Chesapeake Writers’ Conference

Chesapeake Writers' Conference

Join us for a week of craft talks, lectures, panel discussions, and readings, as well as daily workshops in fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction.

Summer 2023 (June 18-24)
Write Your Story, Find Your Champions

Come engage with our rich community of writers about the art and craft of writing.
Workshops, Lectures, & Talks
Get Credit!

Both college and graduate credit (for teachers’ professional development) are available.
Course Credit
Youth Workshop

Work closely with our award-winning faculty and practice a wide range of genres and styles, from prose poems to TV scripts.
More Info
Acclaimed Faculty

Eva Freeman, youth workshop
Patricia Henley, fiction
Phillis Levins, poetry
Angela Pelster, creative nonfiction
Crystal Oliver, director

Read Bios

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Greetings, fellow writers!

We are excited to announce that the 10th Annual Chesapeake Writers’ Conference was a tremendous success. We had amazing attendees from all over, and everyone had a magnificent time learning from our accomplished faculty and speakers, networking with other writers, and getting inspired to write their own stories.

We sincerely thank our faculty, speakers, attendees, and SMCM staff and scholars for making this year’s conference magical. We couldn’t have done it without you!

We are already planning for next year’s conference, and we are excited to announce that the 11th annual Chesapeake Writers’ Conference will be held on June 16-22, 2024. More information about next year’s conference is coming soon, so stay tuned here and on our social media accounts for details. If you’d like to sign up for our newsletter, please email us at chesapeakewritersconference@smcm.edu, and we will send you the latest news, updates, and special offers related to the Conference.

In the meantime, explore this website to learn more about the Chesapeake Writers’ Conference and apply for next year’s event.

We hope you’ll join us in 2024 for words, water, woods, and more.

Write on the river,

Crystal Oliver
Director, Chesapeake Writers’ Conference

The eleventh annual Chesapeake Writers’ Conference will be held from June 16 to June 22 on the St. Mary’s College campus in St. Mary’s City, Maryland. The conference features lectures, craft talks, readings, panel discussions, daily poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction workshops, and a Youth Workshop for high school-age writers. Faculty and speakers for 2024 are to be announced. There is no application fee. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. See the Fees & Registration page for more information.

Accessibility accommodations include elevators in all multilevel event spaces; accessible sidewalks, pathways, doorways, and parking; and ADA-compliant event spaces and restrooms. Contact the St. Mary’s College Office of Accessibility Services at (240) 895-2250, (240) 895-4327 for TTY service, or adasupport@smcm.edu for additional accessibility details.