News And Announcements

Returning for her second appearance as Special Guest Speaker is author and SCWC workshop leader Janis Thomas. In yet another departure from the humorous women’s fiction that she first won over readers and critics alike with, her long-anticipated latest, the hypnotic domestic drama What Remains True, is the first release in a two-book deal with Amazon imprint Lake Union. Chronicling multiple perspectives of a family shattered by the loss of a child, the novel brings Janis full circle on her circuitous path to publication—from traditional to indie, between and back. Many major lessons to be learned from it, and Janis will be certain to walk us through them.

Should be noted that, on this NaNoWriMo 2017 eve, Janis is about to dig in with some 40,000-plus other writers worldwide to commit at least 50,000 words to a manuscript over the next 30 days. The spine of many of her novels was forged this way. If you’re one such writer trying the same, just remember to give yourself permission to write bad words; write every single day; and finish what will likely be a crappy first draft. You’ll have plenty of time to polish that turd and fish out the pearls after. (And if you need a little guidance on where to keep your sights, “Who Are You Writing For and Why?” may help.)

More Staff Confirmed

As usual, we’re debuting several new sessions come February. We’ll begin rolling them out officially in the next couple of weeks, when we open Advance Submission Reader selection. Along with many of the excellent regular workshop leaders you’ve come to expect in San Diego, we’re introducing Jennifer Caloyeras to the fold. The author of two acclaimed young adult novels and widely published short story writer, she has a newly released collection out from Vandalia Press, Unruly Creatures.

Still more yet to come!
 

Good “Muse” Today

Among SCWCers with new books out or will be soon: Dot Caffrey’s Conquest of Power: Book Three in the Trilogy of Power (World of Drejon) … Greta Boris’ The Scent of Wrath, the second in her 7 Sins series … Kathryn Atkins’ Giving My Self to the Wind: Stories, Essays, and More. Best of success to all!

Next SD32 update is mid-November. Our winter event is limited to 175 writers. Discounted pre-registration is now open. And for those looking forward to spring and something entirely different, our exclusive Sunriver Writers’ Summit will take place May 26-27, 2018, on Central Oregon’s high plateau. Complete details here.

–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC

Winter is coming! Our extended 32^nd annual Presidents’ Day Weekend conference takes place February 16-18, 2018. Offering over five-dozen workshops—including “Rogue” read & critique sessions that often run deep into the balmy wee hours, five months out there’s already plenty to report.

The author of The Midnight Dance, her debut young adult fantasy out October from Swoon Reads/Macmillan, Nikki Katz joins us for the first as a Special Guest Speaker. Replete with magical realism and Gothic settings, the intricately woven story delivers a unique and haunting twist on a classic fairy tale which #1 New York Times bestseller Jay Asher (Thirteen Reasons Why) calls, “A dark adventure, stunningly written!” And Suzanne Lazear, author of the Aether Chronicles series, declares it, “Deliciously dark and twisty, taking you on a luscious ride.” A recovering rocket scientist, Nikki will share how it came about it.

Other staffers making their SCWC debut include Loretta Ellsworth, author of the young adult novels The Shrouding Woman, In Search of Mockingbird, In a Heartbeat and Unforgettable, along with her new, full-on adult title, Stars over Clear Lake; Pendleton (Penn) Wallace, author of the Ted Higuera Thriller and Catrina Flaherty Mystery series; New York literary agents John Bowers, of the Bent Agency, and Kaitlyn Johnson, from Corvisiero Literary. More workshop leaders, agents, editors and another guest speaker will be announced next update. Rest assured than many of our best, familiar folk are already aboard, even some we haven’t seen for a while. With them will come many new workshops we’re thinking need to be introduced, as well as some we need to bring back to get to the core of what we do best: craft.

Gobs of Good “Muse”

Busy days for many SCWCers. Books recently released or very soon to be include the launch of yet another series by the prolific Bethany Lopez. Pinch of Salt (Volume 1 of Three Sister Catering), which made the Smashwords Hotlist: Weekly Indie Romance Bestsellers and Hot Pre-orders … The follow-up to his internationally award-winning Game of Love, Ara Grigorian’s contemporary romance Ten Year Dance … Chasing Hope, a contemporary drama from Holly Kammier … And Jessica Therrien’s latest, Carry Me Home, inspired by the true story of a teenage girl’s involvement in several Mexican gangs in San Jose and Los Angeles.

On the spooky, creepy, lovely, downright scary side of things, Laura Perkins’ (writing as Mercy Hallow) dark fantasy Sythe: Legions of the Claimed … Linda Thomas-Sundstrom’s Desert Wolf continues the series … And Evan Ramspott’s (who writes under the pen name Better Hero Army) fourth installment of his zombie-themed saga, Plagued: The Battle Creek Zombie Rectification Experiment. Nonfiction-wise: Greta Boris & Megan Haskell have Aspiring to Author: A Guide for Your Publishing Career … And Robert Yehling (with Jeff Emmerson) has Beyond ADHD: Overcoming the Label and Thriving.

Congratulations and best of success to all!

That’s it for now. Be sure to subscribe to our periodic .COMmunity updates to receive all the latest news. To engage with our greater writing community in the meantime, join the well-moderated conversation on our SCWC Facebook page.

Discounted pre-registration is open now. San Diego 32 is your winter writerly haven. Be there or beware.

—Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC

Right out of the gate we’re thrilled to announce that Jennifer De Chiara Literary’s Damian McNicholl will be joining us in February, not only in his role as a accomplished agent looking to expand his client list, but as a distinguished author himself. Of his latest novel, The Moment of Truth, Booklist declares it “rich in emotion and written with style and precision (the bullfighting scenes have the crisp clarity of Hemingway), strikes a fine balance between love story and historical adventure … McNicholl uses the sensibilities of his heroine to give the story a very modern-seeming immediacy.” Historical Novels Review concludes it simply, “A triumphant celebration of women’s equality and empowerment.” Our first Special Guest Speaker announced, we’re looking forward to hearing about his journey.

Discounted Early “Bard” Pre-registration is now open for our 32nd annual winter conference. Do so by September 1, 2017 and save a whopping $150 on Full Conference attendance. While well over six months away, plenty of trusted, familiar friends are already aboard. Regular updates will begin following our fall event in Irvine, Sept. 22-24, 2017. (Check out all the latest on it here.) As always, our focus will be on getting you where you want to be with your work, be it with novels, personal narratives, practical nonfiction, short stories, essays or any other writing aimed at commercial publication.

SCWC*SD32 LOCATION: The conference will again be held at the Crowne Plaza Hanalei resort, located mere moments away from Lindbergh Field International Airport, Sea World, Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, historic Old Town, downtown and its famous Gaslamp District, along with beaches galore. Dates are Presidents’ Day Weekend, Feb. 16-18, 2018. Lodging discounts are available to SCWC conferees. Phone 800-972-2802 to book your reservation, or book online. Deadline for discounted hotel registration is January 15, 2018.

SCWC*SD32 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’ll not start plugging things in until later, you can get an idea of the overall shape of the conference on the schedule page.

SCWC*SD32 STAFF: In addition to the many familiar workshop leaders, agents, editors and other publishing professionals returning in 2018, several new folks will join our fold. Check ’em out on the staff page as they’re announced, beginning in October.

Be sure to subscribe to our periodic .COMmunity updates to receive all the latest news. And to engage with our greater writing community between events, join the well-moderated conversation on our SCWC Facebook group.

That’s all for now. We look forward to seeing you in San Diego come February, if not before. In the meanwhile, go forth, write well, aim for excellence and settle only for exceptional.

–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC

Such a great weekend. From Wes, Chrissie and myself to all the staff, volunteers–and especially the conferees–thank you for making SD31 such a memorable affair. First-timers abounded this time around. And the severe storm predicted to last all weekend—50-mile-an-hour sustained winds on the coast, inches of rain, frigid hellfire on earth and East Coast literary agents sopping mad—proved a dud because the attending writers shone so brightly as to burn the clouds away. While the sky got gloomy Friday evening, by Saturday we were once again fully abloom in San Diego winter. What waters fell only cleansed and rejuvenated an indomitable spirit shared between all.

To say the least, it was an excellent conference rife with exceptional writers.

Now on to the awards, for the first time featuring a triple-winner…

SCWC*31 Award Recipients

OUTSTANDING FICTION
The Man Who Couldn’t Sleep
By Christopher Garrett of Chandler, AZ

OUTSTANDING FICTION
The Angel’s Share
By Christopher Garrett of Chandler, AZ

Each SCWC, of course, we hold 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 topic announced Friday night. The topic for SD31 was “Mirror.” Here’s the winning entry…

OUTSTANDING TOPIC STORY
Rear View
by
Christopher Garrett
of Chandler, AZ

“You know I can’t stand country music,” Samantha said. “Turn on NPR.”

Greg jabbed the button to avoid another argument. The voice of Terry Gross filled the car.

When he first met Samantha, Greg would have agreed to listen to Terry Gross all day long, simply for the sake of the great sex. He and Samantha disagreed on everything, except what happened between the sheets.

“You always keep it so cold,” Samantha said. “Turn up the temperature.”

But lust faded. Now their differences seemed to follow them everywhere, filling the back seat. Terry Gross sat behind him now, nodding as she listened to her own interview.

Greg preferred Willie Nelson to NPR.

Terry Gross scooted over for Willie. A slight smell of pot emanated from the back seat.

Or food. Samantha adored Thai food. Greg couldn’t stand it. Terry Gross bit down on a spring roll, peanut sauce dripping down her chin.

And politics? Don’t even start. Greg saw Willie Nelson surreptitiously elbow Trump for crowding him.

When had their differences become such intrusive baggage? Greg had hoped this weekend could be different.

“You know,” Samantha said. “Most of the books Terry recommends just aren’t very good. They’re about such small things.”

Greg looked at her. “That’s what I always say.”

“And I guess it is a little hot,” she said. She lowered the temperature. He had forgotten how Samantha’s hair shone in the sunlight. She smiled at him. “What?”

Terry Gross looked worried. “Umm…” she said. “How about a little heat back here?”

###

So there you go. For the first time in 49 SCWCs, one writer claims three awards in one event. And the rhino you’re looking at? Longtime conferee Marla Sink Druzgal had it specially made for the conference during her time in South Africa. There are only two in the entire world, and in addition to receiving a ceremonial hug for his win, Chris was bestowed one of them. Congratulations to all the… winner!

We’ll return to our longtime San Diego home at Crowne Plaza Hanalei for our 32^nd annual. Dates will be Presidents’ Day Weekend, February 16-18, 2018. Limited to 175 writers, discounted pre-registration opens July 1. In the meanwhile, next up is our Fall conference, which takes place September in Irvine, CA. Full details here.

–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC

Best-selling author of A Star for Mrs. Blake (Random House), an acclaimed novel chronicling the pilgrimage of five Gold Star Mothers who travel to France in 1931 to visit the graves of their sons, fallen in World War I, April Smith joins us in February with her latest. Publishers Weekly declares Home Sweet Home (Knopf), her latest, [A] terrific new novel … [Smith] illuminates the force of McCarthyism-generated fear in the Midwest and effectively personalizes it through the persecution the Kusak family endures for their liberal beliefs.” April is also the scribe behind five wildly popular contemporary thrillers starring FBI Special Agent Ana Grey. She’ll be our Saturday evening Special Guest Speaker.

For writers who are genuinely serious about elevating the quality of their work and distinguishing themselves from the crowd, who are committed to breaking the cycle of rejection–from agents, from editors, from readers–we’re crafting another singular event specifically for you. With only a handful of slots yet to be announced, the bulk of SD31’s sessions are now posted. Check out the Workshops and Events page to see where we’re at currently. The working schedule for our Presidents’ Day Weekend event will start being updated shortly.

Good “Muse” Abounds

Congratulations are in order for author Janis Thomas, co-workshop leader of our 5-part Novel Intensive. Just in time for the holidays, she signed a 2-book deal with Lake Union, the women’s fiction imprint of Amazon Publishing. The first title, What Remains, will be out November, 2017. A stark departure from the more lighthearted novels Janis is generally known for, I’ve read it. Mark your calendar. It’ll be well worth the wait.

Other SCWCers with titles recently out or soon to be released: From Douglas Bornemann, the follow-up to his fanciful The Demon of Histlewick Downs, Practical Phrendonics (The Dreamweaver Chronicles Book 2), is now available … A new Levi Hart Thriller from Richard Craig Anderson, Follow Apollo, is out from Hellgate Press … And from Linda Thomas-Sundstrom, Harlequin Nocturne is releasing her novella Wolf Bait in January, followed by Moon Marked in February, then Vampire Lover in March. Another full novel, Angel Unleashed, will drop come April. Congrats to all and to all, cheers to a healthful, bountiful New Year!

Deadlines for discounted conference pre-registration and hotel lodging are fast approaching. Also, Advance Submission Readers will likely start filling up in the next week or so. Be the writer you aspire to be and join us at the SCWC.

–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC

Matt Coyle is author of the hardboiled Rick Cahill Crime Thriller series, the first of which, Yesterday’s Echo, earned an Anthony Award, San Diego Book Award for Best Published Mystery and the prestigious Benjamin Franklin Silver Award. Library Journal called his sophomore effort, Night Tremors, “[A] clever blending of crime noir tropes with today’s culture.” When starting out, the SCWC was the very first writers’ conference Matt attended. Now he returns, like so many before him, as a Special Guest Speaker with his latest release, Dark Fissures. New York Times best-selling author C. J. Box (Joe Pickett novels) calls it, “An outstanding read!” We couldn’t agree more, and look forward to hearing all about his writer’s journey. Welcome back, Matt!

Post-Publication Perils

The execution of exceptional craft remains the thrust of any SCWC event. It will again in February. But beyond striving to become the best writer one can, we’d be remiss to neglect what many really want to know once they’ve published a book worthy of being read: how to reach an audience that will actually buy, read and review their books.

Yes, stories matter. And as I addressed in this SCWC blog post, good stories, great stories, matter even more. But if people don’t know such books exist, what’s the point? Good writers deserve good money for their work.

That we now live in an increasingly universal “gig” economy is nothing new for most writers. Writers have always been paid to play. Writing on spec? If it’s good enough for somebody to cut a check, you play. Under contract to deliver on something not yet written? Do so and you get paid. That’s the gig. Welcome to Writer Reality.

But even if you decide to go it alone, doing absolutely everything correctly — written a great book, had it professionally edited, invested in a terrific cover, landed laudatory blurbs from respected names and crafted compelling back jacket copy – when it still ain’t selling it’s frustrating. And simply spamming your book’s availability to writer’s groups on Facebook doesn’t much help. After all, if you don’t participate in the community of writers by joining the conversation, why would you expect any to spend money supporting you as a reader?

Marketing for most is tough; easier to do for a friend than one’s self, many would agree. So we’re going to hit the topic a bit harder than usual come February, exploring the proven strategies, tactics, tools and alternative publishing modalities available to authors today in service of selling more books. Be sure to check the Staff page to see who’s already confirmed.

Next update will include the bulk of workshops confirmed for SD31. That should be mid-December. Subscribe to SCWC .COMmunity news updates for periodic email updates. Join our Facebook community for more support and information. And be sure to gift yourself this holiday season with discounted pre-registration so you can join us for our Winter conference. Your words are worth it.

–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC