Special Program / The 2018 Creative Nonfiction Writers’ Conference

2018 Frequently Asked Questions

I registered but can no longer attend the conference. What's your cancellation policy?
Refunds are available anytime before 5 pm on Friday, May 18, 2018; a processing fee of between 10% – 25% applies. If you prefer, we can transfer the entire cost of your conference registration to a credit for a Creative Nonfiction online class or to a friend who wishes to attend the conference but has not yet registered. Our complete cancellation policy can be found here.

How do I schedule a one-on-one session with a literary agent and/or a manuscript review with one of the presenters?
Consultations and manuscript reviews can be added to any conference registration option for an additional charge. After selecting your admission type, you will be directed to a product page where you can use the drop-down menu on the left side of the page to add a 15- or 30-minute one-on-one consultation and/or a 3,500 word manuscript review.

After you complete your registration, we will be in touch with specific instructions for how to schedule your consultation and/or review.

What should I bring to my consultation?
You can bring anything you like or nothing at all. You may want to bring a query letter, book proposal, chapter outline, elevator pitch, or list of questions, or you may just want to chat. It is your time, and you may spend it in whatever way will be the most beneficial to you.

Can I choose the agent I will be scheduled with at the conference?
Yes. We will send out an online survey to all conference attendees who have purchased a one-on-one consultation, and you will have the opportunity to choose which agent you would prefer to work with. Please note that we will schedule time with agents on a first-come, first-served basis, and your preferred agent may be booked by the time you register for the conference. The sooner you register for the conference and purchase a one-on-one session, the more likely it will be that you will be scheduled with your preferred agent.

Can I schedule more than one consultation session with an agent?
Yes. If you have already registered for the conference, you can add additional consultations (up to five total per registrant) here.

Where will the conference be held?
The conference will be held in various rooms and auditoriums around Point Park University’s campus, but the primary location will be Lawerence Hall (212 Wood Street). More information about the specific locations, times, and presenters for the break-out sessions and panels will be provided at the registration/book table on the day of the conference. We will also provide a map to help you navigate the campus. Additional information about the venue is available here.

I need to arrive at the conference late or leave the conference early. Is that ok?
Of course. If you arrive too late to check in during registration, head to the Creative Nonfiction book table in room 200 of Point Park’s Lawrence Hall building, at 212 Wood Street. A volunteer will have information about the conference schedule and directions to help you find your way around Point Park’s campus.

Once I arrive at Point Park University, where do I go?
In the week prior to the conference, you will receive an email with information about check-in.

I've registered for the conference but would like to connect with other attendees prior, during, and even after the event. Is that possible?
Yes! We have created a Facebook group where attendees are welcome to discuss travel and housing logistics, conference happenings, or even to coordinate extracurriculars for their weekend trips to Pittsburgh.

In addition, we have created a hashtag (#cnfwc18) that attendees can use for discussion on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and which can also be used during the conference weekend to share updates about the conference experience.

And be sure to connect with Creative Nonfiction on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

I’m a student who has registered for the conference. Where do I go?
We will have a special registration table for students. You must present a current student ID to be allowed into the conference. If you purchased the wrong admission pass by mistake, or if you cannot provide a current student ID, you will be required to pay the difference for the general admission price.

Is Point Park’s campus fully accessible?
Yes; Point Park’s campus is equipped with ramped sidewalks on each block, as well as Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) to help people safely cross the heavily trafficked streets. Elevator access is available in every building, and automatic doors can be found at all main entrances of the buildings where conference events will be held. For more questions or for further accommodations, please contact our events manager, Hannah Waltz, at waltz[at]creativenonfiction.org.

Is there a specific parking garage or reserved parking for the conference?
Unfortunately, no. Point Park’s campus does not currently have a specific or reserved parking garage. However, there is metered street parking available during certain times of the day as well as several parking garages that are located on or around Point Park’s campus. Additionally, Point Park’s spring semester will be over and most of the students will have already left for the summer. For information about parking and traveling around the city, please click here.

Are there hotels located near the conference venue?
Yes; there are several hotels located within a short walking distance of the conference venue, and many other hotels in downtown Pittsburgh, generally. For more information or suggestions for where to stay, visit this page.

Questions? Contact our Events Manager, Hannah Waltz, at [email protected].

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