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The Best Indie Author Events for 2023

Want to meet fellow authors and learn the secrets of self-publishing? Here are 2023's biggest writing events.

Indie authors are notoriously… independent. And yet we understand that meeting fellow creatives at writers’ conferences is one of the best ways to recharge our batteries and push through with one, two or more successful book launches in a given year.

We may already be a few months into 2023, but now’s the time to start filling up your calendar. Events are geared toward both indie and traditional authors and span the gamut from writing workshops to splashy expos where writers get to rub elbows with avid readers, agents and fellow authors.

There’s nothing like meeting fellow authors and notable figures in the space in real life so you can collaborate, compare notes and improve your craft. The giant book fairs probably aren’t the best bets for those who self-publish, but some of the can’t miss conferences for indie authors include SPS Live, NINC and 20Books Vegas. Many of the regional gatherings also come highly recommended.

We’ve streamlined our picks for 2023 to highlight some of the bigger events, but you can explore an even more comprehensive selection over on our 2019 edition of this list.

MAJOR BOOK FAIRS

London Book Fair

When: April 18-20th
Where: West London
Cost: £63.60 (Visitor Ticket)

Meet fellow authors, agents and representatives of audio, TV, film and digital platforms. The Alliance of Independent Authors calls this “the most author-friendly of the big international fairs by far.”

londonbookfair.co.uk

Frankfurt Book Fair

When: October 18-22nd
Where: Frankfurt, Germany
Cost: Tickets not yet available (as of March 14th)

2018’s event had 285,000 visitors from 110 countries from the trade industry and the general public. Geared towards traditional publishers, with 7,500 exhibitors on hand.

buchmesse.de/en

CONFERENCES/ EVENTS

Norwescon

When: April 6-9th
Where: Seattle-Tacoma
Cost: $100.

Norwescon is the Pacific Northwest’s premier science fiction and fantasy convention and one of the largest regional science fiction and fantasy conventions in the U.S.

norwescon.org

Las Vegas Writers Conference

When: April 13-15th
Where: Las Vegas
Cost: $99 to $149.

This conference is dedicated to helping writers of all genres improve their craft, sharpen their business skills, and network with publishing professionals. Held each spring at the Tuscany resort. Pitch sessions with literary agents and editors are included.

Self-Publishing Conference

When: April 22nd
Where: Leicester, UK
Cost: £90.

This gathering offers sessions on topics such as writing, production, marketing and distribution. You’ll also find plenty of opportunities to network with fellow indie authors.

https://selfpublishingconference.org.uk/

Pikes Peak Writers Conference

When: April 27-30th
Where: Colorado Springs
Cost: $449.

The three-day conference is full of in-depth workshops, best-selling keynote speakers, opportunities for one-on-one time with agents and editors, the chance to read your work aloud for constructive critique, and the opportunity to socialize with fellow writers.

https://pikespeakwriters.com

Seattle Writing Conference

When: April 29th
Where: Seattle
Cost: $199+

This full-day “How to Get Published” writing event offers a chance to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor and get your questions answered. Limited to 200 writers.

https://theseattlewritingworkshop.com/

IBPA Publishing University

When: May 4-6th
Where: San Diego, California
Cost: $495 members; $595 non-members.

IBPA dubs its event “the premier educational event for indie publishers and self-published authors,” offering more than 30 educational sessions.

publishinguniversity.org

Thrillerfest

When: May 30th to June 3rd
Where: New York
Cost: $155-$1,260 (2019 prices – 2023 unknown.)

Ground zero for mystery and thriller authors, Thrillerfest includes sessions on writing, publishing, marketing and agent pitches. While the focus is traditional publishing, indie thriller author Joanna Penn says she felt “accepted as an indie, with no judgment around my business choices.”

thrillerfest.com

Book Lovers Con

When: June 1-4th
Where: Houston, Texas
Cost: $395.

Taking the place of the Romance Times Booklovers Convention, the new Book Lovers Con brings together authors, fans, bloggers, booksellers and librarians who’ll attend workshops by day and socialize by night.

bookloverscon.com

Historical Novel Society North American Conference

When: June 8-10th
Where: San Antonio, Texas
Cost: Unknown.

Widely known as the top conference for historical fiction, the biennial Historical Novel Society North American Conference is geared toward readers and writers of historical novels and will feature presentations, panels, preconference workshops, pitch sessions with agents and editors and more.

hns-conference.com

The Self Publishing Show Live 2023

When: June 20-21st
Where: London, England
Cost: £199.

That’s right – SPF has its very own conference! Set across two packed days on London’s Southbank, attending authors can expect to hear from and meet Bella Andre, Amazon KDP, every winner of the Kindle Storyteller award and much, much more. Tickets include access to the Self Publishing Party on the first night of the conference and our Virtual Conference – another two days of digital content released a month or so after the event (plus professionally filmed replays of the live sessions). If you can only attend one event this year, make sure it’s this one…

https://www.selfpublishingformula.com/spslive

Jackson Hole Writers Conference

When: June 22-24th
Where: Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Cost: $400.

Set in Grand Teton National Park’s back yard, the conference’s intimate size means writers meet each other and the faculty, share ideas along with a glass of beer or wine, and make new contacts in a workshop.

http://jacksonholewritersconference.com/

RWA 2023

When: July 19-22nd
Where: Anaheim, California
Cost: Unknown – membership required.

Put on by the Romance Writers of America, RWA is where more than 2,000 romance writers and industry professionals gather to learn, network and boost author careers.

rwa.org

Killer Nashville

When: August 17-20th
Where: Nashville, Tennessee
Cost: $454.

The conference is a four-day event bringing together some of the world’s best authors, aspiring writers, agents, editors and other industry professionals.

killernashville.com

Writer’s Digest Conference

When: August 17-20th
Where: New York
Cost: $349-$499.

Editors of Writer’s Digest put on this annual conference devoted to craft, career and creative inspiration. Pitch to agents in the hallway or at the Pitch Slam.

https://writersdigestconference.com/

NINC (Novelists, Inc.)

When: September 20-24th
Where: St. Pete Beach, Florida
Cost: $525 plus membership in NINC.

NINC brings together multi-published, multi-genre authors who publish traditionally, independently or both. Indie author speakers include Mark Dawson, Joanna Penn and David Gaughran. Must join NINC to attend.

ninc.com

GayRomLit (GRL)

When: October 18-22nd
Where: Virginia
Cost: Not yet announced – registration opens March 25th.

GayRomLit is an annual retreat that brings together the people who create and celebrate LGBT romance for a one-of-a-kind, must-attend gathering of dynamic, informal and diverse fun.

gayromlit.com

20 Books Vegas Conference

When: November 6-10th
Where: Las Vegas
Cost: $399+

Put on by indie publishing impresarios Craig Martelle and Michael Anderle, 20Books is the largest indie authors conference in the world, drawing upwards of 1,200 attendees. Some of the world’s best-selling indie authors will be on hand as well as aspiring authors and everyone in between.

20booksvegas.com

Tom Ashford

Tom Ashford

Tom Ashford is a professional copywriter, author of numerous dark fantasy and sci-fi novels, and the Head of Content at the Self Publishing Formula Blog. His books include the Blackwater trilogy and the Checking Out series.

He lives in London with his wife, in an apartment that doesn’t allow pets. Find out more about Tom here.
https://selfpublishingformula.com/the-best-indie-author-events-for-2023/
selfpublishingformula.com
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