Santa Barbara Writers Conference
About the Conference
The 36-year-old Santa Barbara Writers Conference is the nation’s preeminent conference for writers interested in improving their craft, primarily through workshops that focus on the reading and critiquing of each writer’s work. Our largest and most comprehensive gathering is in June, when more than 400 writers gather for five days to learn from each other, hear from other successful authors, and interact with publishing world professionals. Every March, SBWC also offers a national poetry conference featuring a major U.S. poet, and throughout the year there are weekend intensives designed for small groups to ensure individual attention.
Our summer conference next year is June 20-25, 2009, at Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort, on the beach in beautiful Santa Barbara.
Our next Weekend of Poetry is March 13-15, 2009, which will feature poet Cornelius Eady in a stunning retreat setting in the foothills above the city. Online registration is available now. This exclusive event has sold out the last two years, so do not delay!
We invite you to peruse our Web site and find out more about SBWC programs. You can also sign up to receive our monthly e-newsletter, so you’ll have the latest news. If you have any questions, see our Frequently Asked Questions, but if you can’t find what you need, please contact us.
We’ll look forward to having you join us!
Cafe, Critique and Camaraderie
The Santa Barbara Writers Conference Café has been off to a great start so far! Come for lunch, share your work, critique works of others, and share camaraderie with other writers as they, too, are struggling to get the "best seller" out to the public. This group is coordinated by Linda Branch, Ph.D., and based on the "World Cafe Model" where every writer gets to read work for a set time and everyone supports through positive feedback. Writers of all genres are welcome, but tables will be grouped only as fiction and non-fiction. Each writer should bring 3 copies to share with those at their table.
The Santa Barbara Writers Conference Café meets once a month at a local restaurant. The dates for the upcoming months are: August 21, September 18, October 16 and November 18. Only 20 places are available at each session, so reserve your space for this collaborative afternoon by contacting Linda. Reservations are required. Cost of $25 includes choice of entrée and a non-alcoholic beverage. Checks are payable to SBWC. Please direct all questions about the SBWC Cafe to directly to Linda.
Keep in touch with the Café at my.sbwriters.com.
Writer Magazine
SBWC is proud to have an exclusive partnership with The Writer magazine [subscribe]. Since 1887 The Writer has provided inspiration for beginning and professional writers alike as well as practical, step-by-step solutions from experienced writing professionals.
New and Noteworthy
Central Coast Magazine talks to Perie Longo and Marcia Meier about harvesting your dreams [pdf]
Sally Franz from babyboomertalkradio.com interviews SBWC Executive Director Marcia Meier [listen]
An innovative new publisher, Lunch Hour Stories, has selected one of Susan Chiavelli's stories for publication! Susan talks about her story, “Slow Dancing with Joey D,” and her writing in this wide-ranging interview.
