San Francisco Writers University Master Classes are an opportunity to learn from the masters…and become a better writer.  The intensive writing workshops are on Feb. 16th and 20th, 2012.

The San Francisco Writers Conference has been offering total immersion in the craft, commerce and community of publishing for nearly a decade. But attendees wanted more...so they are introducing ways to explore some of these areas in more depth.

This year, both before and after the 2012 conference (on February 16th and 20th), experts who are also presenters at the event will teach hands-on, writer-focused half-day and full-day classes in the most important topics for writers today. These intensive workshops take one subject and break it down into parts to give attendees a deep understanding of the topic. Each class is taught by an expert on the subject (such as bestselling author Robert Dugoni and literary agent Katharine Sands).

The Master Classes became a reality shortly after SFWC launched on online San Francisco Writers University last year to create a way for writers to learn and connect with each other 24/7/365. As a perfect compliment to the online learning, these live Master Class session are being presented at the Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco as part of the educational mission of the SFWU.

It is not necessary to attend the San Francisco Writers Conference to take advantage of these writing classes!

For details go to the Pre/Post Classes page on the SFWC website: http://www.sfwriters.org/pages.cfm?ID=206

THURSDAY EVENING MASTER CLASS on 2/16/12:

PITCHCRAFT with NY literary agent Katharine Sands

Thursday, February 16, 2012 from 6-8 p.m. Cost: $99

Katharine Sands, literary agent extraordinaire and editor of the book Making the Perfect Pitch, will teach you how to effectively pitch your book to agents and editors. In two hours you will learn the components of a pitch, how to deliver your pitch, and how to make pitch opportunities happen. You'll also create and hone the very pitch you'll use for your specific book.

MONDAY MASTER CLASSES (on President's Day holiday)

ALL-DAY SELF-PUBLISHING BOOT CAMP (9 a.m.–noon & 2-5 p.m. Cost: $249)

With Carla King, Laurie McLean, Joel Friedlander, Brian Felsen & Carol LeVow

Self-publishing is one of the most talked about areas of book publishing today. The experts will show you every step of the process to prepare, publish and promote your work so you can decide which path is best suited to you.

MONDAY MORNING CLASSES (9 a.m.-noon on 2/20/12 Each class is $129)

1. Author Marketing with Social Media: An introduction to online promotion.

Social Media Guru Linda Lee will teach an introduction to all types of social media from Twitter to Facebook to Google+ and show writers how to use one or more of these tools effectively to market their writing.

2. Writing Your First Bestseller (Intro) with NY Times Bestselling Author Bob Dugoni

New York Times bestseller Robert Dugoni is also a master teacher in the art of writing a bestselling novel. This class teaches an introduction to writing techniques and shows writers how to create compelling, deep characters, a plot that works, the basics of grammar, pacing, conflict, and much more.

3. Writing a Non-Fiction Book Proposal That Seals the Deal: with Renowned Literary Agents Michael Larsen and Jody Rein

Learn how to write an irresistible book proposal, sell it fast for top dollar, and create a writing career out of it.

MONDAY AFTERNOON CLASSES (2-5 p.m. on 2/20/12 Each class is $129)

1. Build Your Blog and They Will Come: Step-by-Step Creation of a WordPress Author Blog!

Linda Lee not only teaches you the ins and outs of the most popular free blogging platform on the planet, You must bring your wifi-enabled laptop because you'll be creating your own author blog LIVE!

2. Writing Your First Bestseller (Advanced) with NY Times Bestselling Author Bob Dugoni

Dugoni will share more advanced writing techniques in this afternoon class so it is perfect for self-published and traditionally-published midlist authors who want to take their writing to another, bestseller level.

3. Memoir: Making Your Life Story Bigger Than Life with Catherine Friend

Bestselling author Catherine Friend (Hit by a Farm) has written and taught about memoir for many years.

For more in formation go to www.SFWriters.org