OutWrite has hosted a number of festivals and publication opportunities for emerging and established writers. Learn more about our past events below.
OutWrite is only possible with the dedication and support of our Chairs, Planning Committee, and a team of festival volunteers. Learn more about our team.
OUTWRITE 2022
OutWrite 2022 will be held on August 5-7, 2022! View the schedule and register for events.
Support this year’s participating authors by buying their books on our Bookshop page, hosted by Loyalty Books, and reading their work in Metro Weekly’s special OutWrite themed issue.
OUTWRITE CHAPBOOK COMPETITION
For the past four years, OutWrite has held a chapbook competition and Neon Hemlock Press has published the winners. Pre-order the winning chapbooks from our 4th Chapbook Competition:
Fiction: The End, as Seen from the Tip of the Indian Peninsula by M.L. Krishnan
judged by Brent Lambert
Nonfiction: A Study in Our Selves by Max Pasakorn
judged by Joseph Osmundson
Poetry: Shakespeares in the Ghetto by Kanyinsola Olorunnisola
judged by Saida Agostini
View the winners of our previous chapbook competitions.
OUTWRITE JOURNAL
Our 2022 festival journal will be published soon! This year’s theme is “Pandemic as Portal”.
OUTWRITE 2021
OutWrite 2021 was held August 6-8, 2021. The festival featured over 25 readings, panel discussions, and workshops and more than 80 LGBTQ authors from around the DMV and world. View recordings of the 2021 festival.
Purchase the winning chapbooks from our 3rd Chapbook Competition:
Fiction: Dancing in the Silver Lands by Mari Ness
judged by Darcie Little Badger
Nonfiction: For When the Shapes Keep Changing by Hannah Soyer
judged by Chris Gonzalez
Poetry: Good Boi by Jason B. Crawford
judged by Dena Rod
For just a taste of OutWrite 2021, view below:
OUTWRITE 2020
OutWrite 2020 was held July 31-August 2, 2020. View panels and readings from the virtual festival.
Purchase the winning chapbooks from our 2nd Chapbook Competition:
Fiction: When We’re Done Here by Paula Molina Acosta
judged by Rivers Solomon
Nonfiction: Cross Cutting by Charles Jensen
judged by Tyrese Coleman
Poetry: Strange Furniture by Lannie Stabile
judged by Faylita Hicks
OUTWRITE 2019
Purchase the winning chapbooks from our first Chapbook Competition, held in 2019:
Fiction: The West & Everything Above by Brendan Williams-Childs
judged by JY Yang
Nonfiction: Heretic to Housewife by Rahne Alexander
judged by Kristen Arnett
Poetry: boy if by Carlito Espudo
judged by Wo Chan Fiction
Read OutWrite 2019 authors’ work in Metro Weekly’s special OutWrite themed issue.
OutWrite 2019: 10 Must-Read Excerpts from DC’s LGBTQ Literary Festival
View photos from OutWrite 2019.
OUTWRITE 2018
We released our first festival journal and tote bag in 2018.
OUTWRITE 2017
In 2017, OutWrite and Theatre Prometheus coordinated A Queer One Page Play Competition. See the finalists. Six plays were put on in conjunction with four directors on February 7th, 2018.
OUTWRITE 2016
In 2016, OutWrite presented the Deacon Maccubbin Young Writer Awards to three young writers, made possible by DC Front Runners Pride Run.
View photos from OutWrite 2016.
OUTWRITE 2013
View photos from OutWrite 2013.
OUTWRITE 2012
View photos from OutWrite 2012.
OUTWRITE 2011
View photos from OutWrite 2011 and OutWrite: Mark Our Words.