In the midst of the most politically tumultuous and frantic news cycle in history, journalists and authors are telling stories that delve deeply into the truth of many of our most sacred institutions – the White House, Congress, corporations, healthcare, the courts, sports, the arts and nearly every aspect of life. The 2020 Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference is offering you the chance to listen, meet and learn from the some of the nation’s best reporters, writers and storytellers. You’ll hear the stories behind the stories. You’ll hear from the reporters, writers and editors who weave together the narrative and the dialogue to produce noteworthy, memorable work that gives relevance to the events of our times. We’ll engage in conversations that will help you sort out the trivial to bring truth into 20/20 focus.

2020 Keynote Speakers

Sarah Broom

Major Garrett

Gene Weingarten

Check out photos from the 2019 conference

The Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference is a forum for journalists, writers, readers, students, educators and the general public to listen to, be inspired by and practice their craft at the highest possible level.

Every year, the Mayborn Conference gathers some of the most talented storytellers in the country to share their stories, life-changing experiences and expertise with aspiring writers through three days of lectures, panels, one-on-one sessions, student classes and keynotes. Aspiring and established storytellers, reporters, photographers and narrative nonfiction writers from all walks of life come together to learn, engage and network with the nation's best authors, journalists, editors and agents.

In addition, the conference includes a variety of writing contests for anyone from high school students to Pulitzer prize winning professionals. More than $26,000 in cash prizes and trophies are awarded across several competitions. Winners in our reported narrative and personal essay contests also have their work published in the Mayborn's journal, Ten Spurs. Winners in our longform narrative contest for previously published newspaper works are included in our anthology, Best American Newspaper Narratives.