News And Announcements

In a recent survey, The Authors Guild reported that 69 percent of authors believe their careers are threatened by generative AI. Another 70 percent believe that publishers will use AI to generate books in whole, or at least in part, in effort to replace meat writers (human authors). Thing is, Artificial Intelligence is not Emotional Intelligence. Artificial Intelligence is not impending Y2K. Artificial Intelligence is a tool. Efficiently utilized, possibly one of the most powerfully useful tools available to writers.

While, yes, generative AI will impact the publishing world significantly – already has – with nefarious players releasing crap AI-produced ebooks that will further confuse readers and suppress sales of legitimate meat-made books, opportunities abound for the literary creative who understands what makes meat irreplaceable: Passion. Voice. And a fervent sense of settling only for exceptional with one’s work.

To better learn what this technology can do, and cannot, for writers, we’ve been developing a hands-on workshop with an AI programmer (and writer himself). Tentatively titled, “AI, The Writer: Pitfalls, Potential & Practices,” will debut in Irvine.

Plenty of other new sessions will be presented, as usual, gleaned largely from what issues and concerns emerged at our recent San Diego event, as well as larger industry challenges that seem to evolve at an ever-daunting pace. In fact, an entire new 8-workshop track will premiere in September. Going It Alone: Publishing Yourself addresses the multitudinous facets of “self” publication, with each workshop conducted by someone who excels at that one vital step of the pipeline. Very few authors who self-publish successfully either can, or do so, entirely on their own. It’s takes a hamlet. Do you know what you don’t know?

Also coming to Irvine for the first time, novelist Janis Thomas will conduct her popular Novel Boot Camp. An SCWC-exclusive, the 8-part track is limited to 10 participants and has sold out each time she’s run it in San Diego. »Details

We’ll start rolling out the LA20 staff shortly. Along with some of our regular top workshop leaders, many others are joining the SCWC for the first time. Literary agents already confirmed include Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong (The Purcell Agency); Steve Hutson (Wordwise Media), Annie Bomke (Annie Bomke Literary Agency); and Carlisle Webber (Fuse Literary). All will be available for advances submissions, followed by one-on-one consultation conference weekend.

Register by no later than June 1 and save $125 on Full Conference participation. For those planning far ahead, discounted hotel lodging is now open.

–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC

In a starred review, Publishers Weekly calls it “[An] ambitious and poignant debut.” Booklist affirms, “It is a strong testament to her writing that the threads of the story are clear, the characters fleshed out, and the history seamlessly tied into what is otherwise a deeply affecting story … This should have wide appeal to readers of character-driven stories, family dramas, and historical fiction.” And from internationally bestselling author Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai (The Mountains Sing and Dust Child): “Majestic, powerful, mysterious, and captivating … Hula is a magnificent achievement … I cannot wait for readers everywhere to celebrate Jasmin Iolani Hakes’ talent.” Book’s out May. Jasmin herself will be our Saturday evening Special Guest Speaker in September to discuss its excruciating journey to publication after Outstanding Fiction recognition at LA16. Can’t wait.

Sunday afternoon our Special Guest Speaker will be Cristina LePort. Of her novel, Dissection, none other than Lee Child (Jack Reacher series and 2020 Booker Prize judge) declared, “High stakes, breathless suspense, and real insider authenticity―a terrific debut.” While Tess Gerritsen (another repeated international bestseller) hails, “With a terrifying premise and riveting medical details, Dissection moves at a frantic pace.” “LePort uses her own experience as a cardiovascular specialist to enhance an already engaging actioner,” concluded Kirkus. Still a practicing cardiologist, Cristina will discuss her author’s journey with us.

All that and a whole lot more await our community come Irvine, September 15-17, 2023. Be the (published) writer you aspire to be and be there or be … ware!

–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC

Viewed as a young adult novel that’ll be all the rage with fans of J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, Ryan Steck (author of Fields of Fire & Editor-in-Chief of The Real Book Spy) calls it, “A blistering, high-stakes, fast-paced supernatural thriller that’s impossible to put down.” Kirkus lauds, “Fast-paced action and a rich setting boost the beginning of a promising paranormal saga.” Deftly tackling such themes as addiction, revenge, faith, and friendship, the book is Hunt For Eden’s Star, the first in a planned “Beacon Hill” series, and the debut effort of author Darek “D.J.” Williams. He’ll be joining us in September as our Friday evening Special Guest Speaker to share how it came to be, and what media skill sets he brought to the table to make it so widely anticipated.

On the SCWC Facebook Group, we recently had a hearty discussion about “writing joy.” How do you do that? I’m not talking about adjectives and what not. What I meant, as with fear, grief, or any other some such, is not just telling readers, but forcing strangers across the page to feel an emotion with mere words. It’s one thing to state s/he’s happy or elated, another to convey that sense of inflated being to the bone, if not its marrow. As a result, author/workshop leader Judy Reeves has jumped in to develop a new workshop that will address the subject, and what tools to apply to do so effectively. The whole thing arose from this post on our blog a couple of days before: The Why of Writing.

Good Muse Galore

Been a while since we caught up with all the SCWCers with books recently released, or soon to be. It’s a lot to track, but here’s some of the latest:

There’s Books 5, 6 and 7 in Russ Thompson’s popular teen & young adult Finding Forward Series, Overspray, Knocked Down, and Torn.

From Jennifer Herrera, literary agent and longtime friend of the conference, The Hunter, her debut psychological thriller … Book 10 in David Putnam’s Bruno Johnson thriller series, The Scorned … Laura Perkins (writing as Mercy Hollow) has a new story in the anthology Wicked Ever After from Grim House Publishing.

Bipolar, A Gift of Thorns, a memoir, is now out from Dale Zurawski … Dennis K. Crosby’s third installment in Reaper of Souls Kassidy Simmons’ paranormal adventure, Death’s Despair drops in June … and Carl Vonderau’s latest, Saving Myles, a financial thriller, will be published in August. So much reading to catch up on from our ever-expanding writer’s community.

Best of success to all!

Discounted pre-registration is now open and we’ll begin announcing workshop staff, additional speakers, agents and editors next month. We’re pretty much fully back to successful, regular in-person status for the fourth time since the pandemic. And speaking of success, if you haven’t already binged it on Netflix, The Night Agent is based on a thriller written by novelist Matthew Quirk. He just informed me the show’s been picked up for a second season. Here’s some of Matt’s stellar advice presented to the SCWC in Irvine…

–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC

Following the roller coaster of February’s San Diego conference, discounted Early “Bard” Pre-registration is now open for our 20th annual autumn event. We have so much more to explore, including the emerging clash of emerging Artificial Intelligence tools vs. Emotional Intelligence acumen rocking our community – and how best to apply the combo to our work successfully. Across all flanks of the publishing world, many new workshop ideas erupted at SD37 that we can’t wait to further explore and put in order for Irvine sessions. In fact, while we don’t usually do complete tracks in September, there seems to be one topic that many conferees urged us to do so. Think we’ve cracked that nut and will announce soon how we’ll serve it.

Meanwhile, the SCWC remains focused on the writers in the room, the words on the page. We believe it’s safe to say that we’ll be fully back to in-person normal and now have the tools to compensate for any unexpected challenges. While regular updates will begin in April, here’s what you need to know now…

SCWC*LA20/IRVINE LOCATION: The conference will return to Sonesta Irvine Hotel, located at 17941 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, CA 92614. Dates are September 15-17, 2023. Lodging discounts will be available to SCWC conferees. Phone (949) 863-1999 to book your reservation, or do so online (when available).

SCWC*LA/IRVINE 20 SCHEDULE: Rest assured that plenty of craft- and business-centric sessions, read & critique workshops, one-on-one consultations and more will round out the weekend. Though we won’t begin plugging things in until later, you can get an idea of the overall shape of the conference on the schedule page.

SCWC*LA/IRVINE 20 STAFF: In addition to our select roster of returning workshop leaders, agents, editors and other publishing professionals, several more will be joining us for the first time. Be sure to subscribe to our periodic .COMmunity updates to find out who, along with all timely SCWC news.

Until next time, write on, and remember that AI ain’t got nothing on EI. AI is a tool to be utilized. Without EI, it won’t undermine your potential as a storyteller at all. Just the opposite. (Despite what dire predictions.)

–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC

What a weekend it was for our 19th annual fall event. So many terrific writers in the house. So many great stories shared, both on the page and in person. Friends were made, drinks were had, and work got done. Thank you to our dutiful workshop leaders and advance submission readers, special guest speakers Ash Bishop (Intergalactic Exterminators, Inc.), Ramona Emerison (Shutter) and Janis Thomas (Finding Grace), and particularly Linda & Rick Ochocki for keeping things running smooth. Wes and I could not be more grateful. Biggest thanks, as always, to all the conferees who place their trust in the SCWC.

SCWC*LA/Irvine19 Award Recipients

We’re awaiting consensus from the staff on this year’s awards and hope to announce soon. Meanwhile, each SCWC holds a contest in which all writers are invited to participate. The rules are simple: Write a piece in any form you wish of no more than 250 words based on the one-word topic announced Friday night. The topic for LA19 was “Crickets.” Here’s the winning entry…

OUTSTANDING TOPIC STORY
The Dissenter
By
Lara Henerson
Of Mckinleyville, CA

In the dead of night when the fog is thickest, the crickets hold their sabbath.
Out from the crags they creep and crawl and multiply like rabbits
A croaking din arises then, vibrating in the grass
While from above their Monarch gazes, eyes like beads of glass.
She rises on her brittle legs, inviting them to listen,
Before reciting verse by verse this pressing cricket mission.

“I thank you all for gathering for this monthly communion,
For tis high time we formalized our cricket constitution.
My faithful friends, the worst has come, the enemy grows stronger,
I fear without a call to arms we can’t hold out much longer
The flies have risen up the ranks, our supremacy to shatter
Reaching even the highest rungs of the entomological ladder.”

“But Queen,” one lowly cricket cried, “Why must we go to war?
Can we not share the sprawling grass upon the forest floor?”
The Queen squinted her compound eyes, her mandible agape
She was unused to insolence in any form or shape.
“I pray, who let this pacifist invade our mighty pack?”
Then thorax rearing in the air she shouted, “Pack attack!”

The panicked cricket tried in vain to bound away from the danger
But what’s one microscopic voice amongst two dozen strangers?
They fell upon him like one being, plucking limb from limb
And by the time they’d finished up there was naught left of him.
“That is what happens to dissenters. No, it isn’t pretty.
But let that be a lesson served. Now, crickets, who is with me?”

Next up, our 37th annual winter event takes place in San Diego Presidents’ Day Weekend, February 17-19, 2023. Discounted Full Conference registration is now open. Check out all the latest here.

–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC/SWS