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2026 Literary Conference
August 7-9, 2026, all virtual
A gathering for BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, neurodiverse and disability community
Join The Word this 2026 to explore Toni Morrison's call:
Now is the Time When Artists Go to Work
We invite you to join us at the 5th [margins.] conference---rooted in the call to meet this moment. It is when there is no clear bright light, when our pathways are being stolen and shut down--that is when the creative and complicated ways that we can do good through our work are most called upon.
In 2026, we invite you to join a conference that emerges from the common refrain of past attendees that "[margins.] feels like a retreat." This year, our workshops and panels will take on a roundtable element to each, leaning into that retreat-like feeling of community care by building sessions through conversation, reflection, and imagination that invites participants and instructors to co-create.
EXPLORE:
At [margins.] you'll find
PUBLISHING
talks
We explore publishing paths-traditional, independent, self-pub, and paths yet to be charted.
WRITING CRAFT
We talk craft as we most need, exploring voice and inspiration to tell our stories unbound from traditional expectations.
COMMUNITY
discussion
We connect and hold, we dream and explore, we activate and create.
OPEN MICS
We make space to share our stories, to explore the unfinished edges, to believe in ourselves.
COHORT
MEET-UPS
We meet our folks, whether by lived expirience or writing interest we recall that we are never alone.
Join us, in community
Thank you to our 2026 planning committee members:
D.J. Bond
Ellen Chang-Richardson
Charity Yoro
Thank you to our sponsors:
Our sponsors help support the continued work of [margins.] and make it possible to offer our Community-Level pricing options.
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Reach out at margins [at] thewordfodiversity.org
Foundation Sponsors
Ally Sponsors
Additional Sponsors
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