Frequently asked questions
How can I register for the conference?
Click here to register online. There will be no in-person registration on the days of the conference.
What is the Open Access Writer’s Conference?
The Open Access Writer’s Conference is an inclusive, two-day event designed for writers of all levels - published authors, aspiring storytellers, and marginalized voices. It features sessions, panels, networking opportunities, and more to help writers connect, learn, and grow.
What are the registration fees?
When and where is the conference?
The conference will take place on Friday, October 31, and Saturday, November 1 at:
Catawba Valley Community College Workforce Solutions Complex Building
1980 Startown Rd
HICKORY, NC 28602
Who is this event for?
This event is for anyone passionate about the literary arts, including novelists, poets, screenwriters, playwrights, and more. Whether you’re just starting out or are an experienced writer, you’ll find value here.
Coming from out of town? Here are a few reasonable options close to the Catawba Valley Community College campus:
Nice, new, clean, fresh: Holiday Inn Express: Hickory-Hickory Mart
2250 US Highway 70 SE, Hickory, North Carolina, 28602
About $135.00 a night, excluding taxes. Less than one mile from the CVCC Campus, where the conference is located.
Nice-ish, but clean: Crowne Plaza Hickory
1385 Lenoir Rhyne Blvd. Se, Hickory, North Carolina 28602
About $105.00 a night, excluding taxes. About a 5-minute drive to the CVCC Campus, where the conference is located.
Budget, Safe, Clean: Sleep Inn Hickory South
1179 13th Ave. Dr., SE, Hickory, NC 28602
About $80.00 a night, excluding taxes. About a 6-minute drive to the CVCC Campus, where the conference is located.
BnB’s in nearby Newton, NC for those feeling a bit bougie! (Boutique Auberge 10% discount code: PUB10)
There are several B&Bs in nearby Newton, NC (12 minutes +/- from CVCC's campus). Lovely, charming & unique.
Check out: Boutique Auberge, The Trott House Inn, The Holly and Ivy Inn,
(Red Roof Inn – I wouldn’t recommend this place, even if it appears online and is the cheapest option. A few positives: You’ll probably get through the night (sleep is not guaranteed!) and end up with some great stories to tell. You might learn first-hand about law enforcement, active crime scenes, and chemistry labs. It’s the kind of experience that could make a good story or movie.)