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UPDATE Mid-January 2012
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In this issue:
Self Publishing Made Easy.
SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS UNIVERSITY PRESENTS:
THE 2012 SFWC MASTER WRITING CLASSES
We are pleased to announce the Master Classes are finalized...and ready for online registration. Below are brief descriptions of the full and half day classes taught by SFWC presenters. Click here for more information: http://www.sfwriters.org/pages.cfm?ID=206
Tell your friends. You do not need to attend the San Francisco Writers Conference to take advantage of these great classes!
THURSDAY EVENING MASTER CLASS on 2/16/12: Cost: only $99!
PITCHCRAFT with New York literary agent Katharine Sands
Thursday, February 16, 2012 from 7-9 p.m. at the Mark Hopkins Hotel.
This tutorial is a must for everyone looking for an agent. 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. Learn the components of a pitch, how to deliver it, and how to make pitch opportunities happen. You'll also create the very pitch you'll use for your specific book! http://www.sfwriters.org/Details.cfm?ProdID=88&category=0
MONDAY MASTER CLASSES (on President's Day holiday 2/20/12)
ALL-DAY! SELF-PUBLISHING BOOT CAMP 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (2-hour lunchbreak) Cost: $249
Carla King, Laurie McLean, Joel Friedlander, Brian Felsen & Carol LeVow
Self-publishing is one of the most talked about areas of book publishing today. Let the experts show you every step of the process--how to prepare, publish and promote your work. Last year's boot camp was sold out, so reserve your space early! (You are on your own for lunch.) http://www.sfwriters.org/Details.cfm?ProdID=89&category=0
MORNING CLASSES (9 a.m.-noon on 2/20/12) Cost: $129 for any of the morning sessions
A1. Author Marketing with Social Media: An introduction to online promotion
Social Media Guru Linda Lee will introduce you to social media from Twitter to Facebook to Google+ . Learn how to use one or more of these tools effectively to market yourself and your writing. http://www.sfwriters.org/Details.cfm?ProdID=90&category=0
A2. Beginning Writing Techniques with NY Times Bestselling Author Robert Dugoni
Bob Dugoni is 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. http://www.sfwriters.org/Details.cfm?ProdID=91&category=0
A3. Get Paid to Write Your Book: How to Write an Irresistible Book Proposal, Sell It Fast for Top Dollar, and Create a Career Out of It; with Literary Agents Michael Larsen and Jody Rein
This class gives you a blueprint for writing the proposal you need to get the best editor, publisher and deal for your book. Learn how to excite agents and editors about your book; give editors what they need the way they need it; and how to sell your book yourself. Have an idea, a proposal, a manuscript, or a self-published book? This class will help you. Bring a sample of your writing and get feedback on it. Larsen is author of the fourth edition of How to Write a Book Proposal. http://www.sfwriters.org/Details.cfm?ProdID=92&category=0
AFTERNOON CLASSES (2-5 p.m. on 2/20/12) Cost: $129 for any of these afternoon sessions
PM-1. Build Your Blog and They Will Come: Step-by-Step Creation of YOUR WordPress Author Blog!
Linda Lee not only teaches you the ins and outs of the most popular free blogging platform on the planet, she will lead you in a hands-on application of your newfound skills to create your very own author blog. You must bring your wifi-enabled laptop because you'll be creating your blog LIVE! http://www.sfwriters.org/Details.cfm?ProdID=93&category=0
PM-2. Advanced Writing Techniques with NY Times Bestselling Author Bob Dugoni
Dugoni teaches you how to write a bestselling novel! Bob shares more advanced writing techniques in this afternoon class. It's perfect for self-published and traditionally-published midlist authors who want to take their writing to bestseller level. http://www.sfwriters.org/Details.cfm?ProdID=94&category=0
PM-3. Memoir: Writing a Successful Memoir with author Catherine Friend
In this workshop, author Catherine Friend (Hit By A Farm, Sheepish) and you will talk, laugh and learn how to combine the writing skills you've acquired with your life stories. Discover the joy of touching people's lives with your own. You'll examine the seemingly chaotic elements of your story. Learn what to include...and leave out! Come with an idea; leave with a plan for a compelling memoir of any kind. http://www.sfwriters.org/Details.cfm?ProdID=95&category=0
Click on the links for the class you want to attend to learn more, register, and save your seat.
ANNOUNCING THE 2012 INDIE PUBLISHING CONTEST FINALISTS
Here is a list of the five finalists in each of the four categories. Now these finalists move on in the judging.
ADULT NON-FICTION
Annie Wilson, The Secret Life of Communication
Beverly Jean Hitzel, Together Always: A Memoir
Azadeh Tabazadeh, The Sky Detective
Rebecca Beyer, Three Dots on a Page: Coming Out One Word at a Time
Greta Mang, Execution Day
CHILDREN'S/YA (Young Adult)
Robin Landrey, Little Rappin' Red From the Hood
Heather Hamel, Kobi: Memoirs of a Mustang
Mary Beth Guevara, The Discovery of Millicent Arbuthnot
Sarah Schauerte, The Master List
Giselle M. Stancic, The Paganini Curse
POETRY
John Miatech, Waiting for Thunder
Marta M. Adint Weeks, Nineteen Poems
Roberta Jonas, Fresh Start
Shaun Perkins, Sticks and Stones
Michael Mohr, The New Genius
ADULT FICTION
Daniel J. Davis, Wind River
Nancy LaRonda Johnson, Anticipation of the Penitent
Patricia Minger, Magic Flute
Shannon Skaff, The Name of the Moon
Linda Newman, Family Secrets
Congratulations
for advancing in the Indie Publishing Contest...and good luck to all the
finalists! This contest is sponsored in part by the San Francisco Writers University and Author Solutions.
WINNER OF THE BHARTI KIRCHNER ETHNIC WRITING SCHOLARSHIP--Lida Sideris
The San Francisco Writers Conference is pleased to announce the winner of the Bharti Kirchner Ethnic Writing Scholarship for 2012. Out of fourteen entries, both Bharti Kirchner and Conference Co-Director
Elizabeth Pomada independently chose Lida Sideris as the winner.
Ms. Sideris's SPIRIT IN DEFIANCE is a novel that begins in Persia in 1925 and then follows three generations of Persian women and the breakdown of traditions. It is loosely based on the author's grandmother's life in Iran and America, as well as that of her daughter and granddaughter.
The author's work has been published in Departures, Animal Wellness, Natural Health, and Santa Barbara Lawyer magazines. She works for a legal non-profit in Santa Barbara.
Bharti Kirchner, the sponsor of this scholarship, is the author of Pastries: A Novel of Desserts and Discoveries;Darjeelingand Shiva Dancing as well as four cookbooks. Her work has been translated into eight languages. She will be a speaker at the 2012 SFWC.
A Touching Testimonial from Beth Albright:
"I attended the SFWC last year and the person I had become by Sunday was not the same person who registered Thursday evening! I received a years' worth of education in three short days. The fee is far too low for what you will get at this unbelievable conference. This event is overflowing with information that is life changing for a writer! Eight agents wanted my full manuscript and I signed with an agent in just a month after getting home. Without the SFWC, I would still be sitting at my desk wondering what to do next. Do not miss this priceless event!"
Writing Events and Deadlines
January 21 Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords, an ebook publishing and distribution platform for ebook authors, publishers, agents and readers; California Writers Club-Sacramento Branch Luncheon Meeting, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Tokyo Buffet, 7217 Greenback Lane, Citrus Heights, CA.
January 28 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Content, Character and Connection: Becoming a Successful Author in a Bottom-Up World. CWC Workshop with Michael Larsen and Elizabeth Pomada. Fee range: $75 member early rate to $99 for a non-member. Scholarships are available. Bay Park Hotel, 1425 Munras Avenue, Monterey. For info: www.centralcoastwriters.org
January 29 New Year "Create Your Success Story" Workshop with Mary E. Knippel. $35 WNBA members; $55 non-members http://wnba-sfchapter.org/
January 31 Deadline for entries. 2012 William Saroyan International Prize for Writing. Two prizes of $5,000 each are given biennially for works of fiction and nonfiction. The awards, cosponsored by the Stanford University Libraries and the William Saroyan Foundation, are intended to "encourage new or emerging writers and honor the Saroyan legacy of originality, vitality, and stylistic innovation." $50 entry fee. Visit the website for more information, entry forms, and complete guidelines. saroyanprize.stanford.edu
February 2 6:00-7:30pm Women's National Book Association SF Chapter members and prospective members welcomed to "Authors Exchange Solutions" discussions with Birgit Soyka or Teresa LeYung-Ryan or Mary E. Knippel at San Francisco Main Library, Latino/Hispanic Room A.
February 16 Writing Intensive MASTER class sponsored by San Francisco Writers University. An in-depth session starts the day before the San Francisco Writers Conference. Katharine Sands will offer her ever-popular session--Pitchcraft! This Master Classes is open to all for just $99. Also on Thursday: Free orientation and mixer for conference attendees. Details and registration: http://www.sfwriters.org/pages.cfm?ID=206
February 20 Post Conference MASTER CLASSES sponsored by San Francisco Writers University. In-depth sessions follow the San Francisco Writers Conference... with some of the most popular SFWC presenters including Bob Dugoni, Michael Larsen, Linda Lee, Catherine Friend, Brian Felson, Carla King and more. Open to non-conference attendees, too. Details and registration information: http://www.sfwriters.org/pages.cfm?ID=206 .
Follow SFWC on TWITTER at: @SFWC (or http://twitter.com/SFWC)
Attendees and Presenters will share what is going on onsite: #SFWC2012
SFWC Facebook: www.facebook.com/SanFranciscoWritersConference
SFWC YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/SFWritersConference or SFWritersConference
San Francisco Writers Conference WEBSITE: www.SFWriters.org
San Francisco Writers University: www.SFWritersU.com (yes, .com not .org!) Take some free classes.
If you have a success story or writing-related news to share with us and/or our readers, please send it to us at Barbara@SFWriters.org. Event items should be of interest to writers, free or low-cost, and include contact information.
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Much writing success...from all of us!
Michael and Elizabeth, SFWC Co-Directors 415 673-0939/ SFwriterscon@aol.com
Barbara Santos, Director of Marketing Barbara@sfwriters.org
Laurie McLean, Director of Finances & Contests; Dean of SFWU Laurie@agentsavant.com
Rich Santos, Director of Registrations & Website Registrations@SFWriters.org
2012 SFWC SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS
Author Solutions, Writers Digest, The Writer, John Wiley & Sons, BookBaby.com, Author Learning Center, Smashwords, Red Wheel/Wiser/Conari Press, Folium Book Studio, Book Expo America, Bookshop West Portal, Joyce Turley, Harvey Pawl, The Review Review, ExpertClick, Open Exchange, Bharti Kirshner, Stephanie Chandler, Antrim Group, www.SFWritersU.com, Alan Rinzler, Victoria Hudson, Kevin Smokler, ZYZZYVA, Left Coast Crime, Notes & Words, and VWTapes.com.
Contact Barbara at Barbara@SFWriters.org or Elizabeth at sfwriterscon@aol.com if you would like to be a sponsor or supporter of SFWC, too.
WEBSITE: www.SFWriters.org Telephone: 415-673-0939