Writefest FAQ
WHERE DOES WRITEFEST TAKE PLACE?
The Writefest Workshop and weekend festival will take place online via zoom. Open Mics & Readings will take place in-person at locations in Houston.
WHAT IS WRITEFEST?
Writefest is a week-long writers festival in Houston, TX. It is hosted by Writespace, Houston's grassroots nonprofit literary arts center. The festival kicks off with a series of Monday-Thursday workshops and culminates in a weekend filled with panels and presentations by local and national writers, agents and book editors, literary journal editors of all genres, a literary journal and book fair free and open to the public, and a variety of free off-site events.
WHEN IS WRITEFEST?
Monday, May 4 - Sunday, May 10, 2020.
The weekday workshops will take place Monday, May 4 - Thursday, May 7.
The conference will take place Friday, May 8 - Sunday, May 10.
The free literary journal and book fair will take place Saturday, May 10.
The weekday workshops will take place Monday, May 4 - Thursday, May 7.
The conference will take place Friday, May 8 - Sunday, May 10.
The free literary journal and book fair will take place Saturday, May 10.
WHO IS WRITEFEST?
Writefest is hosted by Writespace, Housotn's a grassroots nonprofit literary arts organization founded by writers, for writers. At Writespace, we support writers of all genres, including writers of literary fiction, poetry, science-fiction, fantasy, mystery, young adult, and other genres. Through our weekly writing workshops led by some of Houston's finest writing teachers, we seek to give writers who can't afford to earn an MFA in Creative Writing the same high-quality training and mentorship opportunities available through MFA programs.
As well as offering regular weekly workshops, Writespace offers manuscript consultations, write-ins, readings and open mics, and private lessons for young writers. At Writespace, we plan to have such a positive impact on the local and the global writing community that great books that would not have been written will now be written.
As well as offering regular weekly workshops, Writespace offers manuscript consultations, write-ins, readings and open mics, and private lessons for young writers. At Writespace, we plan to have such a positive impact on the local and the global writing community that great books that would not have been written will now be written.
I’M A WRITER. HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?
There are three festival passes. The Full Pass gets you access to a four-day workshop in the genre of your choice and access to our weekend festival with panels, presentations, and a book and literary journal fair. The Two Day Pass gets you access to the weekend events only. The One Day Pass allows you to attend Friday or Saturday events.
Lastly, if you don’t have the cash to attend this year you can still visit our off-site events which take place in the evenings and are free and open to the public.
Lastly, if you don’t have the cash to attend this year you can still visit our off-site events which take place in the evenings and are free and open to the public.
I’M AN EDITOR OR AGENT. HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?
We are in the process of developing our 2019 schedule, so please send us an email if you are interested in presenting or securing a table.
I WORK FOR A NONPROFIT/BOOKSELLER/OTHER ORGANIZATION. HOW DO WE PARTICIPATE?
WHAT IS A Book and LITERARY JOURNAL FAIR?
Similar to events like AWP, our book and literary journal fair is a chance for writers and editors to meet. At the fair, publishers, literary journals, and local organizations will have tables set up to sell merchandise and services. The fair is open to the public from 9am-5pm on Saturday, May 9, 2020. To see a list of 2020 participating journals and publishers, click here.
I’m new to writing. Is this an event for me?
Writefest is meant for new writers! Our four-day workshops are headed by instructors familiar with working with writers of all genres and experience levels. Much of our weekend programming will feature panels and presentations geared specifically to emerging, new writers who want to learn about the publication process.
I’m an old hand at this writing stuff. Is this an event for me?
Writefest is a beneficial conference for experienced writers to attend. Maybe you’d like to register for a one-on-one session with an agent to explore new publication options.Maybe you’ve published novels but want to learn about short forms, or perhaps you just want to meet other writers and editors. Join us at a reading to hear local and not-so-local authors, or take a workshop to receive feedback on a work-in-progress or to start a new project. Our event is for you too!
How do I volunteer?
Contact information for volunteering is available here. Volunteers receive free access to our weekend programming and discounts on workshops, in exchange for arriving on time to set up, assisting during the festival, and attending two short meetings in the weeks preceding the festival.
Is there an Official Writefest Hotel?
We will have a discounted room block available at the JW Marriott by the Galleria for Writefest guests and attendees. More information will be announced soon.
Tex Thompson presents at the 2017 HWG Agents and Editors Conference.
