writer's conference

The Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference

Every summer in late June writers at every stage of development gather at Bemidji State University—a small university on a big lake—for the Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference. The conference brings together a faculty of award-winning nationally recognized writers who are also excellent teachers for this weeklong conference. Attendees find the intimate learning community the conference creates enlivening and sustaining.

The cost of the conference is funded in part by conference fees and regional, state, and national grants. Those grants help to keep the conference affordable for attendees and allow us to provide scholarships to lower financial barriers for promising applicants. The costs associated with putting on the conference are rising, and grants are getting more competitive. We’re asking for and would greatly appreciate your help in lessening our dependency on grants, covering conference costs, and allowing us to provide more funding for scholarships. The Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference has become a significant resource for writers throughout the Midwest and across the nation. Please help us with our mission.

To learn more about the conference and to register, click here.

How your gift helps

You may direct your gift to one of two designations, both of which are critical to the long-term success of the conference.

  • General Fund - aids in lowering financial barriers for attendees through scholarships and reduces operating costs for the conference
  • Endowment Fund - builds long-term sustainability and lessens dependency on grants for the conference
writers conference leake