Women & Words is an annual gathering hosted by Storehouse Voices -- a Crown imprint of Penguin Random House -- for writers at every stage of their journey. What started as a day for writers to connect has grown into a full program: craft sessions, roundtable discussions, one-on-one meetings with literary agents, and a community that stays connected long after the event ends.
The 2026 event will be held in October at Penguin Random House in New York City. Up to 70 writers will be invited. This is a free event.
Program Highlights
- Craft sessions led by PRH staff
- Roundtable discussions with publishing professionals
- Speed dating with literary agents (up to 30 selected attendees)
- AMA with the Storehouse Voices editorial team
- Networking and community time
How to Apply
Submissions are open May 1 through June 15. The application takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Only one submission per applicant will be considered.
What We Need From You
Fiction
If you are submitting a novel or novella, you must include:
- Book synopsis (1-2 pages)
- Partial manuscript (up to 50 pages)
Please note: We will only consider fiction projects that are complete at time of submission.
Nonfiction
If you are submitting a memoir, narrative nonfiction, or prescriptive nonfiction, you must include a complete book proposal with all of the following:
- Project overview: What is this project and why are you the best person to write it?
- Comparative titles: Recent publications in conversation with your work (3-5 titles)
- Target audience: Who is this book for?
- Author bio and background
- Media connections and author platform: What direct connections do you have for visibility? What have you done to build your brand?
- Promotional plan: What key partnerships do you envision and how will your platform reach them?
- Book outline: Chapter titles with a 3-5 sentence summary of each chapter
- Sample chapters: A minimum of 2 fully written chapters
Key Dates
May 1
Submissions open
June 15
Submissions close
August
All applicants notified by email
October 2026
Women & Words at Penguin Random House, New York City