zen Mountain Retreats Zen relaxation, visualization, and mediation teachings, followed by writing exercises. Most workshops last 3 days; fees charged. Workshops offered year-round in Mt. Tremper, NY.   See Also: Mid-Atlantic Artist Retreats See http://washingtonart.com/beltway/resid.midatlantic.html