Recognized as one of the best writer's conferences in the country, the SFWC will host bestselling authors and leaders in the publishing industry at the Mark Hopkins Hotel over President's Day Weekend, February 17th – 19th, 2006.
The 2006 San Francisco Writers Conference has announced the presenters’ list for its third annual event. Designed to help writers get their work published, the event will be held at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel and will offer three full days of workshops and lectures from Friday, February 17 through Sunday, February 19, 2006.
New presenters for 2006 include: Gayle Lynds (The Coil and Robert Ludlum's The Altman Code); Jennifer Crusie (Bet Me); Jamie Raab (VP Warner Books); Daisy Maryles (Publishers Weekly); Dianne Jacob (Will Write for Food); Elissa Haden Guest (Iris & Walter); Sam Horn (Tongue Fu!); Zilpha Keatley Snyder (The Eqypt Game); James Dalessandro (1906); Bob Mayer (The Writer’s Toolkit); Walter M. Mayes (Walter the Giant Storyteller), and noted writing coach Hal Zina Bennett.
This year the list of presenters is decidedly multicultural with popular authors Firoozeh Dumas (Funny in Farsi); Samina Ali (Madras on Rainy Days); Lalita Tademy (Cane River), and Rose Castillo Guilbault (The Farmworker's Daughter). In addition, The Very Reverend Alan Jones, of Grace Cathedral, will talk about his books including Reimagining Christianity.
Highlights of the event will include Terry Ryan discussing the process of turning her book, The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio, into the movie that will be released later this year with Woody Harrelson and Julianne Moore. The session will be moderated by Jan Wahl, KRON Television Movie Critic. Also scheduled is Diane Gedymin, editorial director of iUniverse, who will explain new publishing options beyond the traditional New York publishers.
Literary agents will include: Andrea Brown; Kimberley Cameron; Dena Fischer; Lilly Ghahremani; Diane Higgins; Michael Larsen; Donna Levin; Elizabeth Pomada; Robert Sticker, Amy Rennert; Laura Rennert; Katharine Sands; Robert Shepard; Irene Webb; and Ted Weinstein.
Presenters returning from the 2005 conference include: Maja Thomas (Warner Book and Audio Books); Deb Werksman (Sourcebooks), Sam Barry (Harper San Francisco); Elaine Petrocelli (owner of Book Passage); Alan Rinzler (Jossey Bass); Leonard Schlain; Elisa Southard; Teresa Leyung Ryan; Penny Warner; Pat Holt; D. P. Lyle; Kathleen Antrim; Kathi Goldmark; Cara Black; Kevin Smokler (Bookmark Now, Writing in Unreaderly Times); Barbara Santos; and many others. Check the website frequently for additions and updates to the presenters’ list.
The 2006 San Francisco Writers Conference is limited to just 300 attendees who will share the weekend with over 100 bestselling authors, agents, editors and publishing industry professionals. An intensive weekend of workshops, lectures and social events, it is considered one of the best conferences in the country for talented new writers to make valuable connections with the right people in the publishing industry. Any writer will benefit from attending the 2006 event.
Attendees this year can participate in Speed Dating with Editors to get expert feedback on their work at no additional cost. There is also an optional fast paced session called Speed Dating with Agents for attendees ready to find a literary agent.
Elizabeth Pomada, Michael Larsen and Wendy Nelder are co-founders of the conference. Pomada and Larsen are authors and partners in Larsen-Pomada Literary Agents, the oldest agency in Northern California. Nelder, former president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, is a long-time supporter of the arts. Barbara Santos, co-creator of the Maui Writers Conference, is marketing director. Robin Carpenter is development director and Laurie McLean is the coordinating the San Francisco Writers Conference Writing Contest. Information on the contest can be found on the website: www.sfwriters.org or by writing to the address below.
HOTEL REGISTRATION INFO The historic AAA Four Diamond Mark Hopkins Hotel will offer a limited number of rooms at a special conference room rate of $129. (Ask about extending your stay!) Hotel reservations are available at 1-415-392-3434.
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION INFO: Registration and event information is available at www.sfwriters.org. The registration fee is $495 until November 1st and $595 if space is available thereafter. Included is access to 40+ sessions; a Welcome Party for all attendees and presenters in the celebrated Top of the Mark; a continental breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday; and much more. Register on-line with a credit card or request the form by mail at:
San Francisco Writers Conference, 1029 Jones St., San Francisco, CA 94109.
A limited number of scholarships will be available for students. The conference is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. For more information on the 2006 San Francisco Writers Conference or the SFWC Writing Contest, go to the website at www.sfwriters.org or call 866-TOC-SFWC (862-7392).
