News And Announcements

A writers’ conference can’t be everything to everybody. What it can be, when doing its job well, is in-person; invested in providing personal attention and vital information that aspiring authors need to publish well in an increasingly fickle marketplace, full of travails, trap doors, mercenary marketers, scam producers and trivial content. So often, solely online. Too often, un-accountable for failing to fulfill expectations. That’s where the COWC comes in. Immerse yourself in publishing craft, community and commerce by learning the vital tools and strategies necessary to succeed.

Special Guest Speakers

Jennifer Silva Redmond is a formidable, longtime editor whose memoir, Honeymoon at Sea, recounts she and her then-new husband’s fateful voyage on a twenty-six-foot sailboat to Baja California’s Sea of Cortez, south along Mexico and Central America and through the Panama Canal. After editing the work of many an author who chose a hybrid path she opted to go with a small traditional publisher for her own book. Jen will share why and how with us in Bend.

Grant Rosenberg, 40-year veteran of television and feature film development, moved on to publishing the character-driven thriller Gideon Trilogy through his house, Golden Gate Books. Yet another wizened soul’s election to eschew traditional publication and successfully pursue indie production. This is increasingly popular with both established and new authors. Hell, even Stephen King has elected to do so. Grant will discuss his author’s journey, his decision why, with us in October, along with the writing of a cookbook, 44 Degrees.

COWC 1 Schedule

There’ll likely be a tweak or two between now and conference weekend, but you can get a pretty firm grasp of where we’re at here.

Advance Submission Readers

Am opening up reader selection shortly. We’re having a code issue with the website backend. There are two solutions I’m working on in effort to resolve and simplify selection. I will be emailing all registered COWC conferees shortly with instructions on how to proceed with Advance Submission Reader selection.

Regardless which publication path you choose, you matter. Your story matters. Be the writer you aspire to be and join us. (And be sure to join our new Facebook COWC Group.)

And for all who plan on attending our 40th annual San Diego conference, January 16-18, 2026, details are here. Discounted pre-registration open now. We’re back at our old home. It’s gonna be smash. Don’t be square. Be there!

–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, COWC

Unity. Community. Being an essential part of something greater than one’s self is a tenet that the conference has nurtured for some 40 years in Southern California. Being a kid from Newberg, and longtime resident of Central Oregon myself, I’ve wanted to establish that same ethos of connectivity, support and affirmation here, for writing is the noble discipline so many aspire to practice.

Affirmation of purposeful being. That’s what a quality writer strives for. Telling stories. Exposing eyeballs and earwells to stuff maybe not considered previously by strangers, at least not from the unique perspective and individual voice a writer brings to the page.

Building on the foundational elements of the SCWC in effort to bolster education and opportunity for writers of all levels, whether just starting out or transitioning, the inaugural COWC is here to usher you through the intricacies of craft and business in order to publish well in a fiercely mercurial climate.

Author Patricia (Trish) Wilkinson and I welcome you aboard this immersive new journey that we’ll share together. We’re not about the people behind the podium, but the writers in the room–addressing their needs today to better enable them to succeed tomorrow, through empirically qualified feedback, perspective, wisdom and guidance.

Dates for our first COWC are October 17-19, 2025. Regular updates will begin shortly. Here’s what you need to know now:

THE WEBSITE: WritersConference.com is currently wrestling back end code gremlins, most notably with the dates listed below the top banner and copy in the footer. We’re working to debug it. Rest assured, dates for COWC are October 17-19, 2025.

COWC1 LOCATION: Our inaugural event will be held at the Riverhouse Lodge, in Bend. Address: 3075 N. Business 97, Bend, OR 97703.

COWC1 SCHEDULE: To inform, inspire, encourage and reward both emerging and accomplished writers is what the COWC is about. Details soon.

COWC1 STAFF: Accomplished authors, editors, agents, and other publishing professionals will join us. Be sure to subscribe to our periodic .COMmunity updates to find out who, along with all other COWC news.

Pre-registration opens April 15th. Aspire for excellence, settle only for exceptional and join us. A glimpse of what you can expect below, in this clip addressing rewriting and voice.

–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, COWC