The San Francisco Writers Conference is proud to attract a local and global community of authors and aspiring authors in the city, the Greater Bay Area, North America, and the world.
Our 501(c)3 non-profit organization is proud of its reputation as one of the top writer’s conferences on the planet. We feel fortunate to be geographically located in this great city with its literary roots and technology culture influenced by neighboring Silicon Valley. In fact, we are one of the few writing conferences who honor and educate authors about independent publishing and technology alongside publishing in the traditional style. In addition to our signature live events, we offer a plethora of opportunities for all writers to learn about the craft of writing, publishing and book marketing year-round!
Donations
How to Donate to the San Francisco Writers Conference:
We are delighted when people ask how they can support the ongoing non-profit work of the San Francisco Writers Conference. (SFWC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and we offer free classes, scholarships to our live events, podcasts, blogs, timely online content, and more to all writers year-round.) To support our work with a monetary donation, please click here. Or contact Laurie McLean for more details and to share your ideas at (650) 291-4752 or [email protected]
Sponsorship & Exhibitor Opportunities
NOW through 2023
Our next live conference is scheduled for February 16-19, 2023.
But don’t wait!
Application forms
- 2023-SFWC-Exhibitor-Agreement-10-20-22 for the 2022 SFWC (Exhibit days are July 22-24)
- 2023-SFWC-AD-Rates-Marketing opportunities
- 2023-Sponsorship-Agreement-10-20-22 information
As soon as we receive and approve your application, we begin thanking you…online and at the event!
Contact
Email to set up a time to discuss these sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities. Contact Laurie McLean, [email protected], or 650-291-4752.
The conference at a glance
Sponsors help the 501(c)3 nonprofit SFWC to maintain its high level of excellence. At the same time, our sponsors enjoy a high-profile presence at the conference itself and they are featured in materials and media surrounding the conference all year round.
In addition to our signature event–the San Francisco Writers Conference–we also produce the San Francisco Writing for Change Worldwide conference, the only one of its kind in the world, to enlighten activists on how they can change the world through writing. And once the pandemic is gone, we will go back to offer classes for writers all through the year.
You and us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!
We also support literacy and writing groups throughout the United States.
5000 opt-in readers of the SFWC Newsletter and writing-related communications
600 participants at the signature main conference (San Francisco Writers Conference)
100+ participants at the San Francisco Writing for Change event
400+ in our year-round classes held at Mechanics’ Institute Library
A 100+ person faculty is rich with influencers and top echelon members of the publishing world.
The networking at the San Francisco Writers Conference is amazing!
SFWC has a vibrant social media presence with a dedicated social media team…and we love to feature our sponsors!
What people are saying
 | Smashwords is a longtime sponsor of the SFWC Here is Draft 2Digital (formerly Smashwords) Marketing Director Jim Azevedo with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Jose Antonio Vargas. Jim suggested Jose as a keynoter for the 2019 SFWC, then made the introduction that secured him. Thanks Jim!
Mark Coker |
“Thank you for including me in your amazing conference. I had multiple writers approach me and gush about the conference. Each used the word, “love.” They said they could feel the genuine love and support of everyone.” – Mark Coker, Founder of Smashwords | PublishDrive was a new sponsor in 2019 “Our team visited the San Francisco Writers Conference and it was among the best conferences that we’ve attended. We were lucky enough to chat with some PublishDrive authors and got to hear about the exciting books they’re working on. We were also thrilled to award two lucky authors with gift certificates for a FREE year of Subscription Pricing. 🙂” – Kinga Jentetics, Founder of PublishDrive |
 | Stephanie Chandler has been speaking at the SFWC for a decade “This was my tenth year as a speaker at the San Francisco Writers Conference, and though I speak at many other events throughout each year, it remains my favorite for several reasons. SFWC fosters community with the attendees by encouraging agents, editors, speakers, and media pros to network at event mixers and meals. SFWC also attracts talented publishing industry professionals and writers alike. Each year, we see writers land book deals and reach goals they wouldn’t otherwise achieve without the conference. I’m proud to play a small part in this wonderful event.” – Stephanie Chandler, Founder of the Nonfiction Writers Association |
Self-publishing is a hot topic at the SF Writers Conference
“Such a great panel discussion about publishing options at San Francisco Writers Conference with Carla King and PublishDrive and other awesome people from the self-publishing and traditional publishing world!” – Kinga Jentetics, PublishDrive Founder
Exhibitor Packages 2023-SFWC-Exhibitor-Agreement-10-20-22
Interactive sessions with exhibitors are popular at the SFWC.
The SFWC Exhibit Hall area is set up to maximize exposure and still allow one-to-one interaction with attendees. All sponsor packages include premium exhibit space. Exhibit space is open to the public! It is located in the Exhibit Hall in the Ballroom Lobby on the street level of the Hyatt Regency. Invite everyone you know, meet with your California clients, exchange ideas with your colleagues!
Bring your own signage (pop-ups, etc.), handouts, demo materials, laptop with video demo… please let us know what you need in the way of connectivity, electricity. A table and white tablecloth plus 2+ chairs are provided.
For-profit exhibitor package: Got an author-friendly product, tool, or service you’d like to promote…and sell? SFWC authors are eager to try new things! Join in with space at just $1500 Friday-Sunday during the live event.
Non-profit exhibitor package: We love non-profit author and publisher communities and organizations. Let us help you increase membership! Space is $1000 for nonprofits who wish to display non-sales materials
Exhibitor/Sponsor package with speaking opportunities: Exhibitor-sponsors starting at the $3,000 level are scheduled for talks and demonstrations as part of the conference schedule. Check out the exhibitor packages and other ways to contribute below. Or tell us what you want to accomplish and we will create a package just for you.
Other Ways to Contribute
A big thank you to Smashwords Founder Mark Coker who sponsors the conference every year.
Sponsor a class or keynote speaker: Help us secure major presenters and prepare the class materials. Your name will be included in the printed event program and you will be recognized in many other ways.
Be a scholarship benefactor We welcome donations in any amount to our scholarship program. But you can guarantee a student a scholarship for just $1000. You can even name the scholarship!
Host a party or a meal: Host a breakfast or luncheon or the opening gala. All attendees and presenters are invited to your sponsored meal. Co-sponsorships start at $2,000.
Become an in-kind sponsor: The conference accepts in-kind goods and services; everything from printing services to gifts for our presenters. Please talk to us if you think you have something we need for the event.
E-blast: We can Eblast your message directly to our 4,900+ opt-in subscribers for $500. Limited availability. Book one today!
SFWC Newsletter: Place an ad in our monthly SFWC Newsletter–50 words, your logo and a link–for just $100…or less when you buy 3 or more issues!
Program: We offer print ads in the SFWC Event Program–full-color display ads to an economical black & white classified.
Your flyer: Consider this: Have us stuff your company flyer or brochure in our conference bags for just $250.
SFWC Charity Auction: We love win-win. Donate a prize for our event auction and/or Patreon contests. Get exposure online and at the SFWC event.
Got an idea? We’re open to it. Contact us to discuss.
Ready to commit?
Ready to commit?Here are the forms you need and please also contact us!
- 2023-Sponsorship-Agreement-10-20-22
2023-SFWC-Exhibitor-Agreement-10-20-22 - 2023-SFWC-AD-Rates-Marketing
Contact
- Laurie McLean at [email protected] is Co-Director. P.O. Box 258, La Honda, CA 94020 (650) 291-4752
San Francisco Writers Conference is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
A big THANK YOU to our former sponsors and supporters
 |  | The Ronald Whittier Family Foundation Scholarship |  |  |
| Smashwords is a longtime sponsor of the SFWC and provides participant badges, too! | A long-time partner of the SFWC. Thank you! | They are a first-year sponsor of TWO SFWC scholarships. Welcome! | The Editorial Freelancers Association is exhibiting & presenting at the SFWC in 2022. | SFWC was the recipient of a generous grant. Thank you and Welcome! |
 |  |  BookShop West Portal |  |  |
| Writer’s Digest is a longtime sponsor who sponsored Speed Dating with Agents. Thank you! | BetaBooks came back to exhibit their technology for critique partners and beta readers. | BookShop West Portal provides our onsite bookstore. Thanks for the continued support! | The Tri-Valley Writers provide support for SFWC and all writers all year. | The Mechanic’s Institute Library is our writer-education partner all year round. Thank you! |
 and Coinbase |  | SFWC Scholarship Sponsors |  |  |
| Catherine Coulter, Laurie McLean & Fuse Literary. Eli Potter, Dr. Ellen Taliaferro, Jonathan Maberry, Joyce Turley | Dinners with Harvey Thank you Harvey, for providing authors and presenters with a place to gather and mingle! | ExpertClick.com
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