2016 San Francisco Writers Conference & Classes—Feb. 11-15, 2016--Announces Keynoters: Anne Packer (The Children's Crusade), Annie Barrows (Ivy & Bean series), T. Jefferson Parker (Full Measure), and Jane Friedman (Publishing 101). 

With the Goal of Helping More Writers Become Published Authors, the 13^th Annual SFWC Event Will Offer 70+ Sessions and Free Events including a Children's Writing Session for Fans of 'Ivy & Bean' with Author Annie Barrows

San Francisco, September 1, 2015—Aspiring authors know that 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 determination must come from within, but the San Francisco Writers Conference offers a generous amount of everything else a writer needs to succeed.

The San Francisco Writers Conference is an annual gathering that draws 100+ bestselling authors, literary agents, publishers, editors, and industry professionals.  The presenters, who work on the West Coast, in 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.  Attendees will indeed rub shoulders with the very people who help build writing careers.

The 2016 San Francisco Writers Conference will be held President's Day Weekend, February 11^th-14^th at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel on San Francisco's Nob Hill.  There will be additional workshops with select presenters on February 11^th and 15^th that are open to non-attendees, as well. The conference has a mission to support writers and written communication of all kinds. It accomplishes that  by helping writers become successfully published authors. Event details--including the complete presenters list and online registration for the conference and classes—is available at: www.SFWriters.org. 

Attendees will have access to the 70+ 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.). An orientation and welcome session on Thursday, Feb. 11^th is included for all attendees.

AUTHOR PRESENTERS: N.Y.Times bestselling authors at the event include Anne Packer (The Children's Crusade), Annie Barrows (Ivy & Bean series), T. Jefferson Parker (Full Measure), Selden Edwards (The Little Book) and Jane Friedman (Publishing 101).

AGENTS: This year there will be more than two dozen agents participating at the 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 are always a highlight of the program.

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

   The SFWC believes 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; Ricardo Fayet, Reedsy; and Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords.

For a complete 2016 San Francisco Writers Conference presenters list, go to: www.SFWriters.org. 

Free and Open to the Public Sessions: The SFWC event will also have several free open-to-the-public sessions this year. New York Times Bestselling children's author Annie Barrows (The Ivy & Bean series) will meet, greet and talk to her young fans (and aspiring children's book writers!) on Saturday, February 13 at the Mark Hopkins. Details are on the SFWC website.

   Since San Francisco is known for its legendary poets, evening poetry sessions on Friday and Saturday beginning at 9 p.m. are open to the public at no charge.

   In addition the SFWC Exhibit Hall—with companies offering services and products for writers, is open to the public most of the conference hours.

Pre & Post SFWC Conference Classes on February 11^th and 15^th are open to non-attendees. The classes are taught by SFWC presenters in 3-hour or all-day formats for in-depth learning.  Topics include writing a bestselling thriller novel, a memoir writing class, building a story that sells, honing the perfect pitch (Pitchcraft) with literary agent Katharine Sands, an all-day Self-Publishing Boot Camp with Carla King, and a hands-on class to create a personal author website using WordPress with Linda Lee.   Please see website for all the Pre/Post classes.

2016 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: $725 until December 31^st; $745 until Jan. 31^st and $795 thereafter—if seats remain. (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 ($60) is only available to attendees.  Register on-line at www.SFWriters.org

PRE & POST CLASSES: Writing Intensive Workshops are scheduled for Thursday, February 11^th and Monday, February 15^th. 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 $XXX per night based on availability. Details on the SFWC Website but call directly for the SFWC Rate at 415-392-3434.  The Mark is 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 and SFWC WRITING CONTEST: Several San Francisco Writers Conference scholarships are available. The SFWC Writing Contest is open to all writers. Details are on the website.  https://sfwriters.org/scholarships/  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:

2016 SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE.  A Celebration of Craft, Commerce and Community on February 11^th-15^th at the Mark Hopkins Hotel. Featuring keynotes by: Ann Packer, The Children's Crusade; T. Jefferson Parker, Full Measure; Annie Barrows, NY Times bestselling author of The Ivy & Bean series; and Jane Friedman, Publishing 101.  Quality interaction with 100+ literary agents, editors, publishers and bestselling authors at over 70 sessions.  Exhibit hall, bookstore, evening readings, Book Signing with Presenters, and other 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 2016 San Francisco Writers Conference include:

Smashwords—sponsor of Self-Publishing Track, Writer's Digest --Speed Dating for Agents sponsor, Women's National Book Association, California Writers Club and 40 Nuggets—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, Bharti Kirchner, and Victoria Hudson.