The San Francisco Writers Conference Returns for 2023
Keynote speakers for the 19th San Francisco Writers Conference
San Francisco, January 5, 2023—The San Francisco Writers Conference is pleased to announce that it will produce its 19th annual event LIVE AND IN PERSON at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco on February 16–19, 2023. Joining the San Francisco Writers Conference speaker lineup for 2023 are Bay Area authors, agents, editors, and publishing professionals from the West Coast, New York City, and beyond who embody the conference tenets: Learn. Connect. Publish.
We’re thrilled to announce our keynote speakers for the 2023 event: Joyce Maynard, Arielle Eckstut, and David Henry Sterry.
Joyce Maynard began publishing her stories in magazines when she was thirteen years old. She first came to national attention with the publication of her New York Times cover story, “An Eighteen Year Old Looks Back on Life”, in 1972, when she was a freshman at Yale. Since then, she has been a reporter and columnist for The New York Times, a syndicated newspaper columnist whose “Domestic Affairs” column appeared in over fifty papers nationwide, a regular contributor to NPR and national magazines including Vogue, The New York Times Magazine, and many more. She is a longtime performer with The Moth.
She is the author of eighteen books, including the New York Times bestselling novel, Labor Day and To Die For (both adapted for film), Under the Influence and the memoirs, At Home in the World and The Best of Us. Her latest novel, Count the Ways —the story of a marriage and a divorce, and the children who survived it— was published by William Morrow in July, 2021.
She is currently at work on a sequel to Count the Ways, tentatively scheduled for publication in 2024. Maynard is a fellow of the MacDowell Colony and Yaddo.
Arielle Eckstut is co-founder of The Book Doctors and co-author of the definitive Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published. She’s an Agent-at-Large at the Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency, one of the finest boutique agencies in the world, and has helped hundreds of talented amateurs become professionally published authors. She is also the author of ten books. In addition, she is an EP on two new TV shows currently in development with Silvergate/Sony and The Jim Henson Company. She’s spent the last fifteen year travelling presenting Pitchapaloozas and teaching workshops everywhere from Cape Cod to rural Alaska to Kauai. She’s been featured in The New York Times, the Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and on National Public Radio as well as countless other media outlets.
David Henry Sterry is the bestselling author of sixteen books that have been translated into a dozen languages. His last book graced the cover of The New York Times Book Review. His memoir, Master of Ceremonies, is currently being made into a TV series for which David serves as an Executive Producer. David was a professional actor for twenty years, appearing in dozens of movies and TV shows and over 2,500 commercials. He’s also the creator of Pitchapalooza, which has been presented hundreds of times all over the nation, helping countless amateur writers have become professional authors. He’s spent the last fifteen year teaching workshops everywhere from San Quentin Prison to Stanford University on how to get successfully published. He’s been featured in The New York Times, the Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and on National Public Radio as well as countless other media outlets.
The San Francisco Writers Conference / San Francisco Writers Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Event details are updated regularly and are available at: www.SFWriters.org
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MORE ABOUT THE SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE
The San Francisco Writers Conference is an annual gathering that draws 600+ participants to the Bay Area including bestselling authors, literary agents, publishers, editors (both from traditional publishing houses and indie editors), and both traditional and self-publishing industry professionals. The presenters from the West Coast, New York City, and beyond—come to the event looking for new talent, to share their expertise with the attendees, and do some quality networking themselves. For more information about the 2022 San Francisco Writers Conference, go to: www.SFWriters.org.
SHORTER VERSION OF THIS RELEASE:
2023 SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE
The 19th annual SFWC will be held on February 16–19, 2023 at Hyatt Regency San Francisco, with keynote speakers Joyce Maynard, Arielle Eckstut, and David Henry Sterry. For more information about the San Francisco Writers Conference, go to: www.SFWriters.org.
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The San Francisco Writers Conference Returns for 2022
Keynote speakers for the 18th San Francisco Writers Conference
San Francisco, November 16, 2021—The San Francisco Writers Conference is pleased to announce that, after taking a gap year due to the pandemic in 2021, it will produce its 18th annual event LIVE AND IN PERSON at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco on February 17–20, 2022. Joining the San Francisco Writers Conference speaker lineup for 2022 are Bay Area authors, agents, editors, and publishing professionals from the West Coast, New York City, and beyond who embody the conference tenets: Learn. Connect. Publish.
We’re thrilled to announce our keynote speakers for the 2022 event: Charlie Jane Anders, Annalee Newitz, and Lysley Tenorio.
Charlie Jane Anders is the author of Victories Greater Than Death, the first book in a new young-adult trilogy, which came out in April 2021. Up next: Never Say You Can’t Survive, a book about how to use creative writing to get through hard times; and a short story collection called Even Greater Mistakes. Her other books include The City in the Middle of the Night and All the Birds in the Sky. Her fiction and journalism have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Slate, McSweeney’s, Mother Jones, the Boston Review, Tor.com, Tin House, Teen Vogue, Conjunctions, Wired Magazine, and other places. Her TED Talk, “Go Ahead, Dream About the Future” got 700,000 views in its first week. With Annalee Newitz, she co-hosts the podcast Our Opinions Are Correct.
Annalee Newitz writes science fiction and nonfiction. They are the author of the book Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age, and the novels The Future of Another Timeline, and Autonomous, which won the Lambda Literary Award. As a science journalist, they are a writer for the New York Times and elsewhere, and have a monthly column in New Scientist. They have published in The Washington Post, Slate, Popular Science, Ars Technica, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic, among others. They are also the co-host of the Hugo Award-winning podcast Our Opinions Are Correct. Previously, they were the founder of io9, and served as the editor-in-chief of Gizmodo.
Lysley Tenorio is the author of the novel The Son of Good Fortune and the story collection Monstress, which was named a book of the year by the San Francisco Chronicle. He is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship, a Whiting Award, a Stegner fellowship, the Edmund White Award, and the Rome Prize from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, as well as residencies from the MacDowell Colony, Yaddo, and the Bogliasco Foundation. His stories have appeared in The Atlantic, Zoetrope: All-Story, and Ploughshares, and have been adapted for the stage by The American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco and the Ma-Yi Theater in New York City. Born in the Philippines, he lives in San Francisco, and is a professor at Saint Mary’s College of California. He is a 2021–22 Radcliffe Fellow at Harvard University, where he is working on a novel.
The San Francisco Writers Conference / San Francisco Writers Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Event details are updated regularly and are available at: www.SFWriters.org
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MORE ABOUT THE SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE
The San Francisco Writers Conference is an annual gathering that draws 600+ participants to the Bay Area including bestselling authors, literary agents, publishers, editors (both from traditional publishing houses and indie editors), and both traditional and self-publishing industry professionals. The presenters from the West Coast, New York City, and beyond—come to the event looking for new talent, to share their expertise with the attendees, and do some quality networking themselves. For more information about the 2022 San Francisco Writers Conference, go to: www.SFWriters.org.
SHORTER VERSION OF THIS RELEASE:
2022 SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE
The 18th annual SFWC will be held on February 17–20, 2022 at Hyatt Regency San Francisco, with keynote speakers Charlie Jane Anders, Annalee Newitz, and Lysley Tenorio. For more information about the San Francisco Writers Conference, go to: www.SFWriters.org.
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The San Francisco Writers Conference Returns for 2022 and Announces
Changes to the SFWC Planning Board
B. Santos, E. Kauffman Expand Roles; M. Félix, A. Clay, & others added to management team
San Francisco, July 1, 2021—The San Francisco Writers Conference is pleased to announce that, after taking a gap year due to the pandemic in 2021, it will produce its 18th annual event LIVE AND IN PERSON at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco on February 17–20, 2022 with two familiar names expanding their roles in the nonprofit corporation: Barbara Santos moves to Director of Partnerships, and Elisabeth Kauffman officially joins the board in the role of Director of Marketing.
Barbara Santos, Director of Partnerships
Barbara Santos brought her creative spark to the San Francisco Writers Conference in 2003 as one of the nonprofit event’s initial organizers and its first marketing director. Looking forward, she will oversee sponsorships, grants, and scholarships, while fostering new partnerships within the publishing industry and beyond. She jokes that she is the SFWC Schmooze Director!
Barbara was co-director of the Maui Writers Conference for many years before moving back to the Bay Area. Working on writing events for nearly 30 years, she has worked with literally hundreds of major authors, screenwriters, and publishing luminaries. “The thrill of interacting with a favorite author simply never gets old. It’s exciting to share that experience with our attendees each year.” Barbara is also the author of two cookbooks and the anthology, Practice Aloha, with co-author/celebrity chef Mark Ellman.
Elisabeth Kauffman, Director of Marketing
Elisabeth Kauffman has been managing the conference’s online communications as Social Media Director for the past year. She has now agreed to take on a larger role as the Director of Marketing. Elisabeth has been a presenter and the Onsite Volunteer Coordinator at the San Francisco Writers Conference since 2019. An editor of fiction and memoir for independent clients and publishing companies, she coaches writers to connect to the magic in their creative lives, and her tarot book and deck for writers, Lunaria Tarot, was released earlier this year.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to partner with this awesome organization and helping us grow as a community.” As director of marketing, she will continue to oversee SFWC’s social media outreach, manage traditional marketing and promotional efforts, and provide leadership in communicating the conference’s mission of helping authors learn, connect, and publish online and in person. She can be reached at [email protected].
Also on the Board are SFWC Executive Director Laurie McLean, Director of Operations Lissa Provost, Director of Volunteers/Website Manager Linda Lee, and Director of Finance/Registrations Richard Santos.
“As the conference continues to flourish, we are preparing for our future by placing our management team in jobs where they can use their skills and contacts to further our goals of helping writers learn their craft, network aggressively, and ultimately get published,” McLean said.
With that in mind, two new faces join the San Francisco Writers Conference planning team. After serving as SWFC Podcast editor for a little over a year, author Matthew Félix assumed the role of podcast Program Director and Host, relaunching the show in March. Leveraging years of podcasting experience, Matthew enhanced the show format—transitioning to longer, more in-depth interviews—added video, and expanded distribution to all major podcast platforms and YouTube. Recent guests include New York Times bestselling authors Natalie Baszile and Jasmin Darznik, as well as globally renowned indie-publishing expert Joanna Penn.
“I was so excited to be offered the opportunity to take the SFWC Podcast to the next level,” explained Matthew. “It’s such a wonderful platform, not only for the authors who appear as guests and our listeners and viewers, but also as a vehicle for the conference itself, allowing us to extend our reach and make even more of a mark.”
Additionally, Amanda J. Clay, SFWC’s Onsite Volunteer Coordinator, which she will continue to do for the 2022 conference, is also taking on the role of blog content manager. Amanda has been attending the conference since 2013. We’re looking forward to the expertise and insight she has to share with the SFWC community.
“I’m thrilled to be stepping into an additional role with the San Francisco Writers Conference. Our blog is an exceptional platform for our SFWC publishing professionals to offer the wealth of inspiration and expertise that they have amassed. I’m excited to facilitate sharing those voices with the world.”
The San Francisco Writers Conference / San Francisco Writers Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Event details are updated regularly and are available at: www.SFWriters.org
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MORE ABOUT THE SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE
The San Francisco Writers Conference is an annual gathering that draws 600+ participants to the Bay Area including bestselling authors, literary agents, publishers, editors (both from traditional publishing houses and indie editors), and both traditional and self-publishing industry professionals. The presenters from the West Coast, New York City, and beyond—come to the event looking for new talent, to share their expertise with the attendees, and do some quality networking themselves. For more information about the 2022 San Francisco Writers Conference, go to: www.SFWriters.org.
SHORTER VERSION OF THIS RELEASE:
2022 SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE
Two members of the San Francisco Writers Conference planning board have expanded their roles: Director of Partnerships Barbara Santos and Director of Marketing Elisabeth Kauffman. Previously, Barbara was the Director of Marketing and Elisabeth was Social Media Director for the San Francisco Writers Conference. Additionally, Matthew Félix comes on board as the SFWC podcast producer and host, and Amanda J. Clay joins as Onsite Volunteer Coordinator and SFWC blog content manager. The 18th annual SFWC will be held on February 17–20, 2022 at Hyatt Regency San Francisco. For more information about the San Francisco Writers Conference, go to: www.SFWriters.org.
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2021 San Francisco Writers Conference
18th Annual Event: February 11-14, 2021 Hyatt Regency San Francisco www.SFWriters.org
2020 SAN FRANCISCO WRITING FOR CHANGE CONFERENCE
Writing to Make a Difference September 12, 2020 www.SFWritingforChange.org
CONTACT: Laurie McLean, SFWC Director (650) 747-0796 Barbara Santos, Marketing Director (925) 420-6223
The San Francisco Writers Conference Events Will Go On As Planned.
Announcing Two Additions to the Year-Round SFWC Organizational Team: Carla King and Elisabeth Kauffman
San Francisco, April 2, 2020—The San Francisco Writers Conference is pleased to announce it will produce its 18th annual event LIVE at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco on February 11-14, 2021 with two familiar names joining the organizational team full-time: Carla King as Business Development Manager and Elisabeth Kauffman as Social Media Director.
Carla King, Business Development Director
Carla King has been named Business Development Director for the San Francisco Writers Conference. Carla is an author, a trusted self-publishing advocate, and one of the first bloggers on the internet. She is the founder of Self-Publishing Boot Camp (an educational series of books, workshops and online courses) and hosts the Author Friendly Podcast. Carla has been an SFWC presenter since 2005 and its Technology & Independent Publishing Track Coordinator since 2012. As the publishing industry relies on tech tools and services more each year, she has been instrumental in bringing Silicon Valley leaders to the SFWC. Carla is also widely known for her Motorcycle Misadventures books and real-time dispatches. She can be reached at [email protected].
Elisabeth Kauffman, Social Media Director
Elisabeth Kauffman has agreed to take on essential online communications tasks as Social Media Director. Elisabeth has been a presenter and the Onsite Volunteer Coordinator at the San Francisco Writers Conference since 2019. An editor of fiction and memoir for independent clients and publishing companies, she coaches writers to connect to the magic in their creative lives…and her first book (a tarot deck and guide for writers) is about to be published.
“I’m looking forward to sharing my enthusiasm for SFWC, writing and storytelling.” Managing SFWC’s social media outreach, she will be connecting authors to the writing community in real and virtual ways. Elisabeth will oversee SFWC social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. She can be reached at [email protected].
Already on the organizational team are SFWC Director Laurie J. McLean (also the founder of Fuse Literary), Operations Director Lissa Provost, Marketing Director Barbara Santos, Volunteer Director Linda Lee, Registrations Director Richard Santos, and Technology Director Venkat Raman.
“This is a scary time, full of cancellations, postponements and stay at home orders. But we want you to know that we’re moving full steam ahead to produce the Writing for Change Conference in September 2020 and the San Francisco Writers Conference in February 2021,” says SFWC Director Laurie McLean. “We are adding to our management team in preparation for a blockbuster Fall and Winter.”
The next San Francisco Writers Conference will be held live over the President’s Day Weekend, February 11-14, 2021. Consistently ranked as one of the top five writing conferences in North America and the world, the conference attracts agents, editors, major publishing industry leaders, writing tech pros, and bestselling authors to the Bay Area for its annual 4-day signature event each February. Writers learn about the craft and business of writing in order to become successfully published authors. The event also has a reputation for being a friendly and nurturing event for attendees. The San Francisco Writers Conference always offers several free events during the conference and throughout the year—some in conjunction with Mechanics’ Institute.
The 2020 San Francisco Writing for Change Conference, an event for writers who want to make a positive change in the world through their writing, is scheduled for September 12, 2020 at the First Unitarian Universalist Center in San Francisco. Again, this will be a live event pending the end of quarantine restrictions. www.SFWritingforChange.org
The San Francisco Writers Conference/ San Francisco Writers Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Event details are updated regularly and are available at: www.SFWriters.org and www.SFWritingforChange.org
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MORE ABOUT THE SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE
The San Francisco Writers Conference is an annual gathering that draws 600+ participants to the Bay Area including bestselling authors, literary agents, publishers, editors (both from traditional publishing houses and indie editors), and both traditional and self-publishing industry professionals. The presenters from the West Coast, New York City, and beyond—come to the event looking for new talent, to share their expertise with the attendees, and do some quality networking themselves. For more information about the 2021 San Francisco Writers Conference, go to: www.SFWriters.org.
SHORTER VERSION OF THIS RELEASE:
2021 SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE
The San Francisco Writers Conference has added two full-time organizational team members: Business Development Director Carla King and Social Media Director Elisabeth Kauffman. Previously, Carla was the Tech/Self-Publishing Track Coordinator and Elisabeth was the Onsite Volunteer Coordinator for the San Francisco Writers Conference. The 18th annual SFWC will be held on February 11-14, 2021 at Hyatt Regency San Francisco. For more information about the San Francisco Writers Conference, go to: www.SFWriters.org.
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2019 San Francisco Writers Conference
Celebration of Craft, Commerce and Community for Writers
16th Annual Event: February 14-17th, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero
Public Master Classes: February 14 & 18, 2019
CONTACT: Laurie McLean, Conference Director (650) 747-0796 [email protected]
Barbara Santos, Marketing Director (925) 420-6223 [email protected]
Event and Foundation website: www.SFWriters.org
Walter Mosley to Receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 17th annual San Francisco Writers Conference, Feb. 13-16, 2020
San Francisco— There is a lot going on at the 2020 San Francisco Writers Conference over President’s Day Weekend. Walter Mosley will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award and Jonathan Maberry will host one of his popular Writers’ Coffeehouses (free and open to all writers). Other SFWC presenters, including She Writes Press founder Brooke Warner and international bestselling author Anne Perry, will each teach one of a dozen different Master Classes offered this year. The annual conference, which will be held February 13-16 at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco, draws 350+ writers from around the Bay Area and across the country, along with bestselling authors and publishing industry professionals, including literary agents looking for new talent to sign. Event details and online registration are available at: www.SFWriters.org.
- Keynotes at the 2020 San Francisco Writers Conference will be given by NY Times bestselling author Walter Mosley (best known for his Easy Rawlins book series and This Year You Write Your Novel), NY Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry (V-Wars is a Netflix series), and Brooke Warner, the Oakland-based founder of She Writes Press.
- More than 20 literary agents will be at the SFWC hoping to find talented new writers.
- Writers who attend SFWC can choose from 70+ information-packed sessions on writing, editing, book publishing, marketing and even legal issues. For those who cannot attend the entire conference there will be a selection of Master Classes and two, one-day summits for Poetry and Screenwriting. (The summits are included in the full conference registration.)
- There are also FREE events. On Friday at 10:15 am, YA author, Armand Baltazar, a veteran of Pixar and Disney Studios, will give a workshop for aspiring writers and illustrators in 5th grade and up. RSVP required: https://www.sfwriters.org/armand-baltazar-childrens-event/
- A free Evening of Poetry and Jazz is on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 7:00 p.m. Bring a poem to read while the jazz band accompanies you or just listen and enjoy!
- Additional free events will be on our website in late January: www.SFWriters.org.
The San Francisco Writers Conference is consistently ranked as one of the best writers’ conferences and it has a reputation for also being the friendliest! SFWC registration fee is $850 thru January. At-the-door registration is $895 if space remains.
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The San Francisco Writers Conference and San Francisco Writing for Change conference are both produced by the San Francisco Writers Conference & San Francisco Writers Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. The SFWC Director is Laurie McLean. For registration help, contact Richard Santos at [email protected]. For SFWC sponsorship and scholarship opportunities, contact Barbara Santos at [email protected]. The SFWC website is: www.SFWriters.org
2020 San Francisco Writers Conference
Celebration of Craft, Commerce and Community for Writers
17th Annual Conference: February 13-16th, 2020
Master Classes: February 13 & 16, 2020
CONTACT: Laurie McLean, Conference Director (650) 747-0796
Barbara Santos, Marketing Director (925) 420-6223
Writers, screenwriters, poets & the publishing community gather for the 2020 San Francisco Writers Conference & Master Classes—Feb. 13-16, 2020
San Francisco, November 14, 2019— If you want to become a successfully published author, there is an event for that. One of the best writers’ conferences in the country, the San Francisco Writers Conference, is holding its 17th annual event at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco from February 13-16. Featured speakers include Walter Mosley, Jonathan Maberry, Brooke Warner and Armand Baltazar. In addition to the main conference, there will be Writing for Hollywood and SFWC Poetry summits, individual Master Classes, and many free events during the four-day conference.
The San Francisco Writers Conference draws 100+ bestselling authors, literary agents, publishers, editors, and publishing industry professionals to the Bay Area. The presenters (from the West Coast, New York City, and beyond) come to the event looking for new talent, to share their expertise with the attendees, and do some quality networking themselves. At the SFWC attendees rub shoulders with the very people who help build writing careers.
The 2020 San Francisco Writers Conference will be held President’s Day Weekend, February 13th-16th at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco. The conference has a mission to support writers and written communication of all kinds. Event details–including the complete presenters list and online registration for the conference and classes—is available at: www.SFWriters.org.
A SAMPLE OF THE FREE AND LOW COST OPEN TO THE PUBLIC SESSIONS:
Friday evening at from 8 to 11 p.m., Jonathan Maberry will host a Writers Coffeehouse at the Hyatt Regency. Jonathan founded the rapidly expanding series of Writers Coffeehouses in major US cities, and there will be coffee and cookies along with quality networking with Jonathan at this one. FREE
On Friday at 10:15 am, bestselling YA author/illustrator and a veteran of Pixar and Disney Studios Armand Baltazar will give a free open-to-the-public workshop for aspiring writers and illustrators in 5th grade and up. Yes, adults, too! FREE but RSVP is required. Get details on the SFWC website. https://www.sfwriters.org/armand-baltazar-childrens-event/
An Evening of Poetry and Jazz is on Saturday, Feb. 15 beginning at 7:00 p.m. It features original music from Copus, a celebrity poet band, and writers can share their poems and very short stories. FREE
The SFWC Exhibit Hall—with a full schedule of Exhibitor Talks—features companies offering services and products for writers. It’s open to the public during most of the conference hours.
For a list of ALL the free events check the SFWC website in January.
SFWC MASTER CLASSES, on February 13th and 16th, are taught by SFWC presenters and designed for in-depth learning. Open to all writers, they range from $99 to $149. You do not have to be a conference attendee to attend these classes. https://sfwriters.org/master-classes
THE MAIN SFWC EVENT: Writing a great book is just the start of a writing career. Turning a manuscript into a bestseller takes determination, support, and knowledge of the publishing industry. The San Francisco Writers Conference offers a generous amount of information to help a writer succeed.
Attendees have access to the 70+ information-packed concurrent sessions covering a wide-range of topics (craft, publishing business, book/author marketing, self-publishing); keynote lunches; on-site social events where they can mingle with presenters and fellow writers; and pitch sessions where they will get honest feedback on their work. The event is suitable for writers in any genre (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, self-publishing, marketing, etc.).
AUTHOR PRESENTERS: Keynoters at the 2020 San Francisco Writers Conference include NY Times bestselling authors Walter Mosley (best known for his Easy Rawlins series) and Jonathan Maberry (who also founded The Writers Coffeehouses), and Brooke Warner, author and founder of She Writes Press. Armand Baltazar will be featured in a Student Workshop in addition to the main conference. Many other authors in genres from memoir to thrillers to historical fiction and poetry will be teaching during the event.
AGENTS: There will be 20+ literary agents at the SFWC. Writers looking for representation can sign up for, Speed Dating with Agents, which allows attendees to pitch their work in hopes of connecting with their perfect literary agent. There are also optional 15-minute in-depth, one-on-one Conversations with Agents. Links to the agent websites can be found on the SFWC website.
EDITORS & PUBLISHERS: Publishers and editors from top traditional publishing houses—St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan, Lake Union/Amazon, HarperCollins, New World Books, Chronicle Books, Mango Press, She Writes Press, and more—are always a highlight of the program.
TRADITIONAL and SELF-PUBLISHING are equally valuable options with benefits writers need to understand. The SFWC helps attendees learn about current trends and possibilities with sessions featuring self-publishing leaders Carla King, PBS MediaShift; Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords, Chelsea Bennett of Lulu, Kathy Meis of Bublish, Robin Cutler of IngramSpark, and more.
For a complete 2020 San Francisco Writers Conference presenters list, go to: www.SFWriters.org.
2020 SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE REGISTRATION INFO:
REGISTRATION FEE: $795 thru December. At-the-door is $895 while seats remain. Register on-line at www.SFWriters.org Registration includes access to main conference sessions, three breakfasts, award luncheon, Networking Gala, free editorial and book marketing consult, and a logo writer’s bag. Reserve a room at the Hyatt at the $259 Rate using the code SFWR or go to https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/SFORS/G-SFWR/ROOMS Rooms based on availability and will sell out!
The San Francisco Writers Conference is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. To learn about San Francisco Writers Conference programs and events, go to the website at www.SFWriters.org or call 415-673-0939.
SHORTER VERSION OF THIS RELEASE:
2020 SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE & CLASSES. A Celebration of Craft, Commerce and Community on February 13th-16th at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco. Featuring NY Times bestselling author Walter Mosley, suspense/graphic novelist Jonathan Maberry, She Writes Press founder/author Brooke Warner and YA author/illustrator Armand Baltazar. Quality interaction with 100+ presenters—literary agents, editors, publishers and bestselling authors—at over 70 sessions. Exhibit hall, bookstore, and special presentations will be open to the public. The SFWC Master Classes are open to non-attendees. Get details—including a full presenters list and online registration—and opt-in for the SFWC Newsletter at www.SFWriters.org.
SPONSORS OF THE 2020 SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE INCLUDE:
IngramSpark, Lulu, Bublish, IBPA, Mechanic’s Institute, CamCat Press
Bestseller Sponsors: Smashwords—Badge sponsor,
Writer’s Digest—Speed Dating for Agents sponsor
Women’s National Book Association, California Writers Club and TriValley Writers. Harvey Pawl, Book Expo & BookShop West Portal (SFWC onsite bookstore).
Scholarship Benefactors: Joyce Turley, Dr. Ellen Taliaferro, Elli Potter/AutoDesk, Kevin Smokler, Nina Amir, Joan Gelfand, Diane Frank.
2019 San Francisco Writers Conference—Feb. 14-18, 2019
Top Writers’ Conference Moves to a New Venue and Adds a One-Day Poetry Summit
San Francisco, January 6, 2019— Already recognized as one of the best writers’ conferences in the country, the San Francisco Writers Conference has moved to the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero as a way to provide additional value to its participants. The SFWC, an annual event produced by the nonprofit San Francisco Writers Foundation, will continue to offer a main conference program featuring over 100+ presenters—all of them literary and publishing industry notables. This year with the added space and convenient location of the new venue, the 16th San Francisco Writers Conference will offer several free and low-cost options during the Presidents’ Day Weekend event (February 14-18, 2019).
A sampling of the free events include a journaling workshop with Amelia’s Journal author Marissa Moss geared to children and children’s writers; creativity-boosting Eyespiration Walks on the Embarcadero; and a Poetry & Jazz evening event with celebrity poet band, COPUS. There are also low-cost options including a full-day Poetry Summit ($195) and several stand-alone Master Classes. Details for all the open-to-the public events and Master Classes will be on the website at www.SFWriters.org.
The event tag line—A Celebration of Craft, Commerce and Community—will be reflected in the SFWC Keynoters for 2019. They will include mega-bestselling romantic thriller novelist Catherine Coulter (craft); the author of The Business of Being a Writer and former publisher of Writer’s Digest Jane Friedman (commerce), and Pulitzer Prize winning/Emmy nominated journalist and Dear America author Jose Antonio Vargas (community). Tracks during the event will cover fiction, nonfiction, children/YA writing, books-to-screen, and poetry. Writers will also get to hear from experts in book marketing of all kinds and learn about both traditional and self-publishing.
“Access to the people who can help you get successfully published is the main reason attendees come to the conference,” says SFWC Director Laurie McLean. This year attendees of the San Francisco Writers Conference will once again get to meet with an editor, a book promotion expert, or a book coach as part of the event. These 8-minute consults are included in the registration fee. For main conference attendees who want even more one-on-one time, they can opt to sit down with one of 20+ literary agents for a fifteen-minute consult ($100) or pitch their book projects at Speed Dating with Agents where a room full of agents will be listening to pitches ($75).
Now in its 16th year, the San Francisco Writers Conference is an annual gathering that draws 100+ bestselling authors, literary agents, publishers, editors, and publishing industry professionals to the Bay Area. These presenters, from the West Coast, New York City, and beyond, come to the event looking for new talent, to share their expertise with the attendees, and do some quality networking themselves. At the SFWC attendees rub shoulders with the very people who help build writing careers. The San Francisco Writers Conference has a professional but friendly vibe with many social events to further networking opportunities for all participants.
The 2019 San Francisco Writers Conference will be held President’s Day Weekend, February 14th-18th at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero across from San Francisco’s Ferry Building and is easily accessible on BART. The conference has a mission to support writers and written communication of all kinds. Event details—including the complete presenters list and online registration for the conference and classes—is available at: www.SFWriters.org.
LOW-COST and FREE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC SESSIONS:
New this year is an SFWC Poetry Summit featuring a dozen poets and poetry teachers including San Francisco Poet Laureate Kim Shuck. This poetry track is included for all registered attendees, but is also available as a separate one-day event. According to SFWC Operations Director Lissa Provost, “This is a rare opportunity to participate in a pragmatic, ‘productivity to publishing’ conference event designed specifically for poets.”
Children’s Session: This year the free open-to-the-public session will be: An Eye on Your Life—Interactive Writing and Journaling with Marissa Moss. While geared to her fans in 4th grade and up, the session will help any writer who wants to write a children’s book. (RSVP on the website for this free session.)
An Evening of Poetry and Jazz is on Saturday (Feb. 16 beginning at 7:30 p.m.) and features poet band COPUS, Kim Shuck, Diane Frank, Andy Jones, Richard Loranger, and Lissa Provost. An open mic means anyone can share their poems and very short stories.
The SFWC Exhibit Hall showcases companies offering services and products for writers. Located in the Hyatt ballroom lobby, it is open to the public during most of the conference hours.
SFWC MASTER CLASSES These classes on February 14th and 18th are taught by SFWC presenters and designed for in-depth learning. Open to all writers, most range from $99 to $129. You do not have to be a conference attendee to attend these classes. https://sfwriters.org/master-classes
THE MAIN SFWC EVENT: Writing a great book is just the start of a writing career. Turning a manuscript into a bestseller takes determination, support, and knowledge of the publishing industry. The San Francisco Writers Conference offers a generous amount of information to help a writer succeed.
Attendees have access to the 70+ information-packed concurrent sessions covering a wide-range of topics (craft, publishing business, book/author marketing, self-publishing); keynote lunches; on-site social events where they can mingle with presenters and fellow writers; and pitch sessions where they will get honest feedback on their work. The event is suitable for writers in any genre (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, self-publishing, children’s, YA, etc.).
AUTHOR PRESENTERS: See the current list at https://sfwriters.org/speakers#
AGENTS: There will be 20+ literary agents at SFWC19. For writers looking for representation, Speed Dating with Agents, allows attendees to pitch their work in hopes of connecting with their perfect literary agent. There are also optional 15-minute in-depth Conversations with Agents for maximum access. Links to the agent websites can be found on the SFWC website.
EDITORS & PUBLISHERS: Publishers and editors from top traditional publishing houses—Macmillan, St. Martin’s Press, HarperCollins, Writer’s Digest, Hachette’s Little, Brown Books, and more—are always a highlight of the program.
TRADITIONAL and SELF-PUBLISHING are equally valuable options with benefits—and responsibilities—writers need to understand. The technology changes quickly so the SFWC self-publishing track helps attendees learn about current trends and possibilities with panels and sessions featuring self-publishing leaders including Carla King, PBS MediaShift; Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords, and Steven Spatz of BookBaby, plus many more.
For a complete 2019 San Francisco Writers Conference presenters list, go to: www.SFWriters.org.
SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE REGISTRATION INFO:
GENERAL: Attendance is limited to 500 attendees and there will be more than 100 presenters for optimal interaction. REGISTRATION FEE: $895 while seats remain and there are early registration discounts. Register on-line at www.SFWriters.org Several Scholarships for the 2019 event are available.
MASTER CLASSES: Writing Intensive Workshops are scheduled for Thursday, February 14th and Monday, February 18th. These classes, ranging in price from $99 to $129, feature SFWC presenters and are open to non-attendees. Registration and details on these sessions is available at www.SFWriters.org.
The San Francisco Writers Conference ~ San Francisco Writers Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation. To learn about San Francisco Writers Conference and Foundation programs and events, go to the website at www.SFWriters.org or call (925) 420-6223.
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SHORTER VERSION OF THIS RELEASE:
2019 SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE & CLASSES. A Celebration of Craft, Commerce and Community on February 14th-18th at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero. Featuring keynotes by NY Times bestselling author Catherine Coulter, The Business of Being an Author Jane Friedman and Pulitzer Prize winner and author of Dear America Jose Antonio Vargas. Quality interaction with 100+ literary agents, editors, publishers and bestselling authors at over 75 sessions. Exhibit hall, bookstore, and special presentations will be open to the public. The SFWC Master Classes and one-day Poetry Summit are open to non-SFWC writers. Get details—including a full presenter list and online registration—and opt-in for the SFWC Newsletter at www.SFWriters.org.
SPONSORS OF THE 2019 SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE INCLUDE:
Friends of the SFWC: BookBaby, Bublish, Draft2Digital, Mechanic’s Institute, PublishDrive
Bestseller Sponsor: Smashwords—Self-Publishing Track sponsor,
Writer’s Digest—Speed Dating for Agents sponsor
BARTable, BetaBooks, Women’s National Book Association, California Writers Club and Tri-Valley Writers. Harvey Pawl, Book Expo & BookShop West Portal (SFWC onsite bookstore).
Scholarship Benefactors: Catherine Coulter, Eli Potter, Laurie McLean, Dr. Ellen Taliaferro, and Joyce Turley.
Scholarships are listed on the website.
2018 San Francisco Writers Conference
Celebration of Craft, Commerce and Community for Writers
15th Annual Event: February 15-18th, 2018
Public Master Classes: February 15 & 19, 2018
CONTACT: Laurie McLean, Conference Director (650) 747-0796
Barbara Santos, Marketing Director (925) 420-6223
Writers & Readers can enjoy 12+ free and open-to-the-public events during the 2018 San Francisco Writers Conference & Master Classes—Feb. 15-20, 2018
San Francisco, January 26, 2018— If you want to become a successfully published author, there is an event for that. This year one of the best writers’ conferences in the country, the San Francisco Writers Conference, is inviting all writers to over a dozen free events as part of its outreach program during its perennially sold-out four-day event. (Note: The event is NOT yet sold out as of Feb. 1st, 2018.)
The San Francisco Writers Conference is an annual gathering that draws 100+ bestselling authors, literary agents, publishers, editors, and publishing industry professionals to the Bay Area. These presenters, from the West Coast, New York City, and beyond, come to the event looking for new talent, to share their expertise with the attendees, and do some quality networking themselves. At the SFWC attendees rub shoulders with the very people who help build writing careers.
The 2018 San Francisco Writers Conference will be held President’s Day Weekend, February 15th-18th at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel on San Francisco’s Nob Hill. The conference has a mission to support writers and written communication of all kinds. Event details–including the complete presenters list and online registration for the conference and classes—is available at: www.SFWriters.org.
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC SESSIONS:
On Thursday (Feb. 15 from 6-8 pm), there will be a Writing Community Networking event with representatives of local publishing groups and companies in the publishing industry.
An Evening of Poetry and Jazz is on Friday (Feb. 16 beginning at 7:30 p.m.) features Diane Frank, Brad Henderson, Andy Jones, Richard Loranger, Mary Mackey, Susie Meserve, Lissa Provost, Melissa Stein, Matthew Zapruder. Anyone can share their poems and very short stories.
On Saturday night (Feb. 17 at 7:30 pm) we are proud to present Writing the Resistance: Authors as Activists featuring authors Sonya Renee Taylor, Aya de Leon, and Lyzette Wanzer, as well as, Georgia Hughes (New World Library), Brenda Knight (Mango Press), Reiko Redmonde (Revolution Books). It will be moderated by Mike Larsen.
Also on Saturday at 10 am, New York Times bestselling children’s author Mitali Perkins will give a free open-to-the-public workshop for aspiring writers in 5th grade and up. RSVP and get details on the SFWC website. https://sfwriters.org/mitali-perkins-sfwc-childrens-event-2
The SFWC Exhibit Hall—with a full schedule of Exhibitor Talks on publishing—features companies offering services and products for writers is open to the public during most of the conference hours. For a list of ALL the free events and Exhibitor Talks during the SFWC, go to: https://sfwriters.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2018-SFWC-Free-Events.pdf
SFWC MASTER CLASSES These classes on February 15th and 19th are taught by SFWC presenters and designed for in-depth learning. Open to all writers, they range from $59 to $119. You do not have to be a conference attendee to attend these classes. https://sfwriters.org/master-classes
THE MAIN SFWC EVENT: Writing a great book is just the start of a writing career. Turning a manuscript into a bestseller takes determination, support, and knowledge of the publishing industry. The San Francisco Writers Conference offers a generous amount of information to help a writer succeed.
Attendees have access to the 70+ information-packed concurrent sessions covering a wide-range of topics (craft, publishing business, book/author marketing, self-publishing); keynote lunches; on-site social events where they can mingle with presenters and fellow writers; and pitch sessions where they will get honest feedback on their work. The event is suitable for writers in any genre (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, self-publishing, marketing, etc.).
AUTHOR PRESENTERS: Keynoters at the 2018 San Francisco Writers Conference include NY Times bestselling author Sheldon Siegel, California Poet Laureate/former NEA Chairman Dana Gioia, and Shanthi Sekaran, author of Lucky Boy. Many other authors—Anne Perry, Matthew Zapruder, Martha Conrad, Mike Larsen, Naheed Senzai, Alex White—in genres from memoir to thrillers to historical fiction and poetry will be teaching during the event.
AGENTS: There will be 18 literary agents at the SFWC. For writers looking for representation, Speed Dating with Agents, allows attendees to pitch their work in hopes of connecting with their perfect literary agent. There are also optional 15-minute in-depth Conversations with Agents for maximum access. Links to the agent websites can be found on the SFWC website.
EDITORS & PUBLISHERS: Publishers and editors from top traditional publishing houses—Simon & Schuster, St. Martin’s Press, HarperCollins, Scholastic, New World Books, Chronicle Books, Writer’s Digest, and more—are always a highlight of the program.
TRADITIONAL and SELF-PUBLISHING are equally valuable options with benefits—and responsibilities—writers need to understand. The technology changes quickly so the SFWC self-publishing track helps attendees learn about current trends and possibilities with panels and sessions featuring self-publishing leaders including Carla King, PBS MediaShift; Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords, Angela Bole of IBPA, and Robin Cutler of Ingram Spark, plus many more.
For a complete 2018 San Francisco Writers Conference presenters list, go to: www.SFWriters.org.
2018 SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE REGISTRATION INFO:
GENERAL: Attendance is limited to 350 attendees and there will be more than 100 presenters for optimal interaction. REGISTRATION FEE: $895 while seats remain. (Please note: This event always sells out and seats may not be available at the door.) Register on-line at www.SFWriters.org
MASTER CLASSES: Writing Intensive Workshops are scheduled for Thursday, February 15th and Monday, February 19th. These classes, ranging in price from $59 to $119, feature SFWC presenters and are open to non-attendees. Registration and details on these sessions is available at www.SFWriters.org.
The San Francisco Writers Conference is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. To learn about San Francisco Writers Conference programs and events, go to the website at www.SFWriters.org or call 415-673-0939.
# # #
SHORTER VERSION OF THIS RELEASE:
2018 SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE & CLASSES. A Celebration of Craft, Commerce and Community on February 15th-19th at the Mark Hopkins Hotel. Featuring keynotes by NY Times bestselling author Sheldon Siegel, California’s Poet Laureate Dana Gioia and Shanthi Sekaran, author of the critically acclaimed novels The Prayer Room and Lucky Boy. Quality interaction with 100+ literary agents, editors, publishers and bestselling authors at over 70 sessions. Exhibit hall, bookstore, and special presentations will be open to the public. The SFWC Master Classes are open to non-attendees. Get details—including a full presenters list and online registration—and opt-in for the SFWC Newsletter at www.SFWriters.org.
SPONSORS OF THE 2018 SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE INCLUDE:
Ingram Spark, Lulu, Gatekeeper Press, IBPA, Mechanic’s Institute,
Bestseller Sponsors: Smashwords—Self-Publishing Track sponsor,
Writer’s Digest—Speed Dating for Agents sponsor
Women’s National Book Association, California Writers Club and TriValley Writers. Harvey Pawl, Book Expo & BookShop West Portal (SFWC onsite bookstore).
Scholarship Benefactors: Joyce Turley, Dr. Ellen Taliaferro, Victoria Hudson, Ray Larsen.
- Click here to download the 2017 SFWC Press Release