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.
Whether you arrive from a Bay Area locale or the San Francisco International Airport, the event host hotel, Hyatt Regency San Francisco, is just steps away from our region’s convenient Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system.
Sponsorship Opportunities in 2020
[now closed – please talk with us about 2021]
Reaching a local and global community of authors and aspiring authors in the city, the Greater Bay Area, North America, and the world
February 13-16, 2020
The San Francisco Writers Conference is a 5013C Non-Profit Organization
Barbara Santos, Marketing Director
On this page
- The application forms you need
- Contact information (Let’s talk!)
- The conference at a glance
- Former and current sponsors
- What people are saying
- Levels of sponsorship
- Exhibitor packages
- Other ways to contribute
Application forms
Ready to commit? Here are the forms you need:
- Sponsor application form deadline 1/15/2020
- Exhibit space application form deadline 1/15/2020
- Advertising Rates & Marketing deadline 1/20/2020
Please contact us to let us know you’re interested so we can look for your application. And we’re happy to discuss creative sponsorship solutions.
Carla King, Independent Publishing & Technology Track Curriculum and Sponsors
Contact
Email or call to discuss sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities.
- Barbara Santos at barbara@sfwriters.org is Marketing Director and Sponsorship Coordinator. (925) 895.5841
- Carla King at carla@carlaking.com manages the Independent Publishing and Technology Track sponsors, exhibitors, speakers. (510) 230.4262
The conference at a glance
Sponsors help the 501c3 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 manage the Writing for Change conference, the only one of its kind in the world, to enlighten activists on how they can change the world through writing.
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!
Former and current sponsors
Join these awesome sponsors in 2020! We’ll do all we can to make your brand visible to our community of authors at the conference and beyond.
What people are saying
 | Smashwords is a longtime sponsor of the SFWC Here is 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 first-year 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 |
Levels of Sponsorship
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.
‘Classic’ Sponsorship ($25,000)
- A workshop AND a breakfast designated as sponsored by your company
- Company logo/link on the website
- Sponsor of the SFWC Newsletter once quarterly
- A dedicated email blast to our opt-in list
- Priority seating during keynotes
- One full-page COLOR ad in the Event Program
- Your brochure/flyer or product inserted into attendee bags
- Exhibit space to ‘showcase or sell’ during the event
- 4 VIP passes to the event
- 4 invitations to Presenter Party
- Inclusion in Ask a Pro session
Self-publishing is a hot topic at the SF Writers Conference
‘Bestseller’ Sponsorship ($10,000)
- A workshop OR breakfast designated as sponsored by your company
- Company logo/link on the website
- Sponsor one issue of the SFWC Newsletter
- A dedicated email blast
- Priority seating during keynotes
- One half-page COLOR ad in the Event Program Trade show space to showcase or sell during the event
- 2 VIP passes to the event
- 2 invitations to Presenter Party
- Inclusion in Ask a Pro session
- Banner on Bayview level
- Linked logo on SFWC website home page through Nov 2020
- Stuff one piece of literature with your logo on 500 attendee bags
- 1/4 page black and white ad in the program
- 1 ad in the SWC newsletter (50 words, logo, and link)
- 2 postings on SFWC social media platforms
“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
Friend of the San Francisco Writers Conference ($5,000)
- One half-page ad in the Event Program
- Company logo/link on the conference website
- Exhibit space to showcase your work or sell your product during the event
- 2 VIP passes to the event
- Priority seating during keynotes
- Inclusion in Ask a Pro session
- Banner on Bayview level
- Linked logo on SFWC website home page through Nov 2020
- Stuff one piece of literature with your logo on 500 attendee bags
- 1/4 page black and white ad in the program
- 1 ad in the SWC newsletter (50 words, logo, and link)
- 2 postings on SFWC social media platforms
Exhibitor Sponsor ($3000)
- Exhibit space
- 2 VIP passes
- Inclusion in Ask a Pro session
- Banner on Bayview level
- Linked logo on SFWC website home page through Nov 2020
- Stuff one piece of literature plus your logo on 500 attendee bags
- 1/4 page black and white ad in the program
- 1 ad in the SFWC newsletter (50 words, logo, and link)
- 1 posting on SFWC social media platforms
Interactive sessions with exhibitors are popular at the SFWC
Creative Writing Sponsorship Package
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.
Exhibitor Packages
All of the above sponsorship packages include 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!
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? SFWC authors are eager to try new things!
- $1500 Friday-Sunday Feb 13-16, 2010
Non-profit exhibitor package
We love non-profit author and publisher communities and organizations. Let us help you increase membership!
- $1000 for nonprofits who wish to display non-sales materials
Exhibitor speaking opportunities
Exhibitors are scheduled for talks and demonstrations in the Golden Gate Room as part of the conference agenda.
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 $500 (we select the recipient). You can be the benefactor of a scholarship YOU name for $1,000 with additional scholarships under your name at $750 each.
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 newsletter 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!
Contact
- Barbara Santos at barbara@sfwriters.org is Marketing Director. P.O. Box 326, Oakley, CA 94561 (925) 420-6223
- Carla King at carla@carlaking.com manages Independent Publishing and Technology Track sponsors, exhibitors, speakers (510) 230-4262
San Francisco Writers Conference is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
A big THANK YOU to our 2019 sponsors and supporters
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| Smashwords is a longtime sponsor of the SFWC and provides participant badges, too! | BookBaby sponsored for the second time this year. Thank you! | PublishDrive is a first-year sponsor. Welcome! | Bublish is a first-year sponsor. Welcome! | Draft2Digital is a first-year sponsor. 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. Thanks again! | BookShop West Portal provides our onsite bookstore. Thanks for the continued support! | Take BART. It really is more fun, less traffic, and easier on your wallet. | The Mechanic’s Institute Library is our writer-education partner all year round. Thank you! |
 |  | 2019 SFWC Scholarship Sponsors |  |  |
| Thank you to the AutoDesk Foundation | Catherine Coulter, Laurie McLean & Fuse Literary. Eli Potter, Dr. Ellen Taliaferro, AutoDesk, 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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