Hey Loves, and Happy New Year! 2017 is the year for you to step out of your comfort zone, and seize the moment. Be the best you you can be, and stay visible.
Here is a list of publishing industry events from January through June 2017. Save the dates, and coordinate your master plan.
JANUARY 2017
January 17-19, 2017
Digital Book World Conference, New York, NY
Digital Book World brings together 1500 professionals focused on developing, building and transforming their organizations to compete in the new digital publishing environment. The theme of the 2017 conference is “Smarter Book Publishing For A Digital World.”
January 20-22, 2017
SDSU Writers’ Conference, San Diego, CA
Whether you’re a beginning writer or a published professional, the San Diego State University Writers’ Conference is for you. Over 30 years old, this conference is designed to help every writer at every level. Learn how to improve your writing skills, develop your marketing awareness, and meet one-on-one with top editors and agents to facilitate the next step in your publishing career.
January 20-24, 2017
ALA Midwinter Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia
ALA Annual Conference is the premier global library event each year, bringing together the newsmakers, innovators, thought leaders, and influencers in the library field, from all over the world. News is made at these events, where important announcements are made, updates are shared, relevant legislation and policy are addressed, and discussions take place that have a major impact on libraries, their role, and their ongoing transformation. This event trends nationally on Twitter and are extensively covered in the media.
January 28, 2017
In an effort to connect teens with young adult authors, the Young Adult Keller Book Fest provides teens with an opportunity to immerse themselves in literature in a non-academic setting. Held in Fort Worth, Texas, YAK Fest allows teens to hone their literacy skills, become leaders and cultivate an interest in reading and writing.
FEBRUARY 2017
February 2-5, 2017
Coastal Magic Convention, Daytona, Beach, FL
The Coastal Magic Convention is for readers and writers of Urban Fantasy, Paranormal and Romance. With panels designed to start interesting discussions, and meet & greets with fun themes, they’ve got something for every fan.
February 4, 2017
African American Children’s Book Fair, Philadelphia, PA
The African American Children’s Book Fair is one of the oldest and largest single-day events for children’s books in the country. The fun-filled afternoon is packed with activities that promote the POWER and JOY OF READING. Authors and illustrators will make presentations and sign their books. The Literary Row will distribute book-related promotional materials free of charge. Our Educator’s Book Giveaway will also distribute brand new books to teachers and librarians for use in their schools. In addition there will be a wide selection of affordable literature available to purchase.
February 8-11, 2017
AWP Annual Conference & Bookfair, Washington, DC
The Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) conference celebrates authors, teachers, writing programs, literary centers and small press publishers. Each year it features 400 presentations including readings, lectures, panel discussions, and forums—plus book signings, receptions and informal gatherings.
February 9-11, 2017
PubWest Conference, Portland, OR
PubWest is a trade association of small and medium-sized book publishers, printers, graphic designers, binderies, and editorial and marketing companies.
February 11, 2017
When the Heart Dreams Readers and Writers Weekend Mixer, Charlotte, NC
When the Heart Dreams is for those of us who love to read romance novels, and an opportunity for authors to meet and build relationships with new readers in a relaxed casual setting. This will be a fun-filled event covering all romance genres—Contemporary, Historical, Paranormal and Suspense. Mix with some of your favorite and soon to be favorite authors. Enjoy reader games and prizes, chats with the authors, readings, a luncheon, a book signing and a closing night themed party.
February 11, 2017
Holidays with the Belles, Dallas, TX
Join your favorite authors for the 3rd Annual Holidays with the Belles. Held at the beautiful Hilton Anatole in Dallas, TX on Feb 11, 2017, you’ll undoubtedly have a fabulous time talking books with your faves for a few short hours, along with meeting other like-minded readers and bloggers. The event is hosted by Southern Belle Book Blog and Leighton Riley, who work to bring you a seamless, organized author experience in a fun, classy setting.
February 16-18, 2017
Amelia Island Book Festival, Amelia Island, GA
There are about 20 workshops on writing, business and marketing. The day includes a free Reader’s Festival with authors, readings and book signings.
February 16-20, 2017
Fun In The Sun Conference (Cruise), sailing from Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Florida Romance Writers is a 5-night writers’ conference/cruise with Royal Caribbean to Cozumel, Mexico. This year’s conference will include a pre-sail party.
February 18, 2017
Bella NOLA Author Signing, New Orleans, LA
We’re two Louisiana girls who met at a NOLA book signing over a year ago. Since then we have become book besties. We kept seeing questions from readers who wanted to know when the next NOLA Author Event would be, so we jumped at the opportunity to continue the annual event. It’s still the same signing. We just gave it a new name and moved to a different hotel with more space. When we’re not introverting, we love going on road trips together, and you can always find us planning our next big book adventure.
February 18, 2017
Books by the Bridge Author Event, Sydney, Australia
Books by the Bridge is an author book signing event located on the beautiful Sydney Harbour. With spectacular views of the iconic Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Crystal Palace is the perfect venue to spend a day with talented authors from all around Australia and across the globe.
February 23-26, 2017
SleuthFest, Deerfield Beach, FL
Mystery Writers of America – Florida Chapter The organization presents a regular four-day conference that features panels, agent and editor appointments, manuscript critiques, and a short story contest.
February 24-26, 2017
Deckle Edge Literary Festival, Columbia, SC
The weekend-long Deckle Edge Literary Festival will feature readings, book signings, panel presentations, exhibitors, writers’ workshops, activities for children and young adult readers, and a wide range of other literary events for many interests and all ages. The festival will gather and foster the diverse branches of our region’s literary community through an inclusive weekend of public events and programming for readers, writers, and lovers of the written word.
February 25, 2017
Held in Atlanta, Ga, The Writers Ball is one of National Association of Women in the Arts’ signature fundraising galas and social events. The purpose of The Writers Ball is to involve Writers, Authors, Producers, Playwrights, Screenwriters, Comedy Writers, Editors, Literary Agents, Publishers, Actors, Voice Actors, Vocalists, Proofreaders, Teachers, Directors, Filmmakers, Ghostwriters, Graphic Artists, Illustrators, Poets, Artists, Scriptwriters, Wordsmiths, Journalists, Contributors, Essayists, Biographers, Dramatists, Technical Writers, Songwriters, Persons of Letters, Literary Critics, Publicists, Bloggers, Students, Supporters, Musicians, Photographers, Videographers, Makeup Artists, Celebrities, Dignitaries, Civic Leaders, Public officials and the General Public in the annual fundraising activities benefiting The Writers Ball Grant Program.
MARCH 2017
March 4, 2017
Kinky in Kansas City Author Event, Kansas City, MO
Hosts and organizers for this event are authors Elizabeth Princeton, Colbie Kay, and the blog Sinful Swag and Sass. The official page for this event is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1621834171370529/
March 4, 2017
Augusta Literary Festival, Augusta, GA
The Augusta Literary Festival features author panel discussions, book signings and writing workshops. The Festival takes pride in presenting a diverse group of authors. We have hand selected authors from several genres to include the traditionally published bestselling author to the bestselling indie author with a story to tell. We honor the hard work of authors just starting as well as presenting authors who are award winners.
March 14-16, 2017
London Book Fair, London, England
Reed Exhibitions Books and Publishing Group International exhibition hosting publishing professionals from around the world, this is a global marketplace for rights negotiation. The fair includes 250+ seminars and events and hosts 2,000+ exhibitors and boasts an attendance of 24,000+. The event will be held at Olympia London.
March 16-19, 2017
Left Coast Crime Annual Mystery Convention, Honolulu, HI
This event is an annual mystery convention sponsored by mystery fans, for mystery fans. The 2017 conference is entitled HONOLULU HAVOC and features speakers Faye Kellerman, Jonathan Kellerman and Dana Stabenow.
March 17-18, 2017
Romancing The Smokies, Alcoa, TN
Here, readers get to meet their favorite authors and authors get to connect with readers. We have put together authors from every sub-genre of Romance and even some Mystery authors so you, the reader, can make a personal connection and really get to know the authors whose books you’ve loved.
March 18, 2017
San Fran Golden Gate Author Event, San Francisco, CA
This will be a multi-author signing featuring different genre – NA/YA, Dark andor Suspense Romance and Paranormal/Urban Fantasy. It’s basically for everyone
March 18–19, 2017
Liberty States Create Something Magical Conference, Iselin, NJ
The Create Something Magical conference features a line up of more then 20 authors and industry professionals who will share their expertise and experience. Located a in New Jersey, just a short train ride from New York City, we offer a weekend of education, networking, and fun in a relaxed setting.
March 22-25, 2017
Romance Slam Jam Convention, Los Angeles, CA
We’re here to support the authors, readers, and industry specialists who enjoy “own voices” romance books featuring black and multicultural protagonists. You’ll have an amazing time during this 4-day, fun-filled event full of author and booklover activities, reader and writer workshops, and local excursions. The excitement culminates on the last day with the convention banquet, featuring an industry keynote speaker and the ceremony for the coveted Emma Awards. The Emma Awards are the premier industry awards for authors of black romance.
March 22-26, 2017
Virginia Festival of the Book, Charlottesville, VA
The Virginia Festival of the Book brings readers and writers together for a five-day celebration of books, reading, literacy, and literary culture.
March 23-26, 2017
This conference provides writers and readers with the ability to discover the complexities of dominance and submission through workshops, live demos, and fascinating hands-on experiences.
March 24-25, 2017
Apollycon is an event for readers across all genres (including YA, NA, and Adult), which includes a signing event featuring authors and special guests, as well as an after party where readers and authors can connect.
March 25, 2017
Do you love to read? Are you interested in meeting some amazing authors? Come on and meet the authors who inspire amazing romance novels!
March 25, 2017
2017 National Black Writers Conference Biennial Symposium, Brooklyn, NY
2017 Theme: “Our Miss Brooks: A Centennial Celebration.” The year 2017 marks the centennial of the birth of Gwendolyn Brooks, a formidable literary figure, and a lifelong chronicler of Black life in America who expressed Black experiences in America with her artistic, courageous, and politically charged poetry and prose.
March 29-31, 2017
Oxford Conference for the Book, Oxford, MS
Last year’s Oxford Conference for the Book brought together fiction and nonfiction writers, journalists, poets, publishers, teachers, and students for three days of readings, lectures, panels, workshops, and social events that celebrate the written word.
March 30-April 3, 2017
Romancing The Seas Author Event (Cruise), sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, FL
Don’t miss this opportunity to meet and set sail with some of your favorite authors, and connect with fellow fans of romance writing. Enjoy book signings and literary events, plus all the amenities onboard independence of the Seas, from great dining and live entertainment to pools, the spa and more. In Cozumel, Mexico, swim, sun, relax, or explore. Your cruise fare includes access to all sponsored activities and a surprise gift bag.
APRIL 2017
April 8, 2017
Talkbooks Author Event (TAE), Peabody, MA
The Talkbooks Author Event is formerly known as Boston’s North Shore Author Signing. Our event is an annual event, which is held every second Saturday of April (unless it falls on a holiday weekend). 2017 will be our 4th Annual event.
April 13-16, 2017
Norwescon features over 500 hours of panel programming presented by more than 200 panelists, covering subjects as science fiction, fantasy, science, costuming, art, writing, genre television, and movies.
April 22, 2017
Authors in the Bluegrass, Lexington, KY
This event will be held at Commonwealth Football Stadium, and will include Bourbon Tours & Horse Parks. Meeting readers, authors & bloggers. Enjoy some good ole fashioned horse racing at Keeneland. Visit this beautiful state, there is so much to do for your whole family
April 29, 2017Bo
For the Eighth consecutive year, hundreds of book lovers will convene at the Dayton Book Expo. The all-day event includes panel discussions for aspiring authors, activities for children in the Kidz Zone and book signings! The event is free and open to the public.
April 30, 2017
The Sistahs On Lit Book Festival, Washington, DC
The Sistahs On Lit Book festival will be held at Silver Spring Civic Center. This event is designed to showcase published and self-published authors for the general public’s enjoyment. The day will include book signings and sales, book discussions, and reader interaction with numerous multi-genre authors. The festival will also include general vendors, great food, and family-oriented entertainment.
MAY 2017
May 1-7, 2017
Pen World Voices Festival, New York, NY
Founded by Salman Rushdie in 2004 and produced annually by PEN America, the PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature gathers more than 100 writers and artists brought in from all over the world together with the United States’ leading literary and cultural luminaries to address the most pressing issues of the day – freedom of expression, international conflict, immigration and displacement, genocide, mass incarceration, race, policing, and women’s equality.
May 2–7, 2017
Romantic Times Booklovers Convention, Atlanta, GA
There are approximately 5 to 6 workshops or panels scheduled for each Romance subgenre plus craft workshops, hands-on workshops, business workshops and 8 sessions on self-publishing. There are also 21 mixers, parties, and gatherings from a champagne breakfast to a slumber party for those who want to get their network on.
May 6-7, 2017
DFW Writers Conference, Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
DFWCon is one of the largest, if not the largest multi-genre writers conference in the Southwest. We welcome writers in all genres, both fiction and non-fiction, and we provide a top-notch educational program, hands-on workshops, access to literary agents from around the country, and opportunities to grow your professional network. We offer writers of all experience levels a fun, productive and memorable weekend.
May 13, 2017
Wild and Windy in the City, Chicago, IL
Wild and Windy in the City will host Meet & Greets and Author Q/A Sessions.
May 31, 2017
Black Pack Party, New York, NY
The Black Pack Party is an annual gathering of publishing industry professionals. It is held during Book Expo America.
May 31-June 2, 2017
BookExpo America, New York, NY
BookExpo provides a focused professional environment to discover emerging authors and the next blockbuster titles, engage with the world’s most influential publishers and learn from industry leaders and peers. BookExpo culminates with BookCon, our two-day Fan event where storytelling and pop culture collide.
JUNE 2017
June 1-4, 2017
Desert Dreams Writers Conference, Phoenix, AZ
Desert Rose RWA invites you to attend their bi-annual 4-day writers conference. The conference features editors and agents, workshops, and a public book sale.
June 2-3, 2017
Sacramento Black Book Fair, Sacramento, CA
This historic two-day book fair and celebration will include a panel discussion among our featured authors, book signings, talks by each of the featured writers, cultural & food vendors, book discussions with each writer listed in the program, children’s activities, poetry readings, art displays, and much more
June 2-4, 2017
Go On Girl! Book Club Author Awards Weekend, Chicago, IL
Please join Go On Girl! Book Club and enjoy the opportunity to connect with your favorite authors and literary sisters from across the country. The Go On Girl! Book Club is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit organization that supports authors of the Black African Diaspora by choosing one book per month for all club members to read. The Club reading list is formed twice a year. Members read a book each month, meet to discuss it, and then write the author of the book to express their opinions about the work.
June 3-4, 2017
BookCon is the event where storytelling and pop culture collide. Consumers and brands will experience the origin of the story in all its forms by interacting with the authors, publishers, celebrities, and creators of content that influence everything we read, hear and see. BookCon is an immersive experience that features interactive, forward thinking content including Q&As with the hottest talent, autographing sessions, storytelling podcasts, special screenings, literary quiz shows and so much more. BookCon is the ultimate celebration of books, where your favorite stories come to life.
June 9-11, 2017
AAMBC Literary Awards, Atlanta, GA
AAMBC which stands for African Americans on the Move Book Club was created in February 2008 by a then twenty-year-old, Tamika Newhouse. What started as an online book club grew into a national Phenomenon. The sole purpose was to expose the unknown writer and to give them the opportunity to win accolades. A tradition still highly expressed to this very date, AAMBC still caters to the unknown writer. They have single handedly worked with thousands of writers’ new, seasoned, and celebrities. From first time writers to nationally known they have consistently set the tone to support and promote black writers.
June 10-11, 2017
California Crime Writers Conference, Los Angeles, CA
Sisters in Crime/Los Angeles and SoCal Mystery Writers of America Geared toward emerging and established mystery and crime fiction writers, the 2017 California Crime Writers Conference includes workshops, presentations, and sessions with agents, editors, award-winning authors, publishing industry insiders and crime investigation professionals. Guests of Honor for the 2017 California Crime Writers Conference are New York Times best-selling authors William Kent Krueger and Hallie Ephron.
June 10, 2017
Cleveland Author Event, Cleveland, OH
Books,Chocolate and Lipgloss and Love Between The Sheets are teaming up with Alexis Noelle to host CAE 2017!
June 16-18, 2017
Mystery Writers Key West Fest, Key West, FL
Mystery Writers of America, Florida Chapter World-class mystery writers and acclaimed storytellers will gather to the island where Hemingway and Tennessee Williams found their inspiration. The Festival includes workshops, presentations and panel events with crime fiction and true crime authors.
June 22-24, 2017
Historical Novel Society The society has over 900 members worldwide including authors, publishers, booksellers, librarians and general readers. The conference location alternates between the USA and the United Kingdom. See http://www.hns-conference.org.uk for more information.
June 22-27, 2017
ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition, Chicago, IL
ALA Annual Conference is the premier global library event each year, bringing together the newsmakers, innovators, thought leaders, and influencers in the library field, from all over the world. News is made at these events, where important announcements are made, updates are shared, relevant legislation and policy are addressed, and discussions take place that have a major impact on libraries, their role, and their ongoing transformation. This event trends nationally on Twitter and are extensively covered in the media.
June 24, 2017
Austin African American Book Festival, Austin, TX
Since 2007, the Austin African American Book Festival has worked to promote empowerment through literature. We are a community event that brings readers and writers together and produces and facilitates collaboration, dialogue, creativity, and activism.
Good luck!