News And Announcements

Conferee Hyla Molander, whom we were delighted to meet during her first immersion into all things SCWC at SD24, has been working diligently on Drop Dead Life. excerpts of which wowed many another writer in the house.

While we’re pretty certain it’s only a matter of time before “a pregnant widow’s heartfelt and often comic memoir about death, birth, and rebirth” finds a proper home, a lovely Father’s Day story she wrote, paying tribute to her two husbands, makes for fine reading over at The Good Man Project. You can also follow Hyla’s writer’s journey on her blog.

Just added to the roster, to address all the heady legal considerations today’s writers are facing, from life rights to fair use, publishing contracts and beyond, intellectual property and entertainment law attorney Mark Reichenthal will be conducting a session on Friday afternoon.

Much more to announce shortly, including the preliminary schedule, more workshop leaders, and at least one more special guest speaker. Below is the third installment in our ongoing Writer Replay series, “Broke Book Mountain.”

Following his remarkably successful keynote presentation at SD24, back by popular demand is Be The Media author David Mathison, this time with a much-requested workshop on everything authors need to know about seizing control of their “brand,” their books, their future.

While there are a few yet to be added, the current list of confirmed Advance Submission Readers is now available to choose from.  Those who’ve already registered for LA8 advance submission feedback can now select their reader(s) and email conference executive director Michael Steven Gregory with your choice(s).  Do remember that, despite a significant portion of SCWC success stories resulting from submission to authors, it is the agents and editors who generally sell out first.  Conference registration traditionally begins to spike late-June.  If you’re looking to submit to an agent, it’s suggested you pick ’em sooner than later.

We’re ironing out some kinks in the new site, so please bare with us as we start filling in the schedule.  There’s still more workshop leaders to add, over 3-dozen workshops to announce and sort out, and at least one more special guest speaker to confirm.  If there are any specific topics you wish addressed at the conference, be sure to let us know.

Speaking of the new site design, why not check out the Frequently Asked Questions page and tell us what you think on the SCWC Facebook group.  Meantime, to tide you over ’til the next update, watch episode 2 of our SCWC re-enactment series, Writers Recap.  This one’s called “Rejection Exception.”  Anybody relate?

Just confirmed for LA8, Alexandra Sokoloff is back after a couple-year hiatus. Her latest spine-tingly creep-fest, Book of Shadows, is out June.

On the agent front, joining us for the first time is Bree Ogden, from Martin Literary Management. In addition to specializing in children’s books, Bree has a rabid and passionate interest in graphic novels. And yet another stalwart SCWC favorite, author/freelance editor Mike Sirota, will be with us offering his extensive industry expertise… The preliminary schedule is now starting to fill out and should be online in the next couple of weeks or so. Got lots of new workshops to announce. As many of you know, the rollover to the new site design has backed us up a smidge, but it’s feeling like we’re about caught up. Just be patient. What’s important is that you let us know what you do or don’t like about the new site, or give us suggestions for improvement. If you can’t find the information you need here, do let us know… For all the new folk registering ahead to take advance of the $75 Early “Bard” Discount expiring at month’s end, just a quick reminder that we do not open Advance Submission Reader selection upon registration until the majority of Readers have been confirmed (still about two weeks out). You can, however, register prior to picking your individual Reader(s), then select or add Readers at a later time. If you’d like guidance in selecting a Reader best suited to your material, please feel free to contact Michael or Wes. Back with more soon!

From the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency, Taylor Martindale will join us for LA8 in effort to expand her list.

With a particular interest in young adult fiction, “specifically contemporary, paranormal, urban fantasy, and any story with a captivating voice,” she’s also on the lookout for and accepting advance submissions of commercial, women’s, and multi-cultural fiction.  Welcome, Taylor! … Still more to announce, so check back often.  And don’t forget the register by June 1 to take advantage of the $75 Early “Bard” Discount special.

This fall author, workshop leader and overall zesty writing provocateur Judy Reeves will celebrate the special 10th year anniversary edition of her seminal debut title, A Writer’s Book of Days: A Spirited Companion & Lively Muse for the Writing Life.

New World Library has given us a sneak peek at the new jacket (you’re seeing it here for the first time) and all we can say is, “Anniversary party in Newport Beach — Woo-hoo!” … Speaking of provocateurs, author and Hummingbird Review managing editor Robert Yehling (The Write Time: 366 Exercises to Fulfill Your Daily Writing Life) joins the SCWC for a second time to conduct read & critique, advance submission review and other muchly needed sessions.  Also, joining us for the first time as a late-night Rogue read & critique leader, none other than This Side of Jordan author Monte Schulz.  The second book in his darkly rich, Southern epic trilogy, The Last Rose of Summer, isn’t due out ’til December but we’re going see if we finagle some advance copies anyhow . . . Still plenty more to announce as we continue to iron out bumps with the new site design, including more author and agents additions, workshops, the preliminary schedule and more.  Don’t forget that the $75 Early “Bard” Discount expires at the end of the month, so save today and register now.