NonfictioNOW gathers leading writers from around the world to share notes with emerging peers and audiences on the intricate challenges and intriguing delights of writing and reading nonfiction NOW. The growing success of NonfictioNOW highlights the great energy and interest in the art of nonfiction storytelling in all its forms, from literary and political essays and memoir to reality TV.
Panels and readings highlight the myriad forms of nonfiction, from the video essay and graphic essays, to the memoir, lyric essay, and literary journalism. Past keynote speakers have included Karl Ove Knausgård, Maggie Nelson, Aisha Sabatini Sloan, Alison Bechdel, Rebecca Solnit, Wayne Koestenbaum, Pico Iyer, Margo Jefferson, Richard Rodriguez, Tim Flannery, Helen Garner, Ross McElwee, David Shields, Mary Cappello, Ngahuia Te Awekotuku, Behrouz Boochani and Philip Lopate among others.
Founded by Robin Hemley at the University of Iowa in 2005, the NonfictioNOW Conference is a regular gathering of over 400 nonfiction writers, teachers, readers and students from around the world in an effort to explore the past, present, and future of nonfiction. NonfictioNOW is unique in being neither a conventional academic conference nor a writers’ festival, but rather a conversation among peers, from well-established writers and artists to those just starting out.
Further details re registration, accommodation, travel, keynote speakers and the conference schedule will be published here in the coming months. if you have any queries related to the event, please email nfn2027@abbeyconferences.com.
Mark Your Calendars!
Panel Proposal portal opens
August 1, 2026
Registration opens
December 1, 2026
Keynote Speakers confirmed so far
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Omar El Akkad
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Emma Dabiri
