Check out our history with our Historian, President Emeritus Toby Fesler Heathcotte.
Events Calendar
Here is a list of all the upcoming events in and around the state as well as virtual events on Zoom. If you are an Arizona Authors Association member with an author-related event that you'd like to advertise, please contact the Webmistress HERE.
Online and Arizona Events
Dates:
If you are an Arizona Authors Association member and have a writing-related event to list, please contact the web administrator HERE.
Now Open through Feb 27
Next Generation Short Story Awards
The Next Generation Short Story Awards, currently in its second year, is a not-for-profit international awards program for authors of short stories. The Short Story Awards is now accepting entries, i.e. short stories and poems in English (5000 words or less) for the 2025 awards program in 30+ categories. The entry deadline for the 2025 year is Thursday, February 27, 2025. Winners are given cash prizes, gold medals, complimentary digital promotional stickers, social media coverage, literary exposure with their stories published in an Anthology of Winners, and a complimentary copy of the Anthology of Winners. The Short Story Awards is brought to you by the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, an international book awards program for independent and self-published authors.
To learn more about Next Generation Short Story Awards, please visit their website HERE.
Fri. Jan 31
2025
Winter Reading: Author Talk Panel
Friday, January 31, 2025, from 6-7 pm
An engaging author panel will be discussing Winter Reading at the Buckeye Public Library, Coyote Branch. Authors on the panel will include Diana Grillo,
John Perovich, Christy White, and Paco José Madde.
Coyote Branch Library:
21699 W. Yuma Rd
Buckeye, AZ 85326
For more info, click HERE.
Sat. Feb 1
2025 deadline to apply
Root and Story Writing Retreat
Chloe Louvouezo is the author of a book titled Life, I Swear: Intimate Stories From Black Women on Identity, Healing, and Self-Trust (Harper Collins, 2021). She is hosting a writing retreat for Black women in April in Arizona. The deadline to apply is February 1.
This is open to writers of all levels and interests, whether they just enjoy the art of writing (any genre), need an actionable roadmap to completing a specific writing project, or need support in clarifying how to tell their story. The seminars will be an exercise of healing through writing.
Root & Story Writing Retreat is a retreat designed for Black women writers to reframe and write their stories while building community and centering self. This four-day, all-inclusive experience will be hosted this April 14-18 in Paradise Valley, Arizona. It offers aspiring Black women writers support in clarifying how to tell your story and a roadmap for recommitting to your creative visions. Through writing seminars, free writing time, and an opportunity to connect meaningfully with like-minded creatives, you will shift how you see yourself and your work and unlock personal and creative blocks.
If you are a member of the Arizona Authors Association, she offers a 15 percent discount on the cost of the workshop. For more information, go to: https://www.rootandstory.com/
Fri. Feb 7
2025
The Arizona Authors Association and the
Green Valley Writers Group Present the
17th Annual Authors Showcase Event
Friday, February 7, 2025
11:30 am-2:30 pm MST
Desert Hills Lutheran Church
2150 S. Camino Del Sol
Green Valley, AZ. 85622
The Arizona Authors Association in conjunction with the Green Valley Writers Group invites you to attend the 17th annual Local Authors Showcase event.
A luncheon will be served of ham and turkey wrap, potato salad and banana pudding parfait catered by Chef Bernie. Attendees will hear readings from well-known, award-winning Arizona authors Jan Cleere and Dan Baldwin, in addition to four local authors reading from their original works.
There will be door prizes and a drawing for a very special piece of artwork donated by Hugh Beykirch. Free books will be available on each table.
Come enjoy a delicious lunch and listen to some awesome readings! Tickets are only $15 and can be purchased by contacting Duke Southard at 603-520-9695 or by email at duke@dukesouthard.com.
Payment must be made by 1/31/25 Checks to: Duke Southard
March 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th
Write the Memoir You're Afraid to Write
Presented by Patricia L. Brooks
In an encouraging and insightful presentation, Patricia L. Brooks will help you capture the essence of your untold story. She will share with you how to produce a memoir to your own satisfaction, face your fears, and conquer your story's emotional beats. With techniques from writing her three daring memoirs, she will help you understand the journey to writing yours. Within this engaging and informative format, Patricia will inspire you to take the necessary steps to bring your work to fruition.
Tuesday, March 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th
10:00AM-12:00PM Phoenix MST
Location: Piper Writers House
Register Here!
June 26-28,
2025
Historical Novel Society North America Conference
"Celebrating Historical Fiction In Its Many Forms"
The 11th Biennial Historical Novel Society North America Conference will be held in Las Vegas from June 26 to 28 in 2025. This year, the conference celebrates the many subgenres of historical fiction including General Historical/Biographical, Historical Mystery, Historical Romance, Historical Fantasy/Alternate, History/Time Travel, Historical Thriller/Suspense/Horror, and Historical Military/Nautical/Adventure. Join us as we explore the many ways authors, agents, and editors craft, publish, and market these various subgenres, and let’s revel in the wide array of historical novels we all love to read! Our special guests this year are Fiona Shaw and Sylvia Moreno-Garcia, with Spotlight Authors Sarah Penner, Jeffrey Blount, and Yangsze Choo.
For more information: https://hns-conference.com/
Submissions to present at the conference open December 15 to January 15 and registration opens February 15, 2025.
March 1st
March 15th-16th
Tucson Festival of Books
The Tucson Festival of Books (TFoB) is a registered non-profit organization that made its debut in March 14-15, 2009 on the campus of The University of Arizona. The inaugural festival featured 450 authors and presenters and welcomed 50,000 regional visitors, all made possible with generous support from our sponsors and the energetic goodwill of 800 volunteers. The Tucson Festival of Books is fortunate to have the support of two of the city’s leading institutions among its co-founders, The University of Arizona and The Arizona Daily Star: community-focused organizations who help to further the mission of TFoB.
Fifteen years after its founding, the festival is now a community-wide celebration of literature and one of the largest book festivals in the United States.
https://tucsonfestivalofbooks.org/
We will have a table. Please stop by and say hello!
March 29th
April 27th
Phoenix Book Festival
Provide a fun, family-friendly event that will:
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build community.
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champion literacy.
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boost local authors and businesses.
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foster autism acceptance.
The Arizona Author Book Festival is a fundraising event for SEEDs for Autism in Phoenix; 100 percent of sponsorship funds, vendor fees, and author application fees will support SEEDs programs.
https://azauthorbookfestival.com
We will have a table. Please stop by and say hello!
May 11th
June 1st
The Arizona Authors Association Literary Contest Closes
For more information on the contest, please visit our contest page HERE!
July 12th
In-Person Events - Part 1
Presented by Daniel Dickinson
Become a member now for more details! Join now!
July 19th
Payson Book Festival
The Payson Book Festival is brought to you by the Rim Country Chapter of Arizona Professional Writers (APW). It features appearances by authors from Rim Country and around Arizona. The book festival also features book signings and book sellers, projects for the kids, presentations, live music, and food available in the hotel & casino premises.
https://paysonbookfestival.org
We will have a table. Please stop by and say hello!
Aug 19th
In-Person Events - Part 2
Presented by Daniel Dickinson
Become a member now for more details! Join now!
Sept 20th
Can I Hook You on my Book?
Presented by Karen Odden
Become a member now for more details! Join now!
Sept 30th
Contest Finalists Chosen
Oct 18th
Desert Foothills Book Festival
The Desert Foothills Book Festival grew from the desire of a group of local authors to connect personally with book lovers and to promote an appreciation of reading and the literary arts. With the Tucson Book Festival to the south and the Payson and Prescott Book Festivals to the north, this small group felt the greater Phoenix, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, and Carefree areas were missing a valuable opportunity to meet and engage with local authors from all genres.
https://desertfoothillsbookfestival.com/
We will have a table. Please stop by and say hello!
Nov, TBA
The Arizona Authors Literary Awards Event
Nov, 15th
Getting Published: How to Tell a Real Agent or Publisher from a Scam, and Much More
Presented by Mike Rothmiller
Become a member now for more details! Join now!
Nov TBA
Green Valley Holiday Book Fair
More Information Coming soon!
Dec TBA
Mesa Book Festival
Anthology is a IRS 501 (c)(3) and state of Arizona literary nonprofit dedicated to promoting literary arts in the greater Phoenix community by providing opportunities for writers to make their work accessible to a diverse audience. Since 1994 Anthology has produced thousands of literary events, published over 10 years of literary journals and produced countless moments of learning, excitement and fun.
https://www.anthology.org/index.php/mesa-book-festival
We will have a table. Please stop by and say hello!