Workshops & Retreats…Alaska Writers Guild Speculative Fiction Conference

This column briefly profiles writers' workshops, retreats, seminars and conferences. Inclusion in this column is not an endorsement.

What is "speculative fiction?"

Speculative fiction is a collective term for multiple genres and subgenres, including sci-fi, fantasy, horror, alternate history and most comic book or graphic novels plus many more. The Alaska Writers Guild Speculative Fiction Conference celebrates everything speculative October 1-5 in Anchorage, AK. The Conference includes an opening reception, morning and afternoon sessions, a Q&A with a panel one evening, an evening of intensive small workshops, an awards banquet, manuscript reviews with one-on-one sessions with the critiquing faculty member and an associated contest: The Ralph Williams Prize for Speculative Fiction.


Who are the instructors? (click their names to learn more)

Brandi Bowles - Literary Agent, Howard Morhaim Agency
Ginger Clark - Literary Agent, Curtis Brown LTD
John Kremer - Book Marketing Expert
Marjorie M. Liu - Author
Laurie McLean - Literary Agent, Larsen Pomada Agency
Barbara Oakley - Author
Melanie Rawn - Author
Jennifer Roberson - Author
Katharine Sands - Literary Agent, Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency
Harry Turtledove - Author

How much might this cost you?


Tuition for the Conference depends on when you register. You can register online with a credit card or through PayPal. Register by midnight April 15 - $375, by midnight July 31 - $425, August 1- October 1 (if space allows) - $475. Download a registration form on the website.

If you want your manuscript reviewed/critiqued it is $50 per 25-paged manuscript. If your 25 pages is part of a novel, included a 1-2 pages synopsis. Deadline July 15. The Ralph Williams Prize (completely separate from the manuscript review) has a $50 entry fee. Non-winning entries receive a written critique. Deadline May 1.

Lodging at the Coast International Inn runs between $555 and $591 for all four nights, unless there is a conference rate.

The Details:

Alaska Writers Guild Speculative Fiction Conference - October 1-5 @ Coast International Inn, Anchorage, AK.
Tuition - $375/April 15; $425/July 31; $475/August 1-October 1 if space allows. Registration form required.
Lodging $555-$591 at conference hotel for the entire conference.
Manuscript Review - $50 fee, deadline - July 15, click here for details.
Ralph Williams Prize for Speculative Ficiton - $50 entry fee, deadline - May 1, click here for complete guidelines.