For more than thirty-five years, diverse groups of passionate professional and novice writers have gathered at the Jackson Hole Writers Conference. While attending workshops and keynote addresses at the Jackson Hole Center for the Arts, writers learn about the craft of writing, share ideas and make new friends while networking with authors, editors and agents from myriad backgrounds. Jackson Hole Writers has revitalized the conference to support a broader range of writers, from beginners to those ready to get their books into the world.
The new conference – which takes place October 21-15, 2026 in downtown Jackson, Wyoming – includes two distinct ways to participate.
Intensive Workshop & Afternoon Conference
For writers ready for a deep dive into the process of polishing manuscripts and navigating publication, six, three-morning workshops will be led by a faculty pair. Each workshop requires an application and has a unique focus. Workshops meet from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Oct. 22-24 and include manuscript critique, craft skill-building and publishing knowledge. What makes our workshops unique is that they are led by a faculty author and their agent or editor. Each workshop accepts only 6-8 writers which means workshop attendees will get a close-up view of the writing and publishing process from a team that has worked together to reach readers.
Writers accepted into an intensive workshop have lunch provided on workshop days and are also registered for afternoon conference programming.
Afternoon Conference Only
For writers looking for a great collection of craft classes, author presentations, panels, critiques and opportunities to connect with peers and experts, the afternoon conference programs checks all these boxes while also leaving mornings open to experience the wonder of an autumn weekend in Jackson Hole.
Afternoon conference programs are all led by our workshop faculty and include a mix of writing craft and publishing topics. Manuscript critiques are available too, and these are provided by local authors with a strong track record of providing feedback that helps make manuscripts stronger.
Public Activities
Each conference day with a public reading by a small group of faculty or a reading by participants like you. Throughout the conference, Jackson Hole Writers continues to make space for community-building and personal connections. Past attendees that connections made at the conference endure for years.
Since conference-only attendees have mornings free, Jackson Hole Writers also offers a few generative writing experiences and other activities to get pens moving, and they can direct participants to inspiring activities around Jackson and Grand Teton National Park.
The Jackson Hole Writers Conference has long been known in writing circles as an accessible, friendly, valuable and fun event. One 2025 conference participant said, “This was my very first foray into the Writers Conference and little did I know that it was the gift that would keep giving for months to come! I want others to know just how encompassing and long-lasting the entire experience truly is!”
For more information visit jhwriters.org/conference
Jackson Hole Writers thanks their sponsors: Anvil Hotel, Center for the Arts, Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, Planning Alternatives, Shinemaker Foundation, Visit Jackson Hole and Wyoming Arts Council.
