The San Francisco Writers Conference is an annual gathering that draws 110+ 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 2017 San Francisco Writers Conference will be held President's Day Weekend, February 16^th-20^th 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: The SFWC event will have nine free, open-to-the-public sessions this year. On Friday night (Feb. 17) WRITING THE RESISTANCE, Authors as Activists will feature Stephen Dinan, Jewelle Gomez, Susan Griffin, Alan Kaufman, Brenda Knight, John Perkins, and David Talbot.  On Saturday night (Feb. 18), OPENING THE HEART AND MIND, is a session about opportunities for writers of color.

    New York Times Bestselling children's author/illustrator Jon Agee will show his young fans (and aspiring children's book writers!) How to Use Your Imagination on Saturday, February 18 at the Mark Hopkins. Details are on the SFWC website.

   An Evening of Poetry and Jazz is on Friday beginning at 7:30 p.m. It is open to the public at no charge and the SFWC Exhibit Hall—with companies offering services and products for writers—is open to the public most of the conference hours.  For a list of ALL the free events during the SFWC, go to: http://sfwriters.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-SFWC-Free-Events.pdf

Pre & Post SFWC Conference Classes on February 11^th and 15^th are open to non-attendees. The classes are taught by SFWC presenters and designed for in-depth learning.  Please see website for all the Pre/Post 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, book/author marketing); 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, etc.).

AUTHOR PRESENTERS at the 2017 San Francisco Writers Conference include N.Y.Times bestselling authors Heather Graham, John Perkins, and William Bernhardt. Authors in genres from memoir to thrillers to historical fiction will be teaching during the event.

AGENTS: There will be twenty literary agents participating at the optional SFWC signature session, 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—Simon & Schuster, St. Martin's Press, Viking, Mira/Harlequin/Harper Collins, 10 Speed, Chronicle—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; Seven Spatz, BookBaby, Kevin Tumlinson, Draft2Digital; Jennie Nash, Author Accelerator; and Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords.

For a complete 2017 San Francisco Writers Conference presenters list, go to: www.SFWriters.org. 

2017 SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE REGISTRATION INFO:

GENERAL: Attendance is limited to 310 attendees and there will be more than 110 presenters for optimum interaction.  REGISTRATION FEE: $795 while seats remain. (Please note: This event always sells out and seats will most likely NOT be available at the door.) Register on-line at www.SFWriters.org

PRE & POST CLASSES: Writing Intensive Workshops are scheduled for Thursday, February 16^th and Monday, February 20^th. These classes, featuring SFWC presenters, 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:

2017 SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE & CLASSES.  A Celebration of Craft, Commerce and Community on February 16^th-20^th at the Mark Hopkins Hotel. Featuring keynotes by NY Times bestselling authors Heather Graham, John Perkins and William Bernhardt.  Quality interaction with 110+ 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 Pre/Post Event 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 2017 SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE INCLUDE:

Ingram Spark, BookBaby, Author Accelerator, The Writer—Bestseller Sponsors Smashwords—sponsor of Self-Publishing Track, 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 Talliaferro, Kevin Smokler.