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HippoCamp: A Conference for Creative Nonfiction Writers
HippoCamp: A Conference for Creative Nonfiction Writers
If you love to write true stories, this warm and welcoming writing conference, produced by Hippocampus Magazine, was made just for you!
HippoCamp: A Conference for Creative Nonfiction Writers is geared toward writers of all skill levels and backgrounds, and it offers plenty of opportunities for you to hone your craft, explore publishing options and find ways to balance your writing and "real" life, as well as chances to meet, learn from, and share with writers like you.
This three-day creative writing conference in PA event features 50+ notable speakers, engaging sessions in four tracks, interactive panels, readings, social activities, networking opps and optional, intimate pre-conference workshops. All of this, plus meals and snacks, bundled into a great, comprehensive conference rate. Our host city is Lancaster, Pa., a bustling mid-size metropolis rich in history, arts and culture. (Learn more about this event at the ABOUT page.
40+ writers and publishing professionals will share their experience and wisdom with you!
35+ events that will fill your notebook with ideas and inspiration!
PLEASE READ BEFORE REGISTERING: Register for the conference by choosing a ticket option below from the EventBrite widget; you may add on a pre-conference workshop now, or you may add one a later date. Once you choose a ticket, click "order now" (you may need to scroll down within the box), and then you will be taken to EventBrite to complete your order. Please review refund policy on Attendees page before purchasing. Note that if you're entering a promo code, the link is on the top left of this form, and you enter it BEFORE you get to cart.
News, blog posts, and more
by Andrea Davis, intern When it comes to facelifting and transforming stories, there are ideas that come to mind: making it funny and turning essays into a full book. While these two things are…
Read moreby Andrea Davis, intern In today's world, there are a million different ways a person can market themselves—social media, television, radio, readings, paid media…the list goes on. And whether you’re a first-time published author…
Read moreby Andrea Davis, intern In today's world, there are more ways than we can count to get information; but how do we know what is true and not true? That question is an important…
Read moreby Andrea Davis, intern Want to bridge this giant gap between writing and publishing? At HippoCamp, we want to make you feel confident and informed when you start reaching out to agents, publishing houses,…
Read moreby Andrea Davis, intern Everyone is a busy. In fact, life can get absolutely nuts sometimes, and writing just doesn’t seem feasible. Maybe you’re a parent of three, also a wife or husband, working…
Read moreby Andrea Davis, Intern Sometimes, writers lose their creative sense; they lose their drive or motivation; they hit a wall. And we all know we’re not talking about just any wall. No, we’re talking about…
Read moreDesirée Magney, along with co-presenter Emily Rich, will give a breakout session: Finding Your Memoir Voice. We asked Desirée a few questions about her involvement with HippoCamp this year. HM: Tell us a…
Read moreLast year, Lawrence Knorr of Sunbury Press served on our agents and editors's panel and offered great perspective on independent presses. He returns to Lancaster this year for two events. First, he's giving a…
Read moreJenna McGuiggan is a returning HippoCamp attendee and speaker, and we're so excited that she'll once again be leading a preconference workshop about "writing into the heart of your story." (At the time this…
Read moreDiane McCormick attended HippoCamp 2017 (and you can read about her huge success story in this post!), and this year, she's returning as a breakout session speaker. She'll talk about the art of interviewing,…
Read moreElane Johnson is one of HippoCamp's biggest fans. She's been to every event since 2015, and this year will be her second time speaking. Last year, her book proposal flash session was a hit, and…
Read moreJoanne Lozar Glenn is a loyal HippoCamper and a returning speaker. This year, she's part of our flash session line-up with a topic we could all use assistance with: Describe, not prescribe: How to…
Read moreReturning speaker Margaret Montent will give a flash session called The Art of Organizing Reality: The Role of the Commonplace Book in Writing Creative Nonfiction. We love this unique topic idea, and can't wait…
Read moreB. Lynn Goodwin will be on our panel of writers getting started after 40. This was a topic in demand last year, so we added it to our conference proposal wish list. We received…
Read moreKate Meadows is a returning HippoCamp speaker. This year, her proposal fills a widely requested topic that we included in our call-for-proposal wish list. We're so happy she submitted this. Attendees are so excited…
Read moreSo much of what's offered at writing conferences is based on craft, but at HippoCamp, we also LOVE to pay attention to what happens AFTER you have a story to share ... and sell.…
Read moreHome means something different to everyone. With a word with such depth, how does one actually write about "home?" Previous Hippocampus Magazine contributor Sue Repko, along with Parker Blaney, will address this in a breakout…
Read moreA recurring theme at past HippoCamp was attendees getting serious about their writing a little later in life. We included this topic in our wish list for proposals for this year's conference. After we…
Read moreThe human brain is a fascinating specimen! And, as writers of true stories, we may be interested in just how our noggin makes and maintains our memory. That's where writer, journalism professor and past…
Read moreSomething we at Hippocampus feel isn't discussed at writing conferences enough is author websites and marketing. It's more than "send a Tweet!" That's why we're thrilled Mandy Pennington is back at HippoCamp for a…
Read moreAt this year's conference we're holding a freelancer's panel during one of our breakout sessions. And we're so delighted Estelle Erasmus will be joining us for this discussion. She's also involved with the American Society…
Read moreAmy Eaton attend HippoCamp last year and, this summer, she's returning as a break-out session speaker. We're thrilled that she's going to share how writers can better prepare to tell their stories or give readings,…
Read moreWe're can't wait until this year's Flash Sessions on Sunday! Among the mix in this fast-paced event will be Kelly Kandra Hughes who will share some writing mistakes she made -- so you don't have…
Read moreWe're so excited to have Melanie Brooks, author of Writing Hard Stories, returning to HippoCamp this year. This will be Melanie's second time at HippoCamp and second time speaking. In line with her book, her…
Read moreLisa Romeo has been at every HippoCamp to date, and she has also shared her wisdom each year. This year's a special one, though: her memoir Starting With Goodbye hit shelves this spring, so she'll…
Read moreJodi Sh. Doff is a returning attendee and a first-time HippoCamp presenter. In her flash session, The Virtual Writers Room: Better Writing Through Technology, she's going to share lots of tips and tricks on how…
Read moreHippocampus Magazine is proud to announce our third featured speaker. We're delighted to welcome Beth Kephart, author of many titles including the craft book Handing the Truth. Beth will speak during our orientation programming, just…
Read moreWe're so excited to welcome Randon Billings Noble back to HippoCamp! This returning speaker will lead two events: first, a pre-conference workshop on the lyric essay and second, a break-out session on finding a home…
Read moreDave Pidgeon has been an important part of HippoCamp behind the scenes the past two years. This year, he'll be front and center, giving a breakout session about talking to the media about tough topics…
Read moreWe love that returning attendees Emilie and Hillary decided to do this pre-conference interview together. It's a testament to their teamwork! This writing duo will give a session all about writing with a partner called,…
Read moreLisa Smith is a returning HippoCamp speaker. Last year, she joined us for the debut author panel (and wowed the audience with her memoir Girl Walks Out), and this year, she's half of a presenting…
Read moreGwen Erkonen is teaming up for a presentation called Professionally Naked: Living a Dual Life with, as she told us, her "dear friend and writing hero Lisa Smith." The pair will talk about what it's…
Read moreLara Lillibridge is a returning attendee and second-time speaker. We're excited to welcome her back to HippoCamp: A Conference for Creative Nonfiction Writers where, this year, she's teaming up with another past speaker to show…
Read moreWe're excited for Cheryl Woodruff-Brooks, author of Chicken Bone Beach, to join us at HippoCamp 2018 for "A Night of Nonfiction: Debut CNF Author Readings & Discussion." We asked Cheryl a few questions about her…
Read moreAmy Fish is a returning HippoCamp attendee -- and a past speaker -- and we're happy to welcome her back to Lancaster! This year, she's teaming up with Lara Lillibridge for a breakout session called…
Read moreDawn Zera will tackle a subject everyone is talking about these days: the truth. In Just the Facts, Ma’am: Research in the Era of Catfish, Russians and Fake News she'll talk all about why facts…
Read moreHippocampus Magazine and Books is pleased to welcome our friends from Lancaster Story Slam to this year's event, as they produce a special HippoCamp Edition of their monthly, live storytelling event. On Friday, Aug. 24,…
Read moreJessie van Eerden learned about HippoCamp through recommendations from her MFA students and decided to check it out for herself! She will be participating in A Night of Nonfiction: Debut CNF Author Readings & Discussion,…
Read moreMarcia Butler has enjoyed successful careers in music and interior design. Now a published author, she is excited to share her process with others at HippoCamp in her breakout session called, “The Real Writing Life:…
Read moreMarc Frazier regularly publishes flash fiction and poetry, and he recently completed a memoir manuscript. At HippoCamp 2018, he will be leading a flash session titled, “Essay vs. Memoir.” We’re excited to hear him speak!…
Read moreKirsten Voris, a first-time HippoCamp attendee, will serve on the panel, “The Writing Life After 40.” We’re excited to hear her speak! In the meantime, we asked her a few questions about her upcoming participation…
Read moreReturning speaker Allison K Williams will present a breakout session, "25 Hours in the Day: Making and Living a Writing Life" and a (sold-out) pre-conference workshop, "Writing Your Memoir Proposal." She will also moderate our Sunday…
Read moreSteph Auteri, a two-year attendee of Hippocampus, will be running a flash session titled, “How to Pump Out an Epic Number of Story Ideas in One Sitting.” We’re excited to hear her speak! In the…
Read moreAnita Gill recently mastered one of the hardest parts of drafting—writing the ending—while completing her MFA, and she wants to share her knowledge with others at HippoCamp 2018. She will be leading the session, "Bring…
Read moreAngie Chatman has attended HippoCamp twice before, including the inaugural conference. She says at past HippoCamps, she "learned a lot, was able to get support and affirmation by being around other writers, and had fun."…
Read moreTerri Steel became a published writer after she turned 50, and will use her story to inspire others during this year's HippoCamp. She will be presenting on the panel, "Breaking Into Writing After 40" and…
Read moreA first-time HippoCamp attendee and speaker, Alexander Monelli will present a session entitled, “Call The Doc: How Documentary Filmmaking Can Help Creative Writing.” In the meantime, we asked this local filmmaker a few questions about…
Read moreHippoCamp: A Conference for Creative Nonfiction Writers is pleased to announce our 2018 headlining keynote. This year's speaker came up as a suggestion many times on our post-conference survey question, "Who would you like to…
Read moreWe're grateful for their support.
Rosemont’s MFA in creative writing and MA in publishing offers emerging writers, and publishing professionals, the tools and support they need to succeed. A unique double-degree option is available.
Rosemont CollegeBay Path’s fully online MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing is designed to help writers at all stages of their career turn their personal story into publishable prose. The program includes professional tracks in publishing and teaching; electives in travel & food writing, spiritual writing, family histories, and nature writing; and an optional in-residence seminar in Ireland. Students study with acclaimed faculty mentors in small classes, and graduate with a strong writing community and a thesis that will form the foundation for a full-length book.
Bay Path UniversityWV Wesleyan’s low-residency MFA is an uncommonly affordable program offering tracks in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Students join a warm community every summer and winter for an intensive ten-day residency on campus that initiates an independent semester of apprenticeship through correspondence. Faculty-mentor/student ratio never exceeds 1 to 4. Located in central Appalachia, the program welcomes and fosters writing that explores place and identity. Wesleyan also offers cross-genre study, an Ireland Residency, and a residency audit option.
West Virginia WesleyanLancaster Story Slam is a monthly storytelling competition where people tell true five-minute stories in front of a live audience. Learn about the live events, podcasts, classes and more at LancasterStorySlam.com.
Lancaster Story SlamIn the podcast Behind the Prose, Keysha Whitaker interviews writers to deconstruct their craft choices in contemporary fiction and nonfiction. Listeners learn about literary techniques that live behind the prose of good writing, concrete strategies which they can apply to enhance their own work.
Behind the Prose