NCWN FC25: A Weekend Celebrating Forty Years of Community
The North Carolina Writers’ Network returned to Wrightsville Beach in November for their 2025 Fall Conference, and the energy in the rooms made it clear why this gathering has lasted four decades. Hundreds of writers came from across the state, from newcomers attending their first workshop to long-time members who have been part of the Network’s story for years. Everyone arrived with the same intention: to grow, to learn, and to connect.
This year carried extra weight. The Network turned forty this year, and that history shaped the tone of the weekend.
The sessions were full, the conversations were steady, and the shared sense of purpose was unmistakable. We opened with a keynote on Friday by acclaimed author Ben Fountain (Billy Flynn’s Long Halftime Walk), continued through a full slate of workshops, panels, and readings, and ended Sunday with a feeling that the Network remains a living, evolving community.
Their talk grounded the room, offered clarity about the creative life, and reminded us why writing communities matter. Faculty throughout the weekend brought the same level of care. Acclaimed authors including Michael Ramos, Hannah Dela Cruz Abrams, John Jeremiah Sullivan, and Melissa Crowe led sessions that pushed writers to think sharper and write with more intention.
The weekend also gave space for the social side of writing. The open mics, hallway conversations, morning coffee meetups, and late evening gatherings added the kind of connection that is hard to create anywhere else. Our first-ever square dance was a surprising hit! Many writers walked away with new critique partners, new ideas, and new confidence in their projects.
As part of this anniversary year, we also took time to look back. Stories surfaced about the early days of the Network, the volunteers who kept things running, the programs that shaped careers, and the moments that helped North Carolina’s literary scene grow stronger. Those stories will continue through the rest of our anniversary programming, running through December.
Thank you to everyone who showed up, taught, volunteered, asked questions, shared work, or simply listened. You helped make this year’s Fall Conference a true milestone.
Below are a few photos from the weekend. If you were there, we hope they bring you back to the feeling in the room. If you missed it, we hope they inspire you to join NCWN’s conferences next year.
