Events Calendar
Here is a list of all the upcoming events in and around the state as well as virtual events on Zoom. If you are an Arizona Authors Association member with an author-related event that you'd like to advertise, please contact the Webmistress HERE.
Online and In-Person
Calendar of Events
Ongoing
Writory.com holds two monthly contests:
The Writory Monthly Poetry Contest: international, any language, entries close the 25th of every month. Entry $5; top international prize $100. Writory Short Story Contest (first round closes 25 November 2026, then monthly): 100 to 3,000 words, any genre, any language. Entry $8; top prize $100.
Every entry in both is judged blind against a published five-part rubric, and every entrant receives a score out of 100 and a certificate, win or not. Winners are published openly with their work and scores. More at:
Oct 3rd
Arizona Professional Writers Special Invitation to the Webinar:
Members of Arizona Professional Writers get a discount of 10%
Join today before you sign up at:
https://arizonaprofessionalwriters.org
Now through Nov 2nd
Horizon Review is Accepting Submissions!
The Horizon Review, a local fine arts magazine, is accepting submissions for the Spring 2027 issue (poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and other media) through November 2nd.
For more information, please visit https://www.horizonreview.org/
Oct 10
Mic Night at the Historic Y in Downtown Tucson
with Ken Weene
738 N. 5th
Tucson, AZ
6-8pm
Oct TBD
Desert Nights Writers Conference
At Desert Nights, Rising Stars (DNRS) Writers Conference you will find a nurturing caring community of writers and stellar faculty to help you discover and tell your story.
Our 2025 keynote speaker is legendary author Sandra Cisneros, author of The House on Mango Street.
https://piper.asu.edu/conference
Oct 17
Desert Foothills Book Festival
The Desert Foothills Book Festival grew from the desire of a group of local authors to connect personally with book lovers and to promote an appreciation of reading and the literary arts. With the Tucson Book Festival to the south and the Payson and Prescott Book Festivals to the north, this small group felt the greater Phoenix, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, and Carefree areas were missing a valuable opportunity to meet and engage with local authors from all genres.
https://desertfoothillsbookfestival.com/
We will have a table. Please stop by and say hello!
Oct 24th
The Author's Tactical Promotion
On Saturday, October 24, 2026, 10:00 a.m., Arizona Authors Association member Jeanne Burrows-Johnson will give a Zoom presentation on “The Author’s Tactical Promotion.” You may be familiar with her authorship through articles she has written for the Arizona Authors Digest and her award-winning Natalie Seachrist Visionary Hawaiian Cozy Mysteries.
Jeanne's work as an author, marketing consultant, and motivational speaker spans many decades and draws on her experience in the performing arts and education in world cultures. For decades, her marketing projects for creative professionals, entrepreneurs, and non-profit organizations have aided positive public awareness of their work. As we examine our experiences in this year... and consider our prospects in 2027...Jeanne will share ideas for strengthening success in the creative professional’s self-promotion, answer your questions, and respond to your experiential suggestions.
Become a member now for more details! Join now!
Nov 14
The Seven Deadly Sins of Romance Writing
Presented by Donna Hatch
Donna Hatch has written over two dozen best-selling historical romances set in the captivating Regency Era. Her meticulously-researched stories follow the tradition of Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, and Lord Byron, weaving tales of courage, second chances, and redemption with plenty of chemistry. What distinguishes Donna’s work is her commitment to incorporating virtue and values into her narratives while delivering the swoony heroes and courageous heroines readers crave in every “Sweet” and “Clean and Wholesome” romance.
If this is the kind of romance novel you would love to write, please join us for this free workshop!
Donna will share a snarky discussion of cliches and mistakes often found in romantic subplots and romance novels that readers hate, and how to write fresh, new, page-turning stories readers love.
Become a member now for more details! Join now!
Nov 21-22
The Harvest of Stories Book Festival
will take place on November 21-22 at:
The Old Door Shop
5930 S. Hwy 92, Hereford AZ.
They are looking for authors from across Cochise County, and all genres are welcome. To apply, click below:
https://forms.gle/zEo31F9DvhJhPMjS7
Nov 28
The Arizona Authors Literary Awards Event
The Arizona Authors Association Literary Awards Brunch is open to all members, guests, and anyone who is interested in learning more about the association, the contest, and the literary community at large. Come and join us for a day of fun, food, networking with professionals, and honoring our contestants.
Family coming for Thanksgiving week? Do they enjoy music? Bring them along! They can fill up on brunch and stay for the event, or eat and then go explore the world-class museum while you enjoy "shop talk" with other writers, editors, publishers and related professionals. Meet some of the best authors and editors in Arizona, and increase your network of contacts.
Attendees will be astounded by the thousands of instruments from over 200 countries. ADMISSION TO THE MUSEUM IS INCLUDED WITH EACH AWARDS EVENT TICKET! That's a separate $20 value, and there will be time for you to enjoy all of it.
The brunch will include a buffet with assorted breads and bagels, jams, honey, and assorted cream cheeses, smoked salmon, dill eggs, mixed green salads with champagne vinaigrette, honey glazed ham, scrambled eggs with chives, maple glazed bacon, roasted breakfast potatoes with rosemary and paprika, assorted citrus and melons, assorted coffee and tea (decaf and regular), and assorted juices to suit every diet.
Location
4725 E. Mayo Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85050
480.478.6000
Date: Saturday, November 28, 2026
Time: 11:30pm-3pm
BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE:
One Ticket: https://www.arizonaauthors.org/_paylink/AZ-PTUS6
Two Tickets: https://www.arizonaauthors.org/_paylink/K28mo6lDOVtN
Dec 5-6
Mesa Book Festival
Anthology is a IRS 501 (c)(3) and state of Arizona literary nonprofit dedicated to promoting literary arts in the greater Phoenix community by providing opportunities for writers to make their work accessible to a diverse audience. Since 1994 Anthology has produced thousands of literary events, published over 10 years of literary journals and produced countless moments of learning, excitement and fun.
https://www.anthology.org/index.php/mesa-book-festival
We will have a table. Please stop by and say hello!
Dec 12
Zoom Workshop: Inspired by True Events: Adding Realism to your Fiction Writing
Presented by Nancy Hicks Marshall
10:00 AM MST Online Zoom Workshop
Become a member now for more details! Join now!
Dec 12
Mic Night at the Historic Y in Downtown Tucson
with Ken Weene
738 N. 5th
Tucson, AZ
6-8pm