Registration is now open for the 2026 Mesa Verde Writers Conference, a three-day event for writers of all experience levels that will feature workshops, faculty-led discussions and community gatherings Sept. 2-4 at Deer Hill Expeditions, 7850 Road 41 in Mancos..
Four authors will make up the faculty for the conference, which has moved to a new venue this year.
The conference will feature workshops on the first two days, with four sessions offered Wednesday and Thursday. The event concludes Friday with a panel discussion featuring all faculty members, who will address questions about writing and publishing.
Faculty members include nonfiction writer Annette McGivney of Cortez, novelist and short story writer Wendy J. Fox of Phoenix, poet Monica Barron of Kirksville, Missouri and novelist, short story writer and poet Lisa C. Taylor of Mancos.
Registration includes seven meals, with the option to reserve lodging at Deer Hill Expeditions for an additional fee. Breakfast and lunch will be served in the main meeting hall, and dietary needs will be accommodated.
“Deer Hill’s main meeting house will allow us to grow the conference this year to about 40 writers,” Taylor said. “The grounds are tailor-made for small gatherings and intimate conversations. And we’ll gather in the evening on the first two days of the conference in the house for community dinner, readings and good literary conversation.”
Full details, registration information and faculty biographies are available online at www.mesaverdewriters.org. Workshops and the complete schedule are expected to be released soon.
The conference is a featured program of the Mancos Creative District and will lead into the second annual Mesa Verde Literary Festival on Saturday, Sept. 5, in downtown Mancos. Last year’s festival attracted about 50 authors from across the country for panels, author talks, keynote addresses and a pop-up bookstore showcasing participants’ works.
Authors interested in the 2026 festival can submit an interest form through the conference website.
