This is a list of scholarships available for the 2023 San Francisco Writers Conference. We will announce winners in an SFWC Newsletter Update. Not on our email list? CLICK HERE!
THE DIRECTOR’S SCHOLARSHIP for Marginalized Voices for the 2023 San Francisco Writers Conference
WINNER: Janeal Downs
SFWC Co-Director Laurie McLean is committed to giving diverse voices a chance to be heard. This scholarship pays for the full conference registration fee (not including travel or accommodations), plus a meal with Laurie one day of the conference to discuss anything the winner chooses.
To enter, please write 500 words (or fewer) on why your writing, based on your personal experience as a member of a marginalized group, would be a great addition to the #ownvoices conversation. Examples of marginalized identities include racial minorities, LGBTQ+ people, religious minorities, and people with disabilities.
Laurie will make her selection based on the writing quality of the essay as well as the passion exhibited by the entrant. To enter, send your entry to [email protected]. The deadline is December 31st, 2022 at 5 pm Pacific Time.
It’s worth noting that Harry Louis Williams II, the winner of the 2019 Director’s Scholarship got an agent while at the conference and has become a member of the SFWC Organizational Team!
The 2023 SFWC Student Scholarships for High School Students
WINNERS: Keertana Sreekumar, Ariel Zhang, Eliska Lee
SFWC offers a limited number of one-day scholarships for Saturday, February 18th, to high school aged students 15-18 years of age. As a way to encourage students to pursue a career in writing and publishing, they will get an insider’s look at the SFWC and meet presenters–authors, agents and book marketing professionals.
They will also get to attend any of the SFWC sessions they choose in areas of their particular writing interest. The student scholarship winner must agree to meet upon arrival with the SFWC Volunteer Coordinator in the Ballroom lobby of the Hyatt Regency San Francisco by 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 18th. The SFWC main events will end at 6:00 pm that same day but continue with an evening keynote and dessert. Students may apply for a scholarship by sending us a double-spaced, 250-word essay on why books and writing are important. We would also like a sample of the student’s work.
Send your essay and writing sample to Laurie McLean, PO Box 258, La Honda, CA 94020 or email it to Laurie at [email protected].
Please include the name and address of your high school. Additionally we need the student’s address, phone number and email address. The winning student’s parent or guardian must sign an SFWC liability waiver that can be emailed in advance. The deadline for submissions is December 31st, 2022. Feel free to email questions to Laurie McLean at [email protected].
The Kevin Smokler Annual SFWC Scholarship
WINNERS: Emily Hughes, Riki Carignan
The selected writer will get a registration to the 2023 San Francisco Writers Conference. The winner will also have an individual one-on-one consultation and share a meal during the 2023 San Francisco Writers Conference with longtime conference educator-in-residence Kevin Smokler.
Funds for the scholarship are supported by Kevin’s annual paid private consultation program, a fixture at the San Francisco Writers Conference since 2010. Kevin is the author of several books and the co-director of the award-winning documentary film Vinyl Nation. Read more about him here.
RULES:
- Please write 500 words (or fewer) describing the writing project you intend to showcase at the conference and why you have chosen to commit your creativity to this particular project.
- To enter your submission, USE THIS FORM. Only online submissions will be considered. The uploaded entry must be in a SINGLE file with the applicant’s name on the first page AND in the file name. (Ex: JaneDoe.doc)
- The scholarship is for the 2023 San Francisco Writers Conference and includes all main conference sessions, Gala, event breakfasts, keynotes, free professional consults with agents/editors//PR pros/coaches, and social events. It does not include any travel or accommodations, optional sessions/meals, Master Classes, or additional paid consultations.
- There is no application fee required. Only one submission per person will be allowed. This scholarship is open to any writer who has not been awarded the scholarship before. If the winner is already registered for the 2023 SFWC, they can notify us if they wish to designate a recipient OR opt to use the scholarship for the 2024 SFWC. There is no cash value.
DEADLINE: Entries must be received by 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 31st, 2022. Winners will be notified and announced in early January.
Kevin will make his selection based on the writing quality and passion of the essay. Past winners have published in literary journals and magazines nationwide.
Dangerously Creative with AI: The Eli Potter 2023 Scholarship
WINNER: Lindy Gullett
Welcome to the First writing competition with or about Artificial Intelligence.
This year, we will focus on SHORT STORY writing.
This competition is unique and I hope you find it creative and inspiring.
Good Luck!
Please follow these steps:
- Please do some research about recent discoveries in AI. OpenAI and DALL-E are very interesting.
- Optional:
- Visit https://www.soulmachines.com/ to get ideas of what is possible with digital humans
- Checkout www.jasper.ai, www.writer.com, or sudowrite.com for writing tools you could use
- Write a short story (5000 – 7000 words, in any genre, taking place anywhere in the world) inspired by Artificial intelligence.
- If you’ve used one of the AI writing tools in your process, please mention it in your submission. There is no obligation to purchase anything or like any of the tools.
The winner will be awarded a full scholarship for a unique, creative plot, full of conflict and difficult choices.
Please feel free to contact Eli with clarifying questions at [email protected].
Begin your submission, which will be a single uploaded file, by clicking on HERE.
The file should be named with Your Name (Ex. JoeJones.doc; or .docx; .pdf; etc.) Include your name, email address and phone number at the top of the first page of the short story entry.
One winner will be selected and awarded a full registration to the 2023 San Francisco Writers Conference. The scholarship covers the main conference registration (classes, workshops, 3 breakfasts, awards luncheon, dessert keynote, editorial and agent consult, and social events.) It does not include travel, accommodations, optional paid master classes/consults or incidentals.
Robert McAdams Scholarship
The selected writer will get a full registration to the 2023 San Francisco Writers Conference. The scholarship covers the main conference registration (classes, workshops, 3 breakfasts, awards/keynote luncheon, evening dessert keynote, editorial and agent consult, and social events.) It does not include travel, accommodations, optional paid master classes/consults or incidentals.
WINNER: Carlos D. Torres, Ph.D.
Scholarships awarded for the 2022 conference:
Robert McAdams Scholarship: Jeannine Cook and Christina Rosso. (They are indie bookstore owners in Philadelphia!)
Jonathan Maberry Scholarship: Nori Jabba.
Joyce Turley Scholarship: Aradhana Sinha
The Ronald Whittier Scholarships: Emily Hughes, Lacy Smith and Lani Jackson
The Nina Amir Scholarship: Molly Milroy
The Eli Potter Bitcoin Scholarship: Travis Knoll
SFWC Student Scholarship: Dylan Gibson
The Kevin Smokler Scholarship: Talia Rothschild
The Elizabeth Pomada Scholarship: Cathleen Meredith
The SFWC Director Scholarship: Vernon (Trey) Keeve III
The Ronald Whittier Family Foundation Scholarship Winners chosen!
Three winners were selected for the 2022 Ronald Whittier Scholarship for the upcoming San Francisco Writers Conference. The winners of the scholarship are Emily Hughes, Lani Jackson and Lacy M. Smith.
You’re on a ride through life. You take in the scene through your review mirror, then a furtive look to the sides. The front windshield yields a fascinating view of the wide-open panorama. Where’ve you been? Where are you now? And perhaps most important of all, where are you headed? What’s your make and model … how are you equipped … what fuels you — who and what are you? You can use a car or transportation analogy or not, but help us understand your framework, whether ambling though life or ripping at full speed.
Any genre will do— fiction, nonfiction, poetry, children’s story, memoir. Please limit your entry to 500 words not including the cover page. The cover page should include:
- name, phone number, email
- why you want to attend SFWC
- short bio. This may include a list of past/current English or writing classes; previously published work and the publications it has appeared in; writing awards (school, contests, other), any participation in the writing community that reflects your commitment and promise to writing.
Submissions: Must be submitted online by clicking HERE. Entire entry (including cover page with bio) must be a single document with your name in the file name. Example: JoeSmith.doc (or .docx, .pdf, etc.)
Deadline: December 15, 2021. Winners will notified by the end of December.
The Ronald Whittier Family Foundation honors and celebrates artistry created by all people, in all forms. Our 501c3, a family foundation established in 1999, seeks to impassion individuals from all walks of life as they evolve as their best creative selves. It serves as a timely vehicle for connecting diverse groups as they collaborate, exchange perspectives and build community. We are an arts underwriter and enabler. Coming from a long line of engineers, we have a few car enthusiasts in the family ……. but would like to know what makes your engine roar!
More details: The scholarship winner will receive a registration for the 2022 San Francisco Writers Conference event—including all regularly scheduled sessions, keynotes and social events during the main conference from Thursday, July 21-Sunday July 24th which will be held at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco. Also included is the Speed Dating for Agents session during the San Francisco Writers Conference. Food, lodging, transportation, SFWC Master Classes or incidentals are not included. The Ronald Whittier foundation MAY include a small stipend for any candidates who must travel from outside of San Francisco Bay Area to attend based on need. If the winner has already registered for the event, the scholarship can be applied to a future San Francisco Writers Conference or San Francisco Writing for Change Conference. It may not be gifted to someone else. (There is no cash value.) The decision of the judge(s) is final. By submitting your story, you grant permission for SFWC to use your likeness and samples of your entry for promotional purposes.
NOTE: THREE RONALD WHITTIER SCHOLARSHIPS WERE AVAILABLE
Bitcoin & Blockchain Eli Potter Scholarship for the 2022 SFWC
This scholarship was awarded to Travis Knoll.
This competition is unique and I hope you find it creative and inspiring. Good Luck!
Please follow these steps:
- Google “Budapest Satoshi Nakamoto” and look for images of the statue recently immortalizing the anonymous Bitcoin creator. Use any image of the statue as the prompt and inspiration for your story. You do not need to include the actual image in your submission unless you feel your story needs it! Please note that the face is reflective so you can see your own image. We’re all Satoshi, including you.
- Optional: Article on Blockchain– The ABCs of DAOs. KEY Information about BITCOIN– https://www.thebalance.com/is-bitcoin-a-commodity-4126544
- Write a short story (5000 – 7000 words, in any genre, taking place anywhere in the world) inspired by the Satoshi image and bitcoin.
The winner will be awarded a full scholarship, based on:
- Following the instructions (Please feel free to contact me with clarifying questions at [email protected])
- Coming up with a unique, creative plot, full of conflict and difficult choices
Begin your submission, which will be a single file uploaded by clicking the link below. The file should be named with Your Name—Example: JoeJones.doc (or .docx; .pdf; etc.) Include your name, email address and phone number at the top of the first page of the short story entry.
One winner will be selected and awarded a full registration to the 2022 San Francisco Writers Conference. The scholarship covers the main conference registration (classes, workshops, 3 breakfasts, awards luncheon, editorial consult, and social events.) It does not include travel, accommodations, optional paid master classes/consults or incidentals. DEADLINE: December 20, 2021.
CLICK HERE for submission form. Submit NOW!
The Elizabeth Pomada Scholarship 
This scholarship was awarded to Cathleen Meredith
Our beloved conference cofounder Elizabeth Pomada died of Alzheimer’s disease on June 29th, 2020 seventeen days after 80th birthday. She loved the conference and did all she could to make it a life-changing experience.
Fiction was Elizabeth’s first love and she spent more than forty years as an agent helping writers to sell novels. She would be delighted to know that she’s continuing to help writers of both fiction AND nonfiction succeed with this scholarship in her name. She would be especially happy if the scholarship went to a writer of color.
The three criteria for a scholarship are need, the quality of the idea and the writing, and the writer’s determination to build a career. To apply for a scholarship, writers may send the first 250 words of a manuscript OR a proposal for a nonfiction book, as well as an up to 250 word bio about themselves, their work, and their literary and publishing goals.
Use the Elizabeth Pomada Scholarship Entry Form to send your submission as a single Word document that includes the actual 250 word sample of your work AND an up to 250 word bio by clicking HERE. The entry should be double spaced, 12 point type and saved with your name as the file name. Example: JonDoe.doc (or .docx).
There is no fee to enter. Applications must be submitted/received by 5pm on 1/5/22. The winner will be announced by 1/15/22. Submissions will be judged by Elizabeth’s husband and conference cofounder Michael Larsen.
The winner will receive a full registration to the 2022 San Francisco Writers Conference including all main conference sessions, included meals, and Speed Dating session. It does not include lodging, transportation, additional meals or any optional paid session fees. Winner will also receive a thirty-minute consultation with Mike! (www.michaellarsenauthorcoaching.com).
You may write Michael Larsen at [email protected] with questions about the scholarship.
NOTE: The winner of the 2022 Elizabeth Pomada scholarship, Cathleen Meredith, secured an agent at the conference and they are well on their way to selling her book!
Kevin Smokler Annual SFWC Scholarship
The Kevin Smokler Scholarship went to: Talia Rothschild
Selected writer will get a registration to the 2022 San Francisco Writers Conference. The winners will also have an individual one-on-one consultation and share a meal during the 2022 San Francisco Writers Conference with longtime conference educator-in-residence Kevin Smokler.
Funds for the scholarship are supported by Kevin’s annual paid private consultation program, a fixture at the San Francisco Writers Conference since 2010. Kevin is the author of several books and genuinely likes people…especially writers! Read more about him.
RULES:
- Please write 500 words (or fewer) describing the writing project you intend to showcase at the conference and why you have chosen to commit your creativity to this particular project.
- To enter your submission, click here and USE THIS FORM. Only online submissions will be considered. The uploaded entry must be in a SINGLE file with the applicant’s name on the first page AND in the file name. (Ex: JaneDoe.doc)
- The scholarship is for the 2022 San Francisco Writers Conference and includes all main conference sessions, Gala, event breakfasts, keynotes, a free editorial consult, and social events. It does not include any travel or accommodations, optional sessions/meals, Master Classes, paid consultations, and/or Speed Dating with Agents.
- There is no application fee required. Only one submission per person will be allowed. This scholarship is open to any writer who has not been awarded the scholarship before. If the winner is already registered for the 2022 SFWC, they can notify us if they wish to designate a recipient OR opt to use the scholarship for the 2023 SFWC. There is no cash value.
DEADLINE: Entries must be received by 5p.m. on Thursday, December 9, 2021. Winners will be notified and announced in late December.
Kevin will make his selection based on the writing quality and passion of the essay. Past winners have published in literary journals and magazines nationwide.
The 2022 Joyce Turley Scholarship winner selected! Congratulations to Aradhana Sinha
Joyce teaching Billie Jean King how to Speed Read!
Our beloved advisory board member and scholarship benefactor, Joyce Turley, passed away just before the 2019 San Francisco Writers Conference. She will be missed. As a tribute to her, we created this scholarship for the San Francisco Writers Conference in her honor. We know Joyce would approve.
Short Story Theme: The ‘Brownie Effect’.
Joyce loved to bake and give away her signature brownies with abandon. She would even stop at the tollbooth on the Golden Gate Bridge to give them to the toll takers back in the day…just to see them smile. Tell us a story about an act of kindness or a special friendship that made a difference.
Rules:
- Any genre is acceptable…fiction, nonfiction, poetry, memoir, or children’s story.
- Entries must be submitted electronically using the link below. The NAME on the file you upload should include your name.
- On the first (cover) page of the entry file you submit: include your name, phone number and email address, a short bio, and any other pertinent information you want to share…such as why you want to attend the SFWC.
- Your story should be no more than 500 words.
- There is no fee to enter.
Deadline: 5 p.m on December 10th. Winners will be notified no later than Dec. 30th.
More details: The scholarship winner will receive a registration for the 2022 San Francisco Writers Conference event—including all regularly scheduled sessions, keynotes and social events during the main conference from Thursday, July 21st through Sunday, July 24thth, 2022 which will be held at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco. Also included is the Speed Dating for Agents session during the San Francisco Writers Conference. Food, lodging, transportation, SFWC Master Classes or incidentals are not included. If the winner has already registered for the event, the scholarship can be applied to a future San Francisco Writers Conference or San Francisco Writing for Change Conference. It may also be gifted to someone else. (There is no cash value.) The decision of the judge(s) is final. By submitting your story, you grant permission for SFWC to use your likeness and samples of your entry for promotional purposes.
Please CLICK HERE to upload your entry for the Joyce Turley Scholarship before 5 p.m. Pacific time on 12/10/21.
QUESTIONS? Contact Barbara at [email protected]
The 2022 SFWC Student Scholarships for High School Students
The SFWC Foundation is pleased to announce this scholarship was awarded to Dylan Gibson.
offer a limited number of one-day scholarships for Saturday, July 23rd, to high school aged students 15-18 years of age. As a way to encourage students to pursue a career in writing and publishing, they will get an insider’s look at the SFWC and meet presenters–authors, agents and book marketing professionals.
They will also get to attend any of the SFWC sessions they choose in areas of their particular writing interest. The student scholarship winner must agree to meet upon arrival with the SFWC Volunteer Coordinator in the Ballroom lobby of the Hyatt Regency San Francisco by 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 23rd. The SFWC main events will end at 6:00 pm that same day but continue with an evening open-to-the-public event: Writing for Change. Students may apply for a scholarship by sending us a double-spaced, 250-word essay on why books and writing are important. We would also like a sample of the student’s work.
Send your essay and writing sample to Barbara Santos, SFWC Scholarships, P.O. Box 326, Oakley, CA 94561 or email it to Barbara Santos at [email protected].
Please include the name and address of your high school. Additionally we need the student’s address, phone number and email address. The winning student’s parent or guardian must sign an SFWC liability waiver that can be emailed in advance. The deadline for submissions is January 1st. Feel free to email questions to Barbara Santos at [email protected].
NOTE: The 2023 San Francisco Writers Conference will be held LIVE at the Hyatt Regency SF, February 16-19, 2023.
Please limit your entries to ONE per scholarship. In fairness, a writer can win ONLY one scholarship to the 2023 San Francisco Writers Conference. The decision of the judges is final. Good Luck!
Scholarships Awarded for the 2020 SFWC
Orna Glick and GW Brown each earned the KEVIN SMOKLER SCHOLARSHIP
Maria Ramos-Chertok earned the NINA AMIR SCHOLARSHIP for Nonfiction Writing
Samantha Mullett earned the ELI POTTER BITCOIN & BLOCKCHAIN SCHOLARSHIP
Rosie Sorenson earned the 2020 JOYCE TURLEY SCHOLARSHIP
Levi Jackson and America DeFleur earned the DIRECTOR’S SCHOLARSHIP for marginalized voices.
Terry Ratner earned the Dr. ELLEN TALIAFERRO SCHOLARSHIP
Thelma Swan Tucker earned the DIANE FRANK SCHOLARSHIP
Nori Jabba was awarded the JONATHAN MABERRY SCHOLARSHIP for the NEXT SFWC!
SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDEES FOR the 2019 SFWC
San Francisco Writers Conference 2019 Photography: Melanie E. Rijkers #SFWC19
CATHERINE COULTER SCHOLARSHIP: Lana Krumwiede and Steven Browne
Eli Potter Blockchain and Crypto Currency Scholarship: Amber Price and Shelley Allen (Donations from Eli Potter and AutoDesk made these possible.)
THE DIRECTOR’S SCHOLARSHIP: Rev. Harry Williams and Kellen Akiyama
(Donations from Laurie McLean and Dr. Ellen Taliaferro made these possible.)
The 2019 SFWC Student Scholarship for Bay Area High School Students: Christina Abudayeh
The 2019 SFWC Student Scholarship for High School Students: Jacqueline Prata
Congratulations to all. As scholarships for the 2023 San Francisco Writers Conference become available, they will be posted on this page and announced in the SFWC Newsletter. Subscribe to the free SFWC Newsletter!
Note: Our SFWC Scholarships have no fees and all have a simple submission process. All adult scholarships offer a full registration to the event, and some offer additional goodies.
Don’t need a scholarship? Please consider helping someone who does by donating to the ongoing SFWC Scholarship Fund or contact Laurie McLean at [email protected] if you would like to create a scholarship of your own.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE WINNERS OF SCHOLARSHIPS FROM 2018!
From left top: Susan Tunney, Kate Farrell (SFWC Children’s Special Event Coordinator), Vicki Hudson. Bottom row: Jean Stillwell, Vickie Luo, Vidhima Shetty, Aashna Avachat, and children’s author Mitali Perkins.
The 2018 Dr. Ellen Taliaferro Scholarship Awarded to Susan Tunney.
2018 Vicki Hudson Emerging Writer Scholarship Awarded to Jean Stillwell
If you want to donate to the SFWC Scholarship fund, click here.
Want to start a scholarship in your own name and with your own guidelines? You can help other talented writers pursue a writing career. Now you can select the recipients of a scholarship to the SFWC that you create. We want to help as many writers attend the conference as possible, so we are offering a way for you to offer scholarships – in your name, your company’s name or anonymously.
The cost of a named scholarship is $1,000. You may be as involved as you like–choosing the theme, setting the rules and selecting the winner(s). Or you can give us guidelines and we will do the work! Each scholarship has a $1,250 value (cost of the event plus additional recognition for the recipient and you in the program.) Click here to see other Scholarship Donors!
To talk about creating a scholarship, please contact Laurie McLean.
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS!