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The 2026 Writing in Color Fest will take place on March 21-22 in person at Lighthouse Writers Workshop in Denver, Colorado and on Zoom.
Fest offerings are live!
Join us for our annual two-day writing festival designed to celebrate and amplify the stories and voices of BIPOC+* writers. No matter what writing project you’re working on, our experienced faculty will work closely with you during classes throughout the weekend to support your writing process. The Fest also includes community-building events and a publishing panel open to all writers and creatives of color, even if not attending classes.
Writing in Color Fest is open to writers of all genres and creatives who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC+). The goal of the Fest is to support BIPOC+ individuals as they focus on their writing practice by creating a supportive and encouraging community. We ask that all participants be mindful of this intention; anyone who is disruptive may be asked to leave.
Tuition assistance and payment plans are available.
*BIPOC+ includes but is not limited to African, Indigenous, Native, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, Arab, and Multiracial heritage.
2026 Fest Schedule
Check out the schedule for our 2026 Writing in Color Fest which includes class and evening event descriptions, pass breakdowns, and financial assistance information!
Two-Day Cohorts
Looking for community and space to work on your writing? Writing in Color Fest's Two-Day Writing Cohorts, taught by Natalie Hodges and Suzi Q. Smith, will be packed with opportunities to explore workshopping your writing, experiments with form and craft, and to connect with fellow BIPOC+ writers. These cohorts are a perfect space to meet new friends that you can connect with throughout the Fest weekend.
Panels and Events
At Writing in Color, we value connecting writers of color to valuable resources and craft / career-based knowledge that will support you on your creative journey. This year's Writing in Color Fest panel, presented in partnership with The Word, will focus on understanding the current publishing landscape for BIPOC+ writers. Panelists will include: Angie Chuang (Lighthouse faculty and author), Alvina Ling (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers), Amanda Orozco (Transatlantic Agency), and Pardeep Toor (Lighthouse faculty and author).
We'll also be hosting a writing and tea ceremony with Black Lotus Apothecary to inspire creative rest and renewal for writers of color!
Seminars
Join us for bite-sized classes focused on helping you develop your writing career and/or publishing skills! These classes will cover topics such as, writing query letters, tips for marketing your writing, and more.
Passes
Passes are a great fit for writers who want to attend multiple Fest offerings throughout the weekend. Signing up for a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Pass will allow you to get the full experience of the festival at a discounted rate.
While tuition assistance is not available for passes, we do encourage you to look at our payment plan options which you can find on our Financial Assistance page.
Accessibility Guide
Attending the festival in person? Check out our Accessibility Guide for an overview of the space. Contact us if you would like to request specific accessibility accommodations or visit the info booth for staff/volunteer support.