Interested vending at this year’s conference? We invite publishers, organizations, creatives, and authors to submit a vendor application. Click here to apply.
Early Bird Registration is Now Open!
Please join us in beautiful Wheeling Park in Wheeling, West Virginia for the Writers Association of Northern Appalachia’s Annual Conference October 16-17, 2026.
What’s New this Year?
Regular WANA attendees have come to expect an informative, relaxed gathering in the hills of Northern Appalachia. That hasn’t changed. In fact, it’s gotten even better!
This year WANA will take place in beautiful Wheeling Park, a 406-acre West Virginia gem with roots as a 1900s amusement park. Since 1925, it’s offered year-round recreation, scenic beauty, and a deep sense of community. The conference will be held in its newly renovated White Palace, which functions as a conference center and banquet hall. We will make use of the grounds, including Good Lake and the picnic shelters, as part of our conference experience. Learn more about the park here: https://oglebay.com/explore/wheeling-park/
In addition to sessions on craft, the business of writing, generative workshops, and more, we have added an environmental writing track that will make use of the park grounds, which will be stunning in mid-October. In all, we will offer participants more than 25 sessions that will help energize us all for the winter writing months ahead.
This year’s open mic will be held at Wheeling’s newest venue, Esoterica. (Read more about this labor of love here.) The evening will be kicked off by a collage reading celebrating 40 years of Bottom Dog Press led by retiring press founder, Larry Smith. After a brief intermission, we will invite writers up to read their own work (with a strict two-minute time limit).
“I loved the mix of writers sharing their work, writers offering craft instruction, and pragmatic info for writers.” -WANA 2025 Attendee
Of course, we are thrilled to welcome Amy Jo Burns as this year’s keynote speaker. Her latest book, Wait for Me, is a New York Times Bestseller. She will be on hand to sign books before and after her presentation. And if you like the music of the novel, we have a surprise for you, but you’ll have to wait and see.
Finally, the other new piece of this year’s conference is a post-conference hangout. The conference will wrap up around 5 pm on Saturday, October 16. For those of you who want to skedaddle back home or explore Wheeling (more info about Wheeling will be provided in the program and on our website), this gives you plenty of time to track down some dinner and be on your way. But, for those of you who want one last chat with a new friend you met at the conference or to volunteer for next year, we will be gathering in the shelter above the park for non-alcoholic libations and snacks (provided by WANA), and you are welcome to BYOB. (There’s more than a few stores nearby to pick up your favorite beverages.) We are looking forward to this laid-back, agenda-free, after-conference gathering, and we hope you will join us.
“This is not a conference built around competition or gatekeeping. It is built around the idea that literary culture grows when writers gather. ”
Christina Fisanick, WANA President
Why Attend WANA?
In addition to offering attendees a wealth of new writing ideas, strategies for publishing your work, and so much more, WANA wants all of you to feel at home. Unlike other writing conferences that may seem impersonal or highfalutin’ (yeah, we love that word), WANA strives to be a welcoming gathering of writers throughout the region who genuinely want to support each other through the highs and lows of the writing life. Whether you are writing your first novel or have published your fifth book of poetry, there’s a place for you at WANA. Please join us.
“I mostly attended readings because they were the sessions that most interested me, and they were all great! Excellent variety of writers/readers and types of writing being shared.” -WANA 2025 Attendee
And don’t forget . . .
In addition to your choice of over 20 sessions, an open mic, the Bottom Dog Press reading, and an inspiring keynote, you will have access to our exhibit hall, which will be bigger and more diverse than ever, have the option to join us for a catered lunch (or have lunch on your own), and so much more.
So, how much is this gonna set me back?
We know times are tough for everyone. As we do every year, WANA works with local organizations to create a one-of-a-kind experience, which often means we can cut costs. This year, through the generosity of our community partnerships (who you will be hearing all about), we were able to reduce our registration fee for WANA 2026.
WANA Conference Registration Rates for 2026
Early Bird Registration is open until August 15!
Early-Bird & Presenter Rate for WANA Members . . . . $135
Early-Bird & Presenter Rate for Non-Members . . . . $160
Regular Registration Rate for WANA Members . . . . $145
Regular Registration Rate for Non-Members . . . . $170
Student Registration Rate . . . . $25
Whether you’re a writer, reader, teacher, student, or just someone who loves a good story, you have a place with WANA.
- Note: A special link for presenters will be sent in a confirmation message once proposals have been selected.
Early-Bird Registration for WANA Members (Choose One)
Early-Bird Registration for Non-Members (Choose One)
Student Registrations (Choose One)
What Registration Includes
Your registration gives you full access to two days of writing, conversation, creativity, and community in downtown Wheeling and at beautiful Wheeling Park in Wheeling, West Virginia.
• Access to 20+ conference sessions, including craft talks, generative workshops, publishing and professional development sessions, and conversations about the writing life
• Entry to our new environmental writing track, with sessions that make use of Wheeling Park’s lake, shelters, and autumn landscape
• Admission to our keynote presentation and book signing with Amy Jo Burns
• Access to the conference open mic at Esoterica, including a special collage reading celebrating 40 years of Bottom Dog Press
• Time to explore our exhibit hall featuring small presses, literary organizations, MFA programs, authors, booksellers, and opportunities to discover new books, connect with publishers, and learn about the literary work happening across the region
• Opportunities to connect with writers, readers, educators, publishers, and literary community members from across Northern Appalachia and beyond
• Admission to our informal post-conference gathering with snacks provided by WANA and time to continue conversations, make new friends, and unwind together
WANA has always been known for being informative, relaxed, and welcoming. Whether you are drafting your first poem, revising a manuscript, building a writing practice, or celebrating a new publication, registration opens the door to a weekend designed to energize your writing now and for the year ahead.
