“The Philadelphia Writers’ Conference, Inc. is a non-profit organization
whose purpose is to bring writers together for
instruction, counsel, fellowship, and the exchange of ideas.”
These words from the PWC bylaws are what inspired its founding in 1949. In the decades since, the writing world has changed in ways that couldn’t have been imagined, and the PWC has changed along with it, but the qualities that inspired our founders to set up the conference than still inspire us today.
Why attend the Philadelphia Writers’ Conference. There are many reasons:
Reputation and longevity. The Philadelphia Writers’ Conference is the oldest writing conference with open registration in the country. Check out the PWC history.
Craft. Our three-day writing tracks are led by some of the best writing teachers and published authors in the area. Create a schedule that meets your needs—or stretches your competency into new areas.
Information. Stay up to date on current trends in the business and craft of writing through additional single sessions.
Master Classes! For an additional fee you can sign up for a master class that will give you an intense, focused with a leading writer in that field. Master Classes are limited to 15 participants
Pitch to Agents and Editors. Is your manuscript ready to sell? Sign up for a 5-minute pitch session on site after you register Friday morning (registration opens at 8:30 a.m., and agent/editor sign-ups open at 9 a.m.).
Learn what’s new in the publishing world. The agents and editors will form a panel at the optional Friday night buffet (additional $40 fee). Bring your questions for the open Q & A!
Peer Critique. Friday night raps allow you to bring along sample pages to read aloud. Or participate in our prompt contest, Apples to Writers, where you can win fun prizes and earn the title Ruler of All Writers for the remainder of the conference.
Mentoring. Conferees can receive guidance from their workshop leader by sending in a writing sample by May 1st. Details are available on the annual conference site.
Contests. Submit your manuscript and find out how your work competes. PWC offers several different contests each year with some pretty cool prizes! First prize for our advance submission Manuscript Contest, with three different categories and evaluated by our national team of esteemed judges, is a free conference for the next year! And bring along a one-page entry for the Words on the Wall contest.
Purchase books and pick up free publications. We will have a bookseller on site with books by all of our presenters—purchase one and get it signed!—as well as some giveaways to boost your freelancing career.
Networking. This conference brings together the most serious writers in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Do not underestimate the power of networking! Consider making up some business cards so people can remember you.
Location. PWC is located in the heart of Philadelphia’s historic district, with easy access to trains, buses, and major highways.
Price. PWC maintains a high value to cost ratio! Order food functions and master classes a la carte to custom build an affordable conference experience. Scholarship opportunities are available. Register before May 1 for a price break.
PWC was founded in 1949 and incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1980.
The use of laptop computers and electronic tablets is permitted. Photographs will be taken during the Philadelphia Writers Conference weekend. Conferees attending this year’s sessions are advised that their attendance grants all rights of permission for non-commercial purposes, including possible publication on the PWC website.
For more information, email us at info@pwcwriters.org.
33 Comments
Mark Feil
June 20, 2014 at 8:57 amI just found this site, and I am dying to go to next year’s event. However, on a website by and for writers it’s a little embarrassing you have a link to event FAQ’S, which is possessive, not pleural. It should be FAQs.
Jim Knipp
June 26, 2014 at 5:32 amThanks Mark…now the truth is known. I’m addicted to apostrophes….crazy about commas, evangelical about ellipses…I just can’t help myself.
Don Lafferty
October 17, 2014 at 11:18 pmI wood agree.
C.J. Asher
April 19, 2015 at 12:25 amI’m an author that uses a pseudonym. Should I register under the pseudonym or my real name? Thanks!
– C.J. Asher
Jim Knipp
April 19, 2015 at 12:43 amPreference would be your real name, but if you feel strongly you need to use the pseudonym, that should be OK.
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Gerri Brickle
July 8, 2015 at 1:13 amPlease add m;y name on the 2016 mailing list thank ;you in advance
Jim Knipp
September 22, 2015 at 5:25 amHi Gerri, we added you to our event list. Hope to see you next year!
Carley
February 3, 2016 at 5:11 amAt last some ratinoality in our little debate.
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Andrea Hornett
June 5, 2016 at 9:59 pmPlease add me to your emailing list. I found out too late to attend this year but I’d like to attend the conference next year.
Thank you.
Jim Knipp
June 7, 2016 at 8:28 amAndrea, you have been added. Hope to see you next year!
Barry George
June 6, 2016 at 4:53 pmI’ve already registered for the conference, and I’m trying to gain access to the materials on the web site as an “Already Registered” attendee. However, I don’t know my Registration Number and when I attempt to have that sent to me, the system doesn’t recognize my e-mail address. I’ve written to info@pwcwriters.org to no avail. Can you help me with this? Thanks.
Jim Knipp
June 7, 2016 at 8:32 amHi Barry, I just forwarded a confirmation statement to you. I’ll also send an email to this address with the email we have on file for you. Looking forward to seeing you on Friday!
Joan Kramer
June 8, 2016 at 6:30 amI would also like to be included on your mailing list! I’m sorry I didn’t learn about your conference sooner. Thank you!
Jim Knipp
June 23, 2016 at 6:49 amHi Joan, I’ve added you to our mailing list. Hope to see you next year!
Rabbi Lynnda Targan
June 9, 2016 at 12:33 amI want to be added to the mailing list please. I am already busy for this weekend except for Friday. Is there room to attend? Is it worth it for one day? What might the cost be? I wrote an e-mail at info…but never got a response. Many thanks. LT
Jim Knipp
June 23, 2016 at 6:52 amHi Rabbi – sorry we didn’t get to this earlier. You’re on our email list. Hope to see you next year!
Tara Fullington
July 31, 2016 at 2:12 amHello,
Would you please add me to your email list for the 2017 PWC? I’d love to attend!
Thank you,
Tara Fullington
Jim Knipp
August 4, 2016 at 7:11 amHi Tara, I added you to our event contact list. Be sure to check out this site and our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter for announcements throughout the year as well!
Elaine Allen
October 7, 2016 at 10:04 pmI would love to be added to your mailing list. I would like to attend 2017 conference
Jim Knipp
February 8, 2017 at 8:33 amHi Elaine – you have been added. Conference is 6/9 – 6/11. Looking forward to seeing you in June!
Anita Campbell-Lee
October 15, 2016 at 3:39 amHello – I’m interested in attending the PWC in 2017. Please add me to the email list. Thanks, Anita
Jim Knipp
February 8, 2017 at 8:34 amHi Anita! Happy to add you to the invite list. Conference is 6/9 – 6/11 this year, looking forward to seeing you there!
Eugenia Griffin
January 26, 2017 at 7:41 amPlease add me to the emailing list. I would like to get information for the 2017 conference.
Thank you,
Eugenia
Jim Knipp
February 8, 2017 at 8:34 amHi Eugenia, you have been added to the invite list. Conference is 6/9 – 6/11 and we’ll have more information out real soon. See you in June!
Ronald W. Howard
April 8, 2017 at 2:16 pm4/08/17
It is the keynote speaker, Dr. Julie H. Sullivan, that attracts me to attend this conference event. I look forward to greeting and hearing from Rev. Dr. Leon Howard Sullivan’s youngest daughter, and fellow soldier in Rev. Sullivan’s international movements. Our converging interests in writing will be new grounds for exploration.
RWH
Lorraine Treadwell
April 18, 2017 at 12:37 pmI wanted to attend but missed the deadline for discounted rooms.
Please add me to the list for 2018.
Lorraine Treadwell
May 3, 2017 at 5:35 amI will be there. I was told there’s a few rooms available at the group discount.
Looking forward to attending.
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Paul Hackney
May 1, 2017 at 7:27 pmPlease add me to the list and include this year’s schedule.
Thank you
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