"THE GREAT WHITE ART" is what John Gardner called it, what it is that we, the writer, do.   While art it may be, today's market realities dictate that it is the faceless reader, be it an agent, an editor, a bookseller, Hollywood bigwig or grocery store bagger, who we, the professional writer, are ultimately writing for.   Communicating successfully to that reader is what the Southern California Writers' Conference is about.

For many, when appraising the words we've written and finally face in print, so often what we see are only the things left unsaid, the precious space between the lines left unfilled that might otherwise further enrich the work and make it commercially viable to that reader across the page; that one single individual who might well make the difference between a book or screenplay that sells and one that never does.

By providing both veteran and emerging talent a combination of authoritative critique and interactive disciplinary workshops led by working publishing and film industry professionals, the SCWC has facilitated nearly $3 million in book and screen deals over its 18 years.

So whether you're a writer unable to determine why your work's not working, a writer simply in search of some answers, a writer wanting feedback on what you've written, a writer just starting out, or just a writer who wants to hang with other writers, do yourself a favor and join us for the inaugural Southern California Writers' Conference *Palm Springs.

Your words are worth it!

LATEST NEWS AS OF 2/16/04
Printable black & white brochure coming soon.

YOU ASKED FOR IT... Bringing all you expect from the SCWC to the high desert, our Palm Springs event completes the triumvirate intended to enable writers to develop book-length material from concept through final draft over the course of a year and three conferences. On the staff page you'll find friends new and familiar committed to helping you get where you want to be, including celebrated memoirist and Friday evening speaker Debra Ginsberg whose About My Sisters is out March from HarperCollins, Saturday evening speaker and white-hot author of Dive, Lisa Teasley, novelist Drusilla Campbell whose The Edge of the Sky is out this month and who also just closed a sweet deal at Kensington with her Blood Orange, best-selling author of some 27 titles (2 million in print worldwide) Bob Mayer is back, as is that most enchanting of writing practice provocateurs Judy Reeves, multi-award winning crime writer of Political Suicide Alan Russell, Jerry Hannah, Ken Kuhlken, Ray Strait, Don Meyer, Marla Miller, and more to be announced . . . New sessions and surprises abound, including our new nightly "Writers Roundtable" (more on that later). And distinguishing itself from the San Diego and Los Angeles conferences, in addition to our regular mix of read & critique and interactive workshops devoted to publishing, the SCWC*PS features a stand-alone track specifically geared to screenwriting. "Script-to-Screen: Writing for Production" allows aspiring screenwriters to work with Hollywood professionals on a short film that we collectively make over the weekend — from development to rough cut. Sponsored by The American Academy of Arts, the program is a condensed version of its successful 2-week Indie Filmmakers Bootcamp, details of which you can find here. On staff so far is legendary TV writer-producer Larry Brody, features writer-director Aaron Mendelsohn, MGM Director of Creative Affairs Stephanie Palmer, producer Stan Foster, digital media specialist Ross Kallen, gaffer Nicholas Berry and others to be announced. Check back often for updates. Registration opens March 1.

SCWC*PS 1 LOCATION: The conference will be held at the Ramada Inn Resort & Conference Center in Palm Springs. Address: 1800 East Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264 Phone: 760-323-1711. Discounted lodging rates are available to SCWC*PS conferees. Conference dates are May 28-31, 2004

SCWC*PS 1 SCHEDULE: As always, there'll be plenty going on throughout the day and night. Check it out here.

SCWC*PS 1 STAFF: In addition to having many familiar Workshop Leaders, several new friends are in the fold. Find out who here.

SCWC*PS 1 EVENING SPEAKERS: Celebrated memoirist Debra Ginsberg (Waiting: The True Confessions of a Waitress and Raising Blaze: Bringing Up an Extraordinary Son in an Ordinary World) will be with us Friday to discuss her career, her new book, About My Sisters, and transitioning from nonfiction to tackle her forthcoming novel Blind Submission . . . On Saturday, white-hot author Lisa Teasley (Glow in the Dark), selected last year by Glamour Magazine as one of eight authors with "remarkable" first books to read, will discuss her prose and proclivities and her mere weeks-away-from release first novel, Dive.

HERE'S WHERE you can check out our innaugural event:

• Workshop Leader Bios & Staff - SCWC*PS 1
• Conference Schedule - SCWC*PS 1
• Evening Speakers - SCWC*PS 1
• Registration - SCWC*PS 1
• Frequently Asked Questions - SCWC*PS 1

THAT'S ALL for now.  Do check the website for updates and be sure to remit your postal address to receive our free brochure. For more specific information e-mail us at WeWritePS@WritersConference.com or phone directly (619) 233-4651.