News And Announcements

Oprah Daily declares of Shutter, “This paranormal police procedural is unusual and multilayered, but what stands out is the gorgeously expressive and propulsive first-person storytelling, which is split between Rita’s present and her past. A former forensic photographer herself, the pictures Emerson paints with words are as vivid as they are brutal.” “Emerson’s striking debut follows a Navajo police photographer almost literally to hell and back … A whodunit upstaged at every point by the unforgettably febrile intensity of the heroine’s first-person narrative,” lauds Kirkus Reviews. Its author, Diné writer and filmmaker Ramona Emerson, will be joining us next month as our third Special Guest Speaker to share her publication journey.

Upcoming Deadlines

The deadline for discounted hotel lodging is fast approaching. Phone the Sonesta Irvine directly (be sure to mention the conference) or book online here to stay up until the wee hours and not have to rise too early. The deadline to book your room has been extended to Monday, August 29th.

A majority of the advance submission readers remain open at this time. For those still seeking one-on-one consultation, the deadline to submit material has been extended to no later than September 1st. September 1st is also the last day to save $75 off Full Conference participation.

Finally, for those planning ahead, our 37th annual San Diego event will take place Presidents’ Day Weekend, February 17-19, 2023. Save a whopping $175 off Full Conference participation and register by September 1st here.

–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC/SWS

Versitile bestselling author and SCWCer Janis Thomas is the second Special Guest Speaker to be announced. Ever the genre switcher, her spellbinding new novel, Finding Grace, is hailed by Wendy Walker (All Is Not Forgotten) as, [A] compelling psychological suspense drama about the ties that bind and the forgiveness that lives within us all. A truly unique and captivating read!” Publishers Weekly proclaims, “[An] engrossing paranormal thriller.” Kirkus Reviews declares it, “An authentically creepy tale.” A long, strange trip for this particular book. Janis will tell us all about it in September.

While there’s one more speaker still to be announced, the working weekend schedule has been posted and Advance Submission Readers are open for selection. As usual, this far out from the conference, there’ll likely be some last-minute finessing but at least you can start planning your weekend.

The Why of Writing

It’s been a popular topic among many of us these past months following February’s San Diego event, the Why of Writing. There’s plenty of reasons we write, of course; plenty of justification to write adequately enough. Big question is: How good is good enough? Further: What’s the ultimate point of your writing this story? What’s the reader supposed to take away upon reaching The End?

I mention this because so much material we’re reading, both published and in manuscript form, seem to exist without any effort to impact the reader beyond entertaining distraction. That is to say, so many stories seem to not strive for leaving a lasting emotional impact with readers. Not to imply there’s anything wrong with that – “adequate” is often “good enough” for publication, especially in these days of premature e-publication and binge streaming. Thing is, is that all you wish of your work? Your personal legacy?

A couple of workshops debuting September delve into the guts of this issue. As with so much else in life, but particularly with a book, you only get one shot at making a first and lasting impression. So the deeper into the woods we go to address it, the more likely better your book will be. At least that’s how the SCWC has historically played it. The results, as many know, are significant.

Which brings me to this account: A longtime SCWCer known by all regulars was set to self-publish his debut novel this summer. The book launch party and location were set, invites sent out, anticipation whelming. Basically, a big deal for this particular author long in the making.

Mere weeks before the launch he pulled the plug, for every right reason there is, he wrote in part to his mailing list:

“Unfortunately, I don’t believe [TITLE] in its current form achieves the level of excellence I aspire to. As a result, I’m postponing the publication of my novel and canceling the planned book launch party.”

In a world of just because you can doesn’t mean you should, I couldn’t be more proud of this writer. He epitomizes everything the SCWC stands for by making this excruciating decision.

Discounted registration remains open at this time. The hotel just completed a cool re-model. Aim for excellence, settle only for exceptional and join us. Your work is worth it.

(Note that if you’re planning way ahead, severely discounted pre-registration for our 37th annual winter conference, in San Diego, opens August 1st here.)

–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC/SWS

Lifetime reader and admitted nerd about all things science fiction and fantasy, Ash Bishop will be with us in Irvine. His debut novel Intergalactic Exterminators Inc. chronicles the raucous exploits of an “ecosystem preservation” team sent to Earth to eliminate an alien threat with the reluctant help of a human. Of it, New York Times bestselling author Jesse Kellerman (The Burning) effuses, “This book is so much fun it ought to be illegal in all known galaxies … a wildly imagined, deeply felt, swashbuckling page turner.” Our first Special Guest Speaker to be announced, not only will Ash share his journey with us, he’ll have his official book launch at the conference hotel.

Speaking of the Sonesta Irvine Hotel, some exciting renovations are underway at the property that should only prove exceptionally useful to the SCWC. A longtime favorite location of ours, we can’t wait to return. Discounted lodging is available to conferees and is now available through our online hub. Book your stay today here.

Since returning to in-person events last September and February of this year – stringent COVID protocols in place for both – conference participation has greatly exceeded our expectations. And as we continue to make adjustments in effort to assuage trepidation and best adjust to our new “normal” for the foreseeable future, there are a few things we’ve learned over the past two years that have actually proven beneficial. One particular thing we discovered and have explored the feasibility of implementing, we’re going to unveil at Irvine. Have run it by Wes, Rick, various workshop leaders, agents, editors and other publishing professionals, even past conferees, and all were unanimous in giving it a try. Will unveil what in another update.

Discounted Early “Bard” Pre-registration is open. Save $100 on Full Conference participation if registered by July 1. Be sure to join our mailing list to not miss essential, periodic updates via email.

Much more soon. And for those who missed it, Janis Thomas and her sister premiered a new song at the recent book launch of Finding Grace…

–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC/SWS

As the final late-night read & critique drew to a close at San Diego 36, we were already at work on September. Discounted Early “Bard” Pre-registration is now open for our 19th annual LA/Irvine conference. Do so today to save big. There’s so much information to unpack from February, we’re almost giddy developing new workshops to address some particularly tricky issues that cropped up. As usual, we’ll be all about the writers in the room and where they’re at with their work and goals. Regular updates begin May.

In the meantime, here’s what you need to know now…

SCWC*LA/IRVINE 19 LOCATION: The conference will return to Sonesta Irvine Hotel, located at 17941 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, CA 92614. Dates are September 16-18, 2022. 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 19 SCHEDULE: Rest assured that plenty of craft- and business-centric sessions, read & critique workshops, one-on-one consultations and more will fill 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 19 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!

–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC/SWS

Our initial return to in-person activities since February, 2020 exceeded all expectations. Lotsa work got done over conference weekend, tears fell, but laughter prevailed. An honor, truly, that so many placed their trust in the SCWC as we dipped our toes back into real-world conference waters. Huge thanks to Rick & Linda Ochocki, our workshop leaders, editors, agents and hotel staff. Cannot adequately convey how momentous an occasion Irvine turned out to be after all these miserable, many months. Thank you, all.

Now to the awards…

SCWC*LA/IRVINE 18 Award Recipients

OUTSTANDING FICTION (Historical)
Echoes
By Laura Rader of Escondido, CA

OUTSTANDING FICTION (Sci-Fi)
TBD
By Shawn Butler of Irvine, CA

Of course, 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 LA18 was any iteration of “Tots.” Here’s the winning entry…

OUTSTANDING TOPIC STORY
Hot Tots
By
Simone Berkowitz
of San Francisco, CA

He walked in just as she bent to pull the tray out of the oven, giving him an excellent rear view. The smell of grease woke his stomach as he entered the kitchen where she stood plucking tater tots off the tray and placing them delicately in a bowl. He took in her pencil skirt, silky blouse, and tightly pinned hair before kissing her deeply in greeting.

“Let’s take this to the bedroom,” she said, leading him with one hand while grasping the bowl with the other. He nodded and stripped along the way until he stretched out on the bed nude. She set the bowl next to him and slowly undressed and then unpinned her hair, which fell around her face in waves.

As she lay beside him, he asked, “What’s with the tots?”

“I’ve had a fantasy ever since I taught high school,” she said. “I’ve wanted a younger man to eat tater togs off my body.” As she spoke, she placed several tots on her taut abdomen, wincing at the heat. When she was done, she licked salt off her fingers.

He held her gaze as he started from the bottom, tonguing each tot and crunching it before moving onto the next. When he finished, she closed her eyes and moaned.

“What about you? What’s your fantasy?” she asked, shivering with pleasure as he licked the remaining salt from her midsection.

He flushed red. “Well,” he said, “there’s something I’ve always wanted to do with ketchup…”

###

Congratulations to all the award winners!

We’ll return to Irvine next year with our 19th annual fall event. Dates will be September 16-18. Discounted pre-registration opens March 1, 2022. In the meantime, our 36th annual San Diego conference take place Presidents’ Day Weekend, February 18-20, 2021. All the details can be found here.

–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC/SWS