#AWP26: March 4–7, 2026
Baltimore Convention Center
Join thousands of writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers at the AWP Conference & Bookfair—the premier annual gathering of the literary community. With hundreds of events and exhibitors, four days of connection, inspiration, and celebration await you in Baltimore!
#AWP26 Keynote Address
by John Waters,
Sponsored by Johns Hopkins University
Thursday, March 5, 2026
8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET
Ballroom I, Baltimore Convention Center, Level 400
Photo credit: Greg Gorman
John Waters has written and directed sixteen movies including Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble, Polyester, Hairspray, Cry Baby, Serial Mom and A Dirty Shame. Both Pink Flamingos and Hairspray have been added to the U.S. Library of Congress' National Film Registry.
He is the author of ten books: Shock Value, Crackpot, Pink Flamingos and Other Trash, Hairspray, Female Trouble and Multiple Maniacs, Art: A Sex Book (co-written with Bruce Hainley), Role Models, Carsick, Make Trouble, Mr. Know-It-All, and in 2022 his first novel, Liarmouth: A Feel Bad Romance. Liarmouth was optioned by Village Roadshow Pictures for John to write the screenplay adaptation and direct the movie. Picador will publish six of Waters' screenplays as individual editions in 2025: Pink Flamingos, Flamingos Forever and Desperate Living in May, and Multiple Maniacs,Female Trouble, and Hairspray in mid-October.
Please note that photography and recording are strictly prohibited at this event. This event will be live streamed to registered attendees for thirty days post-conference and will not be available later.
Discover the Bookfair
The largest literary marketplace in North America.
Meet and connect with hundreds of small presses, literary magazines, university presses, MFA programs, and more. Whether you're attending or exhibiting, the bookfair is the heart of the conference.
Want to exhibit? Join this vibrant literary hub and showcase your organization to thousands of attendees.
Sponsorship
Elevate your organization's impact
Put your organization at the center of literary industry leaders and peers, forge pathways to professional development for your students and staff, access exclusive sponsor benefits, and maximize your organization's visibility and impact by sponsoring #AWP26 today! Maximize your benefits by sponsoring early and receive a full cycle of benefits.
Thank you to our premier sponsor Johns Hopkins University!
Thank you Benefactor Sponsors!
Apply to #AWP26 Writer to Agent
The highly anticipated Writer to Agent Program will be available later this fall! All registered attendees can submit the first five pages of your fiction, nonfiction, or creative nonfiction manuscript and a query letter to participating literary agents for a chance at a virtual or in-person meeting over the days of #AWP26.
Hotel & Travel Information
Discounted rates and travel tips available September 3
Registered attendees can access reduced hotel rates in AWP's official blocks, flight discounts, and helpful transportation info to make your trip to Baltimore smooth and affordable. Registered attendees can access hotel information in the Attendee Service Center.
