In general, panelists and honorees are selected by a committee that includes authors, and other qualified individuals who represent the genres and subject matter presented. All recommendations for potential panelists or presenters are reviewed by the committee for consideration.

No, not at all. The conference is a gathering of the general public, writers, scholars, teachers, students, and literary professionals. It is open to all.

The four-day conference is every even year, i.e. 2018, 2020, 2022, and so on. Typically, the four-day gathering takes place during the last full weekend in March.

The Biennial Symposium is for one day only and that normally takes place on the last Saturday in March in the even years (2017, 2019, 2021, etc.). The Biennial Symposium date(s) may be influenced by the Easter / Spring break.

Generally, one can register online on this website or via postal mail.

To register via postal mail, please request a form by calling us at (718) 804-8883 or emailing us at writers@mec.cuny.edu. Emails and phone messages are checked every weekday but please allow one to two business days for a reply. Thank you!

A student can register individually or as a part of a student group. Valid ID will be required upon registration.

Medgar Evers College and other CUNY students do not have to pay to attend most Conference activities (although, a nominal fee might apply for Talkshops or fundraising events.).

The Youth Day programs are generally free for tri-State area elementary, middle, and high schools students. Programming is generally for 3rd grade – 12th grade students.

School administrators and teachers: To find out how your class can participate in “Youth Day” activities, please contact us at (718) 804-8883. You may also send an email to writers@mec.cuny.edu.

Applies only to the multi-day conference: Students at the upper level of high school and above can register for these workshops. If in high school, they should be exceptional in the genre of writing for which they are registering.

The age is 62 years of age (with a valid ID card).

For 2021 registration information and deadlines, click here.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of the conference events were held at Medgar Evers College, CUNY campus. The campus is handicap accessible at all locations.

Also, most of the conference partner events are held at venues that are accessible for the differently-abled community as well.

No. If you are selected as a vendor for the Conference, you do not have to pay a registration fee.

Yes. These items can are separate. Paying for the Conference doesn not grant one access to the VIP Reception.

Yes. “Talkshops” are ticketed events that are separate from the Conference activities. These sessions are popular.

Volunteers who donate a minimum of eight hours over the four days of the conference may attend any non-ticketed event for free. Events that require a separate entry donation are not included, e.g. the VIP Reception and the "Talkshops."