2026 Bi+ the Book Writers' Conference
Our mission is to build a community for bi+ writers through accountability and authentic connection. The Bi+ Book Gang offers writers at every level the chance to find a space where their identities are validated and their writing is championed.
Bi+ writers at all levels are welcome to join our group. We are home to hobby writers, poets, memoirists, journalists, researchers, translators, debut authors, authors who have published dozens of times, narrators, and so much more. This group is about collecting and sharing knowledge, so all backgrounds are welcome.
In our 1-hour accountability groups, participants bring a project they would like to work on. After announcing their goal for the session, we write in silent solidarity.
Led at a graduate level, this six-week workshop invites no more than 6 participants a cycle to submit 2 writing samples and give feedback to others.
Scheduled at various times to accommodate our global population. These socials are safe spaces where bi+ writers can connect and chat about life.
Founded in August 2023 by Bailey Merlin as a way to connect bi+ writers to one another, the bi+ book gang has grown to include members from around the world at varying levels of experience. We offer regular accountability groups, free graduate-level writing courses, socials, and educational classes. All genres and experience levels are welcome!
When the group was started, it was always hoped that our membership would grow to include over 1000 bi+ writers. We look forward to expanding our educational offerings, including free marketing resources, and will soon launch an anthology. We are well on our way to making bi+ writers everywhere know that they belong.
Joining a gang has never been so easy! The only requirements for entry are to self-identify as bi+ (i.e., bisexual, pansexual, plurisexual, etc.) and a brief interview. This interview isn’t for us to vet you; it’s for you to vet us! Community is a sensitive thing, and we want to make sure you feel good about getting involved. We’ve found that this interview process allows us to welcome a certain level of intentionality that prevents spam adds to the community. Besides, we genuinely want to learn more about you, your work, and your goals!
Bailey Merlin is the author of A Lot of People Live in This House, the co-host of Bisexual Killjoy, a bi+ activist with a background in media and medicine. She holds an MFA from Butler University and an MS from Harvard Medical School. Her writing and her activism investigate the intersection of community and health. Her writing has been published in literary magazines such as The Lascaux Review, ellipses..., Honeyfire Literary Magazine, Bandit Fiction, Anti-Heroin Chic, Chantwood Magazine, Drunk Monkeys, Dime Show Review, among others. In addition to her writing, Bailey has co-performed a spoken word short story album, Bug Eyes, with award-winning jazz guitarist Richie Smith. She is also the librettist of the opera ¡Dime! An Opera in Four Acts. Based in Boston, Bailey lives in an intentional community with a dynamic cast of humans, a dog, a cat, and a friendly ghost. You can find her work on baileymerlin.com.