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2014 San Francisco Writers Conference & Classes--February 13-17th, 2014

11th Annual Event Will Offer More In-Depth Instruction, Expand its Poetry and Self-Publishing Tracks, and Embrace Ethnic Diversity while Helping Writers Become Published Authors

Free Event during the 2014 SFWC: Faerie Marketplace for Fans of Bestselling Young Adult Fantasy Author Julie Kagawa (See release below for details)

The 350 attendees at this year's San Francisco Writers Conference can't help but step on the fast track to becoming published authors. The conference is an annual gathering of over 100 bestselling authors, literary agents, publishers, editors, and industry professionals who work on the West Coast, in New York City, and beyond. Most of the presenters come looking for new talent; they all come to share their expertise with the attendees and network with their peers. Attendees will rub shoulders with the very people who can help launch a writing career in one information-packed weekend.

The 2014 San Francisco Writers Conference will be held President's Day Weekend, February 13th-16th at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel on San Francisco's Nob Hill. (Post Conference Classes will be held on Monday, February 17th.) The conference has a mission to support written communication of all kinds and accomplishes that specifically by helping writers become published authors. Event details--including the complete presenters list and online registration for the conference and classes—is available at: www.SFWriters.org.

The SFWC event will also have more open-to-the-public sessions this year. New York Times Bestselling young adult fantasy author Julie Kagawa (The Iron Fey series) will meet, greet and talk to her fans on Thursday, February 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Mark Hopkins. In her first West Coast appearance she will discuss her books, while her team will offer a Faerie Marketplace with all kinds of enchanted goodies from a certificate with your faery name to temporary tattoos. Her editor, Natashya Wilson of Harlequin Teen, will give away booklets with chapters from upcoming YA books. Details are on the SFWC website.

Pre & Post SFWC Conference Workshops on February 13th and 17th are open to non-attendees. The classes are taught by SFWC presenters in 3-hour or all-day formats for in-depth learning. Topics range from writing a bestselling thriller novel with Sheldon Siegel, to an all-day Self-Publishing Boot Camp, to a hands-on class where you will create your author website using WordPress with Linda Lee.

The SFWC believes traditional and self-publishing are equally valuable options with benefits—and responsibilities—writers need to understand. The technology changes quickly so a self-publishing track helps attendees learn about current trends and possibilities. It is sponsored by Smashwords with presenters like Brian Felsen (BookBaby.com president and founder), Randy Kuckuck (PublishNext), Jim Azevedo (marketing director at Smashwords) and Mark Coker (founder of Smashwords).

Since San Francisco is known for its legendary poets, BookBaby.com will bring in popular poets for an expanded poetry track. The track will have classes to tempt any writer…even if they don't consider themselves to be a poet!

Attendees will have access to the 60+ information-packed concurrent sessions covering a wide-range of topics (craft, publishing, book/author marketing); keynotes & general sessions; four meals and 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, etc.) and writing level (beginner to already published). An orientation and welcome session on Thursday, Feb. 13th is included for all attendees.

AUTHOR PRESENTERS: From the breathtaking mystical worlds created by Indian author Chitra Divakaruni, to the indomitable African children in NoViolet Bulawayo's Caine Prize award-winning novel, to the dark future world of Julie Kagawa's YA books, the bestselling authors at the SFWC will talk about writing that is rich with a 'sense of place' and very much ethnically diverse. The partial list of 2014 San Francisco Writers Conference presenters includes popular authors Julie Kagawa, USA Today & NY Times bestselling author of The Iron Fey series; NoViolet Bulawayo, Caine Award winner and author of We Need New Names; Chitra Divakaruni, international bestselling author of The Mistress of Spices; Barry Eisler, author of the bestselling Rain and Treven series; Dan Millman, of Peaceful Warrior fame and The Creative Compass; Bill Petrocelli, The Circle of Thirteen; Aya de Leon, Poetry for the People; and Rhys Bowen, Agatha award-winning author of the Molly Murphy series as featured presenters. Other author presenters at the event are: Barbara Rose Brooker (The Viagra Diaries), Meg Waite Clayton (The Wednesday Sisters), David Corbett (Blood of Paradise), Mary Mackey (Sugar Zone), Sheldon Siegel (The Terrorist Next Door), Cara Black (Murder in Passy), Kemble Scott (Sower 2.0), Zoe FitzGerald Carter, (Imperfect Endings), Penny Warner (How to Host a Killer Party), Constance Hale (Sin and Syntax),and

AGENTS: The San Francisco Writers Conference has a reputation for attracting top literary agents looking for talented new clients. This year there will be more than two dozen agents participating in the signature Speed Dating with Agents where attendees can pitch their work in hopes of connecting with their perfect literary agent. Links to the agent websites can be found on the SFWC website.

EDITORS & PUBLISHERS: Publishers and editors from top traditional publishing houses include Chuck Adams (Algonquin), Brenda Copeland (St. Martin's Press), David Ebershoff (Random House), Liz Szabla (Macmillan), Caitlin O'Shaughnessy (Viking), Laura Tisdale (Little Brown), Natashya Wilson (Harlequin) and Jan Johnson (Red Wheel/Weiser). Online editor Brian Klems (Writer's Digest) will also be a presenter.

INDEPENDENT EDITORS: Several independent editors will be available to offer attendees a helpful one-on-one feedback session during the event.

For a complete 2014 San Francisco Writers Conference presenters list, go to: www.SFWriters.org.

2014 SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE REGISTRATION INFO:

GENERAL: Attendance is limited to 350 attendees and there will be more than 100 presenters for optimum interaction.

REGISTRATION FEE: $650 until December 31st; $725 until Jan. 31st and $745 until Feb.12. At the door registration—if seats remain—will be $795. (Please note: seats will most likely NOT be available at the door.) Basic registration includes main conference sessions and keynotes, a gala welcome party, two breakfasts and two elegant luncheons in the ballroom…plus an SFWC logo book bag filled with writer goodies. The optional Speed Dating for Agents session ($50) is only available to attendees. Register on-line at www.SFWriters.org

PRE & POST CLASSES: Writing Intensive Workshops are scheduled for Thursday, February 13th and Monday, February 17th. These classes, featuring SFWC presenters, are open to non-attendees. Registration and details on these sessions is available at www.SFWriters.org.

HOTEL & DIRECTIONS: The Mark Hopkins Hotel is offering a limited number of rooms at a SFWC conference rate of $199 per night based on availability. Details on the SFWC Website but call directly for the SFWC Rate at 415-392-3434. Located at 1 Nob Hill, the scenic California Street and Powell Street cable cars run past the hotel and public parking garages are nearby for those who prefer to drive.

SCHOLORSHIPS: Several San Francisco Writers Conference scholarships are available. Anyone wishing to create a scholarship can contact SFWC Director Elizabeth Pomada at 415-673-0939.

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.

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SHORTER VERSION OF THIS RELEASE:

2014 SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE. A Celebration of Craft, Commerce and Community for Writers on February 13th-17th at the Mark Hopkins Hotel. Featuring: Julie Kagawa, USA Today & NY Times bestselling author of The Iron Fey series; NoViolet Bulawayo, Caine Award winner and author of We Need New Names; Chitra Divakaruni, international bestselling author of The Mistress of Spices; Barry Eisler, author of the bestselling Rain and Treven series; Dan Millman, of Peaceful Warrior fame and The Creative Compass; and Rhys Bowen, Agatha & Anthony award-winning author of the Molly Murphy series. Take your writing career to new levels. Immerse yourself in the quality interaction with 100+ literary agents, editors, publishers and bestselling authors. Exhibit hall, bookstore and a special evening presentation with Julie Kagawa will be open to the public. The SFWC Pre/Post Event Classes are open to non-attendees. Get details—including a full presenters list and onlne registration—and opt-in for the SFWC Newsletter at www.SFWriters.org.

Sponsors of the 2014 San Francisco Writers Conference include:

BookBaby.com—sponsor of the expanded Poetry Track, Smashwords—sponsor of Self-Publishing Track, Writer's Digest --Speed Dating for Agents sponsor, PublishNext, Kobo Writing Life, California Writers Club and Outskirts Press—Friends of SFWC.

Harvey Pawl, The Review Review, Book Expo America/UPublishU, NATPE, InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel & BookShop West Portal (SFWC onsite bookstore).

Scholarship Benefactors: John Wiley & Sons, Joyce Turley, Dr. Ellen Talliaferro, Kevin Smokler, Wendy Tokunaga, and Victoria Hudson.