I am lucky to live and write in Alaska for many reasons. One is the great writing community here. I am fortunate to have writing friends all over the state. We see each other (now virtually) in events and meetings sponsored by writing groups throughout the year. Here are a few examples:
49 Writers (https://49writers.org) has classes and readings for many different genres. I recently saw Rich Chiappone talk about his new novel and what it’s like writing about his hometown. Their writing blog is also one of the few that I read on a regular basis.
I just signed up for the 2022 Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference in Homer (http://writersconf.kpc.alaska.edu). The Kenai Peninsula College always hosts great speakers and makes all writers, experienced and newbies, feel welcome.
The Alaska Writers Guild or AWG (https://alaskawritersguild.com) holds monthly webinars by authors of various genres, and has a quarterly writing contest for those who want a venue to share their work. AWG co-sponsors the yearly Conference for Writers and Illustrators with two other groups:
The Alaska chapter of the Society of Book Writers and Illustrators (https://alaska.scbwi.org) is also known as SCBWI-AK. (Their conference sponsorship this year may depend on the status of the Covid-19 virus, due to the national group’s protocols.) SCBWI-AK also hosts critique groups and regular webinars with literary agents.
AKRWA, the Alaska chapter of Romance Writers of America (https://akrwa.com) co-sponsors the Conference for Writers and Illustrators. (Full disclosure: I am the current AKRWA president.) The group also hosts critique groups, writing sprints, and monthly programs about the craft and business of writing romance. I would not have written my books without the constant help of my romance critique group’s help over the years!
Interested in joining one of these groups? Check out the link in the text. These organizations are a major reason why writers are flourishing in Alaska.