Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Writers across Alabama will gather in Orange Beach Community Center this fall for the 2025 Alabama Writers’ Cooperative (A.W.C.) Annual Conference. The three-day event brings together authors, poets, and storytellers of all backgrounds to connect, learn, and grow. It offers workshops, manuscript critiques, an awards dinner, and the election of the state’s next Poet Laureate.

This year’s conference will be held September 12 through 14.

Founded in 1923, the A.W.C. began as a small group of writers meeting at Alabama State College, now known as the University of Montevallo. Since then, it has supported writers across genres, helping them sharpen their craft and navigate the road to publication. For more than a century, the group has stayed focused on encouraging writers to tell meaningful and original stories.

Conference attendees will have the chance to hear from seasoned writers and publishing professionals. Kerry Madden-Lunsford, author and a professor at UAB, will deliver the keynote at the Saturday night banquet. She will speak about tackling tough topics in fiction for young readers. Her latest book, Werewolf Hamlet, was published earlier this year and has already gone into a second printing.

Also on Saturday, winners of the A.W.C. Writing Contest will be honored during the evening awards ceremony. Throughout the weekend, writers can attend sessions on improving their daily writing routines, preparing query letters, and understanding the publishing process.

On the final day, A.W.C. members will vote to elect Alabama’s next Poet Laureate. The organization’s nomination committee is reviewing candidates and plans to present their recommendation during the weekend.

“The energy at this year’s conference is going to be incredible,” said A.W.C. President Jessica Jones Langston. “We hope writers of all levels will join us to learn, share ideas, and celebrate their writing journeys.”

The event is open to the public. Registration costs $200 for the weekend or $175 for students. This includes workshops, the banquet, and manuscript consultations for members. Membership in the A.W.C. is $25 per year.

More details and registration info are available at the Alabama Writers Cooperative website.  Questions can be sent to jjsayspoetryplz@gmail.com.