If you want to become a successfully published author, there is an event for that. Nearly 600 participants will gather to network with the publishing industry in the City by the Bay. This year one of the best writers' conferences in the country, the San Francisco Writers Conference, is also inviting all writers to sample the SFWC at 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 event that draws 100+ presenters--bestselling authors, literary agents, publishers, editors, and publishing industry professionals--to the Bay Area over President's Day Weekend. 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 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. http://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: http://sfwriters.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2018-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. http://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.
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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, 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 and Ray Larsen
The San Francisco Writers Conference and the 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. Contact them at Laurie@sfwriters.org. For registration help, contact Richard Santos at registrations@sfwriters.org. For SFWC sponsorship and scholarship opportunities, contact Barbara Santos at Barbara@sfwriters.org. www.SFWriters.org