Longleaf Writers Conference

Emerald Coast Storytellers is proud to spotlight the Longleaf Writers Conference—a beloved, weeklong literary retreat rooted right here along our stretch of the Gulf.

Each May, writers from across the country gather in Grayton Beach for an immersive experience designed to deepen craft, build meaningful connections, and celebrate the written word in all its forms. Set against the backdrop of white sand and salt air, Longleaf offers a rare blend of rigorous creative work and laid-back coastal living.

Throughout the week, participants engage in small-group writing workshops, daily craft seminars, agent consultations, and nightly readings alongside a distinguished faculty of authors, editors, and publishing professionals. Whether you’re working in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, or screenwriting, Longleaf creates space to grow your work while connecting with a supportive and inclusive literary community.

More than just a conference, Longleaf is intentionally intimate—designed to remove hierarchy and foster genuine creative exchange. Writers of…