30th anniversary of the longest running literary festival of women in the nation. Daytime sessions attract about 150 writers at all stages of development, and free evening events attract a lively community of readers. Most come seeking literary sisterhood, help with a manuscript, or practical advice about selling their writing. Many are students or beginning writers. The two-day conference begins with the Gypsy Slam poetry competition on Thursday night and ends with Elizabeth Alexander's keynote reading on Saturday night. Our programming emphasizes diversity of age, ethnicity, genre, and geography while embracing our feminist roots.

Lexington feautures a vibrant historic downtown surrounded by bluegrass and horse farms (www.visitlex.com). Classrooms are downtown and at the University of Kentucky.