Keynote Speaker
Amor Towles
Amor Towles is an internationally bestselling novelist celebrated for elegant storytelling, unforgettable characters, and richly imagined…
Learn MoreFebruary 10–14, 2027
The 2027 Conference
From February 10–14, 2027, the San Miguel Writers’ Conference & Literary Festival brings writers, readers, and storytellers together in San Miguel de Allende for five days of workshops, keynotes, cultural celebrations, and literary community.
70
Workshops + Intensives
65
Faculty + Agents + Consultants
5
Days
February 10–14, 2027
Free
Programs
Open to the community
Keynote Speakers
In Order of Appearance
Keynote Speaker
Jennifer Finney Boylan
Bestselling author Jennifer Finney Boylan has spent her career illuminating the complexities of identity, family, and…
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Keynote Speaker
Michelle Good
Michelle Good is an award-winning Cree writer and member of the Red Pheasant Cree Nation in…
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Keynote Speaker
Martha Bátiz
Martha Bátiz is a Mexican author, translator, and professor based in Canada whose work bridges cultures,…
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Keynote Speaker
Xavier Velasco
Xavier Velasco is an acclaimed Mexican novelist, journalist, and columnist whose work is celebrated for its…
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Keynote Speaker
Kiran Desai
Kiran Desai is the Booker Prize-winning author of The Inheritance of Loss and the acclaimed novel…
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Keynote Speaker
Giller Prize Winner
Celebrating one of Canada’s most acclaimed literary voices through our partnership with the Giller Prize.
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Keynote Speaker
Roxane Gay
Roxane Gay is an internationally acclaimed author, essayist, editor, and cultural critic whose work explores identity,…
Learn More2027 Theme
Literary Spotlight
Ten presentations delving into literary topics — a standalone series and a compelling alternative to workshops. Register for the full series or pick individual lectures à la carte.
Showing 3 of 10 lectures
Thursday, February 11 · 3:30 – 4:30 PM
Sandra Cisneros
“Writing in My Pajamas (ENGLISH)”
$50
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Thursday, February 11 · 10:45 AM – 12:15 PM
Nita Prose
“The Truth about Fiction (ENGLISH)”
$50
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Thursday, February 11 · 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Danielle Trussoni
“Reading (and Writing) as an Act of Resistance (ENGLISH)”
$50
Learn More10 presentations · $50 each or $450 for the full 10-lecture series
2027 Conference
Packages & Pricing
Early Bird Pricing Through August 31, 2026
The Works
Full conference immersion
August Price: $1,700 USD
Early Bird Rate
- Open Plenary Welcome
- All 8 Keynote Presentations
- 2 Panels
- 7 90-min. Workshops/Literary Spotlight sessions
- 2 Three-hour Intensives
- 1 Round Table with a Keynote Speaker
- Opening Reception
- Fiesta
- Closing Reception
- Free Conference Events & Offerings
Other Rates
- Full price starting September 1st $1,795 USD
- Mexican Nationals $695 USD ($12,000 MXN)
The Core
Essential conference experience
August Price: $700 USD
Early Bird Rate
- Open Plenary Welcome
- All 8 Keynote Presentations
- 2 Panels
- Opening Reception
- Fiesta
- Closing Reception
- Free Conference Events
- Free Conference Events & Offerings
Other Rates
- Full price starting September 1st $795 USD
- Mexican Nationals $375 USD ($6,500 MXN)
Literary Spotlight Series
10 at the price of 9
$450 USD
Early Bird Rate
- Open Plenary Welcome
- 10 One-hour Presentations Exploring Diverse Literary Topics
- Free Conference Events & Offerings
The Weekend
Weekend highlights
August Price: $1,100 USD
Early Bird Rate
- 5 Keynote Presentations
- 1 Panel
- 2 or 4 90-min. Workshops + 1 or 2 3-hour Intensives (all in Spanish)
- Fiesta
- Closing Reception
- Free Conference Events
- Free Conference Events & Offerings
Other Rates
- Full price starting September 1st $1,195 USD
- Mexican Nationals $350 USD ($6,000 MXN)
À La Carte · Sold Separately
Create your own conference experience View full list
- 3-hr Intensive $250 Three-hour intensive workshop. +Add
- Individual Keynote & Panels $50 $50 August Special. Regular Price $60. +Add
- Individual Workshop $125 90-minute workshop. +Add
- Literary Spotlight $50 One-hour presentation on a unique literary topic. +Add
- Agent Pitch $100 15-minute one-on-one pitch with a literary agent. +Add
- Individual Consultation $120 30-minute consultation with a publishing or marketing consultant. +Add
- Opening Reception $75 Opening cocktail reception. +Add
- Closing Reception $75 Farewell evening reception. +Add
- Fiesta $125 Mexican Fiesta with music, food, and drinks. +Add
Panel Discussions
Included in all packages · Click a panel to learn more.
Get ready to pull back the curtain on book publishing. Our Industry Insiders panel is an all-access pass to the inner workings of publishing, featuring a powerhouse panel of literary agents, editors, and professionals who can explain how the industry really works. From submission tips to new trends to the mysterious alchemy of getting a book deal, this lively and revealing discussion will give you guidance straight from the source. Whether you're a first-time writer or a seasoned author, you'll walk away with fresh insights and real answers to your publishing questions.
View panel detailsIt is rare in the literary world for so many famous authors to appear together in one event. In this lively panel, all of our illustrious keynote speakers will engage in discussions in a Q & A format. Questions from attendees will be answered, and the authors will be encouraged to engage in discussions with each other as well.
View panel detailsSan Miguel Global Literary Institute's
2027 Writing Contest
Open to emerging writers in three categories. One winner per category receives a "The Works" Package to the 2027 Conference (valued at $1,795 USD), including full access, seven 90-minute workshops/Literary Spotlight presentations, two six-hour intensive workshops, parties, receptions, and accommodation upon request.
Opens: June 11, 2025 · Deadline: September 15, 2026 · Winners announced: November 15, 2026 · Cost: $35 per submission
Submission Guidelines
- 2,500 words of double spaced 12pt prose
- Limited to emerging writers who have not yet published 10,000 copies of any book
- The submission must be unpublished work
- Original work completely written, edited, and produced by a human — no AI technologies permitted in drafting or generation of the text
- Do not include your name in the body of your creative submission
- Use Times New Roman or Calibri font
Judge
Ivy Pochoda
Author of Ecstasy, Wonder Valley, Visitation Street, These Women, and Sing Her Down. Winner of the 2018 Strand Critics Award and the 2025 ITW Thriller Award.
Registration
Fiction
- Opens: June 11, 2025
- Deadline: September 15, 2026
- Winners announced: November 15, 2026
- Cost: $35 per submission
Add contest@sanmiguelwritersconference.org to your contacts so our emails don’t go to spam.
Submission Guidelines
- 2,500 words of double spaced 12pt prose
- Limited to emerging writers who have not yet published 10,000 copies of any book
- The submission must be unpublished work
- Original work completely written, edited, and produced by a human — no AI technologies permitted in drafting or generation of the text
- Do not include your name in the body of your creative submission
- Use Times New Roman or Calibri font
Judge
Pamela Uschuk
Pamela Uschuk’s is a wildling poet, a human, immigrant and wilderness rights activist. Her eight poetry books include Crazy Love, American Book Award and Refugee, Red Hen Press, Los Angeles (Named by Orion as among their top 14 poetry books 2022 and by Kirkus Review among of their ten top books of 2023). Red Hen reprinted Blood Flower in 2025 and will publish the 2nd Edition of Crazy Love, 2026, and Wild in the Plaza of Memory as well as her newest collection, Pulling Down Sky.
Registration
Poetry
- Opens: June 11, 2025
- Deadline: September 15, 2026
- Winners announced: November 15, 2026
- Cost: $35 per submission
Add contest@sanmiguelwritersconference.org to your contacts so our emails don’t go to spam.
Submission Guidelines
- 2,500 words of double spaced 12pt prose
- Limited to emerging writers who have not yet published 10,000 copies of any book
- The submission must be unpublished work
- Original work completely written, edited, and produced by a human — no AI technologies permitted in drafting or generation of the text
- Do not include your name in the body of your creative submission
- Use Times New Roman or Calibri font
Judge
Ben Widdicombe
Ben Widdicombe is a Kirkus-starred memoirist (Gatecrasher, 2020), as well as a New York Times bestselling ghostwriter. He is a former weekly columnist for the New York Times and a current contributor to its Opinion section.
Registration
Creative Nonfiction / Memoir
- Opens: June 11, 2025
- Deadline: September 15, 2026
- Winners announced: November 15, 2026
- Cost: $35 per submission
Add contest@sanmiguelwritersconference.org to your contacts so our emails don’t go to spam.
Submission Guidelines
- 2,500 words of double spaced 12pt prose
- Limited to emerging writers who have not yet published 10,000 copies of any book
- The submission must be unpublished work
- Original work completely written, edited, and produced by a human — no AI technologies permitted in drafting or generation of the text
- Do not include your name in the body of your creative submission
- Use Times New Roman or Calibri font
Registration
Concurso Internacional de Cuento
- Opens: June 11, 2025
- Deadline: September 15, 2026
- Winners announced: November 15, 2026
- Cost: $35 per submission
Add contest@sanmiguelwritersconference.org to your contacts so our emails don’t go to spam.
2027 Featured Country
Haiti
Celebrating Haiti's extraordinary literary legacy and enduring influence across the world. Through keynotes, workshops, cultural programming, and a dedicated Literary Spotlight Series, the conference will uplift Haitian voices, stories, landscapes, and creative traditions.
2027 Reading List
The Big Reads
Big Read (English)
The Big Read
The Big Read is an opportunity for us all to immerse ourselves in a book by one of our esteemed keynote speakers. Read the book at your own pace, then join the book club event on the first day of the Conference to discuss it with fellow attendees and gain deeper insights.
Big Read (Spanish)
La Gran Lectura
La Gran Lectura is one of the most anticipated events of the conference. It is a collective, open reading that celebrates the richness of the Spanish language and the deep connection between author and readers. Register yourself or your book club at: contacto@sanmiguelfestivalescritorets.org
Conference Celebrations
Immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of San Miguel Writers' Conference celebrations.
Wednesday, February 10 · 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM
Opening Reception
Join us for a vibrant kick-off to the conference at our Opening Reception! Connect with fellow attendees, meet our esteemed speakers and faculty, and enjoy an evening filled with engaging conversations, delicious refreshments, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. This is the perfect opportunity to set the stage for an inspiring and enriching conference experience.
$75 · HRM Gardens
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Wednesday, Febuary 10th 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Fèt Haïtienne
Join us for a free community celebration honoring the rich culture of Haiti, our Featured Country. Enjoy an evening of poetry, music, storytelling, and other festive activities as we come together to celebrate the spirit, creativity, and culture of Haïti in San Miguel. Free admission. Everyone is welcome.
Free · HRM Gardens
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Friday, February 12 · 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Fiesta
Immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of San Miguel with our Mexican Fiesta! Enjoy traditional flavors, savor tequila tastings, and dance to traditional music. Witness captivating traditional dances that celebrate Mexico’s rich cultural heritage. This unforgettable evening promises a party like no other, filled with authentic experiences that embody the essence of San Miguel.
$125 · HRM Bullring
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Sunday, February 14 · 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Closing Reception
Celebrate the conclusion of our eventful conference at the Closing Reception! Reflect on the memorable moments, share your experiences, and bid farewell to new friends and colleagues. Enjoy a delightful evening of entertainment, refreshments, and heartfelt farewells as we wrap up our time together in style.
$75 · HRM Gardens
Learn MoreBookstore & Mercado Cultural
Shop, browse, and bring a piece of the conference home with you.
Conference Bookstore
Books by Faculty & Featured Authors
The hub of the Conference is the Bookstore, a place to relax and connect with newfound friends and do some of the most interesting browsing you’ll find anywhere. The bookstore features books by our keynote speakers, our distinguished visiting and local faculty members, and Literary Sala members — from small chapter books to huge bestsellers. All items are priced in Mexican pesos and may be purchased with a credit card.
- Books by keynote speakers and faculty
- Works by San Miguel Literary Sala members
- Signed copies
- Conference swag
Mercado Cultural
Local Artisans & NGOs
Join us at the Mercado Cultural, where you can experience the artistry and craftsmanship of San Miguel. The Mercado offers the opportunity to shop and explore a diverse range of offerings unique to San Miguel — local delicacies alongside local and Indigenous arts and crafts. We will also feature our NGO partners, offering insights into local initiatives taking place in San Miguel.
- Local and Indigenous arts and crafts
- Handmade goods and textiles
- Local delicacies
- NGO partner initiatives
Travel & Accommodations
Plan your visit to San Miguel de Allende
Getting to San Miguel
Flight information, airport shuttles, and ground transportation options.
View Transportation GuideHotel Accommodation
Partner hotel with special conference rates.
Learn MoreConference Venues & Maps
Map of all conference locations and San Miguel landmarks.
View MapJoin the Global Institute Community
For more than two decades, the San Miguel Global Literary Institute has brought together voices from around the world. Connect and help shape the future of literary exchange.